Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Synopsis:" This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.
This afternoon, her planet was invaded. The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit. But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again. Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more--Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes." Review: This is one of my most interesting reads (for lack of a better word). I was surprised at pretty much at EVERY turn including when I opened up the book and found out the kind of format this book was written in (It's written almost like people would text one another but always with paragraphs here and there). I would have been over my head with this kind of format just one or two years ago and although I still loved this very much and made this read very memorable, I also found myself easily get distracted or finding that it was incredibly easy to stop wherever and whenever I wanted. With that being my only complaint, we can now get to the good parts. Oh Kady... Oh Ezra such a typical science fiction romance but still SO MUCH MORE. Kady being the mastermind and Ezra the pure love and recklessness they somehow fit perfectly and their dire situation just pronounced their love even more. Watching them fall in love was really weird though in the sense that they weren't even aboard the same ship, but it's science fiction so who can really know? *shrugs* Although I never doubted their relationship, I doubted my predictions of the plot the ENTIRE way through this book.... The plots twists in this book honestly really deserve a round of applause because not only was I so invested in the fast pacing plot but then the plot twists just kept pushing more and more into the story. However the creepiness factor of Aidan actually did slow me down in reading speed because Aidan just gave me the chills and so did all the death and gore. However Aidan had this incredibly mind opening role and Aidan just really brought this book together. This is a book that everyone should read or at least pick up once and try because there's just SO much to it and I can easily see how much work is put it to it. LIKE THE SPECIAL PAGES AND I have never been so proud to find that on the bottom of page 190 Marie Lu is there!! AHHHHH COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN but then there's also all these amazing artwork and the way the words and the art fit together is just an absolutely amazing experience for anyone. Then there's last 10-20 so page .... what can I even say. It was SO WELL PLANNED I don't even know how Amie and Jay did it because that was amazing and completely set me up to go out and get Gemini even though it hasn't even been published yet. To be honest it was what I was hoping for but NEVER something I could see coming. IF SOMEONE SAW THIS COMING YOU ARE LYING .... I loved it SO MUCH THOUGH I CAN'T COMPUTE STOP STARING AT ME, DON'T LOOK AT ME. DON'T LOOK (aha jk I'm not sick,dying, or crazy don't worry) Cover: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ (UM DOES ANYONE NOT LIKE THIS COVER..) Favorite Quote: “I should have told you I loved you every day. I should have given you the stars.” "'In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.' -Orwell"
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Weekly Update + Spring Break Plans
Spring has sprung! Spring break has finally arrived which means.... BOOKS! Yea at least I hoped but so far it hasn't look very book friendly... The past three days has consisted of:
- a bit of homework/projects - FINALLY watching: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ( I'M SO LATE) kung fu panda 3 ZOOTOPIA (SO GOOD) - hiking with my older sister's cats ... it was interesting and we were judged a lot but it was fun Sadly I haven't even finished ONE book yet but I have started the Young Elites and I'm hoping to get that finished up sometime tonight! This could be hard however due to the fact that I have three humongous projects this week and no idea how to even start them... so sooner or later I'm going to have to get that done as well as spring cleaning (my room) which is quite hard task when I sort of clutter everything. (That's what it looks like to everyone else but I swear I can find anything!) Let me know how your spring break is going/ has gone/ will be in the comments below as well as what books I should read later on this break when I have the chance or just any other sort of activities. PS be ready for a review tomorrow!
Time
Time feels slow or fast or somewhere inbetween. It's weird how it's so constant but never feels that way. Currently our school is going through the process of choosing next year's classes and it's just really hit me that I only have TWO years left of high school. LIKE WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN... I swear sometimes when people ask how old I am I feel like saying 10 instead of 15. (anyone else feel?!) Now is about the time where a trip to Neverland sounds pretty good because I know the next two years will be crazy and probably affect the rest of my life. I'm so grateful for books because I can stop and relax once in awhile even when the rest of my life is absurdly quick. Enough about me though, I want to know more about you guys so in the comments feel free to comment how you fast or slow your life feels right now! Sorry for a quick and easy read this sunday but it's been busy! I'll be sure to have a better post up next week because it will FINALLY be Spring Break!!!!!! (ahah ugh the school life though). Thanks for sticking with me and don't forget to comment!
Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
Synopsis: "A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since. Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own." Review: Snow like Ashes was one of those books that you've seen other people read, so you just go ahead and pick up, but I could not be ANY happier that I did. This book's plot and characters and structure were just FANTABULOUS. I was able to see hints of a love triangle early on in the book and at that point I was pretty disappointed because I thought I could already see everything that was going to happen.... I was very wrong. Yes the love triangle was slightly portrayed throughout the book BUT THERE WAS SO MUCH MORE. Of course it was a bit doubtful seeing how easily Meira could go ahead and do what she did, but at the same time I loved seeing how this book really portrayed women as strong leaders and how they could stand up for what they believed in. Let's first talk about the plot... twists because I did NOT see a whole lot of stuff coming. Sometimes I literally just stopped reading for a while to take things in before I could continue. However because they are plot twists I'll leave them for the spoilers section so if you haven't read this book yet you can still enjoy it! Snow Like Ashes truly brought me into their world and even more so with the map provided. It was beautifully written and my imagination couldn't stop whirring while reading this book. You do not even understand how much I wish there will be a movie. Anyways, I honestly think that this book is great for anyone that loves action, women being strong, and some romance all mixed into one big beautiful book. I literally went through every single emotion possible when reading this book and I loved that. Now for the romance part of this book, comment below if you would go with Mather orTheron. Honestly I would go with Mather but I don't know, Meira went through so much it was rather blurry and quite honestly I don't even know how she had time to have crushes when she was facing her death and seeing things and I won't say anymore because SPOILERS ARE BELOW and I don't want to ruin anything for anyone.
Spoilers: OMG WHEN I FOUND OUT WHO MEIRA REALLY WAS I WAS SO SURPRISED... I don't even know how I didn't question that Mather wasn't the real heir. Then when she started to show signs of magic and also joining her winterian people UGH It was so magical and sad. The betrayal of Spring was slightly hinted but then the betrayal of Agra came in and everything was like WOAH didn't see that coming. Then the extremely sappy crying moment when Sir died (I was honestly about to cry at this point) but OK I sort of guessed/hope that Sir didn't die, but STILL I was so happy he was back! By far the most beautiful part of the story was getting to see that everyone could return to Winter!
Overall, Snow Like Ashes was an AMAZING book and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
Cover: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) I was confused when I saw it but after reading this book it make a lot more sense Favorite Quote: "Someday we will be more than words in the dark." "Even the strongest blizzard starts with a single snowflake." Book Haul + Library books
Sorry for missing last week's SWS post but I've caught up and here I am! I've acquired quite a few AMAZING books since the last time I've updated and some of them have been posted on my instagram (bringing.paperback) (shameless self promo) but I've also gotten a couple more as well after a trip to the library and barnes and nobles! Ready? Here we go!
(scroll to the bottom for covers!) Book Outlet Haul: *seriously book outlet is so cheap I couldn't stop myself and even purchased some old favorites I've read... oops aha 1. How To Say I Love You Out Loud by Karole Cozzo - Unread - I've been interested in reading this one for awhile and it's a lot smaller than I thought, but I still can't wait! 2.The Brilliant Light of Amber Sunrise by Matthew Crow - Unread - Honestly I haven't heard about this book but it was in the popular scroll box and the synopsis was interesting so I went ahead and got it! 3. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson - Unread - This is honestly one my most favoritest books (I like it so much grammar no longer applies) but yea I had to :) 4.The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler - Unread - I was a bit skeptical of this one because of some reviews I had read but I read a couple more and decided to go with it because why not?! (are we sensing a theme... ahah oops) 5.Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - Read - Beautiful book and one of the ones that I decided to buy just cause it was an old favorite of mine, but I plan on rereading it when I get the time! 6.Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - Read - Love Rainbow Rowell's books so I went ahead and purchased this as well! 7.The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder -Unread - Again... sorry the synopsis just peaked my curiousity so into my cart it went! Barnes and Nobles (semi haul?): 1.Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - Unread - I AM SO LATE ON THIS AND I REALLY REALLY CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS AHHHHHH 2.The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry - Unread - Can anyone pass over this cover? (and the many amazing reviews I've heard about this one!?) 3.The Young Elites by Marie Lu - Unread - I've been intrigued for FOREVER and so many people have been urging me to read this so I HAD to get it! 4.Cinder by Marissa Meyer - Unread - At this point you're either not reading or incredibly disappointed with me because seriously!? I'm probably the only person that hasn't started this series yet I KNOW BUT I ALSO CAN'T WAIT and now I seriously have no excuses Library mini Haul: *I have an amazing library so might as well use it! (although I really actually wanted to buy lots of their books... 1. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - Read - ABSOLUTELY FREAKING AMAZING and a review to come but yea this is definitely a regret of mine because I really want to own this book now... 2. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - Unread - I'm so excited to start this book and I've only heard good things so far!! 3. Four - A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth -Unread - I love when authors give more after it seems like everything's said and done! 4.Storm Siren by Mary Weber - Unread - Heard about this one here and there but I actually don't know much about it although the cover has me pretty intrigued! The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
Synopsis: "What if you aren’t the Chosen One?
The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death? What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again. Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Even if your best friend is worshipped by mountain lions. Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable." Review: Let me be COMPLETELY honest and say I picked this book up from the store without any idea of what this book was about and only having heard/seen the title a couple of times. Again, I have to be honest when I say the first ~40-50 pages were incredibly hard for me to read due to the fact I was completely lost... Anyone in the room while I was reading this literally heard me say every five seconds, "WHAT IS HAPPENING I'M SO CONFUSED!" in turn they'd just tell me to stop reading, BUT I braved through it and I actually grew to really enjoy this book! It took me a lot of motivation to start this book after putting it down somewhere in the middle, but after talking to Nicole from fiction-freak.com and her telling me that the cover was GLOW IN THE DARK (I KNOW RIGHT WOAHHH) I restarted it. (yay way not to judge a book by its cover stephanie...) Though not my favorite book by far, in this book the characters were incredibly depicting of average people and how (I think) many people feel especially in our society where almost everyone else seems rich and famous... except for you. I absolutely LOVED how each start of a chapter had an interlude with what the "popular" kids were doing. Though I didn't feel like the plot was EXTRAORDINARY I did love the ending with how Patrick Ness weaved the lives of the indie kids and the normals kids. I also enjoyed the exaggeration of how popular kids get to do everything, in this book meaning that they are the ones that get to turn into vampires and do all the crazy heroic stuff others books always seem to have stories on. The characters were well developed with their crazy back stories and every plot point had a purpose, and so overall I would say this was a well written book. Though this book obviously was not a nonfiction book, it was incredibly realistic in the social sense of things and after reading this book I would have to say that is what I enjoyed the most out of all of it. Cover: ★★★★★ (UM GLOW IN THE DARK SORRY BUT THAT'S JUST FREAKIN' AMAZING) Favorite Quote: "Sometimes you have to find the extraordinary in the ordinary" |
Stephanie C.A fan of anything fiction, furry, & fun. Archives
June 2019
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