[#18] Book Review: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison

by Bridget Zinn

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Review

Poison... Wow. That. Was. Awesome!!! And here just minutes after I'd finished reading it, and I want to read it again.

It was a quick read for a book that deserved a trilogy, though I was pretty glad that Zinn made this a single one. It reminded me of a book by Snyder, Scent of Magic which I loved too. I picked this book for I know that it just going to be a quick one, and now here I am wishing that it would be longer and have more elaborate ending. But no, because Zinn just made enough and satisfying book.

The plot was really nice. Friendship tone, made me realize that I have to go out of my cave and spend some time with my friends =) Adventure. Trust. Love. Mystery. Humor. And the revelation part on the last parts was quite unexpected and entertaining. It actually made me laugh countless times.

The characters were so jolly. It's hard concentrating on the dilemma when even they were not taking it seriously. Kyra brought the balance to that. She's the lead, loved her with her bravery, determination and sweetness. The same goes with Ariana, with a little level up on sweetness and down on the other two. And Fred *cough* my Fred *cough*, he was just so funny and lovable!

I was really glad that it didn't turn out to be some love triangle. The romance part was clean and cute. Though, teenage love was on a different level in the old times. Marriage at 16 O.o

I definitely enjoyed this book. I might read it again sometime soon. And I'm so gonna fish some other work of Zinn ^^

How much I loved it?

5.0 Hearts

[#16] Book Review: Through the Ever Night-Veronica Rossi

Through the Ever Night 

(Under the Never Sky #2)

by Veronica Rossi

Synopsis 

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both. Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder,Can their love survive through the ever night? In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

Review

Through the Ever Night... It's the second installment of the Under the Never Sky trilogy. It's a really unique dystopian romance that set me on track again (I'd been out without reading for half a month). Clean romance, adventure on both lead characters, antagonistic and unique plot. I like the concept of the novel, narration and the calm story though there's nothing calm about the aether and all of their dilemmas.

The lead characters: Aria and Perry. Aria became stronger, braver and wiser than her first appearance on the first book. Perry, what's with the dough? He lacks trust and authority as a bloodlord, though he'd just became one and I think he was trying not to be like his father and brother. He's off to a good start. He's loving, brave and good in deciding for his tribe; not much on convincing them. The romance between him and Aria was not suffocating and just sweet and cool. Roar; I love his character. Cinder; loving him more and more. Hess and Sable: can't hate them for they're making the story interesting. Soren, I'm still on the process of thinking what's up with him.

Good narration, nice events, awesome story line, great set of characters, unique world it brought me... Thumbs up for Rossi then ^^

How much I loved it?

4.0 Hearts 

[#15] Book Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite

  (The Selection #2)

by Kiera Cass

Synopsis

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Review

The Elite… This series definitely gave life to the girlish part of me that hadn’t been roused for a really long time. I loved it!

I rated The Selection with perfect five while I rated this one four because I think that the first one’s much better. I rate a series according to its development from the first one. While The Elite definitely roused me, The Selection gave me sparks and all.

I also like the blue cover more that the red one. Though, I really approved of both covers for they sort of described the characters too. In the first book, America was innocent and confused which gave blue aura (blue:calm). The second one with America being stronger and a little fiercer gave red aura. That’s just the way I view things though.

Charaters. I still think that Aspen was a jeck. No competition for the prince then. Maxon, he still has that charming, manly and really lovable self. I was a little shock with his revelation on what was happening with him and his dad. I understand the weigh of his responsibilities and his every action. His womanizing, I don’t even want to talk about that (you got the idea, right?). America, loved her so much. I liked her character now more than the other one. She was stronger and more that ready to stand up for the things and persons that needed her. I admired those qualities of her. Maxon and her lovelife had been a little blur with all that happened but I still have my bet on him.

Events. There’s less focus on love thing on this book than the other one. The rebels were really disturbing. The palace was not much of desirable place now with all that happened and issues with the royal family. The events shifted with the characters. It’s great how Cass had done it all.

Overall, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next series, and it has its official title now! The One. I loved this book and I’m sure that I will love it too. Another thumbs up for Cass =D

How much I loved it?

4.0 Hearts

[#5] Book Review: Fortress of Mist by Sigmund Brouwer

Fortress of Mist 

(Merlin's Immortals #2)

by Sigmund Brouwer

Synopsis

Following Thomas' conquest of Magnus, the young ruler must now lead his people into a new era - one which is sure to reveal dark forces at work behind the evil undercurrent that controlled Thomas' kingdom for so long. Who will stand with Thomas to fight against the mysterious Druids? After being abandoned by Sir William, of his remaining "adopted family," who can he trust? Can he trust either Katherine or Isabelle with his secrets-or his heart?

Review

Fortress of Mist… It is the second novel in Brouwer’s Merlin’s Immortals Series. This book was classified as YA, though I would recommend it with younger teens. I think it would be fun to read this if you like calm, mystery and a little romance.

Honestly, these are not the type of books I would usually enjoy for I am more of a YA dystopian and paranormal reader. I’m not used to very calm sound of this book, though I liked it for it was a breath of fresh air after reading consecutive thrilling genres.

There was mystery, romance, deceit, betrayal and wisdom implied in this novel. The mystery evolved around the main character: Thomas. The events was narrated by a third person so the readers knows what’s going on, the mystery was only on the characters. The romance was nothing mushy. Deceit and betrayal, the supporting characters seem to deceit the main. Thomas seems to have a fight against the worlds. He has had those wisdoms that the reader could take time to think about. It could be a good way to connect with a book like this, though not everything was relatable for it’s mostly about warfare. Faith was also seen in this novel. Thomas has question about God that could give readers some insights.

Overall I found Fortress of Mist to be an interesting yet a quick calming read. The revelation on this book did its magic for me to keep interested on the coming events.

I received this novel for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Press in exchange for this review.

How much I loved it?

3.5 Hearts

[#4] Book Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me 

(Shatter Me #2)

by Tahereh Mafi

Summary

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it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

Review

Unravel Me… I really loved the first book of this trilogy so I was very excited to finally read this one. In Shatter Me: I’d loved it, plain and simple while in Unravel Me: I’d loved it and hated it at the same time, it’s just so complicated. It made me feel like throwing the book away yet made me so eager to know what would happen next. Thought, they have this comparison that I couldn’t ignore; they both left me quite speechless…

If I would to choose the character that resembles me, it would be Castle, because like him, I am so disappointed with Juliette. I expected too much on this book and I’m a little disappointed with how it went. I mean, the book and writing of Mafi was incredible, it just that Shatter Me was so good and I expected this to be much more.

The flow of events was surprising, annoying yet lovable. It’s like fire and ice with this book. And I loved it for it brought out some hidden emotions in me. Surprising, there was a lot of events that made me stand and say “OMG! I didn’t see that coming!” There were a lot of revelations that’s so amazing and mind-blowing. Then, there’s annoying, it has everything to do with the characters. Juliette, you know how I feel about her. She and Warner got some kind of schizophrenia; it’s hard to figure them out. Adam, I’m in love with him! He and Kenji were the lovable part.

The love triangle had been so pronounced now. I think I’d liked it better when there’s not too much of it. They’re starting to do that ‘blindly in-love’ thing just like all the other YA book around. I’d never been subtle in my last review that I first fall in love with it because it’s different and it has no blindly-in-love thing going on.

All in all, it’s still a really great book that’s worth reading even though it gave me some headache XD Mafi is incredible.

How much I loved it?

4 Hearts