Review : Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Title: Saint Anything

Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Release Date: May 5th 2015

Goodreads Summary: Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

REVIEW

I haven't read a Sarah Dessen book before this one, so this review doesn't mean I dislike her books in general. This book involves heavy topics, which I wasn't in the mood for. The plot wasn't the only reason I disliked it. I don't understand what Dessen tried to write, but it didn't work for me. Maybe the book is better in the end, but I didn't finish it 53% in. I've tried for something like three days or so to get into the story, but totally failed. 

This book felt a bit flat for me, I wasn't able to connect with the characters at all. Sydney's brother is in jail, okay, that's a fact, but I didn't understand the way her parents reacted. Well, for the father, I could, but the mother was ridiculous. I get that what happened is a tragedy, but she still acted as if her son was a prodigy or something, and never cared about Sydney. Or her feelings. And then, she complained that Sydney was distant. You bet she was. She's always stuck with a weird guy who looks like if he would rape her, and her mother is just like "Oh Ames, you're the best!". Other thing, she's in a pizzeria with her daughter and not in the best mood, but then her son calls and she's so happy as if he was the golden boy! Okay, she misses him and feels like she messed up with him. But she's making the big mistake to let her daughter down! What do you think could happen? The only time she cares about her is for her curfew. I hated that character with all my soul. 

About the plot, I didn't feel like much was going on. Sydney goes to school, has a normal life, the end. I think at the end of the book she'll date Mac and her mother will calm down, but I don't want to see it happen. 

This book is more about everyday life, with your own struggles, centered about family, and that's great. Unfortunatly, it wasn't something I wanted to read, and it could have been better. The characters were a big problem here. So was the ordinary life she had. It's a book about her coming of age, but I didn't care for that. Sorry, Sarah Dessen. 

I'm sorry but I can't think straight because of how much I was pissed at this book. I might try to read other books by Sarah Dessen in the future, but only if someone recommends them to me because right now... 

Rating: 1/5 

Review : Dream a little dream by Kerstin Gier

Title: Dream a Little Dream

Author: Kerstin Gier

Translator (from German): Anthea Bell

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Release Date: April 14th 2015 (originally published March 8th 2013)

Goodreads Summary: Mysterious doors with lizard-head knobs. Talking stone statues. A crazy girl with a hatchet. Yes, Liv's dreams have been pretty weird lately. Especially the one where she's in a graveyard at night, watching four boys conduct dark magic rituals.

The strangest part is that Liv recognizes the boys in her dream. They're classmates from her new school in London, the school where she's starting over because her mom has moved them to a new country (again). But what's really scaring Liv is that the dream boys seem to know things about her in real life, things they couldn't possibly know--unless they actually are in her dreams? Luckily, Liv never could resist a good mystery, and all four of those boys are pretty cute...

REVIEW

I'm not surprised by how much I've loved this book, considered how the Ruby Red trilogy was amazing. Gier's writing is fantastic (I've read her books both in French and English, so I don't know if I can really say that). The plot was unique, if I could compare it to another book it would be The Raven Boys, because there are four guys and dreams are involved, but let's stop here for that. 

I can't say much about the plot, because spoiler. It's kind of slow-paced, because Liv has a new life, so the world-building is necessary, and she couldn't be thrown away with the boys like that. The paranormal stuffs were unique, but I wish to know more about it, but I'm not worried about that.

He smiled sympathetically. "It's over, Anabel." Anabel's lips twitched, and for a moment it looked as if she would burst into tears. But then she threw back her head and laughed. "Oh, you're so wrong, Henry," she said. "In fact, it's only just begun." 

I hadn't seen the plot twist coming at first, but it makes a lot of sense. I like how Kerstin Gier always takes her readers to unexpected adventures, she's one of my favourite authors I think. 

The main character was amazing. Liv Silver has travelled all around the world, takes kung fu lessons, loves puzzles and mystery and doesn't want boy trouble.

"Liv, stop it!" hissed Mia. "You look like a lovelorn sheep!" I gave a start. "As bad as that? Oh, that's terrible." I added-and was to regret it in the course of the day-"If you see me looking like that again, give me a nudge or throw something at me. Promise?"

I loved her, because of course she doesn't want to be like anyone else, and she's thrown into the problems of the four popular guys in her new school. I liked that she was thrown into it because Grayson, on of them, was supposed to be her new "brother". Her little sister, Mia, was one of my favourite too, like the scene with the "I'm seventy percent sure the bus is heading in the right direction", but obviously noooot. Both of them are so into Sherlock Holmes, it's so cool. And now they're in London so that's amazing. I hope they will do a Sherlock Holmes tour or something!

I really liked the romance, Henry is so cute, but I'm scared because in the acknowledgments, Gier wondered if he would stay with Liv or they would split up because of secrets. Sadly, it happened in Sapphire Blue because Gideon didn't trust Gwen anymore, so I'm scared for book 2. 

"Do you know why I began believing in that demon?" he asked quietly. I shook my head. "Because my wish came true the moment I met you." "You'd wished to meet someone with a stinking cheese in her bag?" 

He didn't laugh at my joke, which admittedly wasn't very funny, but ran his forefinger around my lips. "You're like me," he said seriously. "You love puzzles. You like to play. You're happy to take risks. It's when things look like they're getting dangerous that you feel really excited." He leaned a little closer to me, and I could feel the warmth of his breath. "That's what I wished for. To meet someone I could fall in love with. You're my heart's desire, Liv Silver."

Anyway, I can't say much besides I loved it and it's definitely one of my favourite books of the year so far and I'm looking forward to the next one! 

Rating: 5/5

Review : A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes

A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves #1) by Morgan Rhodes

Published: June 23rd 2015 by Razorbill
Genre: young adult, fantasy

Goodreads Summary: Modern-day sisters discover deadly ancient magic in book 1 of this Falling Kingdoms spin-off series! Worlds collide in this suspenseful, page-turning Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, which explores a whole new side of Mytica—and an even darker version of its magic.

Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her mother’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspear Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself. Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart.

REVIEW

I'm still not a fan of the cover but this book was amazing! I'm not really surprised, because I love the Falling Kingdoms series. It was really interesting to mix modern world and Mytica, especially with the link between the two, Becca - mostly because she is more the link between the two worlds that I thought, in the end! I would have liked to read more about Toronto, though, because we saw everyday life's buildings, but that's pretty much all. During my reading, I had the feeling we were seeing less of Mytica (and proportionally, we were), but I don't think it's a big deal, because discovering everything people of our world knew about Mytica was so interesting!

The plot focuses around Valoria's reign in Mytica (for this part of the story), it was like a prequel to Falling Kingdoms on that point, but modern world so it was kind of disturbing. Still, it means that time doesn't work the same between the two worlds, maybe even reverse? It's a big spoiler but here is the thing : Markus is sent to our world sixty years before the story starts, but Becca witnesses that the book is sent in Toronto. Then, maybe Valoria could sent the book back in time, but had sent Markus before? I don't know, we'll in the next book. What I loved about this plot was the plot twists I didn't see coming. I liked how everything was connected somehow between the two worlds, even if I knew it was.

For the most part, the characters were enjoyable. From the three points of view, I liked Crystal's character the best, because of who she was, and how she wants to know. Farrell's was really good, but he was a total sexist asshole - he thought he could won every girl over. He liked Crystal, but for a part it was because she resisted him, I'm not sure I like that. Still, she'll be on guard with him for now on. I liked the characters from the beginning, because of Becca.

"Becca Hatcher-making dreams come true, one book at a time,"

She's a book lover and her mom owns a bookshop, where she works to help her. Their aunt Jackie was also really interesting. So was Adam, I think we'll see him more in the next book, but I hope there won't be a love triangle between him, Becca and Maddox (maybe I see them everywhere, but I'm on guard). About the romance, I liked that mostly, the characters were drown to each other, it wasn't really love, but the beginning.

Maddox rubbed his eyes. "Have you ever been in love, Barnabas?" Barnabas paused, as if in solemn thought. "Is that what this is with the spirit girl?" "I don't know what it is. I'm just asking you a question."

Of course it's suspicious, but still - not romance driven, like Falling Kingdoms. I love that about Morgan Rhodes, really. 

The book didn't finish on a big cliff-hanger (there were big revelations before, though), which is a good thing, because sometimes I forget what it was, but there are so many questions hanging in the air, mainly : Markus? What happened with Valoria, really? I can't wait to read the next book, and now I want Frozen Tides so much.

Book releases I'm most excited for in July!

Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1) by Rachel Caine

Released date: July 7th 2015

Goodreads summary: In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.

The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles, #2) by Mary E. Pearson

Released date: July 7th 2015

Goodreads summary: Intrigue abounds in this hotly anticipated sequel to The Kiss of Deception!

Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save her life, Lia's erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.

Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: there's Rafe, who lied to Lia, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be barbarians. Now that she lives amongst them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.

Armada by Ernest Cline

Released Date: July 14th 2015

Goodreads summary: Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure.

But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don’t get chosen to save the universe.

And then he sees the flying saucer.

Even stranger, the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the videogame he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada—in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders. 

No, Zack hasn’t lost his mind. As impossible as it seems, what he’s seeing is all too real. And his skills—as well as those of millions of gamers across the world—are going to be needed to save the earth from what’s about to befall it.

It’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. But even through the terror and exhilaration, he can’t help thinking back to all those science-fiction stories he grew up with, and wondering: Doesn’t something about this scenario seem a little…familiar?

At once gleefully embracing and brilliantly subverting science-fiction conventions as only Ernest Cline could, Armada is a rollicking, surprising thriller, a classic coming of age adventure, and an alien invasion tale like nothing you’ve ever read before—one whose every page is infused with the pop-culture savvy that has helped make Ready Player One a phenomenon.

Review : Frostfire by Amanda Hocking

Title: Frostfire

Author: Amanda Hocking

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: January 6th, 2015

Goodreads Summary: Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royal family. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero she once loved – begins kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?

REVIEW

First of all, this book is supposed to be about trolls. Have you seen the cover? She's gorgeous, that's not the point, but the girl looks human. You want me to give you trolls? Here you are:

Obviously, I couldn't believe it, this trolls things. If it was about faeries, it would have been realistic, but THIS, THIS?!? I'm sorry, Amanda Hocking, but I don't understand. You wanted to be original, but it failed. Moreover, before 25% in this book, we knew nothing about this trolls, except the main character was a tracker, and there were changelings, for some of them. Even after some explanations, I didn't see the point. Really. They could have been any creatures, it makes no difference. I know this is a spin-off series, but there wasn't enough world building for my taste, so I was kinda lost...

This society seems kind of archaic, for example a sixteen years old girl marries a king twice her age. The worst part of this world was the children that were given away to human host families. Okay, but they switched with human babies and they put them in orphanages. Like seriously? It's not even their world, and they allow themselves to mess up with some children's lives? How selfish is that? 

On top of that, trolls are racists. There are several tribes, the Kanin, the Skojare, et caetera. Our main character, Bryn, is half Kanin (her father is the Chancellor, most important person after the King and the Queen) and half Skojare, most people hate her for that. At some point in the book, she says Kanins forgave their parents, but not her. How is it her fault that her parents fell in love?

About her, she was mostly annoying. I liked she was tough and ready to do everything it takes to have a successful career, which is harder because of her origins, but that was all. For example, she was mad at her best friend because she was pregnant and chose to start a family instead of being truly dedicated to her job. Of course every other character told her she was crazy, but still. It was interesting to see the story through her eyes, because instead of discovering the world with someone who didn't know anything about it, she was explaining (but the world-building wasn't great...). Moreover, her job is really interesting.

The other characters were alright but didn't stand out for me... I liked Ember maybe?

The plot was good. Changelings that were hidden in the human world was in danger - well mostly the ones in line for the throne. The first changeling Bryn rescued in the book was in danger and she saw that bad Konstantin (who tried to kill her father in the prologue) was stalking him too, so she ran away with the boy, Linus. After he is reunited with his parents, she has to help him adapt. Then, there is a problem with an other changeling, everyone is on guard. Of course, Ridley and Bryn are the ones that see Konstantin all the time, not the others. And of course, they are the ones to be sent in the Skojare court. It was kind of interesting, but I felt nothing were resolved at the end of the book. The book ended quite abruptly, but it didn't give me the will to continue with this serie...

Still, I had the feeling that the prologue was long and pushed up, an excuse for Konstantin being the bad guy, but in the end, Bryn starts to doubt he was that bad, and we saw the real bad guy. It seems that Konstantin was serving a higher purpose than serving the King and the Queen, I guess that will lead to more developments in the next books, but honestly, I don't care. At all.

The romance was enjoyable (with her boss, Ridley), it wasn't a big part of the story. It wasn't instalove because she knew him her whole life; and it was tension between us through the book, even if it kinda exploded when they kissed each other (before she ran away), but that's all. Sadly, there will probably be a love triangle with Konstantin, who is supposed to be the bad guy but did everything for love (WTF? At least, it was intriguing). 

I'm really disappointed in this book, it seemed interesting at first, but I struggled to read it at first, at least I liked it a little more when we had more world-building. Maybe I should have read the main series with the Trylle, I heard Finn, Ember's brother, was in it, but I checked out the premise of this other series and it doesn't look that good.

Rating : 2/5 stars

Review : The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

Title: The Stars Never Rise

Author: Rachel Vincent

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Release Date: June 9th, 2015

Goodreads Summary: Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

REVIEW

Really, I didn't see this book coming at all. I've been sick of dystopia for a while, but my interest sparked again with this book. The human world discovers that there are souls and demons along the way. There is a war between humans and demons, which permits the Church to rise : a government that controls everyone's life through religion. For example, big sinners are burnt. In public. And it's broadcasted in the whole country. Our main character, Nina, is almost seventeen years old, she has to take care of her sister, because her mother is a drug addict, and she can't let the Church discovers it. Nina plans to become a teacher and so dedicate her life to the Church, until her sister, Melanie, reveals something that changes their whole lives. Then, Nina kills a demon, discovers she has powers on her own and is hunted by the Church, demons - well, everyone. On top of that, she has to trust rogue exorcists, because whether she wants it or not, she's part of them.

This book was really fast-paced and addictive, I read it in one setting or so. I saw some plot twists coming, but not all of them, and I was so happy about it. To sum up, nothing is as it seems, in this book. I liked some of the author's ideas, like introducing the world through classes : first when Nina interrogates Mellie for her history test, then when she is helping with the five years old class. The world is a dystopian one, but humanity regressed, because the Church is the establishment that controls everything, like in the Middle Ages. The whole book is set in New Temperance, Nina's hometown, which isn't a bad thing, because a lot happened in a few days. I can't wait to see more of this world though.

The main character is a strong one, who does what she has to in order to have something to eat, she even sells herself. She protects her sister and is very mature, I really liked her. My favourite character in this book was Grayson, she's discreet, sweet, and helpless for now, but I'm sure she'll do great things in the next books. The romance caught me off guard, it was really interesting, to see how finally, Nina overcomes the difficulties she had. Still, the romance wasn't overwhelming if you compare to other YA books. 

Rating : 4.5/5

June 2015 - Wrap-up

Hi everyone!

June is already ending : just like that, my first month of holidays is over, I don't know where it goes. Anyway, I read a lot this month, my total is 30 books, which means a book a day, I know... (still, there was a few I didn't finish) My best friend was kind of mad at me yesterday because in one month, I read the amount of books she read this January, haha. Sometimes, I think I'm not human. You can check my GR account to know more on my thoughts of the book I read this month, because this blog is brand new ! I don't think I'll be able to do as much reading in July, mostly because I'll be working.

Some of the books I read this month.

Half Bad (Hald Bad #1) by Sally Green 3.5 stars

Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1) by Rachel Hawkins 4 stars

Confess by Colleen Hoover 5 stars

Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2) by Libba Bray 4 stars

The Falconer (The Falconer #1) by Elizabeth May DNF

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh 5 stars

Talon (Talon #1) by Julie Kagawa 4.5 stars

Miss Mayhem (Rebel Belle #2) by Rachel Hawkins 3 stars

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black 2 stars

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson 5 stars

The Glass Sentence (The Mapmaker's Trilogy #1) by S.E. Grove 5 stars

Snow like Ashes (Snow like Ashes #1) by Sara Raasch 5 stars

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley 4.5 stars

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) by Julie Kagawa 4 stars

The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan 3 stars

The Fill-in Boyfriend by Kasie West 4 stars

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa 4.5 stars

The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa 3.5 stars

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir 5 stars

Royal Wedding (The Princess Diaries #11) by  Meg Cabot 5 stars

Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer 3.5 stars

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan 5 stars

The Sin Eater's Daughter (The Sin Eater's Daughter #1) by Melinda Salisbury DNF

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone 5 stars

Rogue (Talon #2) by Julie Kagawa 5 stars

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven DNF

C'est pas ma faute (Mortelle Adèle #3) by Mr. Tan 4 stars

Red Queen (Red Queen #1) by Victoria Aveyard 3.5 stars

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella 4 stars

The Madman's Daughter (The Madman's Daughter #1) 2 stars

What did you read this month? Which book was your favourite?