Book-Devouring Misfit

Having read multiple positive reviews all gushing about how hilarious the book is, I was all set to start this book even dismissing that I was on a a break from another paranormal novel at the moment.

Hilariousness aside, Demons at Deadnight is a fantastic paranormal novel that can stand alone and will undoubtedly keep you on the edge of your seats even without the humor but of course, who’s complaining? Certainly not me! Not only does it have a strong female lead, swoon-worthy boys (yes, boys) but also a great and kick-ass plot, seamlessly written, making it blend well with all the characters and the action.

Reading this without any expectations beforehand is the main reason I think why I enjoyed this. This offers completely nothing new but I was gripped. 

The secret baby trope is something that I've always been fond of reading and this doesn't exactly stray away from those I have read before that share the exact same plot. What I think made the difference is that for the first time, I was actually truly infuriated with both the main characters here. Them making my blood boiling was enough reason for me to stick through the end and find out if they can ever be redeemed in my book.

After finishing, I'm glad that my hatred with both the main characters progressed into ambivalence. I think that was enough to rate this book another half star. I was actually contemplating on just rating this a 2.5 seeing that I've read way too many of this plot in its genre and so far only few has earned high ratings from me like Katie Cotugno's How to Love. (Oh, I just realized that I have just somehow inadvertently advertised that novel here in my review now. I hope you guys don't mind then. *wink* *wink*)

How to Love is one of my most anticipated books this year and it sure as hell was worth the wait.

My mind is a whirlwind of emotions right now leaving me unsure what to rate this but I'm giving it a five. Because.. This book got me feeling so pissed yet so giddy and so happy at the same time. I feel like I'm on a drug and I'm high. Smh.

Books, eBooks - it doesn't really matter. Just read ;)

1. They are lightweight.

Holding hardcovers can be exhausting.

2. They are flexible.

Why just curl up with a good book, when your book can curl up with you, too?

3. They are travel friendly.

4. They are the more socially acceptable book weapon.

5. They still offer that inviting book smell.

6. They make better use of your bookshelf real estate.

7. They are a more comfortable eye mask.

8. They allow endless flipbook possibilities.

9. And book hearts.

10. They welcome affection.

 But, honestly, you love you your book no matter the format. Because you know what really matters is what’s inside.

From http://www.epicreads.com/blog/10-reasons-why-paperbacks-rule/

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My Actual Rating: 1.5 stars with the .5 star going to the author's effort for trying to make anew of this already overdone storyline.


I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. This is one of those moments when I so badly want to like a book but I just couldn't. It just really wasn't possible for me. 

Okay, it wasn't that horrible. In fact, it started out pretty fine. I actually had that feeling where I thought that this could actually be a new favorite. But as the story progressed, it became much harder for me to bear. My first issue was with Sia, the main character, it felt difficult for me to connect to her at all. I just couldn't tolerate her and her stupidity. I get it, she just had an amnesia. But I don't think it also involved losing her common sense too. I mean, who the hell accepts dinner from a stranger?? Even six-year olds already know not to. 

Next issue was the way her adjustment back to her old life was laid out. This is where it started going to the point where it became way too unrealistic for me. Where every issue from her mother's alcohol problem to her parents' failing marriage got solved in just the blink of an eye. It felt like the author avoided any conflict. Problems and issues were effortlessly solved with Sia and her family easily moving on with their lives.

Everything about Sia's old life screams cliché all over it. It seemed like the author really intended to write another one of those cheesy 80's high school movies just with the amnesia subplot thinking that it would add more depth to the story. Well, I'm afraid it didn't work. The whole concept wasn't organized well. 

Sometimes with books like these, I still could actually say in the end that it had potential or that it could've been better. I'm afraid that couldn't be the case here with Sia. You really would be surprised with how the book really is so different from what the blurb suggests. It isn't really that special at all.

I am utterly disappointed. 


***A arc copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

The Spectacular Now is just so genuine that it hurts. It just hurts in the worst possible way ever. 

What shattered me the most was the book's ending. Did it really have to end like that? As much as I want more and even if it tore me to pieces and left me wanting so much more - for Sutter to get better, for him to finally change - I think, yes. Because knowing that if these things happen it will just wash away the realness of this book. That's what life is. It's a mess. And no mess can ever be solved if we don't do anything about it. Sutter, he just remained living in his spectacular now. He thought he could save someone but he never once thought that maybe he was the one in need of saving. But maybe not everybody could ever be saved. I guess that's what Tim Tharp's trying to tell us all.

Whoop. Finished this book in just two hours! 

So let us weigh down what I loved and loathe about this book, shall we?

Loved:
- The dual POV was well done, actually, very well done. I must say, I was a bit dubious that the author will pull it off, but Lauren Barnholdt did a great job.
- The author's smooth and clear writing made it easier for me to tolerate the switching POV's and flashbacks. I'm not one for too much flashbacks and backstories but the ones here were impeccably written; I'm impressed.

Loathed:
- Stupid high school stereotypes
- Stupid myspace. I get that it the novel's setting was 2007 but, really?
- Stupid teenagers who get so all worked up with guys and girls after only one interaction. Is this how it works now?
- No character development!!! 
- Stupid over use of the term ie.
- I thought this was supposed to be a road trip novel. Why didn't I feel like a part of the trip, as well??? Damn, this should not be classified as one. Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, now that's a road trip novel.
- The ending wasn't enough. I was hoping for some kind of closure between the main character's relationship with the people around her - her dad, mom, Lloyd, Jocelyn. Nothing.

Okay. I pretty much ranted rather than praise, still, I enjoyed the book. 2.5 stars!

I am utterly disappointed with this book. The high ratings and rave reviews convinced me to read this book at the time I was looking for a light summer read. Oh hell, it wasn't! This book gave me throbbing headaches - so much for a light read!

First of all, I am not into love triangles and our main character here, Belly, is frigging into two boys at a time. Still, I didn't let that fact make me put down this book. I was desperately in need of a light read, for goodness' sake!

Bu then, the sudden change in the time frame gave me the headaches. One moment, I'll be reading from the present and in the next I'll then be reading from another timeline. It got confusing I just skipped those parts when Belly was retelling the past. I swear, I wanted to yell,"I didn't want to know about them anymore, Belly!"

Believe it or not, though I was so close to not finishing this book, I was still able to fight that small voice inside my head telling me to just DNF this already. The ending was freaking predictable. I was internally scolding myself screaming, "I knew it, I knew it!" 

Don't know if I'm looking forward to the sequel. Maybe when I'm having those "time-for-a-stupid-book-day" I will read it. But for now, just not yet. NO.

Ugh.

I'm not really a fan of Greek literature and that makes me completely ignorant of anything Greek-related. Having no background in it made me hesitate in reading this book. The book's movie adaptation was also another factor of why I wouldn't read it. I knew many fans of the series were disappointed with how the movie turned out but I also know that one should not judge a book based on its movie adaptation. So after a long contemplation, I finally gave in to the hype. 

I found The Lightning Thief's concept of the Greek Gods still being alive these days, associating themselves with mortals, unique and original. I really liked the idea of them falling in love and eventually spawning Half-Bloods with humans. The blending of ancient greek mythology and the modern world made the book more relatable and exciting to read. I really found myself curious and really invested with the book. I became more interested in understanding all the other greek terminologies that I was confused and unaware of before.

All-in-all it was an engaging read. It was only moderately action-packed and I was really expecting for the adventures to be more thrilling but I could settle with the mediocre. Besides, the book's humour and sarcasm were enough compensation for the average thrills. 

Some lines that really made me laugh:

Grover didn't say anything for awhile. Then, when I thought he was going to give me some deep philosophical comment to make me feel better, he said, "Can I have your apple?”

He was slumped over, blood trickling from the side of his mouth. I shook his furry hip, thinking, "No! Even if you are half barnyard animal, you're my best friend and I don't want you to die!” 

Hmm.. I'm now sensing a budding attraction between me and more of Rick Riordan's books. I'm excited for The Sea of Monsters!

“We both smile at the classic misunderstanding. It’s all so cliché-ridden, it’s embarrassing. I wish our story could have some more original twists and turns. Maybe one of us will turn into a vampire or something.”

From What I Remember... is witty, unique and is the perfect summer read. Its fresh, new and refreshing plot sets it apart from all the YA books I've been reading recently. It feels really good to read something unfamiliar and new for a change. It's got me all hooked up right from the beginning! 

And it's also multiple POVed! Something to add to its uniqueness and rarity. We not only have two, but five POVs here! Multiple POV's are not usually my cup of tea but surprisingly, it worked. They were amazingly handled and written and I think it would not have been any better without reading five characters' thoughts here. It gave the story more dimension that made me more engrossed to it.

Although the characters may be the typical high school stereotypes, they are are hilarious, fun, intelligent and compelling that it outshines their being clichéd. The development and growth the characters went through was amazingly done and written. 

Props to Stacy Kramer and Valérie Thomas for their brilliant writing for not only pulling off a multiple POVed novel but to delivering something fresh and different to the YA genre.

After reading this book, I had contemplations on whether this book should get a 3 or a 4 rating. So, I just settled for a 3.5. I think it really deserved that – it’s good enough not to be rated a three but at the same time, not that good enough for me, to give it a dashing four stars (if you know what I mean). 

Pushing the Limits is a story about two teens who both suffered their own tribulations in the past and while overcoming them, they found their way to one another. It has something in the story that makes it surpass its clichéd romance – good girl falls in love with bad boy, vice versa. The relationship between the two protagonists is very different to the typical ones most teenagers have nowadays. It isn’t an insta-love; there was time and understanding between the two of them that made the romance between them gradually blossom. It was their awareness that both of them suffered tragedies in the past yet still, they found their way in accepting one another.

“Because growing up means making tough choices, and doing the right thing doesn’t necessarily mean doing the thing that feels good.”

What I really admired about this book is the authenticity of both its plot and its characters. All of us have our own issues in life and though mine and yours may be inferior to theirs, I still felt their hurt and pain and their yearning to conquer them. The characters are believable to me that I felt connected with them somehow. 

Though it is a very emotional novel, not all parts are sad. In fact, it was what made me read the novel in the first place. Even though the romance between the characters didn't appeal to me that much, still, Pushing the Limits taught me that despite our problems in life, we still find hope through them and we never give up.