Monday, February 29, 2016

Let's Talk: The Good Girl's Bad Boys (Wattpad Exclusive)

Title: The Good Girl's Bad Boys: The Good, The Bad, And The Bullied
Author: RubixCube89201
Series: "TGGBB" #1
Genre: YA Contemporary
Date Started: February 27, 2016
Date Finished: February 28, 2016
Rating: 5/5 stars

*This is a WATTPAD story. It is not published in print for money, but is still a novel*

*Semi-spoiler free review*

Honestly this story was just SOOO good. I don't want to spoil anything, so I can't really go into any in depth feels on this book. But it was perfect! 

The "bad boys" were honestly just amazing. Declan...Bennett...Jordan...ahhhh! They didn't turn "good" like some bad boy stories have the boys do; no-they stayed bad. Which made me happy that it wasn't cliche. Another thing, Naomi (unique name <3) did not turn "bad" like a lot of good girl & bad boy stories are. She stays a good girl, which I love.

I want to be a Musketeer!!!!

Something the author so wisely pointed out, this WHOLE novel is a metaphor. A metaphor. It's a metaphor for bullying and the world of bullying. It's about what would happen if all of the bullying in a school was targeted on ONE person. If all the hate was on ONE person. And it shows just how little adults do. They like to say they can help with bullying, but if we think about it there's not much there. It's the sad truth, however much we want it to be a lie. 

It was really good. And things did happen that weren't cliche. I can't give a lot away without spoiling it for anybody, but it was really good. It was very realistic (besides the whole EVERYONE bullies one kid thing). 

I loved it. Here is the link.

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Do Wattpad Books Count?

Here's a question I have often asked myself: do books I read on Wattpad count towards the books I have read in the month? I honestly don't know what other people's thoughts are on this subject, but I'm gonna talk about mine.

So, I read a lot of Wattpad. Wattpad is the original reason I fell out of reading actual books. It's easy to read a lot of short stories or even full length novels for free. If a story even vaguely interests you, then you can simply read it for free, without having to worry about not liking it and being stuck with that dent in your bank account.

I love Wattpad. I have stories posted there. I still read occasionally from Wattpad. And I recently discovered this story on there...

It's called The Good Girl's Bad Boys. I'm almost finished with it (It's super duper long-I've been reading for 2 days straight) and it's really good. And that's what got me thinking, can I include this in the books I've read this month?

The answer is yes. Let me explain why.

If this book were in print it would be thick. Very, very thick. And I would totally buy it and read it all the time. It's probably longer than most of the books on my shelf, if not all. It is a completed novel. And it is well-written.

That's the qualifications for me to put a Wattpad story in my book list. If this book were a) unfinished, b) not well written, or c) published by a company in a different draft then I would not put it on my list. But if I like a book, and it's long, I'm going to consider it for the list. Mind you, I'm not going to be putting every single Wattpad story I read on the list, but just the ones I really, really love.

Le book cover (link above: HIDE AND SEEK! GO!)

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Friday, February 26, 2016

Let's Talk: Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague

Title: Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague
Author: Brandon Mull
Series: "Fablehaven" #3
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Page Length: 487 pages
Publication Date: April 21, 2008
Date Started: February 24, 2016
Date Finished: February 26, 2016
Rating: 5/5 stars

*Semi-spoiler free*

Like with the previous two books, this was a reread for me and part of the reason I liked it so much was because of the nostalgia I got from reading it. There were times I cried, yes, and there were times I laughed.

I absolutely adore Warren! I cannot stress that enough! Even though he's not a main character, just everything he does is so sweet and protective and fabulous! I'm pretty sure he was my first book boyfriend. Ever. I was maybe 8 or 9. Yikes. But yes, he's perfection.

Things that I knew were going to happen still happened. And I cried hard. My heart hurt and I just cried because I knew it was coming and I couldn't stop it. I had forgotten a lot of the textual context around this big event, though, that made it so painful.

The funny thing is that I don't remember reading this book for the first time. I only remember rereading it or flipping to my favorite parts. I only knew the major events, but some of them I forgot happened in this book and not later or earlier books.

I'm very excited to continue rereading this series. I recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy or middle-grade novels.

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Let's Talk: Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star

Title: Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star
Author: Brandon Mull
Series: "Fablehaven" #2
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Page Length: 441 pages
Publication Date: June 1, 2007
Date Started: February 23, 2016
Date Finished: February 23, 2016
Rating: 5/5 stars

*Semi-spoiler free*

Like the first book, this book was a fantastic reread for me. I forgot how much I missed Warren! AH! He's perfection...

The sarcasm and the fun times got even more epic in this installment. Kendra was on point, and Seth was on point--he had his big superhero moment!

A lot was discovered in this novel that is going to set up the rest of the series. I'm very excited to read the next book (which I'm already on).

There's not much more I can say without spoiling the first book, so let's just leave it at this was a great installment and even better than the first. Kendra and Seth have grown as characters yet still maintain some of the flaws they had in the first book. Other new characters play their parts well and I'm glad that they have transferred over into this book.

Mull has a way with action and words that make it seem so simple, when it's really a complicated scene. Ah, so good!

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Monday, February 22, 2016

Let's Talk: Fablehaven

Title: Fablehaven
Author: Brandon Mull
Series: "Fablehaven" #1
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Page Length: 351
Publication Date: July 1, 2006
Date Started: February 21, 2016
Date Finished: February 22, 2016
Rating: 5/5 stars

*Semi-spoiler free*

This was a reread for me, but I had previously read it in times where I did not write book reviews, so now it's time for one of those good ol' things.

Honestly, I loved this book the 3rd (5th?) time around. Part of the reason being I was full of nostalgic feels from when I was young. Really young. Fifth grade young. I was maybe 9 when the author came to my school and I found out about this series. But when I read it I was enthralled.

This book is so full of adventure and magic and just an all around good time. It's a quick read and it's definitely worth it.

I noticed some people left low-star reviews on this book, and I can see where they're coming from. But some of the things they complain about, like a naked grandmother, is a little unfounded. Sure, it's a middle grade novel, but it's unrealistic that someone who was turned into a chicken would be turned back into a human with clothes on. That's not how that works. In a story of mystical creatures and magic, a little realism is needed.

I did really enjoy this book again. I am excited to continue on with rereading the rest of the series in preparation for the sequel series coming out in Ocotober! #superexcited

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Let's Talk: The Heart of Betrayal

Title: The Heart of Betrayal
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Series: "The Remnant Chronicles" #2
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Length: 470
Publication Date: July 7, 2015
Date Started: February 10, 2016
Date Finished: February 21, 2016
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

*Spoiler-free*

This book started out slow as crap. It took me almost a week to get into the story. It took me until three days ago to fully get into this story, and I started it eleven days ago. It was bad, and I almost decided to put this book down.

The reason it was slow was because this novel was less about immediate action and adventure than book 1. This book had to have even more world building and this one was more about mind games and deceptions/betrayals than the first one. This was more a game of lies than an action-adventure.

I got sucked in at the last 100-200 pages. I could not put it down after that and I was non-stop reading. It made up for the slow start. All the action that I love happened in these last 200 pages. Everything that had been set up in the beginning of the book fell into place. Dozens of things that I had thought meaningless had fallen into their rightful place. Things surprised me, things astounded me, and things made me smile greatly and whoop with joy. 

But I still had to give it a 4.5 instead of a full 5 stars because of how slow it started out. I just can't get past the fact that it took me almost four times as long to read this book as it did to read me the others I've read this month. 

I am really looking forward to the sequel, because there were some cliffhangers that I need answers to. I need to see how some things work out, and if you've read this book then you know what I'm talking about (with Morrighan and Lia's brothers believing something). 

I still recommend this series, even though I enjoyed the first book more than the second.

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

New Fablehaven Book?!

GUYS! I was coming up with BookTube ideas and I was thinking of recommending my favorite middle grade books and then something amazing happened! Two somethings!

The first is that there's The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven which I'm freaking out over for starters. It looks epic! I love companion guides to fantasy series...and this one looks top quality!
OMG!

And the second is THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEW FABLEHAVEN BOOK SERIES!!!! I'm dying!!!

Fablehaven was one of my favorite series as a kid and I started reading it after the author came to my school to talk about the books. And I was researching on his website for synopses for my video, and I read the one for the Guide and it said there would be clues to creatures that appear in Dragonwatch!

The new series is a sequel known as Dragonwatch!!!! I'm dying! It releases in October, so I still have a while to go, but I'm super excited. I just had to share this with you guys :)

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Let's Talk: Finders Keep Her

Title: Finders Keep Her
Author: H.B. Stumbo
Series: "H.A.S.H." #2
Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense/Thriller
Page Length: 356
Publication Date: November 25, 2015
Date Started: February 14, 2016
Date Finished: February 15, 2016
Rating: Infinity

*Spoiler-free until stated otherwise*
*Not endorsed or paid for*

Holy crap. This book SLAYED me. I am dead. Consider me officially pronounced dead; cause of death: too many book feels. 
This book was SO much better than book 1, which I loved to death! I was so emotional during this whole thing, and there was not one boring moment in my opinion. Let's just leave it at I cried for a solid 10 minutes after I finished this book, not to mention how long I cried DURING the book.

For the actual review, I can't really talk about much without spoiling book 1. One of the main things is that this book was a lot faster and a lot darker than book 1. Book 1 was creepy, thrilling, and enigmatic...meaning it was awesome! This book was one...two...five million times more! It was so good!

For lovers of creepy romance, you've gotta pick this up! Right now! Don't wait. In fact, here are the links to Amazon: Hide and Seek Her (currently $0.99 on Kindle) & Finders Keep Her!!!! When you've finished them come back so we can fangirl together!!!!

INFINITY STARS!!!!!

*From here on out there are spoilers*

Okay! So let's just jump right on in! This might be a little out of order at some parts, but it all weaves together. I'm so excited, are you excited?! 

We start off with a perspective from Riley. RILEY! I love Riley. I've loved him since chapter 1. I knew he was never going to be with Charlotte, and I was happy about that. Vance and Char had too much chemistry for Riley to ever be considered for a love triangle. AND I LOVE THAT!

The prologue was basically what had gone on in the two months that had passed since the end of book 1. TWO MONTHS! I thought Vance and Char were inseparable, so this was a surprise that they hadn't had any contact in two months. Wow, just wow.

And Riley was being all worried about Vance and Char and then he was protective. It was just perfect! I loved that side of Riley we didn't get to see in the last book. This whole book he was protective and sweet and even when he was almost dead he was still trying to keep Jackson away from Char. Just perfection. 

Then we get a chapter from Jackson. The first chapter of the book is from Jackson! We saw only a little of Jackson's mind in the first book which was through the prologue and epilogue. But those were more like letters or journal entries. This chapter was all about Jackson's past and present and what he wants. It was so insightful. I was very excited to get multiple chapters from his point of view. 

Seeing some of Jackson's past made me sympathize with him, but then he had this whole "better than you" complex going on, so it kind of ruined that. Really, Jackson is just a fun twisted character to read from. And he wants Charlotte. He said that he took back his original plan of killing her in favor of just making her his again. 

Then we went to Charlotte. And we also had a chapter of Vance that ties into what I'm about to rant about. So Char and Vance haven't talked since she ran out of his house crying and betrayed. She's all disappointed and sad that he hasn't tried to contact her or come after her since she left. He's all "I'll respect your wishes and stay away". I'm all...
Just get together and bang already.

But seriously, it took so freaking long for them to finally talk again. And even then it was in extraneous circumstances. The bad part is I can't even get too mad about this because it's just something that those characters do. It's just their personalities. 

...

We get a new character!!!! His name's Sterling. I imagine him to be kind of like a puppy, but in his 20s. He just seems so nice and I really hope we get to see more of him in book 3. I can definitely see a friendship blooming between Char and Sterling (except that she was kidnapped and shit).

And Sterling brings us around to Drew. Drew isn't a bad guy, and he doesn't play a big role at all in this book. In book 1, I'm sure we all remember Char dancing with a guy and then that guy handing her a drugged drink. Well, that guy was Drew (but he's gay hehe). It was revealed by Drew--when Riley and Alex and Kim looked ready to smash his face in--that some random guy handed him that drink to give to Char. And lo and behold, that guy is Jackson. I can't say I'm surprised--I always thought he had something to do with it...

This leads us into Riley and Char's amazing friendship. So Riley and Alex meet up with Kim and Char at the bar on Halloween. I was so excited that Riley and Char were talking and hanging out (because without Vance or Riley I was getting depressed too). When Riley gets all protective of Char, oh my gosh the dams burst. 
I LOVE his protective friendship! It's just so perfect! And after she finds out it was Jackson he just takes her home immediately and doesn't let her be home alone...ah! The feels man! 

They have this little heart to heart where she finally realizes that the Emily that Jackson killed was the Emily that was Riley and Vance's cousin. And he tells the story and my heart just breaks for Riley! 

And onto the topic of Emily...one of the chapters we see from Jackson's POV has Emily's death scene in it! I was so shocked when I realized what was happening. Honestly, I probably would have done the same thing in her situation...and ended up dead as well...but that's beside the point. I truly believe that Emily's death was an accident, but I don't believe that Jackson should have gotten a not-guilty bargain. He should have gone to prison. 

The next thing he did in the book proves that! I was literally screaming when I realized what was about to happen. I was sitting in my room at 11 pm screaming into my pillow because I was so scared for Riley. Basically, Jackson pulls a creepy stalker move and hides in the Wait Plantation's backyard and while Riley is working, he goes up and attacks him. WTH!!!! 
 Me when I read that ^

Riley was in so much pain and what Jackson had done to him was so terrible, but he was still all "Stay away from Charlotte" and "Don't f*cking touch her" and stuff. Oh my god, my heart!
Once Jackson made the first move with the scythe, I was all tears. Gross sobbing that is not attractive at all. For 10 solid minutes! I couldn't read for 10 minutes because I was just crying! And he wasn't even dead (that we knew of) yet! 
I texted my friends to come and hug me and nobody responded...ugh...where's my Riley?

And then Charlotte found him--bleeding to death and almost dead on his back porch.

Oh my feels. Char was all breaking down and crying and worrying and I was all breaking down and crying and worrying. It was such a good scene! 

Finally, Charlotte and Vance speak again. Basically, she just calls him up on Riley's phone to tell him Riley's in the hospital. He's all "stay at the hospital. Wait for me there." And he takes 12(?) hours to get to her? No, no...don't go eat something or change clothes...just wait in the hallway for me. Then again, I probably wouldn't have left if I were in that predicament...

So Vance finally gets there and he and Charlotte have this whole reunion hug thing that makes me go aw!!! and then it's all about Riley again. Char and Vance kind of provide each other comfort and help each other not break down when they meet with the doctor. Because RILEY'S IN AN INDUCED COMA IN THE ICU!!!! I was crying then...

To summarize a lot of what happened after that, basically Vance goes to stay at Char's house, which is to be expected considering they need each other for moral support while Riley's in the hospital. He eventually tells her (most of) the truth, which is a good thing. But he doesn't tell her it all.

One day he goes back to the hospital because they're supposed to be bringing Riley out of his coma. I was yelling at the book (I'm not kidding) when Riley woke up and said Jackson's name and that Vance needed to go get Charlotte. Guess what Vance did? Just guess?! 

He doesn't go to her. He's all "no she'll be fine" and "Riley's just had a nightmare or something...that's the ONLY reason he would have said Jackson's name because Jackson isn't a threat. He's about as harmless as a puppy." Instead he just texts Char that he's got good news for her...

While all of that hospital goodness is going on, Diane shows up at Char's house. Diane, the cop who's been looking for Jackson. She's got a lead. A breakthrough in the case. Basically, she shares everything with Char, not with her police chief, and tells Char she's the only person who knows this. Pity, because then Jackson comes and kills her. FML.

And what does Jackson do? He freaking kidnaps Charlotte. The book ends with her laying unconscious on his hotel bed and Vance sitting on his unknowing ass. I'm pretty sure I almost died. 
^ Me (except I couldn't bear to throw out such a beautiful book)

I've come to the realization that I NEED BOOK 3!!!! RIGHT THIS INSTANCE!!! We don't have a date on when the 3rd and final book is going to come out, but hopefully soon. This is going to kill me...it's already killing me.
This is where I have to end it. I've been working on this review throughout the afternoon and Teen Wolf, and am thoroughly exhausted from binge-reading it last night and then getting up early. All I have left to say is that this series is a masterpiece, and this book was just perfect. It went in ways I did not expect, but it was sooo good. 

There aren't YouTube reviews that I could find on this book, so I did have to (it was required--a need for my survival) write an ENTIRE spoiler-y review as well as my typical non-spoiler review. If you read my full review, you've probably already read the book. But if you haven't, you NEED to read it.

This review doesn't do the amazing writing and story justice. I've fallen in love with this story and these characters in such a small amount of time. I just know anyone who reads it will too.

Once again, this book fully deserves its INFINITY STARS rating. I can't wait to see what book 3 has in store. 

~

xoxo
Lauren

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Top 12 Books of All Time

Hello everyone! I was bored and decided to make a list of my top 12 books/book series of all time (in order). There are so many series I love and it was hard to narrow it down to 12 (impossible to narrow it to 10) so here are my top 12. Let's just get right into it.

12. Percy Jackson and the Olympians
By: Rick Riordan
Books: The Lightning Thief (#1), The Sea of Monsters (#2), The Titan's Curse (#3), The Battle of the Labyrinth (#4), & The Last Olympian (#5).
*I have not finished the Heroes of Olympus series yet, thus why it is not included in this category.
I love this series. I started reading it in 5th grade and it is one of the series at the center of my reading career. I love Percy's sass and all the secondary characters. #5 is my favorite followed by #1

11. Twilight
By: Stephenie Meyer
Books: Twilight (#1), New Moon (#2), Eclipse (#3), The Short, Second Life of Brie Tanner (#3.5), & Breaking Dawn (#4)
This series is another series at the core of my reading career. I started reading it in the summer before 4th grade, right after my big Harry Potter kick. There's been a lot of hate these past few years but I love Twilight to no end and will forever be a Twi-hard.

10. Shadowhunter Chronicles 
By: Cassandra Clare
Books: TMI- City of Bones (#1), City of Ashes (#2), City of Glass (#3), City of Fallen Angels (#4), City of Lost Souls (#5), City of Heavenly Fire (#6); TID- Clockwork Angel (#1), Clockwork Prince (#2), Clockwork Princess (#3); Others- The Bane Chronicles (Novella Collection), The Shadowhunter's Codex (companion)
I've been reading this series for so long (not as long as Twilight and Percy, but still for a long time). I love all these books and I can't express how excited I am for Lady Midnight in less than a month!

9. The Dark Elements
By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Books: White Hot Kiss (#1), Stone Cold Touch (#2), Every Last Breath (#3), Bitter Sweet Love (#0.5)
I love this series so much that I wanted all my books to match. They went through a cover change (that I did not like) in the US, so I ordered the last book from Australia just to have the matching covers. These characters to everything good to my feels and I love it so much!

8. Outlander 
By: Diana Gabaldon
Books: Outlander (#1), Dragonfly in Amber (#2), Voyager (#3), Drums of Autumn (#4), The Fiery Cross (#5), A Breath of Snow and Ashes (#6), An Echo in the Bone (#7), Written in My Heart's Own Blood (#8)
I have to admit, I've only read Outlander, but I loved it so much I couldn't NOT include it. I gave it an infinity rating when I did read it last month. I love it to death and I'm super excited to continue on with the series!

7. Academy: Ghost Bird
By: C.L. Stone
Books (In publishing order): Introductions (#1), First Days (#2), Friends vs. Family (#3), Forgiveness and Permission (#4), Drop of Doubt (#5), Push and Shove (#6), House of Korba (#7), Touch of Mischief (novella), Sound of Snowfall (novella), The Other Side of Envy (#8), The Healing Power of Sugar (#9)
I love this series to death, and I'm so happy that they're still being published. Even though there's 9 books and 2 novellas out, there's still about 10+ books left (so the author says) that are going to be published. I know that seems like a lot, but each book is only over the course of 1-3 weeks, so it's really not that many. It's just very detailed. And I love the relationships between Sang and her boys! It's perfect!

6. A Court of Thorns and Roses
By: Sarah J. Maas
Books: A Court of Thorns and Roses (#1), A Court of Mist and Fury (#2)
Even though the second book isn't even out yet, I know I'm gonna love it. I adored book 1 and am so excited to continue on with book 2!

5. The Host
By: Stephenie Meyer
Books: The Host 
Even though this book is upwards of 600 pages, I read it in one afternoon/night the first time, and in one school day the second time. I love it so much that I even bought the hardcopy instead of just having in eBook format. The characters are perfect and I love the sci-fi aspect. 

4. Lux
By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Books: Shadows (#0.5), Obsidian (#1), Onyx (#2), Opal (#3), Origin (#4), Opposition (#5)
This was one of the series that got me back into reading (as in off of Wattpad from my 3 year stunt there). I am forever indebted to Jennifer L. Armentrout (who writes amazing series). I love the characters and especially Katy (who has a book blog-how amazing is that?!). 

3. Illuminae
By: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Books: Illuminae (#1) & Gemina (#2-unpublished currently)
This is one of the coolest books I've ever read. I didn't expect to connect with the story and characters like I did, but I got drawn in and punched in the feels so hard!

2. Harry Potter
By: J.K. Rowling
Books: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (#1), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (#2), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (#3), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (#4), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (#5), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (#6), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (#7), The Tales of Beedle the Bard (companion), Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (companion), Quidditch Through the Ages (companion)
Harry Potter is the first big series/semi-complicated writing I ever read. Magic Tree House does not compare. I read all 7 books in 3rd grade (in 7 weeks-I was very proud) and I just get so much nostalgia from reading them and looking at them. They take me back to a simpler time in my life of reading at the end of my bed and spending hours on this series. And when I would finish a book I would run downstairs and tell my parents that I finished the book. It was a very happy and proud moment for me.

1. Throne of Glass
By: Sarah J. Maas
Books: The Assassin's Blade (#0), Throne of Glass (#1), Crown of Midnight (#2), Heir of Fire (#3), & Queen of Shadows (#4)
I love this series so much that I ordered the UK editions as well as my American editions because they're so beautiful. I love these characters and this series so much, it's impossible not to obsess over them. I can't wait for book #5 (AND THE COLORING BOOK) to come out in September. I'm eagerly anticipating so I can spend an entire day just binging book 5 and then coloring in the coloring book (I'm getting 2-one to color and one to preserve). 

This took me a while because I had to do each series justice. There are a few that can be switched around in terms of order, but I think that at the time being, these are my favorites. 

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Let's Talk: The Host

Title: The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Series: N/A
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian
Page Length: 619
Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Date Started: February 8, 2016
Date Finished: February 9, 2016
Rating: Infinity

*Some spoilers lie ahead--will be warning before said spoilers*

This was a re-read for me and it was kind of like reading it for the first time since I read it a couple of years ago. I own it both in ebook form and in paperback (my sister got the real copy for me at my birthday) and I don't regret owning more than one. 

I love this book to the moon and back. I like it more than Twilight, which I love dearly (and they're both written by the same author). I didn't expect to love it as much as I did because I seemed to forget my feels from the first time. 

I was squealing with happiness when I finished this book. I read it all today (with the exception of the 13 pages last night) and it went by just as fast as the first time. Do you guys think books fly by when they're ebooks? Because I do. I didn't even realize how long this book was until I got the real version and I went "wait what?" I read it the first time in one night, start to finish, super quickly because it was an ebook. Do you guys do that?

Enough about that. This book was perfect. I was in a reading slump and needed to reread a book, except I think it might have put me in an even bigger reading slump because of how perfect it was. Whoops.

With one of the most unusual friendships and love triangles in reading, this book is a fresh taste for any book lover. Sci-fi, romance, and adventure all rolled into one fancy shmancy book. 

I really need to talk about my loves now...so for now I'm gonna leave it at an INFINITY rating and a strong (as in super duper really really very strong) recommendation that you go pick up this book right now.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

OH MY GOD MY BABIES!!!

Me right now ^^^

Okay so first off my love for Wanda knows NO bounds. She's so nice and caring and amazing! I love her to the ends of all the planets she's lived on! She sacrificed herself TWICE for Melanie. Perfection!

And oh my god the character arc with Ian and Jared and them is just amazing. The way they go from hating Wanda to loving her! I am in love! I want to be a part of this community! 

Jamie is the cutest! When he was injured and everyone got pissed at Wanda and Jared for actually going out and trying to save his life?! You better bet that I was cursing at those idiots. Does it matter that it's soul medicine? What should matter is healing Jamie! And the fact that he always stood by Wanda/Mel was the icing on the cake! 

Ian is literally so perfect. The movie misses a lot of what makes me love his character, and I even forgot some of it. He's protective and slightly domineering at times but sweet and caring and funny and (still) protective! He's one of my dream guys. I forgot about him when I made my book boyfriends list, but he's definitely in the top 6!
HE'S MINE PEOPLE!!!!!

Jared pissed me off in the beginning (until about halfway through the book actually) which was a good thing, obviously--we needed that to advance the story. I was glad when in the end he wasn't just protective of Mel but also of Wanda. I loved that! I love him! OHMYGOD! 
Just look at how he looks happy and approving (in his closed off way) in the background when Wanda gets her new body! So perfect!

Okay okay so Teen Wolf is almost on so I gotta go but I just want you all to realize how epic this book is and how much I love it!

~

Thanks for watching
xoxo
Lauren

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Let's Talk: Steel

Title: Steel
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: N/A
Genre: Juvenile/YA Historical 
Page Length: 287 
Publication Date: March 15, 2011
Date Started: February 6, 2016
Date Finished: February 7, 2016
Rating: 4/5 stars

*semi-spoiler free review*

There have been some great reviews for this book...and there have been some not-so-great reviews for this book. I did enjoy this book. It wasn't my favorite book but I didn't not-like it. As far as it goes in "Will I Read Again?"...the answer is yes. 

I did like this book. It was what I expected from a short floppy middle-grade looking paperback book. I didn't expect extravagant writing or super deep characters with intricate backstories like Sarah J. Maas writes. I was just looking for a little bit of a pirate-y story, and I got just that.

The writing was okay. It wasn't full of depth and there wasn't a lot of variation from "he said" or "she said". I didn't notice it much because the story itself was very fast paced. This book was less than 300 pages and it had larger print that didn't even fill the whole page--aka there were thick margins. It was a quick, fast-paced read.

I enjoyed the storyline and it was very simple and easy to follow. There was little world-building needed because of how it was told, which was nice because I'd just finished a high-fantasy novel a couple hours prior. 

Jill (the main character) was for the most part what I expected a girl in her situation and her mind-set to act like. There have been reviews that talk about why she didn't freak out more when she was pulled from the sea onto a pirate ship, but I feel like that isn't something Jill would do.

There was very little romance, which was a good thing because I probably would have cried if there were more. The whole book I was conflicted about what I wanted to happen in the end. Did I want her to stay on the pirate ship or did I want her to find a way home? No spoilers, but I was somewhat happy with the ending. I think either way I would have been slightly disappointed with either choice. It was a realistic choice, nonetheless.

All in all, I did enjoy this book. I feel as if this is a book to pull a person out of their reading slump. It's face-paced with easy to read writing and a pretty good story and concept. I do want to read more pirate novels, but this one was pretty good.

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Let's Talk: Poison Study

Title: Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: "Chronicles of Ixia" #1
Genre: YA High Fantasy
Publication Date: October 1, 2005
Date Started: February 5, 2016
Date Finished: February 6, 2016
Rating: 5/5 Stars

*semi-spoiler free review*

Wow. All I can say is wow.

This book was GREAT! I loved it. I did not expect what happened because I went into it knowing very little, which I'm glad I did. Everything was so on point in this novel. It wasn't unrealistic and it was very well laid out.

World building is tough and Maria V. Snyder did it well. I was able to understand the world very quickly, which is generally unheard of in the first book in a high fantasy series (for me at least). I'm eager to buy the next couple books and read them. For now, I'll have to deal with wondering what happens next while I wait for the books to arrive on my doorstep.

I was not expecting the main character to form some of the relationships she did, and I was not expecting her background either. I really really loved Ari and Janco. They're possibly my two favorite side characters in 2016. I'm so excited (and nervous) to see if they play as big a role in the next book. They're just so perfect.

I liked how the romance (hehhem) progressed in this book. It wasn't insta-love and it seemed to me that it was very realistic in terms of a relationship. I am very very excited to see how it progresses in the next book (fingers crossed).

All in all, I loved this novel. I love high fantasy in general, but I am always nervous a book won't live up to my expectations. This one did.

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren

Superbowl Weekend Read-A-Thon!

Hello guys! So this weekend is the Superbowl (a big deal in the USA). I personally have no interest in it this year as the Packers (my favorite team) are not playing. However, my family is throwing a Superbowl party, but I shall be reading during that time most likely.
That being said, I decided to challenge myself to finish the book I was reading AND read two more by the time I go to bed on Sunday. There's no other challenges and nobody else is participating with me, but I just wanted to challenge myself to this.

The three books I will be reading this weekend are...

Number 1: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder.

By the time this post it up, I will have finished this book already. I am loving it!

Number 2: Steel by Carrie Vaughn.

The concept of this book is so cool and I've been wanting to read it for a while. It's short (280-something pages) so I decided to throw it in to up the challenge factor.

Number 3: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

I've been wanting to get to this since I finished book 1 in January. It finally arrived in the mail and I'm eager to dive into it. 

Again, it may be a stretch to want to read THREE books in one weekend, but I think I can do it. Now...if you'll excuse me, I have some reading to get to.

~

Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren