TheBooky

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she’s supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she’s been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

Summary from Goodreads!

Set in the fictional beach town of Colby, where several of Dessen’s novels take place, it features 18-year-old Emmeline, who is spending her last summer before college working for her family’s vacation rental business and enjoying a summer romance with a young aspiring filmmaker.

From Goodreads

Expected publication: June 4th 2013 

ANNNNND: There’s an excerpt from the novel’s first chapter right here!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi :D Le book review

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war— and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

Summary from Goodreads

Here is what I thought:

• The book is good! You guys should read it.
  
• I liked the narrator and, basically, all the characters you spend time with in the book.
  
• I really liked the style of writing. It was refreshing.
  You get things like this:
  

“I only know now that the scientists are wrong.

The world is flat.

I know because I was tossed right off the edge and I’ve been trying to hold on for 17 years. I’ve been trying to climb back up for 17 years but it’s nearly impossible to beat gravity when no one is willing to give you a hand.”

And I’m sitting there, reading, like:

• So yes, the author uses very poetic language, some really beautiful metaphors and brilliant personification. I’d re-read the beginning of the book (because that’s where the most beautiful pieces are) just for the writing.
• Juliette’s evolution as a character is wonderful. I really enjoyed reading about her struggles and the way she changes.

• It’s a dystopia, but don’t you dare compare it to The Hunger Games or any other dystopia out there. It’s not fair to compare authors/stories. I know (the back of my book says it’s like The Hunger Games meets X-men) that it’s all a marketing gimmick, but this story has its own merits and it’s pretty different from THG, trust me. Though, Juliette does remind me of Rogue from X-men, not gonna lie (with an added element, of course).
  
• The focus of the story, as far as I could tell, is the love story. Yes, there’s a love story. It was a very sweet one, though. It got annoying, I must say, when they were running for their lives and all the characters could think about was making out or having sex. While this is a really important piece of the story, because Juliette hasn’t been able to ever touch anyone without killing them or hurting them, it feels like the author has gone a little overboard with the whole “MUST TOUCH NOW” *Pervy pervy thoughts*
  
• They author does this thing that is really annoying where she will excessively cross out a bunch of shit sentences that could be otherwise conveyed. I didn’t mind at first. I thought it was really cool, creative, etc. But toward the end I just jhafgkjdgkafjkajgklsdfn. Right.
  
• There’s way too much telling for my taste, but you can overlook that because the things you’re told (like the pages-long explanation of The Reestablishment) are sort of secondary to the love story, so it’s no biggie.
  
• I will be reading the next book. It’s not like I’m anxiously awaiting it, but I am going to read it because I really, really liked the story. I want to see what will happen, given the end of this book. :)
  

You should read this book. You really should.

“I only know now that the scientists are wrong.

The world is flat.

I know because I was tossed right off the edge and I’ve been trying to hold on for 17 years. I’ve been trying to climb back up for 17 years but it’s nearly impossible to beat gravity when no one is willing to give you a hand.”

-Tahereh Mafi.

Review after the summary…Where She Went by Gayle Forman.

Again, this review will NOT BE SPOILER FREE.

So there will be SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS!

It’s been three years since the devastating accident … three years since Mia walked out of Adam’s life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard’s rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia’s home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other.

Toldfrom Adam’s point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Summary from Goodreads!

This is what I thought:

• The entire book is from Adam’s POV, which I love. Mia was a great character, but I love Adam’s perspective. He’s entire angsty during the entire book, however, I didn’t mind that. I know some people found him annoying, but I quite enjoyed his pain.
• I felt better about reading this book than I did the first one because it doesn’t have that whole oh-I-am-such-a-sad-story-cry-or-you’re-a-heartless-little-bitch vibe. I don’t think the vibe was intentional in the first book, but I sort of felt like there was something wrong with me because I wasn’t crying or sad. With this book, though, there was no vibe. I didn’t feel guilty for not feeling those overwhelming emotions that everyone else felt. 
• Again, this is not really a plot driven book. It’s more character driven, so you get lots of flashbacks and thoughts from the narrator (the pacing was much better in this book, certainly less frustrating). 
• A thing that kind of disappointed me? Mia’s tour of NY. I was expecting something more exciting, more John Green style where the characters break into Sea World and that sort of thing. However, that was probably not the point of the tour/you’re not supposed to focus on what they’re doing so much as what they’re feeling and saying or how they’re changing as characters. 
• This book had bits of songs before the beginning of every chapter, which I loved. I was wishing, a little bit, that Shooting Star was a real band so I could hear their songs (especially “Roulette”).
• Oh, and the focus of this book is the love story. Anyone looking for anything else, sorry. 

If I Stay—review after the summary. 

This review will NOT be spoiler free. 

So

There will be 

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!!!

Everybody got that? Okay, moving on!

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, Mia’s story will stay with you for a long, long time.

Summary from Goodreads

All right, so, here are some of my thoughts:

• I liked this book. Despite all the things I didn’t like about it, I still liked the book as whole. A lot of the reviews on Goodreads talked about how this book touches hearts and stays with the reader forever. I didn’t exactly have that experience, but it was still good one.
• I didn’t like that readers don’t get to see the accident. I admit, that would be an incredibly difficult scene to write and I’m not sure how the author would’ve done it, since the story is in first person, but I felt like I’d been cheated out of something when I realized that we would never, ever read the accident. 
• The intercutting of past and present kind of annoyed me at times, because I was so into what was going on in the present that I didn’t want to take a time-out to take a look at what her life was like before—I just wanted to know if she was going to stay. I realize that this technique was necessary because a. most of the meaningful/touching bits come from her past and b. without the past information, the author would’ve had an incredibly hard time getting the readers to care about this girl/the characters around her.
• I didn’t really like the lack of names for the parents. At least, I don’t remember them having any names. *shrug*
• The ending seems rather abrupt and I wasn’t really expecting it to end where it did. However, I quite liked the ending. 
• More things that I like? I liked all the characters except Adam (during certain parts…but at least he was real). The characters were believable and the parents were especially fleshed out. 
• The relationship between Mia and Adam was nice because it wasn’t perfect, they had problems, and yet they were still in love. 
• The integration of music in the story was good/satisfying, and I feel like it added a nice layer to the story. Almost like the characters and their lives could not be separated from music. 
• I also really liked that I could sort of imagine myself in Mia’s position and ask myself what I would do (I am still undecided) in her place. It’s something that I’ve been thinking about for a while, and I love a book that makes me think. 
• Also, the way the topic of love is handled—I liked it. ^.^

NOTE: readers would do well to remember that this is not a plot-driven story, but rather a character-driven story. As such, it is constructed with a different goal and the focus is not what happens (plot). 

Overall, I thought this was a good read. At the end of my copy of the book, there’s an excerpt from the next book, Where She Went. You get to see things from Adam’s POV in this snippet, so I bought the book. I think the second one will be better than the first because: a. you have Adam’s POV,which was quite enjoyable in the snippet and b. it deals with the aftermath of the events in the first book (which should be totally gripping and emotionally taxing, etc) and c. Mia has a body she can control (as opposed to the first novel where she was this ghost thing/spirit?)

Okay, since this is the 5th book in the series you can assume I liked the rest. But I’m telling you, I loved this one. I read it in less than a day, even though I have piles of school work looming over me.

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan—an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

Summary from Goodreads

I. loved. This. Book. And I don’t care if I’m too old to be reading this, it’s seriously good.

• I love Zach. I want one.
  
• Since this is the 5th book, I have had time to love the characters. I really like them all (aside from the ones you’re not supposed to like).
  
• I really like that there’s actual bad guys in this book.
• Finally, something happens! Something big and dramatic and I enjoyed every word of it.
  
• The plot is great, there’s awesome action and funny dialogue (at times) and the characters felt so real in this book. Much more believable.
  
• I know some people would say that everything is resolved too easily and that the books are corny or whatever, but I disagree. I like that these books are fun, easy reads. There’s nothing wrong with that.
  
• I love Heist Society but I love this even more. I’m just so happy with this book.
• And I don’t want to wait to get the next book. *is SAD*
  

I know this isn’t a real review, not like I usually do them anyway, but it’s all I could manage.

Oh, and yes, I do think the book is too short. *is SAD*

Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I stayed up until 5 AM just reading this. 

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth’s much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

Summary from goodreads

 I loved this book. 

Actually, before the review, here is my review for Divergent (book 1): http://thebooky.tumblr.com/post/8105182820/divergent-by-veronica-roth

Here’s what I thought of INSURGENT:

• Right, first, I am going to tell you that this series is addicting. Addicting. Like, went to be and thought I’d read a couple of chapters and, before I knew it, it was 5 AM and the book was over. I couldn’t put it down and I honestly didn’t want to. There were plenty of moments in the book that elicited a reaction, as in, my heart started beating faster and my breathing became shallow—I was holding to the book like you’d hold on during a roller coaster ride, knuckles white and adrenaline surging. Which is weird, because it’s just a book (ahhaa, as if). 
• The reason why I think I got so into the book is because I am attached to this world and these characters from book one, and there’s plenty of action to get the readers involved.
• Annoying thing: this book is written in present tense! Usually, I don’t have a problem with that. However, I noticed it in the beginning of the book. It was like someone was running a tiny cheese grater down my eyes, every single time I noticed it. BUT the present tense is actually perfect for the action scenes, and it works just like it’s supposed to. I think I noticed in the beginning while I was waiting for things to pick up and for all hell to break loose (which it did—it was so satisfying). 
• I can’t elaborate without spoilers, so I’ll just say that this book could’ve easily been twice the size it is now, and I would’ve been completely fine with that. I’m putting book 3 at 600 pages (‘tis what I’m hoping for, at least). 
• I LOVE that Tris and Tobias/Four struggle with their relationship. What they have is flawed but perfect, if that even makes sense. Whatever, my point with this comment: it’s really good to see some good conflict between people who love each other, because that’s how it is in real life. Also, what they were arguing about was actually really interesting if you stop to think about it. 
• On that note, I’d like to add that all the characters, at least to me, it seemed, were complex and really interesting to read about. I also like that the secondary characters aren’t just dropped, but included. They contribute, and I appreciate that. 
• I will say this, though: some bits are pretty predictable. To me they were, at least. Still, the book was entertaining (which is sort of the point, so…)

Overall, I need people to fangirl with who’ve read the books! If you’re one of them, message meeeeee. I promise I’m nice. 

I recommend this series. I think it’s a good addition to the dystopian book community. :)

If you read the series, let me know what you though!

The Spanish version/translation of This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. 

La regla de oro de Remy es no enamorarse bajo ninguna circunstancia. Esta brillante adolescente teme involucrarse emocionalmente, y siempre opta por cortar sus relaciones antes de que se vuelvan demasiado serias y le puedan hacer daño. En casa tiene un modelo a seguir muy cercano en cuanto a rompecorazones: su madre, una famosa escritora de novelas románticas que está a punto de casarse por quinta vez. Pero cuando Remy conoce al atractivo Dexter, le cuesta ser fiel a su propia norma. Para colmo Dexter representa todo lo que ella odia; incluso es músico como su padre, a quien nunca conoció y que sólo le dejó como recuerdo una canción. ¿Puede que haya llegado el momento de que Remy descubra el auténtico sentido de todas esas estúpidas canciones de amor que la gente tararea? ¿De verdad su corazón es tan frío como a ella le gusta pensar?

Summary from Goodreads!

I finally found it. I found it. In case you didn’t know, I’ve been trying to purchase this translation of This Lullaby for a few months now (I think it’s been months…anywaaaay…) and I can’t believe I actually found it. It’s MIIIINEEEE.

This book:go read it. Whatever language you like, Just read it. Tell me what you think of it.

It’s a really great story about a girl who changes for the better, filled with incredibly great characters and words of wisdom, all in Sarah Dessen’s incredible style. So, go now. Read!

RANT:

NO. I can see why parents want to make sure that what their kids are reading is appropriate, but a rating system? Now, I don’t know if I would call the rating system a form of censorship, though it would most likely hurt book sales, but I somehow cannot agree with the idea of a book rating system. I think that if parents are really that concerned about what their kids are reading, then they need to go out and read the books themselves (take time out of their hectic lives, if they really care). That way, if there’s something the parent thinks is not appropriate, they can be there to talk to the teen. I think that would give parent/teen time to communicate and discuss issues that matter to both parties. ALSO: this would help in not discrediting the teen. I feel like when I was a teen, I know what I could handle reading—I didn’t need my mommy and daddy to hold my hand. I liked discovering things on my own. Anywho, bonding over reading, doesn’t that sound like a better plan? To me, the book rating system would reduce books to “what’s wrong” or “what’s inappropriate” and everything in the book would be taken out of context and the wonderful stories that these wonderful authors wrote would never get read. Not cool. 

You can find the article here: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/should-there-be-a-rating-system-for-ya-books_b51854

Please let me know what you think! Because this post was all about my first impression/thoughts on reading the article. I’m sure there are important points that I missed. 

looks-books:

Quick, spoiler-free summary: Mia, a budding cellist, her loving, rock-star parents and adorable little brother all pile in the car on a winter day in Oregon for what seems like a normal family trip. Everything changes, however, when a truck hits them, leaving Mia’s parents dead on the scene…

(Source: spiralsparrow)

You know the drill: review after the summary.

The world has fallen in love with Nick Gautier and the Dark-Hunters. Now Nick’s saga continues in the next eagerly anticipated volume…

Go to school. Get good grades. Stay out of trouble. That’s the mandate for most kids. But Nick Gautier isn’t the average teenager. He’s a boy with a destiny not even he fully understands. And his first mandate is to stay alive while everyone, even his own father, tries to kill him.

He’s learned to annihilate zombies and raise the dead, divination and clairvoyance, so why is learning to drive such a difficulty? But that isn’t the primary skill he has to master. Survival is.

And in order to survive, his next lesson makes all the others pale in comparison. He is on the brink of becoming either the greatest hero mankind has ever known.

Or he’ll be the one who ends the world. With enemies new and old gathering forces, he will have to call on every part of himself to fight or he’ll lose everyone he cares about.

Even himself.

Summary from Goodreads.

The review of the first book, Infinity, can be found here http://thebooky.tumblr.com/post/8146587613/this-is-book-one-of-the-chronicles-of-nick-by

The review for the second book, Invincible, can be found here: http://thebooky.tumblr.com/post/8203301243/right-im-doing-a-short-review-tonight-because-i

So, for the third and latest book, all I have to say is, “THAT WAS IT?” 

• The characters are great. A friend of mine informed me that some of the characters are from her other series, which I didn’t even know existed. I’m tempted to read it, but we shall see. 
• The book is just as funny as the rest, though it has quite a few serious bits. The serious bits allow for plenty of character development, and some touching moments occur and made me sort of sad, sort of happy. 
• I love Nick so very much. He’s a great kid/demon/whatever and I love his relationship with his mom. Since I like him so much, it’s really interesting to read about his struggles and to keep rooting for him. 
• This book was great, but the ending is highly unsatisfying. But only because the next book isn’t out. If the next book was out, I could deal with the ending of this one. However, as things stand at the moment, this is not okay. Okay? Not OKAY.

So, if you don’t mind all that demon talk, etc, then go ahead and read the series. It’s quite funny and entertaining. 

The Serpent’s Shadow by Rick Riordan. A review of its perfection after the summary. 

He’s b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sade Kane can’t seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos.

To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent’s shadow… or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld…

Summary from Goodreads!

DISCLAIMER: I am biased. More than usual, actually. I will tell you why: I love Rick Riordan’s books for teens/kids/anyone, really—but they’re marketed as middle grade books, I think. I have read the Percy Jackson series and I am eagerly (slowly dying) waiting for the third book of The Heroes of Olympus series, The Mark of Athena, which is out this fall. I also read the other two books of the Kane Chronicles (The Red Pyramid and The Throne of Fire) and I loved them (not as much as I love the Greek mythology works he’s written—but still, lots of love). That being said…

Here’s what I thought:

• First off, this book has stunning cover art. I bought a physical copy (no nook for something this important) and the cover feels smooth and beautiful. My book smells rather wonderful, too. *sniffs book again*
• I believe I’ve said this before of Riordan, but he’s got an awesome sense of humor. He’s just funny. Which kind of makes me wonder if he’s just naturally funny or if he has to revise his writing a bunch of times to make sure it’s funny. Either way, it works for me. I love reading his stuff. 
• Another thing I love about Riordan? His characters, whether they be 12 or 18, are always empowered, in my opinion. This is true for this book as well. For instance, Sadie and Carter have to battle Chaos in order to save the world. These kids have admirable qualities (they’re brave, intelligent, loyal, etc) and they’re likable—you’re always rooting for them because they have heart. 
• The action: perfect. It lets up at the right moments and leaves room for character development, yet picks up and takes you for an emotional roller-coaster ride—more likely than not, you’ll end up caring about all the characters and you will have all these feelings squished against each other, crowding your chest and trying to get out. I was proud of myself—no tears this time. (No, this book does not have a sad ending. It has a perfect ending.) 
• I think this type of book is really good reading material for everyone. I mean, I’m 20 and I can’t get enough of these books. I will always be a die-hard Riordan fan. 
• What I really wanted to say about this book, though, is that it is a delightful ending to the chronicles. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Also, the insinuations made at the end of this book made me very hopeful (no spoilers here, but if you’ve read it, then you know what I mean). 

Do I recommend this series? I sure as hell do. 

Also, if anyone has read this, message me. I need to talk to someone about this. 

Fear by Michael Grant. Review after the summary.

It’s been one year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

Despite the hunger and the lies, even despite the plague, the kids of Perdido Beach are determined to survive. Creeping into the tenuous new world they’ve built, though, is perhaps the worst incarnation yet of the enemy known as the Darkness: fear.

Within the FAYZ, life breaks down while the Darkness takes over, literally—turning the dome-world of the FAYZ entirely black. In darkness, the worst fears of all emerge, and the cruelest of intentions are carried out. But even in their darkest moments, the inhabitants of the FAYZ maintain a will to survive and a desire to take care of the others in their ravaged band that endures, no matter what the cost.

Fear, Michael Grant’s fifth book in the bestselling dystopian Gone series, will thrill readers … even as it terrifies them.

Summary from Goodreads!

All right, here’s what I thought:

• Everything that was great about the last books in this series still stands. 
• There are plenty of great suspenseful scenes, lots of actions, and the characters you love are in this book. The alternating points of views are a good way to provide information from everyone, which is great in case there are particular characters that annoy you/who you don’t want to read too much about. 
• Also, this novel moves things along (by about an inch, but still). It makes me happy to finally see something big happen, given that I think that while this series is great, it feels as if it’s been stretched into more books than necessary. 
• Aside from feeling like this book took forever to be written in order for one important thing to happen, it was a rather enjoyable read. Though, it’s still as gruesome as the other ones!