Review:  This series took me FOREVER to pick up, mostly due to the sheer number of books I had to catch up on, but I'm SO GLAD  I finally did because I am so involved with the plot and the characters and the romance and everything. I love Sarah J. Maas' writing style so I wasn't surprised that I practically devoured the series, but the first book did have me doubt it all for a second.

MINI REVIEWS:

• Throne of Glass (★★★★☆): Out of this entire series so far, I found this one to be the most disappointing. It felt generic and predictable?! However, this book is not a horrible read don't get me wrong, and is totally worth the read to delve into this amazing plot and world. 
• Crown of Midnight (★★★★★): The series really begins to grab my attention and pick things up at this point! I was finally getting invested in everything going on (which is the best part about super long series!)
• Heir of Fire (★★★★★): ROWAN IS INTRODUCED. need I say more? So much action in this novel and at this point I was more than invested in everyone.
• Queen of Shadows (★★★★★): All the romances are really building up in this one! My heart was being thrown around by SJMaas and the proof is in the fact that all my notes for this book was in ALL CAPS.
• Empire of Storms (★★★★★): Definitely my favorite book of the series so far! I really feel like everything peaked here, the plot is CRAZY, the relationships are formed so well and all the pieces really start to come together. SO SATISFYING. This was the books that really didn't give me a second to even try and predict the plot, but I loved every second and every word in this novel.
• Tower of Dawn (★★★★★): Was almost disappointed by this book, but I grew to really like it! Of course it felt like everything was still catching up most of the time, which it was, but it was also so cool to follow Chaol and Nesryn around!

Covers:  ★★★★☆ ( I prefer acotar covers, but these were still pretty cooool)

Favorite Quotes:

• "a lovely girl gazing at the stars, and the stars who gazed back."
• "'Over a million? A million books?' Her heart leapt and danced, and she cracked a smile. 'I'd die  before I even got through half of that!'"
• "Libraries were full of ideas--perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons."
• "We all bear scars, Dorian. Mine just happen to be more visible than most."
• "'You could rattle the stars,' she whispered. 'You could do anything, if you dared. And deep down, you know it, too. That's what scares you most."
• "The people you love are just weapons that will be used against you."
• "It would not take a monster to destroy a monster--but light, light to drive out darkness."
• ... and so many more, but no spoilers so

Synopsis: "A skilled painter must stand up to the ancient power of the faerie courts—even as she falls in love with a faerie prince—in this gorgeous debut novel.

Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes—a weakness that could cost him his life.

Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love—and that love violates the fair folks’ ruthless laws. Now both of their lives are forfeit, unless Isobel can use her skill as an artist to fight the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel."


Review: I was craving a good fantasy novel and I'm SO happy I picked this one up. It's rare to come along a standalone fantasy novel, so I was a little skeptical about that, but the story fit so perfectly in just 300 pages.

First of all, this book is aesthetic. I don't mean just that gorgeous cover, but the way this book is written creates a beautifully crafted world that provides the perfect amount of detail, while allowing for the reader to imagine the rest. The autumnal vibes throughout the book was simply beautiful. The concept of creation being so important was also something I really valued an enjoyed while reading.

Then, there are the characters and the romance. I was worried that the romance in this novel would be rushed, but I honestly didn't feel that way and as soon as they met I was shipping them together. Isobel was a seemingly average character, but with each page she grew with more and more depth. I also really liked May and March as goats, I have no idea why, but they made me laugh every time. And obviously, there was Rook, he was as charming as he was annoying at first, but just like how Isobel's character developed, Rook's did too.

Cover: ★★★★★ (as magical as one of Isobel's portraits)


Favorite Quotes:

• ​"You must keep in mind, of course, that all of this is only a glamour, not what they really look like underneath."
• "The ability to feel is a strength, not a weakness."
  
• "You are like a living rose among wax flowers. We may last forever, but you bloom brighter and smell sweeter, and draw blood with your thorns."
  

Synopsis: "If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins. Whether you enjoy celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, Winter Solstice or New Year's there's something here for everyone. So curl up by the fireplace and get cozy. You have twelve reasons this season to stay indoors and fall in love. "

Review: I've been meaning to pick up this book for years now, but I keep wanting to read it during the holiday season and every time I put it off I push it off for the following year. However, I finally read it this year (as my first read of 2019!) and I LOVED IT. If you can, you should also read this book during the holiday season! (It was a such a cozy read, but you can also read this any other time to get in the holiday spirit or just for some holiday-themed romance!)

First off, I have to say that I really enjoyed all the different styles and stories in this anthology, but I decided to list them from my most favorite to my lesser favorites with a little about what I thought of each story! (Just keep in mind that even the "last" story is amazing)

• It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown: Stephanie Perkins​​
  • ​The idea of this story was just so cute and left me wanting the story to be even longer! The entire concept and the characters was like a romcom style, but with a unique plot that brought the characters to life in such a short couple of pages! 
  • *"You can tell a lot about a person by looking at the state of their surroundings."
    
• Welcome to Christmas, CA: Kiersten White
  • ​What A CUTE StoRY! The only downside is now wanting a cute magic chef and FOOOD. Honestly though, the idea was just so unique and I haven't read anything by Kiersten White but I know she does fantasy novels so I loved this more contemporary piece!
• What the hell have you done, Sophie Roth?: Gayle Forman
  • ​This story made me glad I picked up the book this year instead of previous years, since I started college this year and this story deals with starting college as well. It's so interesting how books fit into you life and come in at the right moments (like how I could have read this book years ago, but only picked it up this year). This story was just SO cute and relatable and I loved and appreciated how perfectly it fit into my life at the moment.
  • *"she was a first-term freshman for Christ's sake. Not everyone had their lives figured out by the time they exited the womb."
    
• Krampuslauf: Holly Black
  • ​OK, my first thought after reading this title was "woah is this like what Dwight was talking about in the office?". (Lo and behold it was not the krampuslauf, but actually the belsnickel.) Anyways, this was a cute fantasy romance that also gave me some Percy Jackson vibes. Lots of short romance stories tend to be contemporary, so I really loved how this brought is some magic. *sparkle*
• The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer: Laini Taylor
  • I know stories are words and not the same as a painting, but this was the most aesthetic and beautiful story in so many ways. If any readers and artists are reading this please make this into a short film or just some fan art or something because this story is gorgeous.
  • *"The thing about having friends who are as close to blood, as true as your own heart--as the twin had been to her--is you don't bother much with other people. And if you've the misfortune to get left behind, well, you've made yourself a lonely next to sit in."
    
• Midnights: Rainbow Rowell
  • ​Rainbow Rowell is such an amazing author and I loved this adorable story! I was reading this around new year so this was actually more timely than the other holiday stories, but the concept was cute! I could totally see this as a short film too and the flashbacks and romance was perfect.
  • *"You're a kaleidoscope. You change every time I look away."
    
• Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus: Myra McEntire
  • ​I had my doubts about this one at first, but it won me over. This was one of the stories that almost didn't even feel like a short story, but rather a full contemporary novel!?! I have no idea how so much was said in so few pages, but the plot was great and I got to know more about the characters than I thought I could in such a short story.
  • *"Soon enough, people forget you altogether. So you do the things that make them remember."
    
• Angels in the Snow: Matt de la Pena
  • ​The main character goes to NYU!! loved that! This was definitely a more down to earth/ realistic romance, but it was super cute and anything with cats is a plus!
  • *"It would be impossible to describe the weight of that guilt."
    
• Polaris is Where You'll Find Me: Jenny Han
  • ​The only reason I ranked this lower was because this hit a younger audience and as much as this was cute it was more out of touch for me. However, Jenny Han is a star writer and I still loved this story that was cute, festive, and had a dash of sadness. 
  • *"'Oh,' she said, and there was so much pity in that one little word I couldn't stand it."
    
• Star of Bethlehem: Ally Carter
  • ​OK, first of I haven't read Ally Carter in a while, but she wrote the series of my childhood so I was super excited about this one! This one definitely gave me romcom vibes. It was pretty much a blend of the Princess Switch meets Hannah Montana meets the midwest.
  • *''Now I know what real stars look like,' I told him. 'I'm sick of the imitations.'"
• The Lady and the Fox: Kelly Link
  • ​First thoughts, I sorta wanted that coat. Also there was some mild confusion I had while reading this story, but it was all sorted out in the end! This story was super unique and I really enjoyed the writing style! I'm about to add why I was confused, but if you don't want spoilers don't read what I am about to put in parentheses!! (I think they mentioned Fenny was older, so I took him to be a grandpa, but they just meant a little older like a teen or young adult....)
• Your Temporary Santa: David Levithan
  • ​The humor in this one was amazing, but this was by far the most heartbreaking story to me. This was definitely still such a cute story though and I've heard so many great things about David Levithan's books (which I still haven't read yet!) so I was really glad I could read this short story by him!
  • *"It occurs to me now to wonder where, exactly, this fur is supposed to have come from, if Santa spends so much time at the North Pole."

Cover: ★★★★★

Favorite Quotes: look for the asterisks above!

Synopsis: "Instant New York Times Bestseller

A stunning debut set in a world where reading is unheard-of, perfect for fans of Inkheart and Shadow and Bone

Sefia knows what it means to survive. After her father is brutally murdered, she flees into the wilderness with her aunt Nin, who teaches her to hunt, track, and steal. But when Nin is kidnapped, leaving Sefia completely alone, none of her survival skills can help her discover where Nin’s been taken, or if she’s even alive. The only clue to both her aunt’s disappearance and her father’s murder is the odd rectangular object her father left behind, an object she comes to realize is a book—a marvelous item unheard of in her otherwise illiterate society. With the help of this book, and the aid of a mysterious stranger with dark secrets of his own, Sefia sets out to rescue her aunt and find out what really happened the day her father was killed—and punish the people responsible.

With overlapping stories of swashbuckling pirates and merciless assassins, The Reader is a brilliantly told adventure from an extraordinary new talent."


Review: Going into this book there were so many overlapping parts that I had to start reading pretty slowly, but this is honestly so beautifully written that I couldn't stop. This is a fantasy novel completely different to everything I've read, the plot is unique and the idea of reading being magical still translate to our world so fluidly. 

Let's go over my favorite parts of this novel!

• the world: IT IS BEAUTIFUL. There's so many parts and tidbits in the writing, but the map at the front is also really nice. ( A little harder to look at when I have the digital copy, but I still appreciated it) It's still all being sketched out in my mind, but with 2 more books to read I'm sure I'll be able to use my imagination and fill in all the details.
  
• the plot: The whole basis of this novel already really captured my attention, so every movement along the plot line was quite the adventure!
  
• Sefia: This book only scratches the surface on her and I can already tell the next books will go even deeper and I can't wait! 

The book feels like inception at times, but that's all part of the appeal. This was definitely a great first book for a trilogy, but it's all buildup and now I'm ready to pick up The Speaker.

Also, The Storyteller is out today! so if you haven't started the series you should definitely start now!


Cover: ★★★★★ (THAT REPRESENTATION!!)


Favorite Quotes:

• "But books are curious objects. They have the power to trap, transport, and even transform you if you are lucky. But in the end, books-- even magic ones-- are only objects pieced together from paper and glue and thread. That was the fundamental truth the readers forgot. How vulnerable the book really was. To fire. To the damp. To the passage of time. And to theft."
  
• "'You can always judge a man by his talk.' Tanin's words were as precise as a blade parting skin. 'The more he has to say on a subject, the less he knows about it.' "
  
• "Sometimes truth is more gruesome than fiction."
• "Without a body, you are nothing anymore, except for a story."

Synopsis: "Andie had it all planned out. When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future. Important internship? Check. Amazing friends? Check. Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life. Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected. And where’s the fun in that?"


Review: I LOVE Morgan Matson and ALL of her books, so it wasn't really much of a surprise that I really enjoyed this one too! I just finished a Colleen Hoover book, so I just wanted to offer a quick comparison to those who have read CoHo. Both authors write contemporary romance novels, but Morgan Matson novels are more contemporary and Colleen Hoover's are more romance.

Anyways, onto the book itself, IT WAS SO CUTE. As a fantasy reader, the fantasy experts were adorable and the plot was simple yet attention grabbing. NOT TO MENTION THE DOGS. As a HUGE dog lover I was very pleased with all the cute dogs in this book! (and on the cover!)

This novel was filled with friendships and relationships and if I had to describe it all in a word it would be: sweet. It felt like a fun, summer contemporary novel and even though it was 519, it still felt like a quick read. As much as this book was unique, the vibe was a very classic contemporary romance novel, like those staple rom-coms, but a book. 

Cover: ★★★★★★★★★★ + infinity because these dogs are FREAKIN CUTE


Favorite Quote:

• "believing you're not alone is the cruelest trick of all"

Synopsis: "Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.

The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. The once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother’s former nurse, the little half-brother isn’t allowed to do or eat anything fun, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect. Then, there’s Merit.

Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn’t earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. While browsing the local antiques shop for her next trophy, she finds Sagan. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her—until she discovers that he’s completely unavailable. Merit retreats deeper into herself, watching her family from the sidelines when she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix.

Fed up with the lies, Merit decides to shatter the happy family illusion that she’s never been a part of before leaving them behind for good. When her escape plan fails, Merit is forced to deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth and losing the one boy she loves."


Review:  This was NOT what I was expecting from a CoHo book, but I REALLY REALLY enjoyed it. This novel covered so many different issues that aren’t usually ever discussed in fluffy contemporary romance novels. I think some parts of the novel could be potentially triggering, but otherwise for those who are not immersed in information about depression, suicide, the syrian revolution, mental illness, and more, her novel is insightful in a way that simple facts may not address: she includes a level of emotion that’s otherwise not really possible for a google search to show. Some may argue that this was just too many issues crammed into one novel, but I didn’t feel that way, life has plenty of issues, so why not incorporate them.

Now for the lighter side of this novel, as an identical twin this novel was strangely relatable (most just cringing from imagining being in that situation). CoHo has a way with romance that’s always amazing, so that’s definitely not lacking in this novel.

One of the biggest things I admire about CoHo novels aside from her willingness to touch upon taboo topics in society, but also her creativity with her novels. Many contemporary romance novels stick to similar plots and even similar characters, but CoHo truly finds unique situations and such detailed characters, blending into one-of-a-kind novels every time.


Cover: ★★★★★


Favorite Quotes:

• "Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness."
• ​"Your emotions and reactions are valid, Merit. Don't let anyone tell you any different. You're the only one who feels them."
  
• "Having depression is no more out of your control than Sagran's intolerance to milk, or Utah's pale skin, or Honor's bad vision. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. But it's not something you can ignore or correct on your own. And it doesn't make you abnormal. It makes you just as normal as these idiots"

*I received an ARC of Nyxia Unleashed through Netgalley, but this in no way affected my honest opinion about the book.*


Synopsis: "Getting to Eden brought Emmett and his crewmates one step closer to their promised fortune. But surviving Eden may be the biggest reward of all. Discover book two in the trilogy Marie Lu called, “a high-octance thriller.”

Emmett Atwater thought Babel’s game sounded easy. Get points. Get paid. Go home. But it didn’t take long for him to learn that Babel’s competition was full of broken promises, none darker or more damaging than the last one.

Now Emmett and the rest of the Genesis survivors must rally and forge their own path through a new world. Their mission from Babel is simple: extract nyxia, the most valuable material in the universe, and play nice with the indigenous Adamite population.

But Emmett and the others quickly realize they are caught between two powerful forces—Babel and the Adamites—with clashing desires. Will the Genesis team make it out alive before it’s too late?"


Review: This book took me way too long to pick up. Life got in the way and I also decided to reread the first book in the series to catch up on all that had happened. Despite how long it took for me to finally pick up this book, this series fascinates me because I am not the biggest sci-fi fan, but this series has truly made me read page after page. (As proven with me finishing this novel in a day after I decided to actually start reading.)

Emmett enters the world of the Adamites in this novel and goes through lots of adventure and even some romance! The relationships between the Genesis crew and Babel or with the crew and the Adamites is something that really builds in this novel. It also reveals a different kind of connection between Genesis and Babel and if you thought there were secrets in the first novel, be prepared to encounter even more!

​Death played a huge role in this series from the first novel, Nyxia, and again in this one, death pushes them apart or back together. Even though the deaths are tragic, they really push the plot and help develop the characters.

I loved the adventure, the emotion, the crazy dynamics, but I really loved the world building. One of the main reasons I prefer fantasy novels to sci-fi is because of the fascinating different worlds, but Nyxia Unleashed had it all! From the unique new foods, to the interesting social ranks, this was a part of the novel that really kept me reading. 

Reading this sequel really reminded why I enjoyed the first novel so much and now I can't wait for the third book in this series!


Cover:  ★★★★★ (I MEAN ...WOW just look at it!)

Favorite Quotes: 

• "He never apologized for a single tear. Neither will I."
• "They shouldn't have made us this way. They'll regret how sharp we are now that we're aimed at them."
• ​"a person fights hardest when they're cornered"

*I received an ARC of LIFEL1K3 through Netgalley, but this in no way affected my honest opinion about the book.*

Synopsis: "On a floating junkyard beneath a radiation sky, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap.

Eve isn’t looking for secrets—she’s too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she’s just spent six months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, and the only thing keeping her Grandpa from the grave was the fistful of credits she just lost to the bookies. To top it off, she’s discovered she can destroy electronics with the power of her mind, and the puritanical Brotherhood are building a coffin her size. If she’s ever had a worse day, Eve can’t remember it.

But when Eve discovers the ruins of an android boy named Ezekiel in the scrap pile she calls home, her entire world comes crashing down. With her best friend Lemon Fresh and her robotic conscience, Cricket, in tow, she and Ezekiel will trek across deserts of irradiated glass, infiltrate towering megacities and scour the graveyard of humanity’s greatest folly to save the ones Eve loves, and learn the dark secrets of her past.

Even if those secrets were better off staying buried."


Review: I have to be honest, I went into this book not really excited because I've read a couple sci-fi books every now and then, but it's not my FAVORITE genre. It is also very steampunk, which I've never really delved into. DESPITE ALL OF THIS, I knew I had to give it a try because Nevernight is one of my absolute favorite books and I couldn't be more grateful I picked this up because it was one crazy adventure!

Each great book has a reason why it's so loved, and for this novel, for me, it was the characters. Here's why:

• Evie: What a spunky, brave, and loyal girl. She was really what got me to get rid of this hesitancy of entering this steampunk world. 
• Lemon Fresh: First of all, I mean, what a name! Lemon is hilarious, loyal, and fierce. She's definitely a stereotypical best friend in the sense that she's always there for you! However, she's uniquely amazing in every other way!
• Ezekiel: I MEAN, what a guy (if I can even say that). Can't say too much, but he was sort of made to be perfect?!

I actually have to admit about 3/4th of the way through I felt a little disappointed: I loved the characters, but everything felt so stereotypical, but no worries the last quarter really picked everything up and I was completely surprised by all the twists!

Overall, I have to say that this book really surprised me, in a good way. Even if you're not sure you'll like it, try it out, you might just change your mind!


Cover: ★★★★☆

Favorite Quote(s):

• "'Better to rule in hell,' the beautiful man smiles, 'than serve in heaven.'"
• "'Stronger together,' ... 'Together forever,'"
• "Grandpa said it's always better to be shot at for who you are than hugged for who you aren't"
• "It struck her as ticklish how the centuries had flown by and humanity hadn't moved an inch."
• "In between the pages I'm not myself--and more myself than any other place on earth."
• "'It's simple to love someone on the days that are easy. But you find out what your love is made of on the days that are hard.'"​

Synopsis: "Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun."


Review: Sometimes a sequel can really fall flat, but LEGENDARY DID NOT DISAPPOINT. While Caraval was through Scarlett's view, Legendary takes the reader through Tella's POV and at first I was hesitant, but I loved it after just a few pages in.

The first book had me completely unable to predict the plot, but Legendary was more predictable (not in a bad way, in the way that I finally understood how this world works). I did guess a couple of large points, but it only made it more rewarding when it turned out to be true. I think the plot was actually more interesting in the book, because the first book was all about this beautiful introduction to the crazy, gorgeous world of Caraval. This book also had lots of stunning descriptions, but the plot moved quicker and with more intensity, picking up the pace from the previous novel.

The characters not really touched upon with Scarlett's POV, come to life in this sequel. It is absolutely amazing to delve into more characters than Scarlett and Julian. Tella has a whole different outlook on life and her circle of people in this book is so different and unique that we barely see Scarlett. And though I missed Scarlett, the new characters and plot twists took all of my time and energy I couldn't really have a moment to miss Scarlett.

Also the romance, as much as I loved the romance in the first novel, something about this novel was even more enthralling. I won't reveal who's with who, but let's just say I was fangirling the entire time (butterflies and everything).

Overall, if you're scared Legendary won't live up to Caraval, don't worry it's even better. If you haven't read Caraval yet, then go go go!


Cover: ★★★★★


Favorite Quote(s):

• "Neat rooms were easy to rifle through and search undetected because it was simple to put carefully placed things exactly where they'd been. But messes, on the other hand, were difficult to recreate."
  
• "The air was full of salt and secrets."
  
• "This was why love was so dangerous. Love turned the world into a garden, so beguiling it was easy to forget that rose petals were ephemeral as feelings, eventually they would wilt and die, leaving nothing but the thorns."
  
• "'Every good story needs a villain.' 'But the best villains are the ones you secretly like'" 
• "If you can convince yourself it's true, you can convince everyone."
• "People rarely looked each other in the eye for prolonged periods of time. There was almost something more intimate about it than touching."

Synopsis: "Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.
When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich."


Book Review:  I didn’t think I’d be writing a review for this because there’s already so much hype, but I was unable to stop myself. I have to say I’m not the BIGGEST fan of this book, but this is one of the only books I’ve read with so much asian representation and that’s created a bond with this book I can’t ever forget. I have always supported diverse books and I have read books with an asian here or there, but never one like this. Growing up in a city where the majority of people are asian led my younger, less knowledgeable self to think that asians were the majority (only to be a shocked to find out years later that we definitely were not). Even now, a vast majority of the books I own don’t even include a single asian character, and so yes I saw diversity as an issue, but I never realized how different it would feel to read a book that was FILLED with asian characters and even represented some of the culture I knew. One of the craziest moments in this books was simply realizing I could talk to my chinese parents about this books and they could RELATE to it. As much as I related to other YA novels, there was nothing really for me to share with my parents. 

Although I have definitely never met one of these “crazy, rich asians” as many asians are simply your average people, there were small cultural details that I had experienced and understood. 


Asians in America are often seen as the model minority: they are quiet, hardworking, and didn’t cause any trouble. However, this novel shows asians in a light I never really get to see, these asians are influential, powerful, and intelligent not only with math or science, but culturally and socially.


Although the first 75% of the plot felt predictable to me, the importance of the novel, ultimately led me to really value it. For these reasons, I really recommend everyone to pick up this novel and open your mind to a culture you may not have known much about before (like me, since I didn’t know anything about Singapore beforehand ).

Cover: ★★★★★

Movie Review: I was lucky enough to get to watch Crazy Rich Asians a full week ahead of time and I have to say IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Not only did it exceed my expectations, but I honestly enjoyed it even more than the book (despite the differences in the movie where I kept a mental list of all the subtle or even larger changes). I found the book a little slow, only picking up near the end, but since the movie has to fit everything in a short span of 2 hours, the pace was much quicker, and lets be honest the gorgeous sets really helped me visualize everything as well. The actresses and actors were absolutely amazing and I was so glad I could share this opportunity with my parents. Since there was so many asian references and Chinese culture it was amazing to hear from them that this movie was super easy for them to understand. Not only that, but they actually knew every single song that was played in the movie and this blew my mind. It's so amazing to see more asian culture represented in media and seeing it on the big screen was SO worth it. However, I'm so glad I read the book beforehand, just to notice the similarities and differences and I will definitely be reading the next two in preparation for the next two movies!