Blog Tour: Ignite by Lily Paradis

Ignite (Ignite #1), by Lily Paradis

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Rating: 5/5 stars

Publication: August 26, 2014, by Empire Books

Format: eARC

Goodreads Summary: After her father’s untimely demise in a mining accident and her mother’s abandonment, Lauren Lindsay is no stranger to loss. She’s used to living life for one person: herself. That is, until another family tragedy thrusts three children into her care and uproots her life in ways she could never imagine. 

Lauren's first instinct is to run, until she meets their striking, mysterious neighbor Dean Powell. Their immediate chemistry and his connection with her late father just might be enough to keep her in town long enough to uncover pieces of her past that she never had answers to. Dean’s shady past and her reluctance to trust him could cost her the life she's always been searching for, but will she run back to her old life? 

Or will she choose to stay and live the life her father always imagined for her?

Review:

Review copy provided by author via publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

NA books always are difficult to please me. It's very difficult to master a romance that is so powerful compared to a teenage romance. The romance between Dean and Lauren, in fact, is actually PG related. So don't get any misassumptions over here.  NA is NA, but this is actually YA. And I've really got to say, this book was phenomenal. Lily Paradis is an extremely talented author, and I'm so excited for her next works in the series and beyond!

I seriously didn't know what to expect when beginning this book. 5 star ratings have been blown all over the place, and of course I'm usually the black sheep in the crew. But coming to this moment, it has become one of my most favourite books of the year. 

Lauren is broken. To this moment, she feels alone, and that's all because of everyone leaving her. She's used to being left behind. Her mother left her, her brother's in university on the other side of the country, and her father died in a mining accident that shed her to pieces. Then she meets Dean Powell, her mysterious neighbour that girls are easily attracted to. He has a dark past, but he is shockingly drawn to Lauren and her own past. Lauren eventually finds out that she has long-lost step-siblings and secrets about her own family comes to life, at the same time that Dean and her have an attraction.

By the end, I was all:

I felt like I was a piece of paper being blown around in the strongest wind gusts that you can imagine. The author wrote Lauren's story so strongly and amazingly. Her writing was addicting and got me obsessing over everything that was happening. I was captivated and unable to let go of everything that was happening.

The story was unbelievable. It was real, believable and justifying. It's been an hour (when I was writing this) since I've finished this book and I still don't know how I'm able to write this review because I'm on such a massive book-hangover because this was full of drama and amazing things. I felt like this book was written for the drama and beautiful romance. *claps*

The best part?

DEANANDLAURENARETHEBESTCOUPLETHATYOUCANPOSSIBLYDREAMABOUT. *sighs* Dean and Lauren are perfect. They're like the Romeo and Juliet of 2014. I don't know how else I can possibly say this—but they're so adorable. They match each other, like Bonnie & Clyde. Think of the couple that you see who love each other the most, multiply their love x1000. That's Dauren's love. (I HAVE A SHIP NAME TOO!) They're perfect, and perfect as characters. They gave me the feels, made my heart race, made me laugh, smile like an idiot and tear up.

That's what Dean did to me. Is it weird that I'm loving every fictional YA guy out there? x'D 

I feel like this review is all feels. I'm obsessed with this book, this fictional world, and everything that's part of it. This is totally worth the 5 blast stars and more, and that's especially because of the heart-stopping romance and gorgeous characters. This book truly ignited me, and left me on fire. 

Cover Reveal and Review: Something About Love by Elana Johnson

~Hello!~

   As you may know (hopefully you do!) I am a huge fan of Elana Johnson and her books, specifically the Possession trilogy and Elevated! When an opportunity to be part of the cover reveal and read and review her newest book, Something About Love, came up, I went for it immediately! 

    Now comes the moment you've all been waiting for! Seriously—who doesn't enjoy cover reveals? Here you have the gorgeous cover and review of this newest poetic novel by Elana!

   

    Something About Love, by Elana Johnson

    Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Chick-lit

    Rating: 3.5/5 stars

    Publication: September 15, 2014, by AEJ Creative Works

    Format: e-ARC

    


Goodreads Summary: High school senior Olivia Winging gave up her love of photography when she gave up her boyfriend, Trevor Youngblood, a year and a half ago. She broke things off with Trevor because her mom married his dad, and dating your step-brother? Creepy. 

Livvy hasn’t been on good terms with her mother since, and one of her stipulations for staying at the Youngblood’s every other weekend is that Trevor can’t be there. When she gets nominated for the Junior Photography in Excellence award, Trevor insists she enter. She agrees—only if every photo in the portfolio can be of him. Knowing that Livvy can capture a person’s deepest secrets through her lens, Trevor hesitates before accepting the deal.

As Livvy gets behind the lens of her camera again, her love of photography is rekindled. Unfortunately, the time she spends with Trevor also re-ignites the old flame for him she’s kept smothered for so long. 

In order for Livvy to finish her portfolio, she’ll have to face her feelings for Trevor as well as deal with the animosity between her and her mother. Livvy’s always been able to capture a person’s soul from behind the camera—but she’s not sure she likes it when the lens is suddenly focused on her. If she can’t find a way to forgive her mother and admit how she feels about Trevor, Livvy may end up losing more than just the photography contest. She could lose her heart.

Review:

Review copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

"But I'll never get those words out of my head.

I've seen them, and

I can't unsee them

Just like I've kissed Trevor, and

I can't unkiss him,

Can't unwant him,

Can't unlove him."

All in all, I love poetry. I know that I say this in every review of a YA book that is written through the format of poetic works, but it's the truth. I always take the chance of reading poetry whenever I can, but Elana Johnson really does master it every time. 

After reading Elana's other YA books, I jump at the chance of reading any other book written by her. She knocks me out of my socks every time and I'm either left (a) bawling /or/ (b) smiling from head to toe. She just gets my feels going out of control 24/7.

Something About Love was a novel truly about finding yourself. Livvy, the main character and protagonist, was buried through most of the novel. Sure, she was annoying and dumb at times, through most of the book. But really, this book was about her developing to the state she became to by the end of the book. She really didn't become herself until the end of the book, and that's where she really began to shine, no doubt about it. 

Elana's characters always have a weak beginning and strong building to the end. She also always makes their stories believable. Both Trevor and Livvy both had tough lives and family problems—especially Livvy, who went through so much that she ended up getting homeschooled.

Livvy loved Trevor. But she really didn't understand what being in love meant. Before, she gave up everything that she loved—and that included Trevor and her love of photography. Now, everything may be going for the worse but then other things can go positively. When an opportunity to be part of a photography contest comes up, Trevor urges her to sign up and she does. Things may be going for the worse but there's always a bright side...

"Humans need oxygen;

Fish need water;

Harris needs me, and

I need Trevor."

Overall, the plot was very well-defined and well-written. Elana's and Livvy's story got to the point quickly and was very enjoyable. Livvy's story was real and I believed it. Many people are going through the same things that she was going through and I loved the concept. Photography? That's so hipster and gorgeous. 

The romance was cute, but it wasn't all eye-popping. There wasn't enough bizazz.

This book wasn't everything I was looking for, but I still actually enjoyed it quite a lot and I'd recommend it to lovers of anything by Carol Lynch Williams. Grief, forbidden romance, and strong emotions, Something About Love is a book that's sure to satisfy others. 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you think about this cover? I, on the other hand, love it!

As I Wake, by Elizabeth Scott Review

As I Wake, by Elizabeth Scott

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopia, Romance

Rating: 1.5/5 stars

Publication: September 15, 2011

Format: Hardcover (borrowed)





Goodreads Summary: Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them - and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.

Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust.

Review:

"I see everything, and it's like I'm being pulled in two but no one is pulling me, it's all in my head, my empty head that seems to be full of things I shouldn't know but do and I don't understand this, don't understand me, and who I am? Who am I, really? I close my eyes."

Before reading this, I actually never knew that Elizabeth Scott has written a dystopia. I'm used to the crazy, tearjerking deep stories that rock me around until it's all over. Since this was one of her "older" novels, (compared to her newest ones) I wouldn't expect something amazing. But surprisingly, I was very disappointed with this book of hers.

Ava...

You usually can be able to stand and get through with a character. You might dislike them, but there has to be something else in the novel that kept you going. Sure, I made it through this novel without DNF-ing it, excluding me skimming through the last 30 pages or so, but I hated Ava as a protagonist. I just couldn't relate to her. She was such an emotionless person. It was like I'm reading the POV of an android or robot. Cinder did a job 10050 times better than this clueless person. 

This was a dystopia about an unknown person. Ava wakes up in a hospital not knowing who she is, where she is, and who's part of her surroundings. She feels emotionless. She doesn't know what's going on. She's going through a deep part of amnesia, and she doesn't know who to trust, and if everything around her is a lie or not.

The story began okay. It was going well until Scott tried to add a plot twist... Which didn't work out so well.

Unlike her other novels, she just couldn't get it going well. I got bored, and the story went out of control and useless and confusing. There really was no romance going on (besides the fact that I did like the male characters) and I couldn't see the whole dystopia part coming to life although the author did make some tries.

Throughout the rest of the novel, there were no changes. The plot went less defined and less defined until the point where I lost contact with relating to this book and its story. The writing became boring and I was disappointed.

Ava was hideous. As I mentioned before, she was one of the worst protagonists I've ever read about. No confidence, no independence, just mute. She was like not even a person. She went around walking like a piece of concrete. No feelings, no emotions. I didn't understand her at all and I don't know how others did.

Elizabeth Scott just really made everything confusing here. As a standalone, things should've been more detailed and all. I didn't know what was happening and the ending was all ?_? for me. There were things needed to be answered, and a lot had to do with Ava and her past. All we got was her walking around in her school not knowing who is who and her trying "so deeply hard" to remember the people in front of her.

I seriously don't know why I kept on and went on reading this book until the end. It's been a while, but to this day, I'm clueless onto why I did. Recommended? Absolutely not. This was one of the worst books I've ever read. Surprising, coming from a greatly favourited author of mine.

Stacking the Shelves #8: September 13

Happy Sunday!

~

This week has actually been a slow week for me for everything. Reading, blogging, reviewing, and that counts receiving books. It basically has been my first real week of high school (since I went on a trip last week) and the homework and studying has piled up and has taken so much time out of my hands. I have begun to stress a little, but as I'm getting organized, I feel like I can handle everything. 

Now I really got to work on finding time to read and blog. I mean, there is time, but not as much as I hope to have. I guess time management is very important for me in this period of my life. 

So what am I reading?

I've begun Ignite by Lily Paradis, since I have a blog tour stop coming up soon. It's really good so far, and I'm hoping to have it done today! (Or have I finished it already? :D)

My tiny haul:

EDELWEISS! EW has given me some happy moments this week when they granted me access to these four pretties:

Thank you so much to Simon Pulse and Harlequin Teen for these pretties!

Bleed Like Me — C. Desir: This cover is gorgeous and I've been dying to read it for a while!

A Little Something Different — Sandy Hall: Everyone has been raving and noting that it's adorable. Reminds me of Eleanor & Park!

Lies We Tell Ourselves — Robin Talley: EEEEEE. No other words needed. So, so excited for this memorable pretty!

Let's Get Lost — Adi Alsaid: I'd never think that I'd get an eARC now that the book is already out. Seems like the perfect road trip novel! Alaska? Here I come!

~~~~

That was my week! Not too much to talk about, but I'm thankful to have gotten these beauties!

Any bookish news? What have you added to your shelves this week?

   

Kids in Love by Nikki Godwin Book Blitz!

            Kids in Love (American Girl on Saturn #1.5), by Nikki Godwin

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Publication: September 7, 2014

 As one of the original Saturnites, Darby McMillon has been a longtime face of the fandom. From the days when the boys were just a YouTube band trying to gain fans up through their recent lockdown, Darby's channel - Darby's Daily Dose of Drama - was the "go to" spot for all things Spaceships Around Saturn. 

 Until now, she's been trusted by most and envied by few, but her meet up with SAS girlfriend Chloe Branson shakes Darby's world. She learns quickly that when you're with the band, everything isn't always red carpets and music videos. 

 And the closer she gets to her SAS crush Tate Kingsley, the closer she comes to losing her Saturnite status forever.

Amazon

Smashwords

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 Nikki Godwin is a YA/NA/LGBT author. She can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, and music by Hawthorne Heights. When not writing, she internet-stalks her favorite bands and keeps tabs on surf competitions. Her life goal is to meet David Desrosiers of Simple Plan. Her favorite pro surfers are Jeremy Flores, Gabriel Medina, and John John Florence. 

Blog: http://nikkigodwin.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikGodwin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiGodwinWrites

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6895711.Nikki_Godwin

Newsletter: http://t.co/CwsrsCMf9G

What is your favourite boy-band? Mine's totally got to be 5 Seconds of Summer.

Don't Miss a Diss #7: If I Stay Movie Review

    Don't Miss A Diss is a weekly discussion post led by A Thousand Lives Lived which features discussions with the book blogger public about the troubles and wishes of bloggers.

   As you may have heard, on August 22, Gayle Forman's book, If I Stay, has turned into a book-to-film adaptation starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Jamie Blackley in different locations around the world. For this week's Don't Miss a Diss post, I will be sharing my review of the movie with you all!  Please guys, stay for this! 

    

     I read If I Stay by Gayle Forman way back in early 2013—at least it felt like it was way back ago. At the time, it was one of the most popular YA novels, and it still is! Who'd think that a movie would be released? I adored the book and gave it a loving 4 stars, and before I knew it, I heard news of a movie being released in August of 2014. It was one year from the date at the time, and I was wondering what'd it eventually turn into.

     More than a year later—and here I am gushing about it. I'd seriously give this movie a wopping 10/10 stars and beyond because it was so amazing. Even if you're not the type to read, then I'd still say to go out and watch this because it's gorgeously hot. And steamy!

       I saw this on the day it was released with a friend. We both went in with high expectations and came out in tears. Shattered, if you ask me. I didn't let anyone talk to me for a full two hours until I came to my senses.

        BRING TISSUES. 

         That's all I really have got to say. And a friend, so you can have someone to gush to when you meet Adam aka Jamie Blackley, my crush forever and always. Or you can be still awesome and gush to the security guard who doesn't care about your opinion. ;) Either way, you'll need to talk about the sexy Adam Wilde and the ship between him and Mia. Oh, and the fact on how quickly the movie's events go by.

      

       The movie was perfect. The creators made this so real and believable. The actors, specifically Chloe and Jamie, were perfect and did a brilliant job re-creating Mia and Adam's story. It's tough to act in a movie like that. The tears need to shed, the feelings need to come out, and you have to intrigue the audience. They made it easy, like a snap.

              won't be the same you you are after watching this movie. Adam just explained it perfectly here!

             So in case you've never heard of If I Stay or its novel, here's a recap on what it's all about. Mia is your average seventeen year old. She plays the cello, and that's her life. Music connects to her and it's her everything. She's currently dating (for the first time ever) Adam Wilde—a sexy, gorgeous, older rock-star who loves her to death. And yes, he loves her when Mia is in a car accident with her hippie parents and younger brother, Teddy. Mia is struck in a coma, but her spirit/soul is currently watching everything that's going on around her. How can this be? This is her story of how she's figuring to stay, or leave, including past events that will shatter your heart.

 

            That will help you really feel what's going on and so you can compare the book's works to the movie's. I can admit that the movie was better than the book, for one of the first times in book-to-movie-adaptation history, according to me, myself, and I. 

                       

              I just would like to talk about the fact how hot and sexy Adam is. JAMIE BLACKLEY IS PERFECT. I WANT HIM AND HIS GORGEOUS HAIR AND BODY AND CLOTHES AND LIPS AND EYES AND VOICE. I WANT WILLIAMETTE STONE. There's so many ways I can express my love for him, but I really have just got to say that he's my #1 most favourite guy in the world. I cry when thinking about how amazing he is. :')

                 The chemistry between Jamie and Chloe was real. I truly wish that they were dating in real life because I ship them so. fucking. hard. But... MEH. The "play you like a cello" scene was steamy and hot and got the whole theatre squealing, even the old men. xD

               And the soundtrack? Holy shit I listen to Williamette Stone's songs everyday. I need to get an iTunes card so I can buy the whole freaking album because Jamie's voice calms me down. 

  

                 

                     MUSIC CONNECTED THEM. THANK GOODNESS FOR MUSIC.

                    This movie will leave you:

• bawling like the world's ending and because you just can't have Adam
• singing along with Williamette Stone's amazing music
• envious that Mia gets all "that"
• heartbroken 
• wondering what'll happen next
• pissed that there's a cliffhanger
• feeling like you don't know what else to do with your life.
• . speechless

 

Stacking the Shelves # 7: September 7

MY WEEK:

  

Hello, hello! I still can't get myself saying that we're in "the month of September." This literally terrifies me! My week has been awesome and nerve-wracking all at the same time. I BEGAN MY FIRST DAY OF HIGH SCHOOL ON TUESDAY!

  

    I AM! I was so nervous the night/day before. I was literally about to barf and have a panic attack when thinking about being in school the next 24, 12, 7 WHATEVER amount of hours that I had left. It killed me. But as the day begun, I had a blast. The teachers and older grades made all of us feel so welcome! I didn't get lost on my way to classes and well, you can say I survived my first week of high school wonderfully.

    The next day, or for the next three days, I was on a retreat with the rest of the freshmen, staff, and seniors of the school up north at a camp resort place. Those three days were some of the best days of my life. 

     I have am now friends with many of the closest awesome perfect friends, and it's all thanks for the wonderful people that planned the trip out! Other high school didn't get to have this orientation and amazing experience.

        That was beautiful, and my view for three days. :') There, we did all sorts of activities—zip-lining, mountain biking, skateboarding, on the low ropes, high ropes, canoeing, a lot of things you can't possibly think of at the moment. And who can forget raving? We basically had a rave. xD

          MY HAUL:

         This week I began to send some ARC requests in, so hopefully in the coming weeks/months I will be ARC-famous! xD I didn't get too much this week, but I'm really happy with the pretties that I've been granted with! 

            I've finally gotten this beauty! Jeann, my co-blogger at Happy Indulgence has been raving about it and prying me to get it, so I finally can admit that I have it in my hands!

       

               I've really got to say thanks to Jessica Leake, author of Arcana for granting me an ARC! *squeals* I'm so excited to get started on it! Plus, it has a gorgeous cover!

         That was my week! Did you go back to school.. or work? What are some of your new goodies?

Blog Tour & Review: Don't Touch, by Rachel M. Wilson

Don't Touch, by Rachel M. Wilson

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Thriller

Rating: 3/5 stars

Publication: September 2, 2014, by HarperTeen

Format: eARC

Summary: A powerful story of a girl who is afraid to touch another person’s skin, until the boy auditioning for Hamlet opposite her Ophelia gives her a reason to overcome her fears.

 Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. Touch another person’s skin, and Dad’s gone for good. Caddie can’t stop thinking that if she keeps from touching another person’s skin, her parents might get back together... which is why she wears full-length gloves to school and covers every inch of her skin.It seems harmless at first, but Caddie’s obsession soon threatens her ambitions as an actress. She desperately wants to play Ophelia in her school’s production of Hamlet. But that would mean touching Peter, who’s auditioning for the title role—and kissing him. Part of Caddie would love nothing more than to kiss Peter—but the other part isn't sure she's brave enough to let herself fall.Perfect for fans of Laurie Halse Anderson, this debut novel from Rachel M. Wilson is a moving story of a talented girl who's fighting an increasingly severe anxiety disorder, and the friends and family who stand by her.

Review:

*e-ARC provided by HarperTeen and FFBC Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review.*

  OCD isn't a subject commonly used in YA fiction. It's interesting and fresh in thrillers. But instead, this is a book that can possibly occur to some in reality. Don't Touch isn't everything I wanted in a contemporary-mental disorder related novel, but it still was enjoyable and stays fresh in my mind.

   This book is racing—it gets your heart going and excites you and gives you all the feels. I, personally, thought that the plot needed some improvement, but the idea and characters really kept the story flying high if you ask me. This story created a lot of ideas flowing through my mind and tells me that the author had personal experiences that added onto creating this book, and I was right in the end. Reading the Author's Note really changed my liking for the better, and I highly recommend this book for all of those needed a little boost in their reading of darker novels. 

    Caddie has OCD, but she's not 100% aware of it. 

    And yes, she fears a lot of things around her, and the symptoms that you're aware of are happening to her. So many things are happening to her—her parents are divorcing, and she can't the feeling out of her head that she doesn't let anyone touch her. She's an actress, and being on the stage is all she's ever wanted. Her obsession isn't threatened... yet, until she realizes that if she wants the role of Ophelia in Hamlet... then she'll have to kiss Peter. She kind of wants to, but her disorder is beginning to take everything from her, and this is her story of her coming to be and how her life flows around her, grasping her away from the real world.

       You may not think it—but this character's life sucks. Everything that she's loved and has ever wanted is falling apart. It scares her and she's lost because she really doesn't know who she should head to in this time of her teenage years. 

         But her situation is worse than any other character's. Her anxiety and relationship problems are adding up... and her personality and character were affected by it all, and that made me feel sorry for her more and like her as a person less because of the way she treated others. Caddie was broken, as a whole.

         The story a while to build into. Caddie wasn't all who she seemed to be and that kept us wondering about what the heck was going on, and I couldn't relate to her too well. She just seemed like a bland broken person. Supposing that she was going through a mental illness would usually get me to love her and her story, but in some ways, that wasn't the case.

          Peter and the other characters such as Mandy were awesome. Just plain perfectionous—if that's even a word. They were the highlight of the book especially since they helped Caddie out during her rough time. 

           Overall, I recommend this book, even though it didn't stun me as I thought it would. Go for it if you love deep dark books, just beware for an incomplete protagonist. :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13597757-don-t-touch?ac=1

Amazon Paperback: http://tinyurl.com/m6jodz4

Barnes & Noble (B&N): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-touch-rachel-m-wilson/1117657300?ean=9780062220936

Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Dont-Touch-Rachel-Wilson/9780062220936

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/dont-touch/id778995469?mt=11

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/es-ES/ebook/don-t-touch-6

About the Author:

Rachel M. Wilson is the author of the contemporary YA, DON'T TOUCH, forthcoming from HarperTeen, Sep. 2, 2014. 

She graduated from Northwestern University and holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Rachel grew up in Birmingham, AL, and she currently writes, acts, and teaches in Chicago, IL.

   So there we have it! What captivates you the most about this newest YA novel?

Blog Tour: Minty, by Christina Banach

Minty, by Christina Banach

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery

Rating: 3/5 stars

Publication: April 8, 2014, by Three Hares Publishing

Format: ebook 

Goodreads Summary: Fourteen-year old twins Minty and Jess are inseparable. Maybe they bicker now and then, even crave a bit of space once in a while. But they have a connection. Unbreakable. Steadfast. Nothing can tear them apart. Until a family trip to the coast puts their bond in jeopardy. As Minty tries to rescue her dog from drowning she ends up fighting for her life. Will Minty survive? If she doesn't, how will Jess cope without her? Only the stormy sea has the answer.

     Review:

     *eReview copy provided by Jean Book Nerd Tours in exchange for an honest review.*

      This book was the good, the bad, and the ugly, all together. I loved it, hated it, and went through many phases of loving and thinking about it. Minty was more of a childish middle-grade book. It was predictable and not everything I would've wanted in a book like this. Prefer something better? Try If I Stay. That is much more heartfelt and beautiful. Plus, the romance is gorgeous there.

       Minty starts off like your average contemporary. The two main characters, Jess and Minty are average fourteen year olds, until Minty goes into the water to save her dog. After that, everything goes crazy. Minty ends up dying, and so does her dog. Her family is "torn apart," but the main person who's grieving is her twin, Jess. This is the story of her recovering... and watching her sister.

     

         Because there wasn't enough grieving! Jess was basically the only who was being teared apart. Her mom and dad? Nada. Her dad complained of not being able to shed a tear. That basically means that he didn't care. And I totally understood that Minty then teared apart herself. 

          The concept could've been thought out better... But there were many other things that intrigued me. The plot wasn't too bad. It was thick and there was a whole story in between in the lines. Christina Banach is a really awesome author, and her writing is great!

           Minty and Jess were both strong characters. Minty knew what she wanted. She had feelings, unlike many other protagonists these days. She was independent, capable of doing anything to make others happy and to have Jess stress-free.

              Family in books are so special. :D 

              In conclusion, I thought that this book was okay. It had its flaws, and its good spots. It was in between good and bad. Recommended but for those who are willing!                                                    

Earthquake, by Aprilynne Pike Review

Earthquake (Earthbound #2), by Aprilynne Pike

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery, Romance

Rating: 1.5/5 stars

Publication: July 8, 2014, by Razorbill

Format: Hardcover (borrowed)




Goodreads Summary: Tavia Michaels has discovered that she’s an Earthbound—a fallen goddess with the power to remake the Earth—and that a rival faction of Earthbounds, the Reduciata, has created a virus that is literally wiping swaths of the planet out of existence. 

Tavia is captured and imprisoned before she can act on this information, along with her eternal lover, Logan. Huddled in a claustrophobic cell, they lose track of the days, their attempts to escape proving as ephemeral as Tavia’s newly gestating powers. But then Tavia and Logan are mysteriously rescued. . . .

They’re brought to the underground headquarters of the Curatoria, another group of Earthbounds that Tavia doesn’t fully trust. There, she’s told that she can save the Earth before it disappears. She agrees.

Tavia quickly realizes that she isn’t like other Earthbound, and as her abilities continue to awaken, they begin to threaten her centuries-long relationship with Logan. When Benson—Tavia’s former best friend and romantic interest—appears at Curatoria headquarters, Tavia will again have to make a choice about who to be with even as she tries to stop the virus that is destroying the world and uncover the truth about the two Earthbound organizations that have her tangled up in their webs.

Review:

DNF @ 100-120 pages (don't remember haha)

“Logan,” I interrupt, and finally he looks up. “Can’t we just save the world first?”

“My world’s not worth saving without you,” he replies.

Then he turns and walks away.”

     Earthbound was more of a miss for me, but I wanted to keep going on with this series so I decided to pick this one up. I always liked Tavia and Logan's relationship, and I totally wanted to see it grow and improve. 

      I didn't like this book. Just to take a note in the future, please don't recommend any of the books in this series to me. I never want to see this book ever again because of the catastrophe also known as the plot. *sighs* I feel like crying every time when thinking about this book because I love Aprilynne Pike's other books!

        So you know, you boys can cry too if you'd like. :) This book took off right after where the first one did. At this point, Tavia is beginning to find out who she is. Her abilities are totally new to her, and of course, things at this point can go out of control at any moment. Logan is up to do anything to save Tavia from all of the crazy stuff going on in her world—but of course, they both end up getting captured. Then Tavia realizes that she's abnormal, surprise surprise.

        My main problem is the idea. It's really too cliche, and I don't think that it needs to become a trilogy to capture the idea and add it into readers's minds. Fallen goddesses? This sounds like a wannabe of fallen angels, which I can barely stand either. I'm just not into the goddess idea—or mythology either.

          The first 30 pages or so were racing. Aprilynne started off with a great action scene that kept me wanting to read this in one sitting. From there on, everything went slo-mo. The plot became thin, and I found that the book lost its magic, and so did the characters, who I once could really relate to, and who once, stories I really loved.

            Unable to keep up with this turtle-motioned novel, I gave up. Sure, I'm #sorrynotsorry, but I do wish that I came to adore this trilogy like others may have. The average rating is really good, too! 3.98? That's an accomplishment. But I guess that this will be one of the rare negative reviews that you will find, fellow bookies.

             

               Tavia lost her magic. She became annoying, and un-relatable. Like come on, you're a goddess, and you expect a prince charming following you at every corner, risking his life, when YOU have the ability to save HIM? Puh-leeze. I sure loved Prince Charming, aka Logan, who never lost his beauty and image.

                  In conclusion, I was looking for something much bigger and better. I was really disappointed with this—but if you absolutely adored the first, then go for this!