Generae's Booklife

 

Title: Outrun the Moon

Author/s: Stacey Lee

Publication Date: May 24, 2016

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Format: ARC

Number of Pages: 400

"From the author of the critically acclaimed Under a Painted Sky, an unforgettable story of determination set against a backdrop of devastating tragedy. Perfect for fans of Code Name Verity.

San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes.

On April 18, an historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Mercy can't sit by while they wait for the Army to bring help. Fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, yet Mercy still has the 'bossy' cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenaged girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?

Breakout author Stacey Lee masterfully crafts another remarkable novel set against a unique historical backdrop. Strong-willed Mercy Wong leads a cast of diverse characters in this extraordinary tale of survival."

**Thank you so much Penguin Teen for providing a me review copy of Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee in exchange of an honest review.**

Mercy, desperate enough to go to St. Clare's School for Girls, pretended to be a Chinese heiress so that she can fit in, but like any other typical stories, keeping such kind of secret will be very difficult for her.

The romance isn't your habitual one, it was made with such intelligence and I loved it.

I'm a Marketing Management student, and reading Outrun the Moon contributed lots of ideas for me and also put up new strategies, thank to Mrs. Evelyn Lowry and Mercy!

Historical Fiction for me, before this book, is not even close to appealing, it was plain boring. To be honest, if it wasn't for the reviews that I've read I'll never know that this book is under the genre I'll never want to read something of.

Outrun the Moon was written by a "new-to-me" author, under a "new-to-me" book category, and I can never make the words to describe how much I liked it! Her writing style was really engaging added the fact that Mercy has a really strong voice.

What made me admire the book most is how she managed to include knowledge for business minded people as well as the involvement of Chinese customs and traditions.

Lee has written a note-worthy story about love, friendship, grief, acceptance and survival. I'm really looking forward to reading more of her books

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Title: Why Me?

Author: Misty Michael

Publication Date: January 01, 2016

Publisher: Clovercloft Publishing

Format: e-ARC

"Loneliness. Hopelessness. Worthlessness. Addiction. Abuse. Have you ever found yourself there? If so, this book is for you. The chains of depression, addiction and emotional bondage can be difficult to break. Why Me? is a life transformation book that will guide you through life s battles. Misty Michael shares her experiences from traveling on a path of destruction to a pathway of victorious living. Today she mentors women and is a teacher in Celebrate Recovery. The time is now! Together with God, you will discover a way out. Right in the very middle of your hopelessness, hope will rise. No matter how hopeless your life situation may seem, Why Me holds the key to victorious living. Take your first step today!"

**Thank you Netgalley and Cloversoft Publishing for approving my request to read an ARC of Why Me? by Misty Michael in exchange of an honest review.**

I AM WARNING YOU GUYS! THIS REVIEW WILL BE SO RANDOM. IT'S JUST THAT I CANNOT STOP MY FEELINGS. I JUST TYPE WHATEVER IT IS THAT POPS OUT OF MY MINDS. MY THOUGHTS ARE IN A CHAOS AND NOW I JUST WANT TO LET THEM ALL OUT AND BE FREE.

This book was based on a true story. And holly cow, I've never read something like this.

I've never been a religious person. I never liked the idea of going to church, reading the bible, neither singing praises to God. But of course, I do believe that there is a higher being, the superior one, God.

Loneliness. Hopelessness. Worthlessness. Addiction. Abuse. Have you ever found yourself there? If so, this book is for you.

 

Loneliness. Given the first word, I literally dropped my jaw. The moment I read that word, I knew that I'm going to love this book to bits.

I was astounded by the introduction. Reading it made me criticize by spiritual life. It made me feel like I'm doing something that's not going to give me good.

Although this book is making me cry even from the first chapter, I cannot stop from reading it. As if stopping will kill me. I'M FREAKING CRYING MY HEART OUT!

The main character, she's depressed. There are a lot of not-so-good things running on her mind. When she was young she almost died, but God, God gave her their so called second life.

I can't say that "It's funny how I can relate to this girl." Because it's not funny. It is SAD. As a child, she experienced a lot of pain. She lived in FEAR. She grew up keeping dirty little SECRETS. She doesn't know what to do with her messed up life.

How ironic that Misty uses drugs excessively, then ask for God's forgiveness, ask Him for guidance, ask Him to help her. She continued doing things she knows will only lead her to danger. But trusting God, having faith in Him, helped her and made her realize a lot of things.

We all know the saying "Everything happens for a reason."

You feel happy today then feel sad tomorrow, there's a reason. You stumble and fall? There's a reason. You had your heart broken? There's a reason. Every single thing happens for a reason. The question is WHAT is that reason.

People are given the opportunity to make choices, but often times, they choose the wrong path. Now all they have to do is take responsibility of the path they've taken.

People will do whatever they want to do. Say whatever they want to say without realizing that they're hurting someone else's feelings.

The author made a book about love, hatred, happiness, sadness, depression, pain, fear, harassment, faith. It tackled about almost EVERYTHING.

This book gave me so much feel. ALL EMOTIONS IN ONE BOOK. Up until now, while making this review, I can still feel those feelings. If I can just highlight, put marks, and take notes of the whole book, I would. It opened my eyes. It made me see the real world, the people and how cruel at the same time, how kind life is. THIS BOOK SHOUTS "REAL LIFE" THIS SPEAKS FOR ANYONE WITH THE SAME SITUATION.

This book taught me to have hope, gave me courage, let me have faith in God.

Now I have three things stuck on my mind:
1. Trust God
2. Forgiveness means freedom
3. Life is a gift

To people who feels so broken, to anyone who feels so down, to the ones who feels like giving up, to everyone who kept on facing unimaginable problems and difficulties, and kept on asking God "Why Me?" This book, I assure you, will give you the answers you're looking for.

Author Misty Michael is an author and mentor who serves women from all walks of life. Misty has been active leading in Celebrate Recovery, and is passionate about guiding women through a process of overcoming addiction and healing through the Word of God. She is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Misty possesses a deep love for people. She is a successful real estate broker serving her community. Her burden is to partner with others, leading them to overcome life’s battles and live with purpose. Residing in Dallas, TX, Misty and her husband Ken have two wonderful children, Justin and McKinley

Title: Passenger

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: January  05, 2016

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)

passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them— whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are play­ing, treacherous forces threaten to sep­arate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home . . . forever

REVIEW:

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing me an e-ARC of Passenger in exchange of an honest review.

Everything about this book is new to me. Aside from being attracted to the book's cover, another reason why I asked for an ARC of this book is that after I watched Once Upon A Time. I started obsessing over Killian Jones a.k.a Captain Hook. I used to hate the idea of reading something which include pirates or even ships, now I wanted to give it a try, a chance. I was hesitant for I badly want to read it, but I don't want to dislike it.

First things first. The characters.

Nicholas Carter, a cool pirate. LOL. He knows when not to or when to give in to his anger. A real gentleman. Nich calculate things undoubtedly well, smart.

Henrietta Spencer, oh what a lovely name, is a concert soloist. Indeed, an outstanding protagonist. Who wants to make her mama proud. Who gave up everything for her debut. She's a full-spirited girl which made me like her more.

A 17-year old violinist who's about to make her dreams come true suddenly woke up in a different era, time. Information kept on loading, secrets that her mom, Rose, hasn't told her have been revealed. Secret including things about herself, their past.

The romance. Oh I really don't know what to say 'cause it was just so perfect, not too cheesy, not even boring, just average. And it kills me every time they spit out lines that literally send bolts of electricity through my veins.

“Know this, pirate,”he said, his hands gripping the railing, “you are my passenger, and I will be damned before I let any harm come to you.”She was unsure how to respond to the fervor of those words. “Another rule?”she managed finally. “A promise. If I see that you’re in danger from Ironwood, I will help you escape myself. But should you try to leave on your own, know that I will go to the ends of the earth to bring you back."

I almost lost air when I read that line. I loved how they developed, how their romance developed. There's only one thing I disliked, they happen to want each other in such a short period of time, but it didn't also bloom immediately. Also, it's a good thing that the story didn't just revolve around the lovers.

The story. Honestly, I was confused, I didn't know what was happening. I felt lost. I kept on re-reading some lines, parts. The whole thing was new to me. I've never read anything with violins, pieces, ships, directions, masts and oh, riggings. Some words, terms are new to me so I still need to Google it. I loved it though, how I've learned new things from this book. This book added knowledge. Yet I'm thankful that somehow, I've started understanding it. The story... it was epic! The word built was incomparable. Time traveling is a hard one to make, but the author has made a great work.  I just can't express my thoughts as to how her writing is so amazing I don't want to stop talking about it but I need to.

This book made me learn a lot of things. 

1. Bravery when most of the characters like Etta, stood up for what they believe in. Fight for what they know is right.
2. Freedom of choice.

"I want you to remember that— it’s our choices that matter in the end. Not wishes, not words, not promises."

     3. Time traveling. I've always seen time traveling as adventurous, exciting. Now that I've read this book it made me realize that traveling through time is beyond dangerous. I remember watching OUAT wherein characters were forced to travel time and they almost ruined someone's future. What happens when you try to alter the past? Well altering it means having to alter the future too. Bad or good things may happen. Worst is you maybe erased, you won't exist.

 Overall, I love this book! I adore it! But the ending, oh I so wanted to continue sobbing for the book ended beautifully, yet it'll leave you hanging. It'll leave you wanting more.

Hands down to Alexandra Bracken for making such a remarkable book!

SYNOPSIS:

Maggie Sanders might be blind, but she won't invite anyone to her pity party. Ever since losing her sight six months ago, Maggie's rebellious streak has taken on a life of its own, culminating with an elaborate school prank. Maggie called it genius. The judge called it illegal.

Now Maggie has a probation officer. But she isn't interested in rehabilitation, not when she's still mourning the loss of her professional-soccer dreams, and furious at her so-called friends, who lost interest in her as soon as she could no longer lead the team to victory.

Then Maggie's whole world is turned upside down. Somehow, incredibly, she can see again. But only one person: Ben, a precocious ten-year-old unlike anyone she's ever met.Ben's life isn't easy, but he doesn't see limits, only possibilities. After awhile, Maggie starts to realize that losing her sight doesn't have to mean losing everything she dreamed of. Even if what she's currently dreaming of is Mason Milton, the infuriatingly attractive lead singer of Maggie's new favorite band, who just happens to be Ben's brother.

But when she learns the real reason she can see Ben, Maggie must find the courage to face a once-unimaginable future... before she loses everything she has grown to love.

REVIEW:

Margaret Sanders hates bouquet. She's a girl who's unnerved by the idea of picking flowers from the ground. Because yes, if you do think that a flower is beautiful, why take away its life? She's humorous, humorous yet sarcastic. Margaret is blind, but here's the catch, she see things whenever she's around this certain kid. After having a majestic fall, she met an energetic and lively boy, she met Ben. Ben speaks and acts like an adult, cool enough. He loves reading encyclopedias too.

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What I love most is that Ben claims to be Maggie's boyfriend! He invited her to their house for dinner. At dinner, Maggie met Ben's older brother- Mason, who is- according to Maggie, arrogant, aloof and egotistical jackass. Mason is the lead vocalist of her favourite band.

The flow of the story was undeniably superb, but slow paced. I can get along with the story patently. The way she writes, her use of words were really captivating.It was truly interesting. It's just that sometimes reading parts of the book bore me. Like when Maggie is talking about her mom, dad, or gramps. The romance, I actually kind of liked it (at first) when Ben and Margaret are together, though Ben's 7 years younger I like the two of them together. I can't feel the fireworks- as what other people refer to it, sparks, whenever it's all about Maggie and Mason. Maybe due to the fact that there weren't too much Maggie-Mason parts yet. Not until they went to Dead Eddie's concert.

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And later did I realize, the book is does not really give emphasis to the love of just two persons, it doesn't only talk about that. But also the love for others. The love for a friend. The love for your family. The love for what you've become.

Marci made the reader see, and think as a blind person. Know how a blind person to their things, live their life. Not just that, but also to accept their life now and forget about their miserability. And as a person who cannot see, Maggie's pretty good at describing things that are happening around her. Marci Curtis made me admire her for writing such story, she amazed me for she had made a POV of a blind girl without experience.

What about you, what's your thing?

QUOTES:

“That's the one thing about being blind: you see people as they really are.”
― Marci Lyn Curtis, The One Thing

RATING

image:

SYNOPSIS

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

REVIEW

I read the book without reading the synopsis first, I never do that, I always read the synopsis. But hello bookworms! it's Colleen Hoover, everyone loves her book! i've read it last night, and finished it earlier this morning. Here is how it went.

It's November 9th and Fallon, an 18 year old girl who's life was almost ruined because of the fire that happened two years ago, is in a restaurant with her dad, who's a famous actor- an arrogant one, Donovan O'Neil. She was bidding goodbye (well not exactly just letting her father know she's leaving), she'll go to New York wanting to audition for Broadway, and instead of supporting her, Donovan laughed and said things that a father shouldn't say to his daughter.

"Sorry I'm late, babe."

And then this guy named benton James Kessler, came in to the picture and introduced himself as Fallon O'Neil's boyfriend. That's how they met.

Ben the Writer and Fallon the Transient, they had a deal. For every 9th day of November, for five years, they will have to see each other. One should accomplish his or her assignment.

"What if... we meet up again next year on the same day? And he year after that? We'll do it for five years. Same date, same time, same place."

And so they did, they have to live without each other for a year, not knowing one's phone number, email address, Facebook account. in short, w/o connection.

CHARACTERS

Fallon O'Neil were so closed to achieving her goal, until a very despairing incident happened. She's now trying to cover her entire body, she lost her confidence, she's afraid of what other people might think when they look at her.
Benton Kessler is a guys who loves write, he lost his father and his father, but he stood up and fought, he's a silly yet admirable guy. He's the sole reason why Fallon changed the way she look at things.

"Go easy on me, Fallon. My heart is fragile."

November 9, was told in a dual point of view. It is not just a story between Fallon and Ben and their love interest. CoHo made a book not just about falling in love, but also learning how to accept who you are, loving yourself, and boosting your confidence. Colleen Hoover made me, or other people who have read her book believe that scars don't define you, it never will. That scars are not a basis for ugliness. That you don't get to be ashamed of who you are, of what you have. And remember that despite the flaws, there's always someone who will accept you for who you are.

I'm not going to make a comment on the way how she wrote November 9, because the same as how she made her other books, it was freaking astounding. No doubt, extraordinary.

And here is another thing that I've learned from this book.

Your life won't stop just because something unimaginable, unexpected, happened. Do not, ever, let what has happened in the past, define you for who you are now. You can always make a change. Also, no one should live pleasing other people, you only have to please yourself.

November 9 is indeed, remarkable. This book will not just make you feel damaged, it will not destroy you, it will also make you feel mad, ecstatic, confused, humorous, it will make you feel lots of emotion all at once. Cheers to Colleen Hoover for writing another incredible story!

QUOTES

“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“You can’t leave yet. I’m not finished falling in love with you.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I thought I was stronger than a word, but I just discovered that having to say goodbye to you is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I think about you every second of every day and I don’t know how to get over you,” she says.

“Don’t,” I beg her. “Please don’t get over me.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“It’s easy to fall in love, Ben. The hard part comes when you want out.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“You left with my soul in your fists and my heart in your teeth, and I don’t want either of them back.” ~Ben”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work. They aren’t achieved when you hide out in a place where you’re nice and cozy.”
― Colleen Hoover, November Nine

“Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

SYNOPSIS

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

REVIEW

I read the book without reading the synopsis first, I never do that, I always read the synopsis. But hello bookworms! it's Colleen Hoover, everyone loves her book! i've read it last night, and finished it earlier this morning. Here is how it went.
It's November 9th and Fallon, an 18 year old girl who's life was almost ruined because of the fire that happened two years ago, is in a restaurant with her dad, who's a famous actor- an arrogant one, Donovan O'Neil. She was bidding goodbye (well not exactly just letting her father know she's leaving), she'll go to New York wanting to audition for Broadway, and instead of supporting her, Donovan laughed and said things that a father shouldn't say to his daughter.

"Sorry I'm late, babe."

And then this guy named benton James Kessler, came in to the picture and introduced himself as Fallon O'Neil's boyfriend. That's how they met.

Ben the Writer and Fallon the Transient, they had a deal. For every 9th day of November, for five years, they will have to see each other. One should accomplish his or her assignment.

"What if... we meet up again next year on the same day? And he year after that? We'll do it for five years. Same date, same time, same place."

And so they did, they have to live without each other for a year, not knowing one's phone number, email address, Facebook account. in short, w/o connection.

CHARACTERS

Fallon O'Neil were so closed to achieving her goal, until a very despairing incident happened. She's now trying to cover her entire body, she lost her confidence, she's afraid of what other people might think when they look at her.
Benton Kessler is a guys who loves write, he lost his father and his father, but he stood up and fought, he's a silly yet admirable guy. He's the sole reason why Fallon changed the way she look at things.

"Go easy on me, Fallon. My heart is fragile."

November 9, was told in a dual point of view. It is not just a story between Fallon and Ben and their love interest. CoHo made a book not just about falling in love, but also learning how to accept who you are, loving yourself, and boosting your confidence. Colleen Hoover made me, or other people who have read her book believe that scars don't define you, it never will. That scars are not a basis for ugliness. That you don't get to be ashamed of who you are, of what you have. And remember that despite the flaws, there's always someone who will accept you for who you are.

I'm not going to make a comment on the way how she wrote November 9, because the same as how she made her other books, it was freaking astounding. No doubt, extraordinary.

And here is another thing that I've learned from this book.

Your life won't stop just because something unimaginable, unexpected, happened. Do not, ever, let what has happened in the past, define you for who you are now. You can always make a change. Also, no one should live pleasing other people, you only have to please yourself.

November 9 is indeed, remarkable. This book will not just make you feel damaged, it will not destroy you, it will also make you feel mad, ecstatic, confused, humorous, it will make you feel lots of emotion all at once. Cheers to Colleen Hoover for writing another incredible story!

QUOTES

“You’ll never be able to find yourself if you’re lost in someone else.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“You can’t leave yet. I’m not finished falling in love with you.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I thought I was stronger than a word, but I just discovered that having to say goodbye to you is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I think about you every second of every day and I don’t know how to get over you,” she says.

“Don’t,” I beg her. “Please don’t get over me.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“It’s easy to fall in love, Ben. The hard part comes when you want out.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“You left with my soul in your fists and my heart in your teeth, and I don’t want either of them back.” ~Ben”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“Goals are achieved through discomfort and hard work. They aren’t achieved when you hide out in a place where you’re nice and cozy.”
― Colleen Hoover, November Nine

“Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“Whoever said the truth hurts was being an optimist. The truth is an excruciatingly painful son of a bitch.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

The book cover is so deceiving.

This series was not worth the hype at all. Yes, overhyped! Definitely didn't like the book just like everybody else, don't kill me please.

Don't get me wrong, the writing is not that bad, in fact it's actually good. Bit it's really the story that I can't seem to love. Maxon is such a swoon worthy Prince, such as Aspen. Also, America is so lovely, amazing. But the thing about her is she can't make up her mind. one minute she's all over Aspen, and the next thing I know, she's kissing Maxon.

Reading this book was so tiring. The story is very predictable. I hated it most when I thought The Heir  will change my opinion about this book, wrong impression. Eadlyn is a spoiled royalty, she doesn't know how to respect, doesn't care about other people's feelings. I hate her character, selfish brat.

The book being boring didn't stop me from reading it until the last installment. The book will be so good if it wasn't for the characters and he story line.

am I the only one who didn't like this book?

i really don't like Dystopians but, this book.. There are so much hype about it. Whenever I ask for book recommendations many people will say "oh gosh, try Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu, it's really amazing!" I did, it was my first time reading a Dystopian book, i tried, really. But I still can't get myself to love nor like the book. 

I haven't read Divergent and Hunger Games. I thought this book will change my expectations from Dystopians. Hell, i'm wrong.

SYNOPSIS: 

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor’s secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can’t abide. Like having to marry someone she’s never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

REVIEW:

This book is so perfect! Oh my gosh.

I honestly read this book because of its cover. The cover is beautiful… so is the story.

It was perfectly written. Mary Pearson’s writing is so captivating, it won’t let you eat, it will keep you turning the pages. She’s so powerful. I can’t even think how perfect this book is.

Princess Lia, she’s the kind of princess who isn’t spoiled, she doesn’t depend on her servants, she’s very humble, smart and nice. She is strong and also, stubborn. She’s a runaway princess, she ran with her friend Pauline. 

First things first. The story doesn’t confuse me. What confused me is the identity of The Assassin and The Prince, Rafe and Kaden does. Sometimes, I will think Rafe is the Assassin since that what always happen on stories like this, but sometimes I think it’s Kaden because of some incidents, also his name, his name sounds more like a prince, and then vice versa. In the log light, Mary Pearson made things more complicated between the two guys, thinking that Rafe is the Royalty and and Kaden is the Assassin since he won the fight, he seems more skillful and mysterious too.

I kept telling myself that “No, in such kind of story the, one who’s supposed to be the enemy is the one who falls in love with the main character, and the one who will fail his given mission.”

I’m now positive that Rafe is the Assassin, but hell no, Mary Pearson proved me wrong. So now you know who’s the Prince and the Assassin.

“I will find you.
                                                         In the farthest corner, I will find you.”
                                                      ― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

I really can’t believe it. The romance between prince Rafe and princess Lia.. too perfect and the only thing you can think is that Rafe being the Assassin will be their problem. It’s real, very real. Not corny, not even that cheesy. Perfeeect.

That plot twist! damn, made me question my critical thinking.

only one word for this book “PERFECT”

-I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL! FRACKING HELL, RELEASE THE SEQUEL NOW!

QUOTES:

“It can take years to mold a dream. It takes only a fraction of a second for it to be shattered.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

“I will find you.
In the farthest corner, I will find you.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

“I see only reminders that nothing lasts forever, not even greatness.”
“Some things last.”
I faced him. “Really? And just what would that be?”
“The things that matter.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

“Maybe there was no one way to define it. Maybe there were as many shades of love as the blues of the sky,”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

“If one can’t be trusted in love, one can’t be trusted in anything. Some things can’t be forgiven.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

“A perfect night… a perfect forever”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

“Sometimes we’re all pushed to do things we thought we could never do.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

“Sometimes the enemy is just one person who will bring down a kingdom.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Kiss of Deception

SYNOPSIS: 

Teenager Alice Bonham’s life feels crazy after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave, he’s unlike anyone she knows. Then she meets his brother, Peter. Even though he can’t stand the sight of her, she’s drawn to him. Falling for two guys isn’t even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood

REVIEW:

People who have read this series said that this book is like an imitation to Twilight.

Well at the beginning it was kinda like Twilight, girl meets boy, they hang out, boy acting stranger, girl’s suspicious, boy says it’s complicated and also, the vampire’s bloodlust for the girl. And that’s it, that’s the only part, I think, that’s much of a Twilight story, and of course the main characters being a vampire. I almost gave up on reading this, but I sad to myself “Hey, Imo, it’s Amanda Hocking! Every freaking story she’s made that you’ve read… You loved them to bits! So why not try and still give it a shot?” So I did.

Thank goodness the story didn’t disappoint me. Amanda Hocking didn’t disappoint me. Some people might not believe me when I say this “THIS BOOK IS WAY BETTER THAN TWILIGHT”

–

Alice was bonded with Peter, he is a cold and mad vampire who have 2 brothers (Ezra, who’s married to Mae and Jack) Jack fell in love with alice, but that can’t be because Alice is meant for Peter, Jack is sweet, funny and he’s not that hard to love. Milo, Alice’s sister was close to dying so she agreed to make him a vampire, a GAY vampire, I love Milo so much because, just like Mae, he cares for everyone around him.

Peter refuses Alice, Alice loved Peter, Jack is drawn to Alice not because of her blood but because of who she is. Alice fell in love with Jack too. There is only one problem, they think that Peter will kill them. Peter almost killed Alice and Jack almost killed Peter because of that. Little did they know, Peter did that so that Jack can Kill Him. He wanted to die because he loves Alice, and he loves Jack as a  brother too, and he thinks that Alice and Jack deserves each other and that they’re better together, he doesn’t care about their blood being bonded at all. So he ran away.

At the last part of the 3rd book, Alice became she became so hungry she’s close to eating Milo’s boyfriend, Bobby. But thanks to ezra, May and Jack she was stopped.

Many problems came like, Jane (Alice’s best friend is a bloodwhore) they need to save her from Jonathan for he may kill her. So they did. Another one is Peter is having a suicide mission killing all Lycans. Now Lycans are hunting him. Ezra and Alice saved him.they almost get caught if it wasn’t for the rescue of the good supposedly Lycan, Lefi. Who turned out to be Milo and Alice’s father. Another is when Mae’s grand daughter, Daisy, is close to dying she asked Ezra to turn her into a vampire but Ezra refused for when Child Vampires are hungry they can kill an entire village and Ezra don’t want such things to happen. but he gave Mae a choice, let the kid die or she will turn the child into a vampire and go far away from them. Daisy grew up to being a vampire.

things got worse, Daisy is uncontrollable, Lycans have found them, and Jane was murdered by a vampire. The lycans found Peter and used Alice as a tool for him to suffer, but Jack, Ezra and the others are to the rescue. Bobby and Alice asked for Violet and Olivia’s help on how to control the child, also they’re training. Milo and Alice is unexpectedly strong, even stronger than Peter’s family. Bobby and Alice, on their way in finding Jane’s murdered they met a group of Vampire Hunters and those hunters are looking for the murderer too, they thought Alice is working with the killer, the murderer is marking his every victim, it’s like he want the vampire to be exposed. It turned out that Jonathan killed Jane and Alice found that out, for the first time he killed someone.

Daisy got wild again and almost killed everyone in their house. So Mae, who had no choice, killed her grand daughter. Vampire hunters thought that they still have the child so they went and tortured Jack, Alice came to help together with Peter. Jack and Alice almost died if it wasn’t for Peter… And that’s it. No other things like Twilight. SO STOP SAYING THAT THIS IS A TWILIGHT IMITATION. Might as well try reading the story first :)

The story is such a cliff-hanger, I asked miss Amanda on Twitter if there will be a book 5 for the series, but she haven’t replied yet.

QUOTES:

“Being liked for the way you looked is worse than not being liked at all.”
― Amanda Hocking, My Blood Approves

“When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn’t change. The devil changes you.”
― Amanda Hocking, My Blood Approves

“Nothing is ‘just’ anything with you”
― Amanda Hocking, My Blood Approves

“The only constant in life is that everything is always changing.”
― Amanda Hocking, Fate

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a lover not a fighter.”
― Amanda Hocking, Flutter

“But you’re the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and you’re also the best. So… I think that’s the moral of the story here. Anything worth having is worth fighting for.”
― Amanda Hocking, Wisdom

“If Peter Pan had been real, he would’ve gone mad and killed everyone in Neverland.”
― Amanda Hocking, Wisdom

SYNOPSIS:

Every so often, two people are born who are the perfect matches for each other. Soulmates. But while the odds of this happening are about as likely as being struck by lightning, when these people do meet and fall in love…thunderstorms, lightning strikes and lashings of rain are only the beginning of their problems.

Enter Poppy, the 17-year-old cynic with a serious addiction to banana milk, and Noah, the heart-throb guitarist; residents of mediocre Middletown, sometime students, and…soulmates. 

After a chance meeting at a local band night, Poppy and Noah find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before. But with a secret international agency preparing to separate them, a trail of destruction rumbling in their wake, (and a looming psychology coursework deadline), they are left with an impossible choice between the end of the world, or a life without love…

REVIEW:

Poppy, she is a girl who is against, every aspects, every single thing about love. She hates clichés. But then she met Noah, a total hottie guitarist of the band named “Growing Pain”.

And when the night came when Poppy and her best friends, Lizzie, Amanda and Ruth went to watch the new band, when the band started playing, Poppy made an eye contact with Noah then she felt it, she felt that tugging, pulling closer thing that draws them together. Now all they can think about was each other, their feelings for each other.. it’s getting stronger. It’s just too strong they can destroy everything around them, they can kill every people. Dr. Beaumont, Rain and the FBI need to take someone away from another before Noah and Poppy have sex. Unfortunately, Dr. Beaumont and the others succeeded.

I really am shaking and crying and slapping myself after reading this book. WHY? WHY HOLLY? WHY? They were… They were so happy, they don’t even have problems! They were so perfect. But the ending… WHY! I still can’t stop crying and wishing for a book 2, where they can still be with each other but, I know such thing won’t happen. Poppy, just like me hated Cliches, she doesn’t like the idea of love, she’s also very studious, I love her sense of humor and i love how she tried not to fall in love, but eventually did. Noah, he’s too good to be true, a hottie, handsome, talented guy and also he’s so full of himself but in a cute and adorable way, he’s also sweet, loving, caring most of all he’s so true to Poppy. Imagine a guy being that in love to a girl. Yeah, imagine.

TO ALL PEOPLE WHO THINKS THEY CAN NEVER HAVE THEIR HEART BROKEN, YOU MUST READ THIS AND THINK AGAIN. I RECOMMEND IT BADLY TO EVERYONE.

QUOTES:

“Much as I knew jealousy is a pointless and destructive emotion.”

–Soulmates, Holly Bourne

“You can’t change the past, that was the plan, right? Don’t fall for him, don’t let him break your heart.”

–Soulmates, Holly Bourne

“I’d wasted tears and hours of anxiety on what? A stupid boy. That wasn’t who I was.” 

–Soulmates, Holly Bourne

“I will not let that boy make me feel crap ever again.”

–Soulmates, Holly Bourne

“Well, I don’t want my happiness to depend on a boy, it never did any good to anyone.”

–Soulmates, Holly Bourneulam

SYNOPSIS:

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life – and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable.

REVIEW:

after reading this book. Jandy Nelson is now an “auto buy author” I haven’t read I’ll Give You The Sun yet, I’ll purchase it maybe when I’m over my book buying ban.
–
I love the character of Lennie. She loves her sister so much that she can’t get over her death. I love it when she writes anywhere- paper cups, napkins, candy wrapper, and even on a tree! But I hated it when she kissed Toby (her dead sisters boyfriend) like wth, even if my sister is dead, I will never make out with her boyfriend just because of the reason that both of them understands each other. I hated and pitied Toby because of that. Oh, what I hated most is that she became selfish. Lennie only cares about herself, she thinks that she is the only one grieving Bailey’s death, hell no, Grams and Big too, for the two of them loved her sister too. She forgot that she’s not the only one hurting, mourning.

Now let’s talk about Josh Bennett, he’s very jolly, at first I actually thought he’s a serious type, I’m obviously wrong. HE’s so talented and he really surprised me when he showed up in front of Lennie’s house.

The story taught me the meaning of grief and how to get over it, how to cope with lost, how to be happy again, also to value the presence of my sisters, to love them.

–

P.S Wuthering Heights was mentioned in the book for so many times, and Lennie had read it like 23 times! Sorry to say I haven’t read it. But I’m looking forward to know that story of Cathy and Heathcliff.

QUOTES:

“The sky is everywhere, it begins at your feet.”
― Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere

“… if you’re someone who knows the worst thing can happen at any time, aren’t you also someone who knows the best thing can happen at any time too?”
― Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere

“Grief is forever. It doesn’t go away; it becomes part of you, step for step, breath for breath.”
― Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere

“And then he smiles, and in all the places around the globe where it’s night, day breaks.”
― Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere

“That’s exactly it—I am crazy sad, and somewhere deep inside, all I want is to fly.”
― Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere

“Who wants to know that the person you love and need the most can just vanish forever”
― Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere

“Dreams change, yes, that makes sense, but I didn’t know dreams could hide inside a person.”
― Jandy Nelson, The Sky is Everywhere

3.5 Stars

So I expect a cute & fluffy about love and friendship with some fun action thrown in... I mean look at the cover! The cover slut in me, was so sure this was going to be a cute read, then read the blurb.. Says cute & fluffy alright, doesn't it?
But while there is a bit of romance, there are cute moments - this ain't really fluffy. Which is not a bad thing by all means. I just expected different.
Instead I got a intricate story about date rape, hazing, injustice and hierarchy in High School and the forming of new friendships

Let me just be upfront: My biggest issue with this one is the format. Though I kinda like it retrospectively. While reading it, especially the first half, I struggled. Basically i like the idea of how the novel was structured but I don't like the execution.
There are four POVs and a whole lot of cast to this one. Now I have the most atrocious name memory- so this was a nightmare for me, since I kept having to go back and check who was who. Then the different POV all sound the same- which meant if I put the book down I half the time had to go back to check who's POV I was reading. Which made this a really slow read for me. Also since I got the ARC, I kinda had to leave back page by page on my kindle- totally annoying. About 30% in I got clever and started book marking each date and time and POV...
The story is also told on different timelines- so there is jumping back and forth happening. Again I found it rather confusing at the beginning.
Retrospectively this was done really cleverly. And when the timeline collided I thought it was super brilliant.
This is however rather well written otherwise, I like Allen's writing style. (except for the issues above) And I was wondering if I would have as much issues with it, if I had a hardcopy instead of the ebook. The POV problems stands I guess, and , my name memory, I am afraid to say, is always going to be hopeless.

The character building was done well. In fact in my opinion it's the best part of the book. There is a huge cast and at the end of the book I feel like know half the school. I really like the girls and I could related to them. It was interesting to see their journey, see how they changed and how they set out to do something on a bit of a whim, but not only followed through, but kinda uncovered much deeper issues. I like the different relationships the girls have with the cast.

Would you have asked me while I was somewhere before the 50% mark how much I would rate it- It would have been somewhere between 2 and 3 Stars. In fact, if I wouldn't have like the writing style while I was at around 20% I would have DNFed. But I am so glad I didn't. Because for the second half I would rate it 4 Stars.
Allen touch me with the story and the girls and somehow everything came together. I love that the end is actually very realistic. On the face of things no huge victories but those small ones? EPIC!

A beautiful book that takes some work getting through.

On another note: I would love this as a movie- someone make this into a movie please!

I really love this book! First book that made me cry