Nataly's Book Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.

Synopsis:
     Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
     Elisa is the chosen one.
     But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.
     Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.
     And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.
     Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.
     Most of the chosen do.

Thoughts:
2/5 stars.
     Going into this book, I thought it would be a fast-paced novel, with a strong heroine, going to be compared to novels by one of my favorite authors, Kristen Cashore. Safe to say, i was sorely disappointed by the end.
     The story begins with the main character, Princess Elisa, being fitted for her impending, arranged marriage. The dress doesn't fit. This is the beginning of the many comments of her fatitude, eating of pastries, and self pity. Even though she is a Princess, there is something else that allows her to stand out, to be fiercely protected:  her Godstone. Pretty much what a Godstone is a pretty gem of some sorts that a heavenly light sticks in a chosen one's navel (honestly, I have no idea where the navel is located. I'm assuming near the stomach).
     I  had many problems with this novel, the leading influence in my bad rating being our heroine, Elisa. I'm not sure whether we were supposed to feel bad for her or look up to her, for she is supposed to be a godly woman, possessing a stone precious to many. But I just uninterested with her, for she just seemed so... helpless. Even when she underwent her "life-changing moment of becoming a strong black woman", she was still so useless! She wasn't annoying, just not very likable, you could say? Many characters were like this, not being hated, but not being well liked either. To me, a good rating mainly comes from me connecting with the character, and understanding their feelings, no matter how outlandish the plot is. As long as they have a heart of some sort, we as readers should be able to develop feelings and thoughts for these characters. But the job of creating that character is for the authors.
     The writing completely bored me. I was skimming by the end of the book, my eyes just flitting through the words. There were many useless scenes. I'm pretty sure 75% of the book was her praying  or doing something else Christian-ly. The other 25% was her going on and on about her weight, how fat she was, how full her mouth was with delicious foods, how skinny she had gotten, OR HOW SHE HAD STRECH MARKS ARGH I was just done by the end. Hooray for you, you were starved and *SPOILER kidnapped* now your skinny whoopdeedoo.
     Maybe I didn't like this book because of it's religious aspect, which overtook most of the story. Or maybe there just wasn't enough action to satisfy my ninja-action-craving side. But a story that I felt was similar to this, but much better was Graceling by Kristen Cashore.

Nataly's Book Review: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray.

Synopsis:
The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea, crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program - or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan - or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

Welcome to the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Your tour guide? None other than Libba Bray, the hilarious, sensational, Printz Award-winning author of A Great and Terrible Beauty and Going Bovine. The result is a novel that will make you laugh, make you think, and make you never see beauty the same way again


Thoughts:
2/5 stars.
     This is one go those mixed-feelings-yet-more-like-meh-feelings book. In the beginning, I enjoyed what laughs and creativity this book had to offer. But then things started to turn... weird. Figuratively, out of no where weird. 
     Beauty queens crashing on an island sounds like quite the adventurous read, and on top of that Libba's rep has always been complete genius in my records of book-keeping, yet this one was just a massive let down for me. Though I do love Libba's complete lack of control and organization, and how she freely writes in such creative ways with smudges of craziness, this one was just too much. It got a little too off.
     Not that I have anything wrong with lesbians, transgender peeps, etc., but Libba just sort of BAMMED this utter craziness of these girls feelings onto you. One chapter, you're reading about how they're struggling to survive, and then the next some girl is FREAKEN' NAKED, yet is casually chatting it up with some dude she just met, seducing him for later sexytime. And though I am most happy with books that step outside of the box, this was was just 525600 miles away from it. Also, when reading books about characters who are having questions of sexuality and what-nots, you what to feel some relation to them, something to tie you two together so you not only acquire enjoyment from a novel, but some sort of self-realization. But the characters were just so unrealistic and quite simply, annoying. 
     There were too many plots. WAY TOO MANY. I lost track of what was happening, and by the end I was just skimming the pages, struggling to find the end. I was confused with the Momo B. ChaCha informations, and felt there were just too many side stories to keep track of. It was all just too much. On top of that, she would call some of the ladies by their state, such as Miss Ohio, and quite frankly, I had no clue who that was, leading to me being confused about what was happening in general.
     This book was just too unorganized for me. Though I did like the separations where we read The Corporation's commercials or the ladies applications, and the side notes at the bottom of the pages that added more hilarity to the whole shebang,I started to get confused with the Agent chapters. I really saw no point for them to be there, and my mind really didn't comprehend anything that was happening in those chapters.
     Overall, this was not my favorite book of Libba's. Truly, she is an author I've adored before, but this one just fell for me. I would highly recommend Going Bovine though. Leave your thoughts on this book in the comments below!
     

Nataly's Book Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.

Synopsis:
It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.


Thoughts:
5/5 stars. 
Yeah, yeah, two 5 star reviews in a row. But I don't care. Because this book really surprised me, what with its flippin' awesomeness and such. 
     It did take me awhile to finish this book (school and useless shit take the blame for this), but that didn't mean this book wasn't near extraordinary. Stiefvater is also the author of the Shiver trilogy, which I wasn't too much of a fan of, mainly because I felt the series could have been summed up in the first book , the other books taking a turn into repetitive lane. But this novel was much different from the lovey-dovey-ness that was Shiver. This not only had some romance, but it had triumph, death, and issues that made it not just another YA romance novel.
      Puck, to me, was a likable character, mainly because she wouldn't let any of her emotions toward Sean stop her, even if she did love him. They were both competing head-to-head, both having liable and equally important reasons for winning, but Puck always put herself first. She didn't give up her soul for him, which is something you don't see too often in YA novels. I also enjoyed the American featured character, though his name has slipped my mind. I didn't realize this book wasn't set in America, so it was nice to be informed on that subject.
     The horses were a matter I'm still sort of confused on. Though Stiefvater described the capaill uisce or whatever they were called wonderfully, I just didn't understand the purpose of them, or how they were created and such. Though this didn't deter me from lowering its high ranking, I would've liked a bit of a better understanding of them. Also, I was a bit confused on what time period this book was featured in. My librarian said, it was set back in time, but they had cars. Nataly confused. AND, where were they set in the world?
     Either way, this book was lovely to read because of the such livid and imaginative writing. AND PLOT. I mean, who comes up with the idea of weird-ass horses and the race to death they take? Not only that, but there were many side plots that really added more to the characters and how they developed, such as Puck's brother's soon voyage out of her and her younger brother, Finn's life. I just think Maggie Stievater is one crazy imaginative lady. 
     Wonderful book. I would recommend you read it, fellow.

Nataly's Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.

Synopsis:
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 


When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Thoughts:

5/5 stars.
     I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed Anna and the French Kiss a bit more than this companion novel. Nevertheless, I adore this book with as much passion as Anna.
     The setting and characters were a tad bit more realistic than the who we saw in Anna, but yet again, I fell in love with every single one of these eccentric quirks of humans. Were pretty much in a suburb in San Fransisco, where a very outlandish dresser of sorts named Lola is reacquainted with someone from her past.
     Again, Mrs. Perkin's writing was so hilarious and true, and she gave each character depth and heart, with quirks and little habits that made the story seem so much more alive. Her friends weren't one-dimensional beings, neither were they bountiful, rather just a couple of people she was close to and really knew. In most romance stories, you have the friends who love to party, who usually pester our protagonist to join them in their drinking antics, our main character never truly knowing her best friend. Though that is just one tiny tidbit that no one really pays much attention to, it truly added much to the story.
     Her parents were just simply wonderful. They were the parents you have, the parents you want to have, the parents you want to be. And yes, they're gay, but the way Lola speaks of them makes their sexuality less stereotypical, and she even addresses the stereotypes of gay couples in a quite pleasant yet informative way. Cricket was also a lovely character. Though he is no Etienne St. Clair (I'm drooling as we speak), he was a cutie pie nonetheless, and had such great traits and qualities. He was definitely no douche bag, which I appreciated greatly. OH. And you get to see Anna and Etienne and sob at the complete beautifulness and legendary-ness of their relationship again. Yay.
     As Stephanie transported me to Paris in Anna, she took me to the San Fransisco suburbs. And though reading in a normal setting could be quite the boring, it was quite the opposite, for Lola had little nooks and interesting places that made the setting seem more... I don't know. Less boring. Also, along with giving characters loathsome traits, she added development of which we saw them in a different light, never giving us reason to fully hate a character. If you get what I mean.
     Just read this book. Wait, no. Read Anna, then this one. Yeah. Then wait an abhorrently too long of a wait for Isla and Happily Ever After.
     

Nataly's Book Review: How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr.

Synopsis:
Jill MacSweeny just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she's somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one. 

Mandy Kalinowski understands what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she's sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It's harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?

As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy--or as difficult--as it seems.

Thoughts:
4.5/5 stars.
     This was a great realistic novel. Not only was the writing so very superb, along with an enticing synopsis, but it also had a diverse, dynamic set of characters that by the end, you felt were actually real.
     This novel is about two girls from two very different lives, but both having problems that are quite difficult to overcome. Jill is in the middle of mourning the loss of her father, someone she was undeniably close to, and Mandy is pregnant, planning to give her child up to Jill's mother, going through  very different grieving process than Jill.
     I enjoyed how these two characters, who were also the narrators, were so different from each other, one being very naive, while the other is dark, and sarcastic, for you got to see how the two personalities interacted and such. Though there were moments where you wanted to slap the character in the face, there was the other part of you that actually felt for the character. To be honest, I really felt like every single character I read about were people I knew, for Sara Zarr was able to give all of them such realistic characteristics and sayings.
     In most books you see absent parents, or people who seemingly never eat or sleep, and I think that by adding simple gestures and scenes that seem so menial added a lot to the story and how I connected with it. All situations the characters faced were true to real life, and though some problems were tough, Sara Zarr handled them delicately and overall, well. I also like how there were pretty much no cliffhangers. AT ALL. It was great. Usually when chapters switch between two narrators, you will encounter many cliffhangers, but nope, seemingly none in this book.
     Another stupendous addition to this book was Zarr's writing. It was fantastic. I'm not kidding, she was able to dig deep into these characters and pull out real emotions and put them into words s breathtaking. I'm not afraid to say it, I freaken' cried like a lost parrot at some moments. But that's the sign of a terrific novel.
      Though there are some gutting moments, overall, this was a great and enjoyable read that I would recommend. To anyone. Yup. Even you.    

Nataly's Book Review: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

Synopsis:
Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything.

Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.


Thoughts:
1/5 stars.
     No. Just... No. I can't even get my words across to how terribly much I disliked this novel. This book has made me loose all hope for mankind. Gah. I can barely get myself to find words to describe my utter disapproval for this novel.
     I have literally been racking my head for at least ONE good thing to say about this very much hyped-up novel, but I just can't. By page 40 I wanted to throw this book into a heaping pile of flames. This story is about this annoyingly annoying girl named Aislinn (whose name I never learned how to pronounce) who sees faeries. I have read and enjoyed other faerie books, such as The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, so I have little background on the Summer and Winter kingdoms, but this book... gleeghheghg (that was the sound of me slowly dying a painful death). Do you know what book I was reminded of while reading this one? The oh-so-famous Twilight. 
     The pacing  for me was just completely off. One second, Aislinn is saying how she wants to be "just friends" with Seth, and then two pages later they are declaring their love for each other? I just felt Marr's writing was just sloppy and unorganized. When reading any book, you should be able to relate so closely to the characters feeling, able to understand and actually feel for what's going on in their life. But Aislinn was just a terrible character, period. It was Bella Swan all over again. We were supposed to be perceived that she was a "strong, independent women", but I just saw as a  broody, whiny, and impulsive girl. 
     And her friends. THEY WERE THE WORST. Seriously. I would absolutely HATE to have any of those girls as friends. Aislinn says this creepy boy is stalking her, and how she doesn't want any correspondence with him, yet they ENCOURAGE him to keep talking to her, and actually call her an idiot for not falling for his "beyond, beyond good look". Every single one of these characters made me want to gag. Not one of them gave me any hopes for mankind. 
     The writing was just so pathetic. It reminded me of that one kid in your honors math class who completely sucks, but doesn't drop out. Just keeps pushing himself, and thinks barely passing is the equivalent of an A. There was just no hope. Nothing enchanted me, nor made me want to delve into the story. The plot was atrocious, going nowhere, and nothing seemed to fit together nor make any sense at all. 
     I'm so sorry if you found this book amusing, but this was just not my cup of tea. I pretty much spit this cup of tea across the room. 

Mallory's Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

Synopsis:
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Thoughts:

6 stars/5 stars. (yeah, it's that amazing).
     This book left. me. speechless. It is so heart-wrenching and you can't put it down until you finish it. I  enjoyed the John Green books I have read so far (Paper Towns, Looking for Alaska, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson) but this exceeded all of my expectations; the book captured my attention from the very first page. Although it is a SPECTACULAR novel, it also tore my heart out. I usually feel some sort of connection with characters in books, but this writing was so superb that I felt like I personally knew Hazel and Gus. John Green did such an amazingly awesome job of writing this book that I couldn't tell that is was fiction; it seemed like the characters were real. I really liked Hazel because of the fact that she doesn't sugar coat her life, she knows she has cancer and won't try to put herself under the illusion that she is normal. I LOVED Augustus or "Gus" from the first he was introduced and my love only grew stronger throughout the book when he was unrelenting with his love for Hazel and wouldn't let his or her cancer get in the way. 
     Even though this is one of my new favorite books, I HATED the way it ended. Although it is a relief to have a book with out the fairy tale ending where they would've been "magically cured", I wish it could have ended on a happier note. I (along with Nataly) cried during this book, John Green made you fall so in love with the characters and then BAM!, sadness. 
     I do still believe that John Green is a genius when it comes to writing-- he can really connect with the teenage mind and about everyone else through his strong and diverse characters. Even though this book made cry, I still love it to pieces and highly recommend it to everyone!