March Wrap-Up!

Whew! It has been a long and exhausting March. Most days were stressful and tiring due to the countless exams, projects, and requirements to be submitted in school.  Plus, I went on a minor eye surgery just a few days ago. That's why I haven't been able to post a lot this month. But on the bright side, my eyes are almost okay now and school is over!!! That means more reading and more blogging. Yay!

There have been quite a few things I was dying to blog about this month, but I haven't really gotten into typing or posting it. So, here it goes...

FIRST:

The books I have read in March.

Considering the piles of work to be done, I honestly don't know why I was able to read 9 books this month. Studying for exams and doing our thesis took up most of my time, and I really wonder how I managed to squeeze those 9 books in my busy schedule. I'm not complaining though. I'm quite happy with that number, actually. But I haven't blabbered  much about the books I recently read.

 

SECOND:

The books I have purchased.

March is the month of release of two of my most anticipated books of 2013: REQUIEM and CLOCKWORK PRINCESS. I already went to our local bookstore last February to reserve my copy of these two books. I just need to wait for them to contact me when the books arrive. But sadly, I receive no text, no call and no email from them. Meaning, the books haven't arrived yet. Yeah! Pityful!

What did I do? Spend the saved money on pre-loved books instead.

THIRD:

Cover Reveals!

FOURTH:

Book swags and goodies!

That's all for now!

BOOK BLURB: Eleanor and Park

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Goodreads:

TWO MISFITS. ONE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE. 
It's 1986 and two star-crossed teens are smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love--and just how hard it pulled you under.

 A cross between the iconic '80s movie Sixteen Candles and the classic coming-of-age novel Looking for Alaska, Eleanor & Park is a brilliantly written young adult novel.

***

Date Read: March, 16, 2013
Rating: 2.5 Stars

This is the kind of love story that does not reach out to me. I found it boring and everything else that I dislike about annoying teenage relationships.

It wasn't bad. I actually really liked it at first, especially the voiceless communication between Eleanor and Park. The unsaid words of gratitude that comes with the exchange of comic books and mixed tapes, and the six inches of space between thew was fun while it lasted. But when they started to talk more, it just did not do anything good to me. It was like an instant unofficial relationship. Then, from no good, it went a bit worse. The relationship was unstable, confusing, and complicated. It wasn't funny, or sweet, or romantic. It was plain and bland. I would love to love the story, but it didn't suit my taste.

I usually love unusual characters, like Eleanor and Park. They weren't the best looking people, they weren't popular, and they weren't exceptionally talented. They stood out the best way they can, and that's by being awkward. I liked that, but sometimes they just seem to be off and that irritated a bit.

Again, I liked it at first. I am starting to get used to dual point of views now, and the book was good with that. I loved the parts when Eleanor and Park constantly switched point of views (not 1st person, but 3rd person) with only a short lines to tell. That was the meaningful part for me. Too bad that a big part of the book wasn't that great. But there were still a few notable good parts. Well, 2.5 stars.

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BOOK BLURB: That Boy (That Boy #1)

Hi people of the world wide web! It's been more than two weeks sine my last update, and I'm terribly sorry for that. I have been busy with school requirements and final exams for the past few days. I'm just days away from the official start of summer vacation. Yay! That means more updates, more posts! 

***

That Boy by Jillian Dodd
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Goodreads:

That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits. 

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth.  Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me.  And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

***

Date Read: March 5, 2013
Rating: 2 Stars

That Boy, upon reading the blurb, will catch the attention of anyone looking for a sweet contemporary romance about a girl torn between two guys. It centers around the lives of three very close friends who grew up together. As time came and went, JJ (the girl) slowly realizes how her two guy friends changed from scrawny little boys to gorgeous young men. Then, the story begins.

The story was very disappointing. I was expecting something delightful, fun and worthwhile to read. But the sweetness, the tingles on the skin, and the knots in the belly I was hoping to feel was not there. The supposed love triangle was bland and boring. The story seemed to drag on due to the wide time frame it covers. To be honest, I felt it was too long because of some of the insignificant moments or parts in the story.

The characters, especially JJ, was unappealing. She was quite annoying, confusing and hard to relate to. And there's not much character development with her. With the guys, I was hoping to read something about a healthy brotherly/friendly competition to win the girl's heart. But none of the interesting and exciting parts of the sappy 'ol love story was present. They were okay for me, but crush-worthy? I think not so. They are tolerable.

I don't usually comment on the writing style because I'm not good at judging those kinds of things. But truth be told, this was not the greatest on the planet. It wasn't that good. It felt too conversational and informal. Not my kind of style, though I don't have any specific preference with the writing.

To sum up, I did not like it very much. But like I said, it was tolerable. But sweet, fun, dramatic and entertaining? No, not really. Well, not for me.

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COVER CRAZY: Isla and the Happily Ever After + New Covers for Anna and Lola

Presenting... the cover of Stephanie Perkins' new contemporary novel.

ISLA AND THE  HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Goodreads:

Falling in love in the world’s most romantic city is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year at the School of America in Paris, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to deal with the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever. Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

Another fun-filled romance mixed with touches of drama and heartbreak. Plus, cross-overs!!! :)

But wait! It's not over yet. Apparently, Anna and Lola gets a make-over along with the reveal of Isla. Here are the before and after covers.

So, what are your thoughts? Comments? Are the new covers better or worse?

Personally, I like the new covers a tad better than the old ones. It looks simpler, yet it screams sophistication. It looks more mature while holding on to that YA element. I can't explain it clearly, but the new covers have my vote. :)

February Wrap-Up!

Two months down, ten more to go!

February has come and gone. Now, March is at our doorstep. HELLO there, March!

It has been a very busy February and I am expecting a lot more stress this March.

Well, for those residing in the Philippines, March is the last month of the school year. It is both a happy and a sad news. Why? Well, because in a matter of days, school will be over and summer is just a few weeks away! But before we get to that happy place, we must first endure the sufferings of a student. Yes, exams, projects, paper works, tons of requirements and a whole lot more. So, March is going to be tough month. Better be prepared. :)

Going back to the agenda, let's take a look back to the things I've cooked up this February 2013.

FIRST:

The books I have read in February.

This was not a good month for reading many books. As you can see, I have only read four books plus a short story, which is a bit far from the number I have read last January. 

The best book I have read this month is... *drum roll please* Ally Carter's Perfect Scoundrels and her short cross-over story Double Crossed. I am a huge Gallagher Girls fan, and these books officially made me a huge Heist Society fan as well. I just love how these books incorporate love, family, friendship, and humor into one fast-paced and thrilling roller coaster ride. The most disappointing book this February is, thankfully, none! Yes, that's how awesome my February reads has been.

SECOND:

The books I have purchased.

My trips to some book store have been quite unfortunate this February. It's either I don't find anything that pleases me or I find something good but I don't have enough money. So the result, I have purchased  only one book this month -  Wildefire by Karsten Knight.

THIRD:

Cover Reveals!

FOURTH:

Updates!

February has brought a whirlwind of teasers and updates. From the release date of Divergent's third installment to the first ever glimpse of Magnus Bane. And who would forget the book trailer of Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Princess?

There were also some casting updates on the upcoming TV adaptation of Lauren Oliver's Delirium and Keira Cass' The Selection.

BOOK BLURB: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2)

SCARLET (The Lunar Chronicles #2)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Number of Pages: 452

Date Published: February 5, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction / Retelling

Goodreads:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Thoughts:

BOOK BLURB: Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy #1)

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Goodreads:

Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

***

Date Read: February 24, 2013
Rating: 4 Stars

Fallen angels? Bad boys? Where have we read that before? Aaahh… Everywhere!

Sweet Evil did not really capture my interest back when it was buzzing around goodreads. To read another angel book was not on my priority list, and the cover did not really tickle my tastebuds. Good reviews from friends and their adoration for Kaidan made me want to try and give it a chance. And I am thankful I did.

What I really like about Sweet Evil was the concept of what angels and the fallen ones do on earth. There are dukes powered by deadly sins and demons spreading havoc on earth, guardian angels who protect and watch over the human race, and the nephilims who are mostly sons or daughters of fallen angels. So nephilims are generally bad here because they all grew up with their fathers (or the duke of whatever sin that may be). Wendy Higgins created an interesting concept that sets the book apart from the other angel books I have read.

The flow of the story was also good. From beginning to end, it will really hold a reader’s interest if you’re into this kind of story. The ending surprised and disappointed me a bit, because I thought there would be more. Everything was just left hanging there without any explanation as to what, how or why. I was just a little bummed out by that.

Kaidan’s character is very interesting. Aside from the fact that he is extremely good-looking and talented, he is a good person considering that he was raised by the duke of lust. Anna, on the other hand, was a little annoying near the end of the book. She seemed too desperate, like she can’t hold back and be patient. But in general, she was okay. I actually admired her (and the book) for not being hypocritical when it came to matters related to the Almighty. It did not seem fake or forced.

All in all, a great read. I will definitely watch out for Sweet Peril this coming April.

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BOOK BLURB: Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)

PERFECT SCOUNDRELS (Heist Society #3)

Author: Ally Carter

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Number of Pages: 328

Date Published: February 5, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary / Mystery

Goodreads:

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting--or stealing--whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir--this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.

*** 

My Thoughts:
(Date Read: February 19, 2013)

“I sincerely love that whenever anything is stolen anywhere in the world, YA readers think of me.”

That is one of the statuses Ally Carter posted on her Facebook page just a day or two after the Diamond Heist in Brussels. And I couldn't help but agree with it and say, “Yes, I do that too.” Why? Because Ally Carter has wrapped her readers around her finger. She has that ability to create a world where you want to be in.