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..."

Book Haul

Ha! It's been a long, long time since I've done another book haul so I thought why not? In the past few months I've bought a total of 5 books and then of course there were all the books I got for my birthday which you can find on my post about my Birthday haul! 

The first load of books are books I bought on Amazon! As you might have read in an earlier post, I had a hard time finding out how to buy from Amazon, but found a loophole. Luckily! After my first time buying from Amazon, I ordered other books there as well.

Ceaseless and predestined by Abbi Glines
My first time ordering there I bought Existence by Abbi Glines. I could only find the series up there because it wasn't available anywhere else. I had my eyes on this series for a very, very long time and finally I could read them! After seeing if I was still interested in the series after I read the first book, I ordered the others! Here is the synopsis of the first book, Existence:


Pagan isn't any normal girl, aside from going to school and doing homework she sees things nobody else sees. And she shouldn't be able to see the things she sees:souls. None of the souls give her any attention, and she doesn't give them any attention either. One day, that all changes when one of them starts staring at her and eventually starts talking to her. Trying to ignore him, Pagan can't do anything else but start getting attached to the soul. But he is nowhere near a soul... 

I have to say that my expectations were really high and I was a little disappointed. Nonetheless I decided that I really wanted to read the rest of series and see if it gets any better. I've been waiting to read this series for such a long time so I wasn't ready to give it up! 

REVIEW ON EXISTENCE HERE!

The Struggle by Jennifer L. Armentrout
While I was ordering there I decided that I was going to pre-order 3rd book in the Titan-series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Many of you know by now how much I love Jennifer L. Armentrout and how in love I am with the Titan-series! So of course I pre-ordered this book! 

For everyone who doesn't know what the heck I'm talking about, the Titan-series is a sequel to the Covenant-series by Armentrout. It's a series that gives us a look in Seth's life and my god, do I love it! A short synopsis of the first book in the Titan-series The Return so I don't spoil you guys for book 3...

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. 

As far as I know this series has 4 books, the 4th coming in March 2018! I can't really say anything bad about this series. It contains everything to write a good book: feelings and action. The author makes sure that there are so many plot twists so every book still has this unique thing they concentrate on while fighting something on a bigger scale that comes to all books in the series. It's just such a big variety in situations that happen it really never gets boring. Then again who gets boring from Seth? Not me. 

This is really one of the series I absolutely recommend but I also recommend reading it after the Covenant-series since you'll spoil yourself if you read Seth's story first. Other than that: PICK THIS SERIES! You won't regret it.

REVIEW ON THE RETURN HERE!
REVIEW ON THE POWER HERE!
REVIEW ON THE STRUGGLE COMING SOON!

Tell me three things by Julie Buxbaum
The last book I bought on Amazon was Tell me three things by Julie Buxbaum. I never heard of this book before or saw it on Goodreads until I watched Jesse on Youtube. He had the book in a haul of his if I'm correct, and it really spoke to me. I just really needed it. 

In comparison to the other books I bought, this is a more realistic one and also one I already read and loved! This book doesn't have anything paranormal but it does have secrecy and really had me excited...

Moving across the country, Jessie has to adjust to a new lifestyle of rich snobs and high expectations. Not feeling like she belongs anywhere, Jessie eats all by herself on the new school, and getting support from her new stepbrother is nothing she needs to wait on. It isn't until an unexpected mail that Jessie understands someone has been watching her very closely. Calling himself SN, he guides Jessie in school situations while keeping his anonymity. She finds herself swooning for him very soon as SN is starting to become bigger part of her life and someone she feels comfortable with and can relate to. But then there's Ethan Marks who made a very good first impression on her... Fighting against the feelings she has, Jessie will have to pick. Before deciding anything she thinks it's time for her and the famous SN to finally meet... 

This. Book. It has so much suspicion I read the first 200 pages in one day! I needed to know who this SN person was and I needed to know it fast. This book is a real page turner because it'll keep giving information about the person and you won't be able to contain yourself! The will to find out who it is, is very strong!

Next to the fact that you want (no, need) to know who this SN person is, you'll really be able to enjoy reading this book because of how Jessie is now growing and trying to adjust to her new lifestyle that also contains bullies. I absolutely loved having this suspicious SN part in the book as well as seeing her handle new things while she's feeling homesick. The main character really was to die for and I absolutely loved reading this book so much. 

The only thing that disappointed me a bit was the fact that I felt it was a bit predictable. And I'm talking about the SN part, reading the first 200 pages of course you built a list of who it might be. However I really knew who it was as well halfway through the book, a little disappointed that it was so predictable but nonetheless I really loved reading this book and enjoyed every feeling in it! 

REVIEW ON TELL ME THREE THINGS COMING SOON!

Hidden by Marianne Curley
At the end of June there's also this big book feast in Ghent. In the previous years on my blog, I talked about this before as well as posted the book hauls from it! This year I went again but I didn't really find a lot of books that I wanted. Some I even had already! I did find a lot of children's books which was a good thing, but for YA and English reads I didn't find a lot.

In fact I only found one book! I was doubting if I should take it but after running around the place once again, my mind kept going back to it! Of course this is an Angel-themed book, I can already guess it which is also why I couldn't leave it behind. Everyone who's been around here for a while knows how much I love books that have angels in them and so I took this beauty with me!

For as long as Ebony can remember, she's been sheltered. Confined to her home in a secluded valley, home-schooled by her protective parents, and limited to a small circle of close friends. It's as if she's being hidden. But something is changing in Ebony. Something that can't be concealed. She's growing more beautiful by the day, she's freakishly strong, and then there's the fact that she's glowing.

On one fateful night, Ebony meets Jordan and she's intensely drawn to him. It's as if something explodes inside of her--something that can be seen from the heavens. Ebony still doesn't know that she's a stolen angel, but now that the heavens have found her, they want her back.

I don't know a lot about the book or author, never read a book by her before. I did find out through Goodreads that it's a series of 3 and yes, maybe I couldn't contain myself to read the synopsis of the second book... and third. Although it's only a 3,46 on Goodreads, I'm having high expectations to find out how much I'll enjoy this book! 

And that concludes my book haul featuring all the books I recently bought! Of all the books I bought I already read two of them and those reviews will be posted online in the next few weeks, so stay tuned...

Birthday Haul

So last Sunday it was my 19th birthday and what presents to give a book junkie? Books of course! First of all I want to thank everyone for the gifts and for the books because: I love book so now I love all you guys because you gave me more books! I hope that explained it all :) Let's jump into the birthday haul!

Reboot by Amy Tintera
A book that was in the 3 books I want to read in 2017 post and lucky me, because now I have it right here! That also means I will absolutely read this book in 2017 and accomplish that goal. It's a book that I've had in my hands a few times in Dutch but I'm an English reader so now I can read it! This is what the back of the book says:

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

I mean I can't say no to a book like this, can I?!

Ascend by Amanda Hocking
I read the first two book in a course of almost two years and I think it's about time to finish this series. It's also the first series I've read by this author and I really love her writing style. Above that what this book is about really surprised me as I had expected something entirely else! I'm not going to post the back of this book as it's the 3rd one and I don't want to spoil... But here's what the first book, Switched, is about:

Wendy Everly was only six-years-old when her mother tried to kill her. She was so convinced that Wendy wasn't hers, that she was a monster and that she'll only mean trouble. Ever since that day her older brother Matt and her aunt Maggie have been taking care of her. Making sure their mother can't lay one finger on Wendy ever again. 

It isn't until years later that Wendy finds out that her mother might've been right all along. Together with Finn Holmes, Wendy tries to find out exactly who she is in a world she never knew existed. But she's not sure she wants to be a part of it...

Once again we'll end a series and it's sad but I'm actually really curious how the last book is going to turn out. I also wrote a review on the first two books so go check does out if you're interested!

REVIEW ON SWITCHED: HERE

REVIEW ON TORN: HERE

Found and First & Forever by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Finally I'm going to finish this series as well! I remember reading the first two books of the Crescent Chronicles during the exams when I was in high school. I read these book I think 2 years ago so who think it's time to go on and read the rest? YES, that would be me! Also here I'll give the back of the first book, Flight, so I can't spoil!

Sometimes you just have to take flight.

A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.

Also those covers are really pretty, it's what partially sold me to read the first book! A review on the first book can be find here:

REVIEW ON FLIGHT: HERE
Apparently I didn't write a review on the second book so that gives me a good opportunity to read the series again to refresh the memory! 

Raveling you by Jessica Sorensen
One of my favorite authors and it's also about time that I read a book by her again. Last year for my English exam we could pick a book and I picked the first book in this series. Almost a year later, it's about time to continue the series by reading Raveling you.

I can't believe that I went so long without reading Jessica Sorensen as she actually was one of the authors that kept me reading. This series also has a lot of thrill and mystery in it which actually quiet surprised me because I felt like this was rather new in comparison to her other series I read! Here the synopsis of the first book, Unraveling You, so I don't spoil anything:

Lyric has everything in life to be happy. She has music to keep her buys, she loves singing, she has friends and she has both her parents. For her new neighbor, Ayden, this is different. He's been going from home to home without any support. He's been through so much, if only he could remember what exactly. His past has been so rough and dark that he doesn't remember anything, his memories are blocked. 
Slowly Ayden starts to feel comfortable around his new family and around the all optimistic Lyric. Together they can go anywhere they want and do anything. And soon the lines between friendship and romance are blurring. That is until Ayden's past decides to pay a visit...

REVIEW ON UNRAVELING YOU: HERE

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
This is a book that's been on my list for a long while now and I'm really excited to finally have it. I can't wait to read this one as I feel this is something very close to a genre I actually really enjoy. Also that cover it looks so bright and simple but I feel like a deeper story is behind it. Did anyone read it? And if so, what did you think about it? 

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

I just read it's going to become a movie! That means I should read it like right now and then wait anticipated on the movie... This is huge news, I really didn't know! 

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
And once again there's one of my most beloved authors. I feel like Jessica Sorensen and Jennifer L. Armentrout are the authors I have most books of and I'm pretty proud on that. Also, the 3rd book in the Titan Series is almost released! I already pre-ordered it so while awaiting that one, I'll be reading this one. It's actually my first stand-alone by Jennifer L. Armentrout and probably also the most realistic one I've read by her. All the series I have by her are pretty paranormal... I'm curious to where this one will lead! What the back says:

For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

It also has great scores on Goodread (4.01 stars) but I didn't expect anything less by this author to be honest! 

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski 
And yet another book on my 3 books I want to read in 2017 list, which actually makes this one the last book in the 3 I wanted to read this year. Also that cover... I can't! It's actually pretty stunning and fabulous and dramatic and it's just all I want right now and I just need a gap year to read all the books I want to read... yep, that's basically what I should do. 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Let's repeat some of my words I wrote in the post about the 3 books I wanted to read in 2017: I just want to underscore that this book sounds amazing and thrilling and suspenseful. I mean "a story of deadly games"? YES! Kestrel hiding her growing love? HELL YES! And him having secrets? I can only imagine how this will go...

Those were all the books I got for my birthday and I wish I could read all of them right away! But I have school and it's asking a lot of attention. Hmm, I guess I should do a gap week instead ha! Thanks again for all the books, I'm really looking forward to reading them all very soon!

Burn

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."

Shimmer

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.” 

The Geography of You and Me

A book that's been on my list ever since 2015 was The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith. It's a book that was recommended by a friend when I got into reading again. It was also the time where I didn't care about being spoiled and so I already knew the main things that would happen, nevertheless was this a very amazing read.

Owen and Lucy have never met, even though they live in the same building. Tonight it all changes as the two of them meet while being stuck in an elevator. It hits both of them that they're good together and laugh as the best when they're together. But time to discover if they'd work as something more is not something they get. Lucy moves to Europe, while Owen and his dad try to figure out what they'll do next and travel further through America. Both think about the other all the time, but will they ever meet each other again?

I loved the characters, that said I'm jumping right in! Lucy was someone entirely different than I first thought. The first things we get about her is that her parents are constantly away, she goes to a school only for girls, wears uniforms and she has a good life. In the beginning many might think she's a spoiled kid. Yet things will change and your opinion on her will become a very different one once you know more about her.

I could really relate to her because she loved things that I love too and she can get into it in a way I really understand it. At the start I also wasn't sure she was the most confident girl. Her parents are constantly away, she's home alone and she feels a bit lonely. But the more you read into the story the more you realize that Lucy's actually a lot stronger and optimistic than you would first see.

As for Owen, he was the opposite of Lucy in the beginning. I thought he was one of those nerdy guys that wasn't a fan of the popular girls and lived in his own shadows, was rather lonely. But also this characters opens up a lot more during the book. Owen isn't like this, and we see this when he retells certain aspects of the past, he was actually a really social boy but when his mother died he didn't know where to put himself. Especially because his dad then moved them up to New York and he just didn't like the big city.

Readers that aren't into big cities and love to explore will certainly be able to relate to this character. Not only did he see the best in the little things, he's also a very strong person who holds himself up for his father and helps out in times when there's no money, or when his dad is just too torn up to do anything. Owen was an amazing character!

What I realized with both this characters really is that the book tries to keep them closed for the readers for a little while. At first you'd think "this is the character" but really, they're so much more different from our first opinion. I absolutely was a fan of this because it yet again shows us not to judge a book by its cover. Seeing them grow and seeing them become the persons they really are, at their best, was amazing to experience. Especially when it took you some time before you discovered them.

As for the plot, it's something I haven't really seen before. I'm sure there are more books alike but I haven't read anything like it then. The characters both meet when all power in New York is down, they're stuck in an elevator. Now my heart really melted at this, I mean it does sound very unlikely to happen, but also really made the romanticist in me want this really badly. 

Above that they never met, and now here they are stuck in an elevator! It doesn't take very long for them to bond on a little discussion they have and by laughing a lot together. Yet when they're saved out of the elevator a bit later, the night doesn't end for them. Both Owen and Lucy feel there's a certain pull with them and they decide to hang out for the rest of the night. This includes being on the roof of their building and talking about sending postcards that has ridiculous sentences on them like "Wish you were here". This book did make the postcard thing seem a very funny thing that exists and I was really keen on it. Especially because it'll be of great importance for the rest of the book.

Yet the plot takes an unexpected turn just a few moments after they met because both will be moving out of the apartment. Can you imagine? You just met someone and now he or she moves?! Well, Jennifer E. Smith makes sure you experience this! And boy, can I say I absolutely loved this. 

The book then evolves to two plot lines that change independently from each other. We see Lucy finally getting a better relationship with her parents. Which really struck me as odd, I mean in the beginning of the book we see Lucy live alone and she tells us about her parents always being away. Seeing them bond in different cities in Europe was as amazing as it was odd. Odd in a way that we see the side of the parents too. Did they mean to leave her on her own? Or did they leave her out of love for her? It's all discovered in the book and I was rather satisfied with getting a few answers myself.

As for Owen, he sticks around in America but also sees many other cities there. His dad doesn't have a job ever since he lost his wife and both still suffer because of this. That said, they're on the move until they find the place that'll become their new home. This was also something I loved to see because you see them growing from sad to really trying to find a new start and get the best of themselves back. 

Both characters really go their own way and of course they still get in touch with each other, which brings the old fashioned things back: writing postcards. It's amazing to read  that the thing they really hated (and which was part of their first conversation) turns into their way of communicating. I swear to god, it has something cute as well as 'just typical them' to it and it was amazing to read about it and experience it the way the characters experience it. 

That said we see both characters evolve and grow separately and that made the book so much better really. It wasn't all about the love between them, the pull toward each other. It was about them being their true selves and figure out if they need each other, miss each other and still feel that magic pull towards each other while living their lives not knowing where the other one really was at that moment.

What I loved most about this book, next to the fact that the plot really focuses on the characters being separated and figuring out themselves, was that certain passages were really philosophic slash poetic. Let me give you a passage to make you see what I mean: (SPOILER ALERT, don't read the passage if you don't want to know yet!)

"If you were to draw a map of the two of them, of where they started out and where they would both end up, the lines would be shooting away from each other like magnets spun around on their poles. And it occurred to Owen that there was something deeply flawed about this, that there should be circles or angles or turns, anything that might make it possible for the two lines to meet again. Instead, they were both headed in the exact opposite directions. The map was as good as a door swinging shut. And the geography of the thing—the geography of them—was completely and hopelessly wrong."

— The Geography of you and me (Jennifer E. Smith)

Can I just say that this is just absolutely great? This book has more passages like this where it's really deep and filled with feelings. Although the characters aren't constantly busy with the other, the author (who wrote this book in omniscient narrator) made sure that sometimes we'd go back to the possibility of them being "a thing" by just writing a passage about them being apart, about them living a total other life and getting new things to deal with. I really lived for these passages.

As I just said they live apart and live a total other life with getting new things to deal with. This also underscores the fact that they're away from each other. Although they still think about each other and write occasionally, they're still somewhere else. They're dealing with their parents, lost of a parent, love, sadness and moving. This really shows the reader it isn't all about them loving each other, it's about living and maybe, just maybe, finding their way back to each other and see if there's more. 

Although I'm not a fan of omniscient narrator, I did love it in this book. Especially because it caused the book to have a few deep, poetic and beautiful passages. It also made sure that wherever they were, we'd always know what they thought and how they felt and what they're thinking of exactly and that was kinda great to experience.

This said, I think I can conclude that this book was amazing. It isn't all about loving, it's about the characters being apart and trying to figure out their lives and maybe, just maybe, find their way back to each other. The characters also grew and evolved while the story was evolving and this caused us to think twice about who they really were and not stick with the first judgment we gave. The plot shows us different sides of the world and them living life at the fullest. The Geography of You and Me is a book I recommend to people who aren't a big fan of romantic books, it might be romantic in some way but it's also entirely different since they're separated at the fair beginning of their journey together. It's a book filled with what it is to live, to find someone and maybe find them again and gives us beautiful deep thoughts.

"Maybe it was possible that you could take someone out of their life and drop them in the middle of another place entirely and they could seem like someone completely different."