Crossed - Ally Condie

Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Genre: YA, Dystopia/Utopia, Romance
Pages: 367
Rating: 4 Stars

Crossed was such a pleasant surprise! I honestly didn't know what I was expecting from Crossed because of how much of a let down Matched was for me. I was never really able to get into Matched  while I was reading it or connect to the story. I felt like it dragged a lot and never had that much of an exciting plot line. But I felt the complete opposite about Crossed.  I was able to get interested in this story from the start and was really pleased with the plot/how quickly it picked up.

In this sequel to Matched, Cassia is hell bent on finding Ky. She doesn't know where he is or how she is going to get to him, she just knows she is, no matter what it takes. In turn, Ky feels the same way. His only concern is finding Cassia again and being with her. They both are in pretty bad circumstances, her in a working camp and being sent to the Outer Provinces and him already in the Outer Provinces, in a group that is slowly being killed by the Society for being Aberrations/Anomalies. They both befriend a few people throughout their journeys, introducing new characters to the story, Vick, Eli, Indie and Hunter. Even though they stay together as a group, they don't all have the same agenda. Cassia and Indie are dedicated to finding the Rising and helping in the fight against the Society. Whereas, Ky wants nothing to do with Rising or the Society because he doesn't trust either. But Cassia and Ky are both conflicted in what they want to do because they don't want to put their plans above their love for each other.

Crossed was so much better than Matched in many different ways for me. Firstly the plot was so much better, it had an actual story line that you can follow and intrigued me and made me want to keep reading. Now that I've finished this one, I kind of feel like Matched was just setting the readers up for what the following books will bring. Most of the time fillers are in between books but it feels like this series started with a filler. Matched didn't have an intriguing story line like most debut novels have that set up the rest of the series. It kind of just ambled on without too much going on, other than Cassia and Ky "sneaking words" and the ending of the story, nothing really that interesting went on. Crossed had so much more going on for me. Cassia was basically risking her life to find Ky and Ky was doing the same for her, you learn a lot more about Ky and his childhood and see a little bit more of Ky and Cassia's relationship without them having to hide from the Society.

There was a little bit lacking for me though and a friend on Goodreads also said it too, so I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought it. But i felt like Ky and Cassia's relationship was lacking a little. I just expected them to be more expressive now that they're out of the Society and no longer sneaking things on the Hill. Other than that I really loved this book, way more than Matched! I did miss Xander in this book though, other than his quick little part in the beginning. I really love his character and think he's just so sweet. He puts his feelings for Cassia aside and tries to help her over and over (even though he didn't know about the blue tablets (I hope)). I just wish there was more of him in this one. I'm assuming there will be in the next because they both are now part of the Rising. More to look forward to!

One really cool thing (at least to me) that I noticed about this series, is how much the covers give away about the story! Each cover's bubble is a color of one of the pills the Society gives to the Citizens. Also, on the first cover, Cassia is completely encased in the Society's bubble. The second cover, she's punching a hole through the bubble and in the third, she's completely out of the bubble. Which gives the impression that she is really going to go against the Society in the last book. Can't wait! :)

I really enjoyed this read and look forward to the last book! :)

In My Mailbox/Book Haul (1)

IMM is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, it's just an easy way to share the books you've bought, books you've received and just books you're planning on reading :)

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The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
Summary: The second thrilling installment in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy spinoff series. Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.
So excited to read this one! :)

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A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
Summary: This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here? Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog. But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?

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Firelight (Book #1) by Sophie Jordan
Summary: Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

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The Luxe (Book #1) by Anna Godbersen

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone--from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud--threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn. Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions. White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups. This is Manhattan, 1899.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...

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Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

Summary: On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all. Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.

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Crossed by Allie Condie 

Summary: Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky--taken by the Society to his sure death--only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of a rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices every thing to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again.

Tune In Tuesday (1)

Got this meme from book blogger/booktuber Elizziebooks, who got it from another book blogger, Ginger! I loved, loved, loved this idea because if there's anything I love as much as reading, it's music.

Lately I have been listening to Tony Lucca CONSTANTLY.  He was just on this past season of NBC's The Voice, he came in third :( but he's still a winner to me! I'm so glad I was introduced to him and his music because he's become one of my favorite artists recently. His voice/sound is so unique compared to a lot of music out today. He has a really rich, bluesy sound to his voice and just makes you swoon with every note.

I actually saw him this past Saturday at an outdoor mall an hour or so away from where I live, for a free summer concert. Not many things are free these days, so a chance to see Tony Lucca preform live on a beautiful and breezy summer day for free sounded like a wonderful day after work to me!

Not only does his voice and sound make him just so unique and really stand out but his songwriting itself just sets him apart from most artists. He writes all of his own music and his lyrics are just really unique (word of the day?). To top it all off, he is amazing on guitar. I'm no music extraordinaire but his playing alone could make me swoon, add his voice to the mix and I melt. When I saw him preform last week, he made a point to say that he never wants to "get big", that his wife and children come first and he just wants to be able to share his music. I just love Tony Lucca so much right now. Swoon. 

My favorite Original of his, has to be 'Anchored', hands down. It really is just a beautiful song.

He also has really amazing covers! Before doing only covers while on The Voice, he actually released an album of covers right before getting on the show.

He also just has really amazing stage presence. He gets so into a song, that you can't help but get into it too. You can tell he just really loves what he does! This a video from when I saw him perform this past weekend :)

Okay, I'll finish swooning now. Hope you enjoyed the music! :)

The Death Cure - James Dashner

Title: The Death Cure
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Books
Genre: YA, Dystopia/Utopia, Sci-Fi
Pages: 336
Rating: 5 Stars

THIS book. If there were any book/series I could choose to give the 'Emotional Rollercoaster' Award to, it'd be this one. Just like with The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials, whenever you think the boys finally caught a break and things would start to look up, BAM! something even worse would happen. The only way/best way I can describe reading this trilogy would be that I felt like I was holding my breath because I was so nervous about what was going to happen next. 


In the last installment of the series, the Trials are supposedly over. WICKED keeps telling them that they're close to a cure, they just need a little bit more help from the Gladers and their restored memories to finish the blueprint for the cure. The Gladers (what's left of them) finally realize that WICKED can't be trusted and make an escape and go to Denver. When there they meet up with a former Glader, Gally, who is part of a group called The Red Arm, whose only goal is to bring down WICKED once and for all. Thomas and Co. come up with a plan to level the playing field with WICKED in order to have a fair fight. But he doesn't know WICKED's final plan for him when he throws himself right into the lion's den. 


This book had me completely sucked in the entire time, the only time I would put it down was when I had to. I don't think I ever got bored or lost interest in the story. Which is sometimes rare with series and trilogies because after a while, some begin to lull a little or lose its spark. This story was consistently exciting and captivating, especially towards the end! Those last few chapters when you're finally going to learn what happens and how it all turns out for these poor boys was just INSANE. It was so action packed and crazy, I couldn't stop reading and felt like I was holding my breath again. 


There was one part towards the end that actual made me laugh, not even because it's funny but just what it reminded me of. When Thomas, Teresa, Minho, Brenda and Jorge are basically herding the Immunes to get them to the Flat Trans, it reminded me of the Disney movie, 101 Dalmatians. I don't know why, I guess it was just the way I pictured everyone running and it reminded me of the puppies running through the snow to get away from Cruella's goons.  I don't know.. I was reading until 3:30 in the morning..


A few parts had me a little teary eyed, a few got me mad. Two parts that really made me sad were obviously when Newt and Teresa died. I had a love/hate thing going with Teresa's character for a little while because it was hard to tell what side she was and if Thomas could really trust her. But towards the end you realize she's on Thomas's side and trying to help him bring down WICKED. So when she pushed him out of the way and got crushed, it was just so sad and really showed/symbolized that she's only been trying to protect Thomas and keep him safe all along. Newt also, I was so upset by what happened to him, he was supposed to be the glue that held them all together. It really made me sad knowing how it ended for him. He was an original Glader, I feel like he should of been immune and made it to the new world. That was a sad plot twist. 


What got me mad was freakin' Rat Man! Just when they're about to get out and make it through the Flat Trans, he has to come and ruin it all! I just hated his character, he couldn't leave those boys alone and just let them live their lives after the hell he'd put them through. What he was doing wasn't even for noble reasons with the entire human race's best interest at heart, he was doing it for selfish reasons because HE'D caught the flare. Ugh, I'm glad Thomas beat him to a pulp. Ok, rant's over..


I loved the ending, they finally made it to a safe, happy place where they weren't always under attack and fighting for their survival. I loved Thomas and Brenda's sweet little moment at the very end, the fact that Minho survived, Gally being able to redeem himself and show that he isn't a complete horrible person. I really, really love how this story ended, especially the fact that it ended happily since every other ending was always just the start to a new test or new obstacle for these boys to get through. Definitely one of my favorite series. 

Friday Favorites (1)

My favorites of the week!

The Maze Runner Trilogy!
These books have had me SO addicted lately! I just started them about a week ago and am already on the third one. The stories just completely suck you in to the point where you can't put the book down unless you really have to. From the characters to the storyline, you just get completely engrossed in the story. This trilogy will definitely always be one of my favorites.

One Tree Hill!
This has always, always been one of my most favorite shows but lately I've just been falling in love with it all over again. As pathetic as it is, my life lately has just consisted of reading The Maze Runenr trilogy, watching One Tree Hill and going to work. If you watch OTH, you know how addicting it can be and how it just makes you so obsessed with the characters and just everything about the show. Every time I watch the series over, I end up having a new favorite. Nathan Scott, I think will always be my absolute favorite but this time around, I'm really feeling bad for Brooke. Especially in the first season! I have just been seriously loving this show lately! 


                                                                                  

Tony Lucca!
I don't know if anyone else watches the voice, but if you do..how much do you love Tony Lucca?? The entire season, I just loved Tony Lucca! Then when he did "How You Like Me Now?" OMG, fell in love even more. I freaked out watching the finale when he came in third. I don't know, now I'm just rambling about how much I love Tony Lucca...I'm sorry. I'm actually seeing him perform this weekend! SO EXCITED. 

Matched - Ally Condie

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile 
Genre: YA, Dystopia/Utopia, Romance
Pages: 400
Rating: 3 Stars


I really expected to love this book so much more than I did. It was hard to get into the story, due to the fact by how much it dragged. It's not that it was a slow read, I feel like it just lacked a lot of substance and storyline. Most of the excitement takes place at the very end really quickly. The ending ended well enough to make me want to read the next book in the trilogy, but I didn't rush out to get it like I normally would in a series.


Cassia Reyes, lives in a society where the government matches people based many things using algorithms. The matches are said to be the most compatible person there is for you, this is the person you will marry. When you turn 17, you attend the Match Ceremony where you will receive your match, on a huge jumbotron in front of all the other matchees, your family and theirs. When you are matched you're given this microchip that you put into your screen at home and learn everything about your match. Cassia is matched to her best friend Xander, which she couldn't be happier about. But when she puts her microchip in, first Xander's face pops up but then disappears and is replaced by a boy named, Ky. Throughout the story Cassia has to come to terms with who she really loves and wants to be with, which of course involves many complications. The biggest complication being that Ky is an Aberration and Aberrations cannot be matched. Cassia spends most of the story struggling with figuring out who is meant to be with. 


I really had trouble connecting to this story and just couldn't get into it the way I hoped I would based on reviews I've seen and read. Like I said, it's not because of the story, characters or contact, I just felt like it lacked that spark that makes you so into a story that you can't put it down. I was also bothered by who she had picked in her mind by the end of the story, but that has nothing to do with the book just my own feelings. But the ending ended in a way where I know I'm going to read the sequel to find out where the story will go. 

The Scorch Trials - James Dashner

Title: The Scorch Trials
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: Dystopia, YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 368 (hardcover)
Rating: 5 Stars


I had high hopes and standards for The Scorch Trials, after reading The Maze Runner and loving it as much as I did. In this sequel, the Gladers are now put to the test of the Scorch Trials. They've finally gotten out of the maze and think that their troubles are finally far behind them but that is far from the truth. They're told by this mysterious man "Rat Man" that they must go north 100 miles through the Scorch in order to get to the safe haven. This is the place where they are told they will receive the cure for the Flare that they are supposedly infected with. They're only given a certain amount of time to do this and if they don't succeed, they'll die. The scorch is this desert area where WICKED has sent people infected with the Flare to basically sink deeper and deeper into insanity, become zombies and eventually die. They go through many excruciating things throughout the Scorch Trials. From molten metal devouring their heads, to crazy lightning storms burning them alive. These poor boys never get a break and are constantly fighting for their lives. 


This book was a really great read but so stressful to get through! These poor boys go through such crazy things in order to fight for their survival and to be cured. Most of the time I was reading, I felt like I was mentally holding my breath. Every time something would actually work out for them or they would catch a little break of some kind, I felt like I could finally let the breath I was holding out. Only just to hold it again right after. It's as if the rug they are standing on is constantly getting ripped right out from under them.


There was never a point in this book for me where the story lulled or bored me. I was completely absorbed in the story from the first word to the very last. While reading this book, I really was all over the map with these characters. In the beginning I loved Thomas and Teresa's relationship because it was just a refreshing piece of the story, even though they were always in some kind of turmoil. But by the middle of the story I was beginning to question Teresa and her motives. Even though she kept telling Thomas to trust her, it was just so back and forth that I couldn't figure out whether she was being honest or not. But like The Maze Runner, I really love these characters. Especially Minho, other than Thomas, I think he would have to be my favorite. Not only is he the occasional comic relief in an otherwise humorless situation, he's just so logical and level headed. I like the fact that even though everyone else could be freaking out and just losing their minds over what's happening, Minho is always coming up with the plan and just ready to take the lead and take action. 


The world that Dashner creates is just so unique and different than anything I've read before! Not only that but he just describes the scenes, their environment and situation so well that I can completely visualize everything that is going on. Not all authors are capable of this, it bothers me when a story lacks detail so you aren't able to fully visualize what the author intends you to, making you come up with a picture of your own. It's easier to get completely engrossed in the story when you are able to fully visualize it. 


One last thing I really liked about this book is the fact that it begins RIGHT where The Maze Runner left off. I hate when a the first book in a series ends and then the sequel starts off in the future, whether it be 3 months or a year. It makes you feel like you missed so much and then the sequel bounces back between flashbacks and the present. I don't know, I just really like when stories pick up where the last left off. Although some series really pull off the jumps from past to present, like Delirium by Lauren Oliver. 


This book was a great follow up to The Maze Runner and I can't wait to start the last book in the trilogy, The Death Cure. 

The Maze Runner - James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 384 (hardcover)
Genre: Dystopian, YA, Sci-fi
Rating: 5 Stars


I actually finished this only four or five minutes ago and was just floored, I knew I had to review it and get all of my thoughts out right away.


When I first started reading The Maze Runner, I honestly didn't think I would get into it as much as I did! In the beginning it's really hard to get used to how language and dialect of the characters, they have a completely made up vocabulary. But once you get past that confusion, it's just a fascinating story.


There are soooo many dystopian novels out recently, that it's hard to separate from the pack and really stand out but this book really does. The concept is just so out there and unique, I couldn't put this book down for anything unless I really had to. 


A group of boys are thrown into this place called the Glade, they have no memory of who they are, where they're from or even how old they are. They're brought to the Glade in what they call "The Box" and are basically just scared out of their wits. They have no idea why they are there, just that they're stuck and have to try to find a way out. Outside of the Glade is the Maze, where these evil monsters called Grievers that are half machine live and can poison you with their venomous needles. The description of these creatures is just so bizarre, that if you were ever actually faced with them you would just be completely terrified. They have these mechanically metal arms, and a pulsating jelly-like body, with metal spikes that shoot out of their sides, they can scale walls and basically devour you if they catch you and intend to kill. The walls of the Maze change each night, the boys of the Glade before Thomas arrived thought that they would eventually find the right path through the maze that would lead them out. When Thomas arrives, he is constantly hit with feelings of deja vu but he can never understand why or recall anything. Throughout the story he remembers things here and there and other Gladers who have been stung by a Griever can also remember things because it is a side effect of a Griever sting/serum. 


I really loved the personalities of the different characters and after a while you get so used to their language that you just understand it and it's actually funny. I thought it was clever too how Dashner named the characters after scientists because the characters actually find out towards the end of the book that the names they think are there's actually aren't and were planted in their minds. Thomas was given the name after Thomas Edison, Newt after Isaac Newton and Alby after Albert Einstein. I think of my most favorite characters would have to be Chuck. He's just this sweet little boy, around 11 or 12, that is just so optimistic about getting home and was Thomas's first friend and at one point his only friend. I just thought his character was really sweet and a breath of fresh air when there was all of this gloom and doom happening throughout the story. 


This story never really had a dull moment, there was something constantly happening where you couldn't put it down. Another thing that made it hard to put down was that most chapters ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger, so you had to keep going to see what was going to happen. Definitely one of the best books I've read recently. 


Time to download The Scorch Trials on my nook because I can't wait long enough to go to the bookstore..

Fifty Shades Freed - E.L. James

Title: Fifty Shades Freed
Author: E.L. James
Publisher: Vintage
Pages: 592
Genre: Erotica
Rating: 5 Stars


Just like with Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker, I gave this last book 5 stars. Not because the writing was out of this world or the story even, I give it 5 based on how much I loved the characters and their story lines. Despite what a lot of people are saying about this trilogy, I found it enjoyable. Although it's completely unrealistic how Ana was able to change Christian in a little less than 2 months, it was still an enjoyable and good read.


Like Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed was a semi-thriller as well. Yet again someone is out to get Christian and Ana, Ana's former Boss Jack Hyde. Even though it wasn't the most creative name (Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde), it was still an interesting story line. Jack had this almost life long grudge held against Christian because Christian was the one who got adopted by the Grey family from their foster home. He didn't understand why it was Christian and not him and couldn't get past how close he was to living the life Christian now lives. 


This installment to the Fifty Shades trilogy was pretty packed story and action wise. There was always something going on and the story never lulled for me. This is another reason why I really love the Fifty Shades trilogy, from the beginning of the first book to the end of the third I was never bored or waiting for the story to end. 


A lot of the story was predictable though, such as Ana getting pregnant. Everyone knew it was going to happen, we were just waiting for it. You also knew Christian would be upset, their relationship would be questioned but then everything would work out in the end. Even though it was predictable I still enjoyed that part of the story. Seeing Christian vulnerable and nervous that he would be a bad father was very sweet to see of his character. 


One of my favorite parts of this book though has to be the final two little chapters, Christian's first Christmas with the Grey's and the chapter told from Christian's POV. Christian's first Christmas was sad to read because it showed just how damaged and broken he was from the life he lived before being adopted. It broke my heart when Christian wished he could be tickled by the father like the other children but was too scared and uncomfortable with someone touching him. The chapter from Christian's POV was also really interesting because you see just how bad he was before meeting Ana. 


I hope she writes more from Christian's POV or at least a novella or a different version of the first book, not necessarily the entire trilogy. 

Fifty Shades Darker - E.L. James

Title: FIfty Shades Darker
Author: E.L. James
Publisher: Vintage
Pages: 544
Genre: Erotica
Rating: 5 Stars


Fifty Shades Darker really added to the Christian and Ana's storyline and just added depth to the series. The series no longer puts so much emphasis on his dom/sub lifestyle but emphasizes his willingness to change for Ana. Fifty Shades Darker also became somewhat of a thriller. 


One of Christian's ex-subs had a nervous breakdown really after the man she was involved with was killed in a car accident. She started stalking Christian and Ana and was trying to figure out why Christian changed for Ana. This twist in the story line really showed how much Christian cares for Ana. He had part of his security with her at all times and tracking down Leila. Leila's story line also showed how caring Christian is and shows that he's just broken but trying to change it. The entire time they were looking for Leila, his focus was to get Leila the help she needed, not to press charges or hurt her for wanting to hurt Ana. He really is a compassionate man, he's just severely damaged from his childhood. 


What I loved most about this book was the development in Christian and Ana's relationship and how Christian is finally beginning to open up to Ana about his past, secrets and fears. 


What I didn't love is the fact that it gives the impression that it's possible to change someone and not only change them but to completely change them in 5 weeks. It's just not possible. Especially with the deep issues that Christian has.


Like I said, people either love it or hate it. I loved it because I just found the story line interesting and compelling. I wouldn't say its the greatest thing ever written but it was a fun read. 

Fifty Shades of Grey - E.L. James

Title: Fifty Shades of Grey
Author: E.L. James
Publisher: Vintage
Pages: 528
Genre: Erotica
Rating: 5 Stars




I honestly didn't think I would love this book as much as I did! My friend at work first told me about it after reading it before it really exploded, then my cousin told me about it soon after. I always give anything a shot once, so I figured why not. I was completely sucked into the story from the start. I really loved the story and the characters but the writing irked me sometimes. It seemed like she would use much bigger words than necessary to make it sound better but it just took away from the story. Especially if you're really into the part of the story you're reading and then you have to figure out what a crazy word means to continue reading.


This series either gets loved or hated, I don't think there was an inbetween for most people. I really loved the characters and the story line and not to be cliche, but Christian Grey. He really is one of the most complex characters I've read about in quite some time, which eventually gets him the nickname Fifty. I love how much he grows to love Ana and is willing to change for her and try to better himself. 


I was conflicted during some parts of the story because I would get annoyed with the characters. Christian would bother me because of how controlling he is and just his rules, both his dom/sub rules and just his rules for daily life. But Ana also irked me because she knew how he was and his temper/personality type but would purposely do things to get under his skin and make him mad and would then turn it and get mad at him for being mad. I understand it's good that she did this because then he would just have completely control over her if she didn't take some of it back. But it just bothered me how mad she would get when she knew what his reaction would be every time. 


Another obvious point is the similarities between Fifty Shades of Grey and Twilight. It's a known fact now that E.L. James first wrote this book as a Twilight fanfiction. There are maaaany similarities between the two. Him being "bad" and her needing to stay away from him but he can't stay away from her, her being this quiet, little, sweet virgin who becomes basically addicted to him, him having all adopted siblings by wealthy parents with one being a doctor. Even her friend Jose can be compared to Bella's best friend Jacob Black. 
The series even take place in the same state. Even though there are many, many similarities there are also a lot of differences, other than the fact that Christian isn't a vampire and Edward isn't into S&M. 


I didn't expect the ending at all because Ana was always so willing to do as he wanted and to try new things for him. So when she decided to leave I was so shocked, I had to buy the next book on my nook right after I finished reading to find out what would happen next. 

The Red Queen - Philippa Gregory

Title: The Red Queen
Author: Philippa Gregory
Publisher: Pocket Books
Pages: 464
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars


I found The Red Queen to be a lot more enjoyable than The White Queen (also by Philippa Gregory). I think this one was more interesting and easier to get through because Lady Margaret Beaufort was a lot more interesting as a character. She was very conniving and determined, her only concern being her son, Henry Tudor. 


From the very start you feel sorry for Lady Margaret because of what she had to go either, from being married off at such a young age to conceiving her first and only child so young, also. The birth of her son went so horribly that she was never able to conceive again. Granted it was the custom of those times to marry men and women off extremely young, you can't help but feel sorry for her. Not only was she wed extremely young, she was also married off a few times and was never able to be with her true love (Jasper, the brother of her first husband, Edmund Tudor). Her only focus through this entire novel was to get her son into power and put him on the throne as king. 


This wasn't that much of an easy read either, but it was much easier than The White Queen to get through. I don't think I'll be reading the next installment and continuing the series. 

The White Queen - Philippa Gregory

Title: The White Queen
Author: Philippa Gregory
Publisher: Pocket Star
Pages: 592
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars


This book was really rough to get through for me for some reason. It's not that it wasn't enjoyable, it just seemed to drag on most of the time and went along at a very slow pace. I think you have to be an extreme history buff (especially in that period) to really appreciate and enjoy this story.


Although I wasn't thrilled from the beginning, maybe about 3/4 of the way through I began to get involved in the story. It was interesting to see through Queen Elizabeth's POV, although most of the story is fiction there is some factual information incorporated through the story. I didn't realize how much research Gregory did in order to write this novel until I read the bibliography in the back. 


I feel bad giving what seems to be a negative review because I did enjoy the story. I just think I may have enjoyed it more if I was really interested in history and this specific period.

Pandemonium - Lauren Oliver

Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars


Unlike Delirium, I was sucked into this story from the very start. It was really interesting/sad to see how Lena's life is now without Alex and also how she had to cope and survive without him. I was really bummed with the end of Delirium/what happened to Alex because I really loved his character and his and Lena's relationship. 


I was also interested to see what was going to happen to Lena now that Alex was gone. Also, I was really hoping Alex would somehow survive and comeback. (Which thank god he did!). Julian's character really made me feel conflicted because I loved Alex's character so much but I really started to love Julian throughout Pandemonium. So we'll see what happens with that,  but I hope Requim isn't all about the love triangle between Lena, Alex and Julian and has a strong story line like Delirium and Pandemonium. I think it would really take away from the story line and the interesting dystopian society Oliver has created. 


I really love this series and can't wait for the next installment. I'm hoping the final book ends with a happy ending since these first two books have been nothing but heartbreak and conflict!

Delirium - Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium

Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 480

Genre: YA, Dystopian, Romance

Rating: 5 stars

When first starting this book, I found it to be extremely slow moving and just dragging on. But once I got towards the middle I was just sucked into the story completely. I was seriously loving this book..up until the last few pages. Although I don't agree with the ending, it was far from boring and was a good twist to the story line. The concept of this story was also very original to me because lately there are so many dystopian themed novels/series, it's easy for a book to get lost in the fray.  

The main character Lena, lives in a society where love is considered a disease. After everyone's 18th birthday, the government makes them undergo "the procedure" which extracts the part of the brain that allows a person to feel love. When first starting this book, I just assumed they weren't able to feel love love, like marriage/relationship love. BUt they aren't able to feel any type of love, not for their families, friends, pets..nobody.

Lena, obviously falls in love, you knew it was going to happen or there wouldn't be a story. But the way she evolves throughout the story really pulls you in. She starts out as completely for the procedure, literally counting down the days until her procedure date. But then she meets Alex, an "invalid" or uncured, who was just as sweet as can be and starts to question everything she's ever been taught. THe development of their relationship is really captivating as well.

I really loved the variety of characters throughout the story, also. Usually you just get to know one or two main characters and the rest are just background noise and there to further the main characters story line(s). But the other characters in Delirium really have their own stand alone stories. Such as Lena's detached, sometimes cold and extremely pro-cure aunt. Also, Lena's best friend Hana, who begins to question the cure too but in different methods than Lena.

What also hooked me was the fact that Oliver doesn't always go for the happy ending like most novel/series do. I found this be clever and risky because of the uproar it could of caused with readers. This was her way of sucking the readers in and guaranteeing that they'll come back to find out what happens next. I really loved this book, I find the idea to be original and just really intriguing.