Tuesday Meme

Top Ten Best Sequels Ever

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Thank you The Broke and the Bookish for this wonderful Tuesday Meme

It seems we have been doing a lot of lists about sequels or… is that just me thinking that? This week we have our Top Sequels Of All Time! Since I’ve been reading a lot of sequels lately and I’ve loved most of them so obviously they are going on this list. Here we go!

Veronica’s List:

1. The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell (Bloodline #3) by Richelle Mead

2. United We Spy by Ally Carter

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3. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter
Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

4. Onyx by Jennifer Armentrout

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5. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

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Anjie’s List

6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

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7. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

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8. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

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9. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

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10. The Elite by Kiera Cass

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Special Review

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Part 1 (Chapter 1-12)

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Let’s talk about Fangirl.

The first person we meet is Cath. She is walking into her dorm room and she finds a boy in there. A Boy. Cath starts freaking out, but soon she finds out he is her roommate’s boyfriend. Crisis averted, or so she thought.

In the first twelve chapters we see how much Cath is afraid of change. She likes to be where things are familiar, where they are steady. She likes to be the one who takes care of people, and not the other way around. A lot of girl characters nowadays are written this way, where they are “self-less” “against change” “nerdy” but Cath is not selfless, she may help others, but she doesn’t want others to get her out of the little security she has managed. Cath is real.Cath is the fangirl and fanboy out there that uses books and writing to escape. She isn’t this super nice and humble person, she is a human being with faults and cracks.

Let’s talk about Nick. I don’t exactly know what my feelings toward Nick are except that they are… cautious. I like him because he is helping Cath get out a little more and in a way that she can cope with, writing. If Nick fades into the picture after the first twelve chapters, I am okay with that because he has already helped her enough and to me he has served his purpose in Cath’s life. Honestly, I’m Team Levi. I’m cool if Nick just… disappears. 

Levi and Reagan. Can I just say how much I love these two, and each for very different reasons. I would have loved for Reagan to be my roommate in college. She and I would hit it off instantly. I wasn’t one to bond with my roommates too much. My freshman year I had bad roommates and what made matters worse was that my school was all about solving issues in a tell me about your feelings manner. That isn’t exactly helpful when dealing with bad roommate issues. I myself was dealing with a lot my freshman year and I wanted people to let me be and not change me into something I wasn’t. Yes, I was a bit of a rebel you could say. Anyways back to the story. I love that Reagan helped Cath overcome her block and made her go to the dining room with her and eat. After that, things got better instantly. Reagan was not a let’s do our nails and be girly stuff, she was doing her own thing and if she could, she helped others on the way. I like people that don’t get into my business and I think that is one of the reasons why Cath was cool with Reagan.

Now, Levi is also good for Cath, but for different reasons. He is quirky and nice. A good combination in my opinion. But what made me instantly like him was not just his easy, non-challant manner, but that he observed Cath enough that he knew she wasn’t really eating except for those darn protein bars. He ate her protein bars in order to make her deal with the issue. I would have reacted the same way as Cath, NO ONE TOUCHES MY FOOD, but at the same time, I would have been okay with it and put up with Levi like Cath did. After that, things change between Cath and she gets used to having quirky Levi around.

Cath and Wren were barely talking when their freshman year of college began and with their mother trying to return into their lives, it breaks the last fragile line that was holding both sisters together. They both completely stop talking. Neither one saying anything to the other. Never before has Cath been so alone.

Let’s quickly discuss WREN. She is dealing with her issues very differently than Cath, which I can understand but do not approve of. What really pissed me off was when Cath ran of to rescue her sister to find her drunk and Wren simply saying, Oh I texted the wrong C, I was trying to text Courtney. The one time Wren reaches out to Cath and it’s all a fluke. I was so mad.

Cath is dealing with a MIA mother trying to come back into her life, getting out of her comfort zone with no one to help her buffer the world, Simon Snow coming to an end soon, Abel breaking up with her, and a unstable dad she wishes she were home to take care of. That is some crazy stuff happening in her life and I think she handles it pretty well when assessing the circumstances.

I am proud of her so far and I know her journey is just beginning. And you know what guys, we will be there with her every step of the way.

Book Spotlight

Book Spotlight #12 Avalon High by Meg Cabot

 

If you like medieval history, or if the story of King Arthur intrigues you, I recommend this book to you. King Arthur makes his return in our modern world, and when the past and the future collide, it get’s messy real fast. This book is fast-paced and a quick read. I loved it and I’m sure you will love it too.

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Book Title: Avalon High

Author: Meg Cabot

Originally Published: December 15th, 2006

Goodreads Summary:

To newcomer Ellie, Avalon High seems like a typical American high school, complete with jocks, nerds, cheerleaders, and even the obligatory senior class president, quarterback, and all-around good guy. But it doesn’t take Ellie long to suspect that something weird is going on beneath the glossy surface of this tranquil hall of learning. As she pieces together the meaning of this unfolding drama, she begins to recognize some haunting Arthurian echoes, causing her to worry that she has become just a pawn in mythic history. A powerful novel by the author of The Princess Diaries.

Reviews, ya contemporary, ya romance

Book Review: If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman

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Goodreads Summary:

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck…

A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

My Initial Thoughts:

I began reading If I Stay cautiously because I knew it would break my heart. Within the first ten pages, it did. I’m not going to talk about the heartbreak, or how much it will make you cry. I’m going to talk about Mia’s dilemma and why this book is so freaking amazing.

I know there are some out there that coudn’t connect with Mia, but I did. Several times in my life I’ve lost people I’ve loved. Once it was death and the few others… its almost as if they did die.

Review:

The back and forth scenes within the novel were easy for me to follow. I also felt like I was reading Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver where there were alternate chapters going back and forth in time.

The way the novel was written helped gain momentum for the ending and even if it was a simple ending, because the whole novel was moving to that point, it made it huge.

Throughout the novel we got to see what Mia would lose if she stayed and also what she would lose if she left. The entire book is her journey deciding whether she will stay or go.

The people in Mia’s life are strong. Her grandparents, family friends, Adam, Kim, when it comes down to a heavy part of life, they are strong and do everything and anything they can for Mia. If Mia stayed, all of those people would be by her side, helping her cope with the grief she would feel. They also understood if she decided to leave. The pain of being an orphan, of all of her immediate family dying at once is a horrible thing to deal with of she decided to stay.

I really found Adam and Mia’s relationship real and adorable. I also cried when I saw Adam frantically trying to get into Mia’s hospital room, wanting to see her, not caring he was missing his show. So many parts of this book tugged at the strings of my heart.

Overall, it is a novel about making the best of what you have and deciding if life is worth fighting for or not.

Rating: 5/5

Editor Letter

Changing the template for Book Reviews

Hello everyone! Hope you’re all having a lovely Tuesday.

I’m announcing today that I am changing my book review template so I can better evaluate and review books. The parts that I’m changing are the main sections, “What I like” and “What I dislike” to “Initial Thoughts” and ” Review”. A reason why I am changing how books are reviewed is because my old template is basically saying that the book I am reviewing has both good stuff and negative stuff. Sometimes that isn’t the case so I’ve created a new template where I can criticize and analyze books in a better and more efficient way.

That is all and I hope you guys have a great week! 

 

– Veronica

 

Tuesday Meme

Top Ten Books On My Fall 2013 TBR List

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Thank you The Broke and the Bookish for this wonderful Tuesday Meme

There are so many releases we are both anticipating, it is crazy! We decided to combine our list this time around because we are anticipating a lot of the same releases! Eeeeek! Our wallets will be in so much pain…

Veronica and Anjie’s List (in no particular order):

1. Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

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2. The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4) by Richelle Mead

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3. United We Spy (Gallagher Girls #6) by Ally Carter

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4. House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan

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5. World After (Penryn & the End of Days #2) by Susan Ee

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6. Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken

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7. Third Lie’s the Charm (Liar Society #3) by  Lisa & Laura Roecker

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8. Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

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9. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

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10. Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

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Interviews

Author Interview: Bev Stout

I recently read and reviewed Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout. (You can check out my review here.) It was a great Young Adult Historical read, and here is my interview with the author where she talks about her book and characters (without any spoilers of course!) 🙂
Bev Stout
Bev Stout

What inspired you to write Secrets of the Realm?

Secrets of the Realm was a project I started for my family. It is a gift to them, something I hope they will pass on to each new generation.

Secrets of the Realm is set in 18th Century England. Have you ever had the opportunity to visit England (UK)?

No, but I did a lot of research to keep the story true to the era and location.

What type of research did you have to do in order to write Secrets of the Realm and its sequel, Return of the Realm?

After writing the rough draft of Secrets of the Realm, I then filled in the blanks. I researched all aspects of sailing and eighteenth century England that would be relevant to the story. To get the feel of actually being on a sailing ship, I explored the decks of a nineteenth century sailing ship moored in San Diego. The seasickness episode was gleaned from personal experiences of myself and a family member who will remain anonymous. It was not as dramatic as the scene in Secrets of the Realm.

Are there any plans for a book 3 in the Secrets of the Realm series?

There might very well be a third installment. It’s too early to say for sure.

When can we expect Return of the Realm to be published?

I’m shooting for the spring of 2014.

How did you choose Annie’s male name, Andres de la Cruz?

Andres de la Cruz was my great great grandfather. My husband thought I should not have an 18th century English girl’s mother be of Spanish descent. After I researched the fishing village I had chosen for Annie’s birthplace, I discovered its relationship with the Spanish Armada. I then knew my decision on Annie’s heritage, and using my great great grandfather’s name, would work.

Doc is such a sweet man once you get to know him, is he loosely based on someone you know in real life?

Doc is every tortured soul I have met, and will meet in my lifetime. He is that person who is unapproachable. But if you let yourself get to know him, you will be glad you did.

What made you decide that Chris would be lame?

Being lame, made Christopher the perfect character to be Annie’s best friend. They both managed to overcome the cruel hands that fate had dealt them.

As a fan of Captain Hawke, can we know why he seems to hire the “rejects” or those traditionally not hired to be sailors?

Not all of Captain Hawke’s crew members are rejects. Those who are, though, were hired because the captain sees potential in everyone. Captain Hawke knows first hand what it is like to be judged by society.

Which character in Secrets of the Realm would you most likely be friends with in real life?

That is a hard question. I love so many of my characters, even Symington! And as much as I admire Annie, she would be difficult to have as a friend. I’m a rule follower. She isn’t. Then, there’s Christopher. Let’s face it. How can you not love that boy? He has a big heart, and he finds joy in just being alive. It would be fun to be friends with Barrette, too. If I were able to keep myself from being distracted by his muscles, he would make me laugh a lot. Being friends with Captain Hawke would be an exciting experience. He has led such a colorful life for a man as young as he is. Oh, I have to pick just one. Okay, it would have to be Christopher.

In 140 characters, how would you summarize Secrets of the Realm?

Teenage girl faces adversity with unwavering spirit. In her quest to find her place in the world, she touches the lives of those she meets along the way. Don’t know if that is 140 characters or not, but it will have to do.

Can you give us any information without spoiling us on the Return of the Realm?

You can expect new adventures for Annie, but different than the ones she had encountered in the first book. New characters will be introduced in Return of the Realm. But as the title suggests, former characters will return, as well.

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You can buy Secrets of the Realm at:
Amazon: Kindle or Paperback or Audiobook
WWW

WWW (September 11)

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W.W.W. Wednesday’s is hosted by Should Be Reading. To play along all you have to do is answer three simple questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish? What do you think you’ll read next?

1. What are you reading?

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I am about 37 pages into Fangirl and so far I am loving it! I am reading this because I am a part of Tumblr’s Official Book Club which was launched September 10. I am an official correspondent, so I will be writing a official review for tumblr and discussing the book in three parts. Also, I will be posting the discussion posts on here as well.

2. What did you recently finish?

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I recently finished The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. OH MY! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved the story and how heart-broken I am. The hype around this book is well deserved.

3. What do you think you’ll read next?

Where She Went

I am going to try to tackle Where She Went by Gayle Forman, the sequel of If I Stay. I hope my heart can take it.

Editor Letter

Update: Blog News

Hey guys! Veronica here.

Sorry the blog has been a little slow for the past two weeks. Both Anjie and I have been really busy and have fallen out of practice with blogging, but fear not, I will try to keep the ball rolling again next week.

I do want to mention that I will be doing a review of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell for the new official Tumblr Book Club. I was one of several book blogs over at Tumblr that were chosen to be official correspondents. For the month of September, Tumblr partnered with Rainbow Rowell, and I can’t wait to see who they partner with for the month of October.

I hope you guys are having a wonderful week and keep on reading!

 

Special Review, YA Historical

Book Review: Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout

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I want to thank the author Bev Stout for giving me a copy of her book in exchange for a honest review.

Goodreads Summary:

Blamed for her uncle’s death, fifteen-year-old Annie is on the run. Knowing the perils she will face on the streets of eighteenth century London, she disguises herself as a boy. Her life on the streets is cut short when she becomes Captain Hawke’s cabin boy.
Not only must Annie work alongside the Realm’s motley crew of outcasts and gentlemen, she must also keep her superstitious shipmates from discovering she is a girl.
Annie vows she will never leave the Realm, where dreams are chased, shattered lives can mend, and secrets are stowed like keepsakes in an old desk drawer. But when her past catches up with her, can she return to the Realm? More importantly, will she have a choice?

Review:

A lot of YA Historical novels that I’ve read, seem to have dumb-downed their language, or they use contemporary english in order to make it easier for the reader to read. Secrets of the Realm is different. The first thing that we notice when reading this book is that we get a very different english than the one we use everyday. We also learn sailor slang of the era the book is set in. If you ever find yourself time traveling into the past, this book might save you from trouble. It also teaches you how to become a cabin boy if you are a girl. 🙂

At first, I wasn’t so sure if I liked Annie. Her temper and her actions seemed to get her into trouble all of the time. Through the course of the novel though, she grew and I started to like Annie a lot more. The secondary characters that I absolutely loved and dare I say loved before Annie, were Doc and Christopher. They both helped Annie in so many ways and made Annie a more relatable and personable character.

Now, let’s talk about someone I’ve been avoiding on purpose for several reasons and that is Captain Hawke. For a while there, I didn’t know how old Captain Hawke was, but towards the end, I figured out how young and handsome he is. I dare not say more for the sake of not spoiling you.

I also want to point out quickly that Annie’s attitude for a girl in 18th Century England is not the norm. I love that she prefers sailor clothes over frilly dresses, and that she is strong willed. We can really see the difference in her attitude when the men are telling a story about something dangerous that happened out at sea and one of the lady’s at dinner is fainting, saying such a story was giving her vapors. The author clearly shows how differently women were viewed in the 18th Century.

Lastly, I enjoyed the culture created by the sailors in the Realm. In the Realm, they are all family and all depend on each other to defend the boat and help it get across the seas to its destination.

Overall:

I really enjoyed Secrets of the Realm even though it was a little slow at first. It is important you take in everything as you read it because some parts of the book are jam-packed with really fast paced scenes. I had to re-read some parts in order to fully capture what had been written.

If you like Historical fiction and are a fan of the sea and the sea life, I would recommend this book to you.

Rating: 4/5