The Struggle

As every summer for the past two years I've posted a review about a book in a series that I absolutely adore. And when I say adore, I really mean lots more than that word can ever describe. The book I want to talk about today is also one of that series and also written by one of my most favorite authors! If you followed around on my blog, you might already know how much I love this author and her books: The Struggle by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

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 The Return  and The Power because you know more information than you already should. Therefore, I recommend you not to read the review of The Struggle but to read the review about the first in the series: The Return or the second in the series: The Power. Just clicking on the title will open a new page with the review on the first book. 

This book series is also a sequel to the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. If you haven't read that series yet but plan on reading it I also suggest to not read any of these books first, since they reveal details of the ending of the Covenant series which comes before these books! If you're interested in finding out what the Covenant series is I also wrote review on those! By clicking on the title of the first book a new page will open and reveal the review: Half-blood. 

Everyone is doubting of what Seth has become. Only one person trusts him with her life and she's the only one willingly to seek him out and this time help Seth to become who he really should be. Believing that Seth isn't a monster, Josie starts to seek him all over the world. However this won't stop the Titans from attacking and getting what they've always wanted: absolute power and control. As they strike their battles against Josie and her friends, the other demi-gods are still in danger and Josie being one of those gods the Titans want doesn't mean anything good. Running from the titans and meanwhile searching for the person she loves, Josie will be in complicated situations where she has to choose between her own life or his. The question is, will she ever find Seth before it's too late?

As always we'll start with the characters and start with Josie! I really have to say that I admire Josie so much. I've always thought she was a very strong woman, especially with how she handles everything and because her world totally got turned upside down and she kept going. This book really brings another facet to that, in the other books I felt like the focus was on her not being able to defend herself physically and her learning that she could do this on her own. This time around you really felt the emotional part where she was strong and independent for someone else she felt really strong about. Josie really is the only one who wants to help Seth now he is what he is, which we don't even really know. I really admired Josie being strong for someone else and willing to fight for others and not just think about the greater problem which were the titans. 

Once again we really saw another side of Josie's strong character which I think is a great asset to the series in general as well. It's really amazing how the author can still make us see new facets and parts of a character, and Jennifer L. Armentrout really did that with Josie. As always I admire her in every way possible and grow to love her even more. Especially because she'll have to endure a lot more during this book than she has in every other book before. And it doesn't only stays with physical strength or mental strength, the author really does make sure that Josie can prove to be a strong female character in every way possible. An amazing well written character she is, she really amazes me each time around!  

As for our other main character Seth, I really was feeling so happy when he finally got into the book! The author really leaves us in suspension at the beginning of the book, making us wait on SETH! Although I have to say this really gave a big boost to my excitement of seeing him and also brought mystery to where he was and what he was doing, I was so happy to finally see him! 

Seth really will be a big mystery for most of the beginning of the book which I think is marvelous when you think about it. The author gave us such a strong character that changes so much from how we once knew him in the rest of the books. He's such an amazing person to Josie and his friends, very protective but gentle and still has this cockiness from time to time. However last time around in The Power, Seth changed and nobody knows if it was for the better or not. We only know he left Josie which is a big thing for the both of them and will have major impacts. 

I can't really say much more than that because that would totally ruin the read. All I want to say is that whatever happened to Seth will become clear during the read, but the author really made us wait for it which I think isn't a bad thing but really adds to our mystery and excitement. When he does come around though I really loved Seth, as usual, and really was glad to see him in the picture again. More I won't say because that might give away how his change affected everything around him, his relationships and his personality. Just know: I heart Seth, okay?

What I can say more about the relationship between Josie and Seth is that Seth being gone and being whatever the heck he's being really will affect their relationship. In what way I can't tell since that's something for you to find out, but I can say that it reaches another level and deepness I never thought was possible between the two. Once again the author made sure we could see more and root even deeper for these two and I think that's the best thing she could ever give us! Above that the author has this major surprise during this read that involves both of them and you guys cannot even guess how exited I am for that!

Now the plot because oh wow the plot. Of course there's this big problem that the book will focus on: the Titans. This is a problem that's been overshadowing this whole series and what it really is about. Defeating them will therefore be a major thing in this book. Last time in The Power, they were already searching for other demi-gods which now will continue. I have to say that these demi-gods really will give an impact that leaves you chilled and feeling things you never thought you'd ever feel. I personally hadn't seen coming what will happen with them as it also involves one of the characters we've been looking at closely during the books. 

The titans will also be involved with this situation of the demi-gods which really gives it a lot more suspicion and thrill. The thing with the titans is, is that in The Struggle they will really start to come forward and will be more involved. We'll see more of them, their behavior and their motives, than we did in any other book before this. This is something I really enjoyed because they're the enemy and being able to situate them was a really good thing during this read. It also gives way to thinking about how we can defeat them and how they'll approach the rest of our characters. A really good plot part in my opinion to boost the series!

Of course next to the overshadowing problem of the series there's Seth being something we don't know what. As I mentioned before we really get to wait it out and drown in mystery! That's the thing I really loved most about this book: the big question about Seth. Him being this whole other thing really divides the group of friends he has and will also majorly affect everyone and the situation. Even if we don't know what he is and if he changed for the better or not, this will bring feels all over the place and that's what I really adored. The impact this will all have on his relationship is also something highly discussed during the book and also something I could really agree was necessary. I can't go too deep into this one especially because it's a big thing in the book, all I can say is that the author really wrote some major surprises during this book and really made sure we totally understood the situation.

Speaking of surprises there's this one thing that surprised me so much and involves our two main characters! Yes, I can't tell but know that surprise is waiting for you and the author did something I never thought would ever happen. Next to being in for surprises during this book and a lot of revelations, I really know that this book will give the readers all they wanted and were waiting for in this book. Once again it has so much thrill and new aspects that boost the book and never make it boring. It makes you exited, it makes you feel so many things and above that the titans will be more involved which will bring situations you never thought would happen involving Josie, involving the other demi-gods and even just the gods. I have to say I was not disappointed at all during this read and the things that will be revealed... oh holy book gods, be ready for it! There's another book after this one and we have to wait so long once again but the wait will be so worth it!

Such non real characters but such REAL feelings! Gah, just absolutely amazing!
As always I have nothing to complain about when it comes to Jennifer L. Armentrout. Her stories are filled with thrill and romance that makes your head spin and your heart race. And once again, even if it's the 3rd book in the series, she managed to present an amazing book that won't make you stop reading. I fell in love even more with the main characters as both really make life changing decisions and try to find out what's best for either of them. Of course we finally get answers to questions and get more thrill in this book than I had ever anticipated. The Struggle is also topped of with a lot of unexpected twists and turns I never thought we'd get to read in Seth and Josie's story and believe me when I say that I was that excited and scared that I probably needed medical help! I really couldn't get enough of this book as it contains surprise, romance, changes, decisions, action and of course amazing characters that might or might not make thrilling changes because of... things. I absolutely LOVED this book. If you haven't read Seth's sequal: BE ASHAMED! And pick it up. 

"A bloody path has been chosen. The Great War fought by the few is coming and in the end the sun will fall..."

Antwerp Book Fair 2016

A little while back, back in November, I visited the annual Book Fair in Antwerp. Normally, I don't go there simply because the books are mostly in Dutch and I rather read in English. And it's also very busy and crowded and I like my personal space a lot! Yet this year around, I just had to go. I'd defy the big crowd, the warmth and the Dutch books because one of my most favorite authors was in town...

For everyone who doesn't really get what happens there: the Antwerp Book Fair is in a massive building where publishers and bookstores get a spot and sell their books. Obviously! But there's more to it! Each year, the Book Fair let's authors from across the world come to the event to sign their books or to do an interview with or a quick chat and so on.

My first time going was in my 4th year of high school because of a task I had to do for my Dutch class. It was also then that I found a very interesting book that got me into reading. But that story is already explained in my blogpost 'How it all started, my book adventure'. Even back then, it was very crowded and I was glad to get out of the building! But I wasn't a reader at the time.

Obviously, because of that very interesting book I bought then, I became a proud book junkie. Yet I still couldn't make myself go to the Book Fair because of the same reasons listed in the introduction. I did check up on who would be signing each year. Yet there never was an author I read anything about. This year, that changed!

I posted the following picture on my Instagram a while back. Someone from the community had responded on the picture saying that Estelle Maskame was coming to the Antwerp Book Fair and if I knew? Well, thanks again @natulcien1980 for telling me because no, I didn't know! I was so enthusiastic about it that I couldn't wait for it.

Even though it fell in my midterm break, I did have exams the following week and I needed to study! But I promised that I would study well the first days of the break so I could go anyway. And guess who went? YES, me!

I read all her 3 books and I wanted them all signed so I brought them all. But my mother had another outstanding idea! Each Christmas, we exchange presents with my nieces and nephew. I remember that when I heard the book was translated in Dutch I wanted to give it to my niece because she loves reading (rather in Dutch though) and I knew it'd be something she'd enjoy. "Does she already have the book?" my mom had asked and I told her my plan for Christmas. "Maybe we could go get the book already and let it be signed?" That was the most amazing and crazy and fantastic idea I've ever heard! Before we went to the Book Fair, we bought the first book translated in Dutch and took it with us to the Book Fair.

Exactly as I remembered, the Book Fair was busy and I couldn't see one meter in front of me. It was absolutely PACKED! Which also concluded in people coming uninvited in my personal space, the whole building being a sauna on fire and people actually KICKED my BOOKS! I'm serious though! I had all those books with me, I had them in a bag that I carried around and people came so close and actually kicked the bag. Ever since then, I held them up on my shoulder to prevent more kicking my books.

Since we were early we went to one stand that had English books but the hall was so small, you couldn't cross others that were already standing there. This led to me going back out of it because I couldn't see anything anyway. Above that the books were actually very expensive. I could find them half their price on the site I always order my books.

It was two o'clock when I saw the first few people hanging out at the spot where Estelle Maskame was going to sign. So my mom and me decided to already wait too before the line got too long. We were second! SECOND! I was so happy to be in the beginning because she would only be signing one hour, then she had to go to the stage. We waited, and waited and waited and then suddenly she stood there and waw.

She was really nice! Absolutely amazingly, fantastically sweet and she talked to you and asked questions. All the while I was standing there not being able to force anything out unless she asked me something! I was just so overwhelmed and I was so happy! So she first signed my three books and then I asked her to write a Christmas message in the book for my niece. And she was like "Of course" and glad that I asked. She's so friendly guys! I also took a picture with her because obviously, this was a one in a life time opportunity. Last year in June she was in the Netherlands and I wanted to go but I had exams and therefore couldn't go at all. I was really sad about it but look at it now: I got to meet her! She's also my first ever author to meet and sign my books so it's also a big achievement in my eyes!

When that was all done, I was absolutely satisfied! My mom and me had also subscribed for a YA goodiebag because that day, it was YA convention day at the Book Fair. I already had seen people walking around with these cool bags and I wanted one so badly! Some even had two! I had none... But eventually it turned out that the goodiebags had the same kind of bag other people walked around with so I was yet again satisfied.

tote bag says: "Reading is for awesome people."

And of course, it's a Book Fair, so who doesn't go home with books? ...Me! I actually didn't buy any books but I did buy a tote bag I wanted to have for such a long time. I tried to order it but they said I needed to buy them in a package of 20. Who needs 20 tote bags? So here they were all by themselves. First we didn't find the one I wanted so I was picking another one. Until my mother tried to shove a bag out of the way so she could get me the one I just had picked. IT WAS THE ONE I WANTED! Speaking of  a coincidence! I already had seen a few people walking around with the bag I wanted desperately, but I thought they were sold out. I was lucky!

That really concludes my trip to the Antwerp Book Fair. I didn't buy any books, surprisingly, I did get a goodiebag and a tote bag I really wanted. And above that, I met with the most amazing writer on this planet! Estelle Maskame made my day! Now I got three signed books and one amazing signed Christmas present. Thank you Estelle for being so friendly and being on the Antwerp Book Fair, you made my dream come true!

Review on: Did I Mention I Love You?
Review on: Did I Mention I Need You?
Review on: Did I Mention I Miss You?

"No te rindas"

Teardrop

When I was on my holiday, I found out my niece had the same book with her as I did. Together we decided to read the book together so we could discuss the book and see how we liked it! We finished it together in three days and now that I'm back, I'm writing my thoughts down in this review about the book we read together: Teardrop by Lauren Kate.

If Eureka knows one thing it's that she should never, ever cry. Not even when her mother died in a car accident, not when her heart gets broken, not when she's having a hard time. Never. Now her mother is gone, Eureka's having a very hard time living her life. Her stepmom sends her off on many appointments to go talk to someone but nothing really helps. It isn't until a boy comes around, Eureka starts to ask questions about what has happened the night of the car accident. Even more so, she discovers that they're coming for her. 

This is only my second book written by Lauren Kate. The first book I read by her was Unforgiven, and then I remember myself saying I really wanted to read some more of this author. I guess the time has finally arrived to make true to my promise!

First off, Eureka! Eureka gave a very stoic impression at first. She never really showed any emotion, she never cried. It was really weird to read those few pages where she explained everything that happened but there was never the part where she teared up on the fact that her mother died. It's from that moment on, I started to ask myself questions. Especially because the back of the book says she should never, ever cry. Alarm bells were ringing because, well why would she never cry? 

Further more Eureka explains she needs to see doctors because she tried suicide after her mom left. Which does show us that her mother was a very important person to her and that's a thing I enjoyed reading about. Eureka would make us see her mother as she saw her by retelling old stories or give more information about her mother. This information is really important because it'll help us out later in the book with discoveries that we made.

The further we go into the book, the weirder it gets for Eureka and we can really notice that she's not feeling at ease. This is the first big change in this character after being really stoic. And many changes follow with this character until she grows to a very strong teenager that won't let the bad overthrow her again. These changes in this character are incredible because it shows her evolution in one big and fluent line. 

As for the boy that came to tell her they're coming for her. He's all mystery! My niece and I really wanted to know more about him, especially because we know what he did when things went south for Eureka and her mother. But the author really wants us to be patience and makes Ander return only a couple of times in the book.

From the few times we see him, I did notice a difference with the people he grew up with. He will believe what he wants and he's determined that things can change. This character will really convince you that you don't need to follow the others but can stand for your own ideas and be okay with those. Other than that I also noticed that this character is really protective but has a very gentle and sweet side to him, even though most of the times I felt like he was a stalker and could be a potential bad guy. I really enjoyed his presence in the book but I really did miss him a lot. I wish we could have seen a bit more about this character, but not all might agree with this because him not being around a lot does create more mystery. 

Now, we don't know much about Ander or his relatives but we do know a lot more about Eureka. Eureka has two friends that will be important in this book. First off, we have Cat! In the beginning I was not really fond of her, she was at times too enthusiastic and it felt like you couldn't trust her with a secret but as the story developed itself more you get to know her much better. Eventually, I can conclude she really grew on me. She's just very eccentric and she did prove herself to be this awesome best friend Eureka could count on. Next to being eccentric she's also a very supportive friend.


Another friend of Eureka is Brooks and oh my, I can say I was totally sold to him from the beginning. Brooks has a very mysterious air having around him and you just want to get close to him. So I agree with all the girls in the book that want Brooks close, he's absolutely amazing. Yet I began to doubt Brooks a lot and he'll also create a lot of mystery and suspense that has to do with the bigger story of the book. Eventually Eureka begins to doubt Brooks and that's the moment you know as a reader, your intuition might have been correct, or not? 

Brooks is a very funny guy but also very protective when it comes to Eureka. He'll always support her and he knows how to handle her now she's so down after her mother died. I was really keen on that aspect of Brooks. Yet also he changes a lot in this book and grows to become hot and cold all the time. We don't know what's going on with Brooks, so this makes sure we have another mystery to solve together with Eureka! 

Lastly her family, as I said, we will get to know her mother through many flashbacks and stories but her mom seems to have two faces nearing the middle of the book. I can't say much about it just mark my words. The flashbacks and the stories are an asset to the book and I'm also glad her mother is put into the book a lot because it creates more clues to a possible explanation. 

As for her father... he's great! I absolutely adored him! He's also having a hard time, even though he was divorced you can really see he's suffering too. Eureka's dad also has a hard time with getting through Eureka. He really tries and that's what I absolutely appreciated in him but after all, it seems he doesn't have much luck. 

Together with him comes Rhoda, the stepmother and can I say I absolutely hated her! I don't know what it is, but in each book the parents are so well written you just hate them! The power of a writer: writing it so well you can feel the same as the main character! Absolutely brilliant! She really pushes people to do what she wants and that's what really irritated me most with her. She doesn't know what's best for everyone but she does act as if she does. As I said I'm not fond of her at all but I do want to congratulate the author on writing her as brilliant as Lauren Kate has. 

Lastly and also very briefly, the twins! Rhoda and Eureka's dad have twins and they're absolutely adorable, yet they won't be spared from all the danger that's coming. Not only Eureka has melted because of them but also Brooks. I really enjoyed the twins because they bring more life and more feels (such as worry, anxiety, love,...) to the story. 

Now the plot. In the beginning, Eureka will give you a lot of information. This information only creates a lot of questions but not a lot of answers. If you read the back of the book really well, you even start with questions but by then nothing will be explained since even Eureka doesn't know anything about that... yet.

The plot will take major turns when Ander comes around and when Brooks starts to act strange and all hot and cold. This will create more mystery not only in the story but also with the characters. This is a great asset to Teardrop because it makes it so much more than it already was. Next to these plot twists there's also a lot that has to do with Eureka's mother and Eureka who's being followed by Ander. 

As a reader you'll really start to question everything you come across because you don't have much to work with. You'll have to use your intuition to try and solve things because Eureka will have a moment of disbelieve and just go on with her life. 

The mystery around who Ander is and what's going on with Brooks will also feed the question: who is Eureka really? And why does she never cry? It really takes a while before we get new answers and before Eureka will start to act but when she does, the story has a lot in store for you. 

There will be betrayal, more questions, mystery, there will be funny moments and moments you don't trust people but there'll also be thrill and tension, anxiety and murder. I can't tell you how much this book will do to you. It really starts slow and you might have to wait long on some answers but this will only cause the book to go out with a bang and give you everything it has, that's what I was really keen on in Teardrop. 

If that isn't enough there will be a big plot twist at the end but if I have to give one remark on this book, it'll be the ending. It was good, don't get me wrong but there were some details I didn't really find as spectacular as the big things that were happening. This is only a little remark, nothing big because the end battle still really surprised me! 

Another thing I want to say is that the people who want to get Eureka, for whatever reason you will find out during your read, are only seen three times in the book. In the beginning, once in the middle and than at the end. I really missed that a lot because they are important to this story and its further developments. I hope they come around much more in the next book.

Still, I recommend this book to people who want a mysterious read and who want to investigate some things themselves. The book will make a slow start but will give so much more near the ending. Also the epilogue will clear a lot of things for you which is a great thing and this will also make you want to read the following book. The characters are great and each very different from each other. You get background information to events form the past that will guide you in the future which is again a great asset. I think we can conclude that Teardrop is really a good book that's really worth to look into further if you're interested! 

"Can everything you love be washed away?"

The Power

A few months back, I wrote my review on the first book in the Titan-series. A sequel series to the Convenant series. By then I was waiting full of excitement on the release of the second book in this series: The Power by Jennifer L. Armentrout. And I can finally say that I have read, no, devoured the series in two days. 

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 The Return because you know more information than you already should. Therefore, I recommend you not to read the review of The Power but to read the review about the first in the series: The Return. Just clicking on the title will open a new page with the review on the first book. 

Now Josie's finally settled in the world she was introduced to a while ago, she's finally growing to become a badass-ninja. Although she thinks she's making process, Seth's holding on tight not so sure if in the end she'll be able to kill. He knows how it goes and he knows how it feels. Guarding these feelings from her, Seth grows to really love her company. Yet not all is over. Last time they saved Josie but the danger isn't gone. The Titans and other dangers are still looming around and trying to get her. Seth is determined not to let her out of his sight. It isn't until something bad happens, Seth starts to realize also he might be a danger to Josie... 

This book was again... too good for words! I just can't describe it. But that's how I feel each time I read something written by Jennifer L. Armentrout. She's just incredible, and let's be honest: so is Seth. 

Speaking of Seth I think it's a great idea to start with some more information about how he has changed in comparison to The Return. In comparison to the Covenant series, we've already seen a very different side of Seth, this time his good side is accentuated even more. Seth has become a very calm person in comparison to other books where he's a part from. Although he really (still) curses a lot and gets angry at certain moments, he really wants to do the right thing. 

This meaning: doing good by Josie. The thing that's really accentuated most in this book is the way he really wants to protect her from all the harm in the world. He trains her, but he knows she might not kill in the end and that really worries him a lot. I absolutely love this side in Seth, yet I enjoy seeing him get angry too because it shows he's only human.

What might be the best thing about Seth in this book is him trying to be perfect for Josie. He's really trying to be nice, to be good and to make her feel at ease and make her smile. In The Power we'll also see a lot of gentleness in Seth, something I never expected to see as often as I did in this book. And I think that only proves one thing about Seth... Other than it'll also become very clear that Seth worries a lot about himself trying to be good. His insecurities about being good enough for her will shine through more than ones and it'll also put pressure on this relationship. This pressure will also cause a moment where Seth has to make a very drastic decision which we will all dread. 

As for Josie, she's grown into her badass-ninja. Her words not mine. She's really feeling confident and has grown accustomed to the new world she was brought into a while back. In the beginning of The Return, I was doubting her strength to fight but now she has really proven herself. Although she knows her own power, she does doubt herself a lot because she starts to compare herself to others that seem stronger.

This will bring out some of her insecurities but many of her insecurities will start to return when Seth puts a little pause on their bond and training. This is the moment we really see Josie break down which again makes sure she's a very realistic and relatable person, since we all suffer from heartbreaks. Josie really proves her in this book and really overcomes many of her past fears. 

Another character that's still as amazing as I had imagined him is Deacon. I haven't mentioned him in the review about The Return but I might have in reviews of the Convenant. Deacon is Aiden's brother, and I remember in the beginning when I first met him, I thought he was weird but he did really grow onto me. 

Even more so, he has become a very independent person that will say what he wants and go for that. Also, in this book he'll take a stand and fight for what he wants, even if they don't want him to do anything. That's what I really love about this character, he's very funny that you mistake him for not being attentive. But in fact, he's really observant that it might shock you how intuitive he is and how much of a difference he can make in a situation. 

Above that I really love it that he's loyal and can be trusted. Many times in the book this side of Deacon will come through and you'll really want to have a friend like him. Josie can really count on him and in the end, so will Seth. By the way, Luke and Deacon... they're so cute together! 

The last character I want to discuss is Apollo. Josie is a demigod, a daughter of Apollo yet he doesn't act like a father. This does grow to irritate Josie a lot and she'll also suffer from this. It's at that point that we really understand Josie and why she's angry and sad about her father. Also other characters will finally understand her, even when she doesn't say anything. I don't like Apollo because he doesn't take Josie as his daughter while he acts like a parent with other characters that aren't even close to his daughters / sons. 

The characters will further develop themselves and will become a lot stronger and determined than I had expected. Nevertheless, I was really excited to see them become different (in a good way). 

Now the plot! In the previous book, things weren't really solved. The Titans are still on the loose which means the characters will be confronted with them a lot in this book. They're learning how to get the Titans back under control and how to get them locked in their place again.

This will acquire a lot more power than only one demigod, and will cause the moment where Josie needs to go and find the other remaining demigods. Above that she'll have to learn how she can defeat them. This will give the readers a big quest to the ways of destroying a Titan but will also create and solve a lot of mysteries we had in book one. 

Above that there's the fuss about the halfs and pures that's becoming a way bigger problem than it was in the beginning and than I has expected. It comes this far that halfs and pures are out on vengeance! This will create so much more tension and thrill in the school and with the characters, they're having a hard time controlling their peace and calmness. 

This means that  the book will mainly concentrate on two different problems and this will acquire two different solutions. While the head of the school tries to solve the problem with halfs and pures murdering each other out, the other characters will try to solve the Titan problem. 

What I enjoyed about these problems is that it puts a lot of pressure on the characters and you can see how they achieve certain goals while being under this pressure. Next to the pressure of finding solutions there's also a lot of pressure on Seth to be the good guy and not to repeat history. This is another personal matter Seth has to deal with in the plot and it makes you really understand the way he's thinking. Now Seth has to deal with that too, we really get to know him a lot better and that's a big asset to the book because it's an explanation to certain actions and decisions he will make. 

Seth starts to have a difficult time with controlling and keeping his calm and Josie starts to doubt herself. Above that characters from the past return and nobody really knows if this is a good thing or not. To be honest, these characters did fine until a certain point. Then I started to really grow irritated by them because they are selfish. This certain point is very hard to explain because it's at the end and that's supposed to be a big surprise. Speaking of a big surprise, the final battle was a very big surprise! It was something totally unexpected but it was also something we might have seen coming if we payed more attention to it. 

The plot will contain a lot of feels and it will test your loyalty and trust in certain characters, which is a great thing about The Power! Above that a lot of mystery will be solved and solutions will finally start to being formed as we get more help from an unexpected person. The story line will keep you busy and will alternate between tension and mystery and further developments on the relationship between Seth and Josie that's coming under pressure. 

To conclude this review I want to say the following: go. get. the. book! If you enjoyed the first book in this series, you will enjoy the second book too. It doesn't only build further onto the events of the first book but it'll also create new events and new feels for you to discover. The characters are still as great as they were in book one but they'll grow to be even better. If you loved Seth and Josie, you'll absolutely get more of them in The Power while being torn apart and being put back together. Hold on tight while you suffer through heartbreak, pressure, insecurities, gentleness, fighting and an unexpected ending. I absolutely recommend this series! But beware, if you want to read the Covenant series too, read this series first before you start the Titan-series! Otherwise you spoil yourself. 

"Courage. Strength. Absolute power."

The Return

Awaiting a very exciting release, I thought it was time to review the first book in the Titan-Series. Many may know the main male character from the Covenant Series! Yes, our Seth is getting his own story, how excited I am! The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout, surprised me in many ways I thought it wouldn't.

It's been a year since Seth made a deal with all Gods, getting on his knees and pledging his life to them. Now he's theirs, he gets all sorts of assignments but most are violent and bloody. Apollo now has something else in mind for him. This assignment will be more difficult for Seth because he has to keep his hands to himself. That's kind of difficult for a guy that doesn't understand the word 'restraint'. 

Josie on the other hand doesn't know what's going on. Her mother is sick and she's doing everything to understand how it all works. Hoping to help others and help them understand. That is until her world get's overthrown by the ancient myth. Starting with meeting the golden-eye, mysterious Seth she thinks is kind of attractive. 

Together they get dumped into a story of danger, discovery and even forgiveness and redemption. For Seth this journey will be challenging, for Josie this journey will be discovering. But it might be the unlikely attraction simmering between her and secret-keeping Seth that may prove to be the most dangerous thing of all. 

I'd like to point out that I read this book before I read the Covenant series. And to be really fair, that wasn't an all too good idea... I didn't know this was a sequel to the Covenant Series so I had in the beginning of the book a lot of confusion. As much confusion as Josie had because it was all new for her too. But it also gave me another point of view of Seth and I never understood why everyone hated him. So, a little piece of advice? Read the Covenant Series first!

Speaking of hating Seth, this book never made me hate him. I only thought he was impossible at times and yeah, he got under my skin and irritated me. Yet we get to see another side of Seth too, one that we didn't got to see in the Covenant series and I really enjoyed that.

It's also a time jump after the Covenant disaster which made sure we could see how Seth is coping with everything that has happened the past year. I thought that was really refreshing because he's so different than in the other series. 

In The Return, Seth has a difficult time. He's not his arrogant self, sure he makes comments but there's more to it than he's showing. The whole story really focuses on that, his feelings. I was very keen on being in his head because who wouldn't be? It's Seth we're talking about. The guy with the too beautiful eyes! Being in his head in this story is absolutely great because you discover so much about him that you didn't know or things you never understood about him. It may even change your opinion of him after reading the Covenant Series. 

But this story is also a multiple POV-story! Hear me scream?! I'm such a sucker for multiple POV stories, I don't know what it is. I just like being in both main characters head because I think it gives more to the story than when you just have one perspective. 

The other POV was Josie. Josie feels like a dork magnet. She isn't all too confident about herself, physically but also mentally. Her mother is diagnosed with a disease and she's really suffering under it. Josie wants to understand her mother and how her brain functions that's why she's studying psychology. Her mother has relapses and you can really see how hard that is for Josie. I loved to see how she reacted and how she felt. And I also thought her reactions were really realistic which made things even more intriguing to me. 

As the synopsis says, she gets thrown into a whole new world based on ancient myths. I was really curious to how she was going to deal with it. She didn't have the most easiest childhood and I wondered if that would give her a wider perspective on this all or the contrary. But because of her insecurities and her difficult childhood, we also see her struggling in her journey. We see another side of her, the one that wants to achieve and that was really nice to see. 

Seth and Josie aren't that different from each other which was even better for me! I've had so many pleasant parts in this book where I could laugh and others where I could feel with both characters. Since they aren't that different from each other and show a lot of similarities there's a lot of understanding coming from both of them. And because of that you can see a bond growing, even though both don't want to give into it. Which leads to even more pleasant parts! 

I like reading about ancient myths and those really contributed to the plot. As usual Jennifer L. Armentrout gave you a story that never gets boring and is really varied. To be honest, I didn't want to put this book down. Also at the beginning of every chapter there's this design at the top of the page, and I was kind of enchanted by that! 

I was very happy in seeing both main characters develop together with the plot. They kind of made it happen and made the plot change. There are so many unpredictable moments which really made it an even better read. There's just something about these two characters that made this book very good! I even think this was better than the Covenant series but that's personal preference. Seth reminds me a lot of Daemon from the Lux series and Josie reminds me a lot of Katie. 

Though the end battle was the best I've read in this entire book! Not that I didn't enjoy the rest of the book, the end battle was just... SPECTACULAR. I never expected it to go down this way. It was thrilling as well as scary and it really made my active. That's really weird though, I was so hyper because of the ending, I kept turning those pages. I felt everything Seth felt, as well as what Josie was feeling. 

I. Love. Seth. There! I said it! I'm really happy that I read this book and that we could crawl into his head because it's absolutely worth it. We get to know so much about him and see so many other sides to him that I really enjoyed this book. But I do have a remark! 

As I said, I was very keen on the multiple POV part but it was so confusing at times! The author doesn't announce when we get into the head of Seth or of Josie. So you start reading and may think it's Seth while later on it gets clear that it's actually Josie. I think that was kind of sad because it confused me and made it difficult. Especially if only a few pages later it turns out, you're reading it with the wrong voice in your head. So that was a little disappointing but I still enjoyed reading it. God, it was so good! 

So, if you're looking for a fierce read with our bad boy Seth and his new task Josie? Read it! It might really give you another perspective towards Seth. It's also a different from the Covenant Series and in my point of view, more thrilling and rough. I really could connect with Josie the most and was really happy to get to know the real Seth. Just please, read the Covenant Series first because I think that might give you an even better feeling towards this book because you understand everything immediately. I had to search a little in the dark like Josie. But that was nice too! I was as blind as Josie was in this new world of Gods and Apollyons. This story will not left you untouched. 

That said, I can't wait for the second book in this series: The Power! I'm so curious to what's going to happen now and what this all means. The end really makes you want more! 

"The Fates are cackling their bony asses off... because history has once again been flipped to repeat."

TBR of January

First of all I want to wish everybody a happy (late) new year! I hope this year will bring you both joy and happiness, a good health and I hope all your dreams may come true! And of course, why not wish a year full of books?! 
With Christmas passing by and New year that just happened, I got some new books. I still have around 10 books to read and I already pre-ordered other books. Anyone who might be on Goodreads knows that there is a 'book challenge' and also this year I'm participating. 

Last year I said I'd read 20 books because I just started to enjoy reading again and who knows, maybe it was just a bypassing hobby? But it wasn't! So I went up to 40 books and at the end of 2015 I read 65 books. This year I'll start with 30 books because I feel like this year will be very busy. We'll see where it'll be heading? What about you guys, how many books would you like to have read at the end of 2016? 


The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson 

The first book that I'll read in the year 2016 is The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. I really wanted this book so badly! The cover is stunning and the Dutch hardcover even has a special feeling to it! Sadly, there are no hardcovers with this cover but I really wanted to read the book in English. I already started in this book and to be fair, I don't mind that it's not a hardcover. I'm enjoying this book a lot! And it's also very 'floppy' so easy to read. For the people who don't understand what I mean with floppy, the book'll just lay open without you having to hold it open... Does that make things clearer?So thanks mom and dad for the present!

Basically it's about a girl that has lost her sister and is grieving. She finds comfort with her sister's boyfriend but on the other hand, the new boy in town brings her something else she needs. She's torn between those two boys and her own sadness that she doesn't know what to do.

I'm also already picking a side. Does anybody have that too? When there are two boys involved, you pick a side and hope they'll end up together but then might change your mind because why not? For me it won't be the sister's boyfriend... It's not that I don't like him because what I can see now, they really find comfort with each other which I think is what they both really need. The new boy though, has something special that I can't describe yet. But I'm really curious how this story will develop itself! 

Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Next on my TBR list is the third book in the Covenant Series. I've been putting it on hold for a long time and I honestly don't know why. It may be because I feel I'll be torn in this book between two boy sides.

This series is about gods and goddesses and an extraordinary girl. And as in every book there is the boy she loves but can't have! 

I don't want to talk about it too much because it's the third book and it'll spoil so much! I do have a review on the first book which you can find here: Half-blood. I recommend the series and to be really honest, I recommend almost every book by Jennifer L. Armentrout because they're always thrilling, they have romance and funny bits in them. Her writing style is very fluently and I never manage to put the book down once I start in it! 


End of Days by Susan EE
I uploaded a review on the second book in this trilogy two days ago. And this month it's time to say goodbye to this series by reading the last book. I hope it'll be good but I think it'll be even better than that! I enjoyed the first book a lot because of the characters really.

The characters aren't helpless in this angel apocalypse. For example the main character, Penryn, she's strong and knows how to handle all sorts of weapons. She'll go to the end of the world to find her sister and there isn't a moment where she stops and cries. She goes out there, steps into war to go find Paige because she means everything to her. It's thrilling and mind blowing! 

The second book was even better than that, because there were still developments in the way the characters behave which I was very fond of! So, very curious to were this ending will lead... I've got all sorts of hopes and dreams according to this book!  

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Another present, one that I got from my niece! I've never read any books by this author but I have heard really great things about her. If I'm not mistaking, she wrote Vampire Academy and those books have already been recommended to me. 

I don't really know what to expect from it because I have a feeling this is about vampires and I've never read any book that had vampires in it. This is what the back says: 

Sydney's blood is special. That's because she's an alchemist - one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiences in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions, and forbidden romance lurk both outside - and within - the school grounds. Now that they're in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

So yes, I'm looking forward to read this book! Mostly because it's something 'new' and something to be excited about. 
And for the moment these are the only books that I'll start in January. I don't know how busy this month will be but if it's calm (which I'm hoping on) I'll read: Finding Sky by Joss Stirling, Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and another book by Jandy Nelson but only if there is time for that!

Walking Disaster

Yes, finally I can get a review online. As I already said in my TBR of December, I'm in the middle of my exams. I did manage to do some reading in between! Which brings me to the topic of this review: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire. As you might know it's the sequel of Beautiful Disaster but this time in Travis's POV. I was so eager to read this book! 
Which also means the story isn't different at all, of course there'll be new scenes. This because Travis and Abby weren't always together and I liked that already before I started the book. The fact that we'd be in Bad Boy Travis's head and there'd be new things about him to explore.

It’s about a boy, Travis and a girl, Abby who meet in a very awkward moment. There’s blood, a smile, a stunned expression and it all begins. She's his pigeon! They meet again and it’s pretty obvious Abby has something there for Travis. He sees it, he feels it and he won’t take no for an answer but Abby only  wants him to leave her alone.
 He promised his mother that he'd fight for the one he'd fall in love with. He swore though that he'd never just settle with some girl. Travis wanted a pigeon, someone that speaks to him without needing words. Someone one-of-a-kind. Both keep denying it until Travis finally opens up his heart. One thing is for sure, he won't go down without a battle. One he's not sure he'll ever win. But he promised... So he'll try. Will Abby be his?

After I read this book, in his POV, I did change my mind a little. Not that it was bad or anything! On the contrary, this book was even better in my point of view. The way I see it, this might be all because of Travis.

In Beautiful Disaster I was just not feeling him. I felt the same as Abby. He was a jerk to her some times and he wasn't always as nice as I wanted him to be. Yes, I got mad at him so many times for being mean. Although that didn't stop me from loving him, but I see now that he actually isn't such a bad boy. He's just a softy inside! He just falls for Abby and that's weird for him, it's new. 

He never really cared about girls and just let them out the morning after, without settling down but Abby is his weak spot. She's the one that tames him and I kind of am fan because of that. I felt like you could see and feel that a lot more in his POV. I also felt a lot more of romance and after all the hatred that I send flying to Travis while reading Beautiful Disaster... I know for sure that that actually wasn't supposed to be meant for him.

Which brings me to Abby. Now I realize that actually, she's kind of the one with a temper. As you read along in Travis' head you see that he really tries hard. When he tries, Abby kind of blows him off which obviously leads to a little crack in his heart. He isn't that bad at all, he's just... soft on the inside but hard on the outside. So I kind of changed my mind on Abby, I liked her but she kind of caused most the trouble. I still find both characters very realistic though and very intriguing! 

Because we read in Travis' POV we also get new scenes and a lot of those scenes involve his family. I can't tell you how happy that made me! Travis grew up without a mother and with 4 brothers and his dad. He had a hard time which he explains in this book. 

We met his brothers and father in Beautiful Disaster but I felt like it wasn't enough. It was a little superficial. I needed more, I craved more and my prayers were answered by the Book Gods. The author gave us a better view on the family affairs! And even more details about his mother! As a reader you get to see how his father is after being bereaved of his beloved wife. How it changed him but also how his relationship is with Travis was in the past and is now.

Also the brothers are around a lot. Some more than others which brings us to going back in time, getting more details of their childhood. Who took care for who after their mother passed away and what's left of that "hierarchy". 

Other than that the book was quite the same, with new feelings that came from Travis. I was really happy that I read this book because it just gave me more perspective. The best part in the book was the epilogue though! I can't say anything but I'll tell you I was very surprised. And happy but sad after that because then it was the end! Like really the end!

Of course I also read this book because of Travis. I kind of fell hard for that guy while I read and I fell even more in love with him during Walking Disaster. I don't find him a disaster though, maybe a very handsome mess but I don't mind that at all! If you read Beautiful Disaster, I really recommend reading this beauty because it really completes the story more.

And now I've got your attention, I just want to tell you guys that subscribing is possible! It took me a while to understand why it didn't work and finally, it does! So on your right side underneath my picture you can subscribe by mail. If you were already subscribed and don't get any mails, I'd just try again. That's how I had to do it! Thanks guys!

"Every story has two sides."