[#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

[#17] Book Review: Providence by Jamie McGuire

Providence 

(Providence #1)

by Jamie McGuire

Synopsis

Struggling with her father's death, Nina meets Jared Ryel, presumably by chance. However it soon becomes clear that he knows more about her than even close friends. When her father's former associates begin following her in the dark, Nina learns that her father was not the man she thought he was, but a thief who stole from demons. In searching for the truth behind her father's death, she stumbles upon something she never expected, and something Hell wants, that only she holds the key for. Jared risks everything to keep the women he was born to save, by sharing the secret he was sworn to protect.

Review

Providence... I was intrigue by this book for it's written by McGuire who authored one of my favorite books - Beautiful Disaster. And just look how the cover radiate mystery, like it was saying to me, 'Hey, I know you can't resist me, just take a peak and you'll know what's inside.'. And there I figured out that he's absolutely right, I'm a sucker for mysteries.

Just a warning: this might contain little spoilers... The demons was already mentioned on the synopsis so it won't be hard to figure out that there would be angels. There was a love triangle: Jared-Nina-Ryan. It's like reliving Twilight all over again. Paranormal romance where the romance was a little suffocating. At first, I have my bet on Ryan and it's the first time I bet on someone who obviously would lose. Jared was actually the mystery part of the book, I can't figure what he was and what up with all the events involving him though, I wasn't really surprised when it's all said and done. Nina, the only part that I liked her was when she left Jared. Nina and Jared, not the best couples for me. But I'm hoping that there would be something between Ryan and Claire. Just a little guess that they might have that 'something' on the next books, because of the part where Jared told Nina that she and Ryan were supposed to be family, for Claire's guardianship for him to make any sense. If Jared and Nina will really end up together (I'm still hoping they don't) then, the only way that they would become family was to Claire and Ryan to happen. And that's how I analyzed all the books I'm reading.

The love story was too focused and it's like they just want to live on their own personal bubble forever. 'People, the world doesn't revolve around you' and yet, 'Why do you care?'. Schizophrenia activated. I liked some parts and some don't. I just really expected to love it the same way I had with Beautiful Disaster.

The plot, climax, story line, supporting characters and setting were all in the background. Nothing much to be told about any of it. It's sort of repetitive. Lost count of how many times they make out.

Anyway, I like it in an average way and planning to read the next books soon. I recommend this to readers who really really love romance.

How much I loved it?

3.5 Hearts

Saturday Recollection [Short Reviews]

Books I Skipped Reviewing

Weekend treats
#001

These were just a short review of the books that I skipped for some reasons. I decided to post some once every weekend until it's all up. Enjoy! ^^

❧ Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
❧ My Rating : 3.0 Hearts
❧ Date Read : December 13, 2012
❧ I didn't get the chance to review this one because technically, I haven't even started this blog during that time. Okay, so this book is a twist to the classic tale Robin Hood. I liked the female character for she's all independent and brave. The plot was really good but it's a little boring until the climax started and the cards were revealed. Also loved the way they beat up the bad guys and work together. The romance part was cute and sweet. Going to read the next installment when it come out ^^


❧ Heart on a Chain by Cindy C. Bennett
❧ My Rating : 3.5 Hearts
❧ Date Read : Jan 23, 2013
❧ Same reasons for not reviewing. This book was the first and last one that made me cry. And when I say cry, I mean Cry for a long time. The girl character was so pitiful though, I can relate to her at some point. The story line was okay, I didn't like the ending 'cuz it's so simple, not worth all the struggles of the characters. This is contemporary romance and I recommend this one ^^



❧ Divergent by Veronica Roth
❧ My Rating : 2.5 Hearts
❧ Date Read : September 14, 2012
❧ Same reasons. I know many readers enjoyed reading this one, but when I get to read it, I just can't figure out why. I just think that this book is not for me. This is my first dystopian read and I love that genre. Maybe, it was simply because this book was not my usual read during that time (the time I was still a sucker for Twilight-kind-of-romance). Though, I'm planning to try it out again on the next installment and see if I'm going to like it this time.

#001 On My Shelf...

Books Currently on My Shelf

(Which one to read first?)

❧ Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

• Published March 5th 2013 
• 416 pages
• Part of Series (first installment)
• I think it has dystopian, paranormal and romance thing.  

❧ Poison by Bridget Zinn

• Published March 12th 2013
• 288 pages
• It's Fantasy plus Romance

❧ Towering by Alex Flinn

• Published May 14th 2013
• 293 pages
• We all know Flinn, right? It's an obvious retelling of Rapunzel :)

❧ Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

• Published March 5th 2013
• 370 pages
• Part of Series (First Installment)
• It's Paranormal plus romance (Witches and all ^^)

❧ Providence by Jamie McGuire

• Published November 17th 2010
• 484 pages
• Part of Series (First Installment)
• Paranormal plus Romance. 
• Wanting to read this since I'd read Beautiful Disaster but now that I have it, there's just too many choices to make.

❧ Wither by Lauren DeStefano

• Published March 22nd 2011
• 358 pages
• Part of Series (First Installment) 
• Dystopian
• I honestly don't know what to expect with this book.

❧ Anew by Chelsea Fine

• Published December 7th 2011 
• 385 pages
• Part of Series (First Installment)
• Paranormal plus Romance
• I've had read the first two chapters and decided to read it next time, story line's a little too slow for me. Though, I still considering reading it.

❧ Fallen by Lauren Kate

• Published December 8th 2009
• 452 pages
• Part of Series (First Installment)
• Paranormal plus Romance (Angels)
• A friend recommended this to me months ago, the problem stays: there's toooo many choices, which to read first? O.o

❧ Easy by Tammara Webber

• Published November 6th 2012
• 310 pages
• Contemporary Romance
• Well, It won't be my next book to read because I'm still in the mood of reading high fiction YA but I think I might read this next month or so. :)

❧ Destined by Jessie Harrell

• Published November 17th 2011
• 360 pages
• Paranormal plus Romance (Mythology)
• I am actually currently reading this one but it already taken me a week or so and I'm not even in the middle yet. Story line's too slow but I'm going to finish this (don't know when).

ღEverything is Young Adult Books and you may notice that they are all single novel or part of series but the first installment. I'm done reading all series books that I've had been following so I'm starting a new series/books to follow through. I'm having a hard time choosing so I would really appreciate a little help ^^

Anyway, I'm willing to Share EBook copies of any of these books, just follow me and message/comment which one you want to have =)

[#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