Browsing Tag

young adult

reviews August 11, 2013

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Evernight (Evernight 1) by Claudia Gray

Bianca wants to escape. 

At the eerily Gothic Evernight Academy, the other students are sleek, smart, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn’t fit in.

When she meets handsome, brooding Lucas he warns her to be careful–even when it comes to caring about him. But the connection between them can’t be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart…and to make Bianca question everything she’s ever believed. (Goodreads)

When sixteen year old Bianca’s parents decides they’re moving to Evernight Academy where they are starting as teachers, Bianca is horrified. Being extremely shy, bit of a loner and living in the same place her whole life, she’s not looking forward to this.

The night before the school starts she makes an attempt to run away and runs into Lucas who is also starting at the Evernight Academy. Lucas is a loner, and not to mention good-looking, and they start to spend time together.
But then one night Bianca nearly looses control and nothing is like it seems.

Girl goes into new school where everyone are rich, snobby, beautiful and bunch of vampires and a hot guy and there’s basically everything that goes on in this book.
I’ve read worse books but this wasn’t great either. But at least it was enjoyable.

Bianca makes some idiotic choices like trying to run away with nothing but flashlight. I mean who does that? And of course fall head over heels with the first boy she meets.

And what is with vampires going into school? Especially when this is a school where nearly everyone is a vampire then why about 400 year old goes into school? I admit that I laughed when teacher tries to explain ipod to a guy from 7th century but still.

The first half was pretty slow paced but action started to pick up in the second half. I’m still in two minds what to think about this but it was quick and enjoyable read.

3/5
Published: HarperTeen (2009)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 327
Source: my own

reviews August 10, 2013

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Abandon (Abandon Trilogy 1) by Meg Cabot

Last year, Pierce died – just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it’s his job to usher souls from one realm to the next.

There’s a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld. But now things are getting dangerous for her, and her only hope is to do exactly what John says . . . (Goodreads)

Pierce moves to Isla Huesos with her mom after her parent’s divorce and Pierce’s near death experience. One day she was trying to save a bird and ended up in a pool and hitting her head. While dead she ends up in a mysterious world where she meets this gorgeous boy John. After John explains that she has to stay in that world, Pierce panicked and escaped. But now John has appeared at Pierce’s new school and weird things are happening.

I’ve heard lot about Cabot’s books and I was curious to try this.
I liked the idea of Underworld and Persephone and all but it ended being just flat. I didn’t feel any chemistry between Pierce and John but gladly there was no love triangle. Can’t say the same about insta-love though. Can’t blame Pierce bolting after you hear you’re dead and you’re supposed to live there with this guy you met once when you were 7 years old.

I wasn’t too crazy about Pierce either who was too annoying and whiny but the book was rather enjoyable but I don’t see the hype over Cabot’s books.

3/5
Published: Macmillan (2011)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 297
Source: my own

reviews August 10, 2013

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina (Seraphina 1) by Rachel Hartman

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty’s anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen’s Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life. (Goodreads)

Seraphina is half-dragon, a thing that is supposed to be a myth. She’s able to recall her birth, remembers her time as a baby and has her late mother’s memories. She has always loved music but her father doesn’t let her play it. After Seraphina finally convinces her father into letting her get lessons, Phina soon starts to get attention for her skill.

Seraphina is drawn into court politics after Prince Rufus is found dead supposedly by dragon attack. While working with Prince Lucian Kiggs to resolve the murder, she finds that secrets are getting harder to keep.

What a great start for the year! I loved this book and I’m happy I chose this for the first book of the year.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a book where dragons play such a big role so can’t compare to anything but I loved the idea. It was interesting to see how dragons could have view humans.

I loved Seraphina and Kiggs and I so hope they end up together! And yey for no-insta-love! Even after realizing she loves Kiggs, she could use her brain and think rationally.

Oh why writing reviews for books you love is so much harder? So I’ll just say I loved the book and I’m surely reading the next one too!

4,5/5
Published: Random House (2012)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 451
Source: library

reviews August 10, 2013

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices 1) by Cassandra Clare

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them…. (Goodreads)

16-year old Tessa is heading to Victorian England in search of her brother. She’s kidnapped by mysterious Dark Sisters and learns she has the ability to transform into another person. She also learns there are Shadowhunters who are fighting against the demons.

Hmm…. What to say about the book? So this is a prequel to Mortal Instruments but I’ve only read the first book City of Bones.

Tessa is a likeable person but just couldn’t connect with her. I liked Jem who was a sweetheart but couldn’t see what’s the deal with Will. Most of the time he was just annoying and rude. I also didn’t see any chemistry between Tessa and Will or is it supposed to be in later books?

I don’t really know what to say about this. This was easy and quick to read but in couple of months I won’t be able to remember what happened here. It was entertaining but that’s it. I’m in two ways if I should try the second book but we’ll see.

3/5
Published: Walker (2010)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 479
Source: library

reviews August 10, 2013

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy 5) by Richelle Mead

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Siberia, Dimitri’s birthplace, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s — and to her best friend, Lissa Dragomir. It’s graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives outside of the Academy’s cold iron gates to finally begin. But even with the intrigue and excitement of court life looming, Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri. He’s out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance, and now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won’t join him, he won’t rest until he’s silenced her…forever.

But Rose can’t forget what she learned on her journey — whispers of a magic too impossible and terrifying to comprehend. A magic inextricably tied to Lissa that could hold the answer to all of Rose’s prayers, but not without devastating consequences. Now Rose will have to decide what — and who — matters most to her. And in the end, is true love really worth the price? (Goodreads)

Rose is finally graduating from the Academy and only the last trial is ahead. But she hasn’t given up on getting Dimitri back and with Lissa’s help she uses the information she gathered in Blood Promise. But they need help from Victor who is in prison.

There are times I don’t understand what makes me read these books but I can’t help myself. I need to know what happens to these people and if they have some sense in the end.

In the last book I thought Rose had finally matured little and damn now were back on square one. Okay, there was parts where she acted like responsible person and the she’s back on being childish and selfish.
She’s taking guarding Lissa seriously but when her relationships are concerned I just want to slap her. Rose is supposed to be with Adrian, or at least give him a chance but instead she’s obsessed getting Dimitri back. And even when Dimitri tells he’s no longer interested she just don’t get it. And she’s still with Adrian! I was reminded how slutty I thought her to be in book 1.

I’m glad that Dimitri is back but oh the drama! I get that he regrets the things he did as strigoi but the way he wants to protect Rose even though she doesn’t mind the things he did. Or enough not wanting to be with him anyway.

I’m starting to like Adrian but I wish he finds someone better than Rose to be with. Just saying…

3,5/5
Published: Puffin (2010)
Format: Paperback
Pages: 479
Source: library