Waiting on Wednesday #17 - The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted on Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection by me is:

 The Retribution of Mara Dyer

Mara Dyer #3

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publication Date: 4th November 2014

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Page Count: 464 Pages
(Hardcover)

Summary from Goodreads: 

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.
There is.

She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.
Retribution has arrived.

My Thoughts regarding this book:
The Retribution of Mara Dyer. I miss Noah Shaw so much. That babe. Also, until now, I still don't know if whatever Mara thinks is real or false so excuse me if I'm really excited about this book. So so so so so so shaw excited! <3

Waiting on Wednesday #16 - Talon by Julie Kagawa

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted on Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection by me is:

Talon

Talon #1

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: 28th October 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Page Count: 400 Pages
(Hardcover)

Summary from Goodreads: 

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

My Thoughts regarding this book:
I absolutely love Julie Kagawa's books so I cannot wait for this book. Are you too? :)

Book Review - Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods
By: Rick Riordan
Series:  Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Publication Date: 14th August 2014
Publisher: Puffin (US)
Page Count: 445 (paperback)
Genres: Middle Grade, Adventure, Greek Mythology
Source: Purchased

Rating: 7.5

"If you like horror shows, blood baths, lying, stealing, backstabbing, and cannibalism, then read on...

Who could tell the origin stories of the gods of Olympus better than a modern-day demigod?

In this whirlwind tour of Greek mythology, Percy Jackson gives his personal take on the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece - and reveals the truth about how they came to rule the world.

'Explosive' - Big Issue
'Action-packed' - Telegraph

Rick Riordan is an award-winning mystery writer. He lives in Boston with his wife and two sons. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Rick's first novel featuring the heroic young demigod, was the overall winner of the Red House Children's Book Award in 2006 and is now a blockbuster film franchise, starring Logan Lerman.

I absolutely adored this book. When I first heard about it, I was like, Oh gosh, ANOTHER companion Rick? Really? But then I read it. And yeah I loved it.

What I am Loving:

Percy's narration

I absolutely adore that this is written in Percy's perspective. I was pretty devastated about the end of the Heroes of Olympus. Thank goodness for this book. It was the 'one last chance for me read a book from Percy's perspective'... Before I realised that would be another AKA Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes or something along that line. Anyways.

Percy was just so funny. His humor, his snark comments, all the moments just. I love how it was narrated by him because we could hear his jokes, the way he felt about the gods and all that. Just, much love for him. It was so easy to read it because after reading 10 books about Percy, it was like he was such a close friend and this was like a reunion of a full Percy book and just I loved it.

What I am Unsure Of:

I guess I didn't have much I didn't like because this was just Percy's narration of stories told already... I just didn't feel that it was perfect because there wasn't actually a story/plot or anything so it wasn't as exciting/interesting as a usual Percy Jackson story. However, compared to many other retellings of the Greek myths, this was way more interesting :D

Final Verdict:

If you loved the Percy Jackson series, seriously go read it. It probably won't be as interesting if you aren't in love with Percy already. However, if you want to read some retellings with an interesting touch, this is one book which will definitely be the one:)

*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit at any of it.

** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.

Book Review - The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

The House of Hades
By: Rick Riordan
Series: The Heroes of Olympus #4
Publication Date: 8th October 2013
Publisher: Puffin (US)
Page Count: 584 (paperback) / 608 (hardback)
Genres: Middle Grade, Adventure, Greek Mythology
Source: Purchased

Rating: 8

The House of Hades is the fourth book in the bestselling Heroes of Olympus series, set in the action-packed world of Percy Jackson.

The stakes have never been higher. If Percy Jackson and Annabeth fail in their quest, there'll be hell on Earth. Literally.

Wandering the deadly realm of Tartarus, every step leads them further into danger. And, if by some miracle they do make it to the Doors of Death, there's a legion of bloodthirsty monsters waiting for them.

Meanwhile, Hazel and the crew of the Argo II have a choice: to stop a war or save their friends. Whichever road they take one thing is certain - in the Underworld, evil is inescapable.

Honestly time. I had not read the House of Hades before the last book came out. And now at the time that I am writing this review. I have actually just finished marathoning House of Hades and Blood of Olympus and I am NOT PREPARED TO WRITE THE TWO REVIEWS FOR THE BOOKS!

Firstly, I must emphasize that I loved the books. I've been reading them for about 6-7 years of my life and that's about half of my life. I have loved the Percy Jackson series and now I love the Heroes of Olympus series so I am absolutely heartbroken and devastated about the end of this series because no more Percy in my life makes me really upset but at the same time contented for some weird reason. Now without further ado and what a long introduction that was, my review.
 

What I am Loving:

Percy and Annabeth

For this review it seems that I'm focusing on the character perspectives more I guess. My favorite part was Percy and Annabeth's perspectives! I have loved them since the start and I love them still and will love them evermore. In this book Rick finally allowed them to be together after such a long time! With their perspectives and the whole adventure in Tartarus it was really like we were once again getting to know them more again and of course their new and developing relationship which we did not get to see much because of the whole Hera thing and the fact that they were 5 other demigods and 1 satyr there all the time.

With the whole Percy, Annabeth and Tartarus thing, we were finally able to read more about them and see them grow to be stronger and better people. We were finally also able to read about the love and care they had for each other. Most of all I really loved the way that they supported each other in the hardest times. (I mean come on they are ONLY 16 and they ended up in freaking Tartarus... I would have died like in the first hour or something) They had each other's backs til the end and even after such a hard time, they were still willing to give up their life for each other instead of giving up on the other. Just. This Love Is Perfect. Hashtag #Percabethforever.
 

Nico
Nico De Angelo. Do you understand how much I love this bae. He is so strong and so fierce and so vulnerable at the same time. I want to hug him and love him and just he is so beautiful! I never really loved him much before but after this book just my love expanded so much and I'm giving my entire heart to this beautiful boy. Psst. Wait for the next book though. He's even more lovable. I gurantee you won't be done with this series without loving Nico my bae. Also the SHIP! I'm not gonna spoil anymore because this was meant to be spoiler free - I'm just telling you my very brief feelings. The Blood of Olympus review I'm planning will be way more detailed.

The plot & adventure

For me at least, this was my favorite book of the Heroes of Olympus series so far. The plot was great. There was so much progress in terms of the adventure and characterization. The synchronization between the Argo's adventures and the Tartarus adventure was written really well. I could imagine myself with the characters and all that jazz. All the up and downs made you really understand just how miserable the life of a demigod is. My poor baes.
  

What I am Unsure Of:

Jason and Piper

I'm sorry I still can't. They never were my favorite characters and they still aren't. I tried to grow onto them. I really did. And I admit compared to the last 3 books, I liked them most in this one. However, I still felt they were like mary-sues who were too perfect and too fake for my liking. In comparison, their progress in terms of characterization and personality was too little, too unrealistic, it was like they were trying to make me like them. If that even made sense. I just couldn't like them. I was still hoping that I would grow to like them though!

Final Verdict:

I gave an 8 for this book. It was excellent and one of the greatest books I had read this year and the best Heroes of Olympus book for me at least. If you have not read this well what are you still doing! Now! Go! Buy! :) 

P.S. My Blood of Olympus review will be up in a few days so please do look out for that too! Thank you and happy reading! <3

*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit at any of it.

** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.

Waiting on Wednesday #15 - In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted on Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection by me is:

 

In the Afterlight

The Darkest Minds #3

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Publication Date: 28th October 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Page Count: 535 Pages
(Hardcover)

Summary from Goodreads: 

Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds.

They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.

Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.

My Thoughts regarding this book:
Just one more book! Come on! I need it! Gonna marathon it when it's out:)

Post Exams Book Haul

Hey guys! I'm back!

The books I got this time were in celebration of the end of my end of year exams. However, I'm not sure if I will be getting any more of books because I'm broke so I will consider this my October Book Haul (yes I know it is the middle of the month).

Total Book Haul as of 14th October 2014: 7

Books Bought as of 14th October 2014: 7

Books Received for Free as of 14th October 2014: 0

☆☆☆

Maximum Ride Vol 8
Book 8 of the Maximum Ride Manga

by James Patterson
Illustrated by Narae Lee

  






The Blood of Olympus
Book 5 of the Heroes of Olympus

by Rick Riordan

The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Prince

by Cassandra Clare
Art by: Hyekyung Baek

The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Princess

by Cassandra Clare
Art by: Hyekyung Baek

Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods

by Rick Riordan

  






Heir of Fire
Book 3 of the Heroes of Olympus

by Sarah J. Maas

The Iron Trial
Book 1 of Magisterium

by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

☆☆☆

*All images do not belong to me. 

Book Review - Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Isla and The Happily Ever After
By: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #3
Publication date: 14th August 2014
Publisher: Usborne (UK) / Dutton (US)
Page Count: 375 (paperback) / 339 (hardback)
Genres: Realistic Fiction, swoon alert kinda book
Source: Purchased

Rating: 6.5

The café is boiling. The atmosphere is clouded with bittersweet coffee.
Three years of desire rip through my body and burst from my lips: “Josh!”
His head jolts up. For a long time, a very long time, he just stares at me.
And then…he blinks. “Isla?”

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on brooding artist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And, after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer break, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to face uncertainty about their futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.

Set against the stunning backdrops of New York, Paris and Barcelona, this is a gorgeous, heart-wrenching and irresistible story of true love, and the perfect conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.

I honestly never expected that Isla would fall under the 6 star rating because of how much love I had for Anna and Lola. In all honestly, unfortunately Isla wasn't the ending I hoped for for this beautiful series. I still love it, of course, I love all Stephanie Perkins books, however I just did not love this book as much.

What I am Loving:

Characters

Josh - I fell in love with Josh all over again. He is perfect. My baby. So vulnerable yet strong and so beautiful. In this story you see him go through the ollercoaster called life and the happy ending promised to come. Really, truly, madly in love with him.

Side Characters - I am really happy that the characters of the previous 2 books appeared. I anxiously awaited the arrival of them. Really it was because of them that I stayed in love with the series for such a long time after all. Also because I don't want to spoil anything but that Point Zero moment. Perfection.

World

As usual, I love the world that Stephanie Perkins creates. It's beautiful and magical and everything that made me fall in love with the series. Just like the previous books, I felt that the setting added to the book and made me feel more immersed in it. Love. Just love.

What I am Unsure Of:

Isla - Firstly. Her name is pronounced as EYE-LA and not IZ-LA. Secondly. I don't like her. I'm sorry but I just don't At least compared to Anna and Lola. Anna was my favorite because she was simple, strong and she was NOT needy. Lola was beautiful in her own unique way. Isla was just a complete mess - a complete needy mess. On the whole I honestly think that she just didn't fit in with Josh and I don't see myself loving them as a couple.

Plot - Ayyyyy. Nope. Sorry Not going with it. I love Stephanie Perkins because her books are realistic and beautiful and they give me the swoony feels. However, this plot was NOT realistic. It was far from realistic. It's just. I can't. I'm sorry. I'm a little bias here but for me it was Isla's fault. I just can't imagine her with Josh much. I think Josh needs a much simpler, stronger, less needy partner in his life and that person isn't Isla.

Final Verdict:

Overall, I am unsatisfied with the book. My heart is breaking to say this but I am pretty unsatisfied with this. I felt that Isla needed to be a stronger character to match Josh. Overall, it didn't seem like their romance was as realistic, unlike Anna & Etienne's and Lola & Cricket's love. I was really tempted to stop reading halfway just because I wasn't into it. The one thing I loved was Josh. I felt he was the only one who truly made the book worth it. I would still recommend it because I love the series overall - but I wouldn't bring too high of an expectation with it.

*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit at any of it.

** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.