Die For Me

Title: Die For Me
Author: Amy Plum
Release Date: May 10th, 2011
Rating: 1/5

Hello everyone!
Up next is Die For Me by Amy Plum. For the first time ever, I will shamefully admit that I did not finish this book. I know, I know. How can I truly be a book lover if I ever put a book down before the last page? Well, I'll tell you.

Let me start out by saying that for the longest time I was genuinely intrigued by this book, I just never had the time to pick it up. I am always intrigued by books that take place in far away places like Italy, Spain, Rome, and in this case, Paris, France. The cover also helped (I think it's gorgeous.) However, once I started reading it I realized how incredibly cheesy it was. My first clue was that the two characters instantly fall in love. Second, every other event is skipped except those that have to do with our hero of the story. By the time I was on page 100, it felt like I was reading a Twilight spin off written by a 12 year old. I know that sounds incredibly harsh, but if you've ever tried to crack this book open, you know why. The plot is poorly thought out, the dialogue is extremely cheesy and hard to follow, the actions are those of a pre-teen in love. The only aspect I enjoyed was the Sci-fi zombie-angels.

This is one book I would not recommend to anyone over the age of 13.

Sorry for the rude and spiteful feeling of this review, I was just very disappointed. If you have read and enjoyed this book, just remember that we may just have different tastes!

Until next time, Keep Reading!

The Darkest Minds

Title: The Darkest Minds
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Release Date: December 18th, 2012
Rating: 3/5

Alright everybody,
Time to get down to business. There is now a massive pile of reviews I must plow through. The next one I have for you is The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. I'll start off by saying this: I have no idea. Honestly, this book took me a couple of weeks to get through. And considering my track record of reading books, that's a lifetime. I just could not get sucked into this book. All around the internet all I've heard are great things about it, but I just didn't see them.

Warning: There are spoilers down below. Scroll to the last paragraph to hear my final (non-spoiler) thoughts.

First of all, we start out with quite an interesting back story. The protagonist, Ruby, lives in a society where all the children around her age develop powers that the older generation think are too dangerous. They get locked up in these camps to either live out the rest of their days or die depending on what level of power they have. Ruby is one of the highest levels but tricks the employees of the camp into thinking she isn't so that she can live. That's the interesting part of the story.

Next, Ruby gets chosen by a group called the Children's League and is shimmied out of the camp to join their forces. Only Ruby decides to spit in the faces of the League and runs away and finds a group of kids in a minivan. Zu, Chubs, and Liam. They have all been in camps similar, but not as severe as the one Ruby was in, but they organized a breakout led by the fearless and brave Liam. You can guess which one Ruby falls for.

Eventually they make it to a society of teens just like them. Escaped the system, strengthening powers, hidden away, desire to survive. They call it East River. Which turns out to be led by none other than the renowned and "cured" son of the president, Clancy, who also has powers. Of course a little romance appears between Ruby and Clancy. That is, until Clancy betrays Ruby and all of the other teenagers.

On the run once again, an injury occurs and in a moment of complete stupidity, Ruby calls the League to come pick them up. They give her an ultimatum; Work for us, or the boyfriend dies. Which do you think she chooses? However, the only way for Liam to truly be free is if she erases herself from his memory. And that, my children, is how this story ends.

Overall, this book honestly wasn't that bad. The back story was very well-planned and I did enjoy the powers and problems Ruby faced over the course of the novel. I guess I was just a little disappointed. I was expecting a great book because of all the fantastic reviews I found, only to find and eh that was alright kind of book. I guess my expectations were just too high. However, if you like books like Flecks of Gold by Alicia Buck, but not quite as exciting, then this book is for you. I would recommend giving it a try. Your opinion on it might be totally different from mine. I do not regret reading this book at all, I regret looking at the reviews on it first. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Until next time, Keep Reading!

Just One Day

Title: Just One Day
Author: Gayle Forman
Release Date: August 20th, 2014
Rating: 4.5/5

Hello!
Today, I have for you, a review of Gayle Forman's novel Just One Day. At the almighty Barnes & Noble, this book immediately caught my attention. Maybe it's the adventure lover in me that wishes I could visit Europe, or it was the adorably romantic cover, but as soon an I picked up this book I knew I was walking out with it. And boy am I glad I did. This book was absolutely lovely. It was adorable and hilarious and heart breaking, and realistic . . . .  well mostly, how many of us really skip out on a school trip to spend the day in Paris with a dreamy European actor? (Don't get me wrong, I wish I could). Anyways, safe to say I loved it.

Usually I'm an action-packed, always-on-the-go type of reader, but when this book slowed down (sorry, but it does) I still found myself intrigued with what Allyson was doing at college. It made me look forward to my freshman year (next year, kind of scared. . . . ). It starts to speed up again right before the climax. . . . and then drops off. Literally. As soon as the climax hits, the book ends. I know, really disappointing. Long story short (not really a spoiler but kind of), Allyson meets Willem, runs away with him, they get separated, she goes to college, then looks for him, eventually finds him, and it ends. That's it. It left me infuriatingly wanting more. So I guess this means I have to go find the other novel, which is from Willem's POV. Anyways, I definitely suggest you pick this one up!

Until next time, Keep Reading!

Hopeless

Title: Hopeless
Author: Colleen Hoover
Release Date: December 9th, 2012
Rating: 4/5

Hey Guys!
I know it's been a few months (I'm slacking from my computer duties, I know, how horrible) and I have a HUGE pile of reviews to get through. Just because my computer time lacks, doesn't mean my bookie time takes a punch ;). Anyways, the first review I have for you is Hopeless by Colleen Hoover.

Let me start out by saying this book confused me. Not in the events that were happening, I followed those just fine, but in the way I was left at the end. I felt it almost left me hanging even though I knew there was nowhere else Hoover could have gone with the story. When I was almost finished there were parts where I was like "This book should have ended here." Only to find there were fifty more pages left. I felt like I was slugging my way through the end of the book just so I could put it down and move on. However, I did absolutely love the beginning and middle part of the book. I even like the ending, just not after the ending. If that makes any sense at all.

I loved the way the protagonist, Sky, was written. I loved her character and her personality. She was very relatable. Now Holder was a different story. His emotions and actions were so spread out everywhere I couldn't figure him out. One minute he was flirty, then mad, then sweet, then angry, then yippy, then brooding, then . . . . you see my point. I just could not keep up with this guy and it quite honestly pissed me off.

To top it off, Hoover throws in twists that I never saw coming and were completely unrealistic. Don't get me wrong, I think the idea and main plot behind the book could have been great, but there were so many details that just didn't add up. Like parts with the mother/aunt, how the father ended up,the fact that Sky's friends really had nothing to do with the outcome, and so many other little details that just did not make sense to me.

Overall, this is a very good book. Though it may not seem like it from that review (I must be in a mood or something). I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Gayle Forman, Julia Hoban, and Justina Chen Headley. I would give it three out of five stars.

Until next time, Keep Reading!

The Splendor Falls

Title: The Splendor Falls

Author: Rosemary Clement-Moore

Release Date: September 8th, 2009

Rating: 2.5-3/5

Hey there
I recently finished reading The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore. She is known for her horror novels including Prom Dates from Hell, which I have also read. Rosemary has never been a stand-out author to me. I think she does better with short stories than with this 513 page novel. To be honest, this book just didn't do it for me. It was funny and scary at points, but when I finished it, I felt like I was just beginning the book. When I say that, I mean the ending of this book felt like the beginning of a different book. All the excitement is packed into the last three chapters. Sure, the rest of it had some funny tid-bits, and some interesting parts, but the build up to the climax was extremely fast. It all happens in an instant and I was left thinking, "That was it?" However, I did love the main character. She was relatable and witty, which I always love. Plus she's a damaged damsel. I don't know about you, but I kind of love it when the protagonist isn't perfect in a book.
Overall, I gave the book 3 out of 5 stars based solely on the humor. This just wasn't a book that stuck out in my head, and I probably won't ever remember that I read it. However, the horror factor in it definitely entertained me and kept me enthralled. I would recommend it for an easy-horror read.

Until next time, Keep Reading!

Deity, Apollyon, Sentinel

Title(s): Deity (Covenant #3), Apollyon (Covenant #4), Sentinel (Covenant #5)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date(s): November 6th, 2012, April 4th, 2013, November 2nd, 2013
Rating: 5/5

Hello, hello, hello
It has been so long, I've missed you guys. And I'm sorry. I've missed so much time I haven't even been able to go through my feed in months! But I'm back now and can't wait to immerse myself in the blog world. And I can't wait to tell you about these books.

May I just say, Wow. I had very smartly ordered all three of these books at the same time so I had them all when I started reading them and am I glad I did. These books were so amazing I flew through them! As soon as I closed one, I opened the next. I just could not wait to see what happens to Alex and the gang. And that is how these books are meant to be read. They go so fast you don't even notice any time has passed, but that's what makes them so much fun. They're fast, upbeat, and witty. The dialogue is spot on and the reactions are so real I could see myself acting in the same way. I never wanted these to end. They had cliffhangers and action and romance and comedy and- and- and- and- I could go on forever.

 The characters? Well, I've always loved Alex. She's witty, and impulsive, and completely lovable. Aiden? Holy daimon babies. Swoon. Insta-love right there. Jeesh, I'm a little jealous of Alex. Then we get to Seth. It's definitely a love-hate relationship with him. One minute I can't get enough of him, the next I want to bash his face into the wall. I guess that's why we love him. One surprise is Deacon. We really get to know him in the last few books and it's very pleasant. He is surprisingly important to Alex and Aiden's relationship.

Overall, these books have definitley made my "Favorites"shelf, and will probably stay up there along with Hush, Hush (Becca Fitzpatrick) and Origin. Once again, Miss Armentrout has proven why she is one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Pure

Title: Pure (Covenant #2)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: April 3rd, 2012

Rating: 5/5

If you've read my previous post, you would know that I had read Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and you would know my absolute love for her books. I mentioned that I was reading it to refresh myself for the next book in the Covenant series, Pure. I finished it in about two seconds and may I just say, it absolutely did not disappoint. I'm pretty sure I just sat down and could not get back up until I was through with it. It's all a little blurry. It was that good. Holy Mary, I'm still reeling from that adventure.

Pure had me jumping with excitement every page. It was stunning, exciting, and heartbreaking. It continues the story right where it left off in Half-Blood with Aiden, Seth, and Alex and it's as emotionally taxing as a nuclear bomb blowing up in the center of my soul. This is one book you do not want to miss ladies and gentlemen. I cannot wait to continue this series and see where it leads. This is all I'm going to say about the ending: "ajhgjiahhljygfklalaieyigAGIUGNBpha." That is all.

Stay tuned for the next adventure.

Until next time, keep reading.