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!

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.

Book: Worlds of You by Beau Taplin

★★★★★/★★★★★

My Demons

You deserve everything there is to give.
Breakfast in bed.
Diamonds on your doorstep.
Little notes hidden everywhere.
I want you to have all of my secrets
and all of my demons,
because you especially deserve
all the parts of me
I’m usually too afraid to share.

This. Is. Beautiful. This poetry collection by Beau Taplin will surely capture your heart from the very first page. It’s simply wonderful that I can not stop myself from reading. I knew right from the beginning that this will be a special book for me and I was right. Because until now I’m still in love with it. The words, the emotion and everything is perfect!

Fallback
My heart does not
have a fall back,
no plan B
or fail-safe,
it’s you
or no one else.

I’ve read several poetry books before but aside from The Princess Saves Herself In This One by Amanda Lovelace, this one is by far my favorite!! The book is divided into two sections, Heart and Spirit. The first part is all about matters of the heart, for when you’re in love, heartbroken, need encouraging or facing challenges. The latter is more on self-love, healing and understanding. Taplin’s words are inspiring and beautiful thay they all touched me! I loved it! I adore his work!

Overall, it’s highly recommended! Like, everyone should read this one!

Book: Frostblood (Frostblood Sage #1) by Elly Blake

 ★★★/★★★★★

“Those who can't control themselves will find themselves under the control of others.”

Well, it's not like I didn't enjoy this book but there are some things that didn't quite sit well with me. You may say there's nothing special about this book because you've read something like this before, I have, but there were surprisingly some elements that I did enjoy. The book itself felt unoriginal with all its Fire vs Ice and "the girl" saving the world tropes so in short, this book is your typical YA fantasy. 

The book tells the story of Ruby Otrera, a Fireblood living in a world of Frostbloods. She's probably the last of her kind since the Frost King orders the death of any Fireblood in their kingdom. When she is found by the soldiers, Ruby witnesses the death of her mother and village in their hands. She is then kept in prison for months until two hooded figures visit and offer her freedom. Soon, Ruby is training with Arcus and living in an abbey with the monks with a mission to kill the Frost King.

“Frostbloods are fully capable of feeling in every way. The danger is that those emotions, while powerful and deep, may be covered with a layer of ice that prevents the natural expression of them.”

I didn't instantly liked the characters but Ruby was a so-so. In the beginning she's weak, scarred and the typical heroine who questions the world why she's the chosen one. She doesn't make wise decisions and sometimes too stubborn for her own good. Arcus, I liked less especially when his character shifted from being all too mean to somehow bearable! I mean, one second he's mad at Ruby but the next he's all sweetheart. Argh! I loved the monks so I think there's that. The pacing was sloooow up until the middle of the book where everything started to get intense. There was actually a point when the whole book felt just like a long premise/introduction to the real book!

The world-building is okay since you already know what to expect. The romance, yes there is, felt forced. I think it would've been okay if there was none but there just have to be one! Then there's the division between the Firebloods and Frostbloods, with the former as dominant. Worlds with this kind of divisions always end up in war so we also know what to expect with this kind of trope. And like I said, I did like some things in this book. For starter, I liked the cover! And that counts. Another thing is the myth on how the Frostbloods and Firebloods were created, it wasn't new but I think that was interesting. There's also a bit of the twist I admit I didn't see coming. Aside from those, all the others we just okay for me.

Overall, Frostblood is an okay book. I'll probably read the next book at some point but not soon.

Book: Without Merit by Coolen Hoover

 ★★★★/★★★★★    

“Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.”

So, I’ve probably said this a thousand times before that Colleen Hoover is a brilliant writer because yes, she is! I love all her books (even the ones I haven’t read, Lol) and now I can’t help but love her even more. Without Merit is my latest read from Hoover and I still can’t get over it until now. It’s one of the last books I finished last year.

Honestly, for me, it’s not Hoover’s best but it’s just as brilliant as her other books! There are relatable characters, exciting storyline and some unpredictable twists and turns. Also, I dove into the story without really reading the plot so I’d no idea what to expect but I trusted Hoover. Fortunately, Hoover never disappoints! I love every part of the book and yes, I’m in love with Sagan, as I am with Hoover’s other Male leads. Hahaha.

Without Merit deals with issues around a family who’s like any other. A family with divorced parents, sibling rivalries and a wicked step mom. It stars Merit Voss, a girl who feels left out because she doesn’t know a thing about her family, or rather she knows everything about the member of her family. There’s Barnaby Voss, her father who cheated on his wife with his wife’s nurse. Victoria Voss, her mother who never leaves the basement because she’s sick. Utah Voss, the older brother with a secret that hurt Merit. Then there’s Honor Voss, Merit’s exact opposite though they’re identical twins. The other Victoria, Victoria’s (the first) nurse, the one Barnaby cheated with. And of course, there’s Luck which I came to really love at first but ended up hating a lot! Sagan, well, he’s the only normal character in the story, I guess, and oh, the sweet innocent Moby too,, of course! Butspite having complicated characters, they are all well-developed and I love how the story unfolds. I can say I related much with the story and if anything, it gives us a good message: it’ll surprise you how much communicating with your family will strengthen your relationship with them!

“I like you enough to kiss you. Believe me. But I just wish you could like yourself as much as I like you.”

Merit and Sagan hit it off the first time they met and I’ll be honest, it was a bit predictable but I didn’t care. I love how the story went and every turn of the page was like “can’t you just get together now please?!” because I was rooting for them from the very first page. Anyway, I know I’m not really giving you an informative review but there’s only one thing you need to know about this book: it’s crazy but not far from the reality of some family out there.

Book: Making Faces by Amy Harmon

★★★★★/★★★★★

“Maybe everyone represents a piece of the puzzle. We all fit together to create this experience we call life. None of us can see the part we play or the way we see are just the tip of the iceberg. And maybe we just don't recognize the blessings that come as a result of terrible things.”

My first book of Amy Harmon surely left a mark on me. Making Faces is a beautifully written story of scarred people, both emotionally and physically, that will definitely melt your heart. It's such an emotional book with a brilliant storyline and characters you will surely love.

Making Faces tells the story of Fern Taylor, Ambrose Young and Bailey Sheen, three people who share their passion in wrestling. The lives of these three are connected in such a way they live to support, care and love each other. Fern is one of those characters you will immediately love. She's kind-hearted, loving and she cares so much for her cousin, Bailey, who has a muscular dystrophy. She doesn't see herself as pretty but plain and she has the biggest crush on the handsome Ambrose Young who doesn't see her. Ambrose is a wrestler in high school. It's his sport, the one thing he lives for. Same for Bailey who loves wrestling, but because of his disease he can't even lift his arm without Fern's help.

“I want to be a hero.” Bailey looked at Fern gravely, as if he was disclosing highly classified information. “I don't know what kind yet. Maybe like Hercules or Bruce Baumgartner. And if I can't be a hero like that, then maybe I could just save someone.”

My heart broke for Bailey everytime. He's a sweet guy, full of charms and his love for life made me want to hug him! He knew eventually he's going to die but that doesn't scare him, if anything it makes him want to live more, do more and enjoy everything to the fullest. He and Fern are so close they are practically brother and sister. He is also friends with Ambrose and the rest of the wrestling team since his father is their coach. He's watched every camp his father had with them and with it formed a dream of becoming a great wrestler like Ambrose.

As the story unfolds, we see how Ambrose decided to join the military together with his friends. Fern and Bailey continue to care for each other, left in their little town. Life continues until people in Fern's town receive a bad news. It's a tragedy that will stay in them for a long time.

I've cried a lot of times because of this book. It hurt and my heart ached for everyone. Honestly, I know what will happen next but it still broke my heart. It's deeply moving and it relays a beautiful message about beauty not only being physical. My first Amy Harmon book and I totally loved it!

“If God made all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?
Does he make the legs that cannot walk and eyes that cannot see?
Does he curl the hair upon my head 'til it rebels in wild defiance?
Does he close the ears of a deaf man to make him more reliant?
Is the way I look a coincidence or just a twist of fate?
If he made me this way, is it okay, to blame him for the things I hate?
For the flaws that seem to worsen every time I see a mirror,
For the ugliness I see in me, for the loathing and the fear.
Does he sculpt us for sure, for a reason I can't see?
If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?”

Overall, Making Faces is a highly recommended book! An emotional book with brilliant storyline and beautiful characters.

Book: Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

★★★★/★★★★★

“Is this how it goes? You fall in love, and nothing seems truly scary anymore, and life is one big possibility?”

Always and Forever, Lara Jean was a big surprise when Jenny Han first announced that To All the Boys I've Loved Before (review here) will have a third book. Everyone was excited, so was I! The first two books were lovely and swoon-worthy but I think my favorite is Always and Forever, Lara Jean.

The conclusion to Lara Jean and Peter's story is inside Always and Forever, Lara Jean which I think is so cute and just perfect. I can't say I was a big fan of Peter Kavinsky in P.S. I Still Love You (review here), or To All The Boys I've Loved Before for that matter, but in this book, he's just so adorable and he's such a sweetheart! 

“Peter will love Lara Jean with all his heart, always”

 Lara Jean is enjoying her last year in high school; she's in love with her boyfriend Peter, her dad is going remarried and Margot will be home just in time for the wedding which excites them all. Everything is going right and she's having the best time of her life when suddenly her plans change when her College acceptance letter arrives. It makes Lara Jean think of a new plan which might affect her relationship with Peter. 

I love how the book focuses on Lara Jean and some of the changes in her life. Her father re-marrying Ms. Rothschild is a big change for them and I love how it makes not only her but Kitty and Margot as well to grow and accept the new addition to their family. Graduating high school and going to College is another big thing for Lara Jean and when her plan to go to the same university with Peter has changed, she has to think of a way how to compromise. Of course she wants to stay in a relationship with Peter and she's going to do everything just to keep it. 

All the characters have grown so much in me and I still love how heartwarming the story is. Lara Jean getting even closer with her family, her relationship with Chris (yes, her bestfriend, Chris!) and Peter, how she makes big decisions for herself and how much she's matured in this book. And the romance, of course I'm going to talk about the romance! Lara Jean and Peter are just sooo cute I want to keep them to myself! Peter Kavinsky actually made me fall in love with him!

“Being vulnerable, letting people in, getting hurt... it's all part of being in love.” 

Overall I adored this book! And if only it's not the last book! My advice, if you want a cute and lovely read, try To All the Boys I've Loved Before series if you haven't already. It wouldn't disappoint.

Book: Stuff I've Been Feeling Lately by Alicia Cook

★★★/★★★★★

Stuff I've Been Feeling Lately is another poetry book I was excited to get my hands on. It talks about grief, loss, love and such which will surely hit you at some point. The book is divided into two sides, Side A and Side B, and each side has track list like a cassette tape. 

Side A has full length poems, some I related with and some I totally loved! The song associated at the end of each poem also added some impact which I also liked. Side B has black out version of some poems from Side A which I think are my favorites.

Track Twenty Five
I am never going to be the girl with the perfectly
straightened hair or creased clothing. Even at my
most put together, I’ll look a bit   d i s h e v e l e d.
My socks will never match, but no one will notice
that except for my lover and airport security. At
the most inopportune times, I’ll have a run in my
stocking or a runny nose.
I’ll combine foods even a pregnant woman
wouldn’t crave. On way more than one occasion,
my friends have said out loud, I would not want to
spend one minute in your head.
I was always aware of what I encompassed. I have
never tried to conform because I did not feel the
pressure to do so (thanks, Mom!). Yes, this self-
assurance led to my grade school years being a
living hell, but even then I recognized that time
of my life as temporary .
I do not fear, nor am I ashamed of, myself.
As long as I am happy, it is my God-given right
to be odd. To be my true self.

Currently Listening To:
Taylor Swift, “Mean”

Track Sixty Three

Book: The Night Stalker (Detective Erika Foster #2) by Robert Bryndza

★★★★/★★★★★

“My point is that bad people are everywhere. The world is filled with good, but it’s equally overwhelmed with bad. People who commit horror and evil. You have to concentrate on what you can do, what you can influence. The ones who you can hunt down.”

Several months ago I picked up and enjoyed The Girl in the Ice, the first book in the Detective Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza, and now I just finished the second book The Night Stalker which I can say I liked better. We see more inside of Erika's character and I know she's not perfect, she has her flaws and all, but don't we all have some? She may act all though in front of her colleagues but deep inside she's also scarred. And that's what makes her an interesting protagonist.

With a suspenseful start, The Night stalker was able to keep me glued to the pages while Detective Erika Foster tries to catch yet another serial killer. It starts off with Erika and her team investigating the murder of Dr. Munro, which at first they suspected has something to do with gay bashing because of the gay magazines they found on the scene but when they found another body, killed in the same manner as Dr. Munro, they start to think otherwise. And if there's one thing Erika is sure, it is that there's another serial killer in town and she's going to get him. Or her.

The twists and turn of events made the book more thrilling and I liked playing the game of guessing who the killer is or who will be the next victim every time I read something like this! I always try to guess or find clues but in this one I failed to. I was actually quite impressed with the flow of the story and how Bryndza put depth into every character in the book. The respect and loyalty between Erika and his colleague were something I also liked. I especially adored Peterson and Moss! And Isaac! We see more of Erika and Isaac's friendship in the book and I liked it because we see a different side of Erika whenever she's with Isaac.

Isaac put his hand on hers. 
“You can’t save the world, Erika.”
“But I could do a better job trying,” she said, wiping away a tear.

That said, The Night Stalker is a great sequel to The Girl In The Ice and Bryndza did a good job in this one. More compelling plot line, well-developed characters and an intriguing character for a killer!

Book: Her by Pierre Alex Jeanty

★★★★★/★★★★★

She hesitates
when it comes to opening up
because she has fallen in love
too quickly before and none of those
she fell for opened their arms to catch her.

Can you blame her for making sure that
your hands are big enough
to hold her heart,
your intentions are true enough
for your arms to open,
and you’re strong enough to catch her.

Another poetry collection that I totally loved! I related to almost everything inside this book and every piece spoke to me. It's empowering and all the feelings were real that I was touched though sometimes it hurt.

She is independent, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t like having someone she can depend on.

It's really a lovely book with beautifully written and inspiring words. If you find yourself looking for a great poetry collection, I highly recommend you pick this one up!

You deserve
to be with
someone
who searches
for the beautiful
things in you 

Book: Jigsaw Man by Elena Forbes

★★★/★★★★★

“What matters is that people are going missing. They leave home one day and don't come back. Loved ones are left waiting, hoping... Hoping that the ring of a phone or the sound of a key in the lock is the person they're desperately missing. But they're not coming back, are they? There's a nutter on the loose and he needs to be stopped. How many more victims do you think are going to be taken off the streets, killed and set on fire? How many?”

I decided to read this book even though I was aware that it was already the fourth in the Mark Tartaglia series and well, it was a book I got on sale last month. The title intrigued me so much when I first saw it and the blurb surely is interesting. I haven't read a lot of police procedural books but I love watching them! I enjoy it more when I watch people solve mysteries and they go around asking this and that, trying to make sense of what's happening. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this book, I did, I'm just saying that I feel like I'll enjoy it more if it's a tv show or something. But that's just me!

I've also read that you can read this book even if you haven't read the previous ones since this can be a standalone but of course there were mentions of past incidents from the previous books and after all it's a series. And I might've enjoyed it a little more if I've read the first three books since I've probably made connection with the characters already but I have to be fine by meeting the characters for the first time in the fourth book. 

Jigsaw Man has great characters, I liked DI Mark Tartaglia right away and almost everyone else. I was a bit unsure about Sam Donovan at first, maybe because I don't know her story yet since I haven't read the first three books, but I came to understand her character towards the end. The flow of the story was smooth and I was excited all throughout to find out why the victims were killed, how they were connected and especially who the killer was. Like everyone else, I tried guessing every time but ended up just reading on and waiting until it was revealed. And to make things more interesting, we have two different cases in this book which means two different killers. 

It was just a little disappointing to find out that there was no real significance in sewing together of the bodies. I mean, it wasn't explained why the killer did that and I really thought the two cases were connected. With Mark being in the same hotel and all, I really thought it meant something. Anyway, it's still a good book if you give it a chance. Hope you enjoy!

Book: This Modern Love by Will Darbyshire

★★★★/★★★★

Dear Danny,
You are the definition of cliché;
Showing up at my doorstep with flowers,
Writing poems and love letters,
Framing our memories on your bedroom walls,
And filling up my life with laughter.
So predictable but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
To many more years together,
Faly
Singapore

I finished This Modern Love in one sitting last night and let me tell you, it's amazing! I accidentally found this book while browsing for new books to read and I'm glad I did when I did! It's a collection of letters, stories and photographs which are all lovely, heartwarming but also heartbreaking.

It's divided into three sections; beginning, middle and end. The beginning includes letters about crushes and when you first start falling in love. It's really fun reading all those letters, some I definitely related with and most were adorable. The middle section includes thank you letters sent by those in a relationship and the end section is composed of letters by people who had their heart broken before.

To my crush,
You’re the reason for the soft smile upon my face, the reason for my rosy cheeks and racing heart.
Thank you, just for being you.
Hannah
Connecticut, USA

***
Dear —— ,
I pushed you away and put up a wall to keep you out. To keep from getting hurt. I was scared of how I felt. I was scared I would hurt you, that you would hurt me. But now I know that you are perfect, perfect for me. I want you, no I need you. I want to spend every night holding your hand and be wrapped in your embrace. I want someone to care about me and protect me from all that is bad in this world. I just want you. I want you to love me again like I love you.
Danielle
Australia

***
Dear guy who I used to know,
I wish you never took me to the movies in my favorite cinema. I wish you never took me to my favorite restaurant. I wish you never spent christmas with me. I wish you never took me to Amsterdam. I wish you never kissed and hugged me in my room. I wish you never told me that you loved me at my favorite spot in my hometown. I wish you never gave me my favorite book for my birthday.
You’re gone now, but all my favorite places and things still remind me of you. They aren’t my favorite places and things anymore.
Anonymous

I really enjoyed reading the whole book. It has a good concept, letting people express their feelings through letters and if only I knew about this project, I would've joined and sent my letters.

Book: Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

★★★/★★★★★

“You fall in and out of love, but when you really love someone...it's forever.”

 Can You Keep A Secret? was my first book of Sophie Kinsella and I fell so in love with it. I adored the story so much that it took me weeks to get over it. Then a few months later I picked up I've Got Your Number and the same thing happened. By then I was sure that I'll love everything Kinsella will write. A couple of months ago I picked up my third Sophie Kinsella book, Wedding Night, and with my past experiences with her books I thought I'll enjoy this one too. Don't get me wrong, Wedding Night was fun and fluffy but unlike CYKAS and IGYN, it wasn't everything I expected. 

Lottie has been waiting for her boyfriend Richard to propose to her ever since and when Richard finally starts dropping hints, Lottie can't contain her excitement anymore. The night the proposal is supposed to happen, Lottie is very nervous and happy at the same time. But to her surprise, no proposal happened and Richard actually has no plans for them whatsoever. Now, Lottie is known to make rash decisions every time she's upset or things don't go the way she wants them to, so when the proposal didn't happen, her sister Fliss is so sure she'll do something stupid or something she'll regret in the future. True enough, after Richard broke her heart, Lottie decides to meet with her ex boyfriend Ben after she gets a call from him. They have dinner and right then and there decided they want to get married. Then it's Fliss' time to make Lottie see clear, to make her realize that marrying her ex boyfriend from 15 years ago won't make her forget about Richard.

“Men who want to get married propose. You don’t need to read the signs. They propose and that’s the sign.”

I loved Lottie and Fliss! They were adorable and the two of them together was hilarious. It's just that sometimes I didn't understand the decisions/choices Lottie made. And I get why Fliss did those disastrous things but I don't know, it's out of character. The other characters were fine but I didn't like Ben for some reasons. The whole story was fine, I was laughing most of the time and sometimes can't help but pity Lottie and Ben for how unlucky they were. 

Overall I did enjoy the book though there were instances it felt flat for me. It's hilarious, fluffy and it's a little different from the other Sophie Kinsella books I've read but it's still good.

Book: Chocolate Shoes and Wdding Blues by Trisha Ashley

★★★/★★★★★

“When you were a little girl you wanted to run the shop when you grow up and find the right Cinderella shoes, as you called them, for every bride.”

I'm a big fan of a good chick lit and I can say I enjoyed Tansy Poole's story. Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues was my first book of Trisha Ashley and the first time I saw the cover I was sold. The words chocolates and wedding, not to mention shoes, were enough to make me buy this book.

The story follows Tansy Poole's story when she inherits her Aunt Nan's shoe shop in Sticklepond. She lives with her fiance Justin in London but with their relationship going downside, Tansy decides to stay in Sticklepond and think things through while managing her new shop. Enters an old friend/first love, Ivo Hawksley, who transfers to the cottage next to Tansy's shop to mend his broken heart after the death of his wife.

It's been a fun read and the story is a bit predictable but you won't help but love the characters. I especially liked Tansy and Aunt Nan's relationship. They were so close my heart broke when Aunt Nan passed away. The bond between people in their town is also admirable. They look out for each other and support each other in everything. I didn't like Justin and Tansy's stepsisters all throughout and Ivo was a little annoying a first but I grew to like him in the end.

Overall it's a good read, there were repetitions of sentences and a lot of exclamation marks but still, I enjoyed the whole book.

Book: Salt by Nayyirah Waheed

 ★★★/★★★★★

even the small poems mean something. they are often
whales in the bodies of tiny fish.

Well, it took me a long time to finally get around this book but now I know why a lot of people loved it.

This poetry collection is beautiful but it hurts at the same time. It touches the subject like racism, sexism and those are difficult but important topics. Some pieces hit me hard but some I just didn't connect with.

you
are
your
own
standard of
beauty.
–– mirror work

knowing your power
is what creates
humility.
not knowing your power
is what creates
insecurity.
–– ego

Book: King (King #1) by T.M. Frazier

★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

“Stop being alive, and start living.”  

I've had this book with me for a while now and been meaning to read it but didn't have the time until last week. And to say I wasn't excited to get my hands on it when I first saw it was an understatement. I always love a good dark romance and with all the good reviews I'd seen, I was convinced that I'll totally love this book. 

On the contrary, I was a bit disappointed when I got around the book. I admit I haven't read that many dark romances but I had my expectations and sadly with King, I was underwhelmed. The plot has potential but I don't think it was well developed. There were heavy scenes that felt flat to me and though the writing is good, I think Frazier could've done better. Same with the characters. I really wanted to like Doe and King but they failed to appeal to me. I don't know what's wrong but I wasn't hooked with their story and at times they actually annoyed me.

“I found myself again in the most unlikely place. I’d found myself again in the haunted eyes of a girl who was just as lost as I was. Or maybe, we didn’t find each other at all. Maybe, we just decided to be lost together.”

 Right from the start I didn't know what to expect from Doe. She's lost her memories, she's homeless and just barely surviving. She's scared but she knew she has to survive so when opportunity presents itself, she knew she has to grab it. She's desperate. Next thing she knew she's at Brantley King's party with a newfound friend. There are bikers which to her mean protection. And though she's terrified, she knew she has to score one if she wanted to stay alive longer. 

King is a big bad boy. He lives outside the law. He's an ex-con who just got out of prison and is ready to get back to his old life when Doe suddenly shows up. Of course there's an instant attraction between Doe and King but both didn't want to act on it. It's too complicated for them. But along the way they start to grow closer and at some point decided they need to feel each other.

I know I should love King because I'm always drawn to alpha asshole jerks but for some reasons I didn't. I think he's too much to handle though there were times when I rooted for him.

“I would have given anything in the world for that smile and that breath, to have not been his very last.”

Of all the characters I think my most favorite is Preppy. He made me laugh, cry, giggle and cry some more! He's a very endearing character and I love that Doe has found a friend in him. He's damn funny and he broke my heart. Same with Grace. I think she's very sweet and lovely. 

Overall, I did enjoy the book a bit but there were so many things that didn't work for me. I failed to connect with the characters. Doe is too nice and too forgiving at times that it's maddening already. I also didn't get that way she acts sometimes and for someone who has amnesia, she's way trusting. King, on the other hand, is hella confusing. Sometimes he's nice, sometimes he's bad, sometimes he's both and I don't know how he does that! He frustrated me more than anything in this book. Also, I hated how he treated Doe sometimes, ordering her around and all. Then there's the last 10% when things got so crazy I didn't know what to expect anymore. The ending makes it worse by giving us a cliffhanger. Ugh.

So there. I know I ended up just ranting so forgive me but this is all just my opinion. I'm actually glad that a lot of people have loved it and hope the next person does too. I just think this book isn't for me.

Book: The Girl in the Ice ( Detective Erika Foster) by Robert Bryndza

★★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

“The secret of blending in, is don’t try to. Everyone is so fucking self-obsessed.”

The Girl in the Ice is the first in the Detective Erika Foster series, a thriller by Robert Bryndza. I'd heard a lot of good things about this book from my blog friends and I can say I was pretty excited when I finally picked it up. But despite the excitement I felt, it took me a while to finish it. The first few chapters were a bit slow for me but I'm glad I stuck to it until the end. I haven't read a lot of thrillers but this one is a good one.

The book centers on DCI Erika Foster when she is called down to South London to investigate a murder case involving a body of a woman found under a thick sheet of ice. Erika has been off the police force for the past months due to the death of her husband and we see how she's still struggling because of it. She tries to do her best to solve the case but when she starts to find some leads with the help of her new colleagues, the victim's wealthy father and the higher ups start to meddle. At some point she is kicked off the case because her boss wants her to play by some rules but Erika only wants to do her job properly and not to be dictated what to or not to do. 

I think Erika Foster is a strong character, a smart and determined woman. She has some ups and downs but they don't stop her from doing what's right. We also see some backstory of what happened to her husband which I think helped on understanding her more. I also actually like Moss and Peterson! The three of them make a great team and I would like to see more of them working together. 

What I love most when reading mystery/thriller is when the author keeps on making me guess what will happen next or who the real culprit is. In this book, I kept guessing until the middle part where I finally figured out who the killer was! And man, did I get that right! But still, the turn of events are unexpected and there are a lot of suspects until finally the last few pages reveal who it really is.

Overall The Girl in the Ice is a good debut thriller novel. The pacing is just right (though for me the first few chapters were a bit slow), it has great story line, impressive writing, has some twists and turns and intriguing characters. I'm planning on reading the second book in the series some time soon.

Book: A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

 ★★★★★/★★★★★

“Love and loss,” he said, “are like a ship and the sea. They rise together. The more we love, the more we have to lose. But the only way to avoid loss is to avoid love. And what a sad world that would be.”

One word: Brilliant. 

Gahd, I really love this series and now that I've finished the last book, I don't think I'll ever be the same again! I mean, after knowing Kell, Lila, Rhy and all the other characters, it's hard to move on! And thinking that their story is already over... no, no, no! But well, Shades of Magic has been an amazing adventure. 

It's been over a week since I finished the book but until now I still have a book hangover. I tried picking up another book right after finishing but I just can't take my mind off Kell. It's a bit crazy, I know, but I needed a while to absorb everything and convince myself that it's really finished. The series is over. And it still makes me frown everytime I tell myself that.  

Everything in this book is just plain brilliant. The characters, the plot, the prose, the worldbuilding, especially the world building! I fell in love with everything the instant I read the first chapter and right there and then I had my new favorite series. And author! 

“Picking out a gift?” asked the captain.
“No.”
“Good, then take this.” He dropped a ring into Kell’s hand.
Kell frowned. “I’m flattered, but I think you’re asking the wrong brother.”

The characters are what made me love this series even more. I've already grown fond of Kell, Lila, Rhy, Alucard and even Holland who broke my heart in this last book. They all had their own moments, times when they had to make crucial decisions and I think that's when their character shone the brightest. Rhy has finally started acting like a prince, wanting to do something to protect his family, his people, his kingdom. Kell is ever the self-sacrificing prince/brother/Antari. (And I fell in love with him all over again!) Lila, well, she's still the best thief out there, always headstrong and  stubborn. I've always liked Alucard since the AGoS but in this book, omg, he stole my heart! And Holland, oh poor Holland. My heart ached for him all throughout.

I also love the interactions between the characters because they always just end up bickering with each other, annoying the hell out of one another. Especially Kell and Alucard! Sometimes Holland too. But those playful moments are what I'll miss most!!!

Her heart was beating hard against her ribs, some primal part of her saying run, and she was running, just not away. She was tired of running away. So she was running into Kell.
And he caught her.

Now let's get to the romance part where oh. my. gulay. Kell and Lila. Lila and Kell. Do I need say more? Because they're perfect. For each other. With each other. From the first book I've been rooting for their romance and finally, finally, Schwab gave us something exciting in this book! And can we also talk about that scene where Kell was teaching Lila some magic words? OH. MY. GOD! I was practically grinning the entire time. And when Alucard walked in on them? It was hilarious!

Moving on, we also have Rhy and Alucard and they're the cutest! I enjoyed every moment they had together especially when Rhy acted all prince-y at first but in the end finally realizing Alucard's true feelings. 

 When Kell Maresh and Lila Bard had first parted ways, he’d whispered the word in her wake, beneath his breath, full of the certainty—the hope—they’d meet again. He’d known it wasn’t an end. And this wasn’t an end, either, or if it was, then simply the end of a chapter, an interlude between two meetings, the beginning of something new.

 Overall, I'm very satisfied with this series. Schwab didn't disappoint and that ending is just... perfect! I honestly had to stop myself a few pages away from the ending because I just didn't want it to end. I love this series that much! I guess I wasn't just ready for it to end that I tried to draw it out for as long as I could. But of course, it had to end. 

Anyway, I know I only ended up fan-girling without even coming up with a proper review but there's really only one word to describe this book and it's brilliant. So read it, you guys!

And, well, Anoshe.

Book: The Rosie Project (Don Tillman #1) by Graeme Simsion

★★★/★★★★★

“I asked you here tonight because when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

The Rosie Project had been sitting on my TBR for years now and I'm just glad I was finally able to get around it. It's one of those book I read at night, on my bed, before sleeping, which made me smile and sometimes giggle. The first hundred pages were a slow read for me, but enough to entertain and get me glued to the story.

Don Tillman, an Associate Professor of genetics, is looking for a suitable life partner and thinks that the best way to find one is to create a questionnaire. He's socially challenged, awkward around people and lets logic rule his life rather than emotions. Certain that he'll be able to find the perfect wife using the questionnaire, he starts handing them out, posting them on sites and attending speed-dating. He also turns to his friend Gene, a Psychology Professor, for help since he's experienced when it comes to human relationships. Then one day, Don meets Rosie, a strong-minded and cheeky girl who is his exact opposite. Rosie smokes, is always late, drinks like a man and is totally unsuitable for him but something about her makes Don wants to spend time with her.

“I haven’t changed my mind. That’s the point! I want to spend my life with you even though it’s totally irrational. And you have short earlobes. Socially and genetically there’s no reason for me to be attracted to you. The only logical conclusion is that I must be in love with you.” 

This book is actually charming and I don't hate Don but sometimes he annoyed me. I mean, yes, he's socially awkward and all but his actions are sometimes too frustrating! But despite that, I like that he recognizes his talents and uses them. He's smart, logical and though he's a creature of habit, he's willing to change and he tries after meeting Rosie.

“Humans often fail to see what is close to them and obvious to others.”


I liked a lot of things about this book but I think I wasn't smitten by it. It was a fun read, the characters are endearing but the plot is somewhat predictable. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book. There were times I felt like the story was dragged but nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book. I also read that it has a sequel but I think I'm putting that one aside for now.

TV Series: Confess 2017

Main Characters:

Katie Leclerc as Auburn Reed

Ryan Cooper as Owen Gentry

Rocky Myers as Trey Taylor

Elliot Smithe as A.J.

Amy Pahn as Emory Le

Kyle Secor as Callahan Gentry

I remember reading and loving the book so much I've re-read it several times. I just love everything about the book―the lovely cover, the endearing characters, the touching plot and Colleen Hoover is just an amazing writer!

So imagine my surprise when it was announced that there was going to be a mini series for the book! I was like OMG! OMG! OMG! And no, I wasn't calling Owen, I was just so so excited! Then they announced who will play the characters (I like both Katie and Ryan, by the way) and then there was the shooting and Colleen teasing us with photos and then the trailer came out and then it was April!!!

[Warning: This post contains screenshots from the series]

I watched the whole series on April 5 (one sitting) and I loved it! I mean, yes, they changed some aspects of it but it was beautiful nonetheless. I think Katie and Ryan did a great job portraying Auburn and Owen though at first I was having second thoughts about Katie. Don't get me wrong, she's really really good but she wasn't what I expected Auburn to be. 

I loved Emory and AJ was super cute! I hated Lydia, of course, but I understand where she was coming from. The face of Trey in my head was definitely not Rocky Myers but I guess he worked out too. The paintings were BEAUTIFUL!!! I especially loved "Every time he touches me, I think of you." And I also had to smile when Colleen appeared at the auction in one of the episodes.

So I guess everything just worked out for this series. It's short, yes, but in those 7 episodes they were able to put life to the beautiful characters of  the book!

***

I'll love you forever even when I can't.
I'll love you forever even when I shouldn't. 

“When I turn the painting around to face me again, I run my fingers over it. I touch the space between the two hands, and I think about everything between the two of them that is pulling them apart. And I hope, for her sake, that Adam is right. I hope she does have a second fate. Because she deserves it.

Read my full review of Confess here.