Review: If I Stay

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I will start off by saying that this book did not make me cry. I cam really close, but I did not actively cry. I already know that a lot of people are going to be comparing this to The Fault in Our Stars, but honestly, I liked this book a lot better. I love the character Mia and I love the way that her story is told. I love that you see these glimpses of her life and that it isn't simple. She could live or die and the decision is up in the air the whole time. I know what I wanted her to pick, but it was never clear which she would. It all depended on a single moment that was being built up towards and that we just had to wait and see which choice would be made.

Now, I do not want to spoil the book for anyone because I do highly recommend it, but I do want to say that my favorite parts of the book involve two very important conversations in her decision making process. Though I do not think it is very fair to call them conversations since she can only listen while these people sit so close and yet so far away. It is her grandfather and her boyfriend Adam, who I believe are the most influential in motivating her. Their hands guide her. They love her and they do for her what she cannot seem to do for herself.

This story is truly beautiful. It might make you cry and it might not, but I don't think it matters either way. Really, the thing that matters is the sad and beautiful reality of it. This book makes you want to take a step back and look at life. Look at those moments which seem so inconsequential and yet so pivotal at the same time. Our lives can change in a moment. And we have to choose what path it is we take. That is what I see this book showing the most of all and it makes me love it that much more.



View all my reviews

Review: Born of Fire

Born of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I've been a fan of Sherrilyn since I read The Tapestry which is a part of her Were-Hunter series. As always, she manages to build a world that is rich and alluring with characters that are both fascinating and alluring. I love the story of Syn. I loved his character when you meet him in Born of Night and getting to see him find happiness was absolutely thrilling. The characters in this book are fascinating and full of depth. I love the League verse and the lives that are contained there in. There is no doubt that every character is very real and that the world they lived in is something fully realized unfolding before the reader making it that much more exciting.

As one of the few science fiction realms that I have ever ventured into, I am ready and willing to recommend it to anyone. While it is considered romance, Sherrilyn is very skilled in making the story so much more than that. It is the beginning of an epic, of a journey that spans so many characters and so many lives that it's hard to get attached to just one of them.



View all my reviews

Review: The Iron Trial

The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I was fortunate to find this book as an ARC when it arrived at the store where I work. And now that I have read it, I will be honest in saying that I am very glad that I managed to get a copy before anyone else did! Of course with that came a very sad and horrifying realization about twenty minutes ago.

It ended.

This book ended. I'm a little in denial about the matter. I didn't want the book to end. I want it to keep going. Of course, even more, I want to know when the second book is coming out! I absolutely loved every minute of this book. I loved the surprises presented by the wonderful Cassandra Clare and Holly Black. They have build a world that I absolutely love.

I am very pleased to say that I actually did not expect some of the twists and turns that occurred and that thrilled me. I love finding surprises in the book. It's nice to be able to guess things every now and then, but honestly, there are some things that I could never have imagined. And that made me the happiest of all.

Of course you could very easily compare the book to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. And while I would highly recommend this if you like either of these, I do not think it is fair to completely write it off because of it. It's like saying that Divergent is a rip-off of the Hunger Games. They have their similarities, but they have their differences and wonderful differences they are.

Now, of course, I don't want to spoil anything for when the time comes and people get to actually read this. All I can say is that, you really should give it a chance. There is a new, wonderful kind of magic, that is being built here. One that I very much enjoy. It's laws are fascinating and its lore makes me want to learn more!

If you get the chance, I highly recommend this book and while you enjoy it, I shall eagerly await book number two!



View all my reviews

Review: To Marry a Scottish Laird

To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I'm a sucker for a romance. I've always been that way. And this book is no exception for me. A strong Highlander tends to make my knees go a little weak and Cam is certainly a strong man. I very much enjoyed the story woven by he and his lovely little Joan. I especially liked that the story also referred back to an older story that I ready a while before. I got so excited when I started to recognize the other story as it was mentioned. The building of that kind of world is fascinating to me.

Yes, it's a romance novel and a lot of people would mock that as escapism, but isn't that what all fiction is when you think of it that way? Reading is simply a way to build another world. It's no different from watching television or listening to music except I'd like to think that it compliments music wonderfully and is far more stimulating than watching TV (though I do love me some science fiction and fantasy shows).

I loved being so bound to these characters though. Giggling at their little moments of silliness and wanting them so much to just sit down and work things out. I loved the way that you got to watch them, at least for a little while, start to build a life together. One full of love and hope and family and friends. I guess that's what I really love about reading. Yes sometimes you don't always have a happy ending, and sometimes we wish that characters would do what we want them to rather than what they want to, but I don't think that really matters in the end.

Reading this little romance novel reminded me of why I love to read in the first place. It doesn't have anything to do with learning (though it's a useful way to do it) or escaping (but that is a wonderful byproduct). It is about meeting these new characters and making these friends that I can share with my other friends. I can read these books and it doesn't matter how strange I am, I am not judged and in so doing, I can also connect to people who I would have never thought to approach. I guess I kind of got off topic. I'm supposed to be reviewing this book, not telling you why I love to read.

But I guess, they're kind of the same thing. This book has it's corny moments. Yes it is predictable and that might annoy some people, but I'd like to think that we read not for the ending, but for the journey that it takes us on. And this story is quite a journey.



View all my reviews

Review: Four: A Divergent Collection

Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



So I actually finished this around three something this morning, but I thought I would behave and go to sleep and wait until this morning to write my feelings up. And even after a few hours of sleep, I absolutely loved this book. Just like her previous books, I finished Four in less than two days. It makes me want to read Divergent all over again. Reading so much of their world from Four's point of view makes me crave more of this world. It makes me crave more of the characters and the lives that they have begun to mold for themselves. It reminds me of how much I love the world that Ms. Roth has created. I really think it is a beautiful place, very intricate and always changing. I truly hope she does continue to build in it one day. And even more than that, I truly hope that she continues to write more no matter what world it is in.

As it stands, I highly recommend Four and the entire Divergent world to anyone who has not yet had the opportunity to explore it. It is well worth the read.



View all my reviews

Exciting News!

As a warning I will be posting this on both Life of a Book Addict and Writing is Life for those of you who meander between both of my blogs.  I have some very exciting news though!  Starting the 21st and possibly for a few days after, I shall be moving!  Not cities or anything big like that.  Just apartments, but I am very excited for it.  It'll be a better living condition, a better neighborhood, more space.  And honestly, it's the little things I'm excited for.

• Having a in-complex laundry mat.
• Having a swimming pool (alright, not so little, especially in this drought)
• Having more than one set of house keys.
• Having an oven I don't think will short-circuit and burn my living space down.
• Having a fire alarm that works.

See, the little things boys and girls that make life worth living.  And the fact it is a lot closer to my job, also makes things really awesome.  Speaking of, I have to buy a bike.  Anyone know of any cheap ones that function?  I'm going to be looking around, of course, but i I figure, it never hurts to ask around.  Especially since I've been told that getting a steady ride to work means promotion opportunities.  Exciting and terrifying at the same time!

Review: The Emperor's Soul

The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I have to thank my friend Korey for this one. He not only recommended Brandon Sanderson to me, but also lent me this particular story which I enjoyed very much. I love the way that Sanderson presented the story. It is very rich and involving. I loved learning about the characters and about this world that they're a part of. And now I find, I want to read more. I want to read more of his work and hopefully more of these characters though I'll definitely have to see if that is possible or not. I certainly plan to read and review more of his work in the future. For those lovers of fantasy, I highly recommend this particular short story. It is exciting, thrilling and there is a sense of awe it leaves you with that is hard to ignore. And in the end, you want to keep reading which, I believe, is the best part about it all.



View all my reviews

Oops

I am so terribly sorry boys and girls.  I have not done an update in a little while now.  What?  Two weeks?  I think, I'm not really sure, I lost count so it might have been that long or it might have been less.  Who's to say.  Anyway, I will try not to take up too much of your time.  I was just thinking about how proud of myself I am.  I know, I'm sitting here with an update to toot my own horn.  Shame, shame woman.

But, that's not the point.  I have trouble sticking to things.  Sometimes I forget.  Or I put them off.  Or I get busy.  Whatever the excuse, it's very easy for me to get distracted and simply let things slide.  But in this case, I am proud to say that I have been doing at least one review a week for the past six weeks.  It's progress.  A start.  One that I am very much hoping that I can continue and build on.  Sure, most people probably don't really take the time to look at this or read what I'm writing, but that's okay.

In a way, I'm not doing any of this for you guys.  Which really isn't nice to say, I'm sorry guys, but let's face it, I'm not.  If anyone even reads this blog, they never comment.  I have had one comment since starting it and I'd like to think I have some very solid things I've written and some legitimate questions that I have posed.  But it is okay.  I know not everyone will want to take the time.  I'm thrilled anyone even vitryws my blog.

But it's kind of clear that I'm not doing this for the attention.  I'm doing this for myself.  I'm doing this to focus my mind.  To try and create something.  And I think that I'm managing it very nice.  Let's just hope that I can keep it up.

And so no one can say that I forgot!

Review: The Selection

The Selection by Kiera Cass

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I honestly wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book. When I first read the back I thought that it was an interesting premise. A mix between an arranged marriage and The Bachelor. And I have to say that I enjoyed myself very much reading it. Though I won't lie and say it was an easy read. Very well written, America comes to life. And with that in mind, she's very much a teenager. There are times I wanted to strangle her. There were times when I was seriously questioning her sanity and reason. And, of course, there were times when I really wished she would just open her eyes and grow up (still waiting on that so we'll see).

But I think that those little flaws in her, are what I like. She's not some perfect little grown up. In some ways she is still a child which is very appropriate for her age. And yet she also has those moments that, as a big sister, I can empathize with. The worry. The command. The simply wanting time alone or with friends who don't mind you being yourself. I've already decided I'm reading the second book as soon as I can get my hands on it. Kiera Cass has certainly brought this world to life.

With an interesting view for a future world, The Selection has this feeling of being both distopic and elegant at the same time. It is not the dark hardships of The Hunger Games or Divergent, but at the same time it is not some sweeping romance like Pride and Prejudice or Austenland. It is somewhere in the middle. Now some might question my choice of comparisons, but I feel that is the best way to describe the rich world that Miss Cass has begun to build. A world that I eagerly hope to return to very soon.



View all my reviews