Review : Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

  Hello! Sorry if this took awhile to finish, but here is my review! 

Title : Thirteen Reasons Why

Author : Jay Asher

Published : October 18th, 2007

Pages : 304

ISBN : 9781595141712

  Clay receives a bundle of emotion spread across 13 tapes. Who did it come from? Hannah Baker. What are on the tapes? An account on why Hannah killed herself. In the time period of one night, Clay is taken on a roller coaster ride of many events that led Hannah to the decision that cost her life. Why did Clay get these tapes? Because he is of the 13 reasons. We get to see the world through a confused and hurt teenager who can't seem to get a break. 

  

  I enjoyed how engaging this book was. I felt as if I was right along with Hannah the whole time. I felt her pain, and it was really touching. There was a scene in the book where Hannah speaks with Mr. Porter, and it just broke my heart. I so wish I was there in that moment to speak to her, to let her know everything was okay. Although this story is fiction, kids like Hannah commit suicide every day. I enjoyed this book as much as I did, because it touches on this cause of death that grows rapidly. 

  One thing that I didn't enjoy, was that it was a bit too dramatic to me. I mean I just couldn't see anyone in Hannah's situation that would go as far as to kill their self. I mean I wasn't in her shoes, but it was just kinda off to me. I know of people who have much worse off situations who still are fine. I don't mean to be too harsh, because I know she did have struggles, but it's just how I feel. Other than that I loved this book and won't ever forget about Hannah and her descent into a dark and sad mind set.

Purchase Here : http://www.amazon.com/Thirteen-Reasons-Why-Jay-Asher/dp/159514188X

Review : City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (#1)

Hi everyone, I have finished this very popular novel! If you are wondering whether or not to start this book, I hope my review sways you one way or another! Enjoy.

Title : City of Bones (#1)

Author : Cassandra Clare
Published : March 27th, 2007

Pages : 485
ISBN : 9781416914280

Rating : ★★★★☆ 4 Stars

Clary Fray was your average girl in New York, nothing special about her. One night clubbing turns her world upside down. She is introduced to a world she never knew about. There are demons, vampires, werewolves, and much more living beside her that she is now just noticing. Why? Because she is a shadow hunter. A shadow hunter hunts demons and protects the world from the evil creatures. With her mother missing, and an uprising from a shadow hunter assumed to be dead, Clary turns to Jace and his friends to help find her mother and stop this madness. 

This book was actually really good. I started this not liking it so much, and ended up in a bit of a slump as I continued. Towards half way through, it began picking up very nicely. I think I read 100-200 pages in this final day which is pretty good for me. The flow of action and adventure leaves readers wanting more. As soon as you put this book down, you will be aching to pick it back up! The budding romance between Clary/Jace was also something to look forward to. I thought they were so good together, although there is something shocking that happens in the end. It wasn't the book I thought I was getting, but it was really great. All the raves and movie coming out soon definitely made me think that City of Bones would be a no question 5. I did give it a 4, almost 3.5, but I really ended up liking Cassandra Clare's world. 

Oh my GOD, this book ends with a twist that broke my heart. A relationship is pretty much ruined. I was so upset to find out this information! It really made me think about my 4 star rating, but it did leave the reader to think and feel shocked. One thing I didn't like though, was that the twists were really obvious. Clary was so shocked everytime something happened, and I kinda already knew what was going on behind the scenes. Either Clary's just kinda stupid, or Cassandra Clare wrote this for stupid people. Nonetheless, it was a must read. A staple in Young Adult readers bookshelves, City of Bones will definitely be a series that shakes up our world.

So, that wraps up my review! I plan on starting another book tonight and posting a May Book Haul soon. Stay tuned.

Read-a-thon Update/Blog update!

  So, if anyone noticed I had to drop out of the read-a-thon. I wasn't home often and it was just a bad time for me to try and read, so I didn't really get any in this week! I was busy with family stuff and preparing for my nephew's birthday, and I'm really bummed it was throughout the week of the read-a-thon. I apologize to anyone looking forward to my updates but I couldn't. Everything is settled, so now I will be back on my way to reading City of Bones. I'm halfway through and hope to finish it up by the end of the week and just continue on to what I planned for the readathon, and hope to get those reviews out. Sorry I couldn't do it, hope everyone else had a pleasant readthon! :)

Bout of Books : Book Spine Poem Challenge

If you'd like to participate, you must be apart of Bout of Books!
http://thekams.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/bout-of-books-7-0-book-spine-poem-challenge/

  So, first challenge we are asked to create a poem using the spines of books. The winner will be rewarded with a $15 gift card for The Book Depository. I am so excited for this challenge, since it is very creative and innovative. Without further ado, here is my book spine poem!

One of thirteen reasons why scarlet beauty queens or uglies speak, is because we're all beautiful creatures in search of the rose notes, after the rain, which remains outside the lines.

 There you have it! This was fun to make and I enjoyed the first challenge. Looking forward to everyone seeing the other poems.

Bout of Books : Day 1

  The Bout of Books read-a-thon has commenced! I am really excited to begin my reading marathon and fly through these books. I have thankfully finished the book I was on before it started, so now I can start fresh on my reading goals.

Reading Goal : 2 books
- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

  I know it's small, but this is just an estimate on my reading abilities. If I finish these fairly quick, I will update my goals as I update my blog throughout the course of the week. As far as the challenge goes, I will be entering today in hopes of getting that gift card! Good luck to everyone who's entered and I will be posting my entry shortly. Happy reading!

EDIT : If anyone still wants to come join me and all the other readers, I think there is still time! I'm sure you will have tons of fun.
http://boutofbooks.blogspot.com/

Bout of Books Read-a-thon!

An Official Blurb from Bout of Books!

"The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.

 - From the Bout of Books team"

So, if you haven't guessed, I will be participating in a read-a-thon organized by Bout of Books. I'm a bit late, but it hasn't started yet! I am currently reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, but I will be done soon. For the read-a-thon I hope to read two books throughout the week. My books will most likely be the first two in the Mortal Instruments series, I cannot wait. Happy reading, and I will see you during the read-a-thon :)

Trilogy Review : Divergent

Divergent & Insurgent

Title : Divergent
Author : Veronica Roth                                                                                          

Published : February 28th, 2012                                                                        

Pages : 487

ISBN : 9780062024022

Title : Insurgent

Author : Veronica Roth

Published : May 1st, 2012

Pages : 525                                                                                      

ISBN : 9780007442911

  With the highly anticipated third and final novel, Allegiant, coming out in October, I knew I had to read and review these two books. Also a movie is in the works for 2014. I'm definitely picking up that last book the day it comes out, and reading ASAP! In 5 months, watch out for that review! ;)


                                                  Rating : ★★★★★ 5 stars


Divergent by Veronica Roth was incredible. I think this book really sets the bar for any Dystopian novel out there. Roth takes you into an incredibly unique world that is very fun to read. I was so excited to read this book, and it totally fulfilled my expectations. I was so looking forward to continuing on to Insurgent, reads like these only come around once in a great while!Divergent takes place in Chicago where their society is divided into 5 factions. There are Abnegation (Selfless), Dauntless (Brave), Amity (Peaceful), Erudite (Intelligent, and Candor (Honest). Each faction promotes their ideals to the members who inhabit them. Beatrice Prior is of Abnegation, but she doesn't quite fit in there with her family. She doesn't feel as selfless as the others, and thinks she belongs somewhere else. Every year, a day is set aside for all the 16 year olds to choose which faction they wish to belong to for the rest of their lives. They get help from their aptitude results which are administered in school. Beatrice gets some shocking results and has to choose to remain with her family in a place she does not belong, or make a selfish decision of becoming something that is more true to her. Read Divergent to find out Beatrice's decision, her scary secret that she must tell no one, and where these factors take her in this chaotic world.

I instantly fell in love with this book. As soon as the world came together, I knew I would enjoy every page. It was a really interesting place to read about and viewing it through Beatrice's eyes. I wish there were more backstory to how this world came to be, but I think the second one will go a bit more in depth. The main part of the story is where Beatrice ends up, and her initiation into her faction. It was thrilling to read, because the initiation was very extreme. It pushed Beatrice to her limits and there were some bad apples among the initiates that got in her way. Through initiation she meets Four, who is just perfect for her. I think their romance was so cute, especially how protective of her he was! As I'm reading the novel I'm currently on, I'm still itching to move on to Insurgent. I can't help myself! I wish I could wait a bit longer, so the gap between Insurgent and the 3rd book wont be as long, but screw it! Veronica Roth has made me a fan and I am eager to read more of her work now. Cheers to an excellent series and read!



Rating : ★★★★★ 5 stars


Boy, oh boy. Veronica Roth sure knows how to whip up a sequel! You know, most books in series will never compare to that first golden book. However, Insurgent proved that theory wrong. I was pleasantly surprised to find this book just as amazing as Divergent. It was filled with the same action, thrill, adventure, and creativeness that made me want to continue this series. From the beginning I was hooked. I loved how there was so much more world building, and a glimpse into more of Amity and Candor. We got to see more of the world that Roth created, and I was very intrigued. We also meet the factions leaders, and are introduced to this political struggle and all the faction's standpoints. Insurgent was just beautifully created and did it's predecessor justice.

(Do not read below if you haven't read Divergent yet)

After the events of Divergent, Beatrice and Tobias are left to scramble together to regain strength and control of their lives. Along with them are Caleb, Susan, and Marcus. They travel to Amity in hope of shelter and safety. Unfortunately, they don't see eye to eye and eventually leave after a surprise attack from the Dauntless traitors/Erudite. They then travel to Candor in hopes of allying with them, and even attempt to ally with the factionless. This book continues the struggle of the Dauntless and the Divergent (some shocking new admissions) vs the Erudite. It's full of action and twists, as new and exciting secrets are revealed. Who will come out on top?

If you haven't started Divergent yet, now is the time. Especially with the beautiful Allegiant cover just revealed, this series is a must. In Insurgent, there are some shocking twists. I won't spoil, but there is a traitor among them who really shocked me! Also, the conclusion changes the whole series. I am so wondering what's going to happen in the final installment with this new information present. I reccommend this book to those interested in an amazing, Dystopian, Young adult series. Start Divergent if you haven't and then jump to Insurgent as soon as you can. You will not regret picking these up


If these reviews sparked your interest, you know what to do! I'll provide some amazon links to where you can purchase. Until then!

Divergent : http://www.amazon.com/Divergent-Book-1-Veronica-Roth/dp/0062024035

Insurgent : http://www.amazon.com/Insurgent-Collectors-Divergent-Veronica-Roth/dp/0062234935/ref=pd_sim_b_1