Where She Went

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Splendid work of art! I love “where she went” with the same intensity as “if I stay”. I really loved how I somehow entered Adam’s mind. His point of view is what I really needed to hear to fully understand him. Gayle Forman evokes so many emotions that eventually you found yourself contemplating about it until you finished reading it. This is definitely one of those books that will surely leave an imprint in your life.
It’s different somehow yet so relatable.

I cannot really explain how I love the story, it’s beyond words. But all in all the best scene for me is the ending where in Adam finally found the stare that he is longing for. No more because I might give out spoilers. Definitely one of my best read of 2011… sniffs, sniff, and sniff yeah it is a heartbreaking, heart wrenching novel… simple yet astonishing!




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Die For Me

Title: Die for Me 
Author: Amy Plum
Series: Revenants # 1
Published: May 10, 2011 by HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 341
Genre: YA Paranormal/Romance


My rating:
    

Summary:

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart--as well as my life and my family's--in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Thoughts:

I am absolutely, completely in love with this book. From the characters, to the plot, to the uniqueness of it. Amazing! I’ve read too many paranormal genre books lately that I expected “Die for me” won’t have that big explosion on me. But boy! I was wrong. It kind of refreshes me and this book made me fall in love again with the character, which I rarely did recently. This is the kind of story that I am craving so badly!

I will talk about the characters, why I love them so much! Kate (our main protagonist) and Georgia are sisters who lost their parents in a car accident. They moved from Brooklyn to Paris to live with Mamie and Papy (their grandparents). They cope differently. Georgia became a party animal, going our every night to block her agony while Kate preferred to be alone. Kate first met or rather saw Vincent in a café the day she decided to go out and slowly rebuild her life. Now Vincent of course is gorgeous and mysterious, a deadly combination. Have an air of arrogance and confidence. And Kate was immediately drawn to him. Vincent is the one who could give “Edward Cullen” a run for his money in my opinion.


Kate and Vincent love story are quite realistic. I love how Kate hesitated at first. And then she even tried to stay away from him because being with Vincent evokes so many painful feelings that she is trying to forget and no intentions to endure again. But eventually she gave it a try. Their relationship flourishes as it progresses. I really love how Kate had a crush on him at first, like him and then fell in love with him in a nice pace, not too slow or too fast.


Some characters that I truly adore are Charlotte, Ambrose and Jules. Charlotte because she is like the best friend that Kate badly needed. I love how she is so perfect outside yet has so many flaws and insecurities inside. That is so real! Ambrose reminded me of a cuddly big brother but is ready to defend you anytime. And Jules of course! He is talented, handsome, funny and charming. If not because of Vincent, I will choose him over for Kate. I think Jules has a little bit crush for Kate based on how he reacted towards her.


I won’t have a detailed summary about the plot because I might give out some spoilers if I do. But I truly, truly love the idea of the immortality aspects and how well it was executed. The idea of “revenants” is fairly new to me and I don’t mind mingling in their world over and over again. Plus it was set in Paris that makes it more mysterious and romantic. “Die for me” is definitely a stunningly beautiful story. A compelling tale of destiny and romance, absolutely irresistible!




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The Dark Divine

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I really, really wanted to love this book, I honestly do. But maybe because of my high expectations, the book kind of fell flat to me. The characters are ok but I don’t feel any connections to them. Grace is too good for my taste. Yeah, she is somehow stubborn and she sometimes broke the rules but she didn’t convince me. It felt too unnatural. Daniel is quite ok but I don’t have any “swoon moments” with him. And I totally, totally despise Jude! I just do…



Now for the plot, I found it too common. A bit original, but mostly it is similar to the other paranormal books that I’ve read.



I’m done with this series; I don’t think I am going to pick up the next book. If I do, I’ll probably wait for the paperback then. But maybe not… I don’t want to endure any more of Grace experience…





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Reading Teen: Reading Clean Spotlight! Entwined by Heather Dixon...

Reading Teen: Reading Clean Spotlight! Entwined by Heather Dixon...: "ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL RECIEVE THIS..... READ MY REVIEW HERE !!!! This book was so amazing. I chose this book, for the month of April bec..."

Hereafter

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It took me a while to finish this book. Not because it is a bad book, but because I am not really into a ghost story. I thought it is going to be a creepy kind one but I am wrong. It focuses more on the romance/love aspect of the book that I tend to forgot that the lead character is a ghost.

Amelia, our main protagonist, is like I said is a ghost. She can remember her first name, how she died (through drowning) and her age when she died. But she can’t remember anything from her past. Not even her last name and her date of birth. And then she somehow saved Joshua from a drowning accident. And now their lives are now intertwined. And amazingly he can see her. Of course how can they have a love story if he can’t see her? Right! Stupid me…

And then there’s Ruth, Joshua’s grandmother, who is a Seer and she has this mission to banish or exorcised the ghost in the High Bridge wherein Amelia died, Josh had an accident and Eli haunted. Now Eli of course is the guy who haunts the bridge and he wants Amelia as his partner in crime.

Amelia and Joshua’s relationship is a product of an instant connection and attraction. Another rushed kind of affair. I am getting tired on this kind of love story and I honestly don’t feel any connection at all between Amelia and Joshua. Don’t get me wrong, Amelia is a good character but I found her too naive for my taste. And Joshua is too good to be true. I found myself liking and rooting more for Eli, who is supposed to be the bad guy. I don’t know but I found him so cool with his marvelous ability and position in the hereafter.

I think the plot has a lot of potential. I really loved the idea of Amelia and Joshua slowly uncovering the mysteries of Amelia’s past. How Eli and Amelia are connected to each other and the life in hereafter. But there are some unanswered questions that are not really explained in the story. And what’s with Amelia’s “light” effect??? I really don’t get it. And how can she touch, kiss and hug Joshua but she can’t even open the door. How weird is that? Like I said there are too many unanswered questions and I am hoping I will get some answers in the second book. Hereafter would be better if it was focused more on the “hereafter world” the mystery and history of it rather than the love part of the book. But why am I complaining??? The tag line clearly stated “A stranded spirit, a sudden love”. So it is supposed to a sweet and instantaneous romance right?!

For me Hereafter is one those books that falls into the category of not that good but not that bad either. I kind of liked it, mostly because the writing is fascinating and somehow refreshing. I am hoping (really bad) that the next installment would be better. I need more information on Amelia’s past life and her supposedly role in “hereafter”




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Sweep: Volume 1

Sweep, Volume 1: by Cate Tiernan

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This is a bind-up version of sweep series. 1) Book of Shadows; 2) The Coven; 3) Blood Witch



I am surprised that I was able to finish this book. It took me 5 days to read it and it is so frustrating because I endured reading that long and yet the book did not get any better. I think the writing is too juvenile. Hate the characters… Morgan is so annoying, and sometimes selfish. Cal is arrogant and I did not like him at all. Mostly the characters are too childish and irritating.



I think the plot has a lot of potential, the Wicca stuff is good and the mystery involved with it. However it is not executed properly. There are no good explanations about the Wicca stuff. Or it was not explained further. I found it weird when Cal invited them into a party and then out of the blue he decided to perform the ritual. WTF??? Just like that? No reasons or explanations about that stuff and the kids just jump in with the idea. Are they that stupid? I don’t know but I find it to weird for my standards. Reading this book is like I’m reading a Cult forming. With that nonstop Wicca ritual and stuffs. The books are short and I’m kind of expecting it to get better after the second book. The third book really frustrates me. There is no development in the plot, yeah Morgan discovers something about her past but I don’t think it suffice the need for good plot development.



I completely wasted my time reading this book. Heard so many great things about it but I am not one of those who love this series. The only good thing about it though, I bought it a bind up book so I only paid it for the price of one.





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In My Mailbox (03)

FOR REVIEW:

STRAY by: Andrea K Höst (signed)
- won this from goodreads giveaway. Happy happy





BOUGHT:

WHERE SHE WENT by: Gayle Forman

CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by: Cassandra Clare

ALONG FOR THE RIDE by: Sarah Dessen

LIES by: Michael Grant

THE LOCKET by: Stacey Jay

RULES OF ATTRACTION by: Simone Elkeles


In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at www.thestorysiren.com

The Body Finder

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


4.5 stars.



I didn’t expect that I’m going to love ‘the body finder’ this much. It’s just simply amazing. The plot is great, I really like the execution of the mystery/thrilling part of the book and yet at the same time dealing with Violet Ambrose love dilemma.



Violet Ambrose is not our typical teenager. She can sense dead bodies. How creepy is that?! But I love the uniqueness of the echo thingy that attaches to the victims and their killer. How she can taste it and that there’s a distinct sound that she can hear from them. It is really the first time that I have encountered like that.



I also love the relationship between Violet and Jay, her best friend. How their friendship developed into something wonderful, their love for each other. And oh! Violet is not an outcast. She has 3 wonderful friends, Chelsea, Claire and Jules. Yey for that! Though she still does not belong to the popular ones, but at least she belongs to the normal group. And I love that!



I love the writing style, everything is well balanced. The pacing is great, not too slow nor too fast. I am a big fan of James Patterson mystery/thrilling novels and for me, in my opinion Kimberly Derting is like the female version of him. And her book is like the young adult version of it. I love it!





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Matched

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


After a couple of days contemplating, my verdict is I like Matched. I admit, it may not be the best book that I've ever read, but it is not entirely bad... I am kind of hesitant to read this book because of the mixed reviews that I've read and heard. Some saying that the story was lifted from the other books, not that original. I have not read "The Giver" so I really can't compare it. Some saying that it was one of the worst book they have ever read. And because of it, this book was sitting in my shelf for 4 months. But I'm so glad I've finally decided to give it a try.



Cassia, our main protagonist, is an ok character for me. She follows the rule, yet she is somehow rebellious. She is strong and brave and yet at the same time has many weaknesses. She is sometimes stubborn and selfish and yet she values love and family. In other words, she is not perfect and I like her for that. We all know and aware that this book is dystopian but the story revolves around Love. That she is matched to her best friend Xander and then a glitch in the system happens and she saw Ky in her micro card.



Now, let’s talk about Xander and Ky. For me Xander is the total opposite of Ky. Xander is perfect, predictable, reliable, and safe whereas Ky is imperfect, unpredictable, unreliable (in terms of society standing) and somehow unsafe. Now you get what I mean?



There are some flaws about the book. First the society was not well explained. Second I really did not get why Cassia is so curious about Ky. Why she falls in love with him. Ky character is well too average for me; I can’t find a single reason why cassia is so interested in him. I think Xander character has a lot more potential. And lastly, what’s with the non-stop hiking? I don’t know I just did not get it. Maybe that is the only place where Cassia and Ky have some real privacy, but every scene about the two of them is in their hiking adventure. And in some parts I got tired of it and become so bored.



Yeah, the book is not perfect, but I did enjoy reading it. Maybe one of the reasons is I lower down my expectations. And I stopped comparing it to other books. Yes, the similarity is there, but I liked how she twist and turn those similarities to make it a new and different one. I did not expect it to be an action packed book simply because the main plot is about love. All in all, Matched is an ok book for me. I don’t love it but I don’t hate it either.



Will definitely read the second book Crossed and I’m hoping it will get a little better than the first one.





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In My Mailbox (02)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at www.thestorysiren.com

Bought: 


The Iron Thorn - Caitlin Kittredge
Wither - Lauren Destafano
XVI - Julia Karr
The Splendor Falls - Rosemary Clement-Moore
Mini Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella
Archangel's Consort - Nalini Singh
Bleed - Laurie Faria Stolarz


For Review: 


Die For Me - Amy Plum (arc-galley)
Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini (arc -galley)

Beautiful Darkness

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A slow, slow book... I nearly gave up on reading Beautiful Darkness. I enjoyed reading Beautiful Creatures despite the thickness of the book. But this one really get on my nerves so many times. It was so disappointing. And Lena?! I hate her! She's so whiny, she can't make up her mind. Always, always making a bad decision. And I just had this feeling that she only wanted to save herself! I know, that she actually saved ethan's life or rather bring ethan back but the way she acted after that was so frustating. I found myself loathing on her more as the book progresses. I think if not for Ethan I won't even bother to finish this book. Ethan's character is just amazing that I don't think Lena deserves him. I want another girl for Ethan and I'm thinking "Liv". Now that lady is surely likable!



I still love the plot, it is amazing really despite my hate for Lena and the slow part for almost half of the book. Ethan, Amma, Ridley and Link are such fantastic characters. For me they are the reasons why I actually endured and finished this book.



I just wished that Beautiful Chaos will be a little bit faster and exciting...



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Falling Under

Title: Falling Under 
Author: Gwen Hayes
Series: Falling Under # 1
Published: March 01, 2011 by NAL
Format: Paperback
Pages: 324
Genre: YA Paranormal


My rating:    

Summary:
Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.
As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.
And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

My Thoughts:

This is one of the books that the story plot is too common and similar to other books that I've already read but I still enjoyed reading it a lot... Like I said the plot is not so original, a kinda outcast girl without realizing that she is way more beautiful than the popular one. Then a new mysterious boy transferred to their school. Yeah, stuff like that... Their relationship is also a fast one too. And there are some scenes that is too similar to Twilight...


Theia and Haden is one the most lonely characters I've ever encountered. And maybe that is the reasons why it made me love them more. And what I love the most about the book is the minor characters, Donny, Amelia, "Madame Varnie" and even Gabe. Without them the book will not be as interesting as it is... I love the twist and turns in the story, and most of all the sacrifices that both Theia and Haden can endure just too save each other...


It is pretty well wrapped up but I don't mind reading the sequel of it...



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YA SERIES CHALLENGE

The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by: Libba Bray

1) A Great and Terrible Beauty - 02/10/11

2) Rebel Angels

3) The Sweet Far Thing

Need Series by: Carrie Jones

1) Need - 03/10/11

2) Captivate

3) Entice

The Forest of Hands and Teeth Series by: Carrie Ryan

1) The Forest of Hands and Teeth - 02/23/11

2) The Dead - Tossed Waves

3) The Dark and Hollow Places

Touch Series by: Laurie Faria Stolarz

1) Deadly Little Secret - 03/30/11

2) Deadly Little Lies - 05/03/11

3) Deadly Little Games

4) Deadly Little Voices (release date Nov 2011)

Perfect Chemistry Series by: Simone Elkeles

1) Perfect Chemistry - 02/14/11

2) Rules of Attraction - 07/12/11

3) Chain Reaction (release date May 24, 2011)

Chaos Walking Series by: Patrick Ness

1) The Knife of Never Letting Go - 07/09/11
2) The Ask and the Answer
3) Monsters of Men

The short second life of Bree Tanner

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It is an ok book for me. I wasn't very impressed about Bree's life. Eventhough im not expecting any from this novella, I was kinda letdown by the lack of details. Sure we got the details of their life under Riley's so called guidance. But I didn't really connect with Bree's character. And she doesn't even know what really happened to the fight, she's kinda late and she closed her eyes the entire time! Of course it was dictated by jasper, but I feel like I was cheated. Why write a story about her point of view, when there is nothing really to share about... Sad sad sad, but I think this novella did actually ruined my twilight world.



I didn't hate but I didn't love it either



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