Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Synopsis: "Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner." Review: WOW I absolutely LOVED this book! Marissa Meyer really knows to how to write a good retelling. It was action packed, filled with romance, and had me turning pages until the very last word. I loved the way Marissa Meyer was able to bring Cinder and Scarlet together. For a moment or two I was a bit frustrated with the switching between stories but I couldn't have been happier at the meeting scene! I was incredible to see these two seemly different worlds slowly connect and collide into one. Romance is obviously a huge aspect (since it's even a large part of fairy tales in general). I think I became emotionally invested in Wolf. Honestly, I do have to admit I did doubt his loyalties at times, but Wolf's character was by far my favorite in this book. Cinder obviously was not able to add too much in terms of romance since her prince charming was thrown off her course in the previous book. Scarlet and Wolf. Ahh the typical teen/young adult romance, always tragic but it always makes the reader want it even more. Scarlet and Wolf do NOT seem like a very likely couple, but throughout the course of this novel they have probably become my OTP. As usual, every YA/ fantasy book can't be missing out on some good action. With every twist it turn, it felt like watching some magical team solve puzzles and dodge bullets and kick some ass. These girls are AMAZING. I could not be any more thankful for the women supporting community that is the book community. These girls that I read about and so many other younger girls read about really inspires people. Just like the way young girls used to strive to be the disney princesses I honestly believe that one day little girls will read the Lunar Chronicles and strive to be like Cinder and Scarlet. They both represent the best kind of girls in our modern society. They are humble, strong, and prove to be much more than what you see at the first glance. They inspire me. The Lunar Chronicles is NOT a series you want to miss out on! If you have not yet read Cinder GO (it's the first book of this amazing series!) Cover:★★★★★ Favorite Quote(s): "You just never know when a stranger will want to take you somewhere you don't mean to go." (pg 25-26) "Mirrors couldn't be fooled by glamours."
Comments
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.” 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.” A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasThe Young Elites by Marie LuSynopsis: "I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites. Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her. It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt." Review: I've heard about this series A LOT and the final push was given by Adriana (Nani) (booksthetics) who is a true fan of this novel. I have already read the Legend series by Marie Lu so I couldn't wait to start this book! After all this I read the synopsis and was fully devoted to this idea and book. The concepts of this book are AMAZING. Marie Lu knows how to create each world perfectly. I loved each and every idea of malfettos, the young elites, and with every page I fell in love and into their world more and more. The action was real. I would recommend those who don't like any violence in books to stay away, but personally I'm pretty squeamish and found this book ok (the only way I would get scared a bit is if this book was turned into a movie BUT I'D STILL WATCH IT LOL). So as per usual, I always love to predict what will happen and so early on I predicted a love triangle. In a way I was right, however the love triangle I saw and the one that existed were slightly off. The romance in this book is more toward the second half of the story but it's still there! (So you love lovers can still read this book ;) #adenzo PLOT TWISTS GALORE. Nothing was what it seemed. Every time I finally felt secure of where this plot was going BOOM Marie Lu decided to trip me up. Seriously... the number of little tabs where I just have an exclamation mark is crazy. This book was developed crazily well. Each and every character was really given lots of thought and changed throughout the story. People you thought were good turned back or vice versa and it was really great to see this because often times in books it's easy to see the good stay good and the bad stay bad or have a distinct line between them. Marie Lu truly is able to blur the line between good and bad with this book. Cover:★★★★★(as you can probably tell by now most my covers are 5 stars because I judge a book by its cover pretty often...) Favorite Quote(s): “It is pointless to believe what you see, if you only see what you believe.” “Be true to yourself. But that's something everyone says and no one means. No one wants you to be yourself. They want you to be the version of yourself that they like.” HONESTLY THERE ARE SO MANY JUST GO READ THE BOOK :)
You read that right! For my 16th birthday my family and friends surprised my twin sister and I with a trip to Universal together! IT WAS AMAZING
Everything was PERFECT, but obviously most of you are most interested in.... HARRY POTTER. YES It's as great as you imagined (and maybe even better!). Here are some pictures!!
Let me know in the comments if any of you have ever been to Harry Potter World or if you plan to!
~Mischief Managed A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
Synopsis: "It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift – back into Black London.
Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games – an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries – a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port. And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall." Review: This book series has turned me into such a fantasy lover; I am forever changed. Thank you V.E. Schwab. AGOS was such a thrill to read because I was absolutely in love with the first book as well and was really curious about how Kell and Rhy and Lila were doing. She did such an amazing job of introducing these new AMAZING characters (especially the dark ones) and I really could not predict a single thing and I probably gasped over 1000 times throughout this book because every twist and turn just kept me flipping. Admittedly it did take me awhile to really get into the grind of things with this book but the second half was an absolute page turner (AND I REALLY JUST WANT THE THIRD BOOK). The first line of this book already made me fall head over heels because it described Lila SO PERFECTLY, "Delilah Bard had a way of finding trouble." (So perfect right?!) Lila goes through a LOT of stuff throughout this novel and I would personally say we see a bit more of Lila in AGOS then ADSOM. Lila is one of my favorite female lead characters because really has that air of confidence as well as believing she can do ANYTHING. However many times I really just wanted to pull Lila back because she truly runs right into every situation and sometimes it feels too dangerous and every choice feels like the last straw and when her luck would finally dry out. My only comment on her is sparks fly (in two ways... ) Alucard Emery... I have really mixed feelings about him. He is a newly introduced character in AGOS and I saw his good side first and then his bad side and overall I was(and am) thoroughly conflicted of his mentality. Then his connection with Rhy ( I won't say how) but OMG I didn't see it at all. Alucard is such a unique character and although risky he is such a graceful and wise character strangely. He seems to have many secrets (but who doesn't in this book?) and he although his full backstory is never fully divulged there is a lot of different sides to Alucard that are somewhat similar and yet entirely different. Overall he really brought so much to the first of half of AGOS and really was one the main reasons to push me to get to that second half action. After ADSOM It's clear Rhy and Kell's connection would cause some changes but I didn't even guess half of the changes they made to accommodate their new life LIKE THE GAMES. The games are literally such an amazing idea that was also perfectly described. Magic. Everywhere. (<-- pretty much my brain during the games) The games brought back a bit of deja vu and I found myself feeling a hunger game + divergent vibe but without the life risking part. Love is finally introduced. I won't say when and how but YES confirmed. I loved it because there wasn't much and that kept this more fantasy and adventure related which really kept me turning and not focusing on the love part (at least not really but you know me love is too fun to read about *shrugs*) My favorite part of this book has to be the plot. As Lila and Kell travel or (As Travars) through different parts of their lives Rhy and many different people play a part and alter so many different things and their life is nothing short of a grand adventure. V.E. Schwab writes a heck of a fantasy story so just go and read AGOS or ADSOM if you haven't yet! PS: If anyone talks to V.E. Schwab can you ask her WHERE DOES SHE GET THESE NAMES because they are ALL so FREAKIN' BEAUTIFUL!!!
Opinion Spoilers: Holland DOES come back and that whole story surrounding him was so intriguing. Then there was Ojka WHERE DID SHE EVEN COME FROM I dislike her and feel so bad for her and honestly she's such a pawn for Holland that I end up made at Holland and the circle goes on and on.
Cover: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ seriously Will Staehle you are too good
Favorite Quote(s): "Magic is tangled, so you must be smooth. Magic is wild, so you must be tame. Magic is chaos, so you must be calm. Are you calm, Kell? " (pg 55) "Even the stars burned in color now. What he'd always taken for white had become an icy blue, and the night sky, once black, now registered as a velvet purple, the deepest edge of a bruise." (pg 192) "The dusty world shuddered around him in response, as if by breathing, he breathed life into it, set the time stuttering forward into motion." (pg 194) |
Stephanie C.A fan of anything fiction, furry, & fun. Archives
June 2019
Categories
All
|