Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Despite the heavy topic, this was a fun read. The story follows Clay on a night-long adventure as he uncovers why Hannah killed herself, via the tapes she left behind. Right from the beginning, this was a unique and original idea, which made a really nice story. I love the simple message of this book, and how easily it can be understood by reading it.

Switching between Hannah’s narrative and Clay’s responses to them, the writing was a bit jumpy, but rightfully so. The storytelling was done so well in this book. From beginning to end, everything tied in to create Hannah’s story. The way all the characters related, their lives interwoven, was really nice to read.

I found Clay to be a bit bland as a character. Not much was explained about him; he was simply the “good guy” stereotype. This could be both a good and bad thing. On the plus side, it is easy to slip into his shoes. However, that also made him a somewhat disposable character. I can see why he was chosen to tell the story, because he is an unbiased “good guy”, that would allow Hannah’s story to be told without much interruption. While that was nice, and I enjoyed how Hannah’s story really shined through, just imagine how much more amazing this book would have been if it was told through one of the other characters that Hannah mentions in the tapes. It would give the book so much more emotion, I feel, than Clay’s character was able to.

As I said, Hannah, and her story, really was the focal point of this story, and I absolutely loved it. I loved her way of speaking, I loved her as a person. Her character was portrayed really well, making me want to befriend her. Because of this, I felt a stronger connection to her, and really felt for her when the bad things in her life started happening. I sympathized with her a lot, and even though I knew what the ending would be, I still didn’t want it to happen. While their personalities were clear, there was barely any back story to either of the characters. I would have liked to learn more about Hannah’s past, before things got bad. That would have only added to the story and the emotion.

I loved how the two plots conformed to one, as Clay is listening to the tapes at night, following Hannah’s life as he lives his own. Hannah’s story was much stronger, but there were some really sweet little pieces of Clay’s life that peaked through. I really loved the tiny incorporation of The Cather in the Rye into the story. Just prior to its addition, I thought about how Clay and the plot reminded me of it (in the best way, of course). Minus Holden’s bull-headedness, Clay was quite similar to him. Also, I’m a sucker for plots that take place in just a single night.

I have mixed feelings about the ending. One part of me really appreciates how Clay took Hannah’s suicide, and decided to make the best of it, by changing his ways. While another part of me kind of cringes at the fact that Clay now thinks he can save girls’ lives with his “good guy”-ness. Yes, he has the ability to help, but depression is something much more serious than it is portrayed in Clay’s eyes. And I hope that those who read this book will recognize that.

Despite its flaws, I really enjoyed reading this book. It is definitely one I will reread in the future, and I recommend, especially to the young people that this book is written for. It’s really important for kids, and everyone, to realize that how you treat others truly can affect them.

Skinny by Ibi Kaslik

This was a heavy book, the kind that digs its way under your skin and sticks there long after you’ve finished it, leaving you feeling lead-limbed and melancholy. With its gorgeous writing and complex characters, Skinny was far more than I expected it to be.

Based on its simple, Summery cover, and straightforward title, I assumed this book would be a short and sweet story about eating disorder recovery, as told by a teenage girl. Instead, it was the story of two sisters, one about fourteen and the other about twenty-two, both of them having to deal with their confusing lives while Giselle, the older sister, has anorexia.

The way both point of views wove together was beautiful. The writing was poetic and at points jumbled, but I think that was a good way of showing everything that was going on in the girls’ minds. The past mixed with the present, to unravel Giselle’s struggles with her dad and younger sister, Holly. While at the same time, Holly was trying to piece together her own existence. I loved the two sides to this story, and the relationship between the two sisters.

This book held an eerily lovely mood, which reminded me of Francesca Lia Block’s works. The plot was slow going, but in an enjoyable way that allowed me to truly get to know the characters. It was a coming of age story at the same time that it was a book about young adult life. The way Giselle described her eating disorder was very clear and informative.

Although the ending confused me a bit, overall I loved this book, and will definitely pick it up in the future.

Easy by Tammara Webber

With a beautiful romance and addictive plot, this book was so easy to get into and fall in love with. Despite my awful pun, it truly was a great New Adult novel that is definitely going on my list of favorite books. It contained a few minor flaws, but not enough for me to give it any less than five stars.

I have been hesitant to get into the New Adult genre because of the drama based plots and lots sex scenes that I try to avoid. But on a whim, I decided to pick up Easy, knowing it would contain both of these things. However, I was relieved and ecstatic to discover that if not overdone, both these things can be enjoyable and really bring a lot to the story. That is what I found to be true while reading Easy.

One of my favorite things about this book was the fact that it was so much fun to read, while still including a very serious topic. It had a combination of friendship, romance, and real life issues perfectly incorporated into the fast-moving, fun plot. Although the writing was simple, this story had a very strong plot and set of characters. Using a college campus setting, Webber took realistic views of sexual assault, and used them to create an amazing progression of the story. Each character dealt with the situation differently, as people do in real life. Also, let me just say the girl power in this book was so good! Despite the potentially dark topic, this wasn’t a dark book. With parties, friendship, boy drama, and the main character Jacqueline's spicy relationship, it was such a fun read.

Luckily for me, it didn’t have the crazy sex scenes I dislike. However, it did have a lot of hot and heavy make out sessions and foreplay scenes. But I thought they were written so well that I actually really enjoyed reading them. The intimacy between Jacqueline and Lucas was so vital to the story, and it progressed well as the story went on.

Jacqueline’s character growth throughout this book was amazing. It was subtle for most of the book, but by the end I was actually proud of her for fighting back against her abuser. She did things she was afraid to do, in order to help herself and another girl. She overcame her past relationship, and she allowed herself to open up to not only Lucas, but her best friend Erin. She was such a strong and enjoyable character to read about.

The two main side characters were also very well done. Erin, Jacqueline’s best friend and roommate, was strong from the beginning, always knowing what she wants. Their relationship was typical, the secondary character being outgoing and insistent to the quieter main character. While that bugged me at first, Erin was really a great friend. She was funny at times, and comforting to Jacqueline when she needed to be. I could tell that their friendship was genuine.

Lucas’s character seemed less developed at first. For a lot of the book, Jacqueline doesn’t know a lot about him. Yet as she learns about him, his true self starts to come through. By the end of the book, he opens himself up completely and I was left both proud of him, and wanting to hear more of his side of the story.

There were only a few incomplete things I would have liked more of. Jacqueline’s gay classmate, Benji, was nice, not a stereotypical gay character. I would have loved to have him incorporated just a bit more, instead of just being an accessory to the storyline. It also would have been more realistic if Jacqueline’s parents had been incorporated more. But at this point, I’m really just nit-picking, because this book was so well done.

I flew through this book, and I fully enjoyed it. It was both serious and fun, a fantastic read. The plot twists were heart-stopping and effective. I’m so happy with how the story ended. After reading just one of her books, I can say that I am easily becoming a fan of Webber’s work. I can’t wait to pick up the next book in this series (told in Lucas’s point of view!)

Get in Trouble by Kelly Link

A beautifully crafted collection of short stories, Get in Trouble contained some of the weirdest stories I’ve ever read. Each one had a gorgeously portrayed mood that made them come to life one by one. The writing was unique, unlike anything I’ve read before. Though short (hence the short story part) each tale was magically woven as if Link herself lived in each one of the worlds she created.

The writing was the shinning star of this book. Although it was sometimes hard to get used to, once I got into it, I realized how natural it sounded. Most of the stories were written in a stream-of-conscious sort of writing, making it sound disjointed at times. However, I found that that kind of writing made it easier to connect with the characters, as it felt like I was in each one’s head.

The plots were sometimes straightforward, and sometimes subtle, all leading to one main point. It was the simplicity of the plots that allowed Link to go crazy with the world-building and setting. Each one sounded almost like it could be a part of the others, yet they also sounded entirely different. You dive right into the strange worlds without any kind of warning or explanations. They feel natural and real, despite the way they warped reality. Most of the stories were magical realism or sci-fi, but sometimes it was hard to separate the two. I think that’s an amazing thing for an author to be able to do, combine genres in a way that makes it stand out into its own genre.

With beautiful descriptions, the settings brought out such strange and wonderful tones to each story. They were heavy and solid, each one overwhelming the story. Some of them were creepy and haunting, while others were raw and emotional. Each one made me feel something, regardless of how much I enjoyed. Naturally, I liked some more than others, but none of these stories can I give a rating under four stars.

There was something about the mix of characters and the meanings of the stories, that truly shows how talented Kelly Link is. She could grasp things and put them into writing that most of us overlook. There is a strange kind of wisdom to this weird and beautiful book. It holds an endless amount of inspiration for me, and I wholeheartedly enjoyed and recommend it.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

 

Quite literally the chronicles of Martians, this work of fiction creates a lovely and creepy futuristic history of life on Mars. It jumps between different points and places in time, from 1999 to 2026, documenting man’s journey to living on Mars.

Written in the 1940’s, it is always strange to read a futuristic novel that takes place during the present time. Going along with similar themes of Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury paints a strange and scary sci-fi filled future. Progressing through time, from man’s first mission to Mars, to its final, what is discovered is bleak and stunning.

Bradbury’s writing is gorgeous. His descriptions are beautiful and dialogue realistic. Despite the lack of main characters, his writing allows emotion to form around humanity as a whole. The twists throughout the book were shocking and unexpected, with a surprising, though necessary, amount of violence.

This was such a pure sci-fi read. It felt like it could happen in some parallel universe somewhere. Although several aspects of it date it to the 40’s, this classic is one that will stand the test of time. With its perfect, symbolic ending, finishing this book was like traveling to the future and back.

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

I love how this series has progressed so far. The change of setting in this third book was really nice. So much happens, secrets are revealed and relationships changed. Though not as action packed at the second book, there is a good amount of action and adventure in this one.

I love how the relationships between different characters evolved and grew. While the first half of the book was slow going, and dragged a bit, the second half was spectacular. Betrayals, plot twists and secrets abound. The characters continue to be a driving force to the stories. The humor is really great and realistic. The emotion is so raw at points.

Had the first half gone by quicker, I would give this book a higher rating, but both halves kind of equal each other out. I feel like this could have been the last book in the series, as it ends very nicely. However, I’m glad it’s not because I want to keep reading about these awesome characters.

A Magic Dark and Bright by Jenny Adams Perinovic

 

*Thank you NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book to review!*

Labeled as a ‘YA Gothic Romance’, this book had such a beautiful blend of horror, romance and history. It was enchanting and mysterious, with a lovely, homey feel to it. Though the overall premise of it wasn’t particularly original, it had so many little, unique aspects to it, that set it apart from other books.

With alluring descriptions and a natural feel to the writing, A Magic Dark and Bright read with such ease. It brought to life the details of the settings and made the main character, Amelia, feel very real. As I first started to read this book, I thought it was in the horror genre because of the great creepiness it had. As the romance and paranormal aspects of this book took over, the creepy undertone never faltered, which I absolutely loved. The combination of the town’s history, with the world’s history allowed you to get a good sense of the ghosts and witches in this story. Along with the history, Amelia’s dreams also gave the main ghost in the story a personality and past.

Amelia was a strong main character, though she did have some flaws. After the death of her brother, she is very unsure about dating and relationships. Unfortunately, as she forms a relationship throughout the book, her insecurities do not seem to go away. Aside from that, she has a strong drive and is a great hero, without actually being the one to discover powers, which I found refreshing.

Her best friend, Leah, was kind of annoying, the stereotypical outgoing friend, always pushing the other to do things. While I wasn’t a huge fan of that, Leah does prove to be a good character throughout the book, and isn’t just cast aside as some lame side character. Charlie, Amelia’s love interest, was also a bit of a stereotypical ‘good boy’ character, but he was very pleasant and enjoyable to read about.

The emotion in this book was so powerful. The relationship was adorable and sweet, and even though I’m not a huge fan of romance, I couldn’t help but love this one. It seemed very genuine and came about at a perfect pace. Along with the love, the negative emotions the character’s felt were also very real. I felt so much anger toward Ben every time the characters encountered him.

There were parts of this book that were quite predictable, like being introduced to the next character that was going to die only pages before their death. Same with the growing suspicion of who the bad guy is. But luckily, there were also some nicely original twists and discoveries that made up for those predictable parts.

Almost everything got explained in the end, but there were some things left completely open. I’m hoping the mystery of Amelia’s brother’s death will be explained in the next book, in relation to the paranormal aspects. Although it didn’t seem like a particularly special book at first, it was a very fun, mysterious read. The ending was stunning and shocking, a complete cliffhanger that MUST be solved in the next book. I can honestly say that I threw my Kindle from the shock of that ending. I cannot wait to see where this story goes.

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

    Beautifully told, Flowers in the Attic was a story that took my breath away. It held a haunting, quiet tone, with the perfect mood for such a story. The characters were strong, each with distinct personalities, and went through magnificent character growth, as did their relationships. The plot twist and betrayal took me completely by surprise.
    This book was filled with so much emotion. I felt so angry at the mother the entire time, a growing hatred that left me shocked at the end. The relationship between Chris and Cathy, although wrong, came about naturally, and was very well done. The narration was lovely, doing a great job at expressing not only Cathy’s feelings and life, but also the lives of those around her. I felt that this book did an amazing job at showing how impressionable children, at any age, are.
    It had a somewhat sickly feeling to it, which added to the mood and expressed perfectly the struggle the children went through. Although bittersweet, the ending tied everything up, leaving me feeling satisfied, despite the harshness of the book.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

A fun, smart read, Seraphina gave a unique take on dragons that was both unexpected and interesting. It was a fantasy book unlike others, adding many original aspects to it that showed the intricacy of the world building. The characters were all wonderful, adding so much to the story, even if they were only mentioned a few times. With a beautifully flowing plot, Seraphina was a book I could not put down.

Although the writing had a great pace, there were some things I found difficult about it. There were quite a few unusually complex words, that made the writing hard to understand at times. Along with many made up words, which are explained in the back of the book, there were quite a few words relating to music and clothing that were difficult to figure out without further research. Also, some of the made up words and names had an uncomfortable sound to them, making them sound almost childish.

The main character, Seraphina, was a lovely, interesting girl to read about. Learning about her and the things that set her apart from everyone else was really exciting. However, I found I couldn’t quite connect with her because of the writing. I felt more like I was simply watching her life happen, instead of feeling like I was in her shoes.

The friends (and enemies) Seraphina makes along the course of this book were all great characters. The prince and princess were surprisingly very wise and good-hearted, becoming friends with the main character. Every relationship in this book was hearty and full, each so important to the story. Rachel did an amazing job at making each and every character in this book vital to the story, something that is hard to come by, and honestly I’m really impressed. The romance aspect was left on the sidelines, which I think was also a good move, in that it will be able to develop in the next book.

One of the most well done parts of this book was its original take on dragons. Instead of simply being evil lizard-like creatures, these dragons have the ability to take human form. They have several key personality characteristics, which become a huge part of the book’s premise. The dragons’ inability to feel emotion in their true form is what becomes a big aspect of the story’s conflict. Because for dragons, having emotions is a sickness, a disease that many try to rid themselves of. It is questioned throughout the story, opening many ideas that dabble in philosophy. This was a huge and amazing aspect to the book.

Music was also a large part of the book. Although I have minimal knowledge about music, I loved its role in the story. Every time Seraphina played, the music she made was described in such a beautiful, emotional way. It linked her with her mother, and is ever-present in the story.

The plot twist in this story was so unexpected. It is rare that I have no clue of the plot twist before it happens. That being said, it wasn’t so unbelievable that it didn’t fit. All of a sudden, things started fitting into place as the twist was revealed. I was so surprised and excited to find out who the bad guy really was.

With its few flaws, like its occasionally confusing words, Seraphina was a beautifully executed story, with so much to offer. The world building was so believable and realistic, without the need for excess info-dumping. The characters were all amazing, and the philosophical aspects really made me think. I very much enjoyed this book, and look forward to see what comes next.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

 

Touching on topics like crushes, first loves and sisterly bonds, this was an enjoyable contemporary book that had an equal balance of substance and lightheartedness. It was a nice, easy read that felt really fitting for this time of year- the end of winter and start of spring. It had a lovely homey feeling to it, which is also portrayed well by the cover.

The writing style was slightly different, a combination of past and present tense scenes, which I found really enjoyable. I loved how the two were combined as the main character, Lara Jean, talked about the near and far past, as well as the present. In that way, the girls’ mom becomes part of the story, despite her no longer being alive. I found that many of the chapters started the same way, with either a flashback to when Lara Jean’s mom was alive or when Margo was still at home, or with her waking up to a new day. While I enjoyed the former, the latter got very unoriginal and dull over time.

Lara Jean is the middle child of three girls, which is incorporated into her personality. Unlike her sisters, she is unsure of herself, and often allows others to dictate who she is and how she lives her life. She is a weak person in the beginning, and even though character development was a bit lacking, she does become stronger, more of an individual by the end of the story. Although she is nearly seventeen, I often felt like she was a bit younger, closer to her early teens. She is naive and immature, despite believing herself to be very mature. I kind of like that fact, however, because she is a realistic teen character. I found I could relate her to my teenaged self in several ways. Even her relationship with her younger sister Kitty reminded me of my sister and I at their ages.

I wasn’t expecting so much of the story to be based around Lara Jean and her relationship with her two sisters, Kitty and Margot. However, I was really happy that it was. It gave the book a feeling of realness. Kitty was a magnificent character, very true to a real girl her age. Margot tended to act controlling and distant toward Lara Jean, but then again, she is the oldest girl, left to care for her two younger sisters after their mother’s death.

While I loved the family aspect of this book, I wasn’t as fond of the boy aspect. Naturally, that was a majority of what the book was focussed on. It seemed that Lara Jean put way too much emphasis on that part of her life, feeling like she needed to be with a boy at all times, whether their feelings were true or fake. Her changing feelings for Josh added to the believability of her character. That being said, my feelings also changed for Josh as I read the story. I liked the role he played at first, while he was dating Margo. However, as the book progresses, I found Josh to be almost controlling toward Lara Jean, as if he knew what’s best for her, even though he didn’t. He would make a good friend, if not for his tendency to treat Lara Jean like she’s a kid.

Peter, on the other hand, was a great friend, in my opinion. Through his fake relationship with Lara Jean, their bickering and time spent together, turns their simple acquaintance into a solid friendship. I really enjoyed the little adventures they go on and the things they do together. Although it starts out really stupid and clearly fake, it progresses into a beautiful relationship, even before any actual romance begins.

While Lara Jean’s sisters are great supporting female characters, her one and only girl friend, Chris, was an unneeded, gross character and pretty bad friend overall. Although it’s known that she cares about Lara Jean, Chris shows up at random times, and they only seem to talk about the gossip Chris hears. I honestly don’t see the point in adding her as a character, even when she does prove to be a good friend toward the end of the book.

With a few shocks and surprises in the end, I thought the book had a fairly good conclusion. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate the sudden ending. Things between Lara Jean and her sisters gets squared away, as does her relationship with Josh. However, her relationship with Peter is completely left in the air, which was irritating, even though it made sense. It was a sweet little ending, which could be left open as a standalone book, but as it happens, will lead to a sequel.

I loved the feel of this book, the relationships between the characters, and the inclusion of family in a book that otherwise would solely be about one girl’s relationships with all the boys she’s loved before. I hope to see some more character growth in the next book, as well as some kind of conclusion with Peter. Though, I have to say, I’m most interested in what becomes of Kitty and her new puppy.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Full of action and suspense, City of Ashes was even better than the first book in this series. The characters and plot continue to be this series’s strong points. It was such a fun ride from start to finish, with an ending that naturally left me needing to read the next book.

So much happened in this book, tons of adventure and rescue. More of the backstory is revealed, and Valentine explains more of his story, which was really great. Relationships change and grow between the characters, each of them getting a fair amount of time in the book. The only thing I would have liked to see more of would be Isabelle, but other than that, I can’t complain about anything in this book.

The unpredictability of this book was such an amazing feature. Often, I find I can predict the plot twists in novels, but this book was entirely unpredictable. The suspense, mystery and plot twists were so amazing done. The last fifty pages or so, and all the crazy stuff that happened during that time, was really what bumped this up from a four star book to a five star book for me. I cannot wait to pick up the next book.

The Spiderwick Chronicles series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

This middle-grade fantasy series wove together a beautiful story of magic and adventure. Split into five short chapter books, each book was its own little adventure, that combined into one whole story. This was a great series for both younger readers and adults alike.

Both the writing and the illustrations in these books were fantastic. The illustrations were honestly some of the best I’ve seen. They combined with the descriptions of the writing, to create gorgeous, nature-inspired creatures. The physical books themselves were lovely, and look beautiful on the shelf.

The world and creatures created were beautiful and realistic. The three main characters were great siblings, always working together and compromising, despite their major differences. Throughout the series, they find their strengths in order to defeat the evil creatures they are faced with.

Though each book was very short, and could have easily been made into one single novel, the stories were each satisfying to read. Although I flew through them, they are a great length for the younger readers they were created for. Some dark aspects were present in this series, making it unlike many middle-grade books, and adding a great deal to the world building. The settings and descriptions were very real and believable. The old book pages and paintings added to that.

Overall, this is a series that makes me want to go look for faeries in the woods, as silly as it sounds. It was a beautifully crafted set of books, one I’m so glad to have finally read, even though I didn’t get the chance to as a kid. It was fun, exciting and thrilling all at once, a series I will be glad to read to my future children.

Individual Ratings:

The Field Guide- Book 1

The Seeing Stone- Book 2

Lucinda's Secret- Book 3

The Ironwood Tree- Book 4

The Wrath of Mulgarath- Book 5

Series Rating:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Having finally read City of Bones, I only wish I had picked it up sooner. For a while I was hesitant to read it, knowing it was about angels and demons, which I’m not usually interested in. However, this book was so, so good, truly engaging and enjoyable. With its unique twist on angels and demons, and the addition of faeries, it was exactly the type of book that I can’t help but fall for.

The action and adventure in this book was ongoing, while still leaving room for relationships to develop and a dash of humor to be thrown in. The plot was so intriguing, from beginning to end, making this a thrilling and fun read. There were many plot twists, betrayals, and moments of shock, most of which were not at all predictable. Because of its continuing excitement, I flew through this book, despite its size.

The writing was very nice, with beautiful descriptions and a mood that fit the story perfectly. I loved the settings, the combination of grimy abandoned places, and beautifully antiqued architecture. The writing was also very similar to author Holly Black’s, who I’ve heard is good friends with Cassandra Clare. Along with the writing style, the subject matter was also very similar Holly’s books. However, I honestly can’t complain, being that I love Holly’s books as well, and there are some clear differences between the two. If anything, their similar writing style was comforting and very enjoyable.

Something I found Clare does extremely well, is her characters and their relationships with one another. The relationship between Clary and Jace was a perfect example of a pair who doesn’t necessarily get along, but does have romantic interest in one another. The banter between them was funny and refreshing, without going over the top, like some awful book couples I’ve recently read (*cough* Obsidian *cough*). Not just those two, but all of the characters and their regards toward each other was genuine and real. The unrequited love was achingly good, and the friendship between unlikely people grew with this story. I truly loved all of the main characters.

While the world building was great, and many things were left open to continue to the next book, I was still slightly annoyed by the lack of resolution when it came to Valentine. After so many plot twists and secrets revealed, I felt like it lacked just one thing- Valentine’s side of the story. I’m sure this was a writing tactic, in order to continue with the series, so I hope it will be discovered in the next book.

City of Bones was an exciting, funny, and action-filled book. Its characters, setting and plot were all executed beautifully. I am so happy to have finally read it, and I cannot wait to keep reading this series. I highly recommend City of Bones to everyone. So good.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

With its mix of fantasy and dystopian elements, Red Queen was a fun and thrilling read, full of moments that left me in shock. Though parts of it were a bit predictable, the plot twists were executed nicely, and still surprised me even though I knew what was coming. The main character, Mare, made this book that much better. She was such an amazing, strong character that I fully loved reading about, and I cannot wait to see where she goes from here.

The premise of this book seemed simple at first, but it grew into a great weaving of conflicts and lies. It was exciting to see the plot grow, and to find out each little twist to the story. Certain elements of it kept reminding me of other books, which didn’t take away from the plot, but did lack originality in places. For example, right from the beginning I was reminded of the Hunger Games, with Mare’s village and her best friend Kilorn, not to mention the arena. Also the training, and the way the book ended reminded me of Divergent. However, they were relatively subtle similarities that didn’t hurt the story.

I loved the feeling of the setting throughout the book, but especially in Mare’s village. I could really feel the grime and mud, as well as the fragility of the whole village, which is called the Stilts for obvious reasons. That feeling clung on throughout the book, because the whole time, Mare never loses who she is or where she’s come from. She’s a thief, but she’s true and honest, and makes all of her decisions out of the love she has for her people. Through her character, you’re able to truly experience the corrupt system she lives in. You really feel for her, as she makes so many sacrifices in her life.

Cal confused me a bit, but I think that’s only because we couldn’t see directly into his head. He is a strong, complex character, who is faced with so many decisions and challenges. Though he makes mistakes, he always does what he thinks is right, like Mare. Maven continuously seemed younger than his true age. Although he is clearly clever, he definitely has an immaturity to him.
   
While parts of this book hinted a being a dystopian, the fantasy kingdom element of it came out stronger. As Mare is forced into this new world, we watch as she goes through the processes of getting used to it. Toward the beginning of this transition, there were parts that got boring, even though they were necessary. The Houses and the government system, as well as several characters, were very similar to A Game of Thrones, but in a more YA version. Again, while that lacked originality, it was still a welcomed aspect that I enjoyed reading.

The way Mare discovered her power was very unexpected, unlike anything I’ve read before. The romance aspect was subtle, as the book focused more on Mare’s growth and the world’s power struggles. The sudden twist at the very end was so good, as were the small ones toward the beginning of the book.

I highly enjoyed Red Queen. Although it wasn’t perfect, and I wish it didn’t remind me so much of other books, there were a lot of unique, unexpected aspects to it that made it so much fun and exciting to read. Mare was an amazing main character. I understand the all the hype this book has, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murikami

Murikami’s writing has this strange dream-like quality to it that completely immerses the reader. Reading it is like entering not just a single world, but several parallel worlds at once. His books are weird in the best possible way, a perfect example of magical realism. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle was a beautifully written and complex story.

While the characters are seemingly simple, they show their depth throughout the book. Each of them is strange and unique, playing crucial roles in the story. They tend to show up and vanish without any warning. However, this does not at all hinder the flow of the plot.

Beautiful writing, and character depth allow for stories to emerge within the original story of the book. This allows the story to grow and grow into this massive collection of characters’ lives. Yet still in the end, it is all wrapped up with amazing precision, giving a feeling of wholeness to the book.

Murakami’s intricate writing tends to emphasize the mundane, giving importance to small everyday tasks. While this is stunningly done, and gives the book a cozy, friendly feeling, sometimes it does tend to drag on for a bit too long. Despite this, I completely consumed this book, and plan on reading more of Murikami’s work in the future.

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

This book. I wanted to hate it. I should have hated it. But somehow, I didn’t. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few things I did indeed hate about this book, one of them being Daemon, the main character’s love interest. However, despite its several flaws and bad relationship, I enjoyed it. Something about it made me want to keep reading. It was an overall fun book, and each time I put it down I looked forward to picking it back up.

I’ll begin with the elements of this book that I did like. The writing, though simple, was very easy and quick to read. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but it was pleasant, nonetheless. The main character, Katy, was likable for the most part. She seemed fairly realistic, someone you could easily relate to and be friends with. There is a tiny bit of character growth, but she mostly remained unchanged.

Katy’s character did have her flaws, however. The most obvious one that is focused on throughout the book, is her overwhelming attraction to Daemon, her alien neighbor. I disliked Daemon so much. He is portrayed as a flawlessly attractive guy with perfect abs and piercing eyes. But there is nothing at all attractive or likable about Daemon. He is a straight up asshole. From his first encounter with Katy, he acts ignorant, arrogant and very mean to Katy. Throughout the book he flip-flops from this terrible jerk to a temporarily caring and kind guy. And Katy gets fooled time and time again. She knows what a jerk he is, and yet her intense sexual attraction for him is too overwhelming to ignore. What I don’t understand is how one can be so physically attracted to someone who is such an ass? It isn’t realistic or plausible. Regardless, their relationship is nothing short of being screwed up. Daemon verbally treats Katy like crap and is mentally abusive to her. He blames her for nearly getting potentially raped and killed. And not to spoil anything, but the end of chapter 26 really pissed me off and showed what a true asshole Daemon is.

Aside from Daemon being a terrible person, Obsidian was a somewhat predictable book. It continuously reminded me of Twilight, in more than one aspect. Dee was a pretty nice character, even though she was clearly just a pawn to the main focus of the book- Daemon and Katy’s relationship.

The alien thing was equally disappointing and enjoyable. I wouldn’t call what Daemon and Dee are aliens, as they were far from any definition of the term I can think of. Instead, they were a completely other type of being that I thought was unique and refreshing.

Although the relationship in this book was awful, and its resemblance to Twilight off-putting, I did enjoy reading Obsidian. The well-written main character made it easy to read and enjoy, despite its many downfalls. I likely won’t pick up the next book in the series, as the ending hints toward it being all about Katy and Daemon’s relationship. I’m not sure what all the hype is about for this series, unfortunately.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Despite the emphasis and importance of words that this book brings, I am at a lack for them right now, as I write this review. A page of notes hovers before me, and the book itself, still warm from my intent gaze, sits beside me. Still I can’t find the correct words to start this review. For me, such a book deserves more than this review can offer. Nonetheless, I want to share my opinion, so I suppose I should start by saying that The Book Thief was a nearly flawless story, one I can only wish I had picked up sooner.

Following a young girl named Liesel during Nazi Germany, this is a book about life, as told by Death. Instantly, this unique narrative captured me. I found the straight forward speech of the narrator fitting for such a story. It gave the writing a slightly broken feeling, which is very similar to the way people’s thoughts flow. With the use of colors, the beginning is able to convey such vivid descriptions in very few words. The writing never loses its potency as the story goes on. It is simply gorgeous, easily invoking an accurate mood and setting. Perfectly crafted metaphors add to this as well. The dialogue, though minimal, was also very potent and important.

Despite the starkness of the narration, despite the blatant foreshadowing told in flashes forward and back, it never takes away from the emotion and shock of what happens. The plot continues on at a constant speed. Even though we are interrupted many times along the way, the book reads quite quickly, while still giving the reader enough time to absorb everything.

The lovely and terrible snippets of Liesel’s childhood were woven together to portray a beautiful story of what is was like for her growing up during Nazi Germany. During this time, she forms strong relationships with several important people, who help sculpt her life. All of the characters were really pleasant to read about, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. One of them is her Papa, Hans Hubermann, who is a smart and gentle man that teaches Liesel how to read. He shows his strength throughout the story by constantly questioning the society he exists in, and taking risks to help others. The biggest risk he takes is by helping a young Jewish man named Max. While staying in the Hubermann’s house, Max and Liesel become close friends due to a common interest in reading and writing. Though Max has been through lots of hardship, an innocence and wisdom remains in him, which is shown through his illustrated stories. Along with her personal growth throughout the book, Liesel’s best friend Rudy also grows. During such a time, he is forced to grow up quickly, going from a carefree and wild boy to a caring and watchful young man. The growth of each character was subtle, shown through small, and large, acts throughout the story. Their choices and actions shaped who they became.

There is another relationship Liesel forms which is one of the most important aspects of the book- her relationship with books. From the start, Liesel’s interest in books gives the novel a warm, cozy feeling, which progresses as she learns how to read and steals more books. It inspires me to want to read more, to push the boundaries with writing, and to learn as much as possible. I also found Liesel’s feelings toward books and words very relatable, a sort of love hate relationship with them that I’m sure every reader has felt.

Though slightly dark at times, The Book Thief was a beautifully written book. The addition of Max’s illustrated stories gave the book a needed childlike quality, among its somber plot. With its unpredictable and emotional ending, this book will leave you yearning to keep reading it for much longer than it lasts. I loved everything about this novel, and will undoubtedly pick it up time and time again.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

This book delivered exactly what I expected it to. It is a rather simple story featuring a group of schoolboys whose plane crashes on a deserted island. There, they must survive, first against the struggles of being on the island, and soon against each other. Holding an atmosphere of thick, dripping heat, and untamed jungle, I could easily feel the setting in which the story takes place.

Though this story is caked in symbolism and themes, there is one that stands out above the rest. The decline of the sanity and sensibleness of the characters, as they’re overwhelmed with freedom and lack of order. As children, it is easier for them to revert back to primitive ways, which is shown increasingly throughout the book. The character Piggy, who is a symbol of wisdom and common sense, is just about the only thing allowing some sense of law within the group.

The decline of the group’s order was beautifully shown as this short but potent novel progressed. Just as well, the immense imagery made the setting of the island seem very real. The characters portrayed a variety of mental states, all of which are greatly effected throughout this novel. Though a story simple enough to be read by nearly anyone, its dark undertones and shocking themes made it a hearty and complex read.

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

I was so glad to finish this book. Between its ridiculous insta-love, and shallow, pointless characters, I found myself skimming through the second half of this book. Having read and loved Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber when I was younger, I really wanted to like this book. And in some ways, I did. However, there were many blatantly awful aspects to it that really had me just wanting to be done with it.

The best thing about this book was the writing. It has the perfect amount of description, and really sets the mood for each different scene. Starting this book was like snuggling up in a cozy blanket and drinking tea. But as I read on, its problems really took a toll on me, making me want to just throw the book at the wall.

It was obvious from the beginning of the book, who the werewolf was going to be- (it’s Brandon). Along with that, many aspects of the book are also extremely predictable. This is aside from the fact that the psychic character, Dr. Meadows, practically reveals the whole plot from the beginning.

There is an extreme lack of character building. The majority of characters, including the main character, were really shallow and kind of stupid. Celeste has absolutely no backbone or sense of self respect. She even refers to herself as one of those people who won’t do something for fear of hurting someone else’s ego or social standing. She never even stands up to her snobby friends or stupid ex-boyfriend, to defend herself or her relationship with Brandon. She is quick to blame herself, and claims she wants to help Brandon, but only seems to focus on what she did wrong. In the story, they come nowhere near ‘curing’ him, and her search for help is pathetic.

The only character I actually saw potential for, was Brandon. He seemed the most normal and real character in the story. Also, admittedly, the main character had potential. If she had perhaps stood up for Brandon near the end and told Nash to lay off, I would have appreciated her more. Instead, she barely mentions that he’s not as bad as her friends expect. Mr. Worthington, the old man Celeste visits sometimes, was probably the best character in the whole book.

Nash is just a dick. Yeah, I’m actually saying that in a review. He is clearly a terrible boyfriend, who doesn’t give Celeste any attention, UNTIL she stops caring about him. And then he does a really stupid thing, that ends up being a major part of the plot, to try to win her back.

Though the lack of character development was very frustrating, the biggest flaw to this book was its insta-love. I have never seen a ‘love’ form so quickly in a book before. Celeste sees Brandon one day at school, later he somehow miraculously saves her from wolves, and boom- she’s in love with him. It’s not just a crush, or lust, she is obsessively in love with him, and even admits that!  They have one encounter after he saves her, and they both are 100% head over heals in love with each other. While Celeste at least explains why she loves him- (his outdoorsy-ness), Brandon literally has no reason to love her back.

I am so done with this book. I feel bad to have to give it such a terrible review because I really liked Ellen’s books when I was younger. And also, as I said, the actual writing is actually quite good. Perhaps this book would be better for a younger person, like a middle schooler. However, I still think calling what Celeste and Brandon have ‘love’ is not at all accurate and a bad example for kids to read. I don’t know how this continues as a series, but I will not be reading the rest to find out.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I was hesitant at first to pick up the second book in the Divergent trilogy, after the first book proved to be unspectacular, unlike it was hyped to be. However, my interest in the dystopian world made me want to hang in with this series a bit longer. And to my pleasant surprise, Insurgent was well worth the read. It filled in most of the holes that the first book left, and ended up being a lot better than Divergent.

The writing, though still somewhat mediocre, did seem a bit better than the first book. Perhaps this is due to the immense character growth and story progression, or simply Roth’s improved writing skills from one book to the next. Regardless, there weren’t quite as many repeated words in small amounts of space as the first book.

The book starts directly where the last one left off, something I really enjoy in a series. The great thing also about Divergent’s end and Insurgent’s beginning, is the slight pause in the plot, that allows the reader to see not only how the world has changed, but also how the main character, Tris, has changed. The character development in this book was absolutely the best part about it. Tris becomes independent, headstrong and selfless, more sure of herself than in Divergent. Her true self is revealed as she matures and grows with the situations she is put in.

The romance between Tris and Four becomes a lot more real in this book. The emotions and struggles are so natural, and you can truly see how their personalities come together, despite clashing. However, the kissing toward the beginning seems a bit excessive.

I was very happy to learn more about the factions and the world in general. The world-building was much better in this book. We learn about every faction, as well as the factionless. In learning about the society they live in, we are also shown its flaws. None of the factions are perfect, or what they seem. Through this, we realize that people are much more complex than they seem to be. People are so vastly different, even people within the same faction. This book makes you question people’s morals and ways of life, as well as their character.

Tris’s emotion and thoughts were very relatable, in my opinion. She thought in a much more straightforward way than in the first book, making her choices seem rational and right. Because of the strong emotions and great character development, this book was much, much better than the first book in the series. With a shocking and thought-changing ending, I am more than excited to pick up the third and final book in the trilogy.