Heir of Fire by Sarah Maas

By now you know that Nehemia died, Dorian has power and Celaena is half-fae and is Aelin Ashryver Galanthynius, heir to the throne and rightful Queen of Terrasen.

Last time we saw Celeana she was leaving for Wendlyn. The King sent her there to kill Wendlyn's king and his heir and also steal the navy and military plans of the kingdom. Little does the King of Adarlan know that it was Chaol's intention for Celaena to hide among the Fae on that part of the world. Misguided as that might be, Chaol wants to protect Celaena because her being half-fae makes her life more in danger than before.

Celaena, on her part, wants to take this opportunity to seek out Queen Mauve of the Fae. She was hoping to get answers from her on how to destroy the Wyrdkeys because Queen Mauve had been present when the Wyrdkeys were wielded. The problem is the Fae look down on half-Fae, so Celaena is not really that safe in Wendlyn either.

When she met the Queen the latter told her that she cannot enter Doranelle until she proves that she is both gifted and worthy. Queen Maeve is interested in her power, her ability to summon and manipulate flame. In the meantime, she is to train under Prince Rowan and it is him who will gauge if she has conquered her power. During her training she is to live in Mistward, a place where half-faes live while waiting to be deemed worthy to enter Doranelle.

In this book we are also introduced to the witch clans. We know they exist from meeting Baba Yellowlegs before. But this time, we get a peak on their way of life. Particularly, we follow Manon Blackbeak and her Thirteen. Unlike the usual portrait of witches, Manon and the Thirteen are very beautiful but these women are ruthless and dangerous. When the part of the witches focused on Manon, I thought that she will have a big role in the series. I don't know yet is she is friend or foe to Celaena. I wish she will be a friend because Celaena needs all the powerful allies she can get.

You do not apologize for defending the people you care about. - Rowan

Rating: 5 STARS

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Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

So magic is again being used in Erilia - the dark, evil kind. Celaena discovered this when she the spirit of Elena, the first Queen of Adarlan, engaged her help to destroy it. I guess that's no longer a spoiler anymore since that was part of the first book :)

We also know by now that Celaena chose Chaol over Dorian. I do not support this decision, I don't get Chaol's appeal to Celaena. I find him boring and a stickler for rules. I am not sure if he will break his oath to protect the king and the kingdom even if it means saving Celaena from harm or death. And in this aspect, I am a little irritated with her. She made her decision to be with Chaol, but she can't bear the thought of Dorian with other women. Ugh! I guess even the greatest assassin will still act like any other girl when it comes to boys. But it cannot be denied that she and Dorian do have a connection, it may not be enough for her to fall in love with him though. But who knows, the series isn't over yet.

Celaena, as the King's Champion, has to do his bidding which entails killing anyone who stands in his way. Every now and then she would be given a name to kill under the pretext that some crime was committed against the king or the kingdom. Of course Celaena does not blindly follow the King's orders, she doesn't indiscriminately kill people (well, not anymore). Instead of killing them right away, she would interrogate them on why the King wants them dead. And always, the accusations are not true. Then she would give them some time to settle their affairs and secure passage away from Adarlan. She then found ways to make it appear that she killed that person.

Celaena continued to search for answer as to the dark magic that Elena referred to. However, in doing so, more questions are raised than answers found. And it was discouraging Celaena. She was one foot in and the other out with this plan to overthrow the King. For her, it was futile to fight him because he cannot be defeated and she doesn't want to risk her life and the lives of innocent people in rallying against the oppressive monarch. I guess she is just tired of violence and simply wants to live a life of peace. I don't blame her though. She grew up in a life of violence, her being trained by the king of assassins. She later because an assassin herself and was subsequently held the best assassin in all of Adarlan. So I understand if she wants to sit back and not join the fight.

However, I believe that she has to take an active role in stopping the King's reign of terror. I agree with Nehemia when she said that "[t]here can never be any peace - not while he reigns." I believe that as long as he is the one who rules, there will always be fear, terror and intimidation because that's just how he is. That's the only way he knows how to rule.

Two major revelations happened in this book. One is kinda predictable and the other not so much. I don't want to spoil things too much so I will leave it to you to discover what I am referring to. All I can say is they are the good kind and it levels the playing field a bit.

Hide from fate all you like, but it shall soon find you. - Baba Yellowlegs

Rating: 5 STARS

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Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

I love everything about this book! I love that the main character is a female assassin. I like that there's magic and mystery involved in the plot. I like reading novels that are set in a place that the author imagined in his or her head and put it into writing.

The story is set in Erilea, a kingdom ruled by a cruel leader. He suppressed all those who might question the legitimacy of his ascent by conquering their land and banning all magic.

Celaena Sardothien is the heroine in this story and she is my kind of girl. She's an eighteen-year old girl trained by the Arobynn Hamel, the King of Assassins, who later earned the reputation of being Adarlan's most notorious assassin. Aside from her lethal skills as an assassin, Celaena is also attractive and smart (she loves to read!) which she uses to her advantage in being an assassin. I like her because she's badass. She can fight for herself and is not afraid to take on men who are bigger than her.

Her being attractive and smart is what drew Prince Dorian's interest to her. I like them together.  They both like to read and Dorian makes an effort showing how special she is to him. But there's Chaol, the Captain of the Royal Guard. Some thing is there too. I know they are more compatible and maybe a better fit. It will be complicated if she ends up with Dorian, him being royalty and all the complexities that goes with that.

The king is holding this tournament to choose his Champion whose job description is to assist him in dealing with people who are proving to be difficult to handle and Prince Dorian has chosen Celaena to be his contestant in the competition.

The competitors of the tournament started dying under mysterious circumstances though. Celaena suspects that magic is involved but couldn't figure out how that is so considering that magic is banned and all that practice it have been killed or went into hiding.

Though I'll admit that I didn't quite see this coming. And... no matter how frivolous and twisted that competition was, I'm grateful it brought you into my life. As long as I live, I'll always be thankful for that. - Prince Dorian

Rating: 5 STARS 

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Prodigy by Marie Lu

If you are reading this, it is safe to assume that you are done reading the first one. You know by now that June helped Day escape and has uncovered information which makes her question what she was ingrained to her about the Republic.

Day and June hopes to seek the help of the Patriots. Well, Day is more on board on this idea than June. I guess being a trained solder and a prodigy of the Republic, all its propaganda ingrained in her, it would really be difficult for June to just turn her back on everything that she knows and just accept the new realities that she is learning. She and Day would view things differently coming from different backgrounds and upbringing. It is a bit confusing for her.

The Elector died and his successor is at a unique position to effect reform in the Republic.  The Republic is in a vulnerable spot because of the regime change. No surprise that it is Anden, the son of the former leader, was chosen to succeed him. I hope Anden is nothing like his father. I wish he will use his position to make the necessary changes in the government for his people and for the Republic.

What's right is relative, isn't it? - June

Rating: 5 STARS

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Legend by Marie Lu

I put this book in my To Read list when I learned it was won in Goodreads. I thought that a lot of readers must have liked it that's why it won.

The story is written in first person, from the perspective of the two main characters: Day and June. I am not a fan of first person storytelling but because this novel is told from the point of view of the main male and female protagonists, I enjoyed reading it.

The two main characters could not be anymore different. Day came from a poor family, was forced to live on the streets and in hiding.  Someone who goes against everything the government is. Whereas June is the golden child of the government. She is someone who grew up in privilege, was able to attend to the best school, honored by everyone.

The country is afflicted with a plague that is spreading wide and fast and a cure is nowhere in sight. Soldiers would stop at every home to draw blood samples on its occupants and test whether they have the plague. If they do, soldiers would paint the letter X on the door to indicate that the members have the plague.

When a citizen turns ten years old, it is mandatory that they take the Trial. The score you get from it determines your future in the Republic. You get a score between 1450 to 1499, guarantees that you will be able to finish high school and can attend any of the top four universities. After which, you are also assured of a job in government. If your score is between 1250 and 1449, you will still be able to finish high school but you will now be designated to a college. However, if you land a score between 1000 and 1249, you can no longer proceed to high school moreso attend college.

Getting a score from 1000 and 1249 is not so bad because when you fail, you will be sent away. You are not even given a chance to say goodbye to your family. Republic officials will go to your home and force your family to sign a document granting them full custody over you.

Day failed on his Trial. He was able to escape wherever it is that they were supposed to take him to, his family was made to believe that he died. That's why he was forced to live on the streets and get back at the government whichever way he can. Day is considered a criminal, he is not the most dangerous but he is the most wanted because the government can seem to find anything about him.

June, on the other hand, got 1500 on her Trial. The perfect score. A prodigy. She excelled in everything and was fully supported by the government. And her first tracking mission is Day. However, during her mission she met and got to know a boy and was made aware how the people on the poor sectors live. She started to get conflicted about the things that was taught to her and what she is now learning. When the boy she met turns out to be Day, will she turn on him or choose his side?

Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time. - Day

Rating: 5 STARS

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The One by Kiera Cass

I know this series has been out for quiet some time before I began reading it. I guess that was also fortunate timing because when I finished The Elite, I did not have to wait long before I can continue with America and Maxon's story.

Honestly, when I got hold of this book I immediately went to the end to know who Maxon ended up with! I don't normally do that but I just can't stand the suspense. I want him to end up with someone who deserves him. That's how this story affected me.

Finally America has realized that it is Maxon that she wants but for some reason she still won't tell Aspen about her decision and I'm afraid this will cost her to lose Maxon. I don't understand what's holding her back. Maybe she is keeping him as a "reserve" in case Maxon does not choose her in the end? I don't like it when girls string guys along. I also don't like it when a guy does that to a girl.

If America annoyed me in the first two books, she annoyed me more in this one. But I still read it because I wanted to know how their story ends. I do that, read up to the end of the series just to know how it all ends. But there are series that I gave up on, not caring how it ends. Sorry, I digress.

Maxon is still the charming, nice and sweet guy I really liked since the first book. He was really making an effort to let America know how he feels about her. If I was at the receiving end of his gestures and efforts, I wouldn't hold back. I would have let myself fall in love.

I still like how this story ended even if the female lead annoys me to the core, the male lead more than makes up for it.

You're worth it. I don't think you get that. You're worth it to me. - Prince Maxon

Rating: 5 STARS

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Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I was sooooo excited when this book finally came out.  I am such a fan of this series and I wanted to know how the story ends.

Now we know that the faction cities are a result of gene manipulation experiments when the government wanted to implement to its citizen certain desirable conduct. The goal was to "edit humanity", so to speak, in order to reduce the possibility of unacceptable behavior from showing up in the population.  However, the gene manipulation produced a negative effect instead of a positive one: "every faction loses something when it gains a virtue."  Those so-called "genetically damaged individuals" were put in secure environments to settle in long term. The idea was for them to remain in these settlements for generations until they are to produce to more "genetically healed humans" which became known as the Divergents.

I guess the intentions are noble, there is nothing wrong with hoping to have a world where people only possess good traits. No one will kill another out of greed or envy. Everyone is friendly towards one another.  The idea of peace is so enticing that people are willing to do great lengths to achieve it.

However, our good and bad traits are what makes us unique and different from one another.  That's what separates us from each other. We cannot deny that they are bad seeds out there, people who manipulate and take advantage of other people. Ours may not be a perfect world but there is still hope in humanity. There are people out there who are putting efforts to make a difference, make a change.

Life damages us, every one. We can't escape that damage. We can be mended. We mend each other - Four

Rating: 4 STARS

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The Elite by Kiera Cass

After reading the first book of the series, of course I just have to read the next one right away.  When the girls of the Selection was trimmed down to six, they become the Elite.

Well America is still in it.  It's a good thing that Prince Maxon likes her, otherwise she would have been sent home a long time ago.  I guess being different from the other girls makes her stand out in the eyes of the Prince.  He's not used to someone like her, someone who is not afraid to shout at the him and speak her mind.

It's just that sometimes she can be too much.  She tends to be impulsive particularly when she is upset and her actions often backfires to Maxon.  The King is not a big fan of her so when she does these things, he takes it out on Maxon and the Prince is running out of reasons to keep her in The Selection.

Inspite of Maxon's efforts to keep America in The Selection, she still could not open herself to him.  She is afraid and this fear is holding her back.  She is not sure how Maxon really feels about her especially now that it seems Maxon is favoring another girl.  She also doesn't know what being a princess means to her.  Because of her caste, it never occurred to her that she might be a princess some day and she doesn't have that much faith in herself.

And of course, I still cannot understand why she is holding on to Aspen.  I don't get why can't she just let him go. This thing with Aspen is keeping her from moving forward with Maxon but she can't also seem to decide whether to tell Aspen to wait for her or not.  She's stringing both guys along!  I think it is unfair to both men.

The book and the series is not all about the Prince choosing his would-be wife from a selected group of women.  It is also about the friendships that the women in the Selection has forged among themselves.  I personally find it easier to be friends with guys.  Guys are uncomplicated and easier to get along with than girls.  So in a group like The Selection, it is difficult to find a friend since all of you are vying for the same thing.  There's bound to have backstabbing, jealousy, schemes and lies to get Maxon's attention and feelings.  However, since all of them are going through the same experience, no one will understand each other better but themselves.  When it was trimmed down to The Elite, the girls got to know each other better and realized that they really can be friends.

Another interesting aspect of the series is all of these things are happening while their country is experiencing some unrest.  Two separate rebel factions have been attacking the country and the castle - one wants to overthrow the monarchy and the other seems to be looking for something.

This really is an exciting book and series.  I have never been this much affected by the characters of the book I'm reading and I can't wait to know what finally happens to them!

Soon, when it's proper for me to end the Selection, when I propose to you, I want it to be as easy as breathing for you to say yes. I promise to do everything is my power between now and that moment to make it that way. - Prince Maxon

Rating:  4.5 STARS

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The Selection by Kiera Cass

I have to admit that I have my doubts about this book.  I didn't think I would like it, moreso love it.  I guess I didn't enjoy the first few chapters and actually thought of giving up on it.  I started on this maybe several months ago but when I began reading it where I left off, I couldn't put it down!

The novel is similar to the reality show "The Bachelor".  In the book, girls from all over Illea sign up and 35 are chosen to meet and date the Prince and be his future Princess.

Their country is divided into castes - One being the top caste and Eight is the lowest. America Singer, the female lead, is somewhere in the middle. She didn't want to sign up for The Selection because she has a boyfriend, Aspen, and they are in love.  But Aspen is a caste lower than America so marrying him would mean she would get poorer than she already is.

America's mom wanted her to sign up because in case she gets picked, that would mean that they will be promoted to a One, the top caste.  Plus if she gets is chosen, her family will get paid for every week that she stays in The Selection.

The first few chapters of the book didn't appeal to me because I don't like Aspen and America together.  It's actually Aspen that I don't approve of.  I don't like a guy who pities himself and tells me that I don't deserve him and is too proud to accept help from me and to appreciate my efforts.  But I guess it's understandable if he thinks low of himself, his caste is lower than America's and in their society, women don't usually marry below their caste.  Of course it is just but natural for one to want to have a better life that's why America's mom and Aspen is pushing her to sign up for The Selection, it's her chance to have one.

For me, things got really interesting when America met the Prince.  I liked Maxon the moment I met him!  He's nice and sweet and he knows what to say that makes me wish that he's saying those things to me.  From the moment they met I can see that he's smitten with America, she was just too daft to realize it.

When The Selection started, America was still pinning for Aspen.  He hurt her and really broke her heart that's why she was holding back and couldn't move forward when she and Maxon met.  Her thing with Aspen is holding her back and I didn't like her for it.  I mean, there's this wonderful and sweet guy who likes her but she is not giving herself a chance to try and see if maybe there is a future for the two of them.  Plus she already have these notions about Maxon and the whole Selection.  It's not like there are no other guys who are interested in her, I don't get why she can't keep her options open on the possibility that she might develop feelings for Maxon or just get to know him more so see if they can have something.  There are times that I wanted to throw my iPad because I am so frustrated with her.

However, if you think about it being in her situation is not easy.  It would be difficult to wrap your head around the concept of a guy dating 34 other girls aside from you.  It would be easier to doubt and think that he's treating you the way he treats the other girls rather than think that he is only sweet on you.  I will not be able to bear that since I tend to get jealous.

But dating is a risk and falling in love is always a risk.  There is always the chance that it might not work out and you will just end up hurt and heartbroken however, there is also that possibility that it will work and you will get you happily ever after.  You will never know if you don't take a leap.

America, my dear, I do hope you find something in this cage worth fighting for. After all this, I can only imagine what it would be like to see you actually try. - Prince Maxon

Rating: 3.5 STARS

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Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Since this is the third book, I wouldn't be spoiling anything by saying that Alex is back!   I kinda knew that he would somehow turn out to be alive.  There has got to be a twist.  At the end of Delirium I was hoping that he is alive, I wanted him to be.  I thought that he and Lena are good together.  He was the one who opened Lena's eyes to the reality that being cured from deliria is not the solution.

But when Julian got into the picture in Pandemonium, I was rooting for him.  I still am.  I think he is a better fit for Lena.  With everything that had happened in the second book, I think that Julian has proven himself.  It is obvious that he cares for Lena.  And I really liked him more in this book.  More about that later.

I just have to say that I like how this book was written.  The chapters are alternately entitled "Lena" and "Hana."  The readers have finally gotten a glimpse of what Hana's life had been since Lena left and what is going on in her life.  I like Hana.  I hope that she could have crossed over just like Lena.  She was actually the one who was a bit rebellious and questioning when they were nearing graduation.

You would think that Hana's life would be perfect since she got cured and all and is paired to what they would consider a great catch.  I feel sorry for her.  I feel that she's trapped into some kind of a prison where everybody expects her to behave in a socially acceptable way.  Not only that, her "prince charming" is not all how he is painted out to be.

What made me like Julian more in this book was how he handled the whole situation of Alex getting into the picture.  It is quite obvious that Lena is affected seeing Alex once again and it was apparent that she still has feelings for him.  Other guys would have forced Lena to make a choice or would have pushed her away.  But Julian was patient and understanding.  He didn't force the topic on Lena.  He was there when Lena needs him.  He was there to stay.  I wish Lena chooses him in the end.

I think that character of his is what made me like Julian.  I know that he is someone that I can depend on.  Someone that would not leave me hanging when things get difficult.  Someone who can be relied on.  I think that we have to surround ourselves with people that will stick with us through the good times and especially through the bad ones, even if they are only a handful.  At least you know that you will never be alone.

I like the series.  I recommend this to my friends and to whoever who is a bookworm like me.  I just felt that Ms. Oliver could have written an epilogue.  I would really want to know how everyone is doing.  Maybe she would want to the readers to picture how their favorite characters have been.  Or maybe she would explore this story in the future.

"That's what people do in a disordered world, a world of freedom and choice: They leave when they want. They disappear, they come back, they leave again. And you are left to pick up the pieces on your own." - Lena

Rating: 4 STARS

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Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

After reading Delirium, of course the next logical thing for me to do is start on the next book immediately.

I like how this novel is written because the author did not start from the time Lena crossing the fence.  The book began with Lena already in a school in New York.  What I like about how Lauren Oliver told the story is she did some sort of parallel storytelling, the chapters would alternate with what is going on with Lena at present time and her ordeal after she crossed the fence.

After crossing, Lena managed to stay alive until she was found by a couple of people who brought her to what they call their home base.  These people have managed to establish a small community and survive in the Wilds with limited resources. They are provided supplies by those living inside the border. They have organized a system amongst themselves. Everyone has to earn his or her keep doing whatever chores you are capable of such as washing the dishes, cleaning, cooking.  You have to share something for the community.

The book, for me, dwells on the relationship of one person to himself, to another, of the individual to the society and vice-versa.  Being in the Wilds, Lena has learned to fight for her survival.  She was deprived of the comforts she was used to, lost the people she cares for.  However there is no room for self-pity in the Wilds so she was determined to toughen up in order to survive out there.

Like what I said about living in the Wilds, each has to contribute in his or her own way.  In doing so, the community becomes and functions like a family.  They learn to co-exist, depend on and trust each other in order to survive.  I really like this line in the book: "I wonder if this is how people always get close: They heal each other's wounds; they repair the broken skin."  Come to think of it, there is some truth to that.  Friendships are forged when we are going through something and a shoulder to cry on is needed.  Before you know it, the once stranger has become one of your closest friends or you have become closer with your friends.

Aside from the limited resources, another downside from living in the Wilds is that it is never safe.  People who have crossed over will always be regarded as uncured, hence, unsafe.  They will never feel secure.  They will always be hunted, their "homes" destroyed.  There is nothing permanent with the way they live since they have to move when winter comes or when their homestead is discovered.  They have to always be on guard, alert and ready for the worst.

I guess freedom has its price.  Yes, those living in the Wilds are free from the constraints the society has implemented in order to have a deliria-free nation but at what expense?  Living in the Wilds is not exactly a walk in the park.  You must fend for yourself otherwise, death is a certainty.  Actually, that is not really living but more like surviving in the Wilds.

Freedom certainly is not cheap.  All around the world, wars have been fought in order for people to be free.  Laws have been passed safeguarding our rights nonetheless even up to know we are still fighting for certain rights and freedom.  Perhaps not from slavery or oppression but to be free from biases, bigotry, discrimination.  Gays and lesbians are still fighting for their right to be accepted by society, to be respected just like any other human being. In some countries, women are still treated like second-class citizens.  Our society is evolving, I just hope it's for the better.

"If you want something, if you take it for your own, you'll always be taking it from someone else.  That's a rule too.  And something must die so that others can live." - Raven

Rating: 5 STARS

 

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Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I first read Lauren Oliver's novel Before I Fall and I loved it!  So when I finished reading that book, I immediately started on this series.  And I really liked it as well.

I like that she treated love as some disease that can be cured.  That is something new to me and I found it interesting.  Come to think of it, love may as well be a disease.  It is something that we catch, some times even by surprise.  Often, we spread it to others.  It is something that affects us not just emotionally but physically and psychology as well, especially when we get heartbroken.  There are times that love can drive people to do some thing that they won't normally do (it may be for the good or not), and on extreme cases it can drive people insane and can push one to even kill.

I guess that is where the author is coming from.  Maybe she thought what if love is a disease that has a cure.  Will that solve, more or less, most of the world's problems?  Will there be finally be peace on Earth?

The main character of the novel is Lena or Magdelena.  She is what they called, "uncured", because she has not had her cure for the disease yet.  The cure is administered when one reaches 18 years old.  Prior to that age, one would still feel deliria but it is not encouraged.  Uncured boys and girls do not to the same school and do not often mingle.  Interaction should be at the minimal.

Before graduating from high school, seniors take what they call the board exams for various subjects.  These would assess ones strong suits and weakness and would match you to a school and a major.  The evaluation is the final test.  It helps them get paired (yes, your mate is arranged for you).  Not that they wouldn't have a choice since after evaluation, a girl will be sent a list of four or five endorsed matches (so somehow, she gets a choice albeit very limited).  "As much as possible [evaluators] try to avoid any huge disparities in intelligence, temperament, social background, and age."  The one she will choose will eventually become her husband once she graduate from college.  However, if the girl does not get passing marks on your boards, she gets "paired and married right out of high school."

Aside from the fact that people are paired and matched during Lena's time, the government also regulates what they watch, hear and read.  The "LAMM or Library of Authorized Music and Movies"  which I think is a really, really regulated version of iTunes.  They have a "List of Authorized Entertainment" which is updated twice a year.  If there is a LAMM, there is also a "LAB or Library of Approved Books".  Books or stories that elicit strong emotions are prohibited such the works of Shakespeare and poetry.

Dominion, of course, does not stop there.  In the novel the United States has closed its borders.  Military personnel continually guard the borders.  "No one can get it.  No one goes out.  Every sanctioned and approved community must also be contained within a border - that's the law - and all travel between communities requires official written consent of the municipal government, to be obtained six months in advance."

I find how she wrote the novel original because she was able to give a somewhat scientific name for love - amor deliria nervosa - which makes it sound like a real-life disease.  Not only that, throughout the novel she would quote from The Book of Shhh, which is their bible in the novels.  She even has her version of the tale of King Solomon and the mothers who were fighting over one baby.

I love this novel but I don't think I can live in a world like that.  Everything - to the music that you listen to, the movies that you watch, the books that you read - is prescribed!  Even the person you will marry is chosen for you.  What you should do, how you would act is dictated to you.

Maybe this is my reaction because I cannot imagine living in a world like that.  Because I am used to having choices.  I can choose what to read, listen or watch whenever, wherever.  I am free to love whomever I choose.  I can enroll in a course of my own liking.  In short, I am used to the liberties that we have that's why Lena's world is difficult to imagine.  It would seem, looking from our perspective, hers is a lonely place to live in.  Especially, if you are the type who doesn't want to be constrained by rules (like me), who will do whatever she wants, whenever she wants it.  But maybe if that is the kind of world that you are accustomed to, the world that we have now would be a terrifying place to live in.  From Lena's perspective, ours is a world where people kill one another over the slightest of reasons; there are wars; crime is everywhere.  Which one would you want?

"Hate isn't the most dangerous thing.  Indifference is." - Alex

Rating: 5 STARS 

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Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

I did not expect that I would enjoy reading this book, much more that I would really love it!  This is the first time that I read Lauren Oliver's work and I have no idea about how she writes and the stories that she tells.  But I am glad that I was introduced to her work by this novel.

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Sirensong by Jenna Black

I think this is the best book of the series and I really liked this one.  I am glad that I stuck with this series until the end even though Dana really irritates me.

Dana was invited by Titania, the Seelie Queen, to go to Faerie so that she may be formally presented at Court (Dana is technically a member of the Seelie Court after all).  Naturally, Dana and her dad, Seamus, are hesitant to accept but of course they are not left with any choice but to assent.

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Shadowspell by Jenna Black

Finally finished reading this!  It took me longer than expected to finish this.  It's the second book on Jenna Black's series about Faeriewalkers (half Fae, half human).  I mentioned in my review of the first book that I didn't really like it much but I'm going to give the series another chance.

Anyway, I was still a bit bored reading the first couple of chapters of this book.  Things got interesting for me when the Erlking and his Wild Hunt arrived.  The Wild Hunt is what Faerie would consider a nightmare.  They make a sport out of hunting Fae and mortals.  They are led by the Erlking who is said to be the only creature that the Faerie Queens are afraid of.  The Erlking is neither Seelie or Unseelie so he really is someone that you should always be in good graces with.

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Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

I have always been interested in stories where there are faeries or magic or mythical stuff so naturally, I would want to read this novel.

I am a fan of urban fantasy novels but I prefer if it is not set in present times.  If it is, I like if there is a mixture of this world and the "magical" one.  Of course, I am partial if the book takes me to a whole new world (sorry for the Aladdin reference) altogether.

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Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I like it when the girl in the novel is not a damsel in distress.  When she knows how to fight and stand up for herself and those she cares about.  When she knows what she wants and does not depend on any man to make her complete or happy.  That's how Katsa is in this novel (of course, it also helps that she is a Graceling).

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Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess is the conclusion to the Infernal Devices series of Cassie Clare.  I just want to reiterate that I like this better than the Mortal Instruments (sorry Jace and Clary fans).  It picks up where Clockwork Prince left off, Tessa is preparing for her marriage to Jem; Will's sister, Cecily, is living in the London Institute; and the Shadowhunters are still nowhere near finding Mortmain.

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Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

First thing I noticed with this book is that it seemed a bit long so I had my reservations already before I started reading it.

The novel is set in the small town of Gatlin.  It's the type of town wherein families have stayed there for generations.  Where people are in each other's business.  Where everyone knows you're secret.

I guess when you have lived all your life in a small town such as Gatlin, you would want to travel and explore the world outside of your little town and Ethan did that with the books that he reads.   He put up a map on his wall and whenever, during his readings, he would encounter a place that he would want to travel to he would mark it on the map.  Every so often, he would link the marks kinda like mapping out his road trip supposing that he leaves Gatlin.

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The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

This is the third and may be the final installment of the Kane Chronicles as Sadie puts it towards the end of the book.  She said that they are "going to be so busy training and attending school and living [their] lives."

The story takes off around six months after Apophis broke away from his prison.  However, the Chaos snake has yet to discharge an all-out assault on the mortal world as everyone expects.

The siblings and their initiates at the Brooklyn House are of the belief that Apophis is destryong all the copies of a specific version of The Book of Overcoming Apophis, the ones written by a certain Prince Khaemwaset, more popularly known as Setne.  However, the Kanes or anyone for that matter still has no clue on how to defeat Apophis.

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