Showing posts with label 2013 Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013 Reviews. Show all posts

Friday, December 13, 2013

REVIEW: ARCLIGHT BY JOSIN MCQUEIN.

Title: Arclight
Author: Josin L. McQuein
Series: Arclight #1
Edition: Hardbound
Publication: April 23, 2013 by Greenwillow
Pages: 403
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Romance, Dystopia

Synopsis:

No one crosses the wall of light . . . except for one girl who doesn’t remember who she is, where she came from, or how she survived. A harrowing, powerful debut thriller about finding yourself and protecting your future—no matter how short and uncertain it may be.

The Arclight is the last defense. The Fade can’t get in. Outside the Arclight’s border of high-powered beams is the Dark. And between the Light and the Dark is the Grey, a narrow, barren no-man’s-land. That’s where the rescue team finds Marina, a lone teenage girl with no memory of the horrors she faced or the family she lost. Marina is the only person who has ever survived an encounter with the Fade. She’s the first hope humanity has had in generations, but she could also be the catalyst for their final destruction. Because the Fade will stop at nothing to get her back. Marina knows it. Tobin, who’s determined to take his revenge on the Fade, knows it. Anne-Marie, who just wishes it were all over, knows it.

When one of the Fade infiltrates the Arclight and Marina recognizes it, she will begin to unlock secrets she didn’t even know she had. Who will Marina become? Who can she never be again?
PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:


I've only seen Arclight several times and only heard about it a few times. I wasn't really familiar with the book at all because embarrassingly as it is, I wasn't THAT interested about it. I don't honestly know what it is about. Though I admit the cover pretty much did the job of convincing me to get it. And at this point, I am awed by it. AWED TO THE CORE.

Arclight is a facility that has so much light. It is surrounded with Grey and then the Dark where deadly Fades live. These Fades are humans poisoned when they entered the Dark and according to the humans in Arclight, no one survives the Fade. But Marina did. She is rescued from the Grey but the people who helped her didn't come back. Everyone in Arclight loathes her for being an anomaly plus she can't remember anything from her past. When the Fades attacked Arclight, they captured one Fade, Rue. They are dumfounded that he looks like a regular boy who can speak and only talks gibberish to Marina. Curious enough, Marina tries to know more about her past, about Tobin's father and the Fade and she's gone back to the Dark with Rue. She finds the truth she never expected to have happened and what she truly is.

Arclight is so fascinating. Arclight itself was built after the world and civilization's destruction after a science experiement gone terribly wrong. The nanites that are supposed to me a medical breakthrough in curing illnesses only it got out of hand and turned into a weapon that created the Fade and killed 90% of the human race. What I simply couldn't understand are: how are these nanites can't be exposed to light and how can they disintegrate a human body to pass through walls and still be whole afterwards. If it weren't for Rue, I will always imagine them just like the Death Eaters in Harry Potter.

The plot of Arclight moved as slow as a snail but that didn't annoy me or stop me to finish the novel. This is the first time it happened to me because I hate slow-paced stories. I devoured Arclight page by page and moved along with it slower than usually because Arclight kept unravelling mysteries and secrets as I go through it. The romance isn't so bad at all. Even if I felt like there's a brimming love triangle in one corner, it is a love triangle like no other. The story did focus on much important aspects such as the war with the Fade and the Fade itself and brought touches of intriguing romance in between. Arclight is so good on its own am afraid a sequel would just ruin it!

Marina is a tough chick. Without her memories to answer her questions, she braved facing her new life in Arclight. No matter how badly people treat her because of being different, that didn't stop her to care. She cared about her friend's safety but most especially Tobin. I loved Tobin's courage and emotional control and Tobin's father is so ideal. It isn't hard to fall in love with these amazing characters.

Arclight is suprisingly good that one book satisfied my bookish needs. It is thrilling and magnifyingly amazing! Arclight is more than that beautiful cover and even though I wouldn't want it to be a series, I can't help but be excited for book 2! I want more Tobin!

"Someone's attention shouldn't have a physical weight, but it does. Hate's a heavy burden; hope is worse."
"I wasn’t home. Home wasn’t that bed and that pain. Home didn’t hurt. There were no strangers who hid their faces or their voices from me. Home held no secrets."

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

REVIEW: CINDER BY MARISSA MEYER.

Title: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Edition: Hardbound
Published: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 387
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Romance, Retelling
Trailer: Here.

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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.
I've seen several movie versions of my favorite childhood fairytale story, Cinderella. It doesnt matter whether it was a cartoon-Disney version or Drew Barrymore version because I truly loved them all. When I heard the buzz about Cinder last year, I knew I would love it. I only regret that I didn't get the hardbound copy I saw when it was still cheaper. Because the copy I have now is one of the most expensive books I own.

Cinder is a cyborg. She is only 36.28 percent human and she can't remember anything about her past after her operation. She is one of the best and only female mechanic in the Commonwealth. Her rude stepmother treats her as if she's a disgrace to humanity and makes her work to sustain the family needs. She can't complain at all because she's her legal guardian. Only Peony, her youngest step sister and Iko, the house android remain her friends. During their trip to the junkyard, Cinder finds marks on Peony's neck and knows instantly she's got Lemutosis -- a epidemic plague. She comms for a hover to take Peony in and what she doesn't anticipate is that her stepmother volunteered her to be a cyborg draft. She knows she will die soon enough because no one survives being a guinea pig to the plague but she discovers she's immune. That she's Lunar. That she's someone valuable.

At my 200th page mark, I wasn't still impressed with Cinder. I thought, "Really? Really?". Come on now guys, the Commonwealth society might have appeared poor but the medical technology they have is so advanced. They have been trying to find and make an antidote for the plague for decades but nada? Seriously? I don't agree that Cinder is the answer to the plague because this whole time, the doctor is just like her. The research team should have made incredible progress by now. But nothing. As in nothing. What they did progressed on though is Cinder's bloodline and DNA sequence. Which in my opinion should have been the least of their priorities. And one more thing, how in the world the ball helped in getting a ridiculous evil Lunar Queen to agree on an alliance which doesn't include marriage? She could have just easily manipulated the Prince to marry her. And how Peony...??? The way she...?? Aaaaaaaaah!!! Why didn't Cinder shove it to her mouth! That's mainly the part where I don't think Cinderella's part matched with Cinder's. I find it superficial. And the romance? Does it really have to be like that, instant? The prince liked Cinder because she's just easy to talk to? REALLY? I was expecting a bit more development because this is a book but againnnnnnnnnn, NOTHING. Haaaa. I feel so frustrated right about now.

*breathes in, breathes out*

Let us not forget I enjoyed a few things here. a) The monarchy. Of course, it wouldn't be a complete Cinderella retelling if there isn't a swoony prince just waiting to fall in love with her. b) The third person narration. Though I find that confusing at the beginning, I enjoyed following the story through different character's side of the story. c) The android system. Wow. I felt like Wall-e is there somewhere hiding. I loved how technology and paranormal mixed well in Cinder. d) The Lunar aliens. They are the unexpected surprise I guess because I wasn't *seriously* expecting them to happen. e) How Cinder's the best FEMALE mechanic. Kickass cyborg is a kickass cyborg. f) Iko. Kindness isn't limited to humans but even an android showed love and care towards Cinder. Even if it was just simply programmed to be a part of her personality, it only shows that love would bleed deep even into a piece of metal.

Cinder is absolutely an interesting read. It breathes unexpected twists in a story we all know too well. Surprisingly, old and new interconnects in unexpected way that brought enchantment to the fairytale I fell in love with. Scarlet, you better be good!

"Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth."

Monday, November 25, 2013

REVIEW: HALF-BLOOD BY JENNIFER ARMENTROUT.

Title: Half-Blood (Covenant #1)
Author: Jennifer Armentrout
Edition: Paperback
Published: October 18, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 281
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Romance, Paranormal
Trailer: Not applicable.

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Synopsis:

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals--well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.
Left intrigued by the prequel novella Daimon, I took my time and savor every page of Half Blood right after. And you know what, it gave me mixed emotions which at one point I wanted to throw my book outside the window in frustration then at times, I just stared at it and wanted to hug it. It was a very pleasant experience reading Half Blood and sure enough, I will read Pure soon.

After Aiden found her, Alex is brought back to the Covenant. Her uncle is now the Dean and her step father is now a Minister. So much chances for her to train since she isn't too fond of the two and vice versa. With Aiden's help, she starts to train and make her catch up with the things she missed. She tries hard to improve for her Uncle to accept her back to the Covenant and be a Sentinel. She knows she would do everything not to be a slave at her step father's house. But what she never thought of arises: her mother isn't truly dead, she has bigger responsibility than being just a Half Blood and she's starting to fall for a Pure which if caught, she will end up being under servitude anyway or worse, executed.

The Greek Mythology touch Armentrout exposed in the story isn't heavy which I liked. That said, I believed the plot did provide the necessary information about the gods, their powers and how they no longer communicate with humans. My questions were basically answered. How are the Pures turned into an Aether-sucking Daimon and why, what is Aether and why the Half Bloods are less privileged than Pures. I liked how the rules were ridiculous but sensible altogether. As I've mentioned on my Daimon review, the prose Armentrout used is so easy to go through. The feeling of reading a book like how you converse is overwhelmingly fun. I also felt like this series is a fan-fiction of something I read in the past (though am not a hundred percent sure) which again I enjoyed. The familiarity of it brings a lot of good memories and the uniqueness of the story pushes me to read more.

I noticed the age of the characters. Alex is 17 and Aiden is 20 something. This, infact, made me ecstatic. I want and long for mature characters in YA. Ironic as it may sound, this age bracket is what I prefer. The responsibility of the characters and how they may end up saving the world wouldn't be questionable. Unlike with 14-16 year olds who do extraordinary things an experienced adult couldn't which is terribly tiring. However, what I couldn't wrap my mind into is how immature Alex is. She is just as stubborn as hell. She doesn't listen, she's irresponsible, careless, sarcastic and she does whatever she wants. In short, she's simply a disrespectful bitch. Though those traits are what made her standout, I just couldn't like it. These ugly attitudes I would have never foreseen from Daimon. I never once felt happy about her decisions nor her dry humor because she's just way annoying. Only one thing I approved of all the things she did, her version of funeral. She may have been a character that fights back (which is a trait I adore) when someone's but lying her, but it just wouldn't compensate to how rude and disrespectful she is. I don't even understand how Aiden, Caleb nor Seth can tolerate her. Speaking of which, I enjoyed reading the romance develop. I guess, anyone in a normal state of mind would fall hard with Aiden. He's swoony alright. He might be uptight but it matches up with his Sentinel aura. Strong, brave, rational and gorgeous. I liked how he imposes sense of responsibility and his protectiveness brings out so much drool from my mouth. But who is dreamier anyway? Aiden or Seth? Seth is gorgeous as well but he came too intimidating to me. He's too buff and powerful that sometimes I think he could kill Alex by merely looking at her. He's a little scary for my taste. But Aiden is definitely sexier.

Half Blood is like bacon versus salad. You know what is right for you but the addiction you have for bacon is just off too strong. It is delicious, savory and oh so good for the taste buds. Half Blood is thrilling, comforting and addicting! I want more bacon, Armentrout! Toasty, crunchy and yummy bacon!

"You need to know about love. The things people will do for love. All truths come down to love, do they not? One way or another, they do. See, there is a difference between love and need. Sometimes, what you feel is immediate and without rhyme or reason.” She sat up a little straighter. “Two people see each across a room or their skin brushes. Their souls recognize the person as their own. It doesn’t need time to figure it. The soul always knows.. whether it’s right or wrong."

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

REVIEW: DAIMON BY JENNIFER ARMENTROUT.

Title: Daimon (Covenant #0.5)
Author: Jennifer Armentrout
Edition: Paperback
Published: May 6, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 62
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Romance, Paranormal
Trailer: Not applicable.

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Synopsis:

For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals—pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards… and that she'll never be prepared for that duty.

According to her mother, that’s a good thing.

But as every descendant of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return—the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death… because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill.

The daimons have found her.
When my lovely blogger friend Louisse Ang created the JLA Twitter and Facebook Fanpage, it really made me think that I probably be missing so much in life. She isn't only a die hard fan but she totally loves JLA. So I thought, why not get copies of JLA books and see what the fuss is all about myself. Today my friends, I read the prequel novella of Half Blood, and I am absolutely impressed.

Daimon is just a 62-page novella (thankfully it is printed) and way cheaper than the novels itself. In 62 pages, Armentrout made me want to start readathoning her series in an instant. Daimon is intense, action-packed, emotional and intriguing. This I hope is a glimpse to a masterpiece worth all the money I spent (am only lacking Sentinel). It has what I want most in a novel: kick ass heroine, cinematic world building, promising romance and light and quirky prose. Goodness, I really cant wait to start reading Half Blood and see more.

I think I read it at the wrong and right time.Wrong time because I just had a misunderstanding with my mother and the gruesome thing happened here isn't really the right thing for me to visualize at the moment. But right time because it made me love my own mother more. What thing can be more beautiful than that? Also, I loved Alex. She isn't afraid to do the correct thing even if it is against what she feels. I adored how she tries to save Red even if he tried to rob her. And who is the mysterious guy Alex might not be able to see again? I loved this prequel to bits!

Daimon is the best prequel for a series I am afraid I wouldn't love. It gave me the right amount of wanting. I want to read Half Blood right after I finished Daimon and the thrilling ending is enough to torture me to want for more! 62 pages worth of action and emotion I couldn't find anywhere else! Armentrout, just so you know, you impressed me!

"Damn girl. Is your daddy a thief?"
"What?"
I'd never actually met my dad. Maybe he was. All I knew was that he'd been mortal. Hopefully, he'd been nothing like these two ass-hats. Ren flexed his nonexistent muscles, smiling.
"Well, then who stole those diamonds and put them in your eyes?"
"Wow."
"Normal girls didn’t want their boobs mauled either, and I wholly believed if they could’ve landed a fist like I could, they would have."

Monday, November 18, 2013

REVIEW: ME SINCE YOU BY LAURA WIESS.

Title: Me Since You
Author: Laura Wiess
Edition: eBook
Published: February 18, 2014
Publisher: MTV Books (Simon and Schuster)
Pages: 432
Source: Edelweiss
Category: Romance, Fantasy
Trailer: Not applicable.

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Synopsis:

“Laura Wiess’s masterful prose kept me turning the pages. This is the first book in a very long time that made me say, ‘Wish I’d written this’” (Ellen Hopkins, author of Crank, on Such a Pretty Girl).

Sixteen-year-old Rowan is still reeling from her father’s suicide four months ago, after he failed to stop a man from leaping off an overpass to his death. The only witness is Eli, a teenaged boy wrapped deep in mourning for his own father, killed in action in Afghanistan. When Rowan and Eli meet, they recognize kindred spirits, and begin to navigate grief and its aftermath together.

Rowan can’t understand how her father could choose to leave her, and acts out, pushing away friends and taking risks with her safety. Rowan’s mother, wracked with her own guilt and sorrow over failing to save her husband, stops going to work and collects stray cats for comfort. Grief, fractured and unpredictable, rules their lives now. Rowan is lost—and sinking. But Eli represents a lifeline for Rowan, and as they struggle to make sense of what’s gone and what is left behind, they begin to fall in love. Me Since You is Laura Wiess at her finest—a beautiful, gripping and painfully honest examination of adolescence.
*COULD BE SPOILERY*

Me Since You requires 3 boxes of Kleenex.

If you have been following my blog for quite some time now or even on Twitter, you would know how I sucked at Bokeh shots especially applied on book covers. The moment I saw the cover of this, the connection I had with it came natural, like breathing. I even featured this on my WoW post months back. Thankfully, I was approved on Edelweiss and made it TBR priority. The sleepless night I spent reading this and the tears are all worth it. I would do it all over again if I have to.

This book can be summed into one word: tears.

Rowan is a little rebellious. Her dad is a police officer who is a bit over-protective. You can't blame him because of the cases he handled in the past. He just wants to protect her only daughter. When Rowan is caught cutting classes for a date that didn't push through, his dad accompanies her back home and scolds her. Of course, she talked back. Nick is radio-ed for a reported jumper with a 3 month old baby boy and he goes there for rescue. Eli is there too, he saw the jumper and he is trying to talk the guy out of it. Nick and Eli weren't able to save them. He jumped in front of them and it took every energy Nick has not to be affected. He eventually falls into Depression and kills himself. Rowan couldn't stop blaming herself about it and the grief's overwhelming. She never stops wishing she could go back in time to save his father. But it was all too late.

REVIEWER: Me at 16.
I totally clicked with Rowan but hated her all at the same time. She couldn't do what pleases her because of her strict parents which pushed her to be rebellious. I believe it happens mostly to teenagers. How can parents be so annoyingly strict? Its as if they didn't go through puberty stage themselves. Most of the time, they are just being ridiculous for making teen's lives so miserable that even going out with friends can be a strenuous chore. You couldn't predict what they want. It is too hard to please them. Worse, they don't even listen because parents always say the same thing, you live under their roof so you have to follow them. I've been through this and I know how frustrating it is to be stuck in a place where your decision and take on things will never matter. Rowan chose to act against all this plus she talks back with is agonizing. She sneaks out once in a while and totally embarrasses her dad but as I have said, it happens. No matter how much she knows how self-centered she is, she's at war with herself. Being a little rebellious at 16 I think is a part of growing up. But I wish she didn't hold back in saying what she truly feels for her father like how much she loves him. I wish she did express how much he means to her.

REVIEWER: Me past 20.
Sigh. What I wouldn't do to have Nick for a dad. He's loving, protective, caring and passionate. All he could think of is how to make life safe and sound for her daughter. He represents the way a dad should be: responsible in every aspect. His character made me understand how hard it is to be a parent and giving everything he could isn't always enough for others. Even for her own child. Being an officer took most of his time from his family and it totally took its toll on him. He couldn't save a man with his child from jumping off the overpass and he took it heavily. It made him depressed and dysfunctional. I honestly couldn't understand why he chose to leave but I respect his decision. It was a brave decision. You know why? A lot of people, including myself, are afraid to die but Nick faced it not because he's selfish but I believe he no longer wants to see his family hurt because of his current status. That he wanted them to be free of burden. It was really a painful act and yes, I cried so hard because it just ripped me raw. He loved his family so much. I wish though he stayed. And there are a ton of lines that triggered my tear ducts to produce a bucket of tears but this one produced Pacific Ocean: "I forgive you, Dad.". Ouch.

REVIEWER: The blogger in me.

At some point, I got lost and annoyed. How many times did the word "God" appear in it? How many times can a character be self-centered? How many times can a scene jump from one to another? I was just beginning to be attached to the moment yet the next thing you knew, you're shifting to a new one. Good thing though, the premise is enlightening. I enjoyed Daze, Stripe and Sage. I enjoyed Vinnie and Eva. I loved Eli and Nick my heart aches so much for them. And the entirety of the story? Informative. It makes one see the side of a hormonal induced teenager who wants to live her life her ways and the side of loving parents who wanted nothing else but good things for their child. It also made me see Depression in a different light, too. I thought it was merely an issue about feeling too low or too sad. I never associated it with any chemical imbalance in the brain but now I know. Me Since You is one of the emotionally invested novels I've read and it is like something is gripping your heart that every beat hurts. I wanted to hug my phone and whisper to the characters that I understand the grief. That I love the story. That I loved everything about this novel. That because of this, I wanted to forgive my own father.

Me Since You is a beautiful novel that mirrors hope and love in every single detail of life. The overall impact of the story is telling us to value not only our parents but the people around us who care, who are special to us. Life is too damn short to live with regrets. It drives the emotional capacity to such level that only tears could understand. I loved this. I loved how some fathers could love their child without question, without limits and would sacrifice their own life to give peace to their child's broken heart.

Thank you so much Edelweiss, MTV Books and Simon and Schuster for the review copy!

"A kid shouldn't grow up thinking his father didn't care about him. It screws him up inside."
"I didn't know my chances were limited. I didn't know they could run out but now I do, I really do and so all I need is one more chance to change it. In a world where anything can be bought, sold, stolen, begged or bartered, reversed or advanced, it's not a lot to ask. It really isn't. It's just one chance to save one man."
"Home is the loneliest place in the world, with the exception of my heart. And yet it's the only place I belong."
"Love is a wonderful, healing thing. It helps you look toward tomorrow instead of always wishing for yesterday."

Thursday, November 14, 2013

REVIEW: SIEGE AND STORM BY LEIGH BARDUGO.

Title: Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Edition: Hardcover
Published: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 432
Source: Finished copy provided by the Publisher
Category: Romance, Fantasy
Trailer: Here.

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Synopsis:

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.
Siege and Storm lived up to the hype.

God. What a beautiful sequel. Action-packed and romance-filled novel that surely surpassed all my expectations. Thank you so much Pan Macmillan Asia for sending in this wonderful book for review! Thank goodness for such a wondrous read!

Alina and Mal try to escape their life in Ravka. They are trying to run from the responsibility as a Sun Summoner and Tracker however, the Darkling is clever. He found them. This time, with the help of much powerful Grishas and new creatures from the Fold. The Darkling still haunts her for her power because together, they would reign the Fold. But Sturmhond betrays the Darkling and saves the day. He helps Alina and Mal back to Os Alta and declares himself as the Prince. Together, they will conquer the the Darkling. Little did they know, the Darkling will take them by surprise.

Siege and Storm didn't fall short when it comes to world building. From the richness of what I've seen in Shadow and Bone to the engrossing new parts of the world presented in Siege and Storm, truly I am lost for words.The True Sea, more of The Fold, Cofton and other cities they visited are all mesmerizing. Specially the map on the book. It gives so much comfort knowing you could flip the book over and glance at the stunning map. Bardugo nailed the picturesque-y approach of the world of the Grishas.

I've always been a Darkling fan. He is just so smart that he could outrun them all. He knows how to make plans that would bring him success and the mystery behind him is just so taunting. However, I missed him in the sequel. There weren't a lot of interactions with him because I assume it would all happen on the final book. I wanted to know more about him and his true name but I didn't get anything. Which is truly devastating for me. Also, at some point of the book where the bite mark on Alina's shoulder is throbbing, I felt like The Darkling is Voldemort and Alina is Harry. But in this sequel, I would like to high light Mal. He's turned into a very courageous character. Though a bit sensitive for a guy, he has the right to be. I didn't like how the power Alina possessed turns her into someone greedy, I still loved how Mal tries to balance her relationship with her. Sturmhond on the other hand, captured a piece of my heart. I don't but I just love the way he thinks and his hilarious sarcasm. I think I have a thing for hilarious sarcasm. Oh and Vasily? An idiot of a prince.

Siege and Storm holds its mystery in a compelling way. It gives the chance to imagine what will happen in Ruin and Rising and the chance to long for more. It evokes allegiance and attention. In amidst of despair, it rekindles buried passion for what the heart truly desires. Ruin and Rising, I need you.

"I have loved you all my life, Mal," I whispered through my tears. "There is no end to our story."
"When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable."
"The less you say, the more weight your words will carry."
"What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men."

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

REVIEWED: ATTACHMENTS BY RAINBOW ROWELL.

Title: Attachments
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Series: Stand alone
Edition: Paperback
Published: February, 2012 by Orion
Pages: 368
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Romance, Adult, Contemporary

Synopsis:

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you . . . "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say?

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:


Attachments is the novel-version of my life.

This novel isn't my first adult novel read but it is the first one I ever reviewed here on the blog. Since Eleanor and Park, I just knew that whatever Rowell writes, I would read and love. I wasn't surprised I enjoyed this despite the mixed reviews because aside from Rowell creates a very easy-to-relate story, her writing style simply amuses me. Hence, my loyalty to her and her books.

Lincoln is the male version of me. Well, almost. A guy who, at his late twenties, still tries to figure out what he wants to do or what he's good at. He's big yet good looking and reserved yet smart. After his high school girl friend cheated on him, its as if his world stop revolving. Like his entire life only orbits on Sam. He isn't even enjoying his decent paying job - Internet Security personnel on a press company. He is paid by reading flagged emails and sending warnings to not use the company resource for personal use. Bored enough, he stumbled upon Beth and Jennifer's email conversation and got hooked. He knows it's unethical but he's fascinated by Beth's kindness and how smart is. Until Beth starts to talk about her Cute Guy and Lincoln feels jealous. He keeps reading their emails until he figures out he likes Beth and discovers that her Cute Guy is him.

Rowell set the story in 1999 and am starting to think this author is so attached to the late 80's and early 90's. I LOVED THAT. It is just so easy to relate to it plus I loved reminiscing how simple life was. No complications at all. You don't even have to worry about smart phones or not having wifi connectivity during the time. Everything's basic and you couldn't name a thing that will not require effort. Like snail mail and courtship among the likes. Fashion is fashion but it doesn't require too much skin. You get to talk A LOT with people. You actually live a life. *not that am complaining.* Rowell assured that Attachments is nostalgic enough that one would wish life is still simple. Attachments not only is a fun read but it makes you appreciate the old times more. I really love her writing style - straight to the point without losing what it intends to imply in a witty way. And indeed, Attachments is a novel I haven't read in the past! It is overflowing with uniqueness.

The friendship in the story, doesn't matter whose side, is like chest full of treasure. The genuineness, legitimacy, loyalty and respect are too valuable to lose. It is the kind of friendship that bonds with heart through the years and isn't easily swayed with shallowness or childishness. I specifically adored Jennifer and Beth's. Though I've only seen glimpses of what they share through their emails, I believe that they have something so strong and special. They embody an ideal best friendship and that their familiarity with each other amplifies their friendship even more.

The romance between Beth and Chris, however, is a little predictable. I felt that their 8-year relationship is destined to fail. And I was absolutely right. I loved that there are bits and pieces of myself I see in Beth, Jennifer and Lincoln that made it totally easy to relate to these characters. And the best part I loved most is how Lincoln and Beth's met. It is stunningly "movie-cute" and romantic! Fate really made their paths cross in a love before the first sight kind of way.

Attachments is such a rare book. When I say rare, it is something you haven't read before. It is unique and quirky. It hones the ability to adapt and the strength to let go. The way everything fits together is one of a kind and there is nothing one wouldn't enjoy about this! Rowell sure knows how to write romantic novels that would leave a smile to the lips and to the heart.

"There are moments when you can't believe something wonderful is happening. And there are moments when your entire consciousness is filled with knowing absolutely that something wonderful is happening."
"I want someone whose heart is big enough to hold me."

Monday, November 11, 2013

REVIEW: ANGELFALL BY SUSAN EE.

Title: Angelfall
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn & the End of Days #1
Edition: Paperback
Publication: May 23, 2013 by Hodder and Stoughton
Pages: 325
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Romance, Paranormal, Dystopia

Synopsis:

The official print edition of the internet phenomenon. Already over 8,000 five star reader reviews. (And counting.)

It's been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain.

Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night.

When angels fly away with a helpless girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Angelfall is exquisite!

I've heard nothing but great things about Angelfall. I've also been meaning to get a copy for so long and thankfully, our local book store now carries copies! This book has been recommended to me by my bookish friends and yes, they are absolutely correct about this novel being a very, very good one.

Penryn lives in world dominated by angels. These angels hunt during the day and try to eliminate the human race and cannibal demons hunt during the night for their prey. The world is in chaos and scavenging for food is how Penryn lives. She fends for her crippled little sister and schizophrenic mother. One day while scavenging with her family, she sees an angel being tortured. The angel got his wings torn and Penryn couldn't just sit and watch. In her attempt to rescue the angel, her sister is taken by the attackers. She has to make sure the broken angel would help her to find her little sister. She's ready to do whatever it takes to save her family even if it means killing and being killed.

MAJOR TURN ONS:

* A romance that takes awful amount of time to blossom! A kind of love that grows slowly and tries to see good past the bad. The kind that defies the reasoning and the kind that wields straight in the heart.

* Finally!!! A heroine who does NOT claim the world as her responsibility; that her fight isn't to save it but merely to find her sister and mother. Someone who finally is so sensible she knows what she has to do. A heroine who isn't afraid to admit that being human is still a good thing and that she would fight back FIRST for her family before anything else. I find that absolutely because FINALLY, FINALLY, I met a heroine who isn't trying so hard. #TeamPenrynFTW THANKYOUVERYMUCH.

* After Katniss, Katsa and Celaena, let us all welcome a 5 foot 2 Peryn who fought with a guy twice her size! So much for being a kickass heroine! This is what am talking about people! A heroine who knows her capacity and limits! The one who wouldn't put off a fight just because she's a girl! Peryn is a perfect example on how to stop bullies from doing what they are born to do -- ruin others lives -- and how to fend for herself! Plus, she definitely gave empowerment to women! That was really a nasty fight but she won and she wasn't even afraid!

* What happened to Paige was just so damn scary but it matched the dark and cruel theme of the story.

* World building was fantastic. From page one up until the last, there's just non-stop goosebumps! The world they live in is just so dark and scary and so apocalyptic.

* RAFFE. RAFFE. RAFFE.

MINOR TURN OFF:

* It would have been nice to see more of the origin of the war against the angels. Or why are they even here. How the world shattered like that.

Angelfall is a stunning novel I had a hard time letting go. The dark and mysterious world with delicious characters made me hold on to the story deeper than I've been meaning to. A perfect plot for such admirable heroine partnered with a stirring saviour is all in all a delectable read! I cannot wait to savor World After page by page!

"I never thought about it before, but I'm proud to be human. We're ever so flawed. We're frail, confused, violent, and we struggle with so many issues. But all in all, I'm proud to be a Daughter of Man."
"We have struck back. We have declared war on any being that dares to think they can wipe us out without a fight. No matter how celestial, no matter how powerful they are, this is our home and we will fight to keep it."
 "And my instincts tell me that Raffe is mine. I found him first."

Thursday, November 7, 2013

REVIEW: UNRAVELING BY ELIZABETH NORRIS.

Title: Unraveling (Unraveling #1)
Author: Elizabeth Norris
Edition: Paperback
Published: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 480
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Sci-Fi, Romance, Dystopia
Trailer: Here.

AmazonBook DepositoryGoodreadsBarnes and Noble Fully Booked

Synopsis:

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
**WARNING: OVERFLOWING FRUSTRATIONS BELOW**

Unraveling is SOOOO frustrating.

What was that I just read? I don't want to even entertain the thought that I just wasted my time reading it because I would have liked it for all I know. But seriously, this book just frustrated the hell out of me.

PART ONE.
I thought Unraveling is the Sci-Fi version of Twilight. Why you ask? The similarities are so obvious. Truck accident, an FBI agent dad, mysterious guy with some kind of a power, how the girl tries to figure the guy out, they fall in love. How can you be more Twilight-y than that? But the first part was really intriguing and the prose was an easy breeze to go through so I persevered even though am really not digging it. I thought the whole "resurrection from the dead" would lead to something big but apparently, it led to something FRUSTRATING. Gaaah.

PART TWO.
Unidentified (gruesomely melted) dead people are all over the place and these experienced FBI agents couldn't figure it out until Janelle's father was killed. She started playing an FBI agent which is totally irritating because dude, you are not trained and you are not meant for this. Let the cops do their job! Janelle tries to give justice to his father's death so she goes to a party to get drunk and drags her over-used best friend to make sure she wouldn't wake up in a random car with her undies almost off her. Gaaaah. What would she even do without Alex? She depends everything on him while all she does is make out with Ben and let her little brother go to school in the middle of an earthquake. She even had the decency to go to Disneyland! How can one person with a soul goes to Disneyland and have fun when her father was just killed? I just don't understand that! Plus, how can Eleanor and Park be banned when this book has so much cursing, like every line??

PART THREE.
So the Earth will eventually collide with another universe because apparently, Ben and company are from another intergalactic Earth. They kept opening portals so they could go home that eventually caused natural disasters to slowly destroy Earth. They figured out who killed her J's father, where those unidentified bodies are coming from and how to solve the upcoming apocalypse but at what cost? Oh God. How can Janelle leave without Jared in the midst of the universe's destruction? I wouldn't leave my family if I were in her shoes but she goes on a superhero mode and make out with Ben. Even after she lost her best friend, she still thinks of her boyfriend. She didn't even try to find her mother!! In all those mayhem, all she could  think of is her alien boyfriend.

Unfreakingbelievable.

I gave Unraveling two stars for two reasons: 1) I respect and appreciated Norris' hard work in trying to create a story that is bigger than anyone of us. The attempt of making a story with a promising premise is visible only it failed on the main character's development. And 2) I liked and enjoyed the Sci-Fi aspect especially the black hole traveling from one universe to another. That is just totally cool.

"Humans have precious few instincts, but that's because we don't listen to them. We let logic and knowledge get in the way. My dad always said that when instincts are at war with something society has taught you, listen to your instincts first and ask questions later."

Monday, November 4, 2013

REVIEW: SPLINTERED BY A.G. HOWARD.

Title: Splintered (Splintered #1)
Author: A. G. Howard
Edition: Paperback
Published: January 1, 2013
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 377
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Fantasy, Retelling, Romance
Trailer: Here.

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Synopsis:

Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family.

She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.
Splintered is marvelous!

How can you possibly write something good about a book that took your sanity away? How will you start blurbing about it when in fact, you're too much hangover you simply can't find the words? How will you be able to make justice to something so unjustifiably beautiful? How?

The answer is: you cannot.

This is how I currently feel about Splintered. I thought I have read it in the past only to be slapped in the face so hard my core shooked. I haven't read it yet. Because something this *insert the best adjective ever invented here* cannot be forgotten. There is no way in this universe you could ever forget this story. Your mind will be annihilated so don't even try to even think about it. It is seriously MIND BLASTING and excuse my babbling but THIS book because it is just worth babbling about -- FOREVER AND EVER AMEN.

Let me also try my very best to share how much Splintered kept me awake the entire night drooling, stomping, screaming and sobbing. Let me try.

THE COVER. I looked over my entire book collection to find a cover I could compare this beauty to. I found a lot of pretty covers but NOTHING could ever compare to how colorful, lively, mystical and mysterious this cover is. It is like, a love at first sight kind of thing. I wanna actually marry it and have kids with it. Seriously.

FONT/PAGE DESIGN. Howard tried to warn me about the purple font because I might mistaken it for a candy and lick it. Well, I almost did because this is one of the astounding designs I've ever seen (include Chaos of Stars on this list please). Aside from the purple font, the designs on each chapter page are PHENOMENAL. I WILL DEFINITELY SCOUT FOR A HARDBOUND COPY OF THIS BECAUSE IT IS WORTH ALL MY MONEY.

WORLD BUILDING. Alice in Wonderland in the 21st century. Twisted. Magical. Delusional. Magnificent. Colorful. Movie-worth. Unimaginable. Perfect. MIND BLASTING. Creative. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Snow White and the Huntsman. Harry Potter. Narnia. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful.

ROMANCE. Oh God. Here it comes. Who would you choose: someone you loved first when you were little or someone you loved second while you were growing up? I loved the romance contrast that at some point, choosing is hard. It's the romance I have been craving for -- extraordinarily ordinary with a barb wire around your beating heart. I mean, love triangle with a totally AWESOME twist! Bejeezuz. It totally killed it!

ALYSSA. Free spirited and smart girl. She loves her family so much and will do anything for them to be alright. I love how courageous she is that even though she made few mishaps, she stood and still tried hard to do the right thing -- even at her expense.

JEBEDIAH.  Jeb. What an amazing character! Witty, sarcastic, fierce, loyal and oh so hot! I don't know guys but he's just totally dreamy! His loyalty to those people he care for is just as strong as his personality. And the part where "he bled" for Alyssa? Believe me, I cried so hard. I was taken by surprise that he would do such unbelievable thing.

MORPHEUS. OH GOD. OH GOD. He's absurdly beautiful!!!! Everything about him is to love! His puns are hilarious and I love his entire magical package. True enough, there's selfishness in him but that made his character to watch for. The light in his heart shone in such dark times and no matter what his motives are, his love for Al weighs heavier than any power could offer.

ANITA. She's definitely one of the sweetest and kindest (AND PRETTIEST) authors I have ever chatted with online. I mean, she's no snob and I love that she talks to her readers/fans. Aside from that, she's awesome for writing such magnificent story and she automatically landed my favorite authors and auto-buys lists.

Splintered is definitely one of the awesomest novels I have read this year. There is no way and no one can stop me from raving about this ever! Such magnificent retelling of a story we all fell in love with turning it into a story I am in love with. No recommendations high enough will amount to the fantastic story I got sucked in to! Absolutely worth all the praises and it is a story not only exceptionally written but a story one will never ever forget. *standing ovation*

"No one knows what he or she is capable of until things are at their darkest."
"Memories, real and irreplaceable, all of them. The happy ones, the bitter ones, the terrified and the poignant."
"Tearing down the rest of the world won't make you happy. Look inside yourself. Because finding who you were meant to be? What you were put into this world to do? That's what fills the emptiness. It's the only things that can."

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

REVIEW: JUST ONE YEAR BY GAYLE FORMAN.

Title: Just One Year (Just One Day #2)
Author: Gayle Forman
Edition: Hardbound
Published: October 10, 2013
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: 323
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Category: Contemporary, Romance
Trailer: not applicable

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Synopsis:

Just One Day. Just One Year. Just One Read.

Before you find out how their story ends, remember how it began....

When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn’t know where in the world he is—Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day—that girl—makes Willem wonder if they aren’t fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he’d thought. . . .

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents that happen—and the happiness we can find when the two intersect.
Just One Year is a heart-warming novel!

It obviously took just one year of waiting before we get to know what happened to Willem. After Just One Day, my heart was truly broken and imagine waiting that long for it to mend. Well, the questions were all answered and waiting was worthwhile because in this novel, Willem gave sufficient explanation as to what happened, how he truly felt and what he did do after losing Allyson.

Hearing the side of the story directly from Willem gave a different light to the duology. I thought he was a complete jerk for just leaving Allyson like that but "accidents" do happen. Like literally. His journey in finding what he lost was not only pleasing to the eye but tremendously hurting to the heart. In his point of view, I was able to realize how hard it is to move one from losing someone who changed your life in a day and brought so much color to your monotonous life. He grasped the moments he shared with Allyson so much that it gave him something to push him through and not give up on his search. He tried to find her in different parts of the world and everywhere he goes, something or someone would remind him of her. It is as if he couldn't escape her memories which gripped my heart so tight I thought I would faint. There's so much raw emotions and coming from a guy's POV, that is really something, you know.

Yael and Bram's story took a piece of my heart, too. I loved how Willem's current dilemma is somehow similar to his parents story which boosted my hopes for the entire novel to rock. And it did. Willem not only fixed the gap between his relationship with his mother but also he did change himself. The longings he have for Bram pushed him to be better and look at things differently.

It is always the end that strikes hard and the ending Forman gave surely mended my broken heart. It also made me yearn for more, more of Willem and Allyson and more of their travels. Just One Year is absolutely a stunning novel I will indefinitely cherish and treasure!

"There's a difference between losing something you knew you had and losing something you discovered you had. One is disappointment. The other is truly a loss."

Monday, October 28, 2013

REVIEW: TUMBLE AND FALL BY ALEXANDRA COUTTS.

Title: Tumble & Fall
Author: Alexandra Coutts
Edition: Hardbound
Published: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Pages: 384
Source: Finished copy provided by the Publisher
Category: Contemporary, Dystopia
Trailer: not applicable

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Synopsis:

 A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings

The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.

Alexandra Coutts's TUMBLE & FALL is a powerful story of courage, love, and hope at the end of the world.
*CONTAINS LITTLE SPOILERS*

Tumble and Fall would have been a promising story.

One of my favorite BookTubers got an ARC of this novel and I was convinced that Tumble & Fall is an exciting novel. True enough, I've never heard of a PRE-apocalyptic novel and that alone hooked me. What would people do if they only have a week on Earth before an asteriod will hit and destroy it? Isn't that an amazing plot? And thankfully, Pan MacMillan Asia sent me a copy for review and I couldn't contain my happiness when I received the package. I was like a little girl inside a Barbie store and told to get whatever Barbie I want! The moment is just pure bliss.

However, it was surely a devastating feeling when I finished Tumble & Fall. It wasn't what I expected it would be. The 'Pre-apocalyptic' notion was just a touch to an entirely different story. Truth be told, it felt like a contemporary story hanging by the mere fact that the world will end in a week. But nothing deeper about the said apocalypse is laid on the table. Maybe I expected too much or I held on tight to the synopsis that's why I am deeply disappointed.

I love contemporary novels but I don't see myself liking Tumble and Fall *so much* even if I look at it like that. There wasn't depth to it if I may say. It revolved around the three main characters and their personal issues that doesn't quite match the upcoming catastrophe. I kept asking myself WHAT WOULD I DO IF I AM IN THIS SITUATION and personally, whatever happened in the story isn't wouldn't be my answer.

--- STOP! SPOILERS AHEAD---
Sienna. She left her family to be with her childhood sweetheart. Then eventually realizing that her familly matters and left the guy. She changed her mind like at the last day of Earth.
Zan. She doubted her dead boyfriend who she thought cheated on her then went into a scavenger hunt with her boyfriend's best friend to gather facts. She's trying to find closure but slept with the guy. Then she found out her dead boyfriend was just trying to find her long lost sister for her.
Cayden. Had a lifetime of grudge towards his father for leaving them. He may have been technically kidnapped by his father, but the thought of saving him and starting a relationship with him is there. Cayden didn't even try to have a relationship with his dad even after the effort. He ignored it and even ran away with his father's girlfriend to go back to his drunk mother.
---END OF SPOILERS---

These characters live in one island and eventually found each other on their way back home.
I am skeptical to whether give this book a one-star rating (because I couldn't AT ALL grasp it) or three-star rating (because of other reasons) but well, I am going for the latter and here's why:

Off by two stars: I was mislead by the catchy phrase -- let me reiterate the "I"-- and this I blame myself. I should have done a little bit of a research. I would have saved myself from all these disappointments but am still thankful that I got the chance to read it. The inconsistencies I also saw were brimming on the downfall side of the story. Example is how can someone remember exact names and conversation happened a year ago with a person you only met once and never saw again? That really lingered in my mind. I just believe that consistency of a story is very important. Tumble & Fall actually tumbled and fell on that part.

1/3 stars: This is for Coutts' effort and intention in bring such unique story. I just totally hate the fact that it didn't completely work for me.
2/3 stars: That PRE-APOCALYPTIC notion that I really looked forward to. I wish there was more to it and I am hundred percent sure, this novel would have skyrocketing ratings. I guess I wanted more to see of the dystopian/apocalyptic part more than the contemporary side. I don't know. It was just basically the main reason why I was so eager to read it. Too bad that I didn't get much of it.
3/3 stars: For that lovely cover, the third person narration, the division of the story by day/characters and for that fantastic Forgiving Wheel.

Tumble and Fall is a novel of decisions. It talks so much of our different takes in different circumstances which shows how valuable what the heart tells. Recommended for those who have loved and lost; have searched and been found.

"She knows that there might be other endings, bigger endings, soon. The end of everything. The end of time. But it doesn't matter. All that matters now is that things are changing again, just when she'd started to hope that they wouldn't."
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