Ha! Here I am with a book of a series I swore I'd never ever read. Technically I didn't read it because I'm listening to the series through Audiobooks. I'm already three books in the series and the end is nearing. My love for the books is very double as I enjoyed the second book better than the first, but now I've listened to the third book and I'm left doubting once again if this series is really something for me. I am really looking forward to the fourth and last book though because I loved the movie and how the plot changed there! We'll see... First off, the review about the third book: Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer.
WARNING For the ones here that haven't read the first in this series, I recommend you not to read on since there will be further developments to the characters and to the plot. This will create a less pleasant read of Eclipse because you know more information than you already should. Therefore, I recommend you not to read the review of Eclipse but to read the review about the first in the series: Twilight. If you're interested in the second book, New Moon, I also wrote a review about that book. Just clicking on the title will open a new page with the review on the first book.
A new threat hovers over the Cullens when new vampires are being created. One vampire turning innocent humans and making them creatures everyone will fear.
New borns are ripping through Seattle, taking more lives all for one cause: getting to Bella. Once again Bella finds herself in danger of someone who desperately wants revenge. And revenge she'll get. Above that, Bella also finds herself torn between two guys and she'll have to pick one eventually. While also knowing that her choice might ignite struggles between the creatures, she finds herself in a hard situation. And if that isn't enough, her choice about life or death still must be made...
As I have previously mentioned I am really doubting about how much I liked this book and all of that is really caused because of the characters...
Even though Bella still is one of my favorites and still showed me sides of her we saw in New Moon, I have to say that there was also a less pleasant side coming. This time around she really behaves weird when anything bad happens. Any time there is something bad going on, and nobody blames her, she wants people to blame her. At some point I understood why she felt that way and wanted people to blame her. I could relate to why she was thinking it and also saw in her perspective why she'd think it was her fault. In other situations I really wished she wouldn't be asking them to blame her. Often it came off like a little dramatic and even slightly annoying.
Nevertheless did I still really love Bella a lot. She still shows strength and wants to be part of everything. She's not the girl that goes hiding when something bad is going on or when danger is seeking her. If there's something up, she wants to know and she wants to fight too. I really adore that in Bella because it makes her a strong character that doesn't come off as too girly to be touched. Another aspect that I really enjoyed while reading in Bella's head was the fact that she needs to make choices.
Not only about her life, but also about the two guys that mean a lot in her life. Her indecision and many thoughts about them were very intriguing and also relatable. By now we've seen both Edward and Jacob and we know how they act, so every pro and contra she said about them made sense. The heartache that comes with it is also I could very easily understand and live through. It was a strong sentiment but not one that was dramatic or unnecessary. Overall I really enjoyed Bella, but at some times she just was a little annoying.
Now as for the guys, I got more opinions right there. Beginning with an overall comment: how immature are they?! Eclipse really showed me how both of them are in some ways so childish. They're making this some sort of game to get to Bella and win her over. Of course I get they both want her and both their feelings were really genuine, however the way they acted or were playing the game were very immature and really annoying.
Edward did seem to control it better, which might be done with premeditation by the author because he's been with Bella since book one. In any way, Edward has always been collected and known for his rules and behavior. He knows when enough if enough and how to keep neutral. Yet in some situation during Eclipse, I found him being dishonest and very immature for his overall personality. Of course he's only trying to keep Bella because he loves her and is with her, but his behavior often hurt her and I thought he never wanted to hurt her. If we compare him to Jacob though I did notice that Edward was just more mild and understanding toward Bella's situation and her feelings for either boys. He also really tried to be patient, understanding and to keep his comments for himself which I really appreciated in this character.
If we look at Jacob though we really notice how immature he is this time around. He really pressures Bella into things and uses manipulation, or at least that's how it felt for me. I did really love how Bella was able to stand up to him and put him in line, however at some points in the story Jacob just really did a great job in persuading her. I just wish we saw more of the outgoing and sweet guy we met in New Moon. Of course there are scenes where Jacob is like that, but overall I just did not enjoy him because of his immature behavior.
That said for the characters, the plot wasn't too bad. I did enjoy it but not enough to say that this book was absolutely spectacular. I did however really love the descriptions in this book. If I can compare this to the movie, we really see how it's enrolling through TV or we really see how some are fighting. This time it wasn't that easy because we are in one person's mind. We couldn't be in all different places, this is where the author will make use of the vampire's abilities which is a very amazing thing I have 'witnessed' in this book. We always knew about their abilities but now we really saw them in action, which caused very detailed descriptions so we could form the scene in our head. I really found that magnificent.
Speaking of the vampire's their abilities, the author also took time to give us an image of how certain Cullens became vampires. I really love to go back in the past and get their experiences, to me that just really adds to the story. These past events also have impact on Bella who is struggling with the decision of wanting to change or not. So these stories also came with a purpose and that adds to the story. Overall knowing how some of them changed was just a nice break from the immature behavior of both Edward and Jacob, but also was nice because it made us get to know certain characters better.
Next is the fact that the plot really makes time for Bella to have time with both guys. This of course ends in their hideous game where Bella will suffer more than I can count. This was a part I wished to have seen very different, especially if it meant Edward and Jacob would be functioning normal. I don't say that them fighting for her isn't thrilling, because it does bring so much more feelings and makes the reader pick a side as well. It's just the way they were acting that really annoyed me. If this was different, it might have changed my opinion on the entire book.
Lastly there is of course the threat of the new borns and one revenge seeking vampire. Overall I really loved how this went because once again the abilities of the vampires were used so we could see the tension and the fighting, while still being in one person's head. I also really enjoyed how this brought groups of people together and how this also made sure that some characters we've seen before are coming back... I don't want to spill too much about this because this is a big chunk of the book and also is very important for the development of the story. I can say that this was a part i absolutely adored because there was a lot of mystery and playing with the abilities which are just turning this plot into something worth raving over!
To complete this review I can say that I'm feeling very indecisive to if I liked the book or not. Most of it really is caused because of the characters that often annoyed me with their behavior. Especially the guys, Edward and Jacob, knew how to annoy me and really not enjoy the book by their immature behavior. I do like the fact that they want to fight for the person they love, however the way they did it was often through manipulation which then hurt Bella. I absolutely hated the fact that they were so childish and so far apart from their normal personality which I absolutely adore. Even though this really annoyed me, I'm also very impressed by how the author made us be at two places a time while being in one person's head. This was through many abilities of the vampires and I really loved to see that in action! Their abilities really gave magnificent descriptions so we could enjoy this story a lot more. Lastly, the whole idea of new borns out to kill one person made it thrilling and worth listening further to the audiobook. Not only did they bring mystery, they also played with the abilities of the vampires in an amazing way and brought certain people together! If I like this book is still a big question, however I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
“I am Switzerland. I refuse to be affected by territorial disputes between mythical creatures.”
A little while back, I tried out the first in a series that I had always told myself you will not read it! Yet I haven't been able to resist and although I had my remarks on it, I still wanted to read the rest of the series so that's what I did! I picked up the audiobook of New Moon by Stephenie Meyer and enjoyed this one a lot more than Twilight!
Note: This is not a first in a series, I highly recommend you not to read any further since this is the second book in the series and further developments have been made. If you're interested in the series and haven't read the first story, I have a review on Twilight HERE!
Bella's life is all about Edward Cullen. Now she knows what he is it's even harder for her to stay away. Edward saved Bella once, but not all danger is gone and the more he realizes she's in danger, the more he's turning away from her. Bella is left with a broken heart over Edward's behavior and comfort comes from a very unexpected corner. But is everything how it looks like?
First I'd really love to talk about Bella because I finally know how I feel about her! In my review of Twilight I wrote that I wasn't really sure how to feel about her, but I do now! I like her! It might be because Edward Cullen is less around her side or it might just be the fact that she grew up and didn't overreact as much as she did in the first book. I feel like she behaves herself a lot more mature and that's something I really appreciated about her.
Above that, Bella is torn over Edward Cullen who is trying acting weird and that causes her to make changes in her life. It isn't about Edward all the time and that made this character also a lot more pleasant. Bella will sort out her feelings after a while and her feelings were so relatable when you're torn over someone that I could also really feel with her. She'll get stronger and more determined in a mature way and not in a childish one. She really feels like a whole other character, one that I appreciate a lot more and also grew a lot more than Bella in Twilight.
As for Edward, of course I still like him. Just as in the review on Twilight he still finds his way toward my heart and I won't be sorry about that! Once again he shows us how mature he can be, and his little childish moments he had in Twilight will also disappear; which I'm grateful for. I felt like in New Moon we saw even a lot more how protective he is over Bella in a less over-romantic way. I really love this protectiveness of Edward in a tender and sweet way instead of the cliche way we saw it in the first book. And just in general, I really love this character for his protectiveness and kindness.
However this book made a lot more room for other, new, characters to come in and present themselves, something I was very happy about! First of all, I'd like to talk about Charlie. I just adore this character so much and I'm so happy that in this book he was more present. Charlie is a bit like Edwards but then in a different way, he's protective of Bella but makes it seem like that in the little ways which I appreciated a lot. He's very down to earth but a character that's funny and is just really enjoyable! Sometimes he's also so unknowing which made him even funnier.
As for a character we saw briefly in Twilight, there's Jacob! Also this character was one that I was really happy to see more of because he adds so much to the story. He's different from Edward, he's less stiff and more outgoing but in a sweet way. He'll also take care of her which is another trait in this character that will be loved by readers. Other than that this character really gives more to the story as he'll be very important and is just a very good friend to Bella which made me appreciate him even more. I feel like the movies made him seem so hateful and not good enough, but in the books he's way different (at least that's what my opinion is).
Now the plot was also a whole new thing. Twilight focused on discovering what the Cullens were and the possible danger that comes along with it. This danger that comes with the Cullens will be the first focus point in the book. I really loved to see this part because otherwise it only seems like they were untouchable. Stephenie Meyer really made it clear that danger comes from all different corners and not just the ones you expect.
This all leads to the protectiveness that Edward brings as he decides this danger is not what he wants from Bella. I did think he'd become protective but what follows was something I don't really feel was something many would see coming, this isn't anything predictable. Of course if you've seen the movies it is predictable but this was one of the movies I absolutely loathed so I don't remember too much of it. That of course sets everything into motion, Bella is sad because he's being like this and she turns to new friends: Jacob.
New Moon brings such a very nice friendship and bond between the characters, it's really something to appreciate and also something that's really relatable. Of course it isn't full of action but it did make us see more about the characters and their interests which I think is an asset to the book.
However for everyone who thinks this would be boring because there is no action, hold up! There is! Things seem solved after Twilight, the bad guy is gone but does it really mean it's solved? Above that certain things will start to seem weird and not as they first seemed to be. New things will come out of the dark and present themselves. This is a bit cryptic, I know and I also bet half of you know what it is but I like to stay not-suggestive for the ones that don't know. These unsolved problems and new things that are looming around will make sure that the reader, next to all the loss and the new friendship, will get mystery and action into the story. The author made a very good balance between this new mystery and the new friendship in the plot!
Which brings me to the feelings, the first book in the series was very cliche and had me rolling my eyes so much. The romance was just too much and too thick but New Moon really changes all that. There will be place for friendship, loss, funny parts but of course there's still romance. I'm really happy that the romance is much tender and sweeter instead of the over-romantic-eye-rolling-cliche!
Lastly, when we finally know what's going on everything will turn upside down! Bella might be acting as if she's alright but she still feels the ache and that makes her a bit crazy which then causes everyone to get a minor heart attack because every crazy thing she does, has consequences... I'm not going to get into details though (but yet again, most of you already know...). That's yet another thing that I appreciated in this book, when you think it's all okay and well it turns out to be different than what you expected!
A little note for everyone who did see the films but did not read the books: you need to read them. Although the movie really shows a lot of things that happen in the book, I felt like the ending had a lot more to give in the book than in the movie! So if I can make a suggestion: read the books! Although my review on the first book wasn't too good, I have to say New Moon really surprised me by turning out a lot more different than I had expected!
I enjoyed this book far better than Twilight! Even though some characters don't come around as much as I wished them to, other and new characters get a chance to present themselves and to further develop during the story. The mystery towards the other creature in this series and their influence in the story was also something I really enjoyed to see. And of course there are things from the first book that return because they weren't solved, bringing a whole new portion of action and wonder! I also found this book far less cliche and over-romantic which can only be another asset in my opinion! I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series and to seeing the adventure with Edward and Bella!
“Forbidden to remember, terrified to forget; it was a hard line to walk.”
Finally, I read a book from my TBR pile! If you didn't know it yet, there's a new page on my blog that has all the books left on my TBR pile, I think there still a lot left but we'll manage. And today one of those books on my to be read list has disappeared: The Distance from Me to You by Marina Gessner.
McKenna is sick of following the rules, after high school she's determined to do what her father has done when he was this young: do a hike. And not just any hike but a 2000 miles hikes from Maine to Georgia, together with her friend Courtney. Yet when Courtney cancels on the plans, McKenna is determined to go through with the plan and hike all miles and get that certificate at the end of it. With a friend or alone, she'll make it. Lying to her parents, McKenna leaves her town. Starting the trail she's surprised with who she finds walking alongside her...
This book was so much better than I had anticipated. From characters to plot, this was a great read! First of all, the main character McKenna was such a surprise that I can't express how happy I feel about her. She's been following strict rules all her life and for once she wants to set lose and be free in nature. The fact that her friend, Courtney cancels on the plans, shows how determined McKenna is to make this hike. Her determination is something to really admire because nobody was very trusting they'd be able to do it, let alone her by herself.
Of course this determination shakes up a few lies to her parents who think she IS really taking the trail with her best friend. I never thought she'd lie really but that shows again how much she wants this. Her determination is really something to admire because throughout the story everyone is going to say she can't do it. Many men she comes across also say she can't because she's a woman. Even women think she can't do it. That said, this character will show you how far you can get if you just want it badly enough. This was something a lot of readers will appreciate in this character: her drive to do what she wants in life.
That said, McKenna is a very strong woman that will inspire a lot of the readers and also motivate a lot of the readers. It's really fantastic to see a character like her starring in this adventure!
But this story is not only about McKenna, it's also about Sam. The guy that was also so much more different that I had expected! First off, the book is written in all-knowing narrator and that makes sure that the readers already know more about Sam than McKenna. I'm normally not a fan of the "all-knowing narrator" but this time I really loved that. Why? Simply because we knew more about Sam and McKenna didn't. It showed us her first impression on him and how it evolved from there to the opinion we had or hadn't about Sam. It's really a nice thing to see how she thinks about him without knowing everything and to see if what she'll eventually think adds to what we think or not.
Now about Sam, he's having a very difficult life. As handsome as he may be, many people will be mislead by him because of his looks. Yet this character goes so much deeper than his looks and since we already knew that from the beginning it's very interesting to see it from his point of view and others. What I often noticed with Sam was that he was hot and cold and we never really knew the reason behind it, all of a sudden he's angry and the only remaining question was why? I think that's the little negative point I have to give to the characters. Other than that I really loved to see them evolve and grow towards each other!
Speaking of evolving, these characters will go through such a change, it's very surprising. Each of them goes onto the trail with an expectation about how they should change and who they want to become afterwards. It's really nice to see them fantasize about that and then see if they find out if that's really who they want to be and if so, if they change in that way. The change they go through is very visible at the end and really made me an emotional reader (which I know happens very often, but still... I was impressed!)
Now the plot, it's so simplistic and so adventurous but it's fed with so much that it just makes you adore it from the start. I mean, I know some will think what can this book really do, it's just walking trails. But it's not, this book really pulled me in and made me long for a trail like this and for the adventure. For me to be close with nature and be as determined as McKenna and walk 2000 miles, talking about characters giving inspiration!
Of course there's more to that than what we all thought first! There's the trail magic and the walking rhythm, there's the different trails with another name and different difficulties. There the crossing the rivers while hauling a pack that weighs your own body weight. The dangers of nature, the setting up camp and the miles they have walked. This really is more than just walking! I really felt pulled into this story as if I was part of it myself. The author really takes time to build a story around it and to make the surroundings and the noises visible for the reader which I really appreciated!
Another thing I was really keen on was that Sam and McKenna accidentally met and then started crossing paths more and more often on the trail. McKenna wanted to show Sam as well that she could do it, Sam wanted to stay close to her because he was worried something might happen. And all of this makes sure they cross paths multiple times and sometimes on the most needed moments. I really was happy to see this constant process of seeing each other and leaving each other because it was just adorable.
Adorable because both lived another life. While McKenna has everything she needs, Sam hasn't. Both will help each other out, McKenna will share food when he has nothing, and Sam will show McKenna what other ways there are in nature or by working a day or two to get food or some money. They really learned each other to help out in different ways, be kind to one another, see the differences and accept them and also to be brave and hopeful.
Brave and hopeful being the most important in what I'm about to say next. For everyone who thought this book can't get any suspense or thrill, it does have it! For the longest period they've followed the rules and both of them are getting sick of it. Following the trail are the rules and now they decided it was time to change direction. Of course this will bring a whole new level of living in wilderness and soon they both find out this wasn't a very good idea. I don't want to talk about this too deeply because I was so surprised and apprehensive at the same time that this part in the book will stay with me the most. It's a really nice experience to feel, from being safe the entire time and then not being safe at all. The characters will have to be brave and hopeful and the reader will really be feeling everything they go through to the core!
Lastly, I really want to point out something I really loved about the hike we made with the characters: the myths. Sam's mother told him so many myths and stories when he was little and they were camping and he's sharing them with McKenna. For the reader this will also be something great to look forward to because it gives us more food for imagination and our fantasies to totally explode and explore! A great asset to the book, in my opinion, because I really enjoyed these on our time exploring nature together with the characters.
If there's something I could add to the book then it'd be maps. Although these trails are fiction, I would really have loved a map to indicate where they were at the same time or where they were when they were apart. I really thought that could be a nice addition to the plot, however I'm not complaining! A little negative point about the plot was the all-knowing narrator, although I was a fan of it a few times during the read I was confused with about who we were talking. This was when they were walking together because then both thoughts would be combined in the chapter, at the same time. I sometimes was confused by who was thinking what but overall this book was really great, simplistic but amazing!
Waw to this book! I never thought I'd enjoy something so simplistic but so deep in the end. The characters are astonishingly written and undergo each a change I never expected to see. The plot is so adventurous and so simplistic that it amazed me how much I really enjoyed it. The thought of being out there, in nature with the birds singing, has never seemed so beautiful and really makes me longing to an adventure as this! The story will really pull you in and if you think the plot won't get thrilling because it's just walking, you better take those words right back. The plot is in for some danger and suspense, along with an emotional ending I never thought this writer would make us go through. I really recommend this book to adventurous people and people who want something new.
"The two of them climbing up and down mountains together."
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.”
Today feels like a special day! Why, you might ask. Well, this time I'll review a book I never, ever thought I'd even touch with one finger. I'm already known for not going and taking books that are very popular. (AKA The Hunger Games) but every now and then, I decide against my instincts and touch them anyway. However this was a series I absolutely never thought to betray myself with! I'm talking about Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.
When Bella moves to a rainy town, Forks, with her dad she never expected to have a very interesting life in it. She hates cold, she hates rain, she hates dark days and hates the fact that she'll live in Forks. However when she discovers the beautiful family Cullen, she thinks very differently about her existence in Forks. She tries to reach out to one of the Cullen guys but he only gives her angry looks and a very bad feeling. Speaking of bad, there is more to this bad guy that she first thought. It might even become very dangerous...
Really, I don't think I need to explain a lot about this series. It's a highly spoken and appreciated series that everyone, or at least almost everyone, has read before and hyped about. I remember that I never wanted to see the movies! That was even before I got into reading, many many years before, I already wanted to hate it! However, there was one evening where I found my way to the first movie... betrayed myself by watching it... on Youtube back then when the titles were "Twilight part 1 of the 14" and I had to watch it in bits and pieces. And then I became fan of the movies... watched them in the movie theaters! I then told myself: no! not the books!
Today I am here with the first book and the rest of the series coming along the way! However I need to be honest: I didn't love it. I enjoyed it enough to go pick out the next few books yes, but love was never there like it was with The Hunger Games.
First of all, Bella. I can't really tell if I like her or not. I feel like often she made me like her but at certain moments like when she starts overreacting about the littlest thing, I can't find myself liking her at all. What I did really enjoy about this character was the fact that we got to know the fact that she suppressed bad feelings like fear and hurt. This was something we never quiet got to understand during the movie since we didn't know her thoughts. And it cleared the fact that she wasn't afraid of vampires, or Edward. The book will therefore bring a few things about her in perspective and I really enjoyed that.
What I also enjoyed about this character was her interest in books, the movie doesn't really show that but since Bella enjoys books, I felt like I could relate better to her in some way. Also the way she acts around Edward was something I can't really stop myself from enjoying. Although sometimes she overreacted and was over romantic I started doubting this character. She often tried to hide certain things from him and that was nice to see develop to why and how she would do certain things when it came to him. Overall, I most of the time, did find enjoyable feelings about this character.
As for Edward, I like him. It's hard not to really! Every person that's a bit paranormal grabs my attention and finds a way to my heart... even Edward. Also this character became mad for a lot of little things and sometimes was over-romantic but it was less laid on there in comparison to Bella. This character really showed you that he was mature (most of the time) and that was parallel with his age so I loved the fact that it was realistic (well, not that vampires are realistic but you get what I mean!). I also enjoyed the fact that he was very protective over Bella and wanted her to be save, it was very cute and not too corny to my taste. Edward was probably my most enjoyed character in this book.
Now the plot! First of all I really want to point out the huge difference with the movie. I often thought I knew how this was going to go down, but I was absolutely surprised! This book is so different from the movie that it felt like a new story I've never heard or seen of before. Readers who haven't read the book but did see the movie will be surprised when it comes to this! It gave such a new spin to Twilight as well as a new taste and I liked that! Very refreshing if you ask me !
You might have already guessed my next point: the romance. Many times I have rolled my eyes at this romance. For me personally, it often got to corny and cliché which didn't make the plot always feel right to me. However, at times readers like me will find the love in it and enjoy it too. It sometimes just got too cheesy for me that it became a bit unbearable. Overall I could appreciate it enough.
What missed in my point was the action. I liked the plot, it wasn't boring, especially because it was refreshing in comparison to the movie and I love the discovering the truth about Edward! I would have just appreciated the plot more and enjoyed it more if there was action. The movie does a greater thing in this part. Tension and thrill are already known at the beginning of the movie. Here we wait until the very last bit of the plot before we finally get new characters involved that don't want romance but action, thrill, tension, suspicion and a game. That made me feel very thrilling and exciting. So if this would have been played out sooner and spread over the whole book, I would have felt this a lot and enjoyed the book even more!
Don't get me wrong, as I said before: the plot isn't boring! Especially because it's so much more different than the movie it felt new and good. The romance maybe was a bit too corny at times but overall I really enjoyed the book... I just didn't love it like most people expect! The characters also often brought me to laugh but also roll my eyes at the clichés but that aside the characters were great too. I enjoyed Twilight enough to check out the rest of the series though!
I conclude this review by saying that I didn't love the book but I enjoyed it enough to probably check out the rest of the series. I'm really curious if their mental age will evolve and make the books less corny and cliché. Don't get me wrong, I laughed often enough with the characters and felt with them during the read, but they became too many times angry for stupid things that caused me to roll my eyes a lot during Twilight. Although I didn't think the plot was boring, I did wish to see the threat of the bad guys spread over the plot and not all rushed at the end of the book. That said, I really missed the thrill and action through the rest of Twilight and often it was too romantic to my taste that it became painful for my eyes each time I rolled them. I did really love the fact that the book shows a huge difference to the movie. This is also another asset to the book that will make me check out the rest of the series. I might have not loved it but I sure did find it really interesting and enjoyable to read!
“I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars.”
It is time to say goodbye to yet another fantastic series. I have to say, I was actually scared of starting the last in this series because I didn't want it to end and break my heart... It didn't break my heart, well it did by ending, but I'm really happy and satisfied with the end we get presented. It's also a series in my favorite themes of all: angels. Without further ado: Burn by Paula Weston.
Note: This is the last book in a series, if you haven't read the first one, second or third one, I highly recommend NOT to read on. A lot of things will have taken place and changes will be noticed during the review because the story has already advanced. If you are curious, I wrote a review on all the previous books!
Review on Shadows HERE
Review on Haze HERE
Review on Shimmer HERE
They remember. Both Gaby and Jude now remember everything that has happened before they lost their memories. All the feelings, from love to pain, all come back to smack them across the face. And all that while a threat is hanging right above their heads. Readying for battle, Gaby and Jude have difficulties with adjusting themselves now they remember their pasts. All the bad that has been done to Gaby makes her doubt about the new relationships she has made. But doesn't the past year change things?
Over the course of three books, I've noticed all these changes with the characters. Even with the new ones who only turned up later on in the series! And this time the changes are the biggest ever, especially because the memories have been resurfaced. During the flashbacks in the book, we could even see how big of a change there was between then and now and I absolutely adored to see that.
Especially with Gaby because she's our main character and the girl we follow in this story. Now the memories are back, we see that Gaby is going to have a hard time adjusting, just like Jude. This is something that really made me happy because it'd be ignorant if they just stayed the way they were and acted as if nothing has changed. Gaby's behavior shows such a contrast! I was actually quiet shocked to see that some things were as they had said in the past books. However, this contrast really makes sure that this character will know a huge development through Burn.
The contrast just made sure that Gaby started to feel bad in her skin, because who is she now? Past Gaby or present Gaby? And which one does she prefer. Above readying herself for battle, she'll have a hard time finding back her rhythm and finding out who she really is. This uncertainty in her was something I really absolutely enjoyed seeing because it made her more vulnerable but also a lot stronger in the end.
Then we have Jude, I don't have a lot to say about him because what I just said about Gaby, also applies to him! I did feel like Jude had a much easier time to adjust only to be knocked down later in the book. He'll also have a moment of vulnerability when the verdict is there, but as always he is very well supported by everyone. Although his adjustment was a bit easier, he has a lot to explain and has a new burden upon his shoulders. I really enjoyed to see how he was going to tackle that as I feel he has had a much easier time remembering and also a much easier time fitting back into the Rephaim life when he found Gaby back.
Then there's Rafa, I feel like we haven't seen that much of him like the books before but still enough to enjoy the life my book boyfriend is living. He has warned Gaby over the course of 3 books that if she remembered, she wouldn't be happy. Now she remembers! That really gives this character a whole new personality trait: insecurity. Also he is wondering which Gaby will be staying and how her reaction will be afterwards. He has a very hard time with believing in forgiveness if she would ever be able to provide that. And also his best friend, Jude, has lied to him before last year which makes him really feel defeated. I really loved to see this change in him, this feeling of not being good enough to have known and not being good enough for Gaby. Of course we'll mostly see his strong attitude and big words, but at some moments these bad feelings of him would shine through and crack his shield which I enjoyed seeing.
Each of the characters has really shown their weaknesses during this read and their vulnerability. It'll be very well known by the readers as we'll see what has been going down in the past. Now we can compare everything and see how much they have changed. Also their mistakes will be known now, after 3 books and that will add to the feelings they all show. Above that, seeing their insecurities now everything is back really makes them very relatable as we all have known a moment or period where we questioned ourselves and others.
Before I stop talking about the characters I'd like to just point one thing out about Ez and Zak! I actually really loved these characters in this series: they're very strong, very caring and sweet but their relationship really caught my eye. I felt like in Burn, we even saw it more clearly and they just make me think about Rosalie and Emmett with the intimacy of Jasper and Alice. Am I going crazy?
Since every memory is back, the author will provide the readers with flashback of two important periods that define the characters right now. I was a bit scared in the beginning that the flashbacks would take over the whole plot as they were a big chunks, but I am really relieved to say that that wasn't the case at all. Of course the flashbacks take some space, but the plot of the now will not be shorter or therefore very fast paced to fit into the book.
The flashbacks provide a lot of answers for the readers and I think that's a great thing in the book because the flashbacks don't give the answer to the greater thing that's happening. A lot will become clear like the relationship between characters, it'll be explained which also makes the readers pick a side: the new one or the old one, based on the new knowledge we know now. Readers will be really satisfied with knowing what actually happened to many years ago and why that made the other Rephaim act the way they did. However as I already mentioned, we know a lot of new things now but there's still that mystery lurking towards everything we don't know yet like what part of Nathanial is real? What is going on?
When the characters aren't trying to decided who they are and what they want, they're busy with the threat that's coming up next. Nathaniel has been talking a lot about prophecies and the purpose of the Rephaim but is this actually what they'll find out during this fight? They don't know if this was the fight that everyone has been talking about that would happen and that creates a form of uncertainty with the Rephaim. They don't know what's coming their way and if they'll be able to stop it. The tension only becomes thicker because Jude and Gaby need to tell they remember and also tell what happened a year ago, when both disappeared. The camp is already divided between Sanctuary and Outcasts and with the knowledge of Gaby remembering, it brings all Outcasts on a fit because which Gaby is she?
Eventually the battle does come, whether or not both parties know who to trust and if they want to trust at all and the fight is like we could expect very phenomenal. A lot bigger than all the fights we've seen before and it really brings so much action and thrill for the reader. Especially because the scene is really well described and the vibes that come of the weather and the characters really adds to that. And although I want to go on, I can't because what happens during and after the battle was something huge and just unbelievable. I think this is the part where I have been the most confused and shocked and surprised in this whole series. It's not that I mean the confusion because the author wrote it bad, I mean confusion as in waw this is not what I had expected and this is all new and I need a translator to tell me what on heaven and earth is going on! And that doesn't only mean for the reader, each and every character from Gaby to Daniel to even Nathaniel and so on, will have these mutual feelings. It's just a huge surprise!
The author really goes out with a boom, she gives enough information and enough details to really understand now and to be able to close the series with a beautiful and satisfying ending. What I admired most in the ending really was that even though you know now and even though this really feels like the end, you can still dream a bit further and wonder what will be up next and I really appreciate to have that. I'm not someone who likes open endings, and it's nothing like that but it still gives room for thought and that is something I really like.
Waw, I can't believe that this series has come to an end! Burn is the last part in the series and even though it hurts me that it is, it gives you such a satisfying and beautiful end that the pain lessens! This is the book where we finally get all the answers we've been waiting on for 3 books and I am so surprised and shocked because everything turned out much more different than I and probably many other readers had anticipated. I do have to be honest, I thought that the book was going to be all flashbacks and less plot of the now but I had to re-think about that. The plot isn't only flashbacks which I really appreciate, it's a nice balance between the now and then and really gives more food for thought. The readers themselves will be able to find out the truth and make conspiracy theories alongside the characters while absorbing the feels. The characters are once again amazing and have known such a big development through the series, I can't be anything but absolutely happy and satisfied! This series is really a huge recommendation!
“Pride. Blame. Longing. Truth."
Hello third book of a series! I can't be more happy after reading this one. I'm as well as shocked as curious as surprised as anything really! I'm talking about the third book in The Rephaim series: Shimmer by Paula Weston. We all know I've got a soft spot for angels and demons, so all books like this tend to find a way to my heart somehow.
Note: This is a third in a series, if you haven't read the first one or second one for that matter, I highly recommend NOT to read on. A lot of things will have taken place and changes will be noticed during the review because the story has already advanced. If you are curious, I wrote a review on the first book Shadows HERE and a review on Haze (the second book) HERE.
With Rafa and Taya being abducted by the demons, the division between the sanctuary and the outcasts turn to a whole new level. Both want their friends desperately back but with Nathaniel breathing down their necks it's not so simple. Some think they should be patient and wait but others don't want their friends to be murdered while waiting this one out. Above that Jude being alive like Gaby creates a whole bunch of new questions and rumors. Their arrival doesn't go unnoticed and drives some Rephaim crazy. All comes to an edge when a very special package arrives at the sanctuary...
Holy bookangels and bookgods! This book just goes to a whole new level and I can't even describe how excited I was during the read. Obviously all things are different now Jude or as Nathaniel likes to call him Judah is alive and things went down at the end of book two, Haze. It made sure Jude and the other outcasts needed to retrieve to the Sanctuary where the first division was caused by Jude himself.
It was very enjoyable to see this new light shine in the book and it's a spotlight direct at Jude himself. Obviously, we got a glimpse of him in Haze but not enough to know how he was and if he differs a lot with Gaby. Through the book we do see and notice that he handles things a lot easier than Gaby did and is easier with getting habits back to being as easy as it was before. Readers will be able to enjoy to see this contrast between him and his twin sister, Gaby, who wasn't calm and relaxed when she got to hear what she really was.
Talking about Gaby, also her character takes a huge turn with this book. I always found her a very brave character. Eventually she had to roll with what she was and with knowing it. Although in Haze she isn't the one to really step in out of her own will, I still thought she did a great job. In Shimmer this all becomes much bigger. She lost one of her truest friends, Rafa, to a demon who's out for blood. This causes her to be more of a leader than we've seen in the last two books. It's amazing to see this change and to see her step up her game all because she can't afford to lose yet another one of her friends now Jude is back.
Now Rafa is out of the picture for a while, we also get a much clearer view on how the twins are with each other. After being introduced to each other and see the other one isn't dead, we knew their bond was really close. Even before Jude came into the picture this was known. Now they're back together and they'll fight together to get their friend back and it's amazing to see this. Their bond is maybe even stronger than it was before, but we don't know that for certain since we don't know much about their pasts. Aside from the both of them supporting each other and help the other one out in times of need. This bond is a great asset to this book!
Can we also just talk about Nathaniel for just a few seconds. Waw. I should give him a standing ovation and I really mean that. This character has brought so many of my feelings to the surface it's fantastic. I'm really happy to get a better look onto this character, especially because we know so little about him and how he rules over the Rephaim. It's a great asset, in my opinion, to get to know him better. Especially because we don't really know who's side he's on and if he has his own agenda. Be prepared to meet all sides of this characters and to be mind blown with feels about him.
Also about the characters, I can really sleep on both ears because there are so many Rephaim we finally get to know better. I was really excited to switch camps and get a closer look onto characters of the Sanctuary. It just show us more about these creatures and how they feel about the division. Of course it doesn't always need to be about the division and we get to know them for who they really are and what relationship they had with Gaby before things went down.
As for the plot, it was as great as it is each time. We still have the house in Iowa we need to discover more about but there's also Rafa and Taya being abducted, Jude and Gaby who don't remember their past. So many things are happening and you still have so many questions that require an answer.
Do not fear my fellow booklovers! This book is all about providing answers on your questions. That's what I loved most about this book. Especially because the characters will come up with more questions you didn't even think about before, but are actually pretty important to know. It's played out very well and written very carefully not to spoil too much yet but enough to make you sit back and wonder a bit longer.
Also we finally get a perspective on the division between the Outcasts and the Sanctuary. We know that the Rephaim are divided, it's not a secret. With Rafa being from the Outcasts and Taya being from the Sanctuary we obviously hit a whole new world where division is the best word to describe the affair. Readers will be really keen on seeing this played out during the story. Especially because there's a lot of history between the two and a lot of unresolved problems they want to resolve now... but not always with the sitting down and talking about it-method. Can you already guess?
This will cause a lot of rumors about one another but also cause a lot of old friendships to come under the attention of the reader. We'll get to know some of the history and that's a great asset to the book. Above that, both parties will have to come with a plan for getting their friends Taya and Rafa back. The only question is if they're prepared to bury the hatchet to do so. This book therefore also has a lot of tension, anger, fury, rows, fighting, lies and action in it that's alternated with loving, caring feelings and sweet memories.
In the end we'll all be shocked by how much they have grown or not with what's all happening and if they can do this together. But a lot of questions will arise and this leads to another division we wouldn't see coming from even a mile away.
If you've been waiting on some surprise in this series, I can promise you you will be surprised. Big time. And not really a small thing but something I didn't even see coming and thought about twice if it could be true. So be prepared for something big and freaking amazing, fantastic, unseen in this series, (and yes, a lot more feelings can be placed here because I was absolutely SHOCKED!).
As for the past of Jude and Gaby we still don't get a light on this and therefore are still in the dark as the characters themselves. I did wish to get to know a bit of it but I'm also very patient since the plot was already filled with a lot of other important moments and because we're provided answers to many questions. So I am definitely not disappointed by it! I just hope the last book will give a clear answer to this part too.
I guess we can really say that this was a mind blowing book. The new character that shows up knows how to stir things up as well as show what he got. Also the bond between the characters will be taken into detail which I really appreciated. Other Rephaim we didn't know a lot of, come into the picture and this causes the characters to make a whole new turn for the better. The plot was, as always, amazingly written! It has action, revelations, tears, suspicion and much more feels which makes it a very moving plot that won't bore you at all. The division between the Rephaim is also explained and taken into the light which readers can be really keen on. And new questions will arise when unpredictable things happen and takes the reader by shock! An absolute recommendation to everyone who's already busy with this series!
“past year—I stop, remember to breathe. Let it go.”
