Normally, i'm not this ecstatic over something, but with Shelly Crane, what else do I have to react to?
>.<
November 29, 2012
November 25, 2012
Book Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover
(10 stars)
I know I usually give a 1-5 rating for my reviews but this book has made me do something I so rarely do. It made cry so much that I had been sobbing at some point, just because I had a "connection" with it.
Blurb on Goodreads : Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.
Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.
Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.
MY OPINION:
The words : "FREAKINGLY AWESOME AND FANTASTIC" are the best way to start this review. I love it. I just love it. It was the first book, for now that I have labelled as inspirational, a super fave, and perfect for hopeless romantics (like me!!) . It was absolutely perfect for me. I love love love the writing, I love the plot, and most of all I love and I am in love with the characters.
It was about Layken who recently moved to Michigan because of financial reasons and from the start, she hated Michigan. But she met her neighbor, Will. She instantly had a connection with Will, and she admitted that maybe Michigan won't be that bad if Will is there. Then she finds out that they can't be together. Worst of all, the secrets and revelations that she is discovering is finally taking its toll on her.
The writing I love. So much. The songs from the Avett brothers are starting to spark my interest, and I love the poems! Gawd, the poems were all awesome and it was a treat for someone like me. I write poems too, and I appreciate it that there's a "slam" night where people would "slam" the poems they've made in front of an audience, Kinda makes me wish there is a club N9NE somewhere.
The little brothers Kell and Caulder were adorable, and they made the best characters come out of Layken and Will. Julia (Layken's Mom) is also one of my fave characters, she's the only mom in the books i've read that has been one of my favorites. I love her so much, her devotion to her kids and good nature was just awesome. Kinda reminds me of my mom too. What happened to Julia is very deep and heartbreaking, and yet she still puts on a smile for her children which made me love her more. Eddie is what a true bestfriend stands for. Everything about her is exactly what a bestfriend does and knows. I love her a lot.
I love Will and Layken to infinity!! They are both awesome, and best of all, they compliment each other so much, I can't choose who I love most between them. Layken is just an awesome girl. She's the type of girl anyone would root for. I love her for being honest with herself, and her love for her brother and mother is selfless and inspiring. Most of all, I like the fact that she didn't beg for Will to do something, instead she tried to do something about their "complicated" relationship so that she could be friends with him. I love her 'cuz she isn't clingy and that she isn't naive like most girls.
Will, is definitely someone anybody can fall in love with. The poem he made about death is just full of emotion and I feel it, even from reading. His sense of responsibility is really touching too, he loves Caulder so much, and he would do anything to make sure that his little brother is happy. Their relationship got more complicated near the end, and I was just waiting to see what would happen to them, and I ended up crying, for joy and utter relief (the reason, I don't want to tell 'cuz it will too much of a spoiler.)
I had to admit that I didn't like the start of their lovestory, I don't agree with insta-love, it will never happen in the real world, and it is soo mary sue when it happens, I got irritated with their instant connection, but it didn't last long. It was before the middle of it that I thought: "Hold up, there's something about this" , the story got better as it progresses and it touched me in a deeper way that any novel has yet to do. I cried then sobbed, maybe even screamed because of it. I knew from the moment I stopped crying, that this is an extraordinary novel.
WHY I WOULD RECOMMEND IT?:
It made cry a river of tears >.<, It was that awesome and that deep that it gave me a much more deeper appreciation of life, of my parents, of family and of love. Love truly is something that can't be stopped, they all say that you should love with your brain. That is true, but with love comes the heart, and I too believe that everything should be balance, especially with love.
About the Author:
Her candid description: November 17, 2012
Book Review: Oath of Servitude by C.E Wilson
Oath of Servitude by C.E Wilson
(5 Stars)
First of all I would like to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book! Thanks C.E, it was AWESOME!!
Blurb on Goodreads: This is the story of Teague and Cailin, two teenagers who have been brought together by fate. Teague, a human, struggles to come to terms with the consequences of a recent accident that has destroyed the happy life that he had once enjoyed. Cailin, a pixi, is trying to stay true to herself while fighting against forces beyond her control that have exiled her from her home into this strange world of humans. She fears the darkness. He cannot escape it. But when the two of them are thrown together, they begin to discover the light inside of themselves.
Dang, talk about Pixi’s being cooler than I actually thought. This book was awesome by my standards. The writing isn’t really in my comfort zone but it was entertaining to read. The characters were very realistic and lovable. Mostly, the whole plot was perfect for my taste.
It was about Cailin and Teague. Cailin as a young pixi is sentenced to live for a year in the house of monsters aka humans. Furthermore, she is puzzled to why her father would trust her safety with the human she would be living with named Owen. How could her father trust these humans? Meanwhile, Teague—who lost his sight due to an accident—is deeply depressed. Relying on alcohol to escape his horrific reality how can will react with Cailin being a pixi? How did the past of Cailin’s family affect her interaction with Owen and Teague?
From the moment I read the blurb on Goodreads, I know that I would easily like it. It was in my most favorite genre. Even though I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary novels, I couldn’t pass on reading something like this. I loved it because it was very interesting and unique. I’ve encountered novels about vampires, werewolves, faeries and ghosts, etcetera, etcetera. But it’s my first time reading about pixi’s.
I had to admit that I was skeptical about reading it, my first imagination of the characters are like Tinkerbell (not that I don’t like Tinkerbell, she was one of the most sassiest girls in Disney). A small person with a certain glow, talks like bells and has wings. Pixi’s in the book were like that, but not entirely. They are small, but they don’t glow. They also have wings, but at least they can speak English :D
The whole clan thing with the Pixi’s were my thing. I love drama, especially if they’re in a pack, tribe or clan. It gives you an idea of another world. I love the creative classification of different Pixi’s. They’re pixi’s that are higher-ups, and there’s even a executioner type of pixi. I loved that. It made me so engrossed with the story, its like I’m in another world.
Other than the plot, I loved the characters as well. Some characters were just an okay for me. Decla and Rinoa are not really my most favorite characters. I don’t love them that much, but they’re not really memorable for me to pass the line of “liked” characters. Nolkrin was very moving, his love for his daughters were just heartwarming. Owen is easy to like, at first I was really irritated by his decision of allowing Teague to drink (Really? What kind of parent will allow that?) but then, I saw that he just cares (in his own parent way), so he’s a thumbs up.
Sariel was just the great awesomeness. I never imagined he would do that ‘cuz he’s the son of the bad guy. He isn’t really featured much in the story, but I am so excited of what he will do when the story is continued.
Teague was really awesome when he’s not drunk or pissed off. He’s actually the kind of guy I would like to hang out with. I loved his sense of humor and compassionate nature. He acts like he doesn’t care, but he does. He is very conscious of himself if he hurts someone (especially Cailin). I loved his vulnerability too, Just shows that (in my theory) men make it look like they don’t need comfort, but honestly they just like to hear you encourage them. His blind state also made his relationship with Cailin a bit complicated but exciting. He kept wondering what Cailin looks like, and because of not being able to “see” her, he liked her because of her personality and her nature. It made their relationship deeper and much more significant.
Cailin was cool, awesomeness and charmer all rolled into one. I really like her appearance, a bit punk-ish but soft at the same time. Her unique fashion sense was another reason why I liked her. But other than her appearance, I loved her fierce personality, and deep love for her family. She would give anything up to make sure that her family would be safe, and he would fight for her family. I can’t wait to find out what would happen to her in the next sequel.
WHY I WOULD RECOMMEND IT:
I didn’t give five stars ‘cuz the author gave a copy. The book deserved the stars by its own rights. Its unique, has good writing and characters. I would gladly recommend it to everyone who would appreciate a unique story with memorable characters.
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About the author:
November 1, 2012
Book Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
(4.5 Stars)
"AN INSPIRATION AND HEARTWARMING NOVEL! I
SUMMARY (FROM GOODREADS ): "Ruby, where is your mother?" Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?
MY OPINION:
Wow. (That simple, do I need a better way to start it :D)
Ruby Cooper finds her life turning upside down. With her mother’s sudden disappearance and lack of parental guidance, her sister Cora—who she never saw for years, after she moved out—came to take her from her home. Completely out of her old life, she finds herself getting every ‘need’ that should be provided for her. A home (with hot running water and a fridge filled with food), a family and a good education. Yet she finds herself wishing that she would be back to her old yellow house.
Trying to adjust to the sudden changes in her life, she found things that made her consider if she really did wanted to come back to her old life. But as she finds herself getting comfortable with her new life, she learns the secrets that her mother has been keeping from her. How can she accept how much her mother lied to her about many things, and made her think that she was all she had? Most of all, how can she help her friend, Nate if he’s in the same position as he is?
I had to admit that I was scared of reading one more of Sarah Dessen’s. I kept thinking about Dreamland and how much it made me heavy with tense excitement (it was way out of my own comfort zone). But I’m glad. I was really inspired by this book.
The plot, I loved a lot. I loved the fact that I couldn’t expect what would happen next. It made me all the more excited of what would happen. The writing was amazing, I like the pacing, it made me understand every moment without actually being to bored of too many details. Most of all, after reading it, it would make you think for a while, and remind yourself of how much we neglect many blessings that are always given to us. Yet we aren’t grateful for each one of it.
The characters were all very cute too, some were very adorable and fun to read about, these characters would be Gervais, Olivia, Harriet and Reggie, they didn’t play a very BIG deal in the story (but they are very much a big part of it too.) But, other characters were mostly an inspiration and they can really move you with their story.
Jamie was just heartwarming, I loved him because of his compassion and the way he cares for Cora and Ruby. I loved his fun personality, his optimistic attitude and helpful nature. I was moved many times by him, his love for Cora was just an ‘aaaaaaaaaww~’ moment, and every time I found myself cheering for him, wishing that more people in the world would be like him. Compassionate and all-around-good.
Cora was pretty much a surprise for me. At the very start her aura of personality was just plain strict and demands authority (in short, he seems like a strict teacher who’s always bossy to everyone). Yet as I continued reading the book, I saw a different side of her. Behind the confident and professional demeanor, she hides insecurity and infinite want to have a family. I loved her because she possesses this kind of “tough love” for Jamie and Ruby. She may seem like a snob, but every time she softens, you can see how much she cares for her family. She and Jamie were just adorable to read. They are complete opposites yet you will see how much they love each other, it was just sweet :). Most of all, I love her because, even though you can’t see it (well, read it in our case) you can feel, how much she cares for her sister.
Nate was annoying at the same time amazing for me. He was very admirable, helping Ruby when she needed him, he was her friend and I really like him for that (‘cuz it’s just so attractive when a guy is gentlemanly). He advises her, he was the main reason why Ruby was changing for the better, he listens to her, advises her. I just don’t understand the fact that he won’t let Ruby help him in return. He clearly needed help but he didn’t allow her to help him, (and look where that got him with his ex-girlfriend <.<) He just tries to prove that he can handle himself, but the truth is, he just ended up alone with no one to help him. I don’t necessarily hate Nate, that’s too deep. I just really REALLY don’t understand his concept of the term “independent” because in my point of view, he looks too fragile contrary to the image he has at school. Like he was more afraid of being truly alone.
And now I give a standing ovation for the girl who is now added to my (new list of) inspirational persons.
Ruby Cooper~~! :D
Its very hard to describe why I like her, or why I think she’s inspirational. Its hard to find proper words to describe her. The best way to I could describe her is: She’s an example. Not just to people reading this book, but to those having similar problems. Her position is just sad, and her fears are uniquely hers, yet she faced them all. She learned many different things, and she changed for the better. That’s the best way I could describe her. AN EXAMPLE. A ROLE MODEL. AN INSPIRATION.
WHY WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?
I would gladly tell to all of the people reading this review that if you ever decide to read this book, love it, hate it. Doesn't matter. Because it doesn't leave not just an impression but a good lesson that can really make you think, and remind you of how much we are blessed in so many ways, we think that we're not whole, or incomplete, but sometimes other people's situation are much worse. This novel gave me another perspective, and understanding of the world. :D I hope that you will learn and love it as much as I did.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah Dessen grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and attended
UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating with highest honors in Creative Writing. She
is the author of several novels, including Someone Like You, Just Listen and Along for the Ride. A motion picture based on her first two books, entitled How to Deal, was released in 2003. Her tenth novel,What Happened to Goodbye, will be published in May 2011. She lives in North Carolina
Connect with her here:
Website: http://sarahdessen.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahdessen
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarahdessenbooks
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