Lady Booklover

Heir of Fire by Sarah Maas

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000

By now you know that Nehemia died, Dorian has power and Celaena is half-fae and is Aelin Ashryver Galanthynius, heir to the throne and rightful Queen of Terrasen.

Last time we saw Celeana she was leaving for Wendlyn. The King sent her there to kill Wendlyn's king and his heir and also steal the navy and military plans of the kingdom. Little does the King of Adarlan know that it was Chaol's intention for Celaena to hide among the Fae on that part of the world. Misguided as that might be, Chaol wants to protect Celaena because her being half-fae makes her life more in danger than before.

Celaena, on her part, wants to take this opportunity to seek out Queen Mauve of the Fae. She was hoping to get answers from her on how to destroy the Wyrdkeys because Queen Mauve had been present when the Wyrdkeys were wielded. The problem is the Fae look down on half-Fae, so Celaena is not really that safe in Wendlyn either.

When she met the Queen the latter told her that she cannot enter Doranelle until she proves that she is both gifted and worthy. Queen Maeve is interested in her power, her ability to summon and manipulate flame. In the meantime, she is to train under Prince Rowan and it is him who will gauge if she has conquered her power. During her training she is to live in Mistward, a place where half-faes live while waiting to be deemed worthy to enter Doranelle.

In this book we are also introduced to the witch clans. We know they exist from meeting Baba Yellowlegs before. But this time, we get a peak on their way of life. Particularly, we follow Manon Blackbeak and her Thirteen. Unlike the usual portrait of witches, Manon and the Thirteen are very beautiful but these women are ruthless and dangerous. When the part of the witches focused on Manon, I thought that she will have a big role in the series. I don't know yet is she is friend or foe to Celaena. I wish she will be a friend because Celaena needs all the powerful allies she can get.

You do not apologize for defending the people you care about. - Rowan

Rating: 5 STARS

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 02:52:00 +0000

So magic is again being used in Erilia - the dark, evil kind. Celaena discovered this when she the spirit of Elena, the first Queen of Adarlan, engaged her help to destroy it. I guess that's no longer a spoiler anymore since that was part of the first book :)

We also know by now that Celaena chose Chaol over Dorian. I do not support this decision, I don't get Chaol's appeal to Celaena. I find him boring and a stickler for rules. I am not sure if he will break his oath to protect the king and the kingdom even if it means saving Celaena from harm or death. And in this aspect, I am a little irritated with her. She made her decision to be with Chaol, but she can't bear the thought of Dorian with other women. Ugh! I guess even the greatest assassin will still act like any other girl when it comes to boys. But it cannot be denied that she and Dorian do have a connection, it may not be enough for her to fall in love with him though. But who knows, the series isn't over yet.

Celaena, as the King's Champion, has to do his bidding which entails killing anyone who stands in his way. Every now and then she would be given a name to kill under the pretext that some crime was committed against the king or the kingdom. Of course Celaena does not blindly follow the King's orders, she doesn't indiscriminately kill people (well, not anymore). Instead of killing them right away, she would interrogate them on why the King wants them dead. And always, the accusations are not true. Then she would give them some time to settle their affairs and secure passage away from Adarlan. She then found ways to make it appear that she killed that person.

Celaena continued to search for answer as to the dark magic that Elena referred to. However, in doing so, more questions are raised than answers found. And it was discouraging Celaena. She was one foot in and the other out with this plan to overthrow the King. For her, it was futile to fight him because he cannot be defeated and she doesn't want to risk her life and the lives of innocent people in rallying against the oppressive monarch. I guess she is just tired of violence and simply wants to live a life of peace. I don't blame her though. She grew up in a life of violence, her being trained by the king of assassins. She later because an assassin herself and was subsequently held the best assassin in all of Adarlan. So I understand if she wants to sit back and not join the fight.

However, I believe that she has to take an active role in stopping the King's reign of terror. I agree with Nehemia when she said that "[t]here can never be any peace - not while he reigns." I believe that as long as he is the one who rules, there will always be fear, terror and intimidation because that's just how he is. That's the only way he knows how to rule.

Two major revelations happened in this book. One is kinda predictable and the other not so much. I don't want to spoil things too much so I will leave it to you to discover what I am referring to. All I can say is they are the good kind and it levels the playing field a bit.

Hide from fate all you like, but it shall soon find you. - Baba Yellowlegs

Rating: 5 STARS

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 17:46:00 +0000

I love everything about this book! I love that the main character is a female assassin. I like that there's magic and mystery involved in the plot. I like reading novels that are set in a place that the author imagined in his or her head and put it into writing.

The story is set in Erilea, a kingdom ruled by a cruel leader. He suppressed all those who might question the legitimacy of his ascent by conquering their land and banning all magic.

Celaena Sardothien is the heroine in this story and she is my kind of girl. She's an eighteen-year old girl trained by the Arobynn Hamel, the King of Assassins, who later earned the reputation of being Adarlan's most notorious assassin. Aside from her lethal skills as an assassin, Celaena is also attractive and smart (she loves to read!) which she uses to her advantage in being an assassin. I like her because she's badass. She can fight for herself and is not afraid to take on men who are bigger than her.

Her being attractive and smart is what drew Prince Dorian's interest to her. I like them together. They both like to read and Dorian makes an effort showing how special she is to him. But there's Chaol, the Captain of the Royal Guard. Some thing is there too. I know they are more compatible and maybe a better fit. It will be complicated if she ends up with Dorian, him being royalty and all the complexities that goes with that.

The king is holding this tournament to choose his Champion whose job description is to assist him in dealing with people who are proving to be difficult to handle and Prince Dorian has chosen Celaena to be his contestant in the competition.

The competitors of the tournament started dying under mysterious circumstances though. Celaena suspects that magic is involved but couldn't figure out how that is so considering that magic is banned and all that practice it have been killed or went into hiding.

Though I'll admit that I didn't quite see this coming. And... no matter how frivolous and twisted that competition was, I'm grateful it brought you into my life. As long as I live, I'll always be thankful for that. - Prince Dorian

Rating: 5 STARS

Prodigy by Marie Lu

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 13:28:00 +0000

If you are reading this, it is safe to assume that you are done reading the first one. You know by now that June helped Day escape and has uncovered information which makes her question what she was ingrained to her about the Republic.

Day and June hopes to seek the help of the Patriots. Well, Day is more on board on this idea than June. I guess being a trained solder and a prodigy of the Republic, all its propaganda ingrained in her, it would really be difficult for June to just turn her back on everything that she knows and just accept the new realities that she is learning. She and Day would view things differently coming from different backgrounds and upbringing. It is a bit confusing for her.

The Elector died and his successor is at a unique position to effect reform in the Republic. The Republic is in a vulnerable spot because of the regime change. No surprise that it is Anden, the son of the former leader, was chosen to succeed him. I hope Anden is nothing like his father. I wish he will use his position to make the necessary changes in the government for his people and for the Republic.

What's right is relative, isn't it? - June

Rating: 5 STARS

Legend by Marie Lu

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 14:46:00 +0000

I put this book in my To Read list when I learned it was won in Goodreads. I thought that a lot of readers must have liked it that's why it won.

The story is written in first person, from the perspective of the two main characters: Day and June. I am not a fan of first person storytelling but because this novel is told from the point of view of the main male and female protagonists, I enjoyed reading it.

The two main characters could not be anymore different. Day came from a poor family, was forced to live on the streets and in hiding. Someone who goes against everything the government is. Whereas June is the golden child of the government. She is someone who grew up in privilege, was able to attend to the best school, honored by everyone.

The country is afflicted with a plague that is spreading wide and fast and a cure is nowhere in sight. Soldiers would stop at every home to draw blood samples on its occupants and test whether they have the plague. If they do, soldiers would paint the letter X on the door to indicate that the members have the plague.

When a citizen turns ten years old, it is mandatory that they take the Trial. The score you get from it determines your future in the Republic. You get a score between 1450 to 1499, guarantees that you will be able to finish high school and can attend any of the top four universities. After which, you are also assured of a job in government. If your score is between 1250 and 1449, you will still be able to finish high school but you will now be designated to a college. However, if you land a score between 1000 and 1249, you can no longer proceed to high school moreso attend college.

Getting a score from 1000 and 1249 is not so bad because when you fail, you will be sent away. You are not even given a chance to say goodbye to your family. Republic officials will go to your home and force your family to sign a document granting them full custody over you.

Day failed on his Trial. He was able to escape wherever it is that they were supposed to take him to, his family was made to believe that he died. That's why he was forced to live on the streets and get back at the government whichever way he can. Day is considered a criminal, he is not the most dangerous but he is the most wanted because the government can seem to find anything about him.

June, on the other hand, got 1500 on her Trial. The perfect score. A prodigy. She excelled in everything and was fully supported by the government. And her first tracking mission is Day. However, during her mission she met and got to know a boy and was made aware how the people on the poor sectors live. She started to get conflicted about the things that was taught to her and what she is now learning. When the boy she met turns out to be Day, will she turn on him or choose his side?

Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time. - Day

Rating: 5 STARS

Back from Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 04:34:00 +0000

It has been a really long while since I wrote a review. I got busy with work and (I guess) other aspects of my life. I never stopped reading though. I was not able to achieve my reading goal the past two years but I still read young adult novels. I still keep notes and highlight paragraphs and statements in the novels that I think are important, keeping in mind that I will write something about it soon.

This year however, I will make it a point to finish my reading challenge of 52 books. And since I want to write more, I got back to writing reviews and publishing them here. My reviews are way behind the books I have finished reading (around 20 books behind?). I think I'm off to a good start though.

Happy reading everyone!

The One by Kiera Cass

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 04:13:00 +0000

I know this series has been out for quiet some time before I began reading it. I guess that was also fortunate timing because when I finished The Elite, I did not have to wait long before I can continue with America and Maxon's story.

Honestly, when I got hold of this book I immediately went to the end to know who Maxon ended up with! I don't normally do that but I just can't stand the suspense. I want him to end up with someone who deserves him. That's how this story affected me.

Finally America has realized that it is Maxon that she wants but for some reason she still won't tell Aspen about her decision and I'm afraid this will cost her to lose Maxon. I don't understand what's holding her back. Maybe she is keeping him as a "reserve" in case Maxon does not choose her in the end? I don't like it when girls string guys along. I also don't like it when a guy does that to a girl.

If America annoyed me in the first two books, she annoyed me more in this one. But I still read it because I wanted to know how their story ends. I do that, read up to the end of the series just to know how it all ends. But there are series that I gave up on, not caring how it ends. Sorry, I digress.

Maxon is still the charming, nice and sweet guy I really liked since the first book. He was really making an effort to let America know how he feels about her. If I was at the receiving end of his gestures and efforts, I wouldn't hold back. I would have let myself fall in love.

I still like how this story ended even if the female lead annoys me to the core, the male lead more than makes up for it.

You're worth it. I don't think you get that. You're worth it to me. - Prince Maxon

Rating: 5 STARS

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 03:20:00 +0000

I was sooooo excited when this book finally came out. I am such a fan of this series and I wanted to know how the story ends.

Now we know that the faction cities are a result of gene manipulation experiments when the government wanted to implement to its citizen certain desirable conduct. The goal was to "edit humanity", so to speak, in order to reduce the possibility of unacceptable behavior from showing up in the population. However, the gene manipulation produced a negative effect instead of a positive one: "every faction loses something when it gains a virtue." Those so-called "genetically damaged individuals" were put in secure environments to settle in long term. The idea was for them to remain in these settlements for generations until they are to produce to more "genetically healed humans" which became known as the Divergents.

I guess the intentions are noble, there is nothing wrong with hoping to have a world where people only possess good traits. No one will kill another out of greed or envy. Everyone is friendly towards one another. The idea of peace is so enticing that people are willing to do great lengths to achieve it.

However, our good and bad traits are what makes us unique and different from one another. That's what separates us from each other. We cannot deny that they are bad seeds out there, people who manipulate and take advantage of other people. Ours may not be a perfect world but there is still hope in humanity. There are people out there who are putting efforts to make a difference, make a change.

Life damages us, every one. We can't escape that damage. We can be mended. We mend each other - Four

Rating: 4 STARS

The Elite by Kiera Cass

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Wed, 21 May 2014 15:38:00 +0000

After reading the first book of the series, of course I just have to read the next one right away. When the girls of the Selection was trimmed down to six, they become the Elite.

Well America is still in it. It's a good thing that Prince Maxon likes her, otherwise she would have been sent home a long time ago. I guess being different from the other girls makes her stand out in the eyes of the Prince. He's not used to someone like her, someone who is not afraid to shout at the him and speak her mind.

It's just that sometimes she can be too much. She tends to be impulsive particularly when she is upset and her actions often backfires to Maxon. The King is not a big fan of her so when she does these things, he takes it out on Maxon and the Prince is running out of reasons to keep her in The Selection.

Inspite of Maxon's efforts to keep America in The Selection, she still could not open herself to him. She is afraid and this fear is holding her back. She is not sure how Maxon really feels about her especially now that it seems Maxon is favoring another girl. She also doesn't know what being a princess means to her. Because of her caste, it never occurred to her that she might be a princess some day and she doesn't have that much faith in herself.

And of course, I still cannot understand why she is holding on to Aspen. I don't get why can't she just let him go. This thing with Aspen is keeping her from moving forward with Maxon but she can't also seem to decide whether to tell Aspen to wait for her or not. She's stringing both guys along! I think it is unfair to both men.

The book and the series is not all about the Prince choosing his would-be wife from a selected group of women. It is also about the friendships that the women in the Selection has forged among themselves. I personally find it easier to be friends with guys. Guys are uncomplicated and easier to get along with than girls. So in a group like The Selection, it is difficult to find a friend since all of you are vying for the same thing. There's bound to have backstabbing, jealousy, schemes and lies to get Maxon's attention and feelings. However, since all of them are going through the same experience, no one will understand each other better but themselves. When it was trimmed down to The Elite, the girls got to know each other better and realized that they really can be friends.

Another interesting aspect of the series is all of these things are happening while their country is experiencing some unrest. Two separate rebel factions have been attacking the country and the castle - one wants to overthrow the monarchy and the other seems to be looking for something.

This really is an exciting book and series. I have never been this much affected by the characters of the book I'm reading and I can't wait to know what finally happens to them!

Soon, when it's proper for me to end the Selection, when I propose to you, I want it to be as easy as breathing for you to say yes. I promise to do everything is my power between now and that moment to make it that way. - Prince Maxon

Rating: 4.5 STARS

The Selection by Kiera Cass

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Thu, 01 May 2014 15:04:00 +0000

I have to admit that I have my doubts about this book. I didn't think I would like it, moreso love it. I guess I didn't enjoy the first few chapters and actually thought of giving up on it. I started on this maybe several months ago but when I began reading it where I left off, I couldn't put it down!

The novel is similar to the reality show "The Bachelor". In the book, girls from all over Illea sign up and 35 are chosen to meet and date the Prince and be his future Princess.

Their country is divided into castes - One being the top caste and Eight is the lowest. America Singer, the female lead, is somewhere in the middle. She didn't want to sign up for The Selection because she has a boyfriend, Aspen, and they are in love. But Aspen is a caste lower than America so marrying him would mean she would get poorer than she already is.

America's mom wanted her to sign up because in case she gets picked, that would mean that they will be promoted to a One, the top caste. Plus if she gets is chosen, her family will get paid for every week that she stays in The Selection.

The first few chapters of the book didn't appeal to me because I don't like Aspen and America together. It's actually Aspen that I don't approve of. I don't like a guy who pities himself and tells me that I don't deserve him and is too proud to accept help from me and to appreciate my efforts. But I guess it's understandable if he thinks low of himself, his caste is lower than America's and in their society, women don't usually marry below their caste. Of course it is just but natural for one to want to have a better life that's why America's mom and Aspen is pushing her to sign up for The Selection, it's her chance to have one.

For me, things got really interesting when America met the Prince. I liked Maxon the moment I met him! He's nice and sweet and he knows what to say that makes me wish that he's saying those things to me. From the moment they met I can see that he's smitten with America, she was just too daft to realize it.

When The Selection started, America was still pinning for Aspen. He hurt her and really broke her heart that's why she was holding back and couldn't move forward when she and Maxon met. Her thing with Aspen is holding her back and I didn't like her for it. I mean, there's this wonderful and sweet guy who likes her but she is not giving herself a chance to try and see if maybe there is a future for the two of them. Plus she already have these notions about Maxon and the whole Selection. It's not like there are no other guys who are interested in her, I don't get why she can't keep her options open on the possibility that she might develop feelings for Maxon or just get to know him more so see if they can have something. There are times that I wanted to throw my iPad because I am so frustrated with her.

However, if you think about it being in her situation is not easy. It would be difficult to wrap your head around the concept of a guy dating 34 other girls aside from you. It would be easier to doubt and think that he's treating you the way he treats the other girls rather than think that he is only sweet on you. I will not be able to bear that since I tend to get jealous.

But dating is a risk and falling in love is always a risk. There is always the chance that it might not work out and you will just end up hurt and heartbroken however, there is also that possibility that it will work and you will get you happily ever after. You will never know if you don't take a leap.

America, my dear, I do hope you find something in this cage worth fighting for. After all this, I can only imagine what it would be like to see you actually try. - Prince Maxon

Rating: 3.5 STARS

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 07:45:00 +0000

To all my readers and those who will chance upon this blog:

May your year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you are wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope somewhere in the year, you surprise yourself.

Happy 2014!

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 09:52:00 +0000

Since this is the third book, I wouldn't be spoiling anything by saying that Alex is back! I kinda knew that he would somehow turn out to be alive. There has got to be a twist. At the end of Delirium I was hoping that he is alive, I wanted him to be. I thought that he and Lena are good together. He was the one who opened Lena's eyes to the reality that being cured from deliria is not the solution.

But when Julian got into the picture in Pandemonium, I was rooting for him. I still am. I think he is a better fit for Lena. With everything that had happened in the second book, I think that Julian has proven himself. It is obvious that he cares for Lena. And I really liked him more in this book. More about that later.

I just have to say that I like how this book was written. The chapters are alternately entitled "Lena" and "Hana." The readers have finally gotten a glimpse of what Hana's life had been since Lena left and what is going on in her life. I like Hana. I hope that she could have crossed over just like Lena. She was actually the one who was a bit rebellious and questioning when they were nearing graduation.

You would think that Hana's life would be perfect since she got cured and all and is paired to what they would consider a great catch. I feel sorry for her. I feel that she's trapped into some kind of a prison where everybody expects her to behave in a socially acceptable way. Not only that, her "prince charming" is not all how he is painted out to be.

What made me like Julian more in this book was how he handled the whole situation of Alex getting into the picture. It is quite obvious that Lena is affected seeing Alex once again and it was apparent that she still has feelings for him. Other guys would have forced Lena to make a choice or would have pushed her away. But Julian was patient and understanding. He didn't force the topic on Lena. He was there when Lena needs him. He was there to stay. I wish Lena chooses him in the end.

I think that character of his is what made me like Julian. I know that he is someone that I can depend on. Someone that would not leave me hanging when things get difficult. Someone who can be relied on. I think that we have to surround ourselves with people that will stick with us through the good times and especially through the bad ones, even if they are only a handful. At least you know that you will never be alone.

I like the series. I recommend this to my friends and to whoever who is a bookworm like me. I just felt that Ms. Oliver could have written an epilogue. I would really want to know how everyone is doing. Maybe she would want to the readers to picture how their favorite characters have been. Or maybe she would explore this story in the future.

"That's what people do in a disordered world, a world of freedom and choice: They leave when they want. They disappear, they come back, they leave again. And you are left to pick up the pieces on your own." - Lena

Rating: 4 STARS

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 16:19:00 +0000

After reading Delirium, of course the next logical thing for me to do is start on the next book immediately.

I like how this novel is written because the author did not start from the time Lena crossing the fence. The book began with Lena already in a school in New York. What I like about how Lauren Oliver told the story is she did some sort of parallel storytelling, the chapters would alternate with what is going on with Lena at present time and her ordeal after she crossed the fence.

After crossing, Lena managed to stay alive until she was found by a couple of people who brought her to what they call their home base. These people have managed to establish a small community and survive in the Wilds with limited resources. They are provided supplies by those living inside the border. They have organized a system amongst themselves. Everyone has to earn his or her keep doing whatever chores you are capable of such as washing the dishes, cleaning, cooking. You have to share something for the community.

The book, for me, dwells on the relationship of one person to himself, to another, of the individual to the society and vice-versa. Being in the Wilds, Lena has learned to fight for her survival. She was deprived of the comforts she was used to, lost the people she cares for. However there is no room for self-pity in the Wilds so she was determined to toughen up in order to survive out there.

Like what I said about living in the Wilds, each has to contribute in his or her own way. In doing so, the community becomes and functions like a family. They learn to co-exist, depend on and trust each other in order to survive. I really like this line in the book: "I wonder if this is how people always get close: They heal each other's wounds; they repair the broken skin." Come to think of it, there is some truth to that. Friendships are forged when we are going through something and a shoulder to cry on is needed. Before you know it, the once stranger has become one of your closest friends or you have become closer with your friends.

Aside from the limited resources, another downside from living in the Wilds is that it is never safe. People who have crossed over will always be regarded as uncured, hence, unsafe. They will never feel secure. They will always be hunted, their "homes" destroyed. There is nothing permanent with the way they live since they have to move when winter comes or when their homestead is discovered. They have to always be on guard, alert and ready for the worst.

I guess freedom has its price. Yes, those living in the Wilds are free from the constraints the society has implemented in order to have a deliria-free nation but at what expense? Living in the Wilds is not exactly a walk in the park. You must fend for yourself otherwise, death is a certainty. Actually, that is not really living but more like surviving in the Wilds.

Freedom certainly is not cheap. All around the world, wars have been fought in order for people to be free. Laws have been passed safeguarding our rights nonetheless even up to know we are still fighting for certain rights and freedom. Perhaps not from slavery or oppression but to be free from biases, bigotry, discrimination. Gays and lesbians are still fighting for their right to be accepted by society, to be respected just like any other human being. In some countries, women are still treated like second-class citizens. Our society is evolving, I just hope it's for the better.

"If you want something, if you take it for your own, you'll always be taking it from someone else. That's a rule too. And something must die so that others can live." - Raven

Rating: 5 STARS

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 15:26:00 +0000

I first read Lauren Oliver's novel Before I Fall and I loved it! So when I finished reading that book, I immediately started on this series. And I really liked it as well.

I like that she treated love as some disease that can be cured. That is something new to me and I found it interesting. Come to think of it, love may as well be a disease. It is something that we catch, some times even by surprise. Often, we spread it to others. It is something that affects us not just emotionally but physically and psychology as well, especially when we get heartbroken. There are times that love can drive people to do some thing that they won't normally do (it may be for the good or not), and on extreme cases it can drive people insane and can push one to even kill.

I guess that is where the author is coming from. Maybe she thought what if love is a disease that has a cure. Will that solve, more or less, most of the world's problems? Will there be finally be peace on Earth?

The main character of the novel is Lena or Magdelena. She is what they called, "uncured", because she has not had her cure for the disease yet. The cure is administered when one reaches 18 years old. Prior to that age, one would still feel deliria but it is not encouraged. Uncured boys and girls do not to the same school and do not often mingle. Interaction should be at the minimal.

Before graduating from high school, seniors take what they call the board exams for various subjects. These would assess ones strong suits and weakness and would match you to a school and a major. The evaluation is the final test. It helps them get paired (yes, your mate is arranged for you). Not that they wouldn't have a choice since after evaluation, a girl will be sent a list of four or five endorsed matches (so somehow, she gets a choice albeit very limited). "As much as possible [evaluators] try to avoid any huge disparities in intelligence, temperament, social background, and age." The one she will choose will eventually become her husband once she graduate from college. However, if the girl does not get passing marks on your boards, she gets "paired and married right out of high school."

Aside from the fact that people are paired and matched during Lena's time, the government also regulates what they watch, hear and read. The "LAMM or Library of Authorized Music and Movies" which I think is a really, really regulated version of iTunes. They have a "List of Authorized Entertainment" which is updated twice a year. If there is a LAMM, there is also a "LAB or Library of Approved Books". Books or stories that elicit strong emotions are prohibited such the works of Shakespeare and poetry.

Dominion, of course, does not stop there. In the novel the United States has closed its borders. Military personnel continually guard the borders. "No one can get it. No one goes out. Every sanctioned and approved community must also be contained within a border - that's the law - and all travel between communities requires official written consent of the municipal government, to be obtained six months in advance."

I find how she wrote the novel original because she was able to give a somewhat scientific name for love - amor deliria nervosa - which makes it sound like a real-life disease. Not only that, throughout the novel she would quote from The Book of Shhh, which is their bible in the novels. She even has her version of the tale of King Solomon and the mothers who were fighting over one baby.

I love this novel but I don't think I can live in a world like that. Everything - to the music that you listen to, the movies that you watch, the books that you read - is prescribed! Even the person you will marry is chosen for you. What you should do, how you would act is dictated to you.

Maybe this is my reaction because I cannot imagine living in a world like that. Because I am used to having choices. I can choose what to read, listen or watch whenever, wherever. I am free to love whomever I choose. I can enroll in a course of my own liking. In short, I am used to the liberties that we have that's why Lena's world is difficult to imagine. It would seem, looking from our perspective, hers is a lonely place to live in. Especially, if you are the type who doesn't want to be constrained by rules (like me), who will do whatever she wants, whenever she wants it. But maybe if that is the kind of world that you are accustomed to, the world that we have now would be a terrifying place to live in. From Lena's perspective, ours is a world where people kill one another over the slightest of reasons; there are wars; crime is everywhere. Which one would you want?

"Hate isn't the most dangerous thing. Indifference is." - Alex

Rating: 5 STARS

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 15:51:00 +0000

I did not expect that I would enjoy reading this book, much more that I would really love it! This is the first time that I read Lauren Oliver's work and I have no idea about how she writes and the stories that she tells. But I am glad that I was introduced to her work by this novel.

This book was just a recommendation by Goodreads. It piqued my interest because its premise goes something like, "What if you only have a day to live? What would you do?" Of course I got intrigued! I have not encountered a young adult novel of this kind.

The story is told from the perspective of Sam. She and her friends (Lindsay, Elody and Ally) are the most popular girls in school. They are the cool girls who guys want to date and girls want to be. But (oh my) they are mean! As in really mean girls! They would humiliate their school mates, play pranks on them, call them names. I was actually a bit surprised that they are the central characters in the story. I was thinking why the author would highlight girls with personalities like them.

The novel starts on Cupid Day. It has been a tradition in their school that before Valentine's Day Valograms (roses with small notes tied to them) are sold by the student council. These are then delivered by Cupids (lower classmen dressed as such) to their recipients. How many roses one receives tells so much about his or her status in school. One's popularity is measured by the number they received - getting under ten is bad and being caught holding less than five is mortifying!

Knowing the novel's premise, I thought that the entire length of the book would just be one day (something like the series 24). I wondered how the author would write the story to pull that off. How she did the story was even better! Seen the movie Groundhog Day? Sam experienced something like that. She found herself reliving the same day over and over again, giving her chances to do things differently and (possibly?) make things right. However, the day always ends in either she (and her friends) dying or this girls that they have constantly bullied killing herself.

I find that novel is not-your-typical young adult story where the focus is on the love story between the boy and girl protagonists or whatever love triangle they are in. It made me think of the relationships that I have forged and how I have treated and am treating the people around me. If I have friends who will stand by me through thick and thin; if I made relationships that will really stand the test of time.

"It's the weirdest thing. I'm popular - really popular - but I don't have that many friends. What's even weirder is that it's the first time I've noticed."

This novel teaches you about life, it raises a lot of points on how life is. There are statements in the book that I found myself nodding and agreeing to it - "[i]f you draw a circle, there will always be an inside and an outside" - which is true (if you think about it). Society will always have cliques, that's just how the way things are.

"It's funny, isn't it? When you're young you just want to be older, and then later you wish you could go back to being a kid." I have to admit that I am guilty of this. When I was a kid, I can't wait to be a grown up, now that I am I wish I could just be a kid again - when things are uncomplicated, when wounds are only physical and your parents could kiss the pain away.

What really got to me though is that the book made me think how short life really is...

"My point is: maybe you can afford to wait. Maybe for you there's a tomorrow. Maybe for you there's one thousand tomorrows, or three thousand, or ten, so much time you can bathe in it, roll around in it, let it slide like coins through your fingers. So much time you can waste it.

"But for some of us there's only today. And the truth is, you never really know."

Come to think of it, we never really know that when we left the house this morning is the last time we'll ever see our family or when we talked to our friend the other day is the last time that we will hear his or her voice. I know it sounds morbid but death is one of the few constants in life. I guess I will start living like it's the last day of my life.

"I suppose that's the secret, if you're ever wishing for things to go back to the way they were. You just have to look up."

RATING: 5 STARS

Sirensong by Jenna Black

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 15:39:00 +0000

I think this is the best book of the series and I really liked this one. I am glad that I stuck with this series until the end even though Dana really irritates me.

Dana was invited by Titania, the Seelie Queen, to go to Faerie so that she may be formally presented at Court (Dana is technically a member of the Seelie Court after all). Naturally, Dana and her dad, Seamus, are hesitant to accept but of course they are not left with any choice but to assent.

What made me like this book? It has more adventure than the first two. Maybe because this time, they are going to Faerie so that's exciting for me. Dana is not as irritating too. She's still stubborn and impulsive but I didn't find her annoying. I think she has learned to listen to reason and explanation from people around her who knows more.

What ticks me off about her is that she insists on her ways. I mean, she is an American who is more accustomed to the way things are in the States. And we all know that in the U.S. people are more vocal and outspoken to what they feel and think. In the States, people are free and there are no class systems. So she found it difficult to believe and adjust that the Fae are not like that. That class systems still in exist among the Fae. It irritates me that she wants her Dad to change his ways and treat Finn (her bodyguard who happens to be a Knight) like an equal rather than someone who is a class lower than they are but she is not open about the fact that those are the ways of Fae. She may see that as some primitive or backwards tradition but it is just how they are. They are not human after all. Oh well, I think I digressed a bit.

I definitely like Arawn, the Erlking (I really go for bad boys, hahaha). I know he can be deceitful and cunning and ruthless but there is a soft side in him. Plus he's handsome and smart (a deadly combination, I know). For me, he is the most sensible character in the series. Everything he does is calculated and well-thought. Whenever he says something, it always makes sense. He is not as vicious as they paint him to be. And I believe that it is great if he is on your side. I like how he is protective of Dana even if I think she doesn't deserve it.

I still want to very badly to hunt in the mortal world, and if I could persuade you or coerce you into taking me, I would. But I would not see you destroyed in the process. Being bound to my Hunt would destroy your special spark.

I like Kimber too. I like how she is as a friend. She did not blame Dana when, in Shadowspell, the Erlking took Ethan and bound him to the Hunt. She was really glad to see Dana at her party (also in Shadowspell). In this book, she volunteered to accompany Dana on her first trip to Faerie even though it is going to be dangerous and she is from the Unseelie Court.

I never liked Dana's mom (just like how I feel about Dana). She has a drinking problem and like all alcoholics, she doesn't think that she does. I thought that her character would improve as the story progresses. I really thought that she would change in this third book. I was so disappointed that she still won't admit about her being an alcoholic even when she was hospitalized in the end for alcohol poisoning. I do hope she goes to a rehab though for her sake and also for Dana.

"One of the hardest lessons to learn in life is that you cannot save everyone." - Arawn

Rating: 4 of 5 STARS

Shadowspell by Jenna Black

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 15:04:00 +0000

Finally finished reading this! It took me longer than expected to finish this. It's the second book on Jenna Black's series about Faeriewalkers (half Fae, half human). I mentioned in my review of the first book that I didn't really like it much but I'm going to give the series another chance.

Anyway, I was still a bit bored reading the first couple of chapters of this book. Things got interesting for me when the Erlking and his Wild Hunt arrived. The Wild Hunt is what Faerie would consider a nightmare. They make a sport out of hunting Fae and mortals. They are led by the Erlking who is said to be the only creature that the Faerie Queens are afraid of. The Erlking is neither Seelie or Unseelie so he really is someone that you should always be in good graces with.

There was a time when the Erlking and his Wild Hunt would hunt inhabitants of Faerie and annihilate them just because they want to. There are times that they would spare one's life but that does not mean that he is lucky. If they did not kill you, it only means that you will have to join the Hunt and will now be a captive to the Erlking's power. Sometimes, they would take the hunting into Avalon and unleash chaos unto the mortals there.

Fortunately, the Queens of Faerie were able to come up with deal that the Erlking accepted. The agreement was that the Erlking can no longer chase Seelie or Unseelie members without the approval of their respective Queen. Hence, the Erlking and his Wild Hunt became, in a way, slayers of the Faerie Queens.

The Erlking has somehow set his sights on Dana. Of course, it has something to do with her being a Faeriewalker. I actually found myself rooting for the Erlking because he raises the most sensible arguments when making a point to Dana. She always fails to see the whole picture. Or maybe because I'm not in here situation that's why I can weigh the situation better.

Dana is still the same stubborn, irritating girl from the first book. She didn't change much when it comes to her attitude. However, her abilities/powers have grown. She had been practicing on calling the magic and she was able to do so, it's just she does not know how to sustain it or what to do with it once the magic has come to her.

I think Dana is really a powerful Faeriewalker, if only she can hone her abilities. And I honestly cannot guess how the series will end especially now with the complication of Dana's deal with the Erlking and her blossoming relationship with Ethan. I still did not like this that much but I liked it more than the first book. I will definitely read the third book just to satisfy my curiosity.

Rating: 3 of 5 STARS

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:16:00 +0000

I have always been interested in stories where there are faeries or magic or mythical stuff so naturally, I would want to read this novel.

I am a fan of urban fantasy novels but I prefer if it is not set in present times. If it is, I like if there is a mixture of this world and the "magical" one. Of course, I am partial if the book takes me to a whole new world (sorry for the Aladdin reference) altogether.

Anyway, the central figure of the story is Dana. She is half Fae and half human. Her mom used to live in Avalon and it was there that she met Dana's dad who turns out to be some big shot Fae. Because of her heritage, Dana has a really beautiful voice. For some reason, she and her mom moved around a lot. As far as she could remember, they have lived in ten different cities.

I did not like Dana much. I find her whiny and stubborn. She ran away to go to Avalon to be with a dad whom she has never met and who has no idea that he has a daughter, thinking that her life would be better off living with him.

She has an issue with her mom being an alcoholic, I understand that.

"Nothing could possibly be worse than living with my mother, constantly lying for her, trying to cover up that she was passed out drunk when she was supposed to be meeting with my teacher or driving me to some off-campus event. xxx"

No one really wants to have an alcoholic for a parent. I guess it is difficult for a teenager when she is forced to be the adult in the family since the adult doesn't act how they should. The situation will really tire you out. I think I understand Dana's wanting to get away from her mom and live with her dad.

"xxx Even in Avalon, I figured, I'd have a better, more normal life than I had now with my mom."

Avalon is a small city with less than 10,000 inhabitants. One could enter the city only through its four entrances - the North, South, East and West Gates. What's unique about the city is that it is the only place where both Faerie and the mortal overlap. Natives of Faerie cannot set foot in the mortal world. If a full-blooded Fae stands at the border of Avalon, he or she would only see Faerie.

Dana's plans did not go exactly how she wanted them to be. Things started going downhill the moment she arrived in London. Her dad's friend, who was supposed to pick her up at London Airport, did not show up so she had to go to Avalon by herself. She had trouble going through immigration in Avalon and was in a way kidnapped/taken prisoner by her Aunt. It was at this time that Dana was regretting her decision to run away.

"A part of me was already wishing I'd never set foot out of my mom's house. xxx"

"Why, oh why, had I decided to leave home? I'd been dealing with my mom for my whole life; what would another couple of years have mattered? xxx"

Dana is such a typical teenager. I find her whiny, stubborn and impulsive. She would complain that living with her mom sucks that's why she would try living with her dad. I guess she didn't think that through well enough since when she got to Avalon, she realized that living with her mom is not so bad as she thought it was. But I understand her actions since I was once a teenager myself. I also thought of running away from home when I thought my parents were too strict but I decided against it because I was worried where will I live and where will I get money.

It turns out, Dana is not only talented but powerful as well. Ethan explained to Dana that "a child of mixed blood will inherit primarily it's mother's traits xxx." Hence, a child of mixed heritage is more human if the mother is human and vice versa. Ethan further explained, "But the most powerful Fae also have the most dominant genes. So when someone like [your father] has a child with a human woman, that child will be more Fae xxx. And instead of being affiliated solely with her mother's realm, that child is affiliated with both realms." These "literal half-blood[s]" are called Faeriewalkers because they can freely go to Faerie or the mortal world. But that is not the only thing that makes Faeriewalkers gifted, what really makes them "more powerful is that they can carry technology in Faerie. And magic into the mortal world."

The Council governs Avalon. It is composed of thirteen members - six humans who are freely elected; six Fae who are not that impartially voted on; and one called the Consul who is appointed by the member of the Council. The Consul acts as a tie-breaker during Council voting. Every ten years, the one who sits as Consul changes between Fae and human. Dana could not have come to Avalon at the most inappropriate time since, in a little over a year, the present human Consul shall be substituted by a Fae. Being the daughter of a really powerful Fae, Dana, as a Faeriewalker, makes her the target of Fae who have political aspirations which includes, among others, her father and her aunt.

The story is interesting, it has faeries and magic and all that. However, it just did not appeal to me that much. Maybe I didn't like the way it is written or maybe I didn't like the characters. It's not something that I would recommend to my friends for them to read. But I will still read the next book to know what happens next. Who knows, the series might appeal to me on the second book.

Rating: 2 of 5 STARS

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sat, 25 May 2013 22:06:00 +0000

I like it when the girl in the novel is not a damsel in distress. When she knows how to fight and stand up for herself and those she cares about. When she knows what she wants and does not depend on any man to make her complete or happy. That's how Katsa is in this novel (of course, it also helps that she is a Graceling).

A Graceling is a person who has a special ability, like someone who is really gifted. This "ability" is called Grace. It can be any ability, something as useless as the capacity to talk backwards or something as impressive as the capability to survive given any situation. Aside from their Grace, the Gracelings stand out because their eyes have two different colors (Katsa's eyes are blue and green, Po's silver and gold). That's how people can tell if someone is Graced. That's also the first indication that a child is a Graceling. The child's eye may settle into two distinctive colors weeks, months and sometimes even years after its birth. When a child's eye settles, you will know he or she is a Graceling but you won't know what the Grace is, there are some Graces which take a while to manifest than others.

The novel is set in a land of seven kingdoms and these kingdoms are ruled by seven extremely capricious kings. The five inner kingdoms - Wester, Nander, Estill, Sunder and the Middluns - once peacefully coexisted. Centuries ago, these lands were ruled by siblings - three brothers and two sisters. Lienid is an island-kingdom, isolated from the other kingdoms by an ocean. Like Lienid, Monsea is withdrawn from the other kingdoms too. How the ocean removed Lienid from the others, is what the mountains did for Monsea.

In most of the kingdoms, the law dictates that Gracelings are to be given up to the kings for their own use. If the Grace is beneficial to the king, the child would continue to work for him. Otherwise, the child would be sent back to his family.

Being a Graceling may be cool, having some extraordinary ability especially if it's a useful one. However, having a useful Grace entails that you would be of service to your king (maybe all your life). It can be burdensome too since people usually avoid Gracelings even if the Grace is harmless and useless. That's why it was difficult for Katsa to have friends because most people usually fear her because of her Grace and so they mostly steer clear of her.

Katsa is the niece of King Randa, the monarch of the Middluns. When her Grace revealed itself, her uncle saw the advantage of having her in his employ. She became some sort of an assassin for her uncle. When some lord would not obey Randa, he would send Katsa to "persuade" him. And Katsa hated her uncle for it. She resented what she was doing for the King but felt helpless that she couldn't do anything but obey his orders.

To somehow make up for what the troublesome kings have been doing on their kingdoms, Katsa started the Council. The Council works on "cases" that the kings ignore, like disappearances of girls who later turn up on a brothel. Or when a man was punished for something his dead brother did because someone had to be penalized. Then, news of their undertakings began to reach people who support their cause for "[e]veryone was tired of the fool kings. Everyone was willing to take some small risk to lessen the damage of their ambition and disorder and lawlessnes."

I like this book, not only because of its heroine but because of the story itself. The concept of having special abilities is not new. Many books and stories have been created and told about this. What, for me, makes this book different from the others that have been written on this topic is that the abilities are not only useful, it mentions also those that are useless. Although it focuses on abilities like that of Katsa's and Po's but at least the novel recognizes all sorts of abilities. Another thing is that I like that the Gracelings have different colored eyes. I don't find it weird, I actually think it's cool.

The story has adventure and mystery because Katsa and Po was in a quest to know the reason behind the kidnapping of Po's grandfather. And in doing so, they discovered and exposed the true nature of one of the Kings.

"But everyone has some kind of power to hurt people. xxx It doesn't mean they do." - Patch

Rating: 5 of 5 STARS

My 10 Favorite Books Of All Time

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Wed, 15 May 2013 07:28:00 +0000

I love to read. I guess that's pretty obvious now. Been reading novels since I was in grade school. I think I started with Nancy Drew then moved to Sweet Valley Twins, then Sweet Valley High. Honestly, I cannot pick one favorite book or one favorite author. So I'm allowing myself to have ten favorite books of all time (in no particular order).

The Class by Erich Segal

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Tuesdays with Morie by Mitch Albom

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Brief Lives by Neil Gaiman (technically, this is a graphic novel)

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 01:27:00 +0000

Clockwork Princess is the conclusion to the Infernal Devices series of Cassie Clare. I just want to reiterate that I like this better than the Mortal Instruments (sorry Jace and Clary fans). It picks up where Clockwork Prince left off, Tessa is preparing for her marriage to Jem; Will's sister, Cecily, is living in the London Institute; and the Shadowhunters are still nowhere near finding Mortmain.

Will is a little bit awkward on having his little sister in the Institute. I guess he's just not used to having her around and has not yet come to terms that Cecily is not the little girl he remembers her to be. Of course, knowing Will, he will assert that her being there is unwanted.

Speaking of Will, I think he is also having a difficult time trying to suppress his feelings for Tessa now that she is engaged to Jem. I can only imagine how he feels, having the person that you love near (seeing her everyday, being with her everyday) and yet you cannot show her how much you love her. What's worse (for me, that is) she's engaged to someone whom you treat as your brother! Actually Jem is more than a brother to Will they are parabatai after all.

My heart would break for Will's sake whenever I read something like this:

"Tessa was struggling with the other girl's weight, and Will wanted to pause to help her - but Jem already had, his hand on Tessa's arm, and it was reasonable. It was his place, as her fiancée."

Or something like this:

"xxx Will looked away from her before he could remember what it felt like to put his hands through that hair and feel the strands wind about his fingers. It was easier in the Institute, with Jem and the others to distract him, to remember that Tessa was not his to recall that way. Here, feeling as if he were facing the world with her by his side - feeling that she was here for him instead of, quite sensibly, for the health of her fiancée - it was nearly impossible."

As for Tessa, I think she is still torn between Will and Jem although technically she has chosen Jem already. I can't wrap my head around the idea of loving two people the same way. How can one feel that way? Surely, you will love the other in a different way or you will love one more than you love the other but not equally (can't she just give Will to me?) Despite of this, I still like Tessa's character (way better than Clary). She's smart, she fights for the people she cares about, she's kind and considerate and I think she's sweet.

I like Gideon Lightwood (even if he is the son of Benedict Lightwood). He is nothing like his father and brother. He chose to live in the Institute because he knows that his father's way is not how Shadowhunters should act, think or live. He respects Charlotte and the people who are in the Institute. He became loyal to them. And it is obvious that he likes Sophie, I found it sweet when he was asking her to bring him scones (even though he doesn't like them) so that he would see her.

I also like Cecily. I think she has spunk. She's as stubborn as Will. If she has put her mind on something, nothing and no one can stop her from it. I was able to see that she really cares for her brother and she wants to understand why he chose to stay with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. At first, she came to the Institute to somehow convince Will to come back home. But as she spent time with Charlotte, Henry, Jem and the others and saw how Will is with them she understood that "the ties that bound him [there] were as strong as any ties of blood."

Mortmain still poses a huge threat to Tessa and all Shadowhunters for that matter. They still don't know what Mortmain wants from Tessa. And try as they might, they still haven't got a clue on his whereabouts. Then Mortmain did the unthinkable - he bought all the supply of yin fen which put the London Institute in a bind. He bargained for Tessa in exchange for yin fen that Jem needs.

Did I like how it ended? I must qualify, though. I like how the series was concluded in terms of the story about Mortmain and the Infernal Devices (Tessa and her ability really is something, wow!). However, I didn't like how the love triangle between Will, Tessa and Jem ended. Everybody won! What's up with that?!

I cried so hard when I was reading the first few pages of the epilogue. It was sad but touching. I can feel that Will is really loved by the people around him, that he has touched their lives. I was really sobbing when I read the part when Jem came and played his violin for Will. You should read it so that you will understand what I'm saying.

Do not regret too much the choices you have made in the past xxx. Only make the right ones in future. We are ever capable of change and ever capable of being our better selves. - Cecily

Rating: 5 of 5 STARS

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:02:00 +0000

First thing I noticed with this book is that it seemed a bit long so I had my reservations already before I started reading it.

The novel is set in the small town of Gatlin. It's the type of town wherein families have stayed there for generations. Where people are in each other's business. Where everyone knows you're secret.

I guess when you have lived all your life in a small town such as Gatlin, you would want to travel and explore the world outside of your little town and Ethan did that with the books that he reads. He put up a map on his wall and whenever, during his readings, he would encounter a place that he would want to travel to he would mark it on the map. Every so often, he would link the marks kinda like mapping out his road trip supposing that he leaves Gatlin.

The novel is full of interesting characters, one of them is Amma. She's the one who basically raised Ethan. She's really more of a grandmother than a housekeeper to Ethan and his family. Amma likes to answer the crossword, it's her thing. She's also a tarot card reader and a respected one at that. She would never give you a clear or straight answer.

Another is Wesley Lincoln or Link. He and Ethan have been friends since they were in kindergarten when he gave Ethan half of his Twinkie. It was later on that Ethan discovered that it dropped on the floor (hahaha!). Link is kinda a rockstar (at least, that's what he thinks). He plans to make it big in New York after high school.

Then there's Macon Ravenwood. He has been compared to Boo Radley of To Kill a Mockingbird. Actually, Ethan said that "Old Man Ravenwood made Boo Radley look like a social butterfly." He would be what one would call "the town shut-in."

And of course, Lena. She's the new girl in town. The niece of Old Man Ravenwood. She's different, well different from the other girls in Ethan's school. She seems smart. She likes to read too.

The story is interesting, it's a forbidden love kind of story with witches and ghosts and magic on the side. It is narrated from the point of view of Ethan. It starts when he was having these dreams that seems so real, he would wake up and would find dirt under his fingernails just as he dreamed. He can't recall the dream exactly except that both he and this girl were falling and he couldn't hold on despite of him wanting to hold on to something. And Ethan is starting to feel something for this girl in his dreams, "kind of like love before first sight."

It turns out that the girl that Ethan has been dreaming about is Lena! Something magical (or weird) is happening between Ethan and Lena. They have thing connection. First they are sharing the same dreams. Then there's this song that only Ethan apparently hears and it has something to do with Lena. He and Lena can communicate telepathically. And then there's this locket that they found which seems to magically transport them to a time in past and witness the tragic love story of their ancestors.

Honestly, there's nothing much that I like about this book. I found it too long, maybe too verbose. In my opinion, some parts of the book are not really needed to build the story or it could have been written in another way. I finished the book because I wanted to know what happens, since I already started it. Plus I thought it has its redeeming qualities (I was wrong).

Well, there is something that I like about the novel. I liked how it defined and classified Casters (which is their term for spell casters or witches). There are Dark Casters and Light Casters and each Caster has an ability that is particular to him or her. Like a Palimpsest is someone who reads time; a Siren has the Power of Persuasion; or a Thaumaturge is a healer.

I will be reading the next book. I'm just curious what happens next. But if I still don't get hooked, that will be the last book of the series that I am going to read.

You couldn't take two roads. And once you were on one, there was no going back. - Ethan

Rating: 2 of 5 STARS

The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:35:00 +0000

This is the third and may be the final installment of the Kane Chronicles as Sadie puts it towards the end of the book. She said that they are "going to be so busy training and attending school and living [their] lives."

The story takes off around six months after Apophis broke away from his prison. However, the Chaos snake has yet to discharge an all-out assault on the mortal world as everyone expects.

The siblings and their initiates at the Brooklyn House are of the belief that Apophis is destryong all the copies of a specific version of The Book of Overcoming Apophis, the ones written by a certain Prince Khaemwaset, more popularly known as Setne. However, the Kanes or anyone for that matter still has no clue on how to defeat Apophis.

The powers of the siblings as well as their initiates have been growing and it can be seen in the book. At the first couple of chapters, Sadie tried to summon Ma'at and she was able to do so! It was challenging enough to use hieroglyphs to produce objects such as a weapon. Moreso when one is trying to muster an element like earth or air. However, calling upon Ma'at, which is Order, which in turn is a concept, is just unheard of. Luckily, Sadie didn't die from doing so. Well, actually she almost did.

Carter's responsibilities have also increased. Since their Uncle Amos has become Chief Lector, Carter is the one officially in charge of Brooklyn House. He is the one who decides and calls the shots (of course, he consults with Sadie, Walt and Bast). If you ask me, that seems like a pretty heavy burden to put on the shoulders of a teenager. But, if someone has to do it, better it be Carter.

There's is a sense of normalcy in Brooklyn House though. Everyone (except Carter, that is) is now going to a normal mortal academy - the Brooklyn Academy for the Gifted - during the day. Their afternoons and weekends are spent for studying magic. Everyone is happy with the arrangement - the girls are glad to have additional friends (and boys to flirt with); the guys could be in actual school sports teams instead of playing with Khufu; even Bast is delighted to have some peace and quiet around the house for a few hours.

Since it is a school for the gifted, the Brooklyn House kids didn't have a hard time passing themselves off as one. Alyssa made sculptures since earth magic is her specialty. Walt focused on making jewelry since he's good in making amulets. Cleo was a writer because she's good in recalling and telling stories (even the long-forgotten ones) and drama was just innate for Sadie.

Speaking of Sadie, she still has her boy problems. She's still torn between Anubis and Walt. If I were her, I wouldn't be able to choose either. I have always sides with a "team" in these love triangles from the novels that I read but in this case, I, myself, simply cannot decide who I like more!

As for Walt, he is still trying to prolong his life by using his magic less. It isn't enough, though. He is still dying. However, he and Anubis are conceiving something. Maybe something that would help Walt so that he wouldn't die.

Again, I learned something about Egyptian beliefs in the book, particularly, their concept of the soul. For them, the soul have five parts - the first part is the ba or ones personality, when we dream it can depart our bodies or it becomes a ghost after our death; the ka, when we die it is the life force that leaves our bodies; the heart or the ib, it is where our good or bad deeds are recorded and the one that is weighed in the scales of justice when we are judged in the afterlife; the fourth is the ren, which is ones secret name; and the last is called the shadow or sheut, we can never get rid of it because it is the silhouette of the our soul.

I think that this is a great third book of the adventure of the Kanes. The war against the Chaos snake has reached its conclusion. Questions were answered (at least with respect to the conflict with Apophis; even the case of Walt). As a reader, I wouldn't be left hanging if no other Kane chronicle comes out after this. But the Kanes left enough latitude that may be in the future they might send out recordings again.

A person's shadow stood for his legacy, his impact on the world. Some people cast hardly any shadow at all. Some cast long, deep shadows that endured for centuries. If a person cast no shadow at all, he couldn't be alive. His existence became meaningless. - Carter

Rating: 4 of 5 STARS

Reflected In You by Sylvia Day

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 12:18:00 +0000

Sex is a powerful tool. Sometimes, it can even be a weapon. There are people who know how to use sex to their advantage to get what they want. I too have fallen victim to it. Just like Eva "[t]here'd been a time when I'd turned to sex to feel affection, confusing momentary desire with genuine caring." I guess that's why I really like this novel. I feel there are times that I can relate and empathize to the characters because I have felt and experienced what they are going through.

Reflected In You is the second book in the Crossfire series. The relationship between Gideon and Eva has really deepened in this book. At the start of the novel, it can be seen that the thought of two days away from each other is unthinkable and unbearable for them both. Being the intense individuals that they are, that is expected. However, something as consuming as their affair is not healthy (and their therapist shares my opinion). Two days is not that long a time for one not to be able to endure the separation. They have become too dependent on each other and I think that it is bordering to something obsessive. Isn't it suffocating if you're with your partner all the time? We need our space once in a while, some "me" time, don't we?

I still find Gideon sweet, in his overprotective and controlling ways. During their first time apart, when a guy was flirting with Eva, one of the hotel's staff (since Gideon owns the hotel) interrupted them and told Eva that someone will get her order from the cabana she and Cary are occupying. When Eva didn't leave the bar, the hotel staff insisted that guy the guy move to the other end of the bar.

When Gideon explained to Eva that Corinne was taken aback because Eva did not look like her Gideon said, "x x x I wasn't looking for her in other women. I didn't know I was looking for anything until I saw you." That is one of the sweetest things that a guy can say to a girl. There was also the time when they went to North Carolina for two days. Eva was stunned to find that the bathroom of the place where they stayed was furnished with her usual toiletries. This shows that not only is Gideon sweet but he's thoughtful and attentive, as well. Or when the time Cary was in the hospital, even before Eva asked Gideon has already arranged for an extra bed in Cary's hospital room so that she can stay with her best friend.

I think I now understand Eva's tendency to run away when things get shaky. "x x x My recovery was so fragile that I'd learned to protect it at all costs. When something threatened my stability, I ditched it." I haven't had a traumatic experience (and I don't want to) much more something as harrowing as what Eva went through, I can only imagine what she must have felt and the scars that it left in her. I guess I would also be running away at the slightest indication of a risk to my security.

But she should give Gideon more credit though. He also underwent something disturbing but he tries to set aside his issues for her. "Gideon had told me more than once that it terrified him when I ran, because he couldn't handle the thought that I might not come back. What good did it do to say that I couldn't imagine living without him when I so often showed him otherwise with my actions? Was it any wonder he hadn't opened up to me about his past?" It's a good thing Eva came to this realization. How does she expect Gideon to trust her with his past when all she does is run away? If she wants their relationship to work, she has to have faith in him, she has to stay and fight for them. As Gideon puts it, "I go out of my way to make sure you don't have any reason to feel jealous, but when you do get possessive, I like it. I want you to fight for me.x x x But possessiveness without trust is hell. If you don't trust me, we've got nothing."

The series, particularly this book, feels personal for me. I've mentioned that at times I can relate to the characters because I have felt and gone through what they were going through. Also, I believe that the story is something that most can identify with because it happens in real life as well. Case in point, "he had been the recipient of many I love yous over the years, but he'd never believed them because they hadn't been backed up with truth, trust and honesty. The words mean little to him, which was why he refused to say them to me." I know there are people who utter those three words too often or too soon. Some just throw it around without meaning it at all. That's why for some, those words have lost their meaning or significance. Nowadays, we seem to have taken for granted the imports of even a simple "thank you" or "you're welcome".

The details of issues in their relationship (Eva-Gideon's and Cary's) may be messed up but the issues they are having are real. Maybe because of what he went through, "Cary was so unhappy when everything in his life was going so well. He was an expert at self-sabotage, never truly believing he was worthy of happiness." There are those who feel that they don't deserve to be happy so they ruin or destroy whatever it is that brings them joy.

Although Eva and Gideon are not typical, their relationship has problems that we typically encounter - like jealousy and distrust. Their reactions are normal too like when Gideon punched Eva's ex-boyfriend when he saw them kissing. But that was because Eva was acting in retaliation for knowing that Gideon went out to dinner with an ex! I know some of us are guilty of doing something like that.

While reading this novel, I realized (in some scenarios) that I am in the same situation as Eva is with Gideon. There is this guy in my life who also has issues (not like that of Gideon though) and Gideon reminds me so much of him. They both want to overcome their issues to have better relationships with other people. They both want to do good and be better individuals. And like Gideon, this guy is also wondering why I'm still here. There are lines in the book which seemed familiar because I have heard them before or something similar to it, "You know the way I am. You've seen me at my worst. Last night, you said you want me anyway." I just wish that he would trust my decision to stand by him notwithstanding his flaws.

I'd rather argue with you, angel, than laugh with anyone else. - Gideon

Rating: 5 of 5 STARS

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

noreply@blogger.com (Maizie) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:30:00 +0000

At the end of The Red Pyramid, the Kane siblings decided to take the path of the gods. they also wanted to reconcile the gods and the House of Life in order to restore Ma'at and defeat Chaos. So the siblings left djeds that only those with the blood of the pharaohs will be able to find.

The siblings have already set up Brooklyn House as training ground. About twenty young magicians (including Carter and Sadie) now live there. They are a mixed bunch of kids of all ages from around the world. There are a few who were old enough to be in college which is a good thing because they can chaperon the younger students. The rest are mostly between the ages of nine and fifteen - there's nine-year-old Felix, who believes that penguins are the solution to every problem which proves to be traumatic for the birds; there's Julian from Boston and Sean is from Dublin; Alyssa is from the path of the earth god; then there's Cleo, who wanted to study the path of the god of knowledge, came from Brazil; Jaz is a cheerleader from Nashville who has a knack for healing magic; and Walt is from Seatlle, who has an innate ability for making charms, he himself made all the amulets that he wears around his neck.

The siblings conduct various classes, an example of this is something called Magic Problem-Solving 101 which Carter teachers. Their trainees, however, have dubbed it Whatever Works because Carter has his unique way of leading the class. What he does is to give his students a problem which they can figure out whichever way they want. They leave the class as soon as they effectively crack the problem. Carter and Sadie are not the only ones who teach in Brooklyn House. Amos has a research class and even Bast tutors them regular subjects like math. But occasionally, she wold include her personal elective courses like Napping (I would love to enroll in that!).

In this book, Carter and Sadie face their most menacing enemy to date - Apophis. Apophis is the epitome of chaos. He despises Creation. He loathes the gods and mortal. He is Ra's archenemy. Ra is the Lord of Order, whereas Apophis is the Lord of Chaos. Order and Chaos have been in never-ending conflict to annihilate each other since time immemorial.

If Apophis returns, it will be the end of the world. Legend has it that the world will come to an end when Ra gets weary to endure living in his condition. Apophis will swallow the sun, paving way for darkness to reign. Ma'at will be bested by Chaos, and Apophis will rule for all time.

Preventing Apophis from escaping his prison now falls on the Kanes. Carter and Sadie plan to rouse the sun god, Ra, in order for them to stand a chance in opposing the Forces of Chaos. However, reviving Ra is not child's play. It is something that no magician has ever undertaken. In order to awake Ra, they must first search for the three sections of the Book of Ra. When they have united the sections, they must then learn to accurately chant its spells. On top of that, they must also find Ra. The thing is, no one knows where the sun god really is!

The story still has its hodgepodge of adventure (and misadventures), humor and action. There is an added romance aspect. In the Red Pyramid, one can tell that Sadie has a crush on Anubis and I think that Anubis sees her as someone special too. He manifested himself to her as a handsome teenage boy (I think I would have a crush on him too if I saw him like that). In this book, Anubis somehow helped Sadie in her quest of awaking Ra. He was the one who tipped her on the location of the second scroll and gave her the netjeri blade. During that encounter, he kissed Sadie! But how can a relationship between a mortal and a god work? Hmmm....

However, there is also this Walt angle on Sadie's romance. After meeting with Anubis during their adventure in The Red Pyramid, he did not contact her again. So when Walt came to Brooklyn House, Sadie thought that she might get over Anubis since she was "fairly sure there'd been a spark between us the first time we saw each other." Of course, there's always a "but" on Sadie's romances. In Walt's case, there is something that is upsetting him, something huge that had has burdened his family for centuries (that's all I'm going to say).

As usual, I learned a lot about Egyptian legends and beliefs in this book. What I liked the most is about one's ren:

"[T]he ren was the same as one's secret name. It was more than just a special word. The secret name is your darkest thoughts, your most embarrassing moments, your biggest dreams, your worst fears, all wrapped together. It's the sum of your experiences, even those you'd never want to share. Your secret name makes you who you are.

"That's why a secret name has power. It's also why you couldn't simply hear someone repeat a secret name and know how to use it. You have to know that person and understand their life. The more you understood the person, the more power their name could yield. You could only learn a secret name from the person himself - or from the person closest to his heart."

Makes me wonder what my secret name is. I'm starting on the third book asap!

Everything happens for a reason, x x x, even bad things. - Jaz

Rating: 5 of 5 STARS