Emancipated

Time for a book I received for Christmas from my niece! First of all I'd really like to thank her again for this book so thank you so much. I really felt as if this was a summer kind of read so I also left it for summer. Now it's time and I finally got to read the book Emancipated by M.G. Reyes and I have to say I am surprised!

6 teens, all no longer under control of their parents, live together under one roof at Venice Beach. And every one of them has something to hide. Bringing them together might end up as a blessing or in a total catastrophe. There are no limits, no rules and no alibis and everyone can betray anyone. Living under the same roof brings a lot more that responsibility, especially when people start to trust one another and share their secrets. Murder, drama, long lost friends and a spy. It takes one person to deceive and betray anyone and nobody will be ready for when that day comes. Especially because other eyes are looking over the house...

Now the characters, as the synopsis said it contains 6 characters. All these characters were really nice to see together and also amazing to witness but I have to say I wished every character was equally talked about. Some received more attention than others which makes me wonder a lot about if the ones not highly spoken of are really important for the story.

First of all there's Grace, the character I absolutely loved most and really surprised me the most as well. Grace is just very relatable for me since she's such a silent and calm person also very gentle and kind. I absolutely loved this character for who she was! She didn't seem to be any harm to anyone, very open to everyone and always there when people needed her. The thing a lot of people and all characters in the book might love about this character is her feeling for justice as she writes with people who have been sentenced to death. During the story we get to see her go to visit the person she's writing with and see how much this affects her life. It really brings a lot of sympathy for Grace when you read it which only adds a lot more to how you feel about her. 

Something I absolutely loved about Grace was the fact that she didn't only come as a sweet, gentle girl. Grace has this darker side to her and this jealous side to her that I really enjoyed to read about. Especially because it brought more to her relationship with the other characters and also build the intensity of her character: is she really as kind as she seems? Soon enough it seems like Grace's character runs a lot deeper than we expected and also she seems to hide something which I thought was magnificent to witness. It really builds up questions about this character because she kind of deceived us at the beginning of the book. When even she's hiding something but you know she's so gentle you can only wonder if her intentions are good or bad. The author really saved her for last, her part in the book started to grow more towards the end which I think was a good thing because Grace really is my favorite (female) character!

Secondly there's Candace, the step-sister of Grace. I have to say I'm really disappointed in this character as she was the one character that wasn't talked about at all. The synopsis says they all have something to hide but with Candace there's literally no indication to what she might be hiding. All we know is that she's trying to make it in Hollywood which is fine and she has a role she's constantly out for. The thing with Candace is that I really don't have any grip on her and on her life. We know little of her background and she's only interested in other people's business so she can gossip. 

If I had to describe Candace in a few words it'd be arrogant, self-centered and gossip. She really is one of my least favorite characters in this book just because of her personality as well. I found it really hard to like her with the few things we got from her in the story, she written very superficial. She sure does bring drama when she's around which does bring some things to the plot but that's really it. There's no indication of her hiding something or meaning harm to the others other than gossiping. I don't really know if her role in the next books will increase since her role in Emancipated wasn't big and she also didn't get any chapters for herself. This book has six pov's and each chapter is someone elses pov but Candace barely gets any. A very disappointing character to me.  

Then there's another female character named Lucy. It's not that I didn't like Lucy but she's also not my favorite, that's probably because I'm still trying to figure her out. Lucy gets a very big and important role in the book because of what she's hiding. It also takes a very long time to understand what her secret is and for how long we've known it because Lucy's secret really brings a big mystery in the book that makes things confusing. I can't really get into that too much because then I'd spoil but just know Lucy's secret is major and really affecting the rest of the plot and characters! 

As for her personality itself, since she has such a big role it's obvious she'll be talked about a lot. First impression of Lucy is that she's kind of distant but the more you see her the more you recognize a facade in it for some reason we don't really know yet. She's also a rock chick in this book and very invested in the music world which I really loved about her because she sparkled passion for music and I absolutely adored that! She comes off strong but eventually it's really easy to like her and get the things she says. I really loved the fact that Lucy is one of those girls that doesn't care what others say and go for what they want, it really shows how courageous and passionate she is!

The last female character is Maya, who's also the youngest sibling. She's also one of those characters that's not spoken of that much which is a little annoying. However the author did increase her participation in the book near the end which really made up for a lot. Her part in the book will also open eyes and be very shocking which was something I never had expected to happen with Maya. The author really saved best for last when it comes to this character so I can't say I don't like the part she plays!

As for her character Maya is a very closed off character and only busy with creating an app. Most of the time she isn't around and when she is, there's not much to be said about her. I think that's a little disappointing though that we didn't get to know her better from the start but not knowing her that well really plays with the character she is as she's very closed off. Her secret also leads to her being this and it will also make sure that the characters will start to ask questions about her when she is around. I'm really glad that M.G. Reyes decided to make her role bigger near the end since it really does make sure we can get to know Maya in some way but I hope her role will be bigger in the next book, which I'm sure it will be.

As for out male characters, let's start with Paolo. The first impression everyone gets from Paolo is the hot guy, the gets-every-girl guy which is very misleading with this character because he actually has a bigger heart than he leads on. It's also very clear from the start that he's looking for more than just one nightstands and is seeking for something deeper. The question is will he find it in a house full of women? Above that his secret won't be there until he comes into the house which makes it different from the other characters. The secret he's keeping also isn't anything he thought would happen and comes over as a little shocking when it happens.

The main thing with Paolo is that he's trying to find himself out and trying to find what he's been looking for for so long: real, deep and connecting love. He's really trying to figure that out and how he can get that. If he will get that at all. That's going to be the main plotline about Paolo. His secret will be important for a little but gets less interesting further on into the read. 

The last character to discuss is John-Michael which is my favorite male character in this book because he's very diverse. The thing with John-Michael is that the first chapter we see him in he's doing something very weird but we don't know for sure what he's doing. The author really wrote it suggestively and readers will have their suspicion and know for 80% sure that what they think is real. However this isn't discussed until very late in the book which makes his character all the better. 

John-Michael is a little like Grace in my opinion which makes him of course a great character in my opinion. Although we already knew the secret from the start, it's still easy to really like this guy for who he is. He's very nice, gentle and kind towards everyone else and the author really builds a story around him including his past. The first things we know about John-Michael is that he has a bad relationship with his now dead father and that it really bothers him a lot. This tension will really make him feel bad at times and makes him close off for others about himself, but he'll still be there when others need him. Things get really interesting for John-Michael and for the readers since we don't know everything and a lot about his secret will be revealed in the book. I think his secret is pretty amazing and well build so you won't be disappointed at the end. Especially because a long lost person will come to visit him which makes it even more thrilling! A very interesting plotline he has!

As for the plot I have to be honest in the beginning it was very confusing. The book has these six plotlines which isn't really the problem but there's another plotline I can't tell more about. The thing it that coming into the book and having no clue at all, it got really confusing because you didn't know anything about anyone. Others can and probably  will say this isn't confusing but building up the mystery, which I really agree on. For me it just became a little much to comprehend next to the other six main character's that are revealing their secrets as well in the beginning. So that's a little downside to the book, although the start was confusing things will get really clear even before half the book and that really made things a lot better for me.

As I did mention it can be seen as building up the mystery which this book really has a lot of. Although I'm not that into mystery this book really made me love it in a way I never thought I could. The fact that each of them has a secret and none of them are clearly in the picture for the readers really builds up the tension and mystery during the book. Especially because some characters are more related to each other than others and some aren't who they say they are. 

Of course the fact that each of them has this secret they're protecting with their life really builds up tension between the characters and makes sure some relationships work better than others, also their personalities make sure that some work better and some just don't kick it off. I really loved how the characters and their secrets had such influence on their relationships.

Also since the tension and their relationships toward each other, the house screams drama. I have to say I'm not much into drama reads but this wasn't over the top and was also very understanding since you're in each persons head most of the time. You really see everyone's perspective and understand their point of view towards each other or towards a subject. Therefore the drama wasn't anything that bothered me at all but really added to the plotline.

Main thing in this book will of course be the secrets and I was happily to start figuring them out without being confused and start to unravel each mystery with the characters. Some things even seemed so obvious than others and then you're all wrong and so on, for short the book will keep making you guess and it'll never bore you at all! 

Regardless of the few remarks I had this book was absolutely surprising as I had never expected it to like it as much as I did! Although not all the characters were that well visualized, other that were I was a great fan of since they were well written and well thought of as they will play a major role in the next couple of books. I absolutely felt the drama and feelings the characters were going through and it all really added to their personalities. The fact that many characters don't seem like they really are also kept me on my toes and on the lookout for new clues to their personality! I really like the characters and how they create the environment around them, although I wished some characters should've been more in the spotlight! As for the plot in the beginning I did find it very confusing but that's a big asset to the mystery that's being created. I did really love the mystery and all the drama the plot had to offer, the confusion was a bit big on my part which is a pity. Overall, I really enjoyed this book better than I had expected and it really left me wanting for more!

"Six teens legally liberated from parental control for six different reasons, all with one thing in common: something to hide."

My first poem book | Love & space dust

Something I'm absolutely thrilled about is that I took a book that wasn't YA-themed at all! This book has been on a special place in my heart ever since I came across it and also was very hard to find! However I did just finish it and I have to say... I'm in love! My ever first poem book: Love & Space dust by David Jones!

 "And in the end we are nothing more than love and space dust." Timeless poetry of feeling and emotion, Love & Space Dust carries readers on a journey through love, life and relationships, and then far beyond, into the stars and the far flung galaxies, where all that remains of the feelings we once felt and the lives we once lived is love and space dust.

Even though this is something I can't talk about a lot, I still wanted to post a little review on it because it's really something I feel needs to be read more! In my opinion it's a little bit underrated while it should be read by a lot more people. Especially because it has all these different facets and view on the themes!

As I already announced it's a poem book, and it's also my first ever poem book! The first time I came across poems from this book was on Tumblr. I remember hearting this post with a lot of quotes from it and reading that it was from that book. It wasn't until now, a few years later, that I really felt the need to read this book and all it's hidden secrets written in words and so my journey began...

Because finding this book was not an easy thing!

Eventually I found the book on Amazon, but we can't buy on Amazon so it was a whole disappointment! Until I found a loophole! It made sure I could buy this book and another book that was only available on Amazon! Using giftcards I bought online I eventually got the books in my mailbox! 

Love & Space dust was the book I started reading the same night it arrived. I wanted to take it very slow as this is my first poem book and I just wanted to be sure that I understood and really felt each and every word that was written in it.

And dammit I loved this book! It might seem like a very thin book, but there are so many quotes in it and each word meant something for me and it was a pleasure to try and figure out what the author meant by them. As the synopsis on Goodreads says the poems are each so differently from each other and have a big variety in theme: love, life, relationship, and far beyond about galaxies and stars! Above that each of these themes are being talked about in different perspectives which makes some of them more relatable than others but still... relatable or not each of them is just beautifully written and really touched my soul!

I really recommend this book if you're looking for a read that touches your heart with only a number of words. I also recommend it just because it's so beautiful yet so underrated so if you ever come across from it: pick it up! And see for yourself if you'd enjoy it just as much as I did! David Jones brings a lot of quotes that are each so different and look at a theme in a different perspective which makes sure that there will be a lot of quotes that you can relate to so much! My first poem book was a huge success! I'm already looking forward to reading others in the future and discover the meaning behind the author's words and feeling it right in my heart! 

"We are nothing but //  Space dust // Trying to find // Its way back to // The stars."

The Problem with Forever

It took me two months to finish this book and no it was not the book's fault. School has been really asking a lot of attention as I had my internship and then got into my exams so I haven't had a lot of time to read... That's why it also took me two months to finish this one. It's a real pity because this book actually is a page turner full of amazing facets of our lives. I have to say it: Jennifer L. Armentrout, you did it once again! The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Mallory is not a big talker, she never has been. From an early age she learned to be silent and not be heard. That's until she's adopted and out of the hellhole she used to be in. Now ready to take a new step on her path, Mallory goes to a public school where she re-encounters someone from the past. 
From that moment on Mallory wants to fight harder against getting past her past and doesn't want to be stuck with her demons. The person who changed her life is with her once again making her feel strong. And this time around, Mallory hopes he'll stay forever. But sometimes forever is a lie...

This is my first book by Jennifer L. Armentrout that doesn't have any mythical creatures! I know, I'm shocked as well but for some reason I was just really intrigued and before you know it you have the book... it goes as fast as that. Also I was a bit scared that my expectations I had by Jennifer L. Armentrout wouldn't be fulfilled as this is something totally different from what I'm used to but damn... I'm still in love with her books! 

Especially because of the main character Mallory. I'm a sucker for books that have people in them that have a hard time or had a hard past. Mallory is one of those characters which made it very easy for me to get into the book and absolutely fall in love with the character.

Mallory is a very strong character in that way that she comes off very insecure and silent, because she doesn't know any better. Still when it comes to it can really stand up for herself. She's really learned from her past, even though she's still struggling with it and you really see her grow and become the woman she's always destined to be. I absolutely loved to see that happen with this character because you really were there to witness it and to see her grow into a very confident woman.

And it isn't all solved in this book. Mallory has had such a hard past and has been struggling so much with it, I'd find it really weird if it was solved immediately. Jennifer L. Armentrout therefore makes a really good vision of how the past can influence you and how much work it needs to be solved. The growth we see in Mallory is outstanding but she's still very realistic when it comes to her past and her being in it. She's still a work in process and I'm glad that the author made us realize that and stayed so close to that as I feel like that's a realistic thing. Nothing is solved in a few weeks. I really appreciated that as well. 

In general Mallory really is a gentle character who is really open for everyone around her and is prepared to give everyone chances. She's also a very loving and grateful person which made it very easy to relate to and also very pleasant to read. I really don't have any bad things to say to this character. She's realistic, she's well written and she's intriguing, what else do you need?

And then there's Rider. A boy I bet all girls are swooning for. A boy with a big heart. A boy who is just as lost as Mallory. I dammit loved him! He seems like the typical high school boy, very cool and attractive but when we look closer to him he has so many qualities that make him stand out. As always Jennifer L. Armentrout knows how to bring us a character that's still very unique and yet very relatable. 

What was really noticeable with Rider was very selfless. He was always wondering how others were, always noticing things from others and always there with a good piece of advice for others. In the beginning Rider stays a big question mark for us, we barely knew him and how he was handling his life. That also made sure that we really stayed curious to this character as we saw a lot of positive traits developing and see how much he cares about others.

Of course this selflessness and insecurities (which yes he has!) will make sure that he forgets about himself and that's when the reader finally notices the little things that are Rider his imperfections. His selflessness will eventually eat away at himself because he doesn't take care of himself. When we finally notice what's going on with Rider, so do the other characters and they will finally make him realize what's important and that's also the trigger for Rider. From that moment on we see him grow and become a little more self-conscious. It's truly a beautiful thing to see happening and of course will lead to a lot of things...

As for the plot this was a typical story yet still so special. A boy, a girl, they meet and they get along what more do we need? This story alone would be swoon worthy but of course our dear author made sure a lot of other interesting plots will happen.

My first opinion about this story is that it was very realistic. Looking at all other books I read by Jennifer L. Armentrout, which is logical I mean the books only had aliens and gods! However this story just really shows a development of teenage lives and the struggles that come along. A bit of drama, a bit of love and a bit of danger! 

Of course the drama and love will be things were all of us can relate. We all know the mixed feelings and the feelings of love and the author does a very great job with portraying those for us in a normal teenage and school context. What I also really loved about this book was the fact that there is adoption in it and how that plays out with the characters. Reading how that has developed and how much impact it really had on them, especially because of the hard past that's going to be a big influence on the relationship, made this even more interesting.

As for the danger well, this book puts a light onto the fact that some kids get caught in risky business and how that can influence themselves but also the ones around them. This really lead us to the author making this a big deal in the plot and also giving us a very big surprise near the end which sets also something in motion for Rider! I love how all of this was first something separate but at the end started to click together to form a big story that's setting in motion different things. It really made it coherent. And of course this danger also gave a lot more feels and a lot more thrill to the typical lover story. And so the author gives us, once again, an amazing story from beginning to end! 

Another thing and last thing I'd like to remark is that I really loved the vibe of trial and error in this book. Since our main character is starting over with a new family and has had a very tough past where silence was her only weapon, Mallory wants to try and be better and do better. This will lead to a lot of awkward situations but also a lot of situation that we'll feel so proud on. She's really trying it out and if it doesn't work, she tries again. Just as all of us are doing in life, Mallory keeps doing it better every time and I really loved to see that in this story and come back in a lot of situations.


Absolutely waw. And Jennifer L. Armentrout does it once again! This is the first time I've read one of her books that don't contain any mythical characters, but real characters that go through life. And what a life they have. I was absolutely intrigued by every character in this story as it shows so many realities at once that are all unique and influenced by one another. I absolutely loved to be in the head of our main character Mallory as she's trying to figure out what her forever is and what the past means to her. This book is absolutely amazing and yes, contains cuteness all over the place. But the most important thing is the lesson that Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote down for us. I wish this book could go on Forever but this book doesn't last Forever... I'm happy with it though. It's a real page turner with every facet of our lives. Once again, a great book by one of my favorite authors! 

“Forever was something we all took for granted, but the problem with forever was that it really didn't exist.” 

When We Collided

Finally, I got around to a book that's been on my book pile for a very long, long time. To be honest, it seemed like great book but somehow I got a bit scared that it would disappoint me! But... what a surprise! So without further ado, let's talk about When We Collided by Emery Lord. Also the cover is marvelous!

Jonah Daniels has been having a hard couple of months. His mother doesn't show herself too much and stays in her own room. That leaves him and his older siblings to take care of everything: the household, the money, the other kids,... But those rough months finally seem to ease up and become a bit brighter when Jonah meets Vivian Alexander. Vivi is on a holiday in Verona Cove, trying to escape all that has happened in the past. When these two collide, both finally notice what has been missing in their lives.


The first character I really want to discuss is Vivi! This book is written with two POV's, therefore it already captured my heart since chapter one (also the head banners per chapter are to die for), and Vivi got the first chapter. The things I noticed really fast about her is her eccentric behavior. She's really active and also full of life, which in my case is something I haven't seen in a main character before. Vivi also really relies on social contact and she's also very playful which makes her sometimes feel younger than she is in my opinion, but I still really love this trait in her. Although I like Vivi's impulsiveness and confident attitude, sometimes I felt like it was a bit too much and that's really a pity because she's such a great character!

From the beginning it's also really clear that something is going on with her, we don't know what until later on in the story. It was really nice to feel that buildup for us, readers, knowing what's going on with her. Her personality loves mystery but she feels like a mystery herself that has a very bright side to her. It was really amazing to discover this character from page one until the last page.

Jonah is the other main character we'll follow. He used to be a family of 8: the mom, the dad, Jonah, Leah, Bekah, Naomi, Isaac and Silas, and really can I just point out that Bekah and Silas are very original names? I've never heard them before! Our character, Jonah, is having a tough life. The 3 oldest, Jonah, Naomi and Silas are making up for the fact that their parents are not there and take care of the rest of the family. Their mom is in her bedroom almost all the time and their dad, well he's not there anymore. It's really easy to see how much Jonah cares about his family and his mother even though she's not there, I really like to see that in this character. Above that I really feel like Jonah grew up a lot faster than he was supposed to which makes him a very realistic and mature character.


His personality isn't just caring, it's also very gentle and sweet. He's the kind of guy you want to be your boyfriend. Or well, that's my opinion! I guess I just got myself yet another book boyfriend... I could easily go with this character because of his personality. I kind of have a soft spot for him! He puts everyone first and him last which really shows how much of a golden heart this one has.

When these two collide it's funny, their first encounter they're trying to mend together. I mean we have Jonah who's all serious and family supporter and Vivi who's all playful and active. And because Vivi is so active and playful, she easily finds her way with Jonah, while Jonah is a bit dumbstruck and uncomfortable while he actually really wants to talk to her. It's really adorable to see there personalities collide and trying to mend together. I really liked to see them balance each other out, Vivi trying to make Jonah more playful, less mature like he should be at this age and Jonah bringing some seriousness and steadiness in her life. 

When two people collide, not only positive things come out of it. The two will have a rough road during the story and that was something I personally really enjoyed (even though sometimes it was SO frustrating!). Especially because both will bring in factors that influence the rough road: Jonah has a lot to deal with but we also know something is going on with Vivi. These things all come together and bring them both happiness and other feelings. It's also because of a collision that both finally realize what they both should be doing in their lives and what was missing. 

The plot therefore will really balance both characters out as both of them will have major influence on the other. Through the many chapters, both readers and characters discover what life for each of them is about. Some need to mend things, others need to open their eyes, sometimes they need to ask for help and other times they should try to do it themselves. This book is really filled with so many life lessons but it's not laid on the story too thickly it's more subtle than I had expected.

Above that the feelings will be everywhere in this book, it's what you get when two characters collide and don't know what to do with themselves. When We Collided has so much happy moments but those also get broken and replaced by sad moments or embarrassing moments or frustrating ones,... It's really a great thing that there's so much variety in the book. 

And when we finally realize what is going on and our hearts have beaten together and broken together and laughed together, we all finally realize what this book really is about. It's such a surprise while reading because the characters will surprise us so much but also realize what life really is about. 

This book is absolutely amazing, I had my doubts when I started but all of those are gone! The characters are uniquely written. And although I sometimes thought Vivi was a bit too much, she really made up for it in the end. I was really into the story because of the characters but also because of the many feelings and life lessons that were buried inside the story. When you finally think you understand what's happening, you find out you were wrong all along but that this book holds an amazing, feels-loaded message for everyone who wants to see. A splendid read that's an absolute recommendation!

"But there are always consequences when worlds collide..."

Children of Eden

Today I bring a book that has the most stunning cover of all times! And I know I say that a lot but honestly, I fell in love with the book because of the cover. I saw it on a friends bookstagram and I was sold. I wanted that book so badly and I didn't even know what it was about yet! I'm talking about Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa and Laura L. Sullivan! Also, Joey is a Youtuber, something I didn't know! 

 The world is dead. Humankind has destroyed it, even after all the warnings by Aaron Al-Baz. Luckily for the remaining population, Aaron also made a world after: Eden. A world where people are divided by circles and the elite is in the center of it all. A world where second children are not allowed. Rowan is one of those second children and has been hiding inside for 16 years. Sick of her captivity she decides that she should be allowed to going out. Desperately leaving her house, she also leaves with consequences for those actions. And finding a friend leads to a great tragedy with loss and new threats...


Honestly, I don't know how to feel about this book. I went in with high expectations, the subject about a world after, the world being death but there's still something there that awaits the newborn word. It all sounds so good for a book but I've been left with a mixed feeling!

First of all, I found it really hard to connect with the main character, Rowan. She's a second child and her desperation to breath air from outside her house is totally understandable. At times she just seemed really too desperate and that made me back off a bit. What I did love about her is her determination, during the story she'll receive new information about her being the second child from her mother and this will set everything into motion. Although she loves her mother and her twin brother, Ash, she can't be bothered with staying inside anymore. Another thing that shows her determination is that she'll fight for her loved ones, even if it brings herself in danger.

I loved it that the character started deciding things for herself and that she took her life into her own hands, although I would've done it a bit more prepared! Rowan is more the thinking and directly doing which is a nice trait for a character but not something I can really relate with. Rowan hasn't got a clue to how people act, what to do herself and so on, yet she finds a friend of her bother who'll help her out. 

Which brings me to the next character: Lark. Lark is a friend of Ash and I did NOT like this character at all. She's too possessive, she feels like a know-it-all and as if she knows what's best. I just couldn't love this character at all, sure she has a big influence on the story but I just felt like she was a bit insane. Lark also comes into the story at times that I didn't think were very logical with the rest of the story and I just really couldn't appreciate this character. If all, she made things harder. 

There will be a few more characters coming and going and there's one very important one coming but I don't want to go too much into detail because that character was a surprise that I did see coming but still made this book better! 

As for the plot, now here were things that went completely wrong for me personally! The story builds up so rapidly, there was no time for making the events evolve and to make you feel it. I'm not a real fan of stories that go really fast but if you are, then this one is one you'll enjoy. I was just really bothered by how fast everything goes, there was no time to stop and think or feel what might happen next, because the following event was already happening. 

Secondly I like to say that I am left with too many questions to feel satisfied. During the plot we'll meet new characters that each have their own mission, we'll find out secrets about the founder of Eden, we get new details and nobody does anything with it. The ending did not give me answers on how they'll get around to that mission or what they'll do with that new information they have gathered. I know nothing and that really bothered me a lot. Also the end... oh god the ending! We know new information again yet again we will never know an answer! This is what they call an "open end" and I know that, but I hate open endings. And I hate this one most because on top of the open ending, I know nearly nothing about my other questions I thought I'd receive answers for. 

Of course I want to also add the things I did really enjoy and first of all that must be the theme. It's a dystopian about the world in the future, we destroyed and someone saved the last bit of humanity. For me that's a very interesting thing. Especially because also the people are being ranked! The poor live in the outer circles, the rich in the inner circles. I love it when books do that because it immediately sets off a vibe about that world. Also, just the thought of our world destroyed and a new place to wait for the world to be reborn is something I absolutely enjoyed. The nature being affected by us and the results of it will get a personal spot and we'll see consequences and everything put into perspective. How they have resolved everything will also be explained well and I was keen on that part. I know this book is fictitious but I also like to say that what happens to nature and humankind in the book is not something that I don't see in the near future. All is possible. 

Also another great thing is: everybody lies to everybody and nobody is trustworthy! When a book gives off that vibe, I can't do anything but feel happy. Rowan is a second child, she should not trust anybody and she should be aware of being lied to. Yet Rowan also has never been outside her house, she doesn't know the outer world and how people work. This sets off a nice contrast between knowing how everything goes and not knowing. She's a bit on an exploring adventure and makes mistakes everyone in her position would make: trust people. Especially in a world where second children aren't allowed or will be murdered, where the poor don't get anything and the inner circle everything, trust is not a word you should use. Lies will be everywhere in this book and trustworthy people will be so hard find and I really wish the book would have gone further on it and provide more buildup around this but it all stayed fairly superficial. 

What are we missing in this world? Action, but no worries there is going to be so much! First of all, Rowan will have to escape that's the first action we see. Then she comes across greenshirts, these are authority figures, police really and they know she's a second child so she needs to escape once again! Now she's known, her family will be in danger and this makes sure there's going to be a rescue party. That rescue party, ladies and gentlemen, was the best part filled with action because it was so good. There was so much surprise in this part and I was so excited when they went to rescue the family. It was great! For action you'll be good in this book, but as I said before it comes together way too fast in my opinion.

Lastly, what  is a book without a bit of romance. Now this romance was... I don't know. I was ready to pull out all of my hair! I was so frustrated! Probably because I shipped Rowan with one of them and not the other one, but she just kept giving signs to that other person I don't like! Still with me? No? There's a love triangle people and it's amazing that it makes you so frustrated! Especially if you have a ship and disgust the other character! Yet I wonder if it's really about romance. 

Rowan gives us signs throughout the book that she doesn't know how this works. She doesn't know anything about people and she thinks it's normal yet she doesn't know what these feelings she feels mean. It might be pure platonic then, or it might be love. This is something a bit confusing and also nothing we'll get any answers on.

I don't really know what to think about this book. I loved it but at the same time I didn't. It might be the fact that I didn't find it easy to connect with the main character, at the same time I was left with an ending that I didn't really love at all. Many things remain unresolved and that makes me not like the book. I did really enjoy the dystopian world that's created in this book and lies to its population that's been ranked. Everyone lies to everyone and trusting someone can be a mistake and I love it when a book give you that vibe. 

Also the whole concept about the world being destroyed by us is a very interesting subject and also gets a nice light onto it! However the book builds up fairly rapid and leaves me disappointed because I didn't receive the answers I was looking for. To conclude this I just like to say that I don't think it's bad but also don't think it's the best and I am left undecided. I do recommend reading the book because it's possible you'll love it, especially if you're into books that create a dystopian about the future and if you don't mind a rapid buildup.

“But alone is good. Alone is safe.” 

All the Bright Places

Today's review is a book that's been on my "want to read list" for a very, very long time now. I've heard a lot about it, I've heard bad things about it and good ones but I can only say that this is the best book I've read so far in 2017. And I will try to convince each and every one of you to pick up this book because it is... stunning, and that doesn't even do justice! All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. I don't even know if I'll be able to write this review the way I want to, it's just so good and so emotional that I'm at loss for the perfect words. 

Violet and Finch meet on the ledge of the bell tower. Both desperately trying to find a way to live and to feel awake after all that has happened to them. When Finch, the school freak, eventually tries to make Violet feel better, Violet starts to open her eyes to all that's around her and who she really is. She's finally beginning to see what life is about and how to start living again, after that one tragic night, together with the help of Finch. All the while, Finch is slipping further and further away but will anyone notice before it's too late? 

First of all, I want to make this clear: this is so not close to The Fault in Our Stars?! I see everyone rating this book bad because it's like that book but if I can say one thing: it's not. I feel like both this stories cover maybe one thing together: how to live. Other than that I feel like these two don't even come close to each other. I'm not trying to say that TFIOS is a bad book or movie, in fact I really enjoyed the story! However I need to be honest and All the Bright Places really tore at me 5 times more and 5 times better than The Fault in Our Stars ever will, and that's okay. I just wish people could also try not to see this book as a copycat because it really is not. It's different and original, it's breathtaking and heartbreaking and I loved every word, every letter in this book. This is me trying to convince you to not write this book off just by hearing it's all the way TFIOS because it's not. 

Let's start with Theodore Finch, the first thing I noticed is that everyone uses Finch. Finch, I was really satisfied with that because for once they didn't make use of his first name but his last. That is when people call him by his name at all because he's seen as the school freak. It's very clear from the first page he comes in that something is wrong with him, mentally. Even though something is up, he's still there for others as well, mostly for Violet who is on top of the bell tower with him. What surprised me most was the fact that Finch had been written like this. At some points in the books, he felt very closed off from everyone, and he makes it very clear by his thoughts that he feels surrounded but alone. Yet the author still really used this character as a very supporting, nice boy that sometimes loses it but also seems happy and not alone.

I fell in love with this character for his thoughts and his remarks on certain ways to die and on people who have died, but also on the living. If we know one thing for sure it's that Finch has a hard time believing he can live. We don't know what made him think like that, we only see fragments during the book but the readers will never be able to pinpoint the exact thing that made him feel like this. And that's something I absolutely worship in this book: the unknown by Theodore Finch. What surprised me even more was the fact that even though he has a hard time staying awake, that's how he refers to stay by the living, he doesn't have a hard time showing others how to live. That's yet another thing that really surprised me by this character: he pushes people to live and to find something worth in life but he can't do that for himself and he can't find a way for himself. It's as if he doesn't know he has a choice too and that's something I know a lot of readers will be able to relate to.

Finch really opened my eyes during this read about how wrong we can be. He looks fine and happy, he knows how to live or he wouldn't share that knowledge with the other characters... yet he isn't real. He feels so much things that don't even come close to happy and he's suffocated in his own mind and consumed by it. He just doesn't show and that's why people don't know. And even if they did know, people wouldn't help him because he's the freak. The more they see him that way, the more I also felt like the author tried to reflect he starts believing it's his fault and that he shouldn't tell anyone something because it's his own problems. Finch is the character I know a lot of readers will be able to relate to, be it to a little extent or to his whole personality. And knowing that, it's very hard because that means a lot of people are in need of help, just like Theodore Finch is.

I'm also really happy that the author chose to pick a boy for this role, because I feel like some people only see girls capable of these deep emotions and also capable of thinking about suicide in these hard times. The author really showed how boys can feel this too and that they're capable of suicide as well, we don't need to underestimate the fact that they're in need of help too. Finch absolutely showed that very well during the story, he was absolutely well written! 

Next to Finch on the ledge of the bell tower, we find Violet. Violet has put a stop on her life because she doesn't know how to go on after that one tragic night. Whatever that tragic night is, is something for you to find out! It's been a few months now but Violet has been having a very hard time with finding how to live and how to be happy again. It's because of Finch that she starts to explore and starts to find out what that night meant for others and what it meant to her. Violet goes through a very eyeopening phase during this book, where she doesn't only find out how to live again but also finds out who she is and how she's going to be in the future. Seeing what help does to a person has been really well shown on character Violet who finally finds the light in the dark tunnel and that all because of Finch. Violet is a very smart person and she's a very tender one which I absolutely found lovely in this character. But beware because she's not like most people, she can see through the masks people put on sooner or later...

Both of them have issues that really affect their mental state but the author also showed a really big contrast in their problems, in the way it affects them, how much it affects them and what it means to get help or find help. Both will go through such a hard time and some know they have support while others doubt they can stay very long on this earth and I absolutely appreciated that the author used these contrasts because it shows there are various things to take into account and various things, be it little or big things, that can affect someone's happiness and affect the way they look at their lives.

However, this is not a book that only talks about depressing stuff, of course it's important as this will have major effects on the plot and the characters, but there's always a bright side in this story. Here the two characters might have big contrasts, but it's true what they say: opposites attract each other. During the book we will see major differences in their family and private life which will also bring these characters together. Not only that brings them together but also the project they get from US Geography. 

This event was something I really found myself enjoying because I wish I did what the characters did. Their project means they need to wander around Indiana and found beautiful things in it and document it. Finch wants to do the project with Violet to make her see that life is beautiful and that she needs to find a way to live in it and to be happy again. This really brought the characters together in a very stunning friendship about hope, rediscovering, support and love. I absolutely rooted for these two as they were so realistically written but also so relatable and stunning! 

Now the plot, as I mentioned before with the characters everything is very realistic. This book felt so real for me, as if I was a part from it or as if it was really happening. The characters are copy pasted on a school scenery where it is as we all might know it: hard. School, especially high school brings a lot of problems for a lot of teenagers in the real world and Jennifer Niven tried to picture that and give us that on a golden plate. Boy, do I have to say she did a remarkable job? As already mentioned, Finch is called the freak which really shows us once again how much we label during our high school time. Violet is seen as the popular girl that dates with Ryan Cross... the Ryan Cross and so it goes on for every and each character that we come across. It's the labeling that makes it also very hard on one of the characters in All the Bright Places and something some readers will find very relatable once again.

The reaction of the other teenagers when Finch the school freak wants to do the project with Violet will also really be taken under a loop. They'll start teasing Violet about "the freak", they'll be fighting and trying to make Finch go away from Violet by hurting him in any way possible. I don't need to tell you guys that this is reality for some teenagers out there: the labeling, the bullying and the author did a great job on showing us that in the book and also showing how that can affect ones mind and attitude. The school situation will really be taken seriously and will contribute to the story and how it develops.

Another side in the book will be about the home situation in both families, Finch's and Violet's. Also this will really contribute to the development of the events. It also really shows once again how different both characters are and how their families are affected by what's happening or by the signs their kids are giving them. This is yet another thing I really found interesting to see because also here the writer has picked out two contrasts out of the variety of parents that exist. I'm also really pleased to see how big the difference is as we have two complete opposites in it. Both families will also be seen during the read and that only helps the reader more to understand why Finch feels the way he feels.

Next to these two factors we'll be falling into a story about finding love and life and be happy again by wandering around with someone who cares. The characters really make it something beautiful to witness as they go everywhere and anywhere to find something worth breathing for. They'll have so much fun and when they're finally getting used to each other, we'll fall into a routine of happiness and constant laughter which I found amazing to witness and to be a part of. Of course that will be broken by school events and private things that can get in the way but that's also something that makes it realistic. It's what life is about: the constant processing of going to school, going home, doing something with a friend and through it all find out who you are and what you want. Above that it also made sure that the readers stayed interested and focused on what was right in front of their eyes all the time... 

The author doesn't only do smooth sailing, she decided to really give all readers a chill, by changing everything and making it harder and harder to see something good. It's not something I had seen coming and it really took my be surprise. Thinking about it now it was very refreshing to read, something none of my books did before and it also really took me. I felt so much with the characters, with the plot, it was all so raw and unbelievable that it made the story so stunning.

What happened is something for you to find out and all I can say is that it really opened my eyes toward people who felt like our characters did and how hurting fits into our society in the real world. Reactions that will follow by characters were really mind blowing and some even felt wrong and I really loved it that the book made me feel like this and made me think about this. It has a very great moral and really makes you feel what others might be feeling now in this instant, you're only touching the tip of the iceberg but at least we got a better view on it and we know how far it can go. It also showed that you should help when you can and not label or ignore it because that doesn't make it any easier for anyone. This was also shown in the book, through the plot and I really appreciated the thought the author put into this book.

What I also am at loss for words for is the fact that we don't know why Finch is feeling the way he is, I already said it before but I really want to point it out once again. We know why Violet is feeling the way she feels and that's great but I think it's also very relatable for readers not to know what's going on with someone. This someone being Finch in All the Bright Places. I feel like I like that fact, that we don't know everything about why it made him feel this way because either way he didn't know himself or he didn't know how to explain and I don't know but that just makes me love this character so much more. The unknown and the uncertainty made this character so interesting and lovable in the plot.

All books that contain hard things like mental illnesses, sicknesses and suicide are eyeopening and believe me, this book was one of those books as well. The characters are so beautifully written and when they finally find each other you thought things would only go well and get better but that's not how it goes for people who aren't feeling well, same with our characters. The author still made it really interesting by giving plot twists, harder moments and happy moments to recover from all that has happened before. To finish it off, she packed the book up with the greatest moral of all and sprinkled emotions (believe me, be ready for a lot of emotions in here) on top of it. This book, and I really kid you not, is emotional so start buying tissues and stock them up because you'll need them. I swear it to you.

Lastly I want to point out that this book is becoming a movie! Yes it's becoming a movie and just thinking about that would make me cry all over again. I'm not lying. Also to everyone who feels that they can relate so much to these characters please, if you're in need of help, you need to go on and tell people you need help. It's not a shame to feel this way, and it's not a shame to ask for help because we want to help you. You can be our Violet and we can be your Finch, let's show you that life can be beautiful. We all need some help from time to time! That's another thing this book really pointed out for everyone to read: help one another.

This book contains so much reality, so many emotions that I absolutely felt real while reading it. The author build the story up so well and the characters were absolutely stunningly written and brought to a scenery of high school and it's problems. The relationship that's being build between our two main characters was really beautiful to witness and I was -am- so at loss for words for it, and for all that has happened in the book. The plot is so well thought of and the reactions that'll follow in the book seem so realistic to me that I cried the last 120 pages as if my life depended on it. This book is emotional and heartbreaking but it's so, so beautiful with such a beautiful message. I really recommend this book and I absolutely hope you can see why I can't explain myself any better... I'm at loss for words, this was by far the best read of 2017.

“You are all the colors in one, at full brightness.” 

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain

I might not be a great fan of books that are about the wars our world has seen, there's one author who can make me read it anyway. Remember the book The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? Yeah, well there's another book written by this author and it's a little while before and also during the time of the Boy in the Striped Pajamas takes place: The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne.

Note: I also wrote a review on the first book I ever read by this author: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. It's also a very high recommendation of mine! If you're interested and curious about what it is and what'll happen in this book, I wrote a review on it HERE!

When both his parents die, Pierrot needs to go live with his aunt Beatrix at the top of a mountain somewhere in Germany. Ready for the new adventure, Pierrot gets invited into a home where everyone seems scared of its owner. Everyone gets all ready and preparing it for when he decides to take a rest at the top of the mountain. Before Pierrot knows it, he gets intertwined in the world of Adolf Hitler, filled with lies, betrayal and danger. Will he ever get out safely?

Honestly, I hate books about war. I don't know why but I'm just not really into reading them but when we talk about books by John Boyne, you just hand me that book right away and I'll finish it in a day or two. I only read one book by him before this one: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. And I remember when I got it in my hands during English class I absolutely dreaded reading it. I didn't want to read about war! But man, does this writer know how to capture you and make you read it anyway. And really? Make you fall in love with the story even though it's about a tough topic. He can capture these kind of things so well that you can't do anything else than go along with it and love reading the book that contains war and hurt.

And yes, I did have the same feeling with The Boy at the Top of the Mountain. Honestly, I was shocked and intrigued as well as so into this one. I couldn't stop reading! Before I get to the plot I really want to get into the characters. Starting with Pierrot, he's only 7 when we first read about him. He lives in Paris, his mom being French and his dad being German. This really was the first thing that really made me curious! I mean, the first world war is over, Germany didn't have many friends really and then there's Pierrot's parents: French and German, in love. Really. I was intrigued and very curious to what would happen next and how people react on it!

But much time for me to learn about how people act and react on this is available here in this book. His dad dies shortly before his mother. At the age of 7, lose both parents? You can imagine this really affects the kid and it did. What was the worst in this situation though was that he had to move to a orphan home because there was just Pierrot and no other family left.

The thing that really got me most was that he wasn't allowed to stay with his best friend Anshel. The mother couldn't provide for two boys, especially because Anshel has more needs (he's deaf). But Pierrot hears there's more to the story of why she doesn't want to keep him and it really breaks his heart more. The part in Paris and in the orphan house we really see how innocent Pierrot is. He's just a child, he doesn't like bullying or people calling his friend a name because he's a Jew. Pierrot is just a boy who wants to live the happily ever after without people getting hurt. 

When he discovers that his aunt will take him, he's excited. I was really keen on the fact that Pierrot goes with whatever is coming on his path from that moment on, something that really shows off in his character. Yet the moment he steps foot in that house, he feels the change. This character goes through such a big transformation, I couldn't believe it! John Boyne makes sure we'll end this book with the biggest contrast of all times. He goes living with a man that has his own believes and lurks him into this world. Result? We won't recognize Pierrot any longer.

Can I just say how much I was as well keen as thrilled on this part? The contrast is so well written and it really shocked me but also lurked me in as well! He's not longer the innocent boy and will get influenced in believing what this man believes. This also means Pierrot will do some things you'd never imagine him doing at all. The fact that the author made time to write a story about people being influenced so much and therefore change so much? Yeah, it's absolutely great because I believe that it went like that to some extent too back then and John Boyne writes this on such an innocent, lurking kind of way it's too good to even describe!

As for the other characters, I rather not get into it too much so you can really see for yourself. Pierrot is obviously the main character in this and I really found him the most important to discuss. However I can say that the other characters will show such a great diversity! You'll have people conspiring, people hating, people loving, whispering and all that. It's great to see that there's such a divided world and not only away from Pierrot but also up at the top of the Mountain! Each and every character will also influence the story at some point. Either with a few smart words or with actions they take. I think that's the thing about the characters, they're all little pieces of the puzzle that fit into the bigger picture and all work together to move the story completely. A big fan of the characters, that's what I call myself!

As for the plot, can I first give a little ramble about what I read? At a certain point Pierrot was at the train station and he bumped into someone, a soldier, who then stood onto his fingers as a punishment. There's a wife with two kids coming saying something like "Oh there you are Ralph" and the little girl asks something rude and is called "Gretel". When Pierrot goes onto the next train there's a boy, teenager really, and his name is Kotler... Does it sound familiar yet?

Hello characters from the Boy in the Striped Pajamas! I can't believe this actually happened while I was reading this. I'm a reader who likes to see characters walk into another character's book and here they were. The younger versions of the characters we all get to meet in another book by John Boyne. I was surprised, intrigued and very keen on this!

Okay back to the review now! What was really interesting in this book was that it was divided in a few parts that each had years on them. What I found so interesting about this really was the fact that you could historically get a picture of what might be happening at that point and really take in into account with what happens at the top of the mountain.

And I say at the top of the mountain because Pierrot, or Pieter as they all call him because Pierrot is too French, will never know anything else that happens outside of the mountain. Of course he descends a few times for school or to see a friend but other than that nothing. The plans that this man conspires he'll never see happen in real life or with his own eyes. He's practically closed off from the world, his world is just that top of the mountain. 

As I already said, the moment he steps foot in that house up there, there's an enormous change. There is no longer anything happy, relaxed or comfortable in the air like there was in Paris. There's danger lurking around and everyone speaking about a man without a name. Warning Pieter not to tell anything about his friend or his past or Paris even or use his real name because that man would not like it. 

Obviously this is already the part where the reader gets overly excited by all the thrill, suspicion and danger that's lurking around. That's what's also well written in this book, it always makes you feel the atmosphere that's hanging there. Whether it's cold or warm, sweet or angry, you're body will feel it and soak it all in.

But the plot isn't only about making you really feel what's going on but it'll also make you think a few times for yourself. This book, it's amazing, has so many twists of the truth and often makes you turn against your own thoughts. One moment you think this but then it seems like it's totally different. 

And that's what our main character is feeling too. This man will twist his words so well that it'll change Pierrot's believes, his thoughts, his life really. He becomes someone we will not recognize any longer and see him grow into something he's not over the years. Which is all because of those divided parts in the book that made this possible so as I said: great asset! 

The theme in these book is, as we know, war yet the book will only show you the war inside that house at the top of the mountain. There's nothing else we'll see but everything happening and changing over there which I appreciated as well. 

Other than that I think it's safe to say that brainwashing will be part of the book and somehow I found that extremely amazing to see and to see develop. Especially because it isn't brainwashing while harming the people's bodies, it's only the mind. I think one can really appreciate this brainwashing in the book because it only slowly changes the character's believes and then their personality but also gives a boost to the plot!

This personality change will put the characters in a much bigger game than being horrible to one another or not telling everything. The plot makes a very interesting turn there because people will die all because of lies, betrayal and secret information. I was so keen on the fact to see this sort of action take place, especially because the reaction of all characters will be so diverse. The once innocent boy is no longer! 

To conclude this part I just really like to say that the plot will not be boring, it'll make you guess and change your mind. It'll affect everyone at the mountain a lot and creates so much changes! The plot is filled with lies and betrayal, people harming one another, people being so much different than we thought, conspiracy and weird theories. It has so much in store that it can't be bad!

Lastly, I'd like to shine a little light on that ending of the book. I won't spill too much but really, it was fabulous and so not predictable. If all, John Boyne surprised me the most right there! Really, it's amazing... just go get the book alright! Read it! Devour it! Devote your life to this author... Really. What's so interesting with the ending is that it'll take a perspective and give a light onto the fact that there is no more innocence left with the characters or maybe there is? And also what they'll do after everything that's happened. But that said, your first question while reading this might be: who will be left and in what state will he or she be? I think you should find out and READ that BOOK!  

This book was absolutely stunning and greatly written. I'm normally not the person for war stories but John Boyne always knows how to make you love it anyway. The characters are so well written and diverse. The plot is so strong and full of power, betrayal and lies it makes you rethink everything you already knew. It's also the plot that made the main character change and not be recognizable again. Next to that it gives a nice short version of history build with fiction that ends in the most beautiful way possible after such a time. After The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, there was no other book I thought that could overrun it, but here is John Boyne again and he shows us there is an even better book! I absolutely recommend The Boy at the Top of the Mountain to everyone, even if you're not into war!

“Just don't ever tell yourself that you didn't know.... That would be the worst crime of all.”