[Review] An enchantment of ravens - Margaret Rogerson

Author: Margaret Rogerson
Original title: An enchantment of ravens

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release date: September 26th, 2017
Finished date: September 29th, 2017
Pages: 300
Read in: English

Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized among them. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes – a weakness that could cost him his life.

Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love, violating the fair folks’ ruthless Good Law. There's only one way to save both their lives, Isobel must drink from the Green Well, whose water will transform her into a fair one—at the cost of her Craft, for immortality is as stagnant as it is timeless.

Isobel has a choice: she can sacrifice her art for a future, or arm herself with paint and canvas against the ancient power of the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.

Source: GoodReads

Rating

I picked this up on a whim. I had heard it being compared to A court of thornes and roses, which I didn't particularly enjoy, but was a quick fantasy read, and since I was in a mood for that I decided to try it. It immediately surprised me. I wasn't expecting the writing to be this compelling and intricate, since this is Ms. Rogerson debut novel, but I quickly found myself immersed in the story.

Is is similar to A court of thornes and roses, at least in the beginning. The main character Isobel is a painter who is largely responsible for her family, and is kidnapped by her love interest, a centuries old brooding fae. Sounds familiar?

I thought so too. But while they sound very similar, the books are actually very different. Up until about 25% of the book, I was loving it. I was getting everything I wanted when I read A court of thornes and roses and didn't get. Unfortunately, I had some problems with the rest of the book. I didn't really like Rook, and while I actually really liked Isobel, one of her actions during the book completely ruined her character for me.

I feel like I should warn you this is a travelling book. Most of the book is spent with the two characters going from one place to the next, and then the next.

I found it very original in terms of the magic system, the worldbuilding was incredible and the writing, especially the descriptions were beautiful. There were some problems with it, some things didn't really make sense and the ending was kind of anti-climactic. Still, I am very curious to read more from this author; I see lots of potential here. Overall a good fantasy standalone read.

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Cruel Beauty - Rosamund Hodge

Author: Rosamund Hodge

Original Title: Cruel Beauty
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: January 28th, 2014
Finished Date: April 18th, 2015
Pages: 342
Read in: English

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom - all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth she has been in training to kill him.
With no choice but to fulfil her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.
But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle - a shifting maze of magical rooms - enthrals her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Source: GoodReads

Rating

This is a very peculiar book. I'm glad I went into it knowing little more than that it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I can't decide whether this was beautifully weird or weirdly beautiful. Maybe it was both. The point is that this book should not have worked. But it did.

This book takes most of my buzzwords - greek mythology, Beauty and the beast retelling, morally grey characters - and blends them together in a complicated and strangely woven plot.

If you're looking for a great, out-of-the-box read, I definitely suggest picking this one up.

«Demons are made of shadow. Don't look at the shadows too long or a demon might look back.»

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) - Marissa Meyer

Author: Marissa Meyer

Original Title: Scarlet
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: February 5th, 2013
Finished Date: August 15th, 2015
Pages: 452
Read in: English

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.

Source: GoodReads

Rating

For starters, the one thing that really surprised me in this book is that we continue following Cinder's adventures, as well as Scarlet's. I thought that each book would be centred on a different character, meaning that this one would revolve around Scarlet, and that maybe we'd only hear about Cinder through other characters' POVs.
I was very glad that was not the case. Even though I felt that this book was overall weaker than the previous one - especially because of the part the romance played in it, but I'll explain that in detail in the spoilery section -, it was still a wonderful story full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I ended up liking Scarlet as a character very much - maybe even more than I like Cinder. And of course there's the awesome addition of Carswell Thorne. I mean, Captain Carswell Thorne. With many of the characters from Cinder out of the picture, I was afraid this book would end up being dry or that I just wouldn't have enough time to get attached to another set of characters. But I did.
I honestly don't really know what to expect from the next two volumes. I thought I knew where this one was going and I really had no clue, so I think I'll just wait to be blown away.
If you haven't yet read the first book in the series, Cinder, go check that out. You won't regret it.

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)
Glitches (The Lunar Chronicles, #0,5)

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) - Marissa Meyer

Author: Marissa Meyer

Original Title: Cinder
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
Finished Date: July 17th, 2015
Pages: 390
Read in: English

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.

Source: GoodReads

Rating

This is seriously awesome. Please, check it out. I have no idea why it took me so long to pick it up, it sounded amazing and it really didn't disappoint. This is both science fiction, a futuristic envisioning of Earth and a fairy tale retelling, which honestly sounds like it shouldn't work, but it does. The book has that kind of quality or feeling to it that fairy tales seem to possess, which is that even though everything is kind of predictable in the sense that you know everything will turn out all right, you can't help but enjoy it.
Cinder is a reimagining of Cinderella as a futuristic cyborg mechanic. Even though you know she is Cinderella, don't believe there are no surprises. Don't think you know where her story is going, because trust me, you don't.
This was an awesome ride, and I highly recommend it.

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Hopeless (Hopeless, #1) - Colleen Hoover

Author: Colleen Hoover

Original Title: Hopeless
Publisher: Atria Books

Release Date: March 7th, 2013
Finished Date: April 16th, 2015
Pages: 416
Read in: English

Synopsis

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

Source: GoodReads

Rating

I don't get this one. I thought Hoover was growing on me after I thoroughly enjoyed Confess (click here to see that review) but this one was definitely not for me. A lot was happening - too much was happening.
I could see the big reveal coming from a mile away, and it honestly was so angsty and dramatic that I couldn't connect to the characters in any level. It felt just like I was watching it happen, but I didn't really care.
There was insta-love, there was drama, there were unrealistic situations - all in all it was a bunch of things glued together, and it made the book seem like a jumbled mess.
This might have been much better had Colleen Hoover decided to tackle only one of the million issues this book deals with.

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2) - Laini Taylor

Author: Laini Taylor

Original title: Days of blood & starlight

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release date: November 6th, 2012

Finished date: April 17th, 2015

Pages: 517

Read in: English

Synopsis

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

Rating

«(...) In these days of blood, there was no luxury of choice. Death ruled them all.»

This is it, guys. It doesn't get much better than this. This book was perfection.

The thing about Laini Taylor is that she can write the most beautiful words that make it seem as if though you were reading a fairytale, but her plotline, her characters, her whole world feel so real and so raw you can't help but wonder if there isn't always a bit of darkness to every fairytale. This book is a beautifully crafted piece of heaven. It is not a happy book - it is a hopeful one.

I can't really go too much into detail here, seeing as it is a second book in a trilogy, but if you're wondering whether or not you should read this - DO IT.

Even though I seriously can't wait to see how this trilogy comes to an end, I really don't want to do it at the same time. I love this books, and as soon as I read the next one, it's over. I'm just not ready for it to be over.

Daughter of smoke & bone (Book 1) - ★★★★

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Life and death (Twilight, #5) - Stephenie Meyer

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Original title: Life and death - Twilight reimagined
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release date: October 6th, 2015
Finished date: October 11th, 2015
Pages: 442
Read in: English


Synopsis

Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Twilight! This special double-feature book includes the classic novel, Twilight, and a bold and surprising reimagining, Life and Death, by Stephenie Meyer.

Packaged as an oversize, jacketed hardcover “flip book,” this edition features nearly 400 pages of new content as well as exquisite new back cover art. Readers will relish experiencing the deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful love story of Bella and Edward through fresh eyes.

Source: GoodReads

Rating

Life and death is a complete gender swapped version of Twilight, written by Stephenie Meyer to prove that Bella wasn't really a damsel in distress, but a human in distress. Did Stephenie prove her point? I'm not sure, but I really think not. What Stephenie did was show us in not such big words what a screwed up society we live in. But I'll get into that in the spoilery section of this review. The point is this is not Midnight Sun.

Now, what everyone wants to know: IS IT WORTH BUYING?

Let me start out by saying that I'm not a Twilight hater. I started out as a gullible Twilight lover, actually. As I grew up, I begin wondering why my 14/15 year-old self loved this book so much. I went back and reread it. I did not enjoy the story that time around, but I couldn't deny the feeling of nostalgia that came with reading it. You see, back in 1999, 6 year-old me began reading the Harry Potter series. I got a new book every few years, and can you guess what I read in between? The ones that were already out. So by 2007, with the release of the last Harry Potter book, my reading life fell to a standstill. I was in a book hangover for a very long time, during which I read mostly classics.

It's easy to see why Twilight revolutionised my reading - I began reading YA again. I began reading fantasy again. And even though I loved Harry Potter with all my heart, I could finally move on.

It sounds overly dramatic, I know, but everything feels this way when you're 15.

So back to the question, do I believe you should buy this book?

No.

Unless you want to read the Twilight series for the first time, and never came in direct contact with the franchise, in which case, if you're curious enough, go ahead.

If you're just super super curious but don't wish to spend that amount of money on it - lets be honest, the cash cow is moaning right now - and you already know Twilight, try reading the spoilery section to make sure you really are that interested.

All in all, I didn't hate this book - I actually thought it was better than Twilight in some ways -, but I couldn't really take it seriously. Because even though the characters were gender swapped, their dialogue and especially Beau's inner turmoil remained mostly identical to their opposite gender counterparts. 

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Emerald Green (Precious Stone Trilogy, #3) - Kerstin Gier

Author: Kerstin Gier

Original Title: Smaragdgrün
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Release Date: October 8th, 2013 (December 8th, 2010)
Finished Date: April 3rd, 2015
Pages: 451
Read in: English

Synopsis

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along. Emerald Green is the stunning conclusion to Kerstin Gier's Ruby Red Trilogy, picking up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.

Source: GoodReads

Final Rating: ★★☆☆☆

I was so sad when I finished reading this series. Not because the ending itself is sad, but because I was so disappointed. The first book was so good, it’s hard to believe the total downfall that took place in the next two instalments.

It was a light story and still fun to read but it had so much potential that I felt like it was lacking. It could have been much more developed than it was. It was overall a good story with a very convenient ending. But I’ll let you be the judge of that.

You can find my reviews for the other books in this series here:

Ruby Red - ★★★★☆

Sapphire Blue - ★★☆☆☆

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky

Author: Stephen Chbosky

Original Title: The perks of being a wallflower

Publisher: Pocket Books
Release Date: February 2nd, 2009
Finished Date: March 31st, 2015
Pages: 232
Read in: English

Synopsis

"I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day...or wondering who did the heart breaking and wondering why."

Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

Source: GoodReads

Final Rating: ★ out of 5

Please don’t hate me for this. I mean to offend no one.

I had heard wonderful things about The perks of being a wallflower. And by that I mean that it is many people’s favourite book ever. Yep. I was expecting greatness. I was expecting mindblowingness (And no, I don’t even care that that word does not exist. It does now). Instead, I got the meh of an awkward teenager’s life. And note that teenager is a term applied loosely here, considering Charlie sounds like he is a seven year-old.

Don’t get me wrong, it is a very real portrait of the (very) early years of teenager awkwardness. It is also kind of boring. Especially if you see the big twist/reveal at the end coming from the beginning, like I did.

I am a very strong advocate of reading the book before watching the film/tv adaptation, so even though I knew there was a film I did not watch it, but I seriously believe its potential to be better than the book was.

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1) - Becca Fitzpatrick

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Original Title: Hush, hush

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: October 13th, 2009
Finished Date: April 5th, 2015
Pages: 391
Read in: English

Synopsis

A SACRED OATH

A FALLEN ANGEL

A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

Source: GoodReads

Final Rating: ★ out of 5

I would like to start by saying that I do not wish to be offensive  but as you can see I really did not like this book. Therefore, I'll try my best to warn others about what I thought, so that they won't be disappointed and don't spend money in a book that they might not like. You are welcome to defend the book if you so wish.
Now that you are warned I have to say I do not understand people. This piece of crap novel has a 4.01 rating on GoodReads, which is unfathomable to me. I expect great things of novels that have these kind of ratings.
This is a sexist, abusive story, and it certainly does not deserve all the hype surrounding it.

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Saphire Blue (Precious Stone Trilogy, #2) - Kerstin Gier

Author: Kerstin Gier

Original Title: Saphirblau

Publisher: Henry Holt
Release Date: October 30th, 2012 (December 1st, 2009)
Finished Date: April 2nd, 2015
Pages: 362
Read in: English

Synopsis

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

Source: GoodReads

Final Rating: ★★ out of 5

I can't even explain how much of a disappointment this story turned out to be. I was expecting it to be more of an intricate and overall serious plot than it actually was. You can see here that I actually really loved the first book, as I saw incredible potential for an awesome development of the story - the world building was quite sound and the characters were very interesting. Meaning, it could have been awesome. But it wasn't. Why?
It felt, quite honestly, like the actual time travelling plot did not matter much after all. This book was much more focused on romantic drama. And I was not expecting that at all. It seemed to me like a middle grade romance, and that was not what I signed up for.
If you keep that in mind and/or you are just looking for something light and fun to read, you might enjoy this. It really is funny.

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Girl Online - Zoe Sugg

Author: Zoe Sugg

Original Title: Girl Online

Publisher: Penguin
Release Date: November 25th, 2014
Finished Date: March 12th, 2015
Pages: 352
Read in: English

Synopsis

From YouTube sensation Zoella comes a debut coming-of-age novel that perfectly captures what it means to grow up and fall in love in today’s digital world. Girl Online is the first book to be published by Keywords Press, an imprint under Simon & Schuster dedicated to today’s digital stars.

I have this dream that, secretly, all teenage girls feel exactly like me. And maybe one day, when we realize that we all feel the same, we can all stop pretending we’re something we’re not. That would be awesome. But until that day, I’m going to keep it real on this blog and keep it unreal in “real” life.

Penny has a secret.

Under the alias GirlOnline, Penny blogs her hidden feelings about friendship, boys, high school drama, her quirky family, and the panic attacks that have begun to take over her life. When things go from bad to worse at school, her parents accept an opportunity to whisk the family away for Christmas at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. There, she meets Noah, a gorgeous, guitar-strumming American. Suddenly Penny is falling in love—and capturing every moment she spends with “Brooklyn Boy” on her blog.

But Noah has a secret, too, one that threatens to ruin Penny’s cover—and her closest friendship—forever.

Award-winning and influential YouTube vlogger Zoe Sugg delivers a heartfelt coming-of-age novel that perfectly captures the highs and lows of first love, friendship, and growing up in the digital age.

Source: GoodReads

Final Rating: ★★ out of 5

I know there has been a lot of controversy around this book and the way it was written, especially about the lack of transparency of the author in regards to her ghost writer.

Despite all that, I decided to give it a try, and judge it as I would judge any other book. The end result differed from what I expected. Although it was not exactly good it wasn't terrible either. 

It deals with very serious issues in a realistic manner, among a (almost too) fluffy romance.

I recommend this to younger teens (12-15 years old).

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell

Author: Rainbow Rowell
Original title: Fangirl
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release date: Januray 1st, 2013
Finished date: February 25th, 2015
Pages: 445
Read in: English

Synopsis

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Source: GoodReads

Final Rating: ★★★

Honestly, this is way overhyped. I was expecting much more of it.
It was sweet and funny in a quirky way but it was not a 5★ book.

"I still wish you'd get a dog," she said.
"I'd never remember to feed it."
"Maybe we could train it to feed you."

I also loved the fact that it portrayed mental illness in such a realistic way.I'm a huge fan of fanfiction, I read it often and I've even written a bit. It was refreshing to see such a big part of many teenagers lives portrayed in a book - it's the first book I've ever read about fanfiction.

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Ruby Red - Kerstin Gier

Author: Kerstin Gier
Original title: Rubinrot
Publisher: Henry Holt
Release date: May 10th 2011 (original: January 6th 2009)
Finished date: March 3rd 2015
Pages: 336
Read in: English

Synopsis
Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for travelling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveller from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Source: GoodReads

Final Rating: ★★★★

Ruby Red was a really nice surprise. I have always been fascinated by the concept of time-travelling, but I had never read a book in which it was the main issue. This book has it all - history, science-fiction, witty and funny dialogue, intriguing characters and even a little bit of fantasy.

I was a tiny bit disappointed that this was such a small book. It felt a little like an introduction to the actual story. When I was so excited I couldn't stop reading, it ended. I liked it very much, but I didn't feel like I was satisfied by the end. I definitely have to get my hands on the next instalments. 

I recommend this one if you are looking for a short, fun and intriguing read or if you also are interested in the subject of time-travel.

The following extended review contains spoilers

If you have not yet read the book and/or do not wish to be spoiled, please do not read any further.

[Review] Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Original Title: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 23th, 2005
Finished Date: March 1st, 2015

Pages: 183
Read in: English

Synopsis

It all starts when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. He only needs five minutes to avoid his ex-girlfriend, who's just walked in to his band's show. With a new guy. And then, with one kiss, Nick and Norah are off on an adventure set against the backdrop of New York City--and smack in the middle of all the joy, anxiety, confusion, and excitement of a first date. 
This he said/she said romance told by YA stars Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is a sexy, funny roller coaster of a story about one date over one very long night, with two teenagers, both recovering from broken hearts, who are just trying to figure out who they want to be--and where the next great band is playing. 
Told in alternating chapters, teeming with music references, humor, angst, and endearing side characters, this is a love story you'll wish were your very own. Working together for the first time, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have combined forces to create a book that is sure to grab readers of all ages and never let them go.

Source: GoodReads

Final Rating: ★★★