Nooks and Crannies

Voracious young adult reader.

Apollyon: The Fourth Covenant Novel

Apollyon - Jennifer L. Armentrout FIVE. MONTH. WAIT.

flying daimon babies, how am i supposed to stay sane that long? @_@
my heartstrings has been pulled apart by Deity and ohsweetjesus i'm probably gonna go mental now.

all these feels. i can't. Jennifer Armentrout has rendered my brain unusable yet wanting after reading Deity.

Warrior of the Light: A Manual

Warrior of the Light - Paulo Coelho I absolutely loved it! I'm going through some tough stuff right now and i'm glad i read this book. I wouldn't say it's the best picker-upper but Paulo Coelho's style just hits me at the right now and it was quite a pleasant read.

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy Series #1)

Touch of Frost  - Jennifer Estep I LOVE IT. Way more than i thought it will, definitely. And i loved reading it, even if i had to read it in parts to fit my insane schedule. Anyways, i totally dig the whole Loki thing, because i am a huge fan of Norse myth. Not to mention that the book basically converged everything and put all these descendants/followers of gods and goddesses from different cultures, which makes it doubly awesome.

Our main character may be your typical lonely girl, hiding at the back of the cafeteria because she doesn't have anyone to hang out with, but not without reason. Since she can basically snoop and read people's thoughts just by touching anything they own, that kinda makes it hard for her to make friends. Things changed when popular girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the library while Gwen was working. Not able to put things to rest easily like the other kids at her school, she continued investigating the murder until she eventually uncovered some awesome and horrible things.

And then there's Logan Quinn. I didn't like the fact that Logan just suddenly had a major role in it, since his appearance in the story was all choppy and the fact that he is a total man-whore. I just don't see the appeal in that, or where the man-whoreness seems acceptable to someone who considers himself a Spartan. What i did like, though, was Gwen's talking sword Vic. It's snarky, and bloodthirsty, a combination that makes for a lot of morbid humor.

I'm also loving the writing style, it was full with much-needed descriptions. At times it seemed dragging, but totally helped the creation of the scenery in my head. The structure on conversations were simple, not to mention the descriptions and elaborations of what Gwen felt or saw makes complete sense since her ability is more mental than physical. I'm really looking forward for the next book, which isn't too far away from today.

Darker Still (Magic Most Foul Series)

Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul - Leanna Renee Hieber The moment i read the summary, i just knew i would love it. I love how it incorporates some of my classical favorites, especially The Picture of Dorian Gray. I was having my usual doubts from time to time, if it was going to be good, but i'm really glad it is. The way the author weaved all this different aspects into one YA paranormal plot and added her own twists was exceptional.

Our main character, Ms. Natalie Stewart is mute, due to trauma of her mother's death when she was young and his father then sent her to an asylum. Upon getting back, her diary has become her companion. The story is also told this way, through her writing which makes complete sense since she is mute and most of the communication is told through her writing. She gets very taken with the portrait of Lord Denbury, who died young and she feels "supernatural" vibes around it. Things get stranger when she starts seeing how the main in the painting move around. After realizing that what she was seeing was real and seeing the message that she should touch Lord Denbury's hand, she falls into the painting meets the real Lord Denbury. She eventually promises to help her break the curse and give him his freedom.

I understand why Natalie wants to help him get out. Personally, it's not just as shallow as just because he is hot and she is desperate. She understands how it's like to be trapped. Despite the fact that her father sent her away because of her disability and people treating her like she is worth nothing, she doesn't let her disability define her. That message alone is truly important, especially in today's society where somehow, our self-worth is basically defined by how near to perfection we are. I am truly excited to read the next book in the series. My heart will definitely be doing somersaults once again!

Falling Under

Falling Under - Gwen Hayes I didn't like it as much as i wanted to. Theia, our main female, seems too forgiving and passive. It made her seem desperate, holding on to Haden despite being a total jerk towards her. Yes, i understand his imbalance being half-demon but her desperate pleas to him, to kiss him was just too desperate.

Aside from that, the scenarios were painfully cliche. Haden is your typical brooding and mysterious (not to mention manipulative) transferee who treats the girl he loves like nothing but still expects to be loved because...he is brooding, mysterious and cool. I understand Theia has been sheltered her whole life, and that Haden presenting himself openly to her like that would be like offering free rides on a roller coaster. But she is described as this rational thinker and it clearly doesn't show in her actions.

But i do give props to the writing. The imagery is very vivid, but not overdone with descriptions. It was really really good that it was so easy to picture out. It takes a real knack to be able to write such, but the plot could have used more creativity. The lack of a love-triangle was also a bit refreshing. I don't exactly know where it goes from here but i hope the next book in the series would be more engaging than this one.

Carrier of the Mark

Carrier of the Mark - Leigh Fallon I have to be honest, i initially didn't like this book about 100 pages in. There were just too many Twilight red flags. As the story progressed, it grew on me and i was proven wrong. They are similar in some constructs but Carrier of the Mark seemed more original. Not necessarily saying that Twilight is bad, but i understand how some people dislike it.

I love how the story is set in Ireland, and as far as i can tell, Leigh Fallon has got their manner of speaking quite spot on. My head even started reading their conversations with an Irish accent! And i love the use of Irish deities like Danu and Aine. Aine wasn't exactly a deity in the book, although both versions of her were in a somewhat unwanted relationship (can this be a hint? i hope not...) Personally, Rian's character is most relatable for me. Not in the "elemental magic" sense, but his problems somehow parallels a lot of real issues. Adam and Megan's relationship, it went by so quickly (known for six weeks, together for 2 weeks, as described at some part in the book). And that presented a problem, if what they felt for each other was actual attraction or just something brought on by the powers. I could totally understand Megan's slightly selfish reasons to hold back, and i was glad she did or else she wouldn't have known the rest of the consequences.

Lastly, I loved how Leigh Fallon presented her plot devices, they weren't rushed, weren't overly dramatic, somewhat not overdone and they actually made sense. The twist by the end was a bit rushed, but actually worked. Any longer would have dragged it. The progression of the plot was great and had enough tension to drive the story. Her writing is captivating and i will definitely read the next book. Thanks to the people who have recommended that i read this now, i definitely do not regret it!

Half-Blood: A Covenant Novel

Half-Blood - Jennifer L. Armentrout This book was amazing! I didn't expect it to be enjoyable at first, but i'm glad i thoroughly liked it.

Alexandria/Alex is a half-blood, and her mother pulled her out of the Covenant to protect her from a dangerous future. When things get out of hand, and thinking that her mother had died, she battles daimons on her own until the Sentinels managed to rescue her. Speaking of Sentinels, OH MY AIDEN. There are no words to describe how freaking excited i got every time the story shifts to him. His relationship with Alex, though, is deemed impossible since Aiden is a pure-blood. I love how the story doesn't focus too much on their relationship, and that it wasn't the "i just met you but you are my life now" kind. Aiden helps her train and get back into shape if she wants to be accepted back into the Covenant. Things turn sour when his step-father Lucian pays the school a visit, along with Seth. Seth is the Apollyon, and she gets quite a shock when they both realize what Alex really is after a chance encounter. Finding out her mother is alive but not quite brought more problems to the table and Alex must choose.

I've just finished reading it, and i want to read it again! No, i want to read the next book! Alex and Seth are going to be spending a lot of time together in training. and i know that'll bring a love-triangle into the scene. Until i am able to read it, i am going to sit here consumed with booklust for the rest of time until Pure (the second book) is released wonder where Jennifer Armentrout will take it.

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)

Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare A first time reader of anything Cassandra Clare (although i have heard of the name because of certain...issues that i'd rather this review stay out of), i was expecting to be blown away. After all, i have heard many good things about her works. But still, i was quite unsure that i will like it as much as other people do.

The story circles around Tessa Gray, a shape-changing "kinda-warlock-but-not-quite" girl who sets to London to meet his brother but instead finds herself in between the Nephilim and a certain Magister and his minions. Some of the things in this book are painfully cliche, but among the things i did like were the construction of the banter between the characters. Will was definitely charming, and his witty remarks had me giggling. But i was leaning more into Jem's character as it progressed. Certainly, it's like those two were the opposite clones of each other.

I was expecting Tessa to be the tough heroine kind, and i was kind of rooting for her to grow out of her idealisms and just face the facts. In this aspect i can say that i am quite disappointed although her grand act towards the end was certainly almost heroic.

All in all, i was impressed. It was a fairly interesting read and i am looking forward to reading the second book in this series.

Starcrossed

Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini I am contemplating whether this was a good read or not. It reminded me of Twilight, only instead of vampires and werewolves, we get an inaccurate retelling of Greek mythology.

The story centers around Helen Hamilton who gets caught up in trouble when the truth about her being has surfaced. She doesn't understand why she wants to kill Lucas Delos, or any Delos for that matter, and it was only a matter of time until they actually managed to kill each other. Then the unthinkable happened. With an act of saving a life, the curse that bound them to kill each other seemed to have gone but new feelings between Lucas and Helen has taken it's place. But just as they had finally grown closer to each other, other forces threaten to break them apart.

Helen and Lucas' vow of eternal love for each other had ended so abruptly, it kinda left me hanging there. Although, the ongoing family feud was interesting as it progressed, even if my insides writhed in discomfort at reading inaccurate rehashes of Greek mythology. As for the sappiness factor, i wasn't all too weirded out and i liked the fact that it didn't focus too much on the romantic side. The balance between the romantic conflicts between Helen and Lucas and the conflicts between their families was just spot on.

Overall, it was really interesting. It's not deep literature material, but it didn't need to be. I actually liked the way it was written, and it was not overblown with description. I might pick up the next book in the series if it promises to be better than this one.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin Michelle Hodkin and her brilliant writing has deprived me of my sleep. It is now 4:14AM where i am and i have just finished this brilliant piece of work (and a debut novel, too, if i am not mistaken)

The chemistry between Mara and Noah is electrifying. I don't think Mara was a "weak" heroine, in fact she is stronger than she seems. Despite her violent psychotic trips, she manages to pull herself up and pulls through.

Overall, I LOVE IT. Can't wait for the sequel and i definitely wouldn't mind not getting any sleep reading it as well.

Modelland

Modelland - Tyra Banks I have no idea what Tyra was going for when she decided to write this. It was dragging, it wasn't in any way funny nor serious in tone. Is this some sort of bizarre social commentary? In any case, Tyra should just stick to her day job.

If you have some brain cells to spare, go ahead, read this.