All the Rage by Courtney Summers Review

All the Rage, by Courtney Summers
Publication: April 14, 2015, by St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Abuse
Pages: 321
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 

The sheriff’s son, Kellan Turner, is not the golden boy everyone thinks he is, and Romy Grey knows that for a fact. Because no one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, the truth about him has cost her everything—friends, family, and her community. Branded a liar and bullied relentlessly by a group of kids she used to hang out with, Romy’s only refuge is the diner where she works outside of town. No one knows her name or her past there; she can finally be anonymous. But when a girl with ties to both Romy and Kellan goes missing after a party, and news of him assaulting another girl in a town close by gets out, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn’t speak up. Nobody believed her the first time—and they certainly won’t now — but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear.　
With a shocking conclusion and writing that will absolutely knock you out, All the Rage examines the shame and silence inflicted upon young women after an act of sexual violence, forcing us to ask ourselves: In a culture that refuses to protect its young girls, how can they survive?

My Thoughts: 

I have always been a fan of Courtney Summers' books... at least since last summer, hah. I keep mentioning this in every review of mine because she is one of the most unique contemporary writers to have ever hit my shelves and TBR lists. Know what I mean? *snickers* I bet you do. Do you ever get that feeling where you're unable to resist a writer's books? Yeah, that's always the case with her books, though I've never given a book of hers a five star rating. UM. That's an okay thing, right? 

After reading, I'm a little knocked out. Yeah, exactly how the stunning conclusion was supposed to make us feel. It's been a little while since I actually read and even returned this to the library and kind of forget about it. It's actually a pretty forgettable read, nothing special if you really think about it. That's what a book gets from a three star rating. Whoop, that's an accomplishment. *frowns* This could've been better, but whatever, I guess. Just take a look at the concept.

"And it’s in their heads now, that I took something from the search for Penny. I feel the beginnings of a whole new level of hate stirring in them. I pull my shirt on and try to make my mind blank while the room turns to vicious whispers.” 

This all jumps into place once the confusing prologue and start kind of gets to the right spot and we meet Romy Grey. From the themes and subjects that are highlighted, you'll presumably tell that she's a "loser." Everyone blames her existence for that another girl, Penny, who went missing. AND THIS IS ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT NIGHT... And of course, you'll figure out what that night held.

I always am in for books that deal with sexual abuse and rape. Those subjects always hit the heart, toughly. And of course, THE FEELS ARE REAL. And the biggest issue that I had with this piece of literature? The feels. I had no sense of emotion, where I spent most of my time literally eyeing the book with a straight face. Huh. I find that this is the usual problem that I have with her books, and I WANTED MORE THIS TIME. Especially since this is her newest novel and I firmly believe that authors improve with their writing after they've written some other books. But this? A complete catastrophe when looking at some of the writing points.

Let's just skip the plot stuff and get straight to it. But I will note that there wasn't too much trouble with it excluding the fact that I was kind of bored with it and nothing special actually comes to mind when I think of the book. Eh. I guess it'll go either way for everyone, but keep in mind that my thoughts of the writing itself wasn't very likeable, I must admit.

Then we have Romy Grey, a really cool chick. Don't get me wrong on the statement I mentioned above on how she was your typical protagonist. She was a likeable person, to be honest. I felt guilt for her (which was the only feeling that I actually felt from the whole book), and her story was real in my eyes. What teenage girl deserves that all? None, I tell you. But that's Summers' story that she wants to plant in readers' minds, and I see that many others have enjoyed this book. So that's my firm opinion. 

Romy was the voice of our teenage generation, just saying. Courtney created a teenage character who many young girls can relate to. Her story is very urbanized and modern, and it was like a news story that you watched endlessly. She kept moving on and was SO STRONG. I don't know what I would've done in her situation. And then again, Courtney puts readers in that situation.

I guess by the end, everyone's able to think about the "what-ifs." What if this happened to you? (Not stating this as a personal rhetorical question, by the way.) What if this happened to someone in your school? Would you judge them? You never know what you will do until you're actually put in that situation, to be honest. This is a total book that stands up for feminism. I love that extra quirk that the author added. (Not that I'm a feminist or anything.) But let's go, stand up for rights and against violence!

By the end, I believe that there's a possibility that you're sitting beside your computer, thinking that I shame books for no reasons. I'm chuckling, real hard after typing that statement out. But in reality, I did have some issues with it while everyone else loved it. *slams book into face* I just didn't feel it. Sure, the family and bits of romance were nice and added into the positives, but what are you supposed to do when you just don't feel the book? No rage, no happiness, no crying, no tears, no nothing. I prefer Summers' writing with more lighter stuff since she obviously can't handle the dark things too well. I wish that there was more info-dumping and POV of the actual situation! Go for this if you really suspect that you'll enjoy it and LOVE these kinds of books. Other than that, don't waste your time.

Have you read a book where a great author disappointed a little?

For Real by Alison Cherry Review

For Real, by Alison Cherry
Publication: December 9, 2014, by Delacorte Press
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 

No parents. No limits. No clue what they're in for.
Shy, cautious Claire has always been in her confident older sister's shadow. While Miranda's life is jam-packed with exciting people and whirlwind adventures, Claire gets her thrills vicariously by watching people live large on reality TV.
When Miranda discovers her boyfriend, Samir, cheating on her just before her college graduation, it's Claire who comes up with the perfect plan. They'll outshine Miranda's fame-obsessed ex while having an amazing summer by competing on Around the World, a race around the globe for a million bucks. Revenge + sisterly bonding = awesome.
But the show has a twist, and Claire is stunned to find herself in the middle of a reality-show romance that may or may not be just for the cameras. This summer could end up being the highlight of her life... or an epic fail forever captured on film. In a world where drama is currency and manipulation is standard, how can you tell what's for real?

My Thoughts: 

You all watch or have heard of the reality game show, The Amazing Race, right? Well if your answer is yes, then picture a young adult contemporary novel about two sisters who sign up for a show very similar to that with a twist. THAT’S THIS BOOK. And if your answer is no, then look the show up. *laughs* For Real was a twist on the ordinary contemporary romances that us readers are forced to read, and I loved it.

If you say that you’ve read something very much like what I described above, then you’re 100% wrong, because Cherry has written a relatable novel for readers that has never been written about before, ever. I’m actually hoping that you all will be prepped up and prepared for the awesomeness that is shooting your way, because it’ll hit you and you’ll sit there, shocked, wanting more handed over to you like a bag of popcorn. Though seriously, this book is a munchie, light, fluffy but beautiful.

“But at this moment, with the candlelight dancing on my face and my fingers twined with Will’s, I feel like I could belong anywhere.” (Hardcover, page 216)

Even without having to check back to the summary of the book and opening the cracked spine of the hardcover copy which I borrowed from the library, I can easily recall what this book had in store for readers. It all began with Claire’s older sister, Miranda’s, boyfriend, cheating on Miranda right when she was supposed to move in with him. It basically ruins her life, when you think about it, and when Claire tries to think of ways to perform revenge to help her big sis out, she thinks of auditioning for a show that’ll bring them to different places in the world, where Miranda’s ex will also be playing. When all goes well, the girls discover that there’s a terrifying twist that’ll break their team apart, and all will go to chaos when Claire has the chance to fall in love.

I’m such a sore loser when I read book. To be honest, I just figured that now after reading this book because I probably let the most predictable twist fly by without thinking about it. And when the end came, I realized that I never saw it coming because I was too lovestruck with the story and adored it too much to even be thinking about what may be coming. I had the feeling that Claire would win the show, and then I let some clues slip by me and I ended up embarrassing myself with this review. Haha. I won’t spoil anything, but those of you who have read this book must be sure to let me know if they saw the ending coming and what Claire discovered afterwards. *smiles*

I bet that anyone is able to bring this pretty read with them anywhere and they’ll be able to fall in love with it, whether you’re on the beach or stuck at home in the middle of a hell-like blizzard. It all works, my friends! Luckily in my situation, I was stuck at home, reading in my backyard on a comfy lounger. From page one, I was sucked into the girly world of Alison Cherry’s writing, and I never looked back. Is it that easy to fall in love with a book, you ask? And my answer for you this time is: YES. Especially with this wonderful lady’s writing. I can’t wait to read something else by her, my heart desires it.

Can we first talk about the gorgeous cover? I feel that it just screams out in its high-pitched girly voice: SUMMER. It has bits and pieces of other covers that I love, like Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson’s, but it’s gorgeous. It also screams out: SISTERHOOD. Did I mention that Miranda and Claire were the cutest sisters ever? But I did have issues with Miranda, I must say. (Though that didn’t effect my rating of this book, at all, so that’s okay.) And then, family and love were both a huge factor incorporated, and I must say that I developed a serious case of wanderlust. I HAD TO GO TO THE BOOKISH DOCTORS. *laughs*

From beginning to end (as you can most definitely tell), I was in love and so addicted with all of the events. There was never a shortage of something or details in plot and nothing ever dragged. I must say that the book was a perfect length and granted me all of the happiness that the sun does. *hates the cheesy phrases that come to mind* What can I say? It was fast-paced and I loved the premise. That’s what I usually look for when it comes to a good writer’s prose. And the characters? Forget about that rhetorical question and move straight to them without giving an one-word opinion.

Claire really resembled me. Okay, I’m quiet but not too quiet as she was at times, but her independence and intelligence is what really shone in her character. I loved her personality and how she took the game show truly seriously and that it wasn’t a joke. She did it all for her sister, after all. Sisterhood actually really does count in a ton of situations. But sadly, Miranda probably was one of the worst sisters for her. THIS GIRL RAGED CONSTANTLY AND LOVED TO BRAG ABOUT HERSELF WHEN CLAIRE DID THINGS TOO. I wanted to punch her a million times, and hopefully her personality wasn’t an accident and Cherry actually made her like that on purpose. If she was the opposite and it wasn’t made to be, then I’ll be punching the book like a punching bag. Whoops.

And then we move onto the romance, which was an essential factor for this kind of novel. I mean, it totally was adorable! I won’t spoil who Claire’s love interest may be, but you’ll possibly figure this out from peering at the quote above, just saying. THEY WERE ADORABLE AND WERE ON A WORLDWIDE ADVENTURE TOGETHER WHICH MADE EVERYTHING A HUNDRED TIMES CUTER… and then that happened which also shattered my heart since I realized that authors can make everything so depressing and ruin the magic that a book is able to hold At least that part wasn’t predictable… or maybe it was, again, for some of you. I was just acting like the person who feels like it’s okay to focus on the happiness and positive things and forget about what could happen eventually. *cries for the fortieth time*

When it comes to the end and I look back at this all, I realize that this was first pictured as such a simple, easy read, when it actually wasn’t. There were so many things that made the whole book fabulous and interesting, complex really. A contemporary slash game show book? What is this beauty, you may ask? Well then, you’ll have to actually think about it for real, my friends. A book like this is something that you’ll have to read if you wish upon a star or wish for it because of a genie. Good luck with finding something exactly the same, BUT YOU HAVE TO GO FOR THIS FIRST. 

Would you take the risk to go on a show like this for revenge? What would you do to ace your goals?

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Review

Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare
Publication: 1597, by Washington Square Press
Genre: Fiction, Plays, Romance, Classic
Pages: 130
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 

A paperback copy of Shakespeare's popular romance play, Romeo and Juliet, which provides the original text side-by-side with a more modernized version of the material, which can aid readers in understanding the content.

My Thoughts: 

For years and years, I guess I can say that I haven’t been the brightest person when it comes to be reading classics. I just read the basics that was essential for school and my classes, or what everyone else has been reading. Just kidding—I adore classics. But until reading and coming across Romeo and Juliet for my English class,  I feel like I was the sore loser of reading. I’ve tried Jane Austen, and it wasn’t as good as THIS WAS. Shakespeare is my love, my friends.

Before reading this, I’ve barely read a play before. I’ve always thought that it’s a lame way of actually reading a book since there are different roles and things like that. But now, I feel that it’s a whole different experience and way of reading since there’s fifty times of more emotion. Isn’t that what matters—the feels? This play, yes, was a tragedy and all, but there was so much more to the story than what the eye meets at. No, for me it wasn’t a story about stupid teenagers who are willing to kill themselves over the loss of not being able to be with each other, but it instead was a story with many themes and events that created and shaped literature. 

“Towards him I made, but he was ware of me, and stole into the covert of the wood; I, measuring his affections by my own, which then most sought where most might not be found,” (I. i. 120-124)

I think that if one hasn’t ever read a Shakespeare play before, they haven’t ever experienced classic literature. It doesn’t matter if you’ve read Brontë before, this IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. You may have been caught in the stereotype of Shakespeare being difficult to read, but it actually isn’t. If you have a few translations by your side and if you’re willing to spend some time analyzing it all, then I believe that you’ll be perfectly fine. It’s the meaning that counts, no?

I guess I really don’t have to recall and reenact the whole play and describe it scene by scene since you most likely already know what it’s about. Even if you haven’t read it before, everyone knows the story. *asks 9 year old* 9 year olds even know what the story holds! But yeah, this goes through the story of two feuding families, the Capulets and Montagues. Romeo is a Montague and Juliet is a Capulet, and they meet at a Capulet party hosted by Juliet’s father. Juliet’s supposed to marry this other guy named Paris, who is actually kinda in love with her. But she hates it, and she falls in love with Romeo instantly when they meet and he the same with her. BAM. I’m not going to spoil anything more, but I bet that you can already guess what happens next. 

Though it took me about a month to read this since we had to read it (and actually perform it) at school, it was a quick read looking at the majority of it. The whole play is separated into five acts, with about 3-6 scenes in each. It’s about 120 pages in total, especially by looking at my borrowed edition. Each scene was basically separated with importance, and some kind of big important event was written in each. *thinks of the gorgeous balcony scene*

It’s so interesting to find that with this play, Shakespeare was the first writer/poet to actually bring romance with tragedy and make it work. I read that he was the one who took the risk in literature during the Renaissance period in England, and this is truly magnificent. I wonder what the world of literature and books would be if his genre of poetry hadn’t existed. *cries* I’m so thankful to have discovered this play at the perfect time where I can actually understand it to the fullest extent. Hey, I’m also 14 as our protagonists are! But don’t worry, I don’t want to think about falling in love at first sight, so it’s all okay. Haha.

This is a classic love story, and I’m sure that some people don’t realize that. It has so many spiritual connections that have to do with God and their marriage. When we actually think about it (without really knowing the answers to all of the questions), Shakespeare knew what he was doing here. People think that it’s stupid that this is full of teenagers who don’t know what they’re doing, but it’s the story that revolves around the characters that makes this possible. What if this was a 40 year old man and woman falling in love? They obviously wouldn’t be together since this has to do with their feuding families! We should all think about the story that lies behind it all, just saying. 

THE ROMANCE WAS SO REAL AND MADE ME GIGGLE CONSTANTLY. Okay, there was some unrealistic elements revolving Romeo’s side of the story, since he just had been heartbroken over Rosaline, his ex, but it’s a story. Why do people assume that everything has to reflect reality and contemporary stories? I know some people who actually disagree with the fact that their love was real and everything, but I just feel like smacking them in the face. *face palms self* 

“Then have my lips the sin that they have took.Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg’d! Give me my sin again.”  (I. v. 107-109)

Romeo and Juliet were both spectacular characters. When a scene came around and it only reflected one of them, I felt that us readers were able to gain a better connection and relationship with them that would eventually lead to our feelings of the end of the book, and that’s another reason for my perfect rating in this case, by the way. I preferred Juliet, but Romeo sure was a cutie, though I rather not think about Romeo since I think about the guy who played him in my class. *shivers* Gross. THOUGH THE CHARACTER WAS MY TRUE LOVE. 

Looking at the themes and messages Shakespeare shot at us readers, it is like a modern story. Hey, we’ve all seen the remake of the film with Leonardo DiCaprio, and that was done in the 90s, trying to forget about the ballroom dresses that we all imagine when we picture the setting of the novel. There’s feuding families, issues between parents (like Capulet cheating on Lady Capulet and the thing with Tybalt) and it reflects the lives of many. All readers can definitely think about the story as REAL somehow. I ADORED IT SO MUCH.

Some people say that they wouldn’t read Romeo and Juliet because of the predictability of the ending. YES, everyone knows the ending of the play. But that ending isn’t what forms the novel into something wonderful and memorable, it’s the things in between that makes schools want everyone to read this. Hopefully, my school wasn’t thinking of getting us to read this to prove us a lesson of not falling in love too early or whatever. That’d be a whole other story, but I’ll save that story for another time. *winks* Yeah, now I’m going to go online and order a gorgeous copy of all of Shakespeare’s plays, and devour them just like I did with this gorgeous beauty. GO AND FALL IN LOVE, EVERYONE.

Have you read Shakespeare before? LOVED IT?

Waiting on Wednesday #3: Their Fractured Light

Their Fractured Light (Starbound #3), by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Publication: December 1, 2015, by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover

A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness for their planet, and protect them from destruction. Some say Flynn’s a madman, others whisper about conspiracies. Nobody knows the truth. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were rescued from a terrible shipwreck—now, they live a public life in front of the cameras, and a secret life away from the world’s gaze.
Now, in the center of the universe on the planet of Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players, who will bring the fight against LaRoux Industries to a head. Gideon Marchant is an eighteen-year-old computer hacker—a whiz kid and an urban warrior. He’ll climb, abseil and worm his way past the best security measures to pull off onsite hacks that others don’t dare touch.
Sofia Quinn has a killer smile, and by the time you’re done noticing it, she’s got you offering up your wallet, your car, and anything else she desires. She holds LaRoux Industries responsible for the mysterious death of her father and is out for revenge at any cost.
When a LaRoux Industries security breach interrupts Gideon and Sofia’s separate attempts to infiltrate their headquarters, they’re forced to work together to escape. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to take down LaRoux Industries, and neither trusts the other. But working together might be the best chance they have to expose the secrets LRI is so desperate to hide.

So I guess that I don't even have to type all about my love for the Starbound trilogy by these two wonderful ladies! YOU ALL KNOW THIS SO WHAT'S THE POINT?! Haha, I'm so excited for this pretty! (I really want to see the cover, too!)

What's your anticipated read this week?

The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin Review: A SCIENTIFIC PRECIOUS FINALE

The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3), by Michelle Hodkin
Publication: November 4, 2014, by Simon and Schuster
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery
Pages: 470
Format: Hardcover
Source: Gifted
Rating: 

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.There is.
She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.She should.
She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.She will now.
Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.
Retribution has arrived.

My Thoughts: 

I'VE WAITED TWO YEARS FOR THIS BEAUTY TO BE RELEASED, and it's all worth it. And then of course, I waited another 6 months to actually get the guts (no, it's more about time and strategy really) to pick this gorgeous beauty up. AND THEN I FOUND OUT THAT MY COPY IS SIGNED BY MICHELLE. AGGHHH! Anyways, excuse me for my awfully wonderful fangirling, but it's the truth once you actually pick this gorgeous thing up.

Michelle Hodkin has made my dreams come true. No, scratch that—she's made my life complete. The Retribution of Mara Dyer was the complete deal of a novel, full of scientific crazy events that are so difficult to explain, genetic research, hot men (NOAH SHAW), mystery and the endless beauty of pages that are so captivatingly scripted and written that I just cannot handle myself and the book at all. *kisses it for the millionth time, again* You are only able to understand the true beauty of it if you actually pick it up. Other than that, please do not say that you're in love with it as well.

"Looking at her is like walking into a home you once lived in to find it changed by new, alien owners. She is bound, prone, and Jude, that absolute horror of a human being, looms over her, but she looks nothing like a damsel in distress. She looks like a dragon instead." (Hardcover, pages 338-339)

PLEASE DON'T READ ON WITH THIS REVIEW UNLESS (A) YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW SPOILERS OR (B) YOU'VE READ THE BOOK ALREADY. Done. Please don't come and haunt me with distress in your voice if you read something that you shouldn't have. *sighs*

WHERE THE HELL DO I EVEN BEGIN?!! *_* This was like a pie filled with a combination of all of your favourite foods put together in a nice form. Don't expect pizza and meatloaf together to taste fabulous, but you know what I mean. Ah. *takes a breath of fresh air* This book is the answer and contains the key to your heart. And it takes place from where the sequel left readers off at. Mara wakes up, still at Horizons where the creepy Dr. Kells who surely knows what she's doing. SHE'S EXPERIMENTING ON EVERYONE WITH THE G1821 GENE. And obviously we then discover who's also at the weird hospital in the middle of nowhere, possibly off the coast of Florida? (Stella and Jamie are also there, and they go off on an adventure, to help you recall) and shit happens, I guess you can say.

OF COURSE THEY'RE GOING TO ESCAPE. It's a humane thing to do, by the way. So don't expect that Stella, Mara and Jamie leaving Horizons (by boat thanks to some cool dudes who are fishing and then pay for their pizza, hah) to be predictable, because what else would they do? And Kells obviously was deserved to be killed. One of the fucking disgusting villains in all of literature, but that made me love this book even more, duh. Was her death showing Mara's capability and her powers? I guess it was just something that was second-nature for her, and I bet that the others would've done it in her situation, too. THEY OBVIOUSLY WANTED TO LEAVE AND FIND NOAH, so after reading some theories, this is just a simple event.

Man, I just realized that I've been only stating my thoughts on certain events for the past few paragraphs. I WAS SHOCKED TONS OF TIMES, OKAY? But this was the BEST BOOK OUT OF THE TRILOGY. The questions were (finally) answered, there were thousands of action scenes and plot twists that still are making my heart skip a beat, and the longing for Noah was always there in Mara's heart. Did I mention the blood, gore and gross stuff pulled out of stomachs? AND TEARS FOR MARA?

"Jamie wanted answers. Stella wanted a cure. I wanted Noah. And to punish whoever had taken him from me. Jamie bit his lip. "So. Where do we start?" (Hardcover, page 114)

The thing is, where do we actually begin? My feelings are so jumbled all over the place that I actually don't even know who/what to talk about first. Because that's what you're here for, no? YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PLOT, DON'T YOU! *thinks about Don't Cha by the Pussycat Dolls* Well in a sentence, I'll let you know that there's nothing to worry about, or even blink an eye during your reading time. This is addicting, but so addicting that you'll need to set aside a few hours so you can indulge this in immediately. Thankfully I had a day off from school. *thanks the book lords*

This was addicting, fresh and unquestionable. I HAD NO QUESTIONS WHATSOEVER, but theories kept splattering my mind and I was trying to figure out another side of the story. That rarely happens, just saying. 

MARA, JAMIE AND STELLA HAVE ALL NEVER BEEN SO KICKASS AS NOW. Since us readers have discovered some new facts about who they are and about G1821, we actually get to picture their past lives and everything about their manifestation. And hey, maybe some facts from who killed who in the past will sort out as well. It's the truth! Mara seriously, FINALLY learned what she was going to do with her life and she wouldn't let her gene stop her from having fun. (And from not being pregnant. Hah. I was getting afraid there for a second.)

Do I even have to go through NOAH SHAW? Her finding him in the end was the cutest thing, and hey—THEY GOT TO LIVE THEIR LIFE TOGETHER. THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS, PEOPLE. *cries of happiness* I honestly don't know where else to go with this review without bursting into millions and billions of tears flying out at everyone. That's life and books. Woop.

I can't believe that it came... and it left me. I'm sitting here, petting the fantastic novel that made 2015, shaped it and never left my sight, and I just can't stop thinking about what Noah and Mara may be doing now. Or what they're going to do tomorrow, or the day after that. Characters like that are keepers, I always say. And so are books like this. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT MY BELOVED SERIES IS OVER. I'm going to reread it all again this summer, catch the little things that made it 10x even more beautiful, and devour it. It's rare for me to love a book like this. *holds arms to hug the diameter of Earth* That's how much.

What's YOUR favourite sci-fi genetic wacky read?

Magnolia by Kristi Cook Review: ADORBS TO THE MAX.

Magnolia, by Kristi Cook
Publication: August 5, 2014, by Simon and Schuster
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Rating: 

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.
Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.
But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over. 

My Thoughts: 

The awfully lovely story of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare captured my attention a few months ago when we started reading it in school. Now, as I'm almost done reading and analyzing the play, I know that I don't have enough and will never get enough of the gorgeous love story that changed everyone's look on romance forever. Magnolia came into my heart almost a year ago where I fell in love with the cover and purchased it, not even knowing that it's a retelling. BOY, WHY THE HELL DID I WAIT?!

To this second, I seriously don't know why I waited. The gorgeous copy has been placed back and forth between shelves and I never felt the urge to pick it up. Then suddenly a week ago, I starred at it, it starred back at me, and I FINALLY decided to give it a chance. And I must say that it's yet another addition to my favourites list of 2015. WHOA. Now I just feel like bawling my eyes out because I have no other choice than to not do that. Contemporary romances seriously rule and my heart feels warm, gooey and like a marshmallow of love. *draws a heart in the air*

"I lie there quietly, trying to make sense of it all—to understand the workings of a thirteen-year-old boy's mind. But my thoughts keep going back to something he'd said earlier. "You really thought I was he prettiest girl in Magnolia Branch?" "I still do, Jemma," he says, his voice quiet." (Paperback, page 201)

AWWWWWW! And by the way, the lovely characters here aren't thirteen, if that's what you're getting at. There's this whole message and scene back from when Ryder and Jemma were in eighth grade, that's all. They're actually seniors in high school, and that age group plays a huge role in the whole novel, to be honest. Can I just mention again that Magnolia was a pure branch of fresh air and real magnolia? It was just as gorgeous as the flower, pink and precious.

Before reading, I actually hadn't gone through the summary in a desperate-must-read way, so by judging the looks of it, I expected this to be taking place back when the Civil War was taking place? Hah, true story dated back to my amateur days, people. Nope, this is pure modern-day contemporary romance. And here we have two main characters who've always been destined to be together noted by their families, rivals back in the day—Ryder and Jemma. (Romeo and Juliet? Hmmmmm... O_O) They're high school seniors and are about to graduate high school, though both are having tons of troubles in their lives. When a huge storm is set to pass through their small town in Mississippi, their families may have been correct since the start. 

I guess I can say that I'm always in the mood for a novel that takes place in modern day complete with tragedies. Cook added tons of tragedies that occurred to both sets of characters, whether it was major or minor. Death, security, friendship... those are all things that affected themselves, though they hadn't realized it at first. LET ME JUST SAY THAT I ADORE NOVELS THAT TAKE PLACE IN THE SOUTH. I just love picturing everyone with their accents and their adorable dresses and living on the farm complete with furry animals and adorableness. Anywaaayssss (sorry for my fangirling)...

This is pure Romeo and Juliet. If you take a look at the names, everything's meant to be. The story obviously wasn't A COMPLETE RETELLING WITH EVERYTHING THE SAME INCLUDING THE WHOLE FREAKING STORYLINE, but there were similarities that just made me blush of happiness. Like Ryder and Jemma? Ben—Benvolio? Their last names—Cafferty and Marsden? (Capulet and Montague?) I loved that, because I believe that readers of the play beforehand will be able to spot those similarities, and even those who hadn't read the play can read this, then read the play and remember that back in the day, they once read a book that was awfully similar to this gorgeous play. It all makes perfect sense, and I never have read a RandJ retelling before. 

Do others possibly suspect and think that I will hate on the instant love that was formed? Or the love-hate relationship that Jemma and Ryder mutually had? That is complete and utter nonsense since there's no way that I possibly see that as an issue or error made in the writing. In fact, the insta-love is what made the novel fast-paced and so devouring for me. To see how impossible things like this are in reality makes me think that it is possible, know what I mean? Ryder and Jemma were honestly a couple that I will remember forever, and it's a STORM that brought them together! The sleeping bag scene and the tornado sirens did scurry some things around, but I believe that they fought against all of the negativity in life to be together. AND THEIR PARENTS DIDN'T SUSPECT A THING. *laughs at these innocent teenagers*

"You know those tragic stories where two kids from feuding families fall in love? Okay, flip that inside out and turn it on its head and you've got our story. Ryder's and mine." (Paperback, page 3)

As for the plot, one cannot seriously argue that this was predictable. We all knew what was going to happen from the start and from the first few phrases that Cook provided readers with. IT'S MEANT TO BE. The plot wasn't all captured on the ending or what's going to happen, but it's all about the tiny events and progression of the romance and characters that truly brought this whole beautiful together. THAT'S WHAT MADE THE PLOT AND WRITING PERFECT. Agh, everything was.

Moving on to the characters, they were all such a happy bunch. I fell in love with Ryder from the start, obviously. Doesn't he seem like a perfect fictional boyfriend just for ME? I truly believe so. And unlike what others have been saying about Jemma not sticking up for herself, I related to her. She's a teenager, we all make mistakes, done. And she had tons of that Southern glam and glow in her, too. Each of the characters bits and pieces of something special in each of them, and I can tell you that we certainly had a positive bunch of secondary characters. They formed this book and impacted it in many ways. What the heck would Jemma do without her best friends, Morgan and Lucy? (DIVERSITY TOO, PEOPLE.)

There's actually not much more I can say without biting my whole fingernail off out of anxiety. (Not in a bad manner, though.) This book just lit fireworks and sparklers off in my heart, and it's truly been a while since I've read a contemporary romance like this. It was happy, adorable, but also relatable since things didn't always come hand-in-hand to the characters whenever they dreamt of it. What more can we seriously ask for? Nothing else, since Magnolia was absolutely stellar. IT GLOWS IN MY BOOKSHELF WITH ITS SOUTHERN GLAM. (Did I mention that the storm and sirens even left me shivering? Now we all know what it's like to survive a tornado and hear the effects of it right outside of your door. (You'll find all of that action in Act II. KRISTI EVEN ADDED ACTS AND SCENES!) *jitters inside*

What other surviving disaster adorable stories are there that you know of?