Book Review | Free to Fall by Lauren Miller

Free to Fall

Author: Lauren Miller 
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Publisher: HarperTeen

Page Number: 496

Genre: Dystopian
Publication Date: May 13, 2014

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
What if there was an app that told you what song to listen to, what coffee to order, who to date, even what to do with your life—an app that could ensure your complete and utter happiness?

What if you never had to fail or make a wrong choice?

What if you never had to fall?

Fast-forward to a time when Apple and Google have been replaced by Gnosis, a monolith corporation that has developed the most life-changing technology to ever hit the market: Lux, an app that flawlessly optimizes decision making for the best personal results.

Just like everyone else, sixteen-year-old Rory Vaughn knows the key to a happy, healthy life is following what Lux recommends. When she’s accepted to the elite boarding school Theden Academy, her future happiness seems all the more assured. But once on campus, something feels wrong beneath the polished surface of her prestigious dream school.

Then she meets North, a handsome townie who doesn’t use Lux, and begins to fall for him and his outsider way of life. Soon, Rory is going against Lux’s recommendations, listening instead to the inner voice that everyone has been taught to ignore — a choice that leads her to uncover a truth neither she nor the world ever saw coming.

 Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

My Review:
Free to Fall was at my local library. I don't know what made me pick it up, maybe it was the face, but boy oh boy, was it good.
I read it EVERYWHERE. At the grocery store, during class, and even in the shower, I think!
BUT-
Let's get into the good parts.
Free to Fall wasn't a unique dystopian, but it was more scientific. I really hate it when in dystopians, they don't explain things in the very last book in the trilogy. Free to Fall is a standalone. I know, can you believe that? They make standalone dystopians now?! But instead of shoving a bunch of sciency things to you at the end, Miller sprinkles clues in the pages, really making you think what you are reading. Oh, and the plot twist. I didn't see that coming, but if you did read it carefully enough, you'd probably see them. It's not that Miller makes it obvious that it's coming, she just drops bits of info, just to make you wonder.

The characters weren't the strongest point in this novel, I'll admit, however, I did somewhat enjoy them.

I really loved the relationship that was developed between Rory and her friend, Hershey. I was glad that instead of having the main relationship be a romance, Miller actually put a romance and one - no, two friendships, which was very important in this book. The romance was a bit iffy for me, but it wasn't the majority of the novel, which was good.

The pacing in the beginning was slow, pretty slow. The ending though. The ending made up for it.
Holy schist, the ending. Wow. That was probably the best dystopian ending ever.
 

Final thoughts: Free to Fall was a entertaining dystopian that I would recommend for fans of Legend or Divergent. It's certainly one of my favorites now!

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

♡ Beatrice

Book Review | The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Boys #2)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
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Publisher: Scholastic Press

Page Number: 439

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Publication Date: September 17, 2013

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
If you could steal things from dreams, what would you take?

Ronan Lynch has secrets. Some he keeps form others. Some he keeps from himself.

One secret: Ronan can bring things out of his dreams.

And sometimes he's not the only one who wants those things.

Ronan is one of the raven boys—a group of friends, practically brothers, searching for a dead king named Glendower, who they think is hidden somewhere in the hills by their elite private school, Aglionby Academy. The path to Glendower has long lived as an undercurrent beneath town. But now, like Ronan's secrets, it is beginning to rise to the surface—changing everything in its wake.

Of The Raven Boys, Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Maggie Stiefvater's can't-put-it-down paranormal adventure will leave you clamoring for book two." Now the second book is here, with the same wild imagination, dark romance, and heart-stopping twists that only Maggie Stiefvater can conjure.

 Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

My Review:
This review will be pretty short, because this is the second installment in a series and I don't want to spoil anything.
I loved The Raven Boys. Let me just.

I wasn't one of those people who adored Ronan in The Raven Boys. To be honest, he was a bad boy, but he was a bit too much of a bad boy. He was like, insane. No offense. I preferred the classy Gansey, if you know what I mean.

But I picked up The Dream Thieves. And now I admire Maggie Stiefvater even more. 

The Dream Thieves focused on Ronan's past, and it was really interesting, and now I just love Ronan just as much as Gansey. 

Remember I said I liked Adam? WELL NOW.

Adam: *says something annoying*

Me: SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP.

Adam: *says something not annoying*

Me: URGHHHHHH SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP.

Dude, I don't even know, but that thing at the end of the first book ;) made me reconsider if I actually liked Adam. EVERY SINGLE THING HE SAID, I just wanted to yell at him to shut up.

But. 
I used to either love a character for an entire series, or hate a character.
Maggie Stiefvater changed that. 
The plot was just as mysterious and entertaining, and I loved all of it. Heart warming, discovering, amazing, incredible, wow. 
Go read this series, now. Please?

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes #1)

Author: Sabaa Tahir
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Publisher: Razorbill

Page Number: 447

Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis from Goodreads:  
Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

 Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

My Review: 
I'm speechless. This is probably the BEST debut I've read in a longg time.

An Ember in the Ashes is incredible. Just go read it, please??? It actually deserves the hype.

The beginning of the book: things were ALREADY happening. Usually in the beginning of a first book or standalone, they will use the beginning of the story to info-dump, or tell you everything you need to know to understand the story. Tahir slowly explains everything to you, little by little, so it leaves you satisfied and curious at the same time.

Characters? Characters. Usually, I'm all about the badass main character. Laia...isn't exactly one, but she goes through SO much character development throughout this book. I was cheering her on the whole time. Elias is also very strong and I love his bravery. I sort of didn't like Helene that much, like, girl, stop being so cold hearted! The last few pages made me like her a bit more though.

The thing I loved the most about this book was that Tahir didn't sugar coat ANYTHING. This world is hell. The Masks are scary af, like WHY you gonna put silver stuff on your face. Are you freaking insane? Do you want to be a robot? Seriously, Helene. If you know what I'm talking about =P This book is not cheesy at all. When you search for the opposite of Anna and the French Kiss, a cute contemporary, you see this. Because it's that not cheesy. I don't know what I'm talking about does this even make sense? Tahir focuses on the darkness of the Roman empire, the harshness of war, terrible punishment, and so, so much more. The villain in this book is the Commandant, and she will make Celaena Sardothein look like a bad assassin. Well, maybe not Celaena. Maybe Voldemort. Yeah, that's more like it. Dude, the Commandant's character was so amazing, it's not even real. I haven't loved/hated a villian so much. Ever.

Tahir's writing is gorgeous, and addicting, and just makes you want more more more. I was craving her writing by the end of the book. Thank god we're getting a sequel. THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU. <3
 
This book made by brain and emotions and feels spin like crazy. Stuff happening ever so quickly, before I can even process what the hell is even going on. This book is action packed like NEVER before. 

Final thoughts:
~Amazing <3 <3 <3 Will love forever
~Recommend it to HIGH fantasy readers (so that means if you only read cutesy contemporary, you better go away, 'cause this book is DARK af)
~Love love love
~Sequel please????

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen (Red Queen#1)

Author: Victoria Aveyard
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Publisher: HarperTeen

Page Number: 383

Genre: Dystopian
Publication Date: February 10, 2015

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
MARE BARROW'S WORLD IS DIVIDED BY BLOOD—those with red and those with silver. Mare and her family are lowly Reds, destined to serve the Silver elite whose supernatural abilities make them nearly gods. Mare steals what she can to help her family survive, but when her best friend is conscripted into the army she gambles everything to win his freedom. A twist of fate leads her to the royal palace itself, where, in front of the king and all his nobles, she discovers a power of her own—an ability she didn't know she had. Except... her blood is Red.

To hide this impossibility, the king forces her into the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks her new position to aid the Scarlet Guard—the leaders of a Red rebellion. Her actions put into motion a deadly and violent dance, pitting prince against prince—and Mare against her own heart.

From debut author Victoria Aveyard comes a lush, vivid fantasy series where loyalty and desire can tear you apart and the only certainty is betrayal.

 Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

My Review:
I will admit something. I did fall into the hype, that's typical for me. But for some reason, I enjoyed this hyped book. A lot.

And let me ramble.  

Red Queen follows a girl named Mare (I hate her hame. She deserves something more kickassy), and they live in this world divided by blood type. Yup. And don't you get all sciencey on me, with the A type blood and B and whatever nonsense. This is COLORS. People have SILVER blood. Isn't that cool? Anyways, the people with red blood are normal, like us, but people with Silver blood? 

They have powers. 

DUN DUN DUN!!

Anyways, this book intrigued me from the very start. Mare is a thief, trying to help her family, who are Reds, survive. I don't know, but I just love thieves and assassins. They always have such complex characters and harsh background stories. It drew me in from the first page, and it was WORTH having stayed up until 11PM and not doing my stupid math homework until I got to the bus. 

That's another thing. Aveyard's writing is ADDICTING. I'm not saying it's beautiful and lyrical, but addicting. Trust me, you won't be able to put this down. 

Action. This book is jammed with action, especially the beginning. It kept me thumping and bumping and worrying and screaming and feels. You never know what Mare is going to do. Because that's just what Mare does. She does whatever she does, and you just have to go along with it, because you're a reader, and you'd probably die in the world.

Romance. A love triangle. Le sigh. Actually, Mare has like three guys. I was always Team Cal, because I didn't really like Maven. I feel like the romance was sort of cliche, not really anything special, except a few mysterious secrets.

And the cover, because I HAVE to talk about this beautiful cover. The contrasted colors, red and blue, just work so well on this cover, and the crown is gorgeous, and there's BLOOD. Even my sister, who doesn't give a shit about book, admitted it was pretty. 

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | The Raven Boys by Maggie Stievfater

The Raven Boys (The Raven Boys #1)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
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Publisher: Scholastic Press

Page Number: 416

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before. 

Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

My Review:
NOW I understand all the hype around The Raven Boys. Because I loved it. I loved it so so much.
So, basically, The Raven Boys is about a girl named Blue (I know, right?) Sargent, who comes from a family of psychics, which is hella cool. Then she meets this crew of awesome, heartbreaking, and mysterious guys from the Aglionby Academy, The Raven Boys. And she does awesome stuff. And it's awesome. And yeah. Honestly, I knew nothing about this book. When I found out about the psychics...O.O MINDBLOWN. Well, sort of.
Let's talk characters, because they are my favorite part of a book (usually. Unless...EMBER...yeah.)
I loved each and one of The Raven Boys and Blue with a piece of my soul (well, not really....or...). The Raven Boys each have one of their own character traits that make them so unique, but as a whole, they're incredible. We have the violent sarcastic Ronan, sweet Gansey (fangirling), Adam, the smart one, and Noah Czerny, the shy one. 
Blue was such a unique character, but you'd expect that with a family of psychics. But I did have a problem with Adam. I was all like, GANSEY + BLUE OTP, right? But Adam...sigh. No spoilers.
The writing was also classic Maggie Stiefvater, very beautiful writing. It really flowed with the story and made it much more enjoyable (if it wasn't already). 
This book is mysterious, and throughly enjoyable. I highly recommend it, but don't get too deep with the spoilers. The less you know, the more surprising this book gets.

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1)

Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Page Number: 368

Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: June 5, 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy.

My Review:
Before I start this review, I'd like to talk about some other things about this book.
I literally went into this book knowing completely nothing. The only thing I knew was that the author's name sounds super cool. I mean, what sounds cooler than Lei Bar-do-go? I'm not trying to tease, I swear. This book didn't really intrigue me, until I caught it. The magical words that caught my eye.
"Unlike anything I've ever read." 
-Veronica Roth, BESTSELLING author of DIVERGENT
MY JAW FREAKING DROPPED.
HOLY MACINTOSH. I HAD to read it. So I picked it up, with high-ish expectations...and OMFG THIS IS AMAZING. 

Characters: 
I really find the main character, Alina, particularly interesting, euntil the ending, when she sort of mastered her epic Sun Summoner thingys. She's so stubborn and she learns from her mistakes, and therefore really grows as a character development. Ugh. I love seeing this kind of thing in YA lit. So rare, yet when done well, so incredible.
Dude, it's probably just me, but I didn't think there was anything special about the Darkling. He's probably the character I like the least, and that's not because he's a villain. I'm tired of sexy hot villains in YA novels. Seriously. 
Mal was sweet, I didn't find anything special about him. He sort of reminded me of a less awesome version of Peeta from the Hunger Games trilogy. I don't feel like they're the same, I'm just saying that they look the same in my head.
Genya. Genya, Genya, Genya. Genya was my favorite character. Yup. I don't care if she's a supporting character. She's girly and bold, and she just adds a light to this dark book.
Finally, Baghra. I hated her in the beginning for reasons I won't tell, but as the story progressed, I really loved her. 
10 Snowflakes

Plot:
The plot was certainly interesting, fast-paced, and lots of turns and twists! :)
10 Snowflakes

Writing:
 The writing didn't particularly catch my eye, it wasn't special, but it wasn't that bad, either. 
9 Snowflakes

World Building:
This book lacked a little world building. I was constantly second guessing myself at where everything was. 
9 Snowflakes

Cover:
Pretty good cover, I'll admit. It has cool fonts, and the house thingy on the cover looks very mysterious!
10 Snowflakes 

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | 100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith

100 Sideways Miles

Author: Andrew Smith
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Page Number: 277

Genre: Contemporary
Publication Date: September 2, 2014

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
Finn Easton sees the world through miles instead of minutes. It’s how he makes sense of the world, and how he tries to convince himself that he’s a real boy and not just a character in his father’s bestselling cult-classic book. Finn has two things going for him: his best friend, the possibly-insane-but-definitely-excellent Cade Hernandez, and Julia Bishop, the first girl he’s ever loved.

Then Julia moves away, and Finn is heartbroken. Feeling restless and trapped in the book, Finn embarks on a road trip with Cade to visit their college of choice in Oklahoma. When an unexpected accident happens and the boys become unlikely heroes, they take an eye-opening detour away from everything they thought they had planned—and learn how to write their own destiny.

My Review:
Wow. Wow. I think Andrew Smith might be my favorite contemporary author.

I had started to think that contemporaries were bad, after my disaster that you all know with John Green. But Andrew Smith's writing is amazing. I loved this so much.

The first thing is his CHARACTERS. Unlike Green's characters, these characters were believable. I could imagine Finn, this high school kid going through weird things, and Cade was just so hilarious. 

Smith's humor actually made since, and I was laughing my head off this whole book.  
Gorgeous writing. Full of witty phrases, hilarious dialogue, this book was amazing.
The love was sort of insta-love, I'll say that. But I just love the way it was presented in this book, in a so cliche but so cutesy way, I just wanted to squeal. 
The trip they take is so...weird. You get to really see what's happening in both Cade and Finn's heads.
Hilarious, sarcastic, and sweet, I'd definitely recommend this book.
I just can't wait to see what Winger is like, this book already impressed me a ton, and apparently Winger is better? 
Anyways....

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3)

Author: Veronica Rossi
Publisher: HarperCollins

Page Number: 392

Genre: Science Fiction
Publication Date: January 28, 2014

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do—and they are just as determined to stay together.

Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival--he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

My Review:
An excellent conclusion to an excellent trilogy. Bloody flawless. Perfection.
This book was an excellent conclusion to a marvelous trilogy. Everything turned out well in the end. By the end of this trilogy, the world was well developed, as were the characters, plot, and everything else. 
I really felt like Perry and Aria and Roar grew up throughout this trilogy, piece by piece. Aria grew from this weirdo to this amazing badass character. She's awesome. Or, as my friend says, "SO FAB." We really got to see how much Roar loved Liv, and more of Perry's personality as well.
The ending was marvelous.
I CAN'T SPOIL ANYTHING FOR THE THIRD BOOK SO THIS IS GOING TO BE SO SHORT. :( But I can tell you it was GLORIOUS.
I would highly recommend this book to scifi or dystopian lovers. This is taking dystopian and scifi to another level. Loved this trilogy.

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Throwback Review Tuesdays! | Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Since it takes too long to make every, single review, I'll just be combining these into an extra long one. Hope you don't mind :)

Harry Potter

Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic

Page Number: 1400

Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: June 26, 1997 - July 21, 2007

Synopsis from Goodreads: (Book 1)
Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He's never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in ten years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.

My Review:
J.K. Rowling gave me my childhood. I GREW UP with these books. I was always that weirdo, with the big fat Harry Potter books, which sort of ruined my social life, but at least I knew I had Luna and Hermione to guide me through life. All these books are jam packed with plot twists, mythological creatures, amazing characters, breathtaking plots, interesting classes, and a story you'll never forget. 
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Least Favorite: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Archived (The Archived #1)

Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Hyperion

Page Number: 328

Genre: Supernatural Thriller 
Publication Date: January 22, 2013

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
The dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life in pictures only Librarians can read. The dead, called 'Histories', rest in the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often—violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper is dangerous and a constant reminder of those she lost, Da and her little brother. Mac wonders about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. Yet someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

My Review:
Holy schist. (lol dam percy jackson reference) This book is amazing. It took me a long time to get into, but that was probably 'cause I was reading other awesome stuff. The ending totally made up for it, though. I was racing through the pages. I think I might have gotten a few lot of paper cuts!

Let's talk characters. Mackenzie Bishop is an interesting main character. She's really good at lying; I wish I had her lying skills. Her loyalty is admirable, she really loves her Da and brother, Ben. It's a wonder her parents gave birth to her, as they are nothing alike. That's what makes her special. She's really curious, and wants to know stuff. LIKE ME. #twins #lolno. She's defintely one to stand up and work hard like a HUFFLEPUFF! Also, her kickbottes In French, "bottes" means boots, but it sounds like "butt" when you say it. Swaggety awesome French teacher. :)-ness is incredible. She really kicks some bottes in the ending.Yeah...I LIKE HER. GOOD MAIN CHARACTER.

Wesley, or Wes, is cool-o. He's like emo, like some sort of goth dude or what not. He's really sweet, brave, and just plain weird and awesome. I'd like to learn more about him, though... I can't go on...or spoilers will come. Guyliner though... ^^

The Archived. It was certainly interesting, with the dead souls, ya know? It was intriguing, and mysterious, and I'm definitely checking out her other books if they share the same qualities. The dead souls explanation was a bit confusing, but I enjoyed it! I definitely enjoyed it!

Victoria Roth. Victoria SCHWAB ...I really liked her writing style, for some strange reason. It was mysterious, with sneak peeks from Mac's past with Ben and Da, which I really liked. She has this really smooth and descriptive writing style...that I feel like is missing these days. So that's good. 

FINALLY HER FREAKING PLOT TWISTS. MY HAIR WAS MESSER AFTER READING THIS THEN WAKING UP IN THIS MORNING. When I get so distressed, I start pulling hair. Don't judge me. You probably already are.  ANYWAYS. Yeah. Be prepared for plot twists

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Throwback Review Tuesdays | Champion by Marie Lu

Champion (Legend #3)

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenille

Page Number: 369

Genre: Dystopian
Publication Date: November 5, 2013

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
He is a Legend.

She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.
My Review:
Oh. My. Gods.

This book was absolutely gorgeous, I can't pick a favorite out of the three. Monday night, at 8:45 PM: "OH SHOOT I HAVE THAT THROWBACK TUESDAY THINGY. Oh dam, I have to read Champion."

12:05 AM Tuesday Morning: Finishes book.

This book flew threw so quickly. Jam-packed with action, romance, and everything. It was amazing.

I really...can't say anymore about sequels without spoiling anything...

SO I'LL JUST SAY I REALLY ENJOYED IT! :)

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Throwback Review Tuesdays | Prodigy by Marie Lu

URGH. MY POST GOT DELETED. SO THE SCHEDULING IS GOING TO BE FUNKY. SO PLEASE STAY WITH ME. THANKS!!

Prodigy (Legend #2)

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenille

Page Number: 371

Genre: Dystopian
Publication Date: January 29, 2013

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games





My Review:
I expected this book to be pretty good. It blew me away. Holy Hephaestus, this has GOT to be my favorite sequel. I remember picking this book up and being like, "Well, it's going to be good." and then, me reading it furiously, screaming, yelling, and sobbing. I never cry in books. Until I read Prodigy.

What I love most about the Legend trilogy is its simplistic writing that Lu manages to do, awfully well. June and Day are both pretty complex, and this book, you get to dive yourself into their minds once again. Beautiful. OMFG I SHIP THEM SO HARD. The ending though...

I can't write this review. Sorry. My soul is dying. *SOBBING*

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2)

Author: Veronica Rossi
Publisher: HarperCollins

Page Number: 341

Genre: Dystopian/Science Fiction
Publication Date: January 8, 2014

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, can their love survive through the ever night?

My Review:
I still don't knowif this trilogy is sci-fi or dystopian. WHY? TELL ME NOW.
OMFG. Whoa.

If I thought the first book was good, this was EXCEPTIONAL. Usually, sequels are like, badish. Well, minus Prodigy and Never Fade.
We got to see an insight of Liv, and her relationship with Roar. *FEELS* asdjfkl;adfjkl;asdfjkl; 
Aria and Perry, or course, had their own cutey moments. Everything was well developed; you could see how Aria got to a more strong and independent character. 
The writing, of course, was beautiful as always. 
In this book, you got to see more of the minorish characters, like Reef and Roar, develop their backstories a bit more, and even more for the major characters, like Aria and Perry, who are on my OTP list now. Quite high, in fact. I connected with the characters a whole lot more, too. 
Action...gods...there was SO much action in this, not much like the more romancey first book. I was hopping on my seat the whole time. Like I always do when there's a good action packed book.
Liv...*SOBS*

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3)

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: Putnam Juvenille

Page Number: 421

Genre: Dystopian
Publication Date: February 4, 2014

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

My Review:
This book was really amazing. Quite different from what I expected. I really liked that we got an insight into Warner's life; it made me understand his life better, and his new relationship with Juliette. This book was written so much better, no more crossed out lines and less line run on sentences. Ignite Me was a beautiful read.

I was really surprised at Adam, and how he reacted. That didn't seem very Adam-like to do, but again, Juliette was crushing his heart. I do want to see where he goes on with James and Kenji.

Oh...Kenji. I love Kenji. He's just awesome...

Finally, the world building was still a bit off. I still was confused, but it was better.

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Throwback Review Tuesday | Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend #1)

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenille

Page Number: 305

Genre: Dystopian
Publication Date: April 29, 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
From different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths...

Until June's brother is murdered, and Day becomes the prime suspect.

In a shocking turn of events, the two uncover what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths to which their country will go to keep its secrets.






My Review:
This is a throwback review, and I love all the throwback books I review. They're my absolute favorites. 
I loved Legend the moment I read the blurb.
Okay, maybe not that dramatic.
I picked up this book, judging it by the cover. I was interested in this book; it sounded pretty interesting and I had heard great things about it.
And I was right.
I dove into this book during class, got it taken away, got it back, and stayed up until what, 11 reading this book. 
It was worth it.
Both June and Day are role-models to me. They develop immensely in this trilogy.
June is the smartest, most badass, awesome character since Hermione Granger and Annabeth Chase.
In this book, I got the Hermione I was missing in previous dystopians I was reading.
She kicks so much ass, it's crazy.
And Day. Day is my motivation. My motivation to keep going through the day. 
He's gone through so much, and he just keeps on going.
"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."
How amazing and motivating is that?
I love Marie Lu's writing. It's so simplistic, but descriptive and gorgeous at the same time. 
This book is my dystopian soul. I love this book. It brought me to tears, which never happens. 

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice

Book Review | Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2)

Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Page Number: 512

Genre: Dystopian
Publication Date: October 15, 2013

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

My Review: 
I'm trying to keep this spoiler free and I keep failing. This is my 3rd time. XD
GODS OF OLYMPUS. I can't even start this review. This book took me a really long time to get into, like about 50 pages, but that because I was reading other stuff, so that doesn't count. I was about halfway through and I marathoned it all in one day. In this book, they introduce some new characters: Vida and Jude. Vida is freaking amazing. She has awesome blue hair (KAROU), is a blue, and can seriously kick ass. Jude, as a 15 year old (at the end) is incredibly mature. He knows how to keep care of his powers, and is really sweet. Honestly, he reminded me of Zu. Well, sort of.
Bracken's writing, once again, kept me on my seat. I was reading this in class (SHHH), and my friend next to me literally had to pull me back on my seat when I was reading it. The Darkest Minds was action packed, but Never Fade was that times like, 100. Awesome action filled a lot of the book, and I really enjoyed that.
The ending though...

Final Rating: 

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

~Beatrice