Book Review: Captive In the Dark by C.J Roberts.

Title: Captive in the Dark.
Author: C.J Roberts
File Type: ebook


I read this book because it's dark , compelling and I don't exactly know why.
Could be because of those shiny ratings or could be because I found the whole concept really cool..
I'm not into torture. Nor am I into pain.
I'm one of those people who believe in candies and chocolates and shiny rainbows and fairy-tales.
So when books that tread the murky waters of BDSM , kidnap or just simple plain torture..I usually proceed with caution. When it came to Captive in the Dark , I JUST JUMPED INTO IT! (without any hesitation.)

And OKAY!! I'll admit it!
Part of my book lusty attraction towards this one was due to the sole fact that it has a Caleb and an Olivia as main protagonists.
(Olivia and Caleb were the names of the protagonists of The Opportunist and I LOVE THAT BOOK SO MUCH!!)

Anyway..
This is your synopsis in simple , easy words...

A guy wants revenge. He has been through a really poopy childhood. The dude is well a beauty and a beast in a single body. So he comes up with this poopy plan like many other poopy things in the world, he plans to kidnap a girl.....He plans to kidnap her , train her and then send her into her own very sexy espionage sex game where he would finally exact his revenge on the bad guy.
The thing is , When he made up this poopy plan he never thought of it's effects on him.
He never thought for even that one not-so impossible moment that he would start liking the girl..
And as for the girl..well she's trapped , for hells sake! But anything can happen..so she falls for him too. 
But it gets more and more complicated and this is where are story flows.

My thoughts about this whole reading experience is in kind of a mumbo jumbo.
I'm still trying to sort out my feelings. Do I feel happy? Weirdly I do. Was it brutal? Hell yes. Did want to throw the book away? Totally. But could I abandon it? Hell no.
So here's how it's going to be..I love the book because it's mad and it's dark.
I love it because even though it's disgusting on epic levels ..it's wonderful.
And even though I think that Olivia is a grade A donkey when it comes to survival skills ..I'd still stand up and give her a huge hug and a motivating pat on the back.

Now onto the next book..*Rushes to buy it*

Book Review: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak

by Laurie Halse Anderson
type: Paperback

synopsis:

Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth. This extraordinary first novel has captured the imaginations of teenagers and adults across the country.

review:

Damn. This book was so real.
Where do I even begin?
Should I start with the concept of the story? Or should I begin with the voice of the protagonist? Or Shall I begin with the basic nature of this book?

I came across Speak through a friend of mine who described it as 'heartbreaking! and a must need for teenagers.'
I had immediately ordered the book along with many other and when it came , I saw it and just well set it aside. Yesterday, I had been my usual careless self and well my kindle was left all battery-less and so I resorted to my paperbacks and that's when I picked up Speak.

Let's just say that this whole experience was a shocker?

And it didn't shock me the way many think it did.

I was shocked by it's take on reality.
When I started reading the book and after I finished this book , all I could say was that ..'Damn. That sounds like me. That sounds like my sister. That sounds like my peers.Why the hell does it sound so normal..like so relatable?'

Melinda Sordino is one unforgettable protagonist. According to the synopsis , it's pretty clear that Melinda has been through something bad. Something that's had made a huge impact in her life. Something that has shut her up. People hate her for busting a huge jazzy high-school party and frequently pester her and just simply ignore her. Nobody knows why she has become the way she has. All she needs to do is speak. But can she?

Melinda is an unforgettable protagonist. You can't just hate her.
She's struggling , falling , failing and well she's just trying to get by life. Her sarcastic views on life and school are probably the coolest things about the book. 

About the writing.. I'd like to give Ms.Laurie Halse Anderson a personal standing ovation. And it's not because the book is great and blah blah , not that the book isn't cool because it totally is! It's because her writing is simply fantastic! This was my first book written by her , so after this I'm hoping to read many more!
About halfway into the book or in my case , before even starting the book , the whole situation is pretty obvious. You kind off know what happened to Melinda. The human mind is so vulnerable. As strong as it could be , one monumental devastation and it's all gone. Teenage is the time when you're the most vulnerable in life. You're learning about your body , you're learning about tiny changes in your heart and mind. There is a hormonal war for god's sake! But amongst everything , when you're a teenager , you are simply learning to grow. You're learning so that you could get to a good college and finally follow your dreams. You're mentally maturing. You're growing stronger and stronger and this is the beginning! The beginning of that epic journey of learning new things about things around you and infact , you yourself!
What I mean to say is that when there's already so much pressure..how do you survive a disaster of epic levels? A disaster that does break you?
And this is what this book is all about.
That struggle. That journey. That one moment when you finally let it out and just speak.
And that's why my standing ovation. Because there is not so much of a story...yet what you read totally moves your soul. And might I add that the whole thing has been handled so perfectly.

There are characters , I want you all to meet! 
I want you to meet Mr. Freeman! The free-spirited art teacher! A teacher I wish I had. 
I want you to meet David Petrakis , the geek guy who stands up for the right...and is just a 9th grader.
Leaving all , I just want you to meet Melinda.

This book is pretty tiny. I was so engrossed into it that I never realised when I started and when I finished.

Also , did you guys know that there's a movie?

And did you know that Kristen Stewart plays Melinda Sordino? *eyebrow raise*





I think it's kind of perfect! That just-one-depressing-look Kristen seems to sport in every movie totally works for the movie. No offence , Ms.Stewart.
I'm pretty sure I'll be one of those people who'll be watching the movie!

In the end, This book is definitely for the teenage crowd. It is also for those who have been through things and haven't had the motivation or the strength to speak up.This book moved me and I bet, if not on an epic level, it will move you too.

Hello! You all! Are we ready to rock?

Hi all!
Firstly a huge hug to my blog partner Zemira!
I've already been introduced so I'll just begin with the things I'd like you all to know.
We shall have nice bloggy things. Feel free to chat and come ahead with your views about ANYTHING.
Talk about books you want to read! Talk about books YOU think we should read. Introduce us to authors we know need recognition and so shall we do the same. The world is a huge place with  many people who have things to say and things to share. So express it all! I'm a totally clueless person when it comes to some fields , so feel free to suggest stuff. If you love us , we love you. We love books and if you do too? Then count us in your list of buddies. To start off on my not-so maiden voyage into the blogging world I'll be posting my review on a fantastic book I just read. The post will follow so...stay tuned?

Bloggy News

Hello,fellow YA Fanatics! As you can see,lately I've been more active on the blog. The reason I stopped updating in the first place is because I joined my friend on another blog. You see,I don't know much about editing a blog and I've been thinking that I need to educate myself and pick up where I left because that is the right thing to do. So,here I am, after all this time finally learning how to make your blog button, header and creating other pages. I am so proud of myself. *pats herself on the shoulder*

 And here is the big news! My friend Devyani is joining me on YA Fanatic and we are going to have so much fun. I met her last year on GR and we have been living in a fairytale ever since. :) She is smart, funny,has great taste and writes this awesome reviews. You are going to love her.

 Here is something about her.

 Hi! I'm Devyani and I'm a 19 years old Social science student from India. My music tastes come from random radio stations , daddy-old-rock and discoveries from movies and TV soap operas. I have this huge obsession of buying books and stalking Jim Parsons.(The guy who plays Sheldon Cooper.) I Love LOVE chocolates and am a huge talker. I could talk for hours and hours and not tire. YA books are my usual drug but I am known for my delirious escapades into the adult realm as well.

Book Review: This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

Title: This is Not a Test
Author: Courtney Summers
File type: ARC
Release date: June 19th 2012
Genre: YA, Horror, Zombies

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

 Oh,wow. I'm impressed with Courtney Summers' writing. 

If you are planing to read this book don't expect any Resident Evil ass kicking. This Is Not a Test was so much more than a zombie book. It was a book about survival and overcoming your fear about the past/future.

I was conflicted about Sloan because she kept a lot of things to herself. She doesn't want anyone to know about the abuse she suffered because of her father and about her sister Lily who ran away. But after awhile she gets comfortable around Rhys and lets him in. I liked Rhys. He was the most reasonable of all six teenagers hiding inside their high-school. Cory was the brave leader who had to make all the hard decisions,Harrison was a crying baby,the twins-Trace,the selfish and obnoxious guy who I just couldn't hate and Grace,beautiful and compassionate girl have to find a way to survive while someone is lurking inside the school. 

I loved The Forest of Hands and Teeth but this book is much better. While reading this book I had a feeling like the zombie apocalypse could happen any moment now and we would be in danger.

4.5 stars

2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge

I`ve never participated in a reading challenge because,well,I`ve never really found one that was interesting enough to go through with it. Until now. I am going to be a part of 2013 Paranormal reading challenge hosted by Megan Likes Books and Auntie Spinelli Reads. 

The point of this challenge is to read at least one book for each of the paranormal creatures listed below. Luckily for me, I have a lot of books with those supernatural creatures just begging to be read. 

• Vampires
• Werewolves or shifters
• Fey
• Angels or Nephilim 
• Mermaids
• Dragons
• Zombies
• Demons
• Witches or Wizards
• Ghosts
• Aliens
• Other (ie: sirens, unicorns, centaurs, timetravel etc.)

Book Review: Gravity by Melissa West

Title: Gravity
Author: Melissa West
File type: ebook
Release date: November 20th 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopia, Sci-Fi

In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don’t. Ever. Peek.  

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

Who knew this would be such a fun and entertaining book? 

When I started reading it I didn't expect much but it grew on me. First of all,there aren't many books about aliens out there. So far,I've only read two: I Am Number 4 and Obsidian(which was fantastic). I liked the world West created in this book. But I feel like the author could show us more involving the aliens and their culture. *minor spoiler ahead* But then again,we will probably see more of their homeland in the sequel. 

Also,the synopsis was a little bit sloppy if you ask me. Why shouldn't she peek? What is Jackson doing above her bed? Basically, this is a story about how people destroyed the Earth(no surprise there) and aliens, as they are called Ancients in this novel come and save humanity from starvation in exchange they can live peacefully with people after some time. But humans are not willing to accept the fact they will have to live with Ancients so they are trying everything they can think of to chase them away.

The second thing I liked was the main character,Ari who reminds me of June from Legend. She is tough,she can fight and she is actually nice. She is trained in combat and is set to be the new Commander(a president). She also has nice and supporting friends.But soon she meets Jackson Locke, her fellow classmate who is an alien as it turns out. Together they try to save both aliens and humans. 

This book just sucks you in and you won't be able to put it down. It's fast paced, entertaining and has likeable characters. I would recommend it to younger readers,mostly teens. But even the older ones will enjoy it,just like I did. I am looking forward to sequel. Hope it will be as good as this one was, or even better. 

3 stars

Book Review: Storm Born by Richelle Mead

Title: Storm Born
Author: Richelle Mead
File type: Audiobook
Release date: November 20th 2009

Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants...
Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl's got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy--one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.
Now Eugenie is a hot target for every ambitious demon and Otherworldy ne'er-do-well, and the ones who don't want to knock her up want her dead. Eugenie handles a Glock as smoothly as she wields a wand, but she needs some formidable allies for a job like this. She finds them in Dorian, a seductive fairy king with a taste for bondage, and Kiyo, a gorgeous shape-shifter who redefines animal attraction. But with enemies growing bolder and time running out, Eugenie realizes that the greatest danger is yet to come, and it lies in the dark powers that are stirring to life within her...

Eehhh. What a mess! 

Here is the list of unnecessary things in this book(in no particular order):

1. Hot main character who I don't think is hot
2. Every man/faerie wants to shag her
3. Love triangle
4. Having sex with two different guys on every 70-100 pages
5. Idiotic main character
6. Having almost rape scenes at least 4 times

and so on. As you can see,my two biggest concerns were with Eugenie and her wild sex life. She jumps from Kiyo to Dorian all the freaking time. And of course everyone wants a piece of that so she has to deal with potential rapist very often. You would be surprised how many supernatural creatures want her. 

If you liked Georgina Kincaid series and are planning to read this one as well,don't! It was so much different from the usual Mead's adult fiction. There was a lot of swearing and I feel like she wrote this series in order to show her dirtier side. But it's not that good. Even though Georgina was a succubus and had to have sex at least she was a fun character while Eugenie is not that interesting. Sorry,but that's the truth. 

The only thing I did enjoy about this book is Volusian. He was a killer who is now serving Eugenie as a ghost/supernatural being,IDK. He is really intense and constantly threatens to kill her which made me laugh. 

“Hey, Volusian, you haven't been checking me out, have you?"

He gave me his trademark bland stare. "I assure you, mistress, the only allure your bare flesh has for me is to remind me how easy it will be to slice open."I laughed. If not for the fact he was actually serious, he'd be so much fun.”

2 stars 

Spread the word #1 + Review

Marie Landry's The Game Changer was released earlier this week and didn't have a lot of time promoting the book so she is looking for people who will help her promote her new novel on Amazon, GoodReads, Chapters, YouTube, etc. You can get an eARC contacting her on the following email address  irishstar_83@hotmail.com.

Title: The Game Changer
Author: Marie Landry
Release date: November 13th 2012

Melody Cartwright has never had a problem with change, but for the first time in her life the changes are beyond her control—she suddenly has a niece she never knew, but has to prove herself to; her best friend is making huge life changes of her own; and she has to deal with her ex and his crazy new girlfriend who has stalker tendencies. 
When Melody meets confident, sexy Julian, she’s not interested in a relationship. He tells her it’s possible for a man and a woman to just be friends, and despite his ultra-charming ways there’s something about him that makes Melody believe he could be right. 
During a time of change and turmoil, it doesn’t take long for Julian to become everything Melody never knew she needed in her life. But is it possible for them to remain ‘just friends’ or will Melody be a game changer for Julian the playboy?

First of all this is an adult novel or new-adult. It's not YA.

 Melody has spent 3 years with Rick and after they broke up she is not ready for love. But love always finds us when we don't expect it. In Melody's case it comes in form of Julian. She still wants happily ever after and the one.

Oh,Julian. He can't stay away from Melody. He gives her nose kisses, bracelets and butterflies. Every girl would be very lucky to have him in her life.

Everyone who is looking for cute, light book about friendship, love and swoonworthy guys should read it.