Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Four and a half stars/ five

I was very hesitant to read this book. The blurb was strange, and it didn’t sound like something I would like. A few months ago, Click Frenzy happened (it was a total fail, by the way). Bookworld (formerly Borders) was one of the stores participating in the online discounts and my mum said I could buy some books. One of the books I bought was Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It was reasonably cheap and I figured I’d give it a go. I eventually got around to reading it because I was going away and I could sit and read a lot of it on the plane. I’m definitely glad I read this book. I enjoyed it but I did have a few issues with it. But overall I thought it was a beautiful book.

Karou lives half in Prague and half in ‘Elsewhere’. In Prague she is a seventeen year old art student, but in Elsewhere, Karou is an errand girl for the monstrous creature that is Brimstone, the closest thing she has to a father. Karou travels all around the world (via portals) doing errands for Brimstone’s work that she does not at all understand. But, whenever Brimstone calls, Karou never says no. When mysterious hand prints are burnt on to portal doors all around the world, what could that mean for Elsewhere? And what could it mean for Karou? Without Elsewhere she is simply nothing.

“The doors to Elsewhere are closing”

I thought this book was absolutely brilliant. It was something very different, something that you wouldn’t often see in the YA genre. The descriptions were amazing; so detailed and real. Everything in this book felt so real. I was sure I was in Prague, in Brimstone’s shop, in the markets. Daughter of Smoke and Bone was really a remarkable book that will be imbedded in my brain forever.

Karou was definitely a different character. She was unusual and shrouded in mystery. She was also very likable, strong willed, brave, kind, yet harsh, loyal and trusting of her “family”. Karou was such an intriguing character, exactly like the book itself. I think the writing made the book, but Karou’s character definitely helped. In all of her twisted, mysterious ways, Karou has become one of my favourite YA character.

I really loved Akiva. I loved his chapters; occasionally being allowed inside his head. He was so strong and beautiful, honest and loyal. I thought he was absolutely perfect. I especially liked the fact that Akiva fell in love with Karou, not only because of who she was, but because he actually liked her. I loved that he was honest with Karou about… things… even though it could potentially ruin the relationship between the two of them. He did it for Karou, because she deserved to know. Akiva was mysterious and way too cool and I totally love him.

The only thing I can fault is the fact that this book occasionally confused the hell out of me. It was beautiful and well written, but sometimes I felt it was too good and it just left me behind. I found myself re-reading things because I just couldn’t understand a sentence or a paragraph. It could’ve just been me, but I don’t know. Maybe the book was just a bit above me. Either way, I totally loved it.

This book was so wonderful that I could only fault one minor thing. Other than that very minor thing, I fell head over heels in love with this book. I’m definitely glad I bought the second one for myself for Christmas. I’m looking forward to reading it and I certainly hope it is as wonderful as Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ 

One/ five stars

It took me almost a month to read this book. That is seriously sad. I devour books in a matter of days, not weeks, let alone a month. I was so excited to read this book. It seemed like a cute little, travelling love story. I was right, it was a cute love story, but not until the last few chapters. I did not connect well with this book; it did not grab me or interest me in any way. I am so, so disappointed in this book. What’s that quote? “Expect the worst. That way you’ll never be disappointed.”

Julia aka Book Licker is a straight laced, straight A student, until one dangerous class trip to London. She is paired with Jason. Jerk, cool kid, Jason. At first, Jason and Julia act like mortal enemies, but as the trip continues, Julia starts receiving mysterious texts (FROM A GUY!), so the least Jason can do is help her. Jason leads the both of them on a hunt across London, to possibly start Julia’s love life. But could Julia find what she thought was impossible: her MTB? Her true love?

I did not at all, even a little bit, like Julia. She was uptight, cocky, arrogant, annoying, irritating, bitchy and too good for everyone else. She was smart, yes, but she was only book smart. She needed to be street smart, socially smart, for me to like her. I think one quote from Jason perfectly sumed Julia up:

“If you would pull your head out of your guidebooks for point two seconds, maybe you’d see that you’re not the lonely victim you’re always pretending to be. There are people who actually care about you… You know what your problem is? Nobody’s good enough for you. You live in a fantasy world. And if you don’t wake up, you’ll end up alone, with your books and four million number-two pencils.”

I didn’t particularly like Jason either, but he was a lot better than Julia. Everyone was better than Julia. At least Jason actually cared about Julia and other things, just a little bit. It was, after all, a little bit more than Julia cared for things.

I am unbelievably let down by this book. I thought, maybe just maybe, it would give My Life Next Door a run for its money, but no way. I didn’t like anything about this book, except for the ending. The ending was kind of cute, and well… it signaled the end of this God awful book. 

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Five/five stars

I started this book at around 7:30pm. I decided to read an e-book because it is definitely easier to read than a paper book when painting my nails! I am now writing this review at 1am and I'm emotionally drained. Hopeless was a punch RIGHT in the feels. My eyes are tired but my brain is in overdrive. I'm completely speechless. Colleen Hoover has done it again.

After being home-schooled all her life, Sky begs her adoptive mother for a change at a public school. When she finds out her best friend Six is leaving as an exchange student right in time for the beginning of their senior year, Sky realises she's going to be all alone. At the grocery shop after her first day at school, Sky meets Dean Holder. When Holder shows a sudden interest in Sky she realises that she might not be so alone after all. But what life ruining secrets is he keeping?

This book really was exceptional. The plot was unbelievably well executed. It was well thought out, clever and rather shocking. For me, the plot climax came out of nowhere. It surprised and shocked me. I especially loved that. Sometimes plot points can be too easy to spot and way too predictable. The entire book was made a whole lot better because of the fact the writing was incredible. Hoover definitely has a wonderful way with words. The thing I really liked was the characters. The two main characters, Sky and Holder, each had a very interesting, mysterious back story that gave so much substance to the story and the characters themselves. There was only one thing I didn’t particularly like about Hopeless: I sometimes found Holder to be a bit of a dick. He could be commanding and controlling and he had a huge ego. Apart from those sore points, he was actually a very good character. (Holder was definitely not as amazing and perfect and Will from Slammed and Point of Retreat).

I found Sky to be one of the best characters I have read in YA for a while. She was tough, very emotional but in a good way and strong willed. When things started getting hard for Sky and the truth started to come out she didn’t bottle it up. She screamed and she carried on and she cried. Her character was so real. I felt everything she felt and it ripped through me. Even though Sky was very strong she still had her weak moments and that’s what made her so real. I absolutely loved Sky and I seriously wish she was my friend, because she was awesome.

Now, from all the reviews I’ve been reading, Holder is the new love interest. He’s hot, sexy and everything a girl wants. Unfortunately, I fall into the minority that didn’t exactly love Holder. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Holder, I really, really did, it’s just that I didn’t think he was that lovely. He was kind of controlling and I didn’t particularly like that. There were lots of good things about Holder though, like the fact that he was patient (to an extent), deep, emotional and he had lots of real feelings. That’s the thing about this book. It was very real. I found Holder to be a good character. I liked him, but he wasn’t my favourite male character in YA.

I absolutely bloody loved Slammed and Point Of Retreat, therefore making me totally ecstatic to read Hopeless. I am so happy to say that Hopeless did not at all disappoint me. It kept me glued to the pages and made me stay up til the earlier hours of the morning. Hopeless was beautifully executed with real characters and a breathtaking yet heartbreaking romance. My FEELS still hurt, several weeks after reading this book. Oh my God, everybody should read this book. Right. Now!

Immortal Beloved (Immortal Beloved #1)

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

*DID NOT FINISH*

I'm not sure...
I just didn't like this book. I only managed a couple of chapters, got to page 100 or so, and I gave up. I didn't like the writing or the characters or the story. I'm so disappointed because I was really excited to read this book and the reviews were excellent. Maybe I'll try again one day.

Once (Eve #2) by Anna Carey

Once by Anna Carey

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Four/ five stars
I bought Once ages ago but only got around to reading it recently. As some other reviewers have said, this year there has been some issues with sequels. Because of this, I was nervous about reading Once. Fortunately, I was extremely pleased with Once. It was a worthy sequel to the brilliant novel that was Eve.

After discovering the women's only establishment called Califia, Eve is finally safe. Unfortunately, the cost of safety was being forced to leave Caleb. When they split, Eve was well aware of Caleb's health and wellbeing. He was seriously wounded and could potentially die. When Eve hears news of Caleb's whereabouts, she sets out to attempt a runaway from Califia, only to be trapped and captured by the all the King’s horses and all the Kings men King's army and brought to the City of Sand. In the city, horrible family secrets are revealed. But when she discovers Caleb is alive, could Eve use her family's position to help Caleb and assist in a runaway? Will Eve be able to flee? What is the cost of their love?

As I said before, I thought Once was a worthy sequel to Eve. It was fast paced and action packed, not lacking in anything at all. Saying that, I couldn't bring myself to give Once 5 stars because, although I loved it, I didn't think it was quite as perfect and beautiful as Eve. 

Eve went down a bit in badassness in Once. She didn't need to fight and defend her life as much in this one, so I guess the bad ass scale was different. But when the need to be bad ass arose, Eve was definitely up to the challenge. I loved Eve's determination, devotion and passion. She was focused on helping Caleb, no matter what the cost. I admired Eve's character in both the first and second novels. 

I loved Caleb in this one! In Eve, Caleb and Eve were hesitant and in unfamiliar territory with each other, but in Once they were used to each other and comfortable. I loved how Caleb was not afraid to admit he was in love with Eve and how much she meant to him. I also really liked how he didn’t play her off as weak and dependent. He was well aware that Eve could hold her own in a fight and didn’t rely entirely him. Most of all, I enjoyed Caleb’s attitude.

I absolutely loved Once! It was action packed, romantic, heart pounding, and a perfect sequel to Eve. Once was full of secrets and questions that left me on the edge of my seat! After that ending, I am anxiously awaiting the release of Rise, the third and final book in the Eve trilogy!

Dizzy by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Dizzy by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Four/ five stars

I decided to buy Dizzy after reading some very good reviews praising the authors for such an awesome book! I love contemporary books and I thought this one was going to be a heart breaking, beautiful, breath taking story. I enjoyed Dizzy, although not as much as I thought I would. There was something about Dizzy that was lacking. Maybe it was the writing, maybe it was the characters or the plot, but whatever it was, affected my rating and thoughts on the book.

The Gibson boys made a pact after they were betrayed and left by their mother and wife: no girls. Girls were bad news. They got into your life, under your skin, and then left you high and dry. That explains why Dylan is so shocked (and pissed) when he finds out his brother, Derrick is getting married. MARRIED! The pact has been broken, but could it be for the better?

Ziah's sister, Lora has lectured Ziah about her motto: school first, career second and boys third. This is why Ziah is completely and utterly in shock when her mum informs her that Lora is, in fact, getting married. She hasn't even finished college for crying out loud! Maybe it's time for Ziah to lecture Lora the her motto. But when Ziah is roped into wedding planning with Lora's fiancées brother, she realises, after a while, that maybe Lora getting married isn't so bad after all.

Dizzy was such a cute contemporary romance novel! It was short and adorable and made me feel all gooey and smiley. I’ve never read a Jolene Perry book before, so I didn’t really know her style, but I enjoyed her chapters. I have read two Nyrae Dawn books before and they were so cute, so I was definitely looking forward to her chapters. Together, Dawn and Perry managed to write a very cute YA romance.

I’m not really sure how I felt about Ziah. She was strong sometimes, yet weak other times. She was honest with herself, and yet she denied her feelings, even to herself. I didn’t understand her! She wanted to be friends, then it was more than friends, then it was nothing at all. Ziah gave up and got embarrassed easily. She was a likable character, I suppose. I can see why people like her, sure, but I can definitely see where people didn’t like her. My opinions on her are kinda in the middle. Another “meh” character, I guess.

Dylan was a douche for the first part of the book, but he got better. He had a lot to deal with, and he didn’t necessarily deal with it well, but he tried. And I admired him for that. He also wasn’t too proud to admit that he liked Ziah, and I liked that. I’m not really sure if I liked Dylan that much, but I still liked him a bit.

Overall I thought Dizzy was a good book, it was just lacking in some unknown department! 

Kiss Me (The Keatyn Chronicles, #2) by Jillian Dodd

Kiss My by Jillian Dodd

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Five/ five stars!

*Stalk Me Spoilers*

While I wasn't completely blown away by Stalk Me, I was very excited for the release of Kiss Me! I was not disappointed. Kiss Me was everything and more. Dodd delivered a story full of the perfect amount of romance, boys and mystery. I've already fallen in love with Dodd's That Boy series and am so glad I was able to enjoy Kiss Me.

Keatyn has left her beach lifestyle, friends and family for boarding school… unfortunately, not by choice. She was forced to leave after she was almost kidnapped by her mum's stalker, Vincent. None of Keatyn's old friends know about her whereabouts and probably never will. So what’s the only good side of leaving everything behind? She gets to start fresh. She has a new lifestyle at an elite boarding school, new friends and most importantly new boys! But when keeping the secrets of her former life starts to get harder and harder, how will Keatyn cope? And when there are plenty of boys fighting over her and she doesn't know what to do, will it all become too much? Most importantly, which boy will Keatyn choose!?

I absolutely loved Kiss Me! I thought it was great. Jillian Dodd sure knows how to write hot, swoon-worthy boys! That's write plural, boys. Keatyn sure has a rather large line up of boys to choose from! No shortage for her! Share some, hey?

I liked Keatyn a lot more in Kiss Me. She was somehow more mature and I liked that about her. She wasn't acting like a child and she wasn’t worried about small, silly things. She had experienced a lot of difficult things for a girl her age and she was handling it surprisingly well.

One thing Jillian Dodd is very good at, is writing love triangles. In Kiss Me there are too many boys to count! But it works because Keatyn is working through them one at a time (god that sounds awful). The main boy in Kiss Me was Dawson. Sweet, sexy Dawson! I liked Dawson, I honestly did, but I’m still blinded by my love for Cush and Aiden. Sorry, Dawson, but you just don’t do it for me. I thought Dawson was actually really sweet and nice and sexy, but he wasn’t right for Keatyn. Even Keatyn wasn’t completely sure, and Dawson was aware of that. So, yeah, overall, Dawson was good, just not good enough!

The next important boy in Kiss Me was Aiden. I’m sorry every other boy in the world in Kiss Me, but Aiden is perfect. I am so team Aiden. Sure, he is temperamental but that is Keatyn’s fault! Keatyn was kind of leading him on, then she was all over other boys (that makes her sound like a slut but she’s really not). It was so clear how Aiden feels about Keatyn but she kept turning him down. In Kiss Me, she was purely focused on Dawson. It made me so sad, because it’s obvious how much Aiden and Keatyn both liked each other. I want Aiden to win Keatyn’s heart.

In Stalk Me, I was definitely team Brooklyn. Then, along came Cush and I was team Cush. Then both Brooklyn and Cush were assholes and I was confused. Then I was team Cush again and I totally hated Brooklyn. I would just like to put it out there that Brooklyn is indeed the biggest asshole. The scum of the earth. Dick head. Poo bum. Whatever you want to call him! I did not like Brooklyn at all and he was definitely not right for Keatyn. I understood that they both still wanted to be friends after their… issues, and that was ok. But when Brooklyn got Keatyn all excited in Kiss Me, when he says he wants to meet up, and then did the stupidest thing in the world of stupidest things, I hated him so much. Honestly. Brooklyn, I hope you die a horrible death, you are awful.

Thankfully, after all the dramatics and heartache in this book, there were no real scary Vincent scenes. Thank gosh! I don’t think my heart would have enjoyed that (I might’ve died). There is one scene, though, that had my heart racing and I was on the edge of my seat! It wasn’t that I was scared, it was the anticipation as to what was about to happen. It’s definitely safe to say that I do not miss Vincent one bit.

There was one thing I missed in this book, though, and it was the regular appearances of Keatyn’s family. I loved her cute little sisters and her cool mum and stepdad. It reminded me a little bit of my family, except for the little sisters. Keatyn’s mum, Abby, and stepdad, Tommy, still featured in the book occasionally, which was nice. Also the little sisters featured once and it was so cute! I also really loved Garrett. He should be counted as a part of the family because he really is awesome.

There were only a few things I didn’t like about Kiss Me, but they don’t matter that much because the good definitely out did the bad! I didn’t like the fact that there were so many characters, especially boys. It was sometimes rather confusing, but I guess I got over it after a while. The plot was quite jumpy. In fact, it was a bit of a strange plot. There wasn’t really any basic plot, but I can understand where the books are going, so its lack of actual plot was overlooked. Two other things that really annoyed me: the fact that Keatyn was spoilt rotten and how indecisive Keatyn was! In a fit of rage, Keatyn threw her iPad, and straight away Garrett just tells her he’s sending a new one. Like… she just threw her goddamn IPAD and he didn’t care. I guess money makes people do silly things. Indecisive Keatyn really pissed me off. I mean, I understand things are hard, but just pick a freaking boy for god’s sake!! Keatyn was really confused and her confusion confused me (see? How confusing was that!?)

Anyway, I thought Kiss Me was a lot better than Stalk Me and I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of the series to be released.