Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Synopsis: "Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future." Review: A couple years back I actually stumbled upon this book, but this was before I had discovered the bookish world, so sadly I just read a preview and pushed it to the back of my mind. This book is honestly AMAZING. I really wish I just purchased the book then and it will always be one of my regrets. Marissa Meyer is able to twist the original fairytale of Cinderella into a spunky, futuristic, magical journey of following Cinder through her world in China. Iko was clearly the equivalent to Cinderella's animal friends and Pearl, and Adri are clearly her evil stepmother and stepsister. However there was a clear twist due to Peony (the other sister) having a role as Cinder's bff. The plot was AMAZING.Yes I did know almost all the bigger plot twists by page 110, but I STILL ADORED EVERYTHING. How could I not?! Each character was amazing, but my favorite part had to be the connections to the original story. Again, yes I guessed the plot line, but even with my suspicions, I thoroughly enjoyed this book due to great writing and plenty of action+mystery+romance, all in one. I loved how Marissa Meyer was able to put a twist on the evil stepsisters and stepmother as well sneak in the carriage (as the car) Cinder. She is such a perfectly unperfect person(cyborg lol imig). I was enthralled by her sarcastic jokes from the beginning of the novel and grew to love her personality and character more and more throughout the story. Cinder was not considered beautiful, in fact she was probably one of the most hated, but even with all that influence of hate, she showered kindness and love to those who loved her. Prince Kai is quite the average prince. I found him to be a bit mysterious and naive (at least with Cinder), but overall just your average kind, kingdom running prince. I was also personally glad to see Cinder as more of the stronger character in their sorta relationship. I would recommend this book to anyone who fancies themselves a little twist on the original Cinderella, or wants a bit of fantasy/sci-fi and futuristic things. It really is such an amazing novel though! (So I'd even encourage you to read it if you don't like anything mentioned previously, maybe this can open you up to it!) Cover:★★★★★ (LOL Seriously can someone even NOT like this cover?!) Favorite Quote(s): "Even in the Future the story begins with Once Upon a Time." "Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”
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Inspiration Week!
Wow! I haven't done one of these in a while! So I plan on holding a special week(starting Monday) of all my favorite instagram accounts! On my bookstagram (bringing.paperback) I will be posting a picture inspired by that day's bookstagram idol!
For those of you who want to see a bit of my instagram I will insert a couple of favorites below! Nevernight by Jay Kristoff*I received an ARC from Netgalley but my review is in no way affects my opinion or the content of my review.* Synopsis: "The first in a new fantasy series from the New York Times bestselling author. In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family. Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined. Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. But a killer is loose within the Church’s halls, the bloody secrets of Mia’s past return to haunt her, and a plot to bring down the entire congregation is unfolding in the shadows she so loves. Will she even survive to initiation, let alone have her revenge?" Review: Let me just say I am SO grateful that there is more than one book. Nevernight is so much more than a book. It is a journey and a lesson. Nevernight has changed me forever. When I started out reading this book I was more than confused. I was completely and utterly lost. However, before I knew it I was drawn into Jay Kristoff's magical world and I did not want to leave. Mia is one of the most inspiring characters I have ever read about and I think she could be one of the best role models for girls (leaving out the hundreds of kills though of course...). Mia Corvere is one the most amazing characters I have ever read about. Mia is strong, but with weaknesses that make her feel real. She is the shadows, but so much more. Mia teaches the reader about family, love, friendship, and how to find yourself along the way. Her second shadow, a cat called Mister Kindly, represents loyalty and friendship. Tric is a rare, one of a kind, kind of friendship. Jay Kristoff creates the most amazing characters and the background behind Mia is even more amazing. However, my favorite part of it all is the perfectly planned plot. Nevernight is full of suspense, action, magic, romance, and twists you never expect. It has everything you have ever wanted and more in just 448 pages. Again, I must stress how much Mia inspires me. She is like Katniss + Tris + Hermione + (any other amazing female character you can think of) all in one. Mia is the best of friends and the worst of enemies. She is dark and has ghosts in her past, but her future is full of all kinds of people and stories. She is someone I wish could be my best friend, but even if I met her (and made it out alive) it almost feels right that she is alone in solitude with only Mister Kindly. Mia is fearless (really and once you read it you'll get why), but sensible (most of the time), funny in a different/good kind of way, and most importantly good. This seems ironic for one of the best assassin/murderer, but she really is good and it seems almost impossible that someone with her background can still be good. All of this together makes Mia such a strong and ideal idol. My personal recommendation for this book is to get a physical copy. I received an ebook copy and that is why the footnotes was incredibly hard for me to read, but if you all go out to get a physical copy (available August 9th) it will not only be an AMAZING read, but hopefully an easier one that mine as well! Nevernight is one of those few books I know I will reread because of the beautiful writing and the gripping plot. (and so should you!) Cover: ★★★★★ (UM FREAKIN GORGEOUS) Favorite Quote(s): "No shadow without light, Ever day follows night, Between black and white, There is gray. - ANCIENT ASHKAHI PROVERB CAVEAT EMPTOR" "People often shit themselves when they die." "She faded from the world's view, became almost translucent, like a smudge on a portrait of the city's skyline." "Only a child of ten, and already she knew the color of fear." "But wrapped up inside her shadows, she crept on, on through the nevernight glare, just a watercolor impression on the canvas of the world." "Names speak to the namer as much as the named." "The books we love, they love us back. And just as we mark our places in pages, those pages leave their marks on us. ... You're a daughter of words. A girl with a story to tell." "The brighter the light, the deeper the shadow."
Summer is here (and is going WAY too quickly)! I have teamed up with Renae from Bibliophile at Work to complete the Summertime Madness Book Tag created by JackEatsBooks.
1. Show a book with a Summery cover! (The one that showcases the sun, the beach, etc.) Stephanie:
I think almost everyone can agree that Morgan Matson is practically the bookish queen of summer. I originally planned on choosing the cover of Since You’ve Been Gone but not that she has published this beauty, I choose this one! Unfortunately I have not yet gotten my hands on this book and therefore I haven’t read it yet, but trust me I will soon! This cover is just summer in a picture: the dogs, ice cream, and the sunny lighting!
Renae:
I have to agree with Stephanie, when I think of summer covers I think Morgan Matson. However I chose ‘The Moon & More’ by Sarah Dessen. She has some of the most prettiest book covers known to the contemporary genre. And I love the water and the girl in this cover especially!
2. Pick one fictional place that would be the perfect destination for your Summer Vacation! Stephanie: I don’t know whether to choose between the bookstore or the library…. #bookishproblems I’m not much of a traveling kind of person, that is why I don’t personally want to go many places (Just ask my parents, I love to stay home!). Now if we’re talking about fictional places HOGSMEADE, even though I’ve been to Harry Potter world the real thing should be even better! Renae: I’d really love to visit the Emerald City for the summer to see the the sun and the rainbows and the light fracturing off the glass of the fictional castle. I’d love to see a Munchkin and it’s also pretty likely that I’d fit in since I’m not very tall either! 3. You're about to go on a flight to your Summer Vacation. But you want to read a book that lasts for the whole flight, so what novel do you choose. Stephanie: At the moment, I would continue reading Nevernight ,BUT to start a complete novel I would have to choose Winter because I have finished the first three books in the series and I REALLY WANT THE NEXT ONE. (ok whew got to calm down here). I have a mile long tbr list, but Winter sounds like the perfect plane read for me right now! Renae: I’d pick ‘The Host’ by Stephanie Meyer as I’ve been dying to read it since, well, forever. I’ve never read any of Stephanie Meyer’s books so I’d be really glad to dive into that. And since it’s pretty thick it’ll probably take me the plane ride… or a house ride if you get what I mean! 4. You have a case of Summertime Sadness. What happy book do you pick up to shine a smile on your face? Stephanie: I would read my favorite book of course! A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is written SO well and I love the plot and the world of Feyre and just everything! It may not be the happiest book in the world, but just the writing and the story itself would cheer me up in a heartbeat!
Renae:
It isn’t a coincidence that we both picked Sarah J. Maas books! This novel made me smile, made me laugh and cry and left me craving more which is why I’m so excited for the next book ‘Empire Of Storms’ which comes out in September this year - not long to go! Reading about Celaena, Rowan, Dorian, Chaol and Lysandra would cheer me up right away.
5. You're sitting at the beach all alone. Which fictional character would be your beach babe?
Stephanie: *Sigh* Way too many characters can’t even be in the sun… I would probably choose Jace Wayland hmm… or like any of the ‘princes’ in the Lunar Chronicles so Wolf, or Captain Thorne, or Prince Kai. Fictionals boys really are better than real boys. Renae: Definitely Rowan Whitethorn or Dean Holder. Yep, I can see it now… *sigh* 6. To match your ice cream you want an icy cool sidekick! Which fictional sidekick do you pick? Stephanie: OOH a sidekick!? I always picture myself as the sidekick and therefore I don’t have much of an idea. Lila Bard is most definitely one of my top choices because she is not only an amazing assassin, but she has that spunk and originality! However, Hermione Granger is my number one choice! She is genius and underrated (even though everyone loves her she deserves even more!). Hermione is the best role model any young girl could even ask for! I don’t think she requires any more details about how amazing she is, but if someone needs any persuading let me just tell you that Hermoine is brave, smart, and hard working. (what more could you ask for!) Renae: I kind of dislike the idea of a hero and sidekick and I’d much rather just have a duo. So I’d really love to team up with Cinder or Scarlet because they’re both such badass female characters and we’d have to much fun! 7. Share the summertime happiness! Who do you TAG? Nicole: at fictionfreak.com All of you guys reading this! We did the F.R.I.E.N.D.S Tag on her blog so go and check it out here: http://divergentwolfgames.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/the-friends-book-tag-collab.html
* WARNING: spoilers for the Me Before You may be present (whatcha expect it's the second book) *
Synopsis: " “You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.” How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living? Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started. Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future... For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await. " Review: THE SECOND BOOK OF ME BEFORE YOU! I was absolutely CRAZY excited to get this book because Me Before You was one of the best books I have ever read. Unfortunately, I think my expectations were set a bit too high and I was still quite connected to Will. Louisa goes through grief and guilt and Jojo Moyes is able to depict a very realistic kind of fiction. After You was really able to show how people move on and at the same time how deeply others can affect you. In this novel Louisa meets two new people who impact her life in ways she never could have imagined, both bring trouble but also eventual happiness. First she meets Sam. Someone she never saw coming and takes a part of her heart. Next, she meets Lily. I don't want to spoil anything so let's just say Lily is exactly what Lou needed after Will. Lou goes through a LOT of ups and downs (and one literal down too). Jojo Moyes is really able to capture Lou's feelings and inner battles. The book was incredibly written and as usual be prepared for emotions galore! Cover: ★★★★★ Favorite Quote(s): “You don't have to let that one thing be the thing that defines you.” “I loved a man who had opened up a world to me but hadn’t loved me enough to stay in it.” |
Stephanie C.A fan of anything fiction, furry, & fun. Archives
June 2019
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