Review: Need

I've been through the woods with this one, and not in a nice little city forest. In the beginning the hike was hard and I struggled to continue. In the middle the branches hit me in the face and hard. In the end I couldn't find my way out. When I finally did find out, all that was left of me was an annoyed feeling because of all those clichés had hit me in the face.

★★☆☆☆

So if you already didn't catch my meaning, I did not enjoy this book very much. Okay, there were elements that I liked, but as a whole, waste of time. That's harsh, I know, but what can you do.

What annoyed me the most was the similarity to the Twilight series and the plot holes. Like, the road had so many wholes that sometimes I forgot I even was reading book, because I had to find my way out or around them. What comes to the Twilight side, the main character and the setting in the beginning are so close that only the name of the town and the protagonist was changed. Thank heavens Need took a bit different path from that. What also didn't make any sense to me, was Zara's, the main character's, obsession with phobias. If there's someone wiser out there, please, do explain it in the comments below!

What I actually liked was that there was the love interest hanging around and the story didn't evolve around him, like in most books it does.

This was the first book in a series of four. Unfortunately, I won't be reading the next one. Still, I don't regret reading this. It always gives more perspective to other books, if you've read some book that you haven't liked so much in between great ones. And a change out of my usual genre really felt great despite Need not being the best book ever.

Reading challenges - the Ultimate Guides of Life

It's been a while since I've done something else than review. And now that my finals are over I'm going to review and do more things here. From now on I'm going to read furiously and write more reviews and posts here!

My newest feature on my site is the ''Reading Challenge'' page. It contains three challenges: The BBC - list, The 50 Before You Die, and 100 and 1 Books of YA.

Those challenges are the most common and feel free to copy them to yourself!

As you can see, if you already checked the page out, I did horribly on the first two. The YA list isn't with the best score either... Shame on me.

Most of us, myself included, do not take reading challenge lists too seriously. They're more like guidebooks to what to read next or what we should be reading. The only challenge most of us take seriously is the Goodreads' Reading Challenge. I stress that one more than my finals... Again, shame on me.

Review: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between

''Like I said... the prologue is the best part.''

★★★☆☆

Just like a bittersweet memory from your childhood, this book makes you do the sad smile. There's no helping it. Aidan and Clare's story makes you think of your first crush or relationship. The sweet times, when we thought that life was perfect.

If you're looking for character development, you won't find it in Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between. The characters are good, if you're wondering, but they are not made to fit into a certain mold. The reader can/must fill many gaps. Which was one of favourite things in this book.

Since we're talking about Jennifer E. Smith's book it's obvious, to those who have read more of her books, how this books is going to end. I wouldn't say that the predictability lowers the quality of the book too much.

You get to follow the story from the first hello to the last goodbye. All the stops in between, the things that matter. The things that made Aidan and Clare's relationship theirs.

A perfect read for Fall and Winter. A book to curl up with, with a hot beverage and warm fuzzy socks. ☕

Review: Melody's Key

I'm having a really, really bad habit of finishing books during classes. Someday I might embarrass myself really badly, if I don't get out of this habit.

In books, there are two kind of clichés: The good ones and the awful ones. They're sorted into those classes by the plot, and what works in one book may just be the doom of a another. These sweet 'good' clichés were the best thing in Melody's Key. A summer romance, English countryside, handsome, world-known popstar, and love letters from a hundred years back. These made it perfect.

★★★★★

Tegan Lockwood's story is about love and loss. About trusting yourself and that everything happens for a reason. And when there's no reasonable explanation for something, you're going to realise it later on. Tegan is sweet, hardworking, and definitely a dreamer. Spending her evenings reading old love letters in their attic, and tending the gardens of her family's holiday estate during days in the idyllic English countryside. But then, a popstar literally pops in to spend the summer at their place. What neither Tegan or Mason, the pop star, knows is, that they might just find what they're both looking for in the backwoods of England. 

All the characters are well developed and the plot was well tied. I couldn't find any obvious loose ends or cutting the corners. The letters were missing in some point, and I really missed them being a bit more tied to the plot, but in the end it may not have made any difference if they were mentioned three more times in the middle. 

Definitely if you haven't already started reading Melody's Key or you have, but didn't know, go check out the songs written in the book. They can be found on Dallas Coryell's Youtube page! They give an extra kick to the story. I found them after reading and now everything that was crystal clear and made sense, makes even more sense.

Definitely worth reading, and even though it's a summer romance, it can be read all year around, since the book is just so lovable.

Review: Anew

Cliche of the cliches. Two over six feet tall strangers, who just happen to be dark haired twin brothers who just happen to be gorgeous looking. Oh, and the female lead just happen to be the love-interest of both the boys.

★☆☆☆☆

Not to only stomp over Anew I must confess that there were a few decent points to this book. I thought the plot to be fairly original and the main points and attractions well placed.

Buuut, everything else. Ugh. No, no über negative thoughts. 

Following the story of Scarlet, who wakes up in a forest alone with no recollection of her whereabouts or memories of how she got there. The story skips to two years later, when she's seventeen, into a local Kissing festival, where she notices a dark handsome stranger. The stranger introduces himself as Gabriel Archer. There's something familiar about Gabriel Scarlet can't figure out, but no memories surface. There's another one too, who looks exactly like Gabriel, but no one seems to know who he is. Scarlet feels a physical pull towards this another male, which she can't explain. Her relationship with Gabriel deepens, but with it comes also the feeling that Gabriel is keeping something from her. The truth is about to reveal and change her life, again...

In some books, cliches are good. In some, they kill the whole thing. Unfortunately, that's what happened with Anew. Originality reached so far as the main idea, but the end-result left me on the brink of absolute annoyment. I definitely recommend to read this, since I think this one is either absolute love or hate. Maybe for younger readers, under 16 or so. All in all, I don't say I hated this from the bottom of my heart, but I strongly disliked it, because of good writing which was concealed under over-flowing cliches.

Review: Touch of Power

I am ashtonished that I have never heard of this book before yesterday. And I must say that I am really glad that I decided to pick it up instantly. 

★★★★★

Let's move on. Holy mother of the gene that allows people yo write such amazing books. Now, let's do one of those 'imagine' things. Imagine a meadow, sunshine, birds and sunny weather. Imagine romantic background music. Imagine someone running slow-motion and the loved one waiting on the other end of the meadow. Now imagine me doing the running and the next book of the series as the loved one. I hardly could contain myself to write this review before starting the next book. So, Touch of Power was that amazing.

Following the story of a twenty-year-old Avry of Kazan, a healer who is hunted for execution just because she is a healer. Avry gets caught and is sent to the prison, with the promise of short visit, since the guillotine was waiting. And the visit is short, but doesn't end with her head separate from body, because of a band of rogues who save her. But, there always is a but. She must heal a prince. A prince who the rogues claim to be the only one capable to stop the other kingdoms of hunting down the healers. Reluctant to heal the prince, Avry is forced to follow the band on the journey to the prince's hiding place, even though the healing might be the last one she's going to do. If she decides to do it at all.

Avry of Kazan was real. Like, not over confident, fearless or stupid. Which is a bit unusual for a strong female lead. Because she was a strong leading character. Not only did she heal the bodies and hearts of the other characters, she also took their scars. And that's something else. Her, can I say charm?, reached each and every one in the book and even me. 

You're probably wondering that if there is a love triangle, or even just the reluctant, sassy, grumbling man, whose heart Avry must defrost. The answer is yes, but it certainly is not the point in the book. Not even close. Just an extra piece of swoon, to spice the story. 

If you haven't already read this one, go pick it up and add it to your TBR! 

Review: Kings or Pawns

★★★★☆

I had no idea that a bunch of old guys could be so entertaining.... No, seriously.

When you start a book, you begin to look for the ending. Does the boy get the girl? Will the world be saved? And so on. And to me that was the hardest part. I couldn't get into the story properly until I stopped looking for the ending. And oh my sweet morning latte with extra espresso, did it get good. And when I talk about good, I mean good.

The story is told from multiple point of views, which in the beginning might be slightly confusing, but after a few chapters you'll get used to it. It actually only compliments the story, since the book is about politics and war of elven kingdom, there never is only one side to the happenings. And usually there were a bit more than three fingers in the pot. Which made Kings or Pawns awesome.

I'm not into politics at all, but this, wow. After the first few chapters I felt so captivated that I didn't want to stop. The plans to destroy others, while gaining personal profit were great. They even got me, even though I knew they were going to happen. This book kept me on my toes until the very last word. And a bit beyond.

As for characters I have to say that none of them were left unfinished, which usually is the problem while handling such a huge group. Also the differences between character's personalities and differences in their social statuses could be found clear as a day on the page. The relations between all of them was The Thing. When one wanted to win a war, the next wanted to control the king, while the next one wanted to take over the kingdom.

I still don't think I've found the right words to describe this book. Just raw emotions, politics, and absolute brilliance.

Thank you J.J. Sherwood for giving this book for reading and reviewing! I am hugely excited for the next one!!

Review: Me Before You

"Hey, Clark,' he said. 'Tell me something good."

★★★★★

I turned the last page over two days ago. And before this moment my head has been empty of ideas to write. Now I'm ready to move on.

Many say, that you don't know what losing someone is like until you actually experience it. After reading Me Before You I think I can say that I know a fraction of the real pain. 

Following the story from the point of view of Louisa Clark, a young woman who is so far in her comfort zone that there's no sign of danger. Until she loses her job. Her comfort is shattered in seconds and she's left to scrape the pieces. Her saviour is not the knight in a shining armour but Will Traynor. A man whose interest in life escaped with his ability to move after a traffic accident. 

Lou is determined to get the old Will back, but it's not so easy. Will too is determined, unfortunately his determination is aimed to forgetting everything he used to be. Lou is not having any of it and the battle of wills has begun. 

This book is packed with a heavy load of emotions. And while you read it, you see the book as a movie, you can actually step into the story. With so life-like writing, it comes to life and all the decisions made feel like your own making. Sounds a bit frightening, but in a way it's amazing.
Those of you, who are looking for books with character development, this is the book for you.

And yes, the rumours are true. Looking for a book to cry over? The winner definitely is Me Before You. 

Review: The Summer that Melted Everything

★★★☆☆

''Pain is our most intimate encounter. It lives on the very inside of us, touching everything that makes us. It claims your bones, it masters your muscles, it reels in your strength, and you never see it again. The artistry of pain is its contact. The horror of it is the same.''

An ordinary family encounters the most extraordinary year, when the father, Autopsy Bliss, invites the devil over. And when the devil does show up, the small town doesn't know what to believe in anymore. And most of the reason is because the devil is not red and has no horns, but a little dark skinned boy wearing overalls. 

The story follows Fielding Bliss, the son of Autopsy Bliss. Fielding takes the devil to his home to meet the one who invited him. Introducing himself as Sal, the devil has come to stay. Over the course of the summer the little Breathed town starts bit by bit go crazy. Accidents happen, and who else to blame but the visiting devil?

The Summer that Melted Everything is something else. I first thought it was a young adult book with not so dark themes. It turned up to be something else. With rough topics to go over from sins to forgiving to leaving and killing, it's no funny bed time story to be read. 

What amazed me was that how much a human being can experince in one life span: Births, deaths, happiness, sadness, changing, and leaving. And how they could be felt and experinced from the pages. The themes were dark, yes, but. But there were light slithering in between them. Little strands of light between the sins, creating happiness to those who needed them. Even if it was through something not good. 

Things melt. They drip down your wrist like melted ice cream cone. They run on the streets like melted box of ice cream fallen from someone. They melt like relationships, like life, like love. Things melt, but life goes on. And that's what The Summer that Melted Everything was about. At least to me.

Review: Ugly Love

'' I suppose if a man lived through the ugliest side of love, he might never want to experience it again. ''

★★★★★

There are these things called emotions. Every human being has them. Sometimes they make you happy, sometimes they make you love somebody, sometimes they make you feel proud, and sometimes they crush you. Stomp over you. Land on you with a Boeing 777-200 without landing gear. Put you through a shredder on the lowest speed. Make you feel so many emotions that you feel nothing at all. So, without further introductions, welcome to the wonderful experience of reading Ugly Love. It's a happy book, I can guarantee, if you feel the emotions described above happy.

Tate Collins is a 23 year old nurse moving in with her brother for a while before getting her own place. What she doesn't expect is to find a man, and a nice looking one, leaning on the door she's suppose to go in. A very drunken one.

Miles Archer. Miles Archer. Miles. A.R.C.H.E.R. *sigh* A pilot an the drunk guy leaning on the door. The truth is that Miles is troubled by his past so much, that he only has two rules: Never ask about the past and don't expect a future. The things he has gone through in his past are still on his mind and it seems he can't escape the ghosts.

I cried my eyes out. And no, not on the last page. I did cry there too, but I cried almost the last quarter of the book. And sometimes of happiness, sometimes of saddness. Sometimes of both. The emotions that you go through, if you like the book, are intense. Half of the time you don't know what you're supposed to even feel.

Ugly Love is not about emotionless sex. It's about loss, life, and over coming the things you fear the most.The wonders in life that happen but also the things we might have to give up on in order to continue. Most of all, it's about love. Not the beautiful side that you are used to hearing about, but the ugly side. The side that no one wants to acknowledge, but the side that still exists, and is almost as powerful as love itself. 

Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like

 ★★★★★

'' He knew how the story was supposed to go. Boy meets girl. Girl likes boy. Boy kisses girl. And then?''

Because of one missing '2' in an email address, Ellie gets an weird email from a stranger asking to take his pig, Wilbur, out. That little typo starts something big. 

Graham, the super hot film star from California, was the one sending the email to Ellie. Now determined to find the girl, he suggests Ellie's home town as a set location and gets his wish. He's going to see her, but there's a catch. She doesn't know he's coming and he doesn't know what she looks like. 

The story of Ellie and Graham is predictable. There are no huge surprises. But that, at least my opinion, makes it even better. A perfect summer fling. 

This Is What Happy Looks Like is about finding what happy looks like to you. What makes people happy? Is it sunsets or sunrises? Is it ends or beginnings that make people happy. Could it be both? 

The perfect beach book is light and fast to read. It may make you cry from happiness. At least that's what I did... 

I didn't know that in such a short period of time (liar!), I could get attached to characters so much, but after finishing I realised. It's the details. The little things you find out when you get to know a person. Do they like sherbet, flip-flops, or sticking their toes in the water. The details matter and they make this book even more lovable. 

I could say, that after reading, you know what happy looks like.

Review: Blaming the Wind

Blaming the Wind is not about blaming the wind for messing up your hairdo. No. The wind has no responsibility whatsoever for its actions. We on the other hand do. And claiming responsibility for those actions is what we're supposed to do, not to continue to blame the wind.

★★★★☆

 
Alessandra Harris, thank you for gifting me this book for reading and reviewing.
The story is told from four point of views. There are two couples who are neighbours and friends. Both couples have serious problems, that are somewhat life changing. Still there's no honesty nor trust in their relationships. When the troubles expand from the neighbouring house for the rest of the world to see, then it's time to confront the truth. And the truth after secrets is never beautiful.

Those of you who have undergone or followed another person who has had mental issues, divorce, abusing relationships, cheating, or any kind hard trouble in your lives, this book really might feel hard to read. Alessandra Harris tells the story without leaving any detail out. It's like following the characters in real life. The troubles and the basic things in life that should make you happy are written in so vivid detail that they feel real. It's quite common to forget that the little things in life we should be happy about are surrounding us almost everywhere. Blaming the Wind made me realise that. And it made me have more respect for my parents for my upbringing despite all the hard times. 

Shout out for the Relentless series!

I am melting right now. And yes, these things are melting for.

Following the story of Sara Grey, who is not who she thinks she is. Hiding secret powers from her friends, who have secrets of their own. But all things that felt secure in Sara's life disappear when a strikingly handsome, brooding and moody warrior marches into town. Through a chain of events Sara learns things some people rather not want to, if they want to keep their heads intact.

Just wanted to give you a shout of these books! And if you read the original trilogy now, it's not a long wait before Warrior comes out, which is in  September 2016.

Review: The Crown

★★★★★ 

You know the feeling when you know that something is coming to an end? You might be a bit cranky or start forgetting things.

The Crown is the end. It's the end in many ways. It's the end of the series, it's the end of the privilege to getting to know the characters. It's the end.

And it was an amazing end. Yes, like every Kiera Cass book, final solution comes in the last pages, but it's worth it. It's worth the journey to get there. I still must warn you, the journey might not be easy this time, because there is no room for corrections. After you've turned the the last page there's no more, except the acknowledgements.  

Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

I have no clue why I've got two copies of Will Grayson, Will Grayson.

 Will Grayson meet Will Grayson.

★★★☆☆

Will Grayson x2 is something what I've never read before. Something really weird that you hate for the first two hundred pages, then you like it for the next sixty pages, and the last around fifty pages are really good and you almost love it. In the end it leaves you very confused and unsure. You don't know if you really loved it or truly despised it. 

What I felt was somewhat in the between, I settled for three stars, which is the average of the feelings that I felt for the book. But in the end it doesn't tell you the truth. The truth is that it was a love-hate relationship.

I really liked the idea and the themes and all the separate things in the book, but as a complection, they didn't work out. As separate they were great. Individual little stories of friendships and love and life. Together it was messy. Especially in the first two hundred pages. After those two hundred pages they start forming stringd to each other and in the end they are tied together and you realise what they all meant. The thing is that, if you have the patience of a goldfish, you can't wait almost three hundred pages so you can start loving a book which will end within ten pages. You just can't.

As for the characters. They are exact opposites. I don't know if you can make the protagonist less important than the side character, but now I know that it is possible. Very possible. There could been a few improvements with the characters personalities, but then again thinking, that might have a made a bigger mess of the book. And since I am not an awesome author, I can't say which kind of characters would've been the best fit for this kind of story.  

And now that I've started rambling weird things, let's just say that this book has to be read as an actual physical paperish book. Not the audiobook. I made the mistake and started this as an audiobook, but after ten minutes, I changed to the paper version. Makes more sense to what happens.