Mini-Reviews | YA Contemporary Edition

Look, it's the end of the summer and I *finally* read some contemporary novels! I'm so proud of myself, because it's a genre I don't reach for a lot... I've been very late on my reviews (I read the first two books of the post a month ago... Oops), so I choose to do a mini-review post, as it's been awhile, and you'll also have everything in one place. Yay! I've also been in a blogging slump, because I don't have a lot of alone time these days, but I'll try to fix this in September (but uni will start again so I don't know if I'll be able to *sobs*).

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I have a complicated relationship with Jennifer L. Armentrout's books. I loved her Lux series and Don't Look Back but never got into her other paranormal series, because they felt so cliché and I couldn't bear with it. I haven't read her New Adult books either, because it's a genre I hardly ever reach for - except for Colleen Hoover's novels - but I wanted to give this one a go.

In my opinion, this book is important, by the topics it brought and the message behind that. At times it could be a bit hard to read (urm listen to as I had it as an audiobook) because it didn't sugar-coat anything and I loved it. It felt so realistic and wasn't about privileged teens. If you're interested in reading about children abuse, foster kids, gangs… It was a good coming-of-age story about a girl who barely talk and I could totally relate to that (even if I don't have her trauma) and how it's frustrating not to know what to say, but also how people can judge you for it.

However, this book was way too long and it's one the main reasons I couldn't love it until the last part of the book that was fast-paced and a total page-turner. Moreover, the romance was so cringe-worthy. Mallory kept going on, and on, and on, about how hot Rider was and it was so frustrating: I GET IT, UGH. While I could feel the characters connection through it all, the way it was written made my eyes rolled, especially when the author was ending a chapter right before they kissed for the first time and then described it in details. There is a difference between romantic and cheesy…

Overall, this book tackled down some important topics and sometimes, I didn't see it coming. Nevertheless, I felt like there were so much drama at times and once again it could have been avoided (even if I understand that the characters are teens and all of that). The romance was cheesy and made me rolled my eyes more than once…

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan

I went into this book without having really read anything by these authors before - except Will Grayson, Will Grayson, which David Levithan co-authored, but I definitely want to read more of their books now that I finished You Know Me Well. I picked this up because I wanted a quick read and it's definitely what I got, because I read it in a couple of hours.

It was refreshing to read a dual perspectives book where you knew, from the beginning, that the main characters weren't going to end up together. I feel like the authors' writing styles clicked well together, even though Mark and Kate's voices were distinct from each other, and I could relate to them both in different ways. Almost every character (except the parents?) were part of the LGBTQIA+ community and it was just there, for you to assume it, when the contrary happens more often than not for straight characters.

While this book involved romance aspects, it was more of a coming-of-age story about how you can't always get what you want, but also how it's okay to be lost. Moreover, it focused a lot on friendship and how you can bond with someone when you expect it the least and how it can change your life forever. You Know Me Well wasn't set at the beginning of the school year, which happens 85% of the time in contemporary, but during the last few days, where you can feel independence and freedom on the tip of your tongue. Moreover, it showed that college isn't the only way after high school, that sometimes you can need a break and it isn't discussed enough, in my opinion. It involved a lot of art, which was so fascinating and discovering the world behind all of it was interesting.

Overall, I read this coming-of-age story pretty quickly, it was addictive and I had so many feels while reading. If you're looking for a LGBTQIA+ book, I would definitely recommend this one!

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Kasie West is one of my go-to contemporary authors, because her novels are always so cute, even if predictable, but well… We're talking about YA romance novels, I've given up on being surprised! Of course, when P.S. I Like You was released, I wasn't able to wait and read it almost straight away, I devoured it and oh, how I loved it.

The concept of the story was unique, because it was about getting to know someone through notes, so it was about who he was and it didn't focus on the physical aspect. It was so much fun to imagine the characters writing entire letters during class, I would've been found out straight away, but it was so cute. Of course, I had figured out the pen pal's identity straight away, but I was curious to see how the author would make me fall for this character… And oh damn, she did it! I was shipping the characters together so hard and I loved their character development, because we learnt so much about them through the letters and it brought a new light to them.

I loved the family aspect of the story, because I'm from a big family and it's a personal pleasure to read about these dynamics. Kasie West definitely captured what it felt like to be part of such a family, how you don't feel like you exist for yourself sometimes, because you always need to help your parents out, or how your family must seem crazy to strangers and it can mess up some aspects of your social life. All of that felt so realistic and Lily's family will remain one of my favourite fictional ones (I need to make a post on the subject I think!).

Overall, I think this book was amazing for a cute contemporary romance. I was rooting for the characters and fell in love along with Lily, so the author was definitely successful. I would 100% recommend Kasie West's books and you should start with this one, as it's my favourite!

Everything Leads To You by Nina LaCour

After reading You Know Me Well, I was excited to read something by Nina LaCour and I had heard so many great things about Everything Leads To You. The hype was so real but it was so well-deserved, in my opinion. I'm excited to read anything she'll write next.

It was my first F/F romance actually (if we don't count You Know Me Well) and I really enjoyed it, I will definitely read more of them in the future. While this book involved a romance, it wasn't the main focus of the book, even though the characters interacted a lot. Indeed, this book was also about a mystery surrounding a movie superstar and its legacy, it was interesting and I was as involved as Emi and Charlotte in this search.

Moreover, this novel was set in Los Angeles and it was basically a behind-the-scenes of Hollywood, which I loved, because it's so interesting to read about it. Emi was an aspiring set designer and it was compelling to read about her having new opportunities and how everything she put in place was important for a movie. I have to say the design is something I don't always focus on (even if sometimes I'm awe-struck by rooms and need my apartment to be like that, haha). In fact, I'm glad that we saw everything about the pre-production and the book ended while they were starting filming, because it means we didn't get the glamorous parts, but what ends the fantasy, as the characters say.

I enjoyed reading about these characters, most of the main ones were so lost in their life and I was rooting for them to find their way, which they definitely did. I was shipping the characters together and I'm glad they got together at the end and not while they were in the middle of their own personal drama. Nina LaCour did great with the representation part, because there were persons of colours and people from different type of sexualities and I felt so pleased with that.

Overall, I wasn't blown away by this book, because it was easy to follow but it wasn't breath-taking. Nevertheless, it was a nice romance with characters I was rooting for and it brought to light some aspects of Hollywood we don't always see in books. If you're looking for a LGBTQIA+ book, I would definitely recommend it!

Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? What was the last contemporary novel you read and loved?

Paris was accurate so I'm alive! | The Magician

The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #2) by Michael Scott

Published: June 24th 2008 by Delacorte Press

Genre: young adult, fantasy

Goodreads summary: Ashes to ashes…

California: In the hands of Dr. John Dee and the Dark Elders, the book of Abraham the Mage could mean the destruction of the world as we know it. The most powerful book of all time, it holds the secret of eternal life—a secret more dangerous than any one man should ever possess. And Dee is two pages away from the knowledge that would bring the Dark Elders into ultimate power.

His only obstacle? Josh and Sophie Newman—who are eight thousand miles away.

Paris: After fleeing Ojai, Nicholas, Sophie, Josh, and Scatty emerge in Paris. The City of Lights. Home to Nicholas Flamel. Only, this homecoming is anything but sweet.

Niccolò Machiavelli, immortal author and celebrated art collector, is working for Dee. He's in hot pursuit, and time is running out for Nicholas and Perenelle. Every day they spend without the book, they age one year: their magic becomes weaker and their bodies more frail. For Flamel, the Prophecy is growing clearer and clearer. It's time for Sophie to learn the second elemental magic.

Fire Magic. 

And there's only one man who can teach it to her: Flamel's old student the Comte de Saint-Germain—alchemist, magician, and rock star. 

Josh and Sophie Newman are the world's only hope. If they don't turn on each other first.

REVIEW

Reading a book series everyone read and loved during their childhood involves so much pressure when you do read it, but years after. I was expecting an amazing first book, but sadly it didn't deliver, so I was a little reluctant to continue with the series, at first. But well, there are reasons everyone loves the Alchemyst series, right? So I gave the second book a go and I will definitely pick up the sequel in the future, because this series is starting to reach its potential.

WHAT I LIKED

The setting - As you know, I live in Paris when I'm at uni and because of that, I'm always anxious when American authors set their books in the City of Lights, because they're trying to make their characters speak French and the language is all wrong, or they only speak of le Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. It's cliché, but sadly, I've read so many books that fit that category that I can cry with frustration. However, Michael Scott definitely did his research, it was so realistic and I loved it. When the characters were taking the subway, he was even mentioning the name of the situation, which totally pleased me. He also named the streets the characters were passing and because of that, I felt like I was there. The author definitely captured the feeling of the city and took the reader to so many places!

Addictive writing - I have to admit that while I wasn't always entertained by the plot, the writing kept me reading. Indeed, Michael Scott has a way with words that makes me craving for more, which is definitely a gift. Moreover, he's very good at writing action scenes, because he had me turning the pages so fast.

A plot filled with tension - I wasn't very invested in the first novel, but this one was so much better. Indeed, I felt like the stakes were higher and I enjoyed the new "villain" that was introduced, because he seems so shady and I think he might become one of my favourites, okay? He's an opportunist and it's one of the best types of characters, haha. But anyway, because the characters were chased down, the plot was filled with tension and the action scenes were so well-written, like I said! Also we went to the catacombs, so it's a win-win situation for me.

The world-building - While I still noticed case of info-dumps (ugh), I was so much more invested in the world, maybe because it was set in France and I knew more about the characters based off the historical figures. But anyway, I thought it was more interesting, because it was easier to digest the information - even if it was still hard during the first chapters.

The temptation - I loved that this theme was so important in this book. Indeed, while Sophie's powers had been Awakened during the first book, Josh's, her twin, hadn't. Because of that, he was jealous of her and craving power, which lead him to be weaker in front of the temptation.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER

The pacing- I have to admit that I skim-read sometimes… Oops. I felt like it dragged a little in the middle, because there was so much action in the beginning and at the end of the story. Moreover, this book felt a little like a filler, as it was still about learning a new element, and it will also be the case in The Sorceress. It makes me frustrated because the plot line was similar to the first one and I wanted the main plot line to move forward. It's the problem when the series is six-book long, I guess…

I didn't like/relate to the characters - They could die and I wouldn't cry… Oops. I think it's a problem, but I have no feeling whatsoever about ANY of the characters. Please, someone tell me I'll like them when I read the next book, because I can't read a book without feelings for the characters! Moreover, I'm frustrated that even when they hadn't powers, they were SO special because they lived everywhere. How is that relatable? Most of us live in the same city until graduation, or sometimes more. It was enough to make them travel everywhere during the series, right?

The time-span - This book is set on three days… Which is ridiculous, considering it was 464 pages long! Moreover, the characters slept fourteen hours in the middle so how. Is. It. Possible? I understand that the characters were chased down and the author managed to create tension, but it's so unrealistic that so much happened in a few hours/days.

The ending - It felt anticlimactic, in my opinion. The plot was pretty good in the last third of the novel, because it was filled with tension and crazy scenes but the ending? It felt so flat. The characters are doing extraordinary things for the whole novel and then… They take the train to go somewhere else and learn another element. THE FALL WAS HARD, GUYS. At least if the author hadn't said what was going to happen next it would have been fine, but I was disappointed.

Overall, I think the Magician was a step-up from the first book and I will definitely read the sequels, because I'm intrigued to see what will happen next. While some elements irritated me, like an unrealistic time-span or a flat ending, I really enjoyed reading this book, because it was full of tension, which kept me glued to the story, thanks to the writing. This series is starting to live up to its potential and I can understand why so many readers loved it when they were younger!

Other:

• Review of The Alchemyst

Have you read this series? Do you love it? Which book is your favourite? Do you keep reading book series even when you don't really like the characters?

The Brontë's worlds were MORE than fictional | Worlds of Ink and Shadow

Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley

Published: January 5th 2016 by Amulet Books

Genre: young adult, fantasy, historical

Goodreads summary: Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. The Brontë siblings find escape from their constrained lives via their rich imaginations. The glittering world of Verdopolis and the romantic and melancholy world of Gondal literallycome to life under their pens, offering the sort of romance and intrigue missing from their isolated parsonage home. But at what price? As Branwell begins to slip into madness and the sisters feel their real lives slipping away, they must weigh the cost of their powerful imaginations, even as the characters they have created—the brooding Rogue and dashing Duke of Zamorna—refuse to let them go.

Gorgeously written and based on the Brontës’ juvenilia, Worlds of Ink and Shadow brings to life one of history’s most celebrated literary families in a thrilling, suspenseful fantasy.

REVIEW

If you didn't know, I'm a huge fan of the Brontë sisters, even though I haven't read that much by them. Nevertheless, I've always been compelled to learn about them and when I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. This book made me want to read all of their works even more than before, so it totally worked in that sense. I'm left craving for more of their writing and I'll do something about it soon.

I felt like this book was quite unique, with its imaginary worlds created by writing about them, it was quite interesting. This concept of traveling to them was based off a folktale, which I could totally picture in the 19th century moor. It was so mysterious the whole time and I loved the explanation. The fact that it was about these imaginary worlds the characters could access reminded me of the Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray, in a way, because it was as eerie and a little scary. But I didn't read this book at night so this effect was a little lost on me.

However, while I was interested by this concept, I was totally underwhelmed during the whole book. I kept reading, but I never got the spark that pushed me to read until I was done. For me, it was quite a slow book, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, because it got along with the atmosphere of this book, it's just that I was never hooked (which is a little sad). Moreover, I would have liked to see more of the madness mentioned in the synopsis. Yes, they were seeing things but it lasted for a couple of chapters and it didn't actually feel like madness.

My motivation to keep going lied in the Brontë siblings, because I love them so much and it felt close to their actual stories. Indeed, the author said she had based her novel upon their work, even though she had taken some liberties. I loved that it truly showed the power of words, but also how sometimes, the characters do whatever they want, even if you are the writer. However, I would have liked to know more about Anne. I know that she's the youngest of the four, but I couldn't quite picture her motivations, when I understood Branwell, Emily and Charlotte completely. Moreover, what happened in those fictional worlds felt like the beginning of something bigger, namely the novels of the Brontë sisters and I could see Heathcliff in Rogue or Mr. Dorchester in Zamora.

However, while I liked reading about the Brontë siblings, I think that they were unmemorable characters and that I will only remember them because they existed in real life. While the book was unique, I never felt like the characters truly shone and it was just the same for the fictional characters, that they had created to be huge clichés. I didn't came to care for any of them. For the romance, it felt just the same, I had definitely seen it coming and it was just okay for me.

Overall, this one had potential and I don't regret reading it, because I learnt a lot about the Brontë siblings, whom are my little babies. The concept was definitely interesting and the author did her research, but because I didn't actually love the characters and I wanted a more fast-paced plot, it didn't do it entirely for me. But now I want to read all the books by the sisters.

Have you read this book yet? Do you love the Brontë's sisters? Have you read any of their books?

A time travel book with a vivid setting but at times confusing | The Girl from Everywhere

The Girl from Everywhere (The Girl from Everywhere #1) by Heidi Heilig

Published: February 16th 2016 by Greenwillow Books

Genre: young adult, historical, time travel

Goodreads summary: Nix has spent her entire life aboard her father’s ship, sailing across the centuries, across the world, across myth and imagination.

As long as her father has a map for it, he can sail to any time, any place, real or imagined: nineteenth-century China, the land from One Thousand and One Nights, a mythic version of Africa. Along the way they have found crewmates and friends, and even a disarming thief who could come to mean much more to Nix.

But the end to it all looms closer every day.

Her father is obsessed with obtaining the one map, 1868 Honolulu, that could take him back to his lost love, Nix’s mother. Even though getting it—and going there—could erase Nix’s very existence.

For the first time, Nix is entering unknown waters.

She could find herself, find her family, find her own fantastical ability, her own epic love.

Or she could disappear.

REVIEW

I was anticipating so many debuts this year, and of course, The Girl from Everywhere was one of them, because it included so many elements I usually love in books, such as ships, maps and exotic places.

I think that in the time travel subgenre, this book was quite unique (at least compared to the others I read), because the characters were relying on maps to time travel, and not their unique abilities, which is the case most of the time. Also, they were time traveling on a ship, so it gets bonus points for that reason. However, I would have liked to see more of the time travel? In the beginning we saw it a little and then they stayed at the same place for a <b>looooong</b> time (like, the whole book). But, I liked how everything was intertwined, how everyone's actions had consequences on everyone else's lives. For example, Nix practically helped her mother to exist, like wuuuut?

The plot was interesting, but I think it dragged a little in the middle and that's why it took me three days to read it, when I'm on summer break. I don’t think I was completely immerged into it. I liked the story, but the pacing felt a bit off at times... And I would have liked more action scenes here and then. Furthermore, sometimes it got a little too confusing for my tastes, I had <b>no idea</b> what was going on. I still liked the plot though, because it was about a heist so it was quite fun, and there was a party at some point! The ending was totally open, I don't really know what will happen next, but I'll definitely be reading it.

I loved the setting of this book, I had never read a book set in Hawaii before and I was so excited about it. I feel like the author totally grasped the atmosphere of this place, the descriptions were pretty vivid and I could feel like I was there. Moreover, this book was full of myths, some of them being about Hawaii, some others about other places, and I really liked learning about them.

This book had a cast of diverse characters, Nix being half-Chinese and Kashmir being Persian. By the way, I'm just going to scream for one second: when Kashmir spoke French, it was accurate! I could have said these sentences myself! It's like... The third time it happened in a book written by an American author, so <b>I am pleased</b>. The author totally did her job when using foreign languages. While I liked the characters, especially the main ones, I found that some members of the crew were pretty unmemorable, as I wasn't able to distinguish them for one another for the whole book.

I wasn't entirely sold on the romance in this one, I didn't have <b>the feels</b> and there's a possible love triangle coming? Um, I don't want that... Nevertheless, this book explored relationships, which I really liked, especially Nix and her father's. In the beginning, I hadn't actually understood she was Slate's daughter, because she didn't call him her father, so I was a little confused, but it was because their relationship was so complicated. He basically kind of wanted to erase her entire life, just to be with her mother again. I could understand his motives, but it was still selfish and he took such a long time to understand it. Still, in the end, this book was more about their relationship, which I really liked.

Overall, it was a good debut, but I never completely emerged myself into the story, because I expected more from it. The setting and some elements of the plot definitely made up for it though. I liked the main characters, forgot about the secondary ones every two pages and wasn’t sold out on the romance, but I really enjoyed this book anyway. I’m excited for the next one, especially because we’ll have more time traveling, but I have no idea what will be the plot, this one could definitely be a standalone.

Have you read The Girl from Everywhere yet? What did you think of it? Do you love time travel books? 

"This is the end. Hold your breath and count to ten." | Lady Renegades & The Crown

It’s time to say goodbye to some series I’ve been reading! I feel a lot of series are concluding this year and while I’m always sad to say goodbye, it helps the tbr pile a little, let’s be real. Today, I’m talking about The Crown by Kiera Cass (can I laugh if books are added in the series again? But I hope she won’t do that) and Lady Renegades by Rachel Hawkins.

Lady Renegades (Rebel Belle #3) by Rachel Hawkins

Published: April 5th 2016 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Genre: young adult, fantasy

Goodreads summary: Just as Harper Price starts coming to terms with her role as David Stark’s battle-ready Paladin, protector, and girlfriend—her world goes crazy all over again.

Overwhelmed by his Oracle powers, David flees Pine Grove and starts turning teenage girls into Paladins—and these young ladies seem to think that Harper is the enemy David needs protecting from.  Ordinarily, Harper would be able to fight off any Paladin who comes her way, but her powers have been dwindling since David left town…which means her life is on the line yet again.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins brings the fun once again in the finale of this pitch-perfect romantic paranormal comedy series.

REVIEW

I read the first two books in the series last year and while I really enjoyed the first one, I found that the second one was pretty much a filler. I liked this one better, but it still wasn’t as good as Rebel Belle. In fact, my main problem was how short it was: it’s not even 300 pages long!

In my opinion, the plot isn’t one you find in finales: it was about finding David for almost the whole book, I would have liked that part to be shorter. I enjoyed that in the beginning, the lives of the characters were back to normal, with summer jobs, but it didn’t last long. Indeed, the action picked up right at the end of the first chapter and it put me right into this world again. But after the characters left, I found the quest to be repetitive, even though there were some action-packed scenes and revelations. Once David was found, there were only 30 pages left or something, which made the ending feel rushed, even if I liked it. Still, Lady Renegades was so much fun to read, because the fantasy aspect wasn’t too heavy and the characters made me laugh.

My favourite part was clearly the characters. In Rebel Belle, when Harper Price was introduced, she felt like a typical Mary Sue, but then she was confronted to tricky situations, because she acquired powers by accident. She went through a lot during this series, but she was still so much to read about. In this instalment, I liked that the author focused on her friendship with Bee. I even came to like Blythe, who was more of an antagonist in the first books, because of the decisions she made, but also her backstory. Basically, she saved the day, in the end, when she didn’t have to. I wished we had seen more of David, he’s so much fun to read about when he’s bickering with Harper. Also, I felt like Ryan was left behind, because he chose not to come, and then we saw him in another scene and that was all.

Overall, this was a good trilogy and I liked it more than Hex Hall, Rachel Hawkins’ first trilogy. The premise was original, but this effect only lasted in the first book. In Lady Renegades, I liked that the characters went through so much development, but I would have liked the plot to be more complex, because it didn’t feel like a finale. In fact, I wanted Miss Mayhen and Lady Renegades to be longer, or maybe it should have been a duology. I think some readers won’t see the final twist coming, which made the series end on a bittersweet note.

The Crown (The Selection #5) by Kiera Cass

Published: May 3rd 2016 by HarperTeen

Genre: young adult, dystopia, romance

Goodreads summary: Kiera Cass’s bestselling Selection series has enchanted readers from the very first page. Now the end of the journey is here, in a wonderfully romantic series finale that will sweep you off your feet.

Twenty years have passed since the events of The One, and America and Maxon’s daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own. Princess Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you... and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected.

The Selection series has sold more than 3 million copies and captured the hearts of fans around the world. This swoon-worthy final installment is the happily ever after they’ve all been waiting for.

REVIEW

In this series, the books were fun and quick to read, this one was no exception. Like so many reviewers, I had mixed feelings about The Heir, mainly because Eadlyn was so self-centred and arrogant. I think I liked this one slightly better, but I found that everything that happened was convenient and a little bit rushed.

Maybe I’m wrong – I read the Heir last year – but I felt like between these two instalments, Eadlyn drastically changed, but I liked her more this way. She went from this spoiled little princess to a caring and open young woman. I can believe that she had potential to become like that, but it felt sudden and that it wasn’t the same character as in the first one. Let’s be real, I was pretty sure about who she would pick and I was totally right, it’s not even funny when it happens… Anyway, I liked the boys that were still in the Elite and they all deserved a chance. There was a plot twist about one of them I didn’t see coming and I was pleased about, though. The romance aspect is something I enjoyed in this one, much more than in the Heir, because Eadlyn was more open to it. However, there is an epilogue and I felt like it was utterly useless. I found that the last chapter was enough to wrap up the romance and that the epilogue was way too cheesy and didn’t have a purpose.

I also felt like everything that happened was pretty convenient, it just happened, poof. In the end, it was just a book to make (pretty much) everything right again for Eadlyn, but it’s not life.  In my opinion, this book should have been longer, since it’s the finale of a five books long series (sort of). It should have been a way to say goodbye to this world, but it just felt similar to the others. It would have been time to expand the world but ha! As if. There are some loose ends I wanted to be deepened – like Eadlyn’s twin said there were complications about something but it was never explained.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this one, it was quick and fun, but it doesn’t stand out among all the books I read. I liked Eadlyn more in The Crown, because she had character development, but it felt way too quick. I would have liked the loose ends to be explored but Kiera Cass stayed in what should be expected.

Have you read any of these series? What do you think of them? Have you read these finales yet?

Fantasy or not fantasy? That's the question. | The Glittering Court

The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court #1) by Richelle Mead

Published: April 5th 2016 by Razorbill

Genre: young adult, alternate history (?)

Goodreads summary: Big and sweeping, spanning from the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training, and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide’s deception. Complications soon arise—first as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and then when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vastly uncharted lands… 

REVIEW

The ratings are already getting downhill for this one, but it was much better than Soundless, Mead’s previous novel, in my opinion. Still, I think this one is misleading, because some people went into it thinking it was fantasy, but it’s not. It would be closer to a historical novel, but it’s not quite this either.

The concept of this book is similar to The Selection, because it’s about educating young women to send them to the New World in order to marry wealthy men. Of course, it focused on fashion and manners, which I really liked. While I was hooked straight away because of the concept, I didn’t understand why a girl escaping an arranged marriage would go to the Glittering Court, where she would have an arranged marriage. I understand that she thought she didn’t have another choice, but it still felt odd and the book was built upon it. So of course, I wasn't surprised when she didn't want to marry. Nevertheless, I really liked Adelaide’s story and Mead managed to write a good standalone, evenly paced and that didn’t bore me. She also gave enough hints about the other characters –this will be a companion series- that I’m excited to read Tamsin’s and Mira’s sides of the story.

This world had weak world-building. Because I knew it was inspired by Elizabethan England, I knew what to expect and what to imagine. Yes, there were some descriptions, but I felt like she could have explained a little more. Sometimes, countries were mentioned and I had no idea what she was talking about. I don’t really understand why the author chose to set this book in another world, because it felt almost identical to Elizabethan England. But, I love Elizabethan England, so I considered it was set in it. Yes, I’m cheating. For example, there were religious conflicts, Natives being chased from their land and so on.

I enjoyed being in Adelaide’s head in this novel. She was a regular nobility character but I thought she was brave, because she chose to go in a foreign land in order to escape her land. She was strong-tempered and stood up for her loved ones. Tamsin and Mira were different from her, but I have to say I loved them all. Moreover, I didn’t expect them to have such a strong friendship, because it was about finding husbands and I thought they would be mean to each other all the time. Cedric was compelling love interest and he had chemistry with Adelaide from the beginning –yes Mead did it again! I liked reading about their love story and I was rooting for them. All the characters had secrets and I’m getting crazy because we don’t know all of them yet. But, I found it disappointing that the main character got to know what it was about and it was a blank in the narration.

Plot-wise, I found that so many things happened, but sometimes it was too much... I felt like I read two novels instead of one! It was a rich story and Mead never stopped too long on each part –the education in the manors wasn’t a really big part of the story- which I didn’t really expect. There were many subplot points and this book went into surprising directions. Moreover, at some point, a character was almost rapped and it literally made no sense. Yes, it's an important issue but I felt it was just used as a plot tool. It wrapped up pretty nicely though, but it was also a new beginning for Adelaide, and I really hope we’ll see glimpses of her future in the next books.  

Overall, it wasn’t Vampire Academy or Bloodlines, because it wasn’t a fantasy book, but I still liked it. I don’t know if this book is for everyone, but it goes much farther than the arranged marriage aspect. I read this book quickly because it was gripping but the world-building was meh. Still, the main characters were strong-minded and I can’t even say which one I liked the more. Adelaide’s story wrapped up nicely, but I’m eager to read more. Typically, this is a case where I'm conflicted on the rating...

Do you love Richelle Mead's books? Have you read this one yet? Do you plan to?

Is Captain Hook the good guy? | Unhooked

Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell

Published: February 2nd 2016 by Simon Pulse

Genre: young adult, fantasy, retelling

Goodreads summary: For as long as she can remember, Gwendolyn Allister has never had a place to call home—all because her mother believes that monsters are hunting them. Now these delusions have brought them to London, far from the life Gwen had finally started to build for herself. The only saving grace is her best friend, Olivia, who’s coming with them for the summer.

But when Gwen and Olivia are kidnapped by shadowy creatures and taken to a world of flesh-eating sea hags and dangerous Fey, Gwen realizes her mom might have been sane all along.

The world Gwen finds herself in is called Neverland, yet it’s nothing like the stories. Here, good and evil lose their meaning and memories slip like water through her fingers. As Gwen struggles to remember where she came from and find a way home, she must choose between trusting the charming fairy-tale hero who says all the right things and the roguish young pirate who promises to keep her safe.

With time running out and her enemies closing in, Gwen is forced to face the truths she’s been hiding from all along. But will she be able to save Neverland without losing herself?

REVIEW

In my opinion, this book took a long time to start. The first chapter hadn’t compelled me into the story, so I put the book aside for a few days. Even when I picked it up again, it didn’t really grasp my attention and I only continued reading because I was in the train to go home. Most of this book was slow paced and when things started to be resolved, it made me care less, because I had been expecting for so long. Still, it was a good retelling and I really enjoyed the choice Lisa Maxwell made.

Here, Neverland was a dark place –which seems to be a trend when books are set there and it’s logical- and I really liked the way the author rebuilt it. Here, J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan had been written and the characters knew about it, but the world was different. The author created a story where she explained how Peter Pan came to be in control of the island and how the legend about him and Captain Hook was created. But, I had a problem with Captain Hook: the author made him come from a certain era, but Peter Pan was actually written before, in 1911, so I didn’t really get it. Was there a Captain Hook before the one we saw? Despite this inconstancy, this world was rich and had a darker folklore that what we could expect from Barrie’s book, like he had sugar-coated it. I could actually feel like I was in Neverland! Of course, it involved faeries a lot, which I quite enjoyed, since it’s been awhile since I read about them. But well, nothing to do with Disney’s Tinkerbell. 

 The main character, Gwendolyn, was hard for me to care about. She seemed, at first, like this typical “on the run because of secrets she doesn’t know” character and I don’t really like this trope. Still, she was determined to save those she loved and she was brave, even though she had been thrown into this unknown world. Moreover, she evolved a lot during the book, because it was about embracing who she was.

Unhooked also focused a lot… On Captain Hook, obviously. Well, here he was called Rowan, but that’s the same thing. The beginning of each chapter was an extract from his story before he came to Neverland, which allowed me to learn about him a little more. I think his character was a different take from what we usually see, which surprised me. I think I liked his character best and he had an accent, so yes. The story about his arm was set before he even came to Neverland. It was also explained how he could stay there, when he came from another land and had been there for a while… I think he had an amazing backstory that the author revealed fully in the last third of the book, which must have been one of my favourite aspects of the story. 

I didn’t think the secondary characters were this important… It was a lot about Olivia, but her apparitions felt repetitive, unfortunately. Among Rowan’s crew, I only remember one name, the others weren’t memorable. Peter Pan was more introduced as an antagonist, which I really enjoyed here, because he had a realistic reason to be so. I wasn’t surprised about it though, because it seems to be the trend of the last few years, for example in Once Upon A Time. As always, it’s a question of perspective in thinking who is the villain and who is the hero.

There was a romance between some characters, which I expected but didn’t find overly cute. I think it was also because of the circumstances the characters had found themselves in. It wasn’t a big part of the plot anyway; it was just “there”. 

Even if for the most part, I found this book to be slow paced, which decreased my interest into the story a lot, I was satisfied by the ending. Moreover, it didn’t feel like a happy end, it was on the bittersweet side, which felt more realistic. It was also a reflexion about human nature, because we choose what we remember… The author wanted to give her readers a message, and I think she succeeded in doing so. Unfortunately, I don’t know if this book will be a memorable read for me.

Have you read this one yet? Tell me your thoughts about it? Do you love books set in Neverland?