Adelle Reads

REVIEW: Rebel Spring By Morgan Rhodes

2016-07-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

REBEL SPRING

By: Morgan Rhodes

Published: December 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 401 (Hardcover)

Genre: Fantasy

Hello!

It's great to be back in the world of book blogging.

I have no excuse for being absent for quite a while other than of being lazy. The idea of getting out of bed and powering up the computer and putting my bookish thoughts into coherent sentences and trying to be as unbiased as I can regarding my opinions feel like such a chore.

But I'll try my best from now on.

After all, this is why I said I want to do with my life.

Read books. Write about books. And maybe even write a book.

Anyway....

Before you read this full review, know that this is the 2nd book of the Falling Kingdoms series.

If you have not read the 1st book, I suggest that you do not continue reading this post because even the book synopsis has spoilers in it.

But if you're interested about this book, here's what you need to know about this series:

1. If you like Game of Thrones (TV show or books), then you may be interested in this Young Adult version of it.

2. There are 3 kingdoms named Limeros, Paelsia, and Auranos ruled by 3 different kings, have very different weathers, and have very distinct differences between the people and their ways of living.

3. There are princes and princesses.

4. There are magical creatures that roam around in the form of a bird (a hawk, specifically).

5. There is a search for magical crystals called the Kindred.

6. There are lots and lots of fights and deaths.

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Book Synopsis

The road to power... is paved with blood and magic.

Cleo is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people.
Magnus stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia.
Lucia is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms.
Jonas watched at the palace gates a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius.

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Bookish Thoughts

Writing Style

It's a huge deal for me to have even had the motivation to read this sequel because, honestly, I was not a fan of the first book.

It had nothing to do with the writing style of Morgan Rhodes, though!

I actually enjoy reading her books because of how simple and direct it is.

Most of the time, in fantasy novels like this, authors make it quite difficult to understand what the characters really want to say and makes the entire world very complicated. It's hard to keep up. But Morgan Rhodes made it as simple as can be and yet still make it sound beautiful and worth reading.

I especially love how she makes the characters' way of talking reflect their upbringing and lifestyle.

Story

It's very much a continuation of Falling Kingdoms (Book 1). We pick up right where that ended.

There were deaths that I did not see coming! I can't believe it. In the first book there were deaths, yes. But the deaths here made a little more impact because some of those characters. we've known from book 1.

The reason why I was hesitant to pick this book up was because the first book was filled with character introductions and I felt the plot lacking. It focused so much on the characters and for a fantasy series, I felt like that's a big no no. Fantasy should revolve around the plot line and the world building. Leave the character-focused stories in the contemporary books.

For the first half of this book, it was the same. It focused so much on the character drama and characters were still being introduced left and right.

Thankfully, by the 2nd half of the book, the plot and story actually took a turn and became the focus.

It's quite ridiculous how it took us 1 and a half books to get to the story line.

That's when I started to really read the book. It hooked me. I wanted to know what will happen to the kingdoms, to its people, and to our main characters.

We still don't know who the protagonists and antagonists are, though.

Betrayals everywhere!

You can definitely see how divided Mytica is.

Characters

Let me be frank and say that I find ALL the characters of this book (in particular) very stupid.

It seemed to me like they were all hell-bent on choosing the worst and stupidest choices thrughout the book.

Here are my thoughts specifically for each character:

MAGNUS - I absolutely love him! He makes me think of Nico di Angelo of Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series. He's all dark and mysterious. I know people hate the trope of bad-boy-with-good-heart but I don't think he belongs there because he really is just bad. I especially love how sassy and sarcastic he can be. I live for the chapters where we read from his point of view!

I laughed when he told Cleo "So many boys seem to be enamored of you, I'd need a ledger to keep track of them."

Also, during their wedding (I can't believe it actually pushed through! Everything was so fast but I'm so glad that Morgan Rhodes decided not to keep making us wait for it to happen because it was thrown right at our faces that Cleo and Magnus are actually husband and wife now -- despite still hating one another) when the priest told them to hold hands and Cleo won't even reach for Magnus' hand and he said: "Come on, you're breaking my heart," in his sarcastic and very Magnus way.

CLEO - I hate her so much. People keep telling me that her character will eventually improve the more you get into the series. But as for now, I still hate the living daylights out of her. I just find her whiny and very princess-y. She acts all innocent and yet actually plans the most devious of things. It's disconterting. She's also very fickle minded! I also hate it when somebody grasps her wrist or something and she'll whine "You're hurting me," even when they're not. Also, I don't care for what happens to her. So long as she doesn't break Magnus' heart.

JONAS - I laughed so hard at how pathetic his character has turned out to be. In the first book I felt so bad for him because of how his brother died. But since then, he's been sold to us readers as someone strong and smart and heroic. However, all he does is sacrifice his rebels for the sake of rescuing Cleo from the hands of the tyrant king that he himself has helped be seated in that stolen throne!

LUCIA - I have only two things to say about this girl: (1) I hate her for hurting Magnus, and (2) someone please stab me with a fork because she is turning out to be like Adelina of "The Young Elites" by Marie Lu (and I hate that girl with a passion).

We also get to meet new characters like Lysandra.

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Goodreads Rating

I would've rated it higher but the characters really annoyed me. Also, because it took too long for the story to focus on the plot rather than the characters.

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Do I still want to read the next book? Yes.

Do I recommend the series? Yes.

Happy reading!

If you've reached this part of this post, thank you.

For hearing out my bookish thoughts!

UNPOPULAR BOOK OPINION: Loved Male Characters I Dislike

2016-06-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Yes, I am back with this list of characters who are beloved to others but I find absolutely annoying or just simply put: dislike.

I'm not going to justify the reasons why I don't like them nor why I have the need to write about them and post it when I don't even like them.

I guess I just want you all to know that despite not enjoying these popular and well-loved characters as much as the majority of the bookish community, I actually went ahead and spent hours upon hours reading about them and appreciating the books they belong in.

I may not agree or see eye to eye with them (even if they're fictional), but know that I have reasons. It probably stems from my own personality and their characters' personalities clash with it, I don't know.

I just didn't and don't like them.

*in no particular order*

1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Alec Lightwood

Calm down!

This isn't what it looks like. Alright, it is.

The thing is, I never liked Alec Lightwood. Not as a character.

Yes, I absolutely love him when he's with Magnus Bane.

But as an individual, he's not a good person. Or he wasn't.

I know he's got a lot going on in his life but that doesn't excuse the fact that he's an ass.

Now, I don't like Clary and I'm not defending her but the way he's treated her is just no. Also, whenever he was the one who we were reading about in the first 3-4 books of the series, I can't help but roll my eyes at how annoying he is.

Thank the Angel that Magnus arrived and that Alec's character developed into someone worthy of being called a hero and actually someone likeable.

2. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Kilorn Warren

See? Nobody likes him enough to even be bothered to create a fanart of him! I found just one and he doesn't even have a face.

I have this issue with boys who grew up with our female leads and harboring secret crushes or love for them. Then some badass new guy comes along and suddenly being the best friend isn't enough and he goes alpha ape sh*t and causes trouble out of jealousy.

I feel like that's my most hated trope. I just realized now.

Also, thanks to being the best friend who obviously has no chance at our female lead but still important enough, our lead goes on crazy missions and life-threatening circumstances to get him back to safety. Doesn't matter who are the casualties so long as the best friend is safe.

Ugh.

And just because he knows her a lot longer, he automatically has a claim on her.

What even is that?

3. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Again with the best friend going territorial when some new guy comes along.

How about proclaiming your love for her before someone new comes along?

We could have avoided a ton of trouble if that happened.

I'm all for Clace and yet this guy is wedging himself between them like a freaking mushroom at a crack in the pavement.

Thankfully, Cassandra Clare is good at redeeming someone's character (though I never got over my dislike for Clary).

By the end of the series, I've come to appreciate this nerd.

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Gale Hawthorne

Oh hey! Look at that... Another best friend who had a primal tendency to lay claim on the girl just because they've been best friends all their lives.

I hate this trope.

He was so jealous all the time. I got really angry when his name was on the page I was reading.

And thanks to his jealousy and deep desire to prove something, he murdered children!

If you don't hate him for that, I don't even want to know you.

5. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Percy Weasley

We all love the Wesleys.

I mean, how can you not? But of course, not even they are exempted to having at least one effed up kid, what with them being almost a dozen, someone's bound to come out wrong.

And it's this guy.

None of his siblings ever liked him. Sometimes I feel bad for him because all he ever wanted was to not be poor anymore and to not be ridiculed by being a Weasley.

But he's a jerk. I don't even want to talk about all the times he failed us as a Weasley.

6. Percy Jackson and the Olympains by Rick Riordan

Luke Castellan

Again, please don't throw me to the deepest depths of Tartarus.

It's not even that he's succumbed to the evil Titans. It's the fact that the reason behind his being a traitor is because he was throwing a tantrum.

He knows for a fact (or at least should've come to the realization) that all Greek gods don't come into contact with their mortal offsprings unless there's a dire situation.

But no. He just continued to harbour a grudge because his dad, Hermes, didn't stay to watch him grow up.

That's not an excuse when everyone else at Camp Half-Blood has the same story about their godly parent!

What a cry baby!

Toughen up. I thought you're a warrior?

7. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Dorian Havillard

I'm laughing right now because I can honestly feel the rage boiling off of you, people.

You see, Dorian is a weak character. Doesn't matter if he's strong in the magical sense. His character or personality is weak.

Yes, he loves reading. Yes, he gives his girl a puppy.

But he doesn't stand up to anything or anyone. He hides when he's troubled. He doesn't speak up. He's just there hovering.

He's a whatever kind of character for me.

8. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Jacob

The bane of my Twilight-obsessed self.

This boy is almost literally a dog for feeling like he had a claim on Bella just because he knows her father well and that said father approves of him.

All those times, you know what lacked? Him physically peeing on Bella to keep her and Edward apart.

Ugh.

He is ridiculous. I don't even remember what he did. All I know is I never liked him.

9. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Adam Parrish

I loved all the Raven Boys by the end of the series.

But during the first 2 books of the series, I cannot stomach Adam's character.

All he did was mope around because he isn't rich, be angry because his friends are offering to help him out, and just be a jerk.

I know he's gone through a lot especially with his pathetic excuse of parents. But it was really hard to like him at first despite all that.

I didn't feel sorry for him (which I personally think he would've been grateful for if her was real). I just got really annoyed when reading about him.

Thankfully, his character was redeemed.

I love him now. Especially after The Raven King.

What is a proper way to close this post?

All I know is, even if I don't agree with, like, or love some of these characters, I loved the books they belonged in.

And to be fair, there isn't a book where I don't like at least one character.

That's just the way I am: I judge the characters.

I mean, the point of why I'm reading is because I want to escape real life and just relax for a while. So I don't appreciate it when a couple of people I read about are causing me stress.

**Credits to the owners and creators of the photos/fanart used in this post**

UNPOPULAR BOOK OPINION: Loved Female Characters I Dislike

2016-06-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I have just posted a short blog post on my Books Amino account regarding a certain well-loved female character that I find insufferable, whiny, and just outright annoying.

And not surprisingly, I received quite a lot of defensive comments about said character. Be it that a character has been through a lot, has PTSD, is a strong representation of what females go through in real life yet people like me undermine, etc.

Now, you must realize that I didn't write the things I wrote to undermine any real-life issues because I'm not that disrespectful of others.

I was talking about how I find just this one specific FICTIONAL character annoying because of all her complaints.

That's it.

But people get their panties in a bunch all the freaking time!

You got your own opinions, so do I.

That's when I realized that most (if not all) of my bookish thoughts usually categorize as unpopular book opinions.

And I don't care.

I'm still going to write about it, post it, share it.

Here's the list of Loved Female Characters I Dislike.

*In no particular order unless specified*

1.The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Adelina Amouteru

This girl is legit numero uno on my list of disliked (I may even say hate) female characters I've ever had the misfortune to read about.

Yes, I know she was written to be that way since it's an anti-hero series or whatever but that is not a good enough reason for me.

It didn't make my reading from her point of view or just reading about her any easier or less cringe worthy.

Killing, hurting, abandoning, and torturing people who looked at her differently, did not like her, or insulted her? And then getting all giddy with excitement as you hurt others? You are cuckoo, girl!

She was a nobody who thinks she deserves the right to take revenge on everybody because her dad didn't love her. In my opinion, that's just throwing an ill-placed tantrum.

Grow up.

I literally gave away the 2nd book to the series without even opening the book because I made the mistake of buying it even if I haven't read the 1st book which I didn't know I'd come to hate so much.

If there ever was a book that I'm willing to throw in a pit of fire, it's The Young Elites. Sorry, Marie Lu.

2. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Cleo Bellos

Watching an innocent man get killed in front of you when you have the authority to stop it but didn't because you're afraid that people will find out you're no longer a virgin?

You are messed up in the head, girl.

In this series which I was super excited to read, we meet this spoiled princess who, of course, gets everything handed to her. Even the life of an old wine seller.

I don't care if she felt bad about it later on in the book. She just watched! Because gods forbid that her nation find out her drunken shenanigans with her fiance!

And all throughout the series, where people are dying and starving to death all around her, she had the audacity to whine and feel so depressed about her "sad miserable life" because she doesn't want to get married to the boy her father chose for her. Boo-bloody-hoo!

Thanks to her character, I am greatly hesitating on picking up the 2nd-5th book to the series.

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Annabeth Chase

From the get-go, I never liked Annabeth.

Yes, you want to throw me to the deepest depths of Tartarus by saying or even thinking it.

I find her character insufferable and attention whore-ish.

Yeah she's smart and saved Percy and the mortal world lots of times... But I don't feel any love for her character.

I don't get hurt when she gets hurt. I don't feel happy when she's happy. She's a whatever character if there ever was one.

Also, I didn't like the way she's throwing tantrums because Percy is too blind to see that she likes him. Speak up! Not everybody's as observant as you are, Daughter of Athena.

4. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Hermione Granger

*dodges Avada Kedavra curses from readers!*

Stop it! I am entitled to my own opinions! No matter how unpopular they may be.

To quote Professor Snape: "Nobody likes an insufferable know-it-all, Ms. Granger."

I find Hermione very rude. Just because most of the people around her can't keep up with her intelligence, she feels like she has the right to look down on them and show off just to prove her point. Which she does all the freaking time!

If she was my classmate, I'd have spent a lot of detention time with Filch, we could've been best friends, that squib and I.

She is very rude. She is so dramatic. She is an attention whore. She is annoying as heck.

Thanks for saving Harry and Ron's lives. You may go away now.

5. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Alina Starkov

I feel so bad for the entire Grisha world because their future relies on this unstable and indecisive girl.

She is so desperate at times, I cringe when I read about her escapades.

Also, she's one of the whiniest people I've had the misfortune to read about!

How can this girl be considered the most powerful Grisha?

Whenever she comes across trouble, all she does is exclaim "This is it. We're done for! We're going to die. I haven't even ended up with my bestfriend yet!". Not exactly that but you get the drift.

You have powers, girl! Use it! Then shut your bloody mouth.

6. The Selection by Keira Cass

Eadlyn Schreave

Yet another princess who feels like she has it all bad just because her parents are forcing her to marry someone she doesn't love.

What's worse here is that she herself is a product of an arranged marriage. It's not even arranged because she's presented with choices!

Boy, must it be so difficult to have a dozen of well-known and handsome men to choose from!

"I am my own person and I don't need a man!" says the girl who is sired by the king who paraded around with women and chose her mother in the end.

Yes, nice speech.

I didn't even bother reading the last 2 books of this series. Reading about Maxon and America (her parents) was enough of a chore. I don't need a little whiny girl who took up from both her parents' worst characteristics.

7. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Blue Sargent

Have you seen or heard the way she talks to people?

She's very rude.

She has this thing where she goes up to people's face, jab a finger, and yell at you.

I dare you to re-read the entire Raven Cycle series and count all the times that the author said "Blue yelled/screamed/exclaimed" instead of the usual and normal way of just wording "Blue said,".

It's so exhausting to read from her point of view because she has a desperate and pathetic need of approval from everyone around her! You also have to acknowledge her because if you don't, you'll find yourself being jabbed by a finger to your chest and being dared to overlook her one more time.

She has so many issues with being short, with being complimented when it's so obvious that she's asking for attention.

If there's one thing I won't be missing now that the series is over, it's Blue.

8. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Clary Fray

There are only 2 things that Clary Fray keep on saying throughout the entire 6-book series of Mortal Instruments:

(1). "We have to find and rescue my mom!"

(2). "Jace!"

The feelings behind her constant struggles are legit heart-wrenching and well placed. But after 6 books (which are pretty long books), it's tiring. It just comes off as whiny and over-used.

I mean doesn't she have anything else to worry about? She doesn't even care that she's putting the entire world in danger so long as she gets those 2 people.

I find that selfish and irresponsible.

Also, she is stubborn as heck. Tell her not to do one thing, she'll get out of her way to do it anyway.

Half of the series wouldn't have happened if Clary listened. But of course, she didn't.

She's as bad as Blue Sargent if you ask me. She's tiny and rude as well.

Thank the Angel that we're done reading about her! I will miss Jace, though.

9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre

The reason I started to write this post.

I know what a PTSD is. I know it's not easy to get out of it. I'm a first-hand witness to that.

But I can't get past her issues which she caused herself whenever I try to read A Court of Mist and Fury.

I'm going to love it, I'm sure. But only when Feyre shuts up, probably.

I know you all love ACOMAF and it's the best thing you've read this year or forever. But that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will agree with you. So maybe I'm that 1 of 100 who didn't like this character. That's fine.

All I can say is, I'm so sad I can't get into ACOMAF because Feyre is just annoying the crap out of me. I can't read from her POV. I just can't!

10. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Cath

I understand why a lot of readers automatically like Cath when reading Fangirl.

You get to connect with her in an instant because she loves reading and is an ultimate fangirl, like most of us!

However, I found her rude, selfish, and spoiled.

She tries so hard to attach herself to her twin. She literally looks down on people who have different taste in books, movies, and anything fangirl-worthy than her. She's annoying.

I could't find the strength to appreciate and love her as much as everybody else seem to.

I admit, though, I totally understand her obsession with Simon and Baz. That's it. That's the limit of my agreeing and liking her.

Although I disliked their characters, I am going to say that they're ALL beautifully written characters.

I know it's just my own personal preference that I didn't particularly enjoy reading from or about these girls. But I won't deny that they belong in amazing books.

Each of them has and will probably develop their characters more but I just don't have the patience to read them anymore.

There are far too many books to read out there and new characters to get to know and probably love, so why settle to reading about those you strongly disagree with?

**Credits to the creators and owners of the photos/art I used in this post**

7 BOOK SERIES I WANT TO RE-READ

2016-06-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I was just reading the final book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, "The Last Olympian", and a random thought occurred to me:

I want to re-read the Raven Cycle series.

Don't ask me why I was thinking that when I was so engrossed in the battle between Greek gods and Titans. My brain just works like that.

Why are you writing a blog post about your random thought, Adelle? You might ask.

Well, the idea of actually wanting to re-read a book, much more an entire series, is quite new to me.

I don't normally feel the urge or need to re-read because there are far too many books I want to read and there will always be new releases. I feel like reading what you've already read is a waste of time. Unless, of course, if it's your absolute favorite book and you can literally get stuck on an island with just that one book to read over and over and you won't go crazy because it'll keep you grounded by being everything to you.

Anyway, here's the list of book series I want to re-read soon or someday.

Because I can never call them a waste of time.

1. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

We got to read the final book to the series just last April and it did not disappoint!

I admit, I wasn't a huge fan of the author's writing style during the first book because it took some getting used to. It's beautiful but I feel like it was too poetic or flowery. Even the dialogues of the characters are weird. Nothing is typical in this series.

That's what makes it magical, I suppose.

Each book keeps getting better as we go farther along the series.

2. Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab

First of all, let's take a minute to appreciate the book covers for this series...

I mean, I might call you a liar if you say that they aren't beautiful and worth fawning over.

The fact that the actual content and story of this series are as beautiful as the covers is amazing. If I was ever given a chance to meet V.E. Schwab in person, I may cry. I want to know her ways of writing. That'll probably one of my 3 wishes if I ever find a magical genie lamp.

We don't get to read the 3rd and final book to the series until February 2017, but I know the wait will be worth it!

I will not hesitate to re-read the entire trilogy immediately after reading the final book.

3. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Initially, I thought this will be just a trilogy. But someone told me that it's actually going to be a quartet and I am not complaining.

Unlike a majority of the people who've read this series and set their expectations really high because of the hype and were disappointed in the end, I actually loved it!

I don't care if it's full of tropes and what're considered the plot twists predictable. Aveyard is a great story teller.

And come on, would you really say no to an X-Men like story with 2 princes fighting over you? Hell no.

4. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Have I mentioned it before in this blog? That I usually hate the female protagonists because they tend to be overly dramatic, whiny, and just a pain in the bum.

But Celaena Sardothien isn't one of them. Surprisingly.

She has a flare for the dramatics and can be whiny at times but she balances it out with being badass and snarky. Plus, she gets things done even by herself.

That is why I will not hesitate to re-read this entire series which consists of 6 books, if I'm not mistaken. 6 big ass books.

We don't get the 5th book until September this year, but I'm so excited. When the series finally ends, I will no doubt miss the characters and the world and all the fight scenes.

And of course, I will miss the boys!!! I no longer care which OTP will win this particular battle. I love all of them.

5. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Do you see the spines of these books?!

The thing is, the story is as beautiful as the outside of the books. Which is quite rare, if you ask me.

Also, I don't think it'll take too much of my time to re-read this because it's just a duology.

So when we get our hands on "Crooked Kingdom" this September, it'll be the end of our adventures with this group of adorable criminals/outcasts.

I will definitely miss the characters because they're the best thing in this series! I adore each and every one of them.

No qualms on reading this over and over and over again.

6. Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

I usually hate love triangles because (1) it rarely happens in real life; (2) you can feel the girl's head inflating because 2 hot boys are fighting over her; (3) girl acts stupidly because it's so difficult to choose; (4) it's a stupid concept; (5) it's rude to tag someone along!

However, there came an unexpected exception named Will, Jem, and Tessa.

I used to think that the girls involved in love triangles are stupid for not being able to choose from the start because there will always be someone you like better than the other. It's a fact. But after reading this trilogy, I became one of those stupid girls.

I'm not Tessa but even I can't choose between Will and Jem!

So imagine how heartbreaking it really must be for Tessa to not know who to choose.

All I can say is: I will read and cry over these books many many times and live vicariously through Tessa Gray.

7. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Did you think that this won't be on my list?

I almost didn't put it because, come on, it's so obvious and it should be a known and given fact.

It is never a waste of time to read and re-read the Harry Potter series!

I actually started re-reading the series at the start of 2016 but I only managed to read up to the 3rd book. I really should continue with re-reading it because I've never re-read the 7th and final book ever. I read it once when it first came out but after that, I never got to re-read it.

These books are physical manifestations of magic.

Every time you re-read the book, you discover something new about the world, the characters, or just laugh at the things you failed to notice the first time you read it.

I can't believe some people even hate or dislike these books.

Forever dreaming of going to school at Hogwarts.

What book series have you re-read or intend to re-read soon?

My TBR pile is so high at the moment that I'm afraid my plans for re-reading will have to wait.

Especially since some of the series I've mentioned aren't even done or complete yet.

We'll see. This is a commitment.

Happy reading!

BOOKISH NEWS: Book Tour

2016-06-03T09:23:00.003-07:00

Hello!

I was just scrolling through my phone earlier today when I received a notification that somebody sent me a private message on Facebook.

I looked at it and was instantly happy because it was from a group chat with my bookish friends -- the ones I go to book signings with!

They said that there's an upcoming event on July 3, 2016 and that we should all go to it together.

Attached to that message was this photo!

BOOK TOUR!

I don't know why it isn't just called a book signing but then again maybe it's because there will be 2 authors in 1 event!!!

I can't believe this.

And both from authors whom I've read books of!

I've only read "Anatomy of a Misfit" and "Falling Into Place" but I'm really excited to read the other book of each of the author.

I'm so excited to meet Amy Zhang and Andrea Portes!

REVIEW: The Hidden Oracle By Rick Riordan

2016-06-03T08:48:00.002-07:00

The Hidden Oracle

By: Rick Riordan

Published: May 3, 2016

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Pages: 1070

Edition: eBook

Genre: Fantasy, Mythology

Some people will probably want to throw me into the depths of Tartarus after reading the next line I'll be typing:

I have NOT yet finished Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and have NOT yet read any of The Heroes of Olympus books.

Why did I dare read the newest series of Rick Riordan: The Trials of Apollo??

I like Apollo.

Simple as that.

Also, because I love breaking rules. *wink wink*

How do you punish an immortal?

By making him human.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy.

Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus' favour.

But Apollo has many enemies -- gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed.

Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go... and enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.

I don't really mind that I was spoiled for the endings of POJ and HOO series by reading this book first.

The thing about Rick Riordan's writing is that, it's not just about the plot. It's about the characters as well.

You can read all his books over and over again just so you get to hear what his characters will say because they are freaking hilarious!

Easy, fun read! No need to stress if you didn't fully understand what happened to the previous books.

Also, can I just applaud the author because all my life I've been curious about Greek mythology in general and I can never understand the concept, much more the names, of it. But after reading his books, I know quite a bit now and I remember them. I'm so proud of myself! Thanks, Rick!

Over the years, we (I mean, YOU) have read from the points of view of different Demigods -- the mortal children of the gods.

We've come to know and accept that having a god as one your parents isn't really that fulfilling because most of your mortal life, it's either they ignore you or just acknowlege you when you've done something worthwhile for them or Olympus.

Also, they leave their fights for the demigods to fix. Kinda selfish if you ask me.

Apollo, on the other hand, despite being like all the other gods of Olympus, has always had a fun side.

I thoroughly enjoyed his character's appearance in the 3rd book of POJ: The Curse of the Titan.

He is obnoxious and totally clueless. It's funny.

In this book, Apollo panics when he sees that he has acne and that his 8-pack abs and love handles were replaced by a flabby gut.

He fails at all the things he's a god of: archery, poetry, and music.

Suffice it to say, he got depressed.

But he befriended a mysterious little girl who turned out to be really powerful. He also befriended and got to know 3 of his children who were now the same age as he is!

It's so heart-warming to see a god as ridiculous as Apollo be grounded and know what it feels like to not be able to do whatever he set his mind to and get everything he wants.

My heart couldn't take all the times he called Will, Kayla, and Austin as "my children" instead of just their names.

But after discovering the mysterious loss of all kinds of communications and having no prophecy from any of the oracles, Apollo finds himself in the middle of a fight that his mortal counterpart Lester Papadopolous (how ridiculous is this name?! Zeus has a sense of humor after all!) can't even dream to fight, much more win.

Self-discovery and betrayal.

As I've said, Apollo is the main reason why I skipped all the other Rick Riordan books and read this first!

I love him!

Now that he's learning to be humble and appreciate himself as a mortal and therefore appreciate his demigod children, I'm loving him more.

Will, Apollo's son, is lovely as heck. I heard that I'd get to read more about him on HOO but despite reading just a few snippets about him was enough to make me like him. Especially since you know... Nico. *wink wink*

Meg! Such a strong character from such a tiny human body. I admit, she kind of annoyed me from the get-go. But I know she just has a lot of issues so we'll get to unravel and hopefully solve all those throughout the series.

I know that a number of people are quite disappointed with it. It can't be avoided since they're comparing it to the other Rick Riordan series.

But I honestly think that this is a great introduction to an entirely new series.

It kind of reminded me of Cassandra Clare's "Lady Midnight" because we no longer need to be introduced to the world because we're already familiar with it.

We just discover new secrets within that world and get to know our beloved characters in a whole new light.

I mean, Percy is about to go to college!

Totally recommend this book! Though, I highly encourage you all to read the entire POJ and HOO series first! Don't be like me. Haha.

REVIEW: Nightfall By Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski

2016-06-03T07:18:00.003-07:00

NIGHTFALL

By: Jake Halpern

and

Peter Kujawinski

Published: September 2015

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Pages: 913

Edition: eBook

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

From the very first time I heard of and read the synopsis of this novel, I have been wanting to read it. I kept searching for it in bookstores and I couldn't find a copy of it.

A couple of weeks ago, I did find a copy but it was a hardbound one and by now, you probably already know how I'm not a fan of hardbound books -- they're expensive and ridiculously bothersome to read from.

So I got the eBook copy!

When it comes to reading eBooks, I tend to finish the book a lot faster. Probably because even when the lights are already out and I'm in bed, I still get to read it... Until the sun comes out and I'll force myself to put my device down and get some sleep. I'm so sorry, eyes!

AFTER FOURTEEN YEARS OF DAY COMES FOURTEEN YEARS OF NIGHT.

DON'T GET LEFT BEHIND.

On Marin's island, sunrise doesn't come every twenty-four hours -- it comes every twenty-eight years. Now the sun is just a sliver of light on the horizon. The weather is turning cold and the shadows are growing long.

Because sunset triggers the tide to roll out hundreds of miles, the islanders are frantically preparing to sail south, where they will wait out the long Night.

Marin and her twin brother, Kana, help their anxious parents ready the house for departure. Locks must be taken off doors. Furniture must be arranged. Tables must be set. The rituals are puzzling -- bizarre, even -- but none of the adults in town will discuss why it has to be done this way.

Just as the ships are about to sale, a teenage boy goes missing -- the twins' friend Line.

Marin and Kana are the only ones who know the truth about where Line's gone, and the only way to rescue him is by doing it themselves.

But Night is falling. Their island is changing.

And it may already be too late.

Will I recommend this book to people? Yes.

Was it worth the excitement you felt for it? Yes.

Was it a great book? No... But it was good.

As I've said, I was super excited to read this book. So my expectations were quite high.

But you know what? The book met those expectations!

I couldn't put it down since I started reading it. It's just one of those books that's so well-written and has such an intriguing plot that you just want to continue reading until you finish it in one sitting.

This is a surprisingly short story for a standalone (I've read that the authors are currently writing a spin-off series and are thinking of writing a sequel but not in the near future). Especially since a lot of world-building was required, it being a fantasy novel.

I admit that the story took a downhill turn after a certain point in the story. That's probably because it's such a short story and not everything was cleared up.

But I applaud the authors for putting it all there and being able to tie everything up by the end of the book.

I love how their writing is simple and straight to the point. As I've said before, books don't necessarily need to be written in a poetic way or be filled with mind-blowing metaphors. So long as the reader gets lost in the words and feel like they belong in the world you've created (albeit it being a really scary world), it's a good book!

This is a story about survival, friendship, and trust.

We get to go on a dangerous and scary adventure with three 14-year olds.

That thought alone gets me scared.

But surprisingly, these 3 young people are smart and brave enough to handle whatever horrors they discover in their once peaceful and happy town: Bliss.

After rescuing Line from being trapped in that cliff or canyon he fell in, Marin and Kana try to run back to the docks to join their parents and the entire population of their little town into boarding furrier boats that'll take them all to the Desert Island where they will all be staying for the next 14 years.

The Day has ended and Night has befallen on their island.

Nobody is allowed to get left behind in the island during the Night. Nobody knows what happens to the island during those 14 years of darkness.

If the thought of that doesn't freak you out, something is wrong with you!

After cleaning out the houses and decorating them with specific details, setting the table, and leaving the doors to the empty houses open, the twins start to wonder if they're somehow preparing the houses for someone else to live in.

That creeped me out.

When the 3 of them get left behind and they found a note that contained just one word written on it, I got goosebumps.

When the 3 of them were sleeping at the mayor's chambers and heard footsteps when they know that it was only the 3 of them left on the island, I hid under my blanket.

All kinds of crazy and creepy things happen! Trust me.

The story is gripping and although you'd get a little scared at times, you still want to continue reading because you want to know what'll happen to our protagonists and what kind of curiosity is going on in their island during the Night years.

However, as we neared the end of the story, I got a little disappointed. I just thought that maybe it'll go in a different direction? I don't even know what I was expecting. But certainly not that.

Again, it's probably because the book was so short and we didn't get to read more about what lurks in the island during Night. It all felt a little forced and mediocre by the end.

But aside from that, it was a great book!

I loved the characters!

Especially Kana, the twin brother of Marin.

He seemed the wisest of the 3 of them and the one with the most thoughtful heart.

Marin and Line are what I'd expect 14 year olds will be like if they're really put under the same circumstances that they did in the book.

You'd like to hate them for being stupid at most times but really, you can't blame them.

I really enjoyed it, honestly.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is like me who's mostly afraid of scary books and movies but is sometimes in the mood to read something creepy just to make life a little more interesting.

What's scary in this is the not knowing what lay in the island during Night years. Also, the ever present fear in all of us of not wanting to be left by the people we love and being stranded on an island with no way out.

Don't expect ghosts and horror creatures.

It's the whole idea of 14 years of darkness that's scary.

Happy reading!

BOOK SIGNING: Jennifer Niven

2016-05-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I'm so excited to share with you all the 2nd book signing event I got to attend.

On May 29, 2016 (Sunday), National Bookstore held a book signing for Jennifer Niven here in Manila.

It's for promoting her book "All The Bright Places" even though it was published over a year ago... because we always get to meet authors very late. We still get to meet them, though!

But of course, she was here to promote her upcoming new book "Holding Up The Universe" which will be released on October 4, 2016.

I was lucky enough to have attended this book signing with a friend of mine whom I've known and been classmates with since we were in pre-school! I also got to meet up with my new friends whom I met at Victoria Aveyard's book signing event last March. It was really good to see them again. And of course, I got to spend time with friends whom I just met that day.

That's what's really amazing about book signings: you get to meet new people who share the same passion as you!

Although this particular book we were celebrating over is about depression, there was laughter everywhere. Everyone was happy and excited! It's contagious.

It didn't matter that we had to wait in line under the blazing hot sun in the middle of summer. It didn't matter that we had to still wait in line and stand up for hours for registration and the waiting for the arrival of Ms. Jennifer Niven.

It was all worth it in the end!

The author was really nice! She answers even the most stupid, star-struck induced questions that my friends and I probably blurted out. Hahaha. I cringe now when I think about what I asked her. Not gonna share it with you!

We also got a surprise by the end of the book signing.

We were all given a sneak peek copy of her new book!

Now, I've been reading a ridiculous amount of hate about this book even though it hasn't been released.

The thing I love about the book community is we all talk about books in a civil manner. We discuss our likes and dislikes and we tend to accept others' opinions about our favorite books and vice versa.

But holy crap, this book has been bashed and judged without even being read!

I am suddenly ashamed for the book community.

Of all people, we should be the ones who are capable of understanding what message the authors are trying to convey. They worked hard on the books we so often enjoy and are the reasons why we write on blogs, post photos on Instagram, and shoot videos for YouTube.

Can we please stop for one second about being offended by every single thing?

So what if it's about a fat girl? Or a mentally ill boy?

There are people who will find this book helpful and inspiring because they're going through the same thing.

I'm pretty sure that if the characters end up together as a couple or not, we'll get to read that something happy happens to them. That they'll somehow get through their ordeals.

Why is that such a bad thing?

If you don't want to read it, the least you can do is just not bad mouth it. Do you really have to promote that people shouldn't read the book?

*end of rant*

I've read "All The Bright Places" before but I honestly can't remember all the details of the story. All I know is the very sad ending.

I think this is a good thing that I don't remember because then I'll have the motivation to reread it after buying this physical copy that I had signed!

Plus, it's always a great thing to have a contemporary waiting in your bookshelf after reading a couple of fantasy books/series to buffer your brain out a bit and avoid falling into a reading slump.

Jennifer Niven signed the books with a VIOLET pen!

I find it adorable and fitting because of the character's name.

GOODREADS 2016 READING CHALLENGE

2016-05-28T01:18:00.001-07:00

Can you tell I'm excited to say hello? *wink wink*

I'm just really excited because I just accomplished something today:

I FINISHED MY GOODREADS READING CHALLENGE FOR 2016!

With 216 days left.

To be fair, I've only commited to reading 50 books for this year. It's not that many considering I knew I'd just be at home reading the entire year.

It's just that 2014, I signed up for reading 100 books but I only managed to read a measly 12 books that year! It was really sad and embarassing. I didn't even have an excuse why I didn't read book because I had all the time in the world afte graduating college that year.

But I lowered my goals by 2015 and signed up for reading just 30 books. I finished it... But I almost didn't make it! I read the 30th book on December. It was a close call.

So for 2016, I decided to commit to just 50.

And now we're not even halfway through the year and I'm done with it! So happy.

Here are the books I've read:

*From Latest book I've finished reading to the ones from the start of the year

If you're interested to see my ratings for each book. feel free to add me on Goodreads! Click HERE.

I'm really happy to say that 2016 has been a great reading year, so far.

I've read some of the books that were great enough for me to consider putting them on my Top Favorite Books Of All Time list!

Some of those favorites from this list are: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab, The Dream Thieves and The Raven King both by Maggie Stiefvater.

What are your favorite 2016 reads???

I'm excited for what else I'm going to read for the rest of the year.

I will try to read another 50 books.

REVIEW: Carry On By Rainbow Rowell

2016-05-26T17:46:00.001-07:00

Carry On

By: Rainbow Rowell

Published: October 2016

Publisher: Macmillan

Pages: 528

Edition: Paperback

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.

That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.

Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here -- it's their last year at Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery, and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story -- but far, far more monsters.

For so long, I have taken pride in the fact that I've read everything that Rainbow Rowell has published. But then one day, I remembered that I haven't read "Carry On" yet.

It's just that based on the snippets about Simon and Baz from "Fangirl", I kind of wanted to cringe whenever their characters were mentioned.

I was, at first, insulted by the fact that it's sort of a parody to Harry Potter and that did not sit well with me, being the Potterhead that I am.

I also really disliked "Fangirl" so out of spite to Cath, I didn't want to read anything she loved! (Yes, I know that's crazy because she's a fictional character and she doesn't care about my opinion of her).

BUT I AM GLAD I GOT OVER ALL THAT PETTINESS AND READ THIS MASTERPIECE!

Ask anybody who is close to me and they'd tell you that this is my 2nd favorite book of all time -- right after "Eleanor & Park" which is also by Rainbow Rowell.

You can never go wrong with a Rainbow Rowell novel.

I'm not good at describing or commenting about an author's writing style, but I will try.

Rainbow Rowell writes beautifully, if you ask me. She gets people. She knows how to write about people like they're actually real and not just characters she made up in her brilliant mind.

When you read her books, you can't help but feel alongside the characters and not just read about them. What they go through, you go through. It's either you become the character yourself or you're a close friend who sympathizes -- you're no longer the reader who is just watching from afar.

You get sucked into their world and become one of them.

How many authors can you honestly say create the most authentic fictional characters ever? For me, there's only ever been Rainbow Rowell. I have yet to read a book of hers where I don't feel like crying when the characters are sad, laugh when they are laughing, and to fall in love while they themselves are falling in love too.

It's magical.

I really loved the story of "Carry On"! You can very clearly see where and what the references to Harry Potter are but you learn to just read over it because it's also different and beautiful in its own right, especially with Rowell's writing style.

I admit, I find the concept of magic in this story a bit ridiculous. But because of that, I laughed. And once a book gets me to laugh out loud and have people look at me weirdly as I was just silently reading a while ago, rest assured that I will remember and love that book for a very long time... because I can count with my fingers just how many books have accomplished making me laugh.

There were a lot of moments where the story got predictable and usually I really hate it when that happens (because I love a good mystery!) but then the characters will do something stupidly crazy and say something really funny and I'd forget to hate it for its predictability and go back to loving it all over again.

If you're looking for a typical high fantasy book, this isn't the book for you.

It's really just a book to read when you want to have fun while reading, to laugh, and to fall in love with the characters! Keep in mind that it was meant to be the way that it is, not because Rowell is lacking the imagination to create an entirely new magical world for us readers.

I found the beginning a bit slow because we were only just reminiscing all the previous years of Simon at Watford. But when Baz showed up, I did nothing but flip page after page after page!

Another thing I loved about this book? The abundant and sometimes not-so-subtle sexual innuendos! That just made the story funnier for me.

It's a 500-page smile, giggle, snort, and laugh until people look at you weirdly kind of book.

The best part of this novel is definitely the set of characters!

Rainbow Rowell is really great with creating characters. Not only do they have distinct individual characteristics, they are also really easy to relate with.

My favorite character is Baz. No competition.

Since the very first sentence he uttered, I have done nothing but laugh and swoon. It didn't even matter if we're reading from his point of view. So long as his character is conversing with the person we're reading as, you know it's a great chapter!

He is smart, funny, ridiculously sassy, and handsome. He's also mean and snarky but that just adds to his charm, if you ask me. What more can you ask for?

Whenever Baz is around, I smile like an idiot. I just know that sooner or later, he'll say or do something so smart or stupid that it'll leave me in awe.

I love his relationship with his family. How he threatened his little sister that he will close of all chimneys at their house during Christmas Eve so Santa Clause can't come in; how he calls his stepmother Mom; how close he is to his aunt Fiona (who is kind of the Bellatrix to his Draco).

Honestly, I would've disliked Simon if it weren't for Baz. I got the whole feels I had when I was reading about Malec (because I would've never liked Alec if it weren't for Magnus). I only really started to like him after he kissed Baz! I literally almost threw the book across the room when that happened. I kid you not.

But I learned to love Simon when throughout the book, he just kept coming back to Baz and just wanting more for the two of them. I'm so happy he didn't go through all the typical denial stage that teenagers (gay or straight) go through whenever they realize that they like the person they swore to forever hate or keep their distance from. He was just so cool with everything and was so sweet to Baz. It melted my stone cold heart.

Penelope, is, of course, the stubborn smart friend. You can't not have a character like that in a book where there's a magical school.

Agatha, is, of course, the pretty girl who snitches on her friends and flees. Again -- can't not have one of those.

Special mention to that guy Gareth who has a magical belt buckle! The one who has to thrust his pelvis around to cast a spell or make magic work. Hahahahahaha!

Best part, though?

Simon & Baz together.

I ship them so hard.

I can't believe this is a standalone novel.

Especially since we didn't get to find out what really happened to Mage and Lucy and Simon never got to learn about his past.

Okay, but I'm NOT done yet! Allow me a few more moments to gush about Simon & Baz!

I really loved how they just yell "Anathema!" at one another whenever one of them appears to want to physically attack and/or injure the other. You'd think that they're afraid of being roughed up but when you think about it, they just don't want to lose one another as a roommate!

I also loved how when Baz was comforting Simon after he lost his magickal powers. How Baz was thinking of and said that he will turn Simon into a vampire and keep him and love him forever.

I loved how Simon felt so insecure when he lost his powers and said that he isn't good enough for Baz anymore because he's no longer the Chosen One. To which Baz replied "Simon Snow, I choose you."

And honestly, ALL the Simon and Baz moments have killed me. (This is my ghost typing the blog post)

I highly recommend this book!

I can't gush enough about it. I'm literally fangirling as I write this post.

Now I want to reread it.

WHAT BOOK HAS TOTALLY TAKEN YOU BY SURPRISE AFTER READING IT WITHOUT ANY EXPECTATIONS FROM IT???

Happy reading!

BOOKISH NEWS: Magnus Bane and Six of Crows

2016-05-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

Hello!

You may be wondering what is going on with this title's post.

Magnus Bane and Six of Crows???

In what universe do those two even cross, much more be together??

Well, note the "Bookish News" part. From this point on, I decided to post news about the book community -- specifically about the things that I can't help but fangirl over!

And Magnus Bane and Six of Crows are two very different things I seriously fangirl over.

I stumbled upon these two announcements/news on Twitter and I literally squealed upon reading them. Ask my sisters, they looked at me weirdly and as if they aren't used to my being like that.

A Trilogy About Magnus Bane

Where do I even begin with this? According to an article posted by Entertainment Weekly, Cassandra Clare will publish an adult series based on our beloved and favorite glitter-obsessed warlock.

Click HERE for the complete article.

They said that it's going to revolve around Magnus' past, present, and future!

I don't know about you, but I am as obsessed about Magnus' past as Alec always has been. And I sure as heck am obsessed about his present and future with his family!

Malec is one of my ultimate OTPs.

The obsession about them hit me like a brick to the face after watching Episode 11 entitled "Malec" of the Shadowhunters TV series. I don't care what people say: I love Harry Shum Jr. and Matthew Daddario together as Malec. I will continue watching that show as long as those two are in it.

I went to read "The Bane Chronicles" a day after just so I can read more about Magnus and hopefully, a little bit about Alec.

Then I skipped over the other short stories of "Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy" so I can read the specific short story revolving around Malec.

I've always loved Magnus as a character. He was really entertaining and kind of cooled my ever growing hate towards Alec. I never liked Alec as a character. Not until Magnus came into the picture.

So reading about this warlock is something I'm really looking forward to!

November 2017 can not come any sooner!!!

Six of Crows Duology Boxed Set

"Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo has become one of my Top 10 Favorite Books Of All Time after I read it earlier this year.

So it's not a surprise that I am looking forward to finally reading the 2nd and final book to the duology.

I loved all the characters (which is really rare of me), the setting, the plot, the banter, even the villains.

It also didn't hurt that the physical hardbound copy of the book is such a work of art!

The cover and the freaking black pages just tugs at the inner bookworm in you. Try as you may to not judge a book by its cover, it's really hard to do it for this book.

Now that "Crooked Kingdom" is on its way to being published and released, we all can't help but be excited about it.

But then Leigh Bardugo posted a photo of the Duology boxed set and once again today, I squealed.

Not only is the cover for the second book as beautiful as the first one... it has freaking red pages!

I can't even deal with this right now. I mean, look at it!

How can you not want something so beautiful to be in your bookshelf?

Especially for a series that's so well loved and approved of by majority of the bookish community.

September can not come any sooner!

These are the bookish news I've heard and fangirled about today.

What book-related news/announcements have you heard today?

BOOK BUY: A Court of Mist and Fury

2016-05-26T01:58:00.000-07:00

A Court of Mist and Fury

By: Sarah J. Maas

Hello!

You may be wondering what this whole "Book Buy" thing I'm starting up on my blog is.

I know many BookTubers and book bloggers tend to post book hauls. But the thing is, sometimes (most of the time, really), I don't buy enough books in a month to be considered as a haul. I don't have a job so I ask my parents, grandfather, and sometimes my sisters to buy me the books I want. I highly doubt they'll be supportive when I ask them to buy me 5-10 books a month!

So far, they've been supportive, though. I'm really grateful.

All things considered, I'm actually blessed with my family. I've read a blog post by a bookish girl who says that her parents don't allow her to buy books! That they say "books are a one-time thing" so it's better that she just borrow books from the library.

I can't imagine how that must feel.

So yeah, BOOK BUY! Just one.

For the month of May, this is the only book I've acquired. And it actually has a funny (for me) story behind it.

Yesterday, while we were eating dinner at a restaurant, I asked my grandfather to buy me a book. I intended to buy a copy of "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven. She'll be having a book signing here in Manila this weekend and I want to attend it. I've read this book before in eBook format but I can't have my cellphone signed, now, can I? However, the bookstore in the mall we were at didn't have a copy of the book.

But before I even got the chance to go inside the bookstore and look for it, I saw THIS book on the window display!

I ran to the bookstore. Literally.

You see, when the entire bookish community was celebrating the birth of the 2nd book to "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas, I was sitting at home wondering why the social media accounts of Philippines' local bookstores weren't posting anything about the book. It's a known fact that this book will be a best-seller around the world, so how come we don't get to celebrate alongside everybody else?

I waited a week. Maybe the shipments were late? Still, nothing. I almost went ahead and order online which would've cost a lot more money. Thankfully, I didn't.

After running to the bookstore, I searched high and low in all of the store's bookshelves! I found nothing. I started wondering if maybe I was hallucinating. So I went out the store again and looked at the window display -- it was there. I went inside and searched the shelves again and found nothing.

I then asked one of the employees if I may buy the book on their window display. I know that sometimes they don't sell the books on display yet because it hasn't been inventoried or priced yet. But I sweet talked the employee, nonetheless, in case they weren't officially selling the book yet.

Thankfully he was kind enough to go to the window and take out the book himself.

I was allowed to buy and take the book home!

You won't believe how happy and excited I am right now. It doesn't matter if this is the only book I got to purchase this month (May is almost at its end). ACOMAF is one of my most anticipated releases for 2016.

I may be late on having and reading it, but you better believe that I will fangirl as hard as all you people have.

Rhysand has always been my OTP.

And I know that this book will have lots of him.

It's probably going to take me a while, though. I have this weird thing where I need to be in a certain mood to read through a Sarah J. Maas novel. I mean, her books are thick as heck!

Have you ever looked forward to getting a certain book but was disappointed that they didn't release it in your town, city, or country alongside every other place?

I know I have.

BOOK SIGNING: Victoria Aveyard

2016-05-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Have you read "Red Queen" and "Glass Sword" by Victoria Aveyard?

If you haven't, what are you doing with your life?

Kidding!

But seriously, if you haven't read it, I'm pretty sure you've heard about it or seen it in bookstores, on Twitter, Instagram, and what other social media you find bookish people on.

It's quite a popular series.

I'm not going to write about the books because I intend to write individual book reviews about them. But I want to share the very first book signing I ever went to.

This isn't a recent event, though. It happened last March 6, 2016 at National Bookstore Glorietta, Makati City.

I went there alone and I was honestly really nervous becaue I didn't know anyone going to the signing. I wish I had online friends who were fellow fans of the book series that wanted to meet up with me, but alas, I am not friendly enough.

But I did something totally out of my comfort zone as I commuted to the event place that morning: I approached a stranger who was holding a copy of Glass Sword. We rode the same van on our way to the bookstore. I saw her grab a copy of her book from her bag and start reading it. I've been wanting to tap her shoulder and ask her if she was on her way to the book signing. But then I kind of wondered if maybe she was just reading the book and was on her way to work or meet up with her friends. So I didn't talk to her then. When the stop to the mall arrived, she went down and started walking. I followed her.

I thought to myself that what I was doing was literally stalking so I had to stop. I then walked faster and tapped the girl on the shoulder and asked nicely if she was on her way to the signing. She said she was. The relief of not having made a fool out of myself was so amazing! I asked her if I can walk with her to the bookstore because I really didn't know how book signings worked because it was the first one I have ever attended and she said sure.

We got to the vicinity of the bookstore and was surprised to see a line so long that it snaked around the entire mall and was so close to making a full circle around the area! It was crazy. To think that it was only 8 o'clock in the morning and that the signing itself will not start until later that day at 2 o'clock in the afternoon!

When we got our number stub, I laughed at myself. All week long before the event, I kept stressing myself out how crazy I have to be for wanting to go there so early by myself. For sure not many people will be there by then. Boy, was I wrong!

Apparently, there are 500+ people crazier than me. People who fell in line earlier than me.

After getting our number stub, we decided to go to all the 5 different bookstores in the mall. We also ate and just hang out with 2 other girls we met in line.

I was honestly surprised and overwhelmed by the fact that bookish people and fellow fangirls are generally nice people!

Due to the fact that there were over a thousand people who arrived to meet Victoria Aveyard, my newfound friends and I got to have our books signed around 6PM. We were there for 10 hours.

But all in all, the experience was worth it!

I got to meet new friends who fangirled over books the same way I did. We exchanged book recommendations and even made plans of going to the next book signing together and then the Metro Manila Book Fair on September!

And Victoria Aveyard is such a lovely person! She looks beautiful and she's nice. She asked me how my day was. I was super starstruck that I told her something which I can't recall now but she laughed. Glad to know I can entertain authors with my fangirl blumberings!

I know a lot of people were disappointed by all the hype surrounding the Red Queen series but I honestly enjoyed it, albeit the tropes and similarities to other novels. At this point, with all the books I've read, there aren't that many unique books anymore. Eventually you'll run into stories similar to ones you've read and loved before.

Why hate on the new one if you enjoyed the stories it reminds you of?

Let's all just love and appreciate the authors who work hard on writing the stories that we all get to love, hate, be sad about, be happy about, and give us the chance to choose our OTPs and ship them!

I want to go to other book signings in the future and be with my friends again and maybe meet new friends too!

I like meeting the brains behind the books on my bookshelf.

Have you ever met your favorite author?

REVIEW: The Queen of the Tearling By Erika Johansen

2016-05-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

The Queen of the Tearling

By: Erika Johansen

Published: July 8, 2014

Publisher: Harper

Pages: 434

Edition: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian

A YOUNG WOMAN. A KINGDOM. AN EVIL ENEMY. A BIRTHRIGHT FORETOLD.

With the arrival of her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn is ascending to her rightful place as the new Queen of the Tearling. Surrounded by enemies, including an evil sorceress possessed of dark magic, the young ruler stands little chance of success.

But Kelsea possesses fearsome weapons of her own, including the Tear sapphire, a jewel of immense power and magic.

As an epic war draws near, Kelsea's quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny begins -- a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend... if she can survive.

Yet another one of my impulse purchase.

I knew nothing about the book except that it has a really beautiful cover!

I almost gave up on this and regretted ever buying it because the beginning of the story was just so boring.

The book is divided into 3 parts and honestly, for me, the story only picked up during Book III. It was really slow-paced. I can't say why exactly, there's just something to it. The world building became such a chore to read through. You can't help but think "This is irrelevant!" while you flip page after page after page.

Thankfully, the characters were interesting! If it I didn't become curious of where they came from, who they really are, and what their roles are, I would've totally gave up on it and just abandoned the book in my shelf to look pretty and gather dust.

The Queen's Guards were my favorite characters. Mace, Pen, Mhur, Dyer, and the rest of the gan whose names always escape my memory because there were far too many characters in one book. I liked the idea of a solid foce (even if there was a traitor) that is so loyal to Kelsea even if she hasn't proven anything yet as a queen other than be naive. I also loved the idea of this force being the reason that young Thomas Raleigh wanted to be brave and useful. He kept thinking that the right thing would be what the Queen's Guards will do. It goes to show that being one of the guards is a real honor and is a proof that an individual is someone special to be considered as one.

I did NOT know that this is a DYSTOPIAN book! I probably wouldn't have caught on if it weren't for the line that said: "They found the seven volumes of Rowling with no help at all". I sat there staring at this specific line for like 10 minutes, trying to see if it meant what I thought it meant. Apparently, the Queen of the Tearling is reading the Harry Potter series! My mind was blown. I confirmed that it really was dystopian when further on in the book, Kelsea handed a green book to someone and she claimed that it was her favorite adventure book of all time. I only know one green book full of adventure and I was correct: The Hobbit.

I really still can't believe that the entire setting of the story is our future. They live like medieval people! They ride horses and live in castles and farm for a living and use torches and have monarchy. Can you really believe that's how our future will be like?

No wonder I felt disoriented when Kelsea was complaining about their kingdom not having a printing press anymore. Apparently, in neighboring kingdoms, electronic books are taking over. Imagine knights reading ebooks.

Anyway, I was a bit disappointed when they've been telling us horror stories about the Red Queen of the Mort. The book built this whole mood of fearing and preparing for the arrival of the Red Queen but she never did. We only got glimpses of what she was doing at a particular time (which was just sleep around with slaves, wake up with a migraine, and kill a child). Aside from that, she wasn't in the book at all.

The entire book was just about Kelsea chasing after wagons with slaves on them. 400+ pages and that's all that happens.

I wish we learned more about the Red Queen. Also, I wish there was more about the Fetch. Who is he? Where'd he come from? Is he a friend or foe?

I suppose we need to read the 2nd book to the series "The Invasion of the Tearling" to find out.

Have you ever read a book that you thought belonged to a particular genre but after reading it, you realize it belonged to a totally different genre?

REVIEW: The Orphan Queen By Jodi Meadows

2016-05-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Orphan Queen

By: Jodi Meadows

Published: March 10, 2015

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 391

Edition: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

A PRINCESS. A SPY. A THREAT.

When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Princess Wilhelmina and the other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom's capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

But wraith, a toxic by-product of magic, pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina's ability to perform magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil's magic, she will vanish like all others...

I have just finished reading this book so I figured I might as well write a review on it now while it's still fresh in my memory.

This book was an impulse buy. I have not heard anything about it beforehand. I did, however, see a few photos on Instagram of the 2nd book of the series which is "The Mirror King". I wanted to read that but I knew I couldn't if I haven't read the first one yet. So when I was at a bookstore with my family and I saw this, I asked my grandfather to buy it for me (yes, I still ask my grandparents and parents to buy and pay for the things I want).

I was actually excited for it because for the first time since 2016 started, I am not reading a book that is over-hyped. Well, I guess it isn't anymore since it was released last year.

Anyway, I was excited for it like all other bookworms who've just bought a new book.

But as soon as I started reading it, I only ever had one constant thought: this book is a rip-off of "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas!

Now, before you start hating me, know that I am NOT saying this with a negative connotation. Okay, maybe a little.

But I love Throne of Glass so whatever story I read somewhere else like it is fine by me.

It did, however, make me a little bit lazy to finish the book.

It is basically about a princess who was forced to grow up and live as a criminal because her parents were killed in front of her in their once powerful and magic-filled kingdom. She then plans her revenge for years and voluntarily live in the palace of the royals who have killed her parents and taken her kingdom. Over time, she befriends and ultimately falls in love with the prince who she swore was her enemy. She secretly harbors magic because magic no longer works and is allowed in all the land.

If that does not remind you of Celaena Sardothien, I don't know what will!

I kept hoping that the story will turn into something different but all in all, it was predictable.

Maybe it'll be different by the 2nd book, but for this one, it was really just like Throne of Glass.

My favorite character was probably Black Knife. I honestly got intrigued by the story as we see more of him and yet know so little about him. He is a vigilante and you can tell that he really just wants to help out the people of Indigo Kingdom. His real identity, I predicted. It was so obvious. There were subtle hints since the very beginning: the looking at her like they knew one another, the sleeping in until late in the afternoon, the rumor of not being great at something, etc. It felt so good when my suspicions were correct!

The writing is beautiful. Simple and easy enough to understand. I like it that way.

It has a certain aspect to it that will make it difficult to put down once you start reading it.

I probably would've enjoyed this book a lot better if I didn't know a story to compare it to. I can't help but compare it. I know it's bad to do that to books since we all know that authors have worked so hard on their books and that not one book is really similar. I'm sorry.

I still recommend this to adventure-seeking bibliophiles! The concept of magic in the story is unique.

Plus, you'll be kept on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out, alongside Wil, who Black Knife is and what they can all do to stop the wraith from destroying not just the Indigo Kingdom but the neighboring kingdoms and probably the entire world, too.

Have you read this book?

Let me know what you thought of it.

I'm excited to read the 2nd book to the series.

25 BOOKISH FACTS ABOUT ADELLE

2016-05-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

In lieu of you getting to know me (assuming you do want to get to know the creator of the blog you are currently reading from), here are some random bookish facts about me!

1. My favorite book of all time is "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell.

2. I was reading "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown when Pope John Paul II passed away and the cardinals were locked up inside the Sistine Chapel to choose the next Pope (which was eerily the premise of the book itself).

3. I watched the movies of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" before I read the books.

4. My sisters have given me 2 bookish cakes on different occasions: a "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli one for my 25th birthday, and a cake that says "You did it, Wanda!" in reference to "Since You've Been Gone" by Morgan Matson.

5. I love and collect BOOKISH MERCHANDISE! Some of my most priced possessions are: Hermione's Time-Turner necklace, Arwen's Evenstar necklace, and Fleur Delacour's wand.

6. My 2nd most favorite book of all time is "Carry On" by Rainbow Rowell. But she is not my favorite author.

7. I prefer buying and reading PAPERBACK copies of books compared to the hardbound ones.

8. Most of the time, I read books from my iPhone.

9. I have a habit of creating my own soundtrack and playlist for a book I'm reading.

10. I love reading about gay couples! (I don't know why. Don't ask. But my favorite couples are Simon & Baz, Magnus & Alec, Simon & Blue, and Ronan & Adam)

11. I prefer "The Infernal Devices" than "The Mortal Instruments" series.

12. I want to legally change my last name to Herondale.

13. I do not get the logic of buying multiple copies of one title.

14. I always hate the female main characters. There is no exception. However, I tend to automatically love the male main characters.

15. I don't intend to read nor watch "Game of Thrones" ever. I tried but I'm not interested.

16. I dislike ALL of John Green's books. Never finished reading a single one of his works.

17."50 Shades of Gray" is NOT a book!

18. I wrap the cover of my books with clear plastic before I read them.

19. The only author I've me, so far, is Victoria Aveyard (whom I love very much)!

20. I was not able to go to Sarah J. Maas's book signing because I got home late from 5 Seconds of Summer's concert and people were already camping out the bookstore by that time.

21. My most disliked (if not hated) books of all time are "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell and "The Young Elites" by Marie Lu.

22. I love books with maps on them!

23. My most owned number of books from a single author are by Meg Cabot and Carolyn Keene.

24. I don't buy books online because I am impatient and I want to have the book in my hands immediately after purchasing them.

25. I have a black notebook where I copy and write all the quotes I love from the books I've read.

I'd say feel free to comment on the things you don't agree with me on, but really, these are just things about me. If I don't like your favorite book, TV show, or author, know that I am not attacking you personally.

Happy Reading!

AUDIOBOOKS: Movies With Eyes Closed

2016-05-24T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Since I'm new to the blogging world, I figured that you guys don't know me yet. Not really.

What better way to introduce myself than share something I am currently obsessed with?

I mean, we fangirls (and fanboys), are either obsessed with something or we don't like it at all -- there is no in between.

As I've mentioned before, I've been having some trouble with my eyes and/or vision. I tried resting them for a couple of days but every now and then it's all still a little hazy.

But I can't live without stories in my life!

So I decided to download some audiobooks.

I used to bash on audiobooks because I didn't understand why people prefer listening to books than reading. I felt like it was boring and that it took away the fun of having the book and actually flipping through the pages -- not to mention sniffing the pages!

But I take it all back!

I shouldn't have been shooting it down before I actually got to listen to one.

Now I'm borderline obsessed with audiobooks!

And it's kind of stressing me out because audiobooks are expensive.

So far, I only have 3 audiobooks in my phone:

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

This is my all-time favorite book! I've read it about a dozen times and it is my go-to book when I'm on the verge of a reading slump, sad, bored, indecisive on what to read next, or just downright lazy to read and/or live my life.

I didn't know that I can love it any more than I already do until I heard the audiobook!

It's a totally new experience.

It felt like watching a movie with eyes closed.

The feels were just too much! I kept smiling even in the dark of my room as I listened to it before I went to bed. I mean, I've been wanting a movie of it for so long but this audiobook is enough for now. At least we still get to imagine who we want to be Eleanor and Park.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

This was the first audiobook I listened to. I've been hearing great reviews about it.

I admit, I was intimidated at first because English isn't my first language so listening to an entire book with British accent, I was afraid I wouldn't understand some of the parts.

Thankfully, that isn't the case. It's amazing!

Again, it's like watching a movie with closed eyes.

I also chose the final book to the series because I've only read it once (when it first came out) and because my copy of the book has been missing since.

I don't know if someone borrowed it and never returned it or I just lost it somewhere here in the house.

I've never seen it.

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

I've been wanting to read the Mistborn trilogy since I first heard about it on YouTube (yes, I watch an awful lot of BookTube). However, each book is really big. I don't think I can finish it. It's really intimidating!

So what better way to read it than to just listen to it?

This is the only book I haven't actually read yet before I listen to the audiobook so let's see if I'll actually be able to understand and remember everything I hear.

Also, a friend of mine recommended it to me. She said that it's a great audiobook.

WHAT AUDIOBOOKS HAVE YOU LISTENED TO AND RECOMMEND TO OTHERS?

I'M BACK!

2016-05-24T07:48:00.001-07:00

Hello!

It's me, Adelle.

(Yes, that pun is intended from the last-song-syndrome inducing song by the famous namesake of mine)

Welcome to my new blog!

I had an old one that I just couldn't fix the template, background, and the entire shebang and due to those technical problems, I got lazy from writing new entries in the blog.

Ultimately, I deleted it.

I mean, why bother stressing over something that obviously doesn't want to be fixed?

What about the book reviews that I've already posted, you might ask?

They all went to the recycle bin along with the entire blog.

The posts weren't much of a "book review" in the first place. They were more of a "book rant" if I ever heard and read one.

I'm going to try and avoid that for this blog.

However, I will, stick with my BOOKISH THOUGHTS.

What are bookish thoughts?

These are just my random thoughts about the book cover, author, story, characters, and anything about the book being mentioned.

Aside from books, I also love movies and music so if the book has mentioned any movies or music, you bet that I'll be commenting on those too!

I'm generally an all around fangirl.

So join me here in my blog as I share my mostly unpopular book opinions (because I usually love what other readers hate and I hate what other people love)!

If I ever say anything negative about books that you love, know that it's NOT personal. You have all the freedom to hate what I love in return. I won't force you to take my opinions and make it yours.

I made this blog to share my thoughts, feels, and opinions about books!

The only things I ever really spend money on nowadays are books and a little bit of food every now and then.

Also, I read 24/7. I sleep a few hours in between.

Books are like my drug.

My eyes have been acting up lately and I feel like I'll be needing subscription eyeglasses soon but that's not stopping me from reading still and typing out these blog entries for me to share with my fellow bibliophiles.

If that's not passion, I don't know what is.

Talk to you again soon!