Category: Reviews

Reviews, YA Dystopian

Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Veronica Porras (TTB)
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Goodreads:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth’s much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

What I liked:

I liked that Insurgent had the same feeling of dread, excitement, and heart pounding adrenaline that Divergent had. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole entire time. The ending was… perfect. Veronica Roth is the only author I approve of using that type of torturous cliffhanger on me.

What I disliked:

I don’t really have anything negative to say about the book except that I kept thinking, “Dear women let me breath!!” At the same time, it is also why I like it. I am a very complicated person when it comes to this series. It also seemed that Insurgent lacked the ‘love’ part of the story. What redeemed the lack of love in the book was the ending, when Four did what he did (if you read this book already, you know what he did) and believed Tris. The understanding and loyalty between these two just gets to me. They may just be one of my favorite pairings at the moment.

Overall:

Insurgent was phenomenal. I loved every second of it and I can only hope Allegiant is going to be as good as the first two books in the trilogy.

Rating: 5/5

Rating System:

1/5: I hated it.

2/5: It had some redeeming qualities but overall, not a good book.

3/5: I liked it (A fun read).

4/5: I really like it, but something was missing.

5/5: I love it! It’s as close to perfection as it can get!

Adult Contemporary, Special Review

Book Review: Etiquette for the End of the World by Jeanne Martinet

Veronica Porras (TTB)
Etiquette for the end of the World by Jeanne Martinet
Etiquette for the end of the World by Jeanne Martinet

I was given a copy of this book through Net Galley. The description of the story was very promising which led me to request it. I started reading the book once I was approved, but after the first 30 pages everything started going down hill. I am sad to say that after trying to read it for over a month, I can’t make myself finish the book and I will write a review on what I’ve read so far. I really wanted to like this book but I couldn’t.

Goodreads Summary:

A romantic comedy of post-millennial manners, apocalyptic career moves, and a woman’s last chance to get life right…

RULE #1: DON’T PANIC—IT ONLY ATTRACTS SHARKS

It’s not the end of the world. That’s what 39-year-old Tess Eliot has to remind herself after losing her newspaper column (“Tess Knows Best”) and being dumped by her boyfriend for a younger woman (a feng shui expert? Really?). Then Tess is hired to write an etiquette guide preparing readers for the Ancient Mayan doomsday of December 21, 2012, and she has to ask herself: Could the world really be coming to an end? At first, Tess fakes her way through chapters like “Boundaries in the Bunker” and “Cannibalism: Yes or No?” But after uncovering a secret plot for world destruction, she is forced to embark on a life-changing odyssey of her own—involving all-too-close encounters with touchy-feely survivalists, conspiracy theorists and one handsome guy who seems way too perfect.

What I liked:

I like that the book wasn’t badly written (as in I did not find any grammatical errors). I also liked the idea that was being marketed. The title makes you want to read the book and I like that. If this book would had been executed better, I would have been a fan of it for a long time.

What I didn’t like:

I did not like the characters in the story or how the plot was developed. The main character at first was someone I could be friends in real life and I kind of liked, but soon she started changing into something I could not stand. There are plenty of stories I’ve read with bad characters, but somehow you come to like them but Tess was one of those characters who I wanted to scream at and say, “Get a life! Grow up!” The only character I liked was Tess’ old boss who helps her obtain side jobs and in a sense is her advisor.

Overall:

I didn’t like the book and I couldn’t make myself finish it. What upsets me is that I requested a copy of this book to review it and I will be giving it a bad review but it happens. Everyone has a time where they have this awesome idea but it is poorly executed and it ends up being a mess. I am not bashing her writing but this story could have been better executed. It had so much potential for being great.

Rating: 2/5

Reviews, YA Mystery

Book Review: Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3) by Ally Carter

Veronica Porras (TTB)

perfect-scoundrels-by-ally-carter

Goodreads Summary:

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy.

What I liked:

I absolutely loved this book! I believe it to be the best yet in the Heist Society Series. We were finally able to learn more about Hale’s family and his background. There were many moments where I literally screamed at Hale or Kat (and that is something I don’t do often because I don’t want to look like a crazy person). Something that I really liked that Ally Carter did was that she completely surprised me with the last twenty pages of the book. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone so I won’t say anything but this was the first book in the Heist Society Series that I was not able to guess the ending. Ally Carter was just bumped up to VIP status in my list of best authors out there.

What I disliked:

Honestly, it took me a little while to get into it. I don’t know if it was because I just so busy I couldn’t enjoy reading a book or because it was slow at the beginning but after the first 100 pages there was no stopping me.

Overall:

Perfect Scoundrels was a really fun book to read and I truly enjoyed. I can always count on Ally Carter to give me a book that is fun to read and tackles issues that many teenagers are facing today in their everyday lives. She knows how to make heavy subjects like death and insecurity more approachable and easier to tackle. Basically, she makes life easier. 🙂

Rating: 5/5

Rating System:

1/5: I hated it.

2/5: It had some redeeming qualities but overall, not a good book.

3/5: I liked it (A fun read).

4/5: I really like it, but something was missing.

5/5: I love it! It’s as close to perfection as it can get!

Historical Fiction, Reviews

Book Review: Imperium by Robert Harris

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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In his “most accomplished work to date” (Los Angeles Times), master of historical fiction Robert Harris lures readers back in time to the compelling life of Roman Senator Marcus Cicero. The re-creation of a vanished biography written by his household slave and right-hand man, Tiro, Imperium follows Cicero’s extraordinary struggle to attain supreme power in Rome.

Goodreads Summary:

On a cold November morning, Tiro opens the door to find a terrified, bedraggled stranger begging for help. Once a Sicilian aristocrat, the man was robbed by the corrupt Roman governor, Verres, who is now trying to convict him under false pretenses and sentence him to a violent death. The man claims that only the great senator Marcus Cicero, one of Rome’s most ambitious lawyers and spellbinding orators, can bring him justice in a crooked society manipulated by the villainous governor. But for Cicero, it is a chance to prove himself worthy of absolute power. What follows is one of the most gripping courtroom dramas in history, and the beginning of a quest for political glory by a man who fought his way to the top using only his voice — defeating the most daunting figures in Roman history.

What I liked:

This book was a masterpiece. Robert Harris made history fascinating. I, a person whose worst subject in school was history, has fallen in love with historical fiction. This book made me cheer for Cicero from his meager beginnings to the moment he became a consul, a freaking consul. Cicero reached Imperium. The characters were really well built and executed throughout the book. It was a bit like reading a memoir. I think this book would be amazing as a movie. The world needs to see this on screen.

What I “disliked”:

This book is so brilliant that I cannot say one bad thing about it. I may be biased because it gives rhetoric and communication high importance, and I am about to obtain a BA in Communication Studies at the end of May. I guess the only thing I “disliked” was the difficulty I had with the names. Apart from Cicero and Tiro, the names are pretty abnormal for this time and age.

Rating: 5/5

Rating System:

1/5: I hated it

2/5: It had some redeeming qualities but overall, not a good book

3/5: I liked it (A fun read)

4/5: I really like it, but something was missing

5/5: I love it! It’s as close to perfection as it can get!

Adult Fantasy, Reviews, Special Review

Book Review: Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Veronica Porras (TTB)

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This is an unconventional review because this book hasn’t been published yet. The book will be released to the public June 4th, 2013 (in the United States). This review will be staying spoiler free for that very reason and I’ve made a new structure for this type of review. Thank you Net Galley and Dutton for providing me with an advanced copy of the book.

Goodreads Summary: In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense.

Review:

This book blew me away. Why? Because I didn’t know Richelle Mead’s writing was capable of changing in a very good way. Unlike the Vampire Academy Series or the Bloodlines Series where the reader find themselves only in Rose’s or Sydney’s mind, in Gameboard of the Gods the story is told through many point of views with different lenses. I believe this to be a absolutely brilliant move on behalf of Ms. Mead. Normally, books that have several narrators throw me off because there seems to be something missing, but somehow Richelle Mead was able to find the perfect balance and make it work. I do see some similarities in the structure of the book/series to that of the Bloodlines series and the Vampire Academy series.

There was only one thing I did not like in this book and that was that it had a sex scene in it. I’m a person that tries to avoid books with sex scenes. Nonetheless, this is a great book! Another Richelle Mead masterpiece. There is a reason as to why she is one of my favorite authors.

Edit:

After almost three months since I’ve read Gameboard of the Gods, I love this book even more. As I sat thinking, drinking my morning coffee, the way Richelle Mead made me uncertain about the main characters through the first half of the book. I couldn’t decided who I did and didn’t like. That has never happened to me before and that is another reason why you need to read this book.

Rating: 5/5

Rating System:

1/5: I hated it

2/5: It had some redeeming qualities but overall, not a good book

3/5: I liked it (A fun read)

4/5: I really like it, but something was missing

5/5: I love it! It’s as close to perfection as it can get!

Reviews, YA Paranormal

Book Review: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead

Veronica Porras (TTB)
The Indigo Spell (Bloodline #3) by Richelle Mead
The Indigo Spell (Bloodline #3) by Richelle Mead

GoodReads Summary:

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch–a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood–or else she might be next.

What I liked:

Richelle Mead has done it again. Even though this is the slowest book so far in the Bloodlines series, it is still very good and did not bore me. I absolutely love it when an author can make a book that is not all fireworks and sparks still be very interesting and intriguing book. I was very pleased to see Adrian and Sydney’s relationship develop to the point where both of them knew exactly where they each stood with their feelings and with each other. Honestly, I liked that The Indigo Spell did not have this big cliffhanger in the last chapter but instead TIS seemed to have this feeling that the complete book in itself was a big foreshadow and a big cliffhanger for the rest of the series.

What I disliked:

Marcus Finch. I didn’t like his character or the developments that occurred around him. I can only think of two good things that came out of having Marcus Finch in the series. He was blown up way out of proportion for how little importance he had in this book. Knowing Richelle Mead though, he will probably have a big role further down in the series and I will have to eat my words.

Rating: 5/5

Rating System:

1/5: I hated it

2/5: It had some redeeming qualities but overall, not a good book

3/5: I liked it (A fun read)

4/5: I really like it, but something was missing

5/5: I love it! It’s as close to perfection as it can get!

 

Reviews, YA Dystopian

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Veronica Porras (TTB)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Divergent by Veronica Roth

Oh My!

This book exceeded my expectations! It blew them out of the water!

I was hesitant to read this book. I really was. I picked it up a few months ago, read about 3 pages and decided it wasn’t worth my money. Boy, was I a bit judgmental because of the hype! I regret not reading this book sooner. I could have had the hardcover edition of the first book instead of the paperback edition the bookstore only had in stock.

Honestly, this is by far one of the best books I’ve read this year. The amount of action, romance, intrigue, and the writing style, make it into a blockbuster of books! No wonder the hype is as big as it is!

You could say the main characters are Tris (also known as Beatrice) and Four (whose identity I can’t disclose because I want to keep this as spoiler free as I can, Muahahahaha). Tris’ world consists of Five Factions, the Abnegation, the Amity, the Candor, the Dauntless, and the Erudite. Each faction stands for a “value” one could almost say. The Abnegation strive to be selfless, the amity strive to be peaceful, the candor strive to be honest, the dauntless are the brave, and the Erudite strive to gain knowledge. At Tris’ 16th birthday she had to go through a simulation test that decides what faction you’re most compatible with. That’s where things get tricky for Tris because no faction is the correct one for her. She is factionless. Her father is a leader in the Abnegation government and changing faction’s would mean she would betray her family, her government almost.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to fans of any book genre. I’m not a big dystopian fan but this book made me want to read more books in that genre.

Oh and, Divergent takes place in Chicago. That might peak your interest a little more. 😉

Rating: 5/5

Rating System:

1/5: I hated it

2/5: It had some redeeming qualities but overall, not a good book.

3/5: I liked it. A fun read.

4/5: I really like it, but something was missing.

5/5: I love it! It’s as close to perfection as it can get!

Reviews, ya romance

Opinion: Confessions of a Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Draanen (Not a Official Review)

Veronica Porras (TTB)
Confessions of a Serial Kisser
Confessions of a Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Draanen

Just finished reading Confessions of a Serial Kisser. I can describe this book in one word, Hilarious!

This book was so much fun to read. It was what kept me sane, and distracted me enough to really let my mind rest in between sessions of editing essays.

Evangeline, the main character, is funny! Even though the thing she is looking for is not what she should be looking for, (The perfect kiss) as the reader we somehow still root for her and hope that she finds the perfect, “crimson” kiss. Evangeline is a character that in some level we can all relate to in this imperfect world. You’ll understand why I say this if you read the book because I don’t think we all are going on around kissing boys looking for the perfect kiss right? Or at least I’m not.

Reading this book is the equivalent to eating chocolate ice cream out of the carton. So wrong yet so good. A guilty pleasure!

Happy Reading!

Reviews, ya contemporary

Book Review: Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Veronica Porras (TTB)
Epic Fail by Clare LaZebnik
Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

When I first saw this book the title through me off. Epic Fail? What type of book title is that?! I am very glad I decided to take a chance on it and read it anyways.

At first, it seemed to be your run-of-the-mill cliché and fluffy young adult book. You have Elise who moves to Los Angeles and starts going to a private prep school where the majority of the student body consists of Hollywood brats (or at least that’s how Elise sees them). Then we meet Derek who will be her love interest. A very interesting character with some pride and a bit of prejudice thrown. Hope you caught what I just did. 😉

Someone said in their review of the book that this book was a gobbler. A gobbler is a fun book you can read in one sitting, and it was just that!

I was so pleased with this sort of cliche, fun, lovey-dovey book. It’s hard to find these type of books nowadays. A good amount of YA books appear to be gobblers but are not. They are like the gobbler’s dumb and boring cousin.

Anyways, if you want something fun to read, pick up Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik. You won’t be disappointed!

Reviews, YA Paranormal

Book Review: City of Bones (Book #1 of The Mortal Instruments)

Veronica Porras (TTB)
City of Bones (#1 The Mortal Instruments Series) by Cassandra Clare
City of Bones (#1 The Mortal Instruments Series) by Cassandra Clare

Out of the blue, I decided to read The City of Bones. About a year or two ago I remember picking up this book and wondering if I should read it but some other book caught my eye that day at the bookstore and ever since then, I had not given it another glance until a few months ago. I started hearing about TMI (The Mortal Instruments) left and right because the film adaptation of the book is coming out soon. I decided to read the book in order to see if the movie might be “worth” seeing.

The City of Bones ended up being action packed and intense! I was not expecting this at all. To be honest, I was expecting romance and lots of it for some strange reason. This book has almost every mythical and paranormal creature you can think of. There are vampires, werewolves, fairies, trolls, demons, etc. Seriously, they have about everything. They even have angels, the fallen angels and archangels too. When I say everything, I mean everything.

As the first book in the series it is just… okay. There was no mind-blowing thing going on in the book but it also wasn’t a bad read. Personally, I give it a 3.5 out of 5 or a B-. Take your pick. Honestly, I wanted more character development. The whole time I was reading the book I was so entranced with the action that the few moments where valuable information was given, the action/fighting scene overshadowed it. Another thing that really bugged me at first was how the author switched point of views. It was unexpected and at times, random. I feel as if it made the book a bit disorganized.

I probably won’t read the rest of the series but at least I gave it a try.

Now TMI fandom, please don’t bash me. We all have our opinions and likes and dislikes. 🙂

Oh and one last thing, DO NOT read this book all in one day from morning to night. It will give you nightmares and will not let you sleep. I was up imagining the horrible monsters described in the book and the whole Jace and Clary thing. Their issues are like none I have ever read before. I almost encourage you to read the book just so you can see what I mean.

This concludes my “review” of the book. These are my opinions and you are very welcome to disagree with me. 🙂

Happy Reading!