Saturday, February 25, 2017

Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein

Synopsis

Title: Rose Petal Graves
Series: The Lost Clan
Author: Olivia Wildenstein
Genre: Young Adut/Fantasy
My Rating: 5/5



ANCIENT SECRETS CANNOT REMAIN BURIED FOREVER.
Founded two centuries ago by a powerful tribe of Gottwa Indians, Rowan was a quiet town, so quiet that I fled after graduation. Staying away was the plan, but Mom died suddenly.
Dad said she suffered a stroke after she dug up one of the ancient graves in our backyard, which happens to be the town cemetery. Creepy, I know. Creepier still, there was no corpse inside the old coffin, only fresh rose petals.
As we made preparations for Mom’s burial, new people began arriving in Rowan, unnervingly handsome and odd people. I begged them to leave, but they stayed, because their enemies—my ancestors—were beginning to awaken.





My Thoughts
★★★★★ Stars
I received this book via NG in return for an honest review. 

I am addicted to this book. From the second I saw this book, I loved it. Once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down. It was such a riveting read and such a roller coaster. 

I thought the characters were really strong and the story line was original. I have never read anything like this before in my life. 
I thought Cat was ..wow... I mean really. She blew me away. I have never been a bigger fan of a main character. She has been through so much hell and still stood so strong. 

The only parts I didn't like were there was a overload of characters.. I mean, I get why but it was still confusing when I was reading and had to spend a while trying to remember who some were, sometimes, I couldn't remember but still carried on. Also.... The insa-love was a bit to much. I have nothing against insta-love buuuuut this one really left me saying "are you freaking serious? Where the hell did this come from?" So that was a put off but it didn't stop me from loving the heck out of this book.

Rose Petal Graves kept me in tears. I really think Olivia Wildenstein was taking pointers from John Green. If you love tear jerking books, this one would be right up your lane. I highly recommend this book. The ending of the book had me borderline insane! How dare it end like that! I mean.. it was a great beautiful ending but it was still technically a cliffhanger. I gotta know what happens next! I need to know! 

Thoughts about the characters
Catori (Cat): Possibly my most favorite main character EVER. And I can't even pinpoint what it is about her that I love so much. I wish I could be like her honestly. She is so strong and literally nothing can keep her down. All through this book I expected her to break into a million pieces but she would pick herself up and fight back with everything she had. She was amazing. 

Ace: The ultaminte douche. there really nothing to say about him other than that. Is it bad that he actually kinda reminds me of Christian Grey? I do like that he is very protective of his sister though.

Bee: Bless this woman's heart. She isn't a main character so we don't see her much except when tragedy struck but when you do see her, you can't help but to love her.


Blake: What can I say here? Oh look... I am crying my eyes out already. (seriously) but anywho... Blake was such a brave character who had his heart ripped out left and right. I couldn't help but to love him because no matter what, he always came to the rescue. He deserved so much better.


Cruz: Oh look! It's insta-love boy! I hate Cruz. With a passion. He is there! He is gone! There! Gone! Just ugh. Not to mention he is engaged ... to Lilly none the less. And flirts heavily with Cat right in front of Lilly. He pisses me off. I liked him at one point then next page instantly regretted it.

Derek: Cat's dad. He needs a dad award because he is just that awesome. I really can't say much about him without giving much away. but I really hope we see him in book two.

Faith: I would have let her choke. She seriously needs to be punched in the throat a couple hundred times. How someone can be THAT bitter, I have no idea but she needs to go the hell on. 

Gwenelda: I hate her as much as I hate Faith. Throughout this book we wonder if she should be trusted or not. If we should forgive her or not. Frankly, I don't trust her nor forgive her. I really hope she gets what she is coming to her.

Kajika: He came in later in the book and how he came in, I wouldn't blame you if you hated his guts as much as i did... but he grew on me and I may or may not have a crush on him. Lol

Lilly: The had no lines but was a wonderful character. I really do like her and she deserves so much better than Cruz. She seems like a really sweet girl and I have a feeling that if she could talk she would sound musical but who knows lol.

Tony: yeah not a main character so he really shouldn't be here but I am putting him anyway because I HATE HIM SO FREAKING MUCH!!! I mean could you be anymore of a deadbeat? He is pathetic! Ugh. -_-

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

I'm Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie Ajayi

Synopsis
Title: I'm Judging You: The Do-Better Manual
Author: Luvvie Ajayi
Genre: Adult/Feminism/Nonfiction/Petty
My Rating: 1/5



With over 500,000 readers a month at her enormously popular blog, AwesomelyLuvvie.com, Luvvie Ajayi has become a go-to source for smart takes on pop culture. I'm Judging You is her debut book of humorous essays that dissects our cultural obsessions and calls out bad behavior in our increasingly digital, connected lives—from the cultural importance of the newest Shonda Rhimes television drama to serious discussions of race and media representation to what to do about your fool cousin sharing casket pictures from Grandma's wake on Facebook. With a lighthearted, rapier wit and a unique perspective, I'm Judging You is the handbook the world needs, doling out the hard truths and a road map for bringing some "act right" into our lives, social media, and popular culture.



My Thoughts
★ Kill it with fire Stars

I admit, I was curious about this book so all I did was read the sample .... 
Good Lord.... I regret it.


Right from the kicker, we learn if you're not Nigerian you pretty much don't know crap. Cue up the My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding show because that is exactly who she is reminding me of.

And my good gah. If you happen to eat ANY DIFFERENT than her *loud horrified gasp* you are a Scrooge! How DARE you be different?!
She goes on and on about how horrible these people are then straight up says that she oftentimes leaves midmeal (making her "Scrooge 3") then says Scrooge 3 tends to not even pay their part of the bill. THEN says "Okay, it's possible for this to happen once because we're all entitled to occasional absent-mindedness." buuuuut you just said oftentimes. Hmmm. Okay.
Wow,  you must be real fun. NOT!

I wish they would just be open and honest and let us know if they're going through a down time or a broke period.

Really? Because judging from your previous statements, I wouldn't want to tell you diddly squat. Especially if you nitpick and act like you are so much better than others.

Let's be honest, toddlers are the worst. Those tiny humans are needy and they want your constant attention and then they need your help doing everything. They are so lazy. Then they have the nerve to cry and throw tantrums and be ungrateful. And you just want to ask them, 'What have you done for me lately?'"

Are you a freaking idiot? They are BABIES! What the hell do you expect them to do?! "What have you done for me lately?" wow. I feel horrible or anyone and everyone who knows you because you sound like a total asshole. Not to mention you were PROUD that you just scared your niece because she was doing what all babies do. That kid is gonna grow up with serious mental problems if she is around you very long. #sorrynotsorry

I could go on and on about the complete and total bull crap I read, but for the sake of my sanity, I won't. It's appalling. I really can't believe this was published in all honesty. This is beyond petty and pathetic. Only place this "book" belongs is on a burn pile. Haha

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen

Synopsis

Title: Optimists Die First
Author: Susin Nielsen
Genre: YA/Mental Illnesses
My Rating: 5/5




Beware: Life ahead.
Sixteen-year-old Petula de Wilde is anything but wild. A former crafting fiend with a happy life, Petula shut herself off from the world after a family tragedy. She sees danger in all the ordinary things, like crossing the street, a bug bite, or a germy handshake. She knows: life is out to get you.
The worst part of her week is her comically lame mandatory art therapy class with a small group of fellow misfits. Then a new boy, Jacob, appears at school and in her therapy group. He seems so normal and confident, though he has a prosthetic arm; and soon he teams up with Petula on a hilarious project, gradually inspiring her to let go of some of her fears. But as the two grow closer, a hidden truth behind why he’s in the group could derail them, unless Petula takes a huge risk. . . 


My Thoughts
★★★★★ Stars
I received this book via NG in return for an honest review. 

I adore this book! I I am so glad I read it. I honestly didn't think it would be thus good. 

When I first started, it was really hard for me to get into and the "former best friend" thing got annoying really fast. But the more I read, the more I related to Petula. It felt like the author stalked my life and stuck it in a book. Lol

I'm not understanding how people keep saying this book makes a mockery of mental illness and that she was magically healed when she met a guy... It didn't happen like that at all. 

Honestly, it's a hearbreaking mind numbing heartwarming story that shows us no matter what we are going through or have been through, we can get through it and there is always someone there to help even if we don't realize it. 
When somthing traumatic happens, it's not just something you get over. It alters you in so many ways and it is so hard to open up to anyone. It's really hard to admit you need help. But if you have the right people like Petula did, anything is possible. Jacob helped her so much. Oh my gosh I'm so thankful for his character. I admit I did get mad close to the end when the rug got ripped out from under our feet, I didn't blame Petula for being mad. I would have done the same thing. But I'm glad they got past it. They are perfect for each other. Where one is weak, the other is strong and helps. 

When traumatic things happen, people tend to move away to start fresh... Personally, I think Jacob was Petula's fresh start. Which is why she trusted him and he was able to help her get over her fears. He wasn't there when it happened so she didn't see him as someone judging her all these years..... I think it's safe to say I love their relationship lol

I loved all the diversity of characters. None were alike in anyway and that couldn't have been an easy task to write about. But Susin did it. Lol

The only character I hated with a passion is Rachel. All through the book we know her as the former best friend... But later Petula tries to make amends and it works till someone calls them freaks... Suddenly she's not sure she can be friends with Petula. Not to mention Rachel gets butthurt when she doesn't want to go back to her house. Like really? You have a perfect family while hers is going through hell and you're gonna be a hero about it. I felt like Rachel only wanted to be friends when it was convenient for her. Because she would literally blow in straight out of the blue and leaves you wondering "what in the hell are you doing here? Don't you have hair to bleach and a mall to shop at or something?" She's like one of those girls that'll smoke in your face, say they'll never tell so you spill all your secrets then everyone knows about them the next day. 

There really isn't much else to say about this book. Once you start reading you won't want to stop. It's a perfect pace that keeps you sucked in and so vivid that it's like you're living the book. I would definitely recommend this. I wish I could rate more than 5 stars.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly

Synopsis

Title: Lost in a Book
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Genre: YA/Retelling
My Rating: 5+/5


An original addition to the beloved Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, Lost in a Book follows the lonely, bookish Belle as she finds an enchanted book in the Beast’s library called Nevermore that carries her into a glittering new world. There, Belle is befriended by a mysterious countess who offers her the life she’s always dreamed of.
But Nevermore is not what it seems, and the more time Belle spends there, the harder it is to leave. Good stories take hold of us and never let us go, and once Belle becomes lost in this book, she may never find her way out again.
This deluxe hardcover novel expands upon the beautiful story and world seen in the new Walt Disney Studios' film, Beauty and the Beast.





My Thoughts
★★★★★ Stars

Oh.... Oh my gosh.

Astonishing! This has got to be the best retelling I have EVER read. I am in tears.
This book was phenomenal! All retellings I have ever read tend to plat close to the chest and not change very much... or change it all together so the original gets lost. 
But... Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book totally changed AND challenged them all. It's a one of a kind! 

I will say this, I pre-ordered it the SECOND I knew about it. Being a fanatic of Beauty and the Beast there is no possible way I could pass this up. The waiting game drove me insane but it was TOTALLY WORTH IT! I mean it is so epic, even halfway through the book I told my local library they HAD to buy a copy for others to read. 

The story line was unexpected and so different I really didn't think it would work. Boy oh boy. I was wrong. Jennifer Donnelly has some SERIOUS talent. I have a feeling if someone tried to one up this book, they would fail. 

The writing was awesome and flowed so perfectly that there is no way you would want to put it down and if someone made you, you would possibly beat them over the head with the book WHILE reading it. It is just that awesome. Lol

The characters were so strong and so powerful that you bond over a whole new level. Just being smoldering, sexy, sassy like Death. Sweet, charming, and beautiful like Love. Adventurous, strong, and bookwormy like Belle ... I mean the list goes on. Even Beast, Chip, and the rest of the gang is so powerful that you not only feel what they fell, you ARE them. 

Ugh stop reading my review and go by this book! RIGHT NOW! What are you still reading for!? YOU NEED THIS BOOK! Go! Go get it! 

(Also....can I please rate HIGHER than 5 stars! It deserves more!)




Quotes
—"Your always look for the worst in people," said Love reproachfully.
"And I always find it," Death said, [...]

—"Love is not for cowards."

—"Life ends. But love? Love lives forever."

—"Love is so strong, so ferocious, that she frightens even me. Me, Belle. A woman who strolls through battlefields and sick houses. Who takes tea with executioners."

—"If the countess was Death, then Death was a cheat."


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