Book: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

 

★★★½/★★★★★

“What could I become if I stopped worrying about death, about pain, about anything? If I stopped trying to belong? Instead of being afraid, I could become something to fear.”

I remember my first Holly Black book , The Darkest Part of the Forest, which I didn’t finish since I had a hard time getting into it, believe me I tried, and when I heard about her new book The Cruel Prince, I thought twice. But when I saw the cover and heard everyone raving over it, I knew I have to try again. So with a hope that I will fall in love with Holly Black’s writing this time, I decided to read it.
The book as a whole is compelling and with its beautiful cover, everyone would totally love it. With a promising plot line and faeries on the go, The Cruel Prince for me is a new world since I haven’t read many fantasy books like this one. It’s intriguing for me and this faerie world gave me a break from my usual YA read.
I actually don’t know how to write a review for this one. I’ve been trying but haven’t gotten anywhere. So, this time I’ll try harder.

“If you hurt me, I wouldn’t cry. I would hurt you back.”

First of all, I want to say that I did enjoy this book. There are strong characters though I can’t say I’m Jude’s biggest fan (or any of them). She’s headstrong but a bit annoying at times though I get where she’s coming from. She wants to be a faerie, more likely wants to prove those who belittles her that she can be better than them so she does everything to acquire power or position in Elfhame. Taryn, Jude’s twin sister, is a miss for me. I get her role in the book but she didn’t quite interest me. She’s a bit immature and I like Vivi more. Now, Cardan is a complex character for me. I didn’t get him and had a hard time figuring him out. I didn’t like him until the latter part of the book and that’s only because I finally understood why he’s such an ass. The others, Cardan’s friends, the other faeries and such, well, I think it’d be better if they were developed as well because I was confused as hell. I didn’t know which is which and that was hard given that I wasn’t familiar with them. The world building was okay, plot line was good, I enjoyed the twists and turns of events and I think the ending was the highlight for me.
Like I said, I haven’t read many books like this one and the idea of faerie world to me is quite exciting. I actually expected more from the world-building but I guess that’s all I’ll get.

“If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.”

Overall it’s an okay read. I couldn’t get into it the first few pages and there were times I got bored but the middle part got me through it. For me, it’s not that world shattering or mind blowing like what others felt but it’s good enough that I want to read the next book. If anything, I think I’m more excited than what I want to admit since the ending left me wanting more. I want to see what happens next!

 

 Youngblood by 5 Seconds of Summer

.

Remember the words you told me, “love me till the day I die”
Surrendered my everything ’cause you made me believe you’re mine
Yeah, you used to call me baby, now you’re calling me by name
Takes one to know one, yeah, you beat me at my own damn gameYou’re pushing, you’re pushing, I’m pulling away, pulling away from you
I give and I give and I give and you take, give and you take

Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me out of your life
And I’m just a dead man walking tonight
But you need it, yeah, you need it all of the time, yeah ooh ooh ooh
Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me back in your life
So I’m just a dead man crawling tonight
‘Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time, yeah ooh ooh ooh

Lately our conversations end like it’s the last goodbye
Yeah, one of us gets too drunk and calls about a hundred times
So who’ve you been calling baby, nobody could take my place
When you’re looking at those strangers, hope to God you see my face

Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me out of your life
And I’m just a dead man walking tonight
But you need it, yeah, you need it all of the time, yeah ooh ooh ooh
Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me back in your life
So I’m just a dead man crawling tonight
‘Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time, yeah ooh ooh ooh
You’re pushing, you’re pushing, I’m pulling away, pulling away from you
I give and I give and I give and you take, give and you take
You’re running around and I’m running away, running away from you
Mmm, from you

Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me out of your life
And I’m just a dead man walking tonight
But you need it, yeah, you need it all of the time, yeah ooh ooh ooh
Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me back in your life
So I’m just a dead man crawling tonight
‘Cause I need it, yeah, I need it all of the time, yeah ooh ooh ooh

You’re pushing, you’re pushing, I’m pulling away, pulling away from you
I give and I give and I give and you take, give and you take

Youngblood
Say you want me, say you want me out of your life
And I’m just a dead man walking tonight

 

–azlyrics

Poem: Hurting

It hurts when you say things like that
It hurts when you don’t trust the words I say
It kills me to know that you don’t believe me
It truly hurts when we fight this way.

I know it’s hard because you’ve been hurt
I know it hurts when you can’t trust the words I say
It kills you to know that I’m hurting
Yet we still fight like this everyday
 

April 2018 Music Videos

Drinkin About You - Jake Miller (Apr 2)

Let Me - Zayn Malik (Apr 12)

Hair Too Long - The Vamps (Apr 20)

27 - Machine Gun Kelley (Apr 21)

Afterglow - All Time Low (Apr 25)

Youngblood - 5 Seconds of Summer (Apr 26)

Book: The Witch Doesn’t Burn in this One by Amanda Lovelace

 

★★★★★/★★★★★

didn’t
you know
there
could be

shelves
upon
shelves
upon
shelves
of books

written
about
your
strength?

-as always, the women save themselves in this one

Amanda Lovelace has become my instant favorite the moment I read The Princess Saves Herself in this One and when I found out that there would be a second book to this beautiful poetry collection, I just knew I needed to read it! The first book made me feel all sort of feelings it being so powerful and honest and emotional that it went straight to my all time favorite books! I think I’m just such an emotional person that I feel everything the book wantede to feel even though I didn’t go through all those experiences myself.

Like the first book, the second book is divided into parts, each telling us different messages, some hurt, some encouraging and some just plain honest.

say it
with me
now:
“i am a woman
i am a human
& i matter with
no conditions
attached.
you may not
see my worth,
but i do.
i do.”
-dear women

Overall, I LOVED this book as much as the first! Highly recommended if you’re looking for a relatable and encouraging words, especially if you’re a woman.

March 2018 Music Videos

No Excuses - Meghan Trainor (Mar 1)

The Champion - Carrie Underwood ft. Ludacris (Mar 2)

 I Believe - DJ Khaled ft. Demi Lovato (Mar 7)

Delicate - Taylor Swift (Mar 11)

Alien - Sabrina Carpenter & Jonas Blues (Mar 29)

Poem: With You

I see the beauty of life
when I look in your eyes,
Your touch, your words, your lips,
everything feels nice,
with you.

I feel my heart beating fast
whenever you hold my hand,
You smile, I smile, we kiss,
everything is perfect,
with you.

I love the feeling when you say 
“Take care”, “Eat well”, and “I love you!”
You make me happy, you make me feel important,
And I’m so in love,
with you.

Poem: Trying

I lay down for today
Trying to forget the day’s sadness
And every yesterday’s

I close my eyes now
Trying to tell myself it’s okay
And that I will be

Then I dream about myself
Trying to wake up from this nightmare
And all the others

I try and try and try
Believing I’ll wake up soon
And then I try again

from me to you #37

Hiiiiiii! Oh I’ve missed blogging! So, I’m back from a week of vacation and it was great and fun and amazing! I mean, I really needed that off from work and everything else and now I feel… well, like myself again. 😁 Anyhow, I missed this! I missed writing, I missed reading blogs, I missed talking to you all lovely people but I especially missed reading! You see, when I filed that vacation leave I also told myself I would take a break from reading, too, because lately I was kinda not in the mood to read and yes, we call it a slump. I have books I’ve been meaning to finish for a while now that until now are still sitting on my night stand. But, but! now I’m back and I’m all fired up to read everything I left behind.

My friends and I travelled north and it was three days of fun and adventure. We visited museums, windmills, beaches, falls and even tried sand boarding! It was crazy fun though my expecience was not that good. My boyfriend and I shared a board and unfortunately it went a little off track causing us to crash. But still, we were okay and the experience were great for our friends. It was also Valentine’s Day on our second day and I was happy to spend it not only with my boyfriend but also with my lovely friends!

Well, I’ll tell you more about my vacation in a separate post because for now I just want you to know now I’m so totally back with blogging! I know I’ve missed out on so much but hopefully I catch up. Okay then, until my next post. Bye for now. Happy reading!

January 2018 Music Videos

 What Lovers Do - Maroon 5 ft. SZA (Jan 3)

End Game - Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran and Future (Jan 11)

 IDGAF - Dua Lipa (Jan 12)

Finesse - Brunor Mars ft. Cardi B (Jan 25) 

Say Sorry - Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton (Jan 25) 

 For You - Rita Ora & Liam Payne (Jan 26)

 Middle - Zedd, Maren Morris, Grey (Jan 28)

Capital Letters - Hailee Steinfeld (Jan 31)

Poem: Why?

10.42 pm

I miss you tonight
I miss your voice that tells me goodnight
I long for the sweet words that make me smile
Why aren’t you with me tonight?

I miss your touch
I miss it when you tell me you miss me so much
I want to feel your warmth all around me
Why are we losing touch?

I miss you
I miss you so much
I need you tonight and forever
Why aren’t you kissing me goodnight?

HARRY STYLES LIVE IN MANILA 2018

It was announced last night that One Direction member Harry Styles will be performing here in Manila on May 1, 2018 at the Mall of Asia Arena! 

It won't be Styles' first time here in the country for his group already performed in a two-day sold out shows here back in 2015.

Tickets for the show will be available starting June 19 via SM Tickets. For more details visit MMI Live.