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Book Review: The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Title:  The Rules of Disappearing
Author:  Ashley Elston
Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion
Release date:  May 14th, 2013
Genre:  YA, contemporary. mystery

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.

Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.

But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

This is a story about a girl in protective service who had to move a bunch of times so she is not up for meeting new people when she is forced to move to a small town in Louisiana. Her family was upper-middle class (I think) before they had to change their identities. Meg (or Sissy) is determined to find out the truth from her parents but they aren't really the sharing types. Dad is always working while mum is constantly drunk so she mostly takes care of her sister, Mary (or Teeny) who is afraid of being left behind. She finds a job in a local pizzeria on her first day of actually looking (#jealous) where the hot guy from school. Ethan Landry comes to eat swamp pizza. 

The first part of the story was centered around Meg's paranoia. She fears that her family is going to be sent somewhere else any minute now so she carries her go-to bag with her all the time. She tries to stay away from all new people but it's not working because Ethan cracks her armor and starts seeing there's something weird about the way she's acting. The first half of the book was actually the part I enjoyed till they went hunting wild hogs, with guns. Having minors near guns or even letting them use them is a huge no-no for me. Meg even fainted. From there the book started to show flaws and I couldn't see anything good. 

The second half of the book is ridiculous. I don't want to reveal too much but Meg finally finds out the truth about what happened and with Ethan's help she sets out to find the evidence without letting anyone know. They go to place where Meg grew up while there are a bunch of mobsters after them. For some reason, they thought it was the right thing to do. Who would actually do that I know I wouldn't. I would let the Feds know where the evidence is and just stay safe and let professionals to do their job. I prefer to live another day. Such stupidity.  The whole reveal was unsatisfying and unrealistic SPOILER Mobster killing 2 people and letting Meg live without torturing her to find where the evidence is. He just walked away. As for the ending, who knows. Maybe there'll be a sequel, it's never over. 

RULES FOR DISAPPEARING BY WITNESS PROTECTION PRISONER #18A7R04M:

Don’t ever think it’s over. Even when you’re sure it’s over, it’s not over. 

Book Review: Torched by Andrea Lynn Colt

Title:  Torched
Author:  Andrea Lynn Colt
File type:  kindle
Release date:  September 8th, 2012
Genre:  YA, contemporary. mystery

~Sparks fly in this romantic young-adult mystery~
Cheerleader Rose Whitfield's senior year goes up in smoke when she's framed for arson. Sure that the culprit is her neighbor Paxton, with whom she's been feuding since middle school, she sets out to clear her name and take Paxton down hard--not necessarily in that order.

Oh,wow. This book came as a huge surprise! I had no idea it would be so good. Last week, I was looking for books bellow 300 pages I could read, just so I can catch up with my GR reading challenge so I choose Torched because it seemed like a cute book about working with your enemy who would turn out to be a really great guy. 

Aww... I love Rose as the main character because she is basically what every main character should be like. She is dealing well with the fact everyone hates her for the fire she didn't set. She doesn't spend hours in her room crying but with the help of Paxton, her hot neighbour goes looking for the real person who did it. They've been pulling pranks on each other since they were kids and I couldn't help but sigh every time these two got into an argument, or talked, or whenever. 

Andrea Lynn Colt! You better write something new soon. I need more of your awesome characters and cute plot lines. I will read everything you write. 

I wrote this review so I can persuade my friends to pick it up because they won't be wasting their time. Dear friends, please, pleeeasseeee read Torched. It will make me so happy. Everyone needs to read a good fluffy book from time to time. 

She is also a very talented graphic designer. Check out her blog.

Book Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Book: Clockwork Princess
Author: Cassandra Clare
File Type: Hardcover
Release Date: 19 march 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Synopsis:

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.
Rating 3.5

I'd like to pat myself on my back because writing a review for this book hasn't been an easy task. It's a given that this book is heartbreaking. And I was quite prepared for it. But alas, things never go according to the plan and there I was , a crying-snot-blubbering heap of heartbreak.

I had initially written a huge review for this and it was pretty fantastic. I had just about managed to explain all my feelings and thoughts about this book but my stupid laptop turned itself off and all my emotions? Poof. Gone.

There was nothing left. NOTHING. 

Right now? I'm sad. 

I'm sad because The Infernal Devices is a series very close to my heart and that it isn't easy saying goodbye to a series you love. With unforgettable characters, vivid world building and a highly engrossing journey through the Victorian Era in London , The Infernal Devices is something that is to be cherished forever. The fact that I won't get to read about Will , Tessa , Jem , Sophie , Charlotte , HENRY! , Gideon , Cecily , Gabriel , Bridget..(and oh the list just goes on.) makes me even more sad. Sure, they might be mentioned somewhere or the other because that's the way Cassandra Clare rolls but it wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't.

Clockwork Princess beats it's predecessor by a mile when it comes to character development. There were times while I was reading Clockwork Princess and I would read about a certain character and I would wonder as to why I never liked this character before. And then realization would strike home because it is in this book that each character gets a well deserved platform. 
Also, the imagery spun by Ms. Clare never fails to surprise me. The Victorian Era has been portrayed so beautifully that I couldn't help but feel mesmerized. Wales is now on my list of 'Beautiful Places to Visit before you die.'
What's also so spectacular about this whole scenario is how much this trilogy in itself has affected each one of my emotions. A few years ago while cursing and whining about the disaster that was The City of Fallen Angels , I would've never guessed that a few years in future I'd be so deeply affected by the prequel of the series that had started out pretty great but later started to throw nothing but crap at me. 

When I talk about emotions , I try not to think much about the love triangle. Because let's admit it. It was pretty epic. There was something so beautiful in the pain and heartbreak that came with each page and I just couldn't help but fall more and more in love with this book. Will , Tessa and Jem are unforgettable characters and there were times when I just wanted to crawl inside the book and soothe their pain.

"I am not alone," he said. "Wherever we are, we are as one."

 This whole complication could be understood so well. All three of them lived for each other and if it came to that, they would even die for each other. Will and Jem's relationship was the highlight of the whole book. If,like me , you've ever wondered the dynamics of the Parabatai bond , things get pretty clear after reading this one.

"whether Will wanted her there or not or Jem either-- she could not watch the two of them walk into danger and not want to be where they were."

Some may wonder that if I did love Clockwork Princess so much and that according to me , this book beats Clockwork Prince then why is that Clockwork Prince received five shining stars and that this one just about managed to bag three and a half stars?
I'll tell you why.

Just because I feel everything doesn't mean I like everything I read. That end was beautiful but it wasn't something that sat well with me. 
There were certain things in the book that I did not approve of. And the epilogue was something I'd like to forget about. I'm at a loss of words because I have no idea how to explain to you my reasons without spoiling this book for you. Although, it was pretty predictable. My heart break went on until the end....until I read the epilogue and all I could say was WHAT?

In the end, although this book had it's flaws and I had my issue with it, this experience has been nothing but epic. This is a series that deserves to be cherished. And Cherish it, I will.

Book Review: First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

Title:  First Comes Love
Author:  Katie Kacvinsky
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin
Release date:  May 8th, 2012
Genre:  NA, contemporary romance, college 

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what's next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.
What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.
But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they're going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you're sorry.

Oh, this lovely, lovely book! It was so wise and quotable! If I persuade only one person to read this book I'll be so happy. 

That cover is misleading and distracting. Don't get me wrong, I like it but it doesn't really show Gray and Dylan as they really are. Something like the cover of Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles only with Gray's cap and Dylan's baggy jeans. 

Our heroes- Gray and Dylan go to the local community college. Gray is a loner and as he said, numb to the world. That all changes when he sees Dylan taking pictures of two geckos 'talking' (aww :D). She sees Gray is acting defensive and decides to help him come out from his shell. What she didn't expect is falling in love with him. 

Eight months ago Gray's twin sister, Amanda died and since then his family hasn't been living a full life. They never talk about Amanda or to each other. Gray avoided his friends and eventually they all stopped coming around and gives up his scholarship to play college baseball. 

Dylan wears baggy jeans and carries her camera with her everywhere. She is a free spirit and does a different thing every day. Every day is a new challenge and she convinces Gray to loosen up and join her adventure and road trips. She eventually helps him heal and he finally confronts his parents. Even though his sister is dead, he is still alive and deserves attention. 

And now I found out there's a sequel! I had no idea! Hope it's as good as First Comes Love. 

“Life is too short to waste time on people who don't lift you up, who don't inspire you-they'll eventually drain you.” 

“If you only focus on the things you leave behind, you'll never go anywhere.” 

“Live a little," she tells me. "You're never going to experience anything if you wait around for perfect conditions.”

“Look around you. The earth wouldn't exist without the sun. Plants would die without rain. We're all meant to lean on something. Or someone.” 

“I think everyone’s caught up in these narrow-minded worlds and they think their world exists in the center of the universe. Relationships only happen when it’s convenient. You have to walk on eggshells for people because that’s about how strong they are these days. And you can’t confront people, because if you do, that brittle shell of confidence will crack. So we all become passive cowards that carry a fake smile wherever we go because God forbid you let your guard down long enough for people to see your life isn’t perfect. That you have a few flaws. Because who wants to see that? My theory is everybody sucks. So, my conclusion is I don’t need anybody.”

Top Ten Tuesday #12

1. The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher- Well, this is the book I recommend the most, or should I say, nag the most. And let's just say I am very persuasive. Almost all of my GR friends have read it.  

2. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi- Ahhh! This book is amazing. I don't even care there are people who hate the way it was written. To me, it's unbelievable. 

3. Hot to Kill a Rock Star by Tiffanie DeBartolo- This lady can do no wrong. She created Paul and Loring-ultimate rock stars I want to bang date. 

4. Falling Under by Danielle Younge-Ullman- After reading this book I was depressed for a week. It just opened another side of me and I always love to share emotional books with others. 

5. Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J.Bick- This was an unexpected winner. Most people don't like the teacher-student relationship plot but I thought it was so raw and powerful. 

6. Angelfall by Susan Ee- This book is insanely awesome. Katnis who? 

7. The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis- Ahhh! I don't think I'll re-read this book-ever. Once was enough but I still recommend it to people. 

8. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins- Oh,Lola! I adore Stephanie and Lola and Cricket and Etienne! Everyone! And I will never stop bothering people to read this. 

9. The Sea of Tranqulity by Katja Millay- Wow. This book was so realistic.It was almost as if someone I knew was going through the things these characters did. 

10. Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara- Now this is a perfect book for winter, or simply a cold, rainy day. Everyone has to read it! 

Book Review: Shadows by Paula Weston

Title:  Shadows
Author:  Paula Weston
File type:  paperback
Release date:  January 3rd, 2013
Genre:  NA, paranormal romance, angels

Love. Nightmares. Angels. War. A fast-paced, compelling debut novel from a fresh new voice in YA.
It’s been almost a year since Gaby Winters was in the car crash that killed her twin brother, Jude. Her body has healed in the sunshine of Pandanus Beach, but her grief is raw and constant.
It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she kills demons and other hell-spawn. And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams, he claims a history with her brother that makes no sense.
Gaby is forced to accept that what she thought she knew about herself and her life is only a shadow of the truth – and that the truth is more likely to be found in the shadows of her nightmares.
Who is Rafa? Who are the Rephaim? And most importantly – who can she trust?

I started reading this book last year, when it first came out but when I found out it's coming out in paperback in 2013 set it aside even though I read 60%. And I had to read it from the start when I finally got it, which I didn't mind since it was engaging from the start. 

Shadows is a story about Gaby Winters who's been dreaming about killing demons since her brother lost his head in a car crash, only to find out those aren’t only dreams, but reality. She turned her nightmares into a story which brought Raffa into her life. Raffa is a Rephaim, a descendant of horny angels. He tells Gaby she is also a Rephaim, only on other, good side.  But Gaby is not buying it until some other Rephaim come and snatch her best friend Maggie. This sort of reminded me of Angelfall, when those angels took Page from Pennryn only Pennryn handled it better while Gaby was pretty clueless the whole time. 

Raffe is a bad boy and he didn't catch my eye since I've read about a lot of bad boys in the past. Wish I could say more about him. I'm sure a lot of people will like him. He just wasn't anything special, at least not for me.  Hope Weston will show his different side in the sequel, or at least reveal some of his secrets. 

Angel books are usually a big no-no to me. So far, I've only liked two angel novels- Unearthly and Angelfall. Others just seem to juvenile or messy. Shadows is somewhere in between. I liked it enough to pre-order the sequel. 

Stacking the Shelves

1. Legend by Marie Lu.

2. Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger.

I've heard that Legend has a certain uniqueness to it's storyline and even though it received some mixed reviews, they say that the next one, Prodigy , is something to look out for. And OMG. I've been excited about reading Let The Sky Fall since I don't know when! Ever since it's blurb came out and look at that COVER. For heaven's sake. That is some serious beauty right there.

1. Zenn Scarlett

Blurb: Zenn Scarlett is a bright, determined, occasionally a-little-too-smart-for-her-own-good 17-year-old girl training hard to become an exoveterinarian. That means she’s specializing in the treatment of exotic alien life forms, mostly large and generally dangerous. Her novice year of training at the Ciscan Cloister Exovet Clinic on Mars will find her working with alien patients from whalehounds the size of a hay barn to a baby Kiran Sunkiller, a colossal floating creature that will grow up to carry a whole sky-city on its back.

But after a series of inexplicable animal escapes from the school and other near-disasters, the Cloister is in real danger of being shut down by a group of alien-hating officials. If that happens, Zenn knows only too well the grim fate awaiting the creatures she loves.

Now, she must unravel the baffling events plaguing her school, before someone is hurt or killed, before everything she cares about is ripped away from her and her family forever. To solve this mystery - and live to tell about it - Zenn will have to put her new exovet skills to work in ways she never imagined, and in the process learn just how powerful compassion and empathy can be.

This story sounds so unique. So so unique. Lately, I've really been into science fiction and this one just screams science fiction! And that cover is a looker. I can only imagine how pretty it would look on an actual book. So excited! :D

Top Ten Tuesday #11

1. The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan- I was obsessed with this cover the first minute I saw it. Margo is a terrific author. I was just freaked out she will pull something similar like she did with Tender Morsels and I had to stop after 2 chapters, I think.
2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern- Everyone's been raving about this book since 2011 and I bought it but never read it. Maybe I just need a little push.
3. Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama- This is also the part of my obsession with dark stories about mermaids. The reason I still haven't read it is that it's part of challenge I'm participating and I don't get to read a mermaid book till June or July, I'm not really sure.
4. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta- OK. This time I have a pretty good excuse. I won Piper's Son from Melina last year and I'm going to read both of them this spring. I'll probably make a Marchetta month and read The Lumatere Chronicles too.
5. Across the Universe by Beth Revis- Just look at that cover! Beth Revis was the luckiest author. Who doesn't want to buy books with that cover? Too bad they changed the design in the last book. I would read faster for sure.

1. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa- All that sparkle makes me just want to die and go to happy coverland. What a beautiful cover. I had partly bought this book just because of it's beautiful cover and then later I started thinking about it's series. But this book's been there for a while. So.
2. Everneath by Brodi Ashton- I think it's obvious why I had to buy this one! So many rave reviews! Could be the timing or just my mood in general because I never felt like reading this one.
3. Holier Than Thou by Laura Buzo- Good Oil was a definite success for me. It was as realistic as it could possibly get and the concept of the book really got to me! All in all it was a fun book. So there was no hesitation required when it came to buy this one. Now this one has been around for a while. And even though I totally adore Buzo's writing , this one here has received some mixed reviews and that kind of got me in a low down.
4. Fated by Sarah Alderson- I love love love LOVE Sarah Alderson. I've loved her ever since I read Hunting Lila and ever since she threw a beauty like Alex Wakeman at me. Damn that man-boy. Totally yum. Anywaay, right after successfully loving Hunting Lila, I knew that I HAD to get Fated! And now it's been a year ( I think) and the poor book continues to lie over there..untouched.

(Note.-> This is starting to become tough for me because right now, I'm sittting in front of my bookshelf and wondering which all books are the ones I just had to buy and am not reading and then I realise that I JUST HAD TO BUY EACH ONE OF THEM! :OAnd I have a monster TBR pile. And it is... killing me.)

5. The Kate Daniels series by Illona Andrews- Um. Badass female? Badass male counterpart? And me. Should've been a fine combination but I just haven't been able to pick them up. Will have to do that ASAP.

Mini reviews: Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

I started reading this book a long time ago and the reason I didn't listed it as currently reading is that I was afraid I wouldn't like it. But it was funny and just what I need when I'm feeling down. 

It's a story about Jessica Darling who's best friend moved away and she is left alone to deal with parent, school and boy problems on her own. But fear not! She has a new group of friends she isn't really fond of and a certain mysterious bad boy, Marcus, to make it all better worse. 

What I love about this book that a lot of people can read it and actually enjoy it, not just teens. Jessica is sarcastic, loyal and funny. Basically, a person I would want to have by my side at all times. 

Marcus Flutie. Oh Marcus. Who hasn't have a Marcus in their school? He is the guy who has the brains but at the same time a filthy mouth and this whole combination makes you want to punch him and kiss him. 

“It kind of makes me wish that the worst thing that will ever happen to me would just hurry up and happen already. That way I could live the rest of my life in bliss, if only because I know how much worse things could be.” 

 Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty

Second Helpings start of with the complicated relationship of Jessica and Marcus.They are now in their senior year of high school and  are worrying about college.They are not together because Jessica feels she can't trust Marcus since he 's known as a heartbreaker so she pretty much tries to ignore him the whole time. And it's not really working. 

Marcus has changed so much in the second book. Even though it was obvious he fell in love with Jess, she had her doubts. Just like everyone else, we all doubt a certain person likes us, while everyone else can see it. I don't agree with what he did- SPOILER...get her a date with his best friend..., but he thought it was the right thing to do. Oh,Marcus, even though you are so swoony, you can be totally wrong. But you can also be so right at times. Well, almost every time he shows up. 

Marcus?

Yes?

Whats your middle name?

Armstrong. Marcus Armstrong Flutie. Like Neil, the astronaut? I asked. No, he replied. Like Louie, the jazz singer?

No, he replied. Then like who?

Like me.

Top Ten Tuesday #10

1. Fever/Sever by Lauren DeStefano- I'm still waiting for Sever to arrive. I've been having problems with TBD since last year. A lot of orders cancelled, books that don't arrive...
2. Finnikin/Froi/Quintana by Melina Marchetta- I have the first two books and now I'm just waiting for Quintana to come out so I can finally start with the Lumatere Chronicles.
3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone/Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor- DoBaS finally arrived yesterday so I'll start with these two beauties soon. I've heard there's a killer cliffhanger in the end of second book.
4. TFiOS/Paper Towns/An Abundance of Katherines by John Green- The same goes with the rest of books. I've waited to have them all before starting.
5. Fever series by Karen Marie Moning- ahem as you can see that is the picture of David Gandy. Everyone's been saying Barrons looks like David so I don't mind having him here instead of the cover. *wink* I still haven't bought the books but I will soon. They are on the top of my 'to buy' list.

I've cleared out one shelf just for these books so they serve as a reminder to read them before picking up anything else. This is sort of a challenge I set out for myself this spring. Fingers crossed I complete it.

6  Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare- Will. Nuff said. 

7. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins- Etienne, Cricket and Josh. *swoons* Yes! We will get the final story. *cries* I'm not ready to say goodbye. I love them so much. 

8. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers- I finally got my own copy so I will be finishing it soon. 

9. The End Games by T. Michael Martin- This story makes me want to defend those two brothers. I want to go all Milla Jovovich on those zombie asses. 

10. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters- This is one of those must read books. And look at that cover. It gives me the chills. 

OMG NEWS!

Divergent has cast it's Tori, Caleb and Christina!

Maggie Q is going to play the divergent tatoo parlor owner, Tori. I like Maggie as Tori. The only thing I don't like is that there won't be enough Q awesomeness in the movie! She is amazing as CW's Nikita.

Ansel Elgort is going to play Tris' twin brother Caleb who leaves his family to be with Erudite clan. 

Zoe Kravitz is going to play Christina. She is Tris' friend in Dauntless clan. Hmmm... isn't Christina's skin tone really dark?