An End to My Life as a Blogger

Hi guys!

So, I have only been blogging on this site since August and already I feel like it just isn't for me. At the moment, at least. I might come back to it in the future, but we'll just have to wait and see.

I will still be reading books and writing reviews on Goodreads. If you are interested in my reviews, check me out there!

Thank you all for supporting and coming to my blog. I hope to hear from you all sometime!

Sincerely,

Katie

Rippler by Cindy Swanson

Title: Rippler

Author: Cindy Swanson

Book #: 1st of Trilogy


Publisher: Williams Press

Publish Date: June 15th 2011

Pages: 288

Format: Kindle Edition


Date Read (Throwback): 
November 26th 2012

Rating: ★★  / out of 5



Summary:

After a freak disappearing act on a school trip, Sam discovers something terrifying about herself- she has the Rippler gene and there are people who want her dead because of it.

Along with her bestfriend, Will, and his sister, Mickie, she searches to discover the answers to their problems. 

And, what they are willing to do to keep each other safe.

Review:

Pros

• The main idea behind the story is decent. I prefer reading stories about people with powers (such as invisibility, flying, laser vision, ect.) to people with shape-shifting powers. This book gave me just that! In the novel, there are people who have a even rarer version of the already rare disease called Helmann's Disease. This super rare variation is called Rippler Syndrome or the Chameleon gene. These few people are hunted and killed, as well as anyone who was studying the disease. (view spoiler)

• The characters are pretty enjoyable. Sam, the main character, is relate-able being that she is just a normal teenage girl. She runs, has a stepmother, crushes on her best-friend, gets into a fight with her other best-friend, blends in at school. Typical teenage girl status. Will is a semi-typical, more of a rare find, kinda guy. He has a family member who is dealing with a drug problem, gives off mixed signals, great personality, charming but not enough to make me gag. Mickie, who is Will's super funny and slightly over protective older sister. She is hilarious and I loved the scenes where her and Will would bicker. Gwyn, eh. At least every book has a "best friend" character that mirrors the main character. That is exactly what Gwyn is, really. She cares about Sam very much though, which is good. 

• The conflict was borderline thrilling. Sam, Will and Mickie are hiding from the people who are killing off anyone who has had any association with Rippler's Syndrome. That means to Sam: no telling parent's or best friends (AKA, Gwyn) which is hard for Sam not to give in to. (view spoiler) It's pretty exciting!

Cons

• Will, poor Will. This paragraph is mostly going to be directed at you. I did not like how much information he gave so early on into the novel! It is the one thing I despise when reading. A simple fix would be to just add a few more pages in. There needs to be more development of the story before so much information is revealed. Having all those details hidden later on in the book is what makes you want to read it more! So you can find out what the heck is going on. 

• The writing style felt a little off to me. I don't recall many grammatical errors, but there were places where I thought "that could be worded a lot better". Another thing that bothered me was how the word guffawed seemed to be used so many times. It was only really used 11 times throughout the book, but it was such a strange word that it stuck out at me every time I read it. It also feels like things were missing from the writing. It felt semi choppy. I was able to stand it, but I wasn't really able to enjoy it.I don't want anyone reading this review to take what I just mentioned here to heart. That is not my intent. Every author has a different style, and I just did not like this one. That does not mean that the majority of people who read this will not, as well.

• Some things just didn't make sense! 

Overall, I thought the book had a good central idea, as well as a nice platform of characters. However, I felt it lacked in wording and flow. I would still recommend it, though, I don't know if I will be reading the next book!


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/439535363

Waiting on Wednesday: Armada by Ernest Cline

"Waiting on" Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating." (Hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine)

November 20th

Armada by Ernest Cline

Zack Lightman is daydreaming through another dull math class when the high-tech drop-ship lands in his school's courtyard-and when the men in the dark suits and sunglasses leap out of the ship and start calling his name, he's sure he's still dreaming.

As Zack soon discovers, the video game he's been playing obsessively for years isn't just a game; it's part of a massive, top-secret government training program, designed to teach gamers the skills they'll need to defend Earth from a possible alien invasion. And now…that invasion is coming.

Expected publication: July 2014

__________________________________________________

Basically, this is Ender's Game. However, since I loved that book I am super excited for this one! I haven't read Ready Player One, but I have heard many good things about this author's work.

Once by Anna Carey

Title: Once

Author: Anna Carey

Book #: 2nd of Trilogy


Publisher: HarperCollins

Publish Date: July 3rd 2012

Pages: 354

Format: Hardcover


Date Read (Throwback): November 15th 2012

Rating: ★★★★  / out of 5

We stood side by side, and for that minute, in the stillness of that room, he was not the King. I was not not the Princess, taken against her will to the City. We were two people trying to forget.

Summary: 

After finally making it to safety, Even thinks all will be well. If only she could get back to Caleb.

When she hears a rumor of his appearance nearby, Eve leaves the safe haven of Califa in search of him.

Suddenly, one thing leads to another and Eve turns out not to be the only one who needs saving this time.

Review:

So, overall, I did enjoy the book. 

I kept putting it off because I was concerned that it wouldn't measure up to Eve, but when I did start reading it, I finished it in a day!

My feelings toward this book, however, are mixed. It seemed like it was going well for Eve, and then it looked as if it would possibly get even better.. but then things just kept getting worse and worse and worse. And most of the time, it was her own fault. 

Or, perhaps I just want to blame her because everything was constantly going from good to bad and it was extremely unfortunate.

There was a lot of hope at the end though. (view spoiler) Eve still has a shot at changing things. 

Overall, I just hope she matures more in the third novel. I can't wait to read it and find out!

Quotes:

"You do anything for the person you love,” she said finally."And then when you don’t think you can give any more of yourself, you do. You keep going. Because it would kill you not to."


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/404709721

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Recommend To My Past Self

Top Ten Tuesday

(Hosted by Broke and Bookish)

November 19th

Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To My Past Self

I missed out on a lot of good books growing up, so I decided to make a list of books that I would want myself to have read way back when they first came out.

1. Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa

2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

3. Enclave by Ann Aguirre

4. Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

6. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

7. Blood Red Road by Moira Young

8. Eon by Alison Goodman

9. Divergent by Veronica Roth

10. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Title: Graceling

Author: Kristin Cashore

Book #: 1st of Trilogy


Publisher: Harcourt

Publish Date: October 1st 2008

Pages: 471

Format: Hardcover


Date Read (Throwback): November 11th 2012

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5

When a monster stopped behaving like a monster, did it stop being a monster? Did it become something else?

Summary:

In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.
(Summary taken from Goodreads)

Review:

This book had a very Medieval feel. The way the characters talked, the settings, and the transportation! It was a very refreshing break from all the Sci-fi novels I have been reading.

The characters were amazing, as well! Every one was perfectly crafted, and many had witty personalities that kept me entertained. The romance between Po and Katsa, the friendship between Katsa and Raff, and the sister-like behavior of Bitterblue and Katsa, all left me heart-warmed and made it extremely relate-able. 

I was happy about the way the book started, thrilled by the way it progressed, and satisfied with the ending. I only hope the best for Katsa as she returns to Randa's castle to face him. I also wish that her and Po stay together, but not by marriage, of course. 

I know that the third book in this series is titled Bitterblue so I only assume that Bitterblue will be the center of attention in it. I was a bit disappointed when I found out that the series wouldn't be continuing from Katsa's point of view. But, at the same time, I loved Bitterblue's character just as much and cannot wait to learn more of her and the new characters in the second book. 

Overall, I love love this book. You must read it. 

Quotes:

"Katsa. Is it too much for you to understand that a man might be hungry after you've beaten him half to death?"

"Your eyes are beautiful."

"The notion of having a lover was to Katsa something like discovering a limb she'd never noticed before."

How absurd it was that in all seven kingdoms, the weakest and most vulnerable of people - girls, women - went unarmed and were taught nothing of fighting, while the strong were trained to the highest reaches of their skill.


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/405445009

Forbidden by Syrie James & Ryan M. James

Title: Forbidden

Author: Syrie Hames & Ryan M. James

Book #: Standalone


Publisher: HarperTeen

Publish Date: January 24th 2012

Pages: 410

Format: Paperback


Date Read (Throwback): November 8th 2012

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5

"Let's not think about the worst. I believe that anything worth having is worth fighting for."

Summary:

Claire is the main character. It's her Mom and her; it always has been just the two of them. They have moved from place to place since before she can remember, but now, they finally seemed to have settled down a bit. She is enjoying her life as it is with her two best friends and school life at the prestigious Emerson Academy. Though, she has always wondered what kind of person her Dad was, and why he just.. left. 

Then, she meets the sexy Scottish boy Alec. He lives by himself, has a guarded past, and doesn't really say much. Yet, Claire and her two best friends adopt him as their own. The four get along great and Claire can't help but feel herself falling for him oh so slightly.

All of the sudden, she starts getting strange visions and her world turns upside down ndsıpǝ poʍu.

Together, Claire, Alec, Brian, and Erica discover who Clairereally is and if they can save her before it's too late. 

Review:

I thought this book was great!

All the characters were extremely easy to get along with. Claire was open with her two best friends and they were very supportive of her. They stood up for her and watched her back. Alec was a great guy, too, and I couldn't help but feel myself fall for him as Claire did. The romance wasn't super sappy. It went slow and gradually developed. By the end of the book, they only said "I love you" when everything was said and done. And they actually meant it. 

The idea, though not completely original, was better played in this book. It all seemed like it fell into place. There wasn't too much information being dumped on you at once, yet it wasn't slow at all. I felt myself gliding through pages. 

Overall, I loved it so much, and I would recommend it to everyone!


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/439777725

Insanity by Lauren Hammond

Title: Insanity

Author: Lauren Hammond

Book #: 1st of Trilogy


Publisher: S.B. Addison Books

Publish Date: May 8th 2012

Pages: 190

Format: Kindle Edition


Date Read (Throwback): November 7th 2012

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5

Life is pain. Life is chaos. It's never easy. Always a struggle.

Summary: 

Adelaide Carmichael and Damien Allen couldn't be more opposite.

Adelaide is broken down from her mother's abandonment and her father's constant abuse. Damien has a wealthy family and a bright future to look forward to. Despite what everyone says, the two fall deeply in love and plan to runaway together, living against society's rules. 

That is.. until Addie wakes up in an insane asylum with no memory as to how she got there. All she knows is that she wants out.

As she pieces together what took place, she comes to the conclusion that things aren't always what they seem and sometimes true love really never dies.

Review:

My brain is swarming with thoughts, my body pumping with energy, my fingers itching to write this review.. and I don't even know where to begin! I don't even believe that a "wow", or a "holy crapola" will explain my feelings for this book and give it the justice it so fairly deserves. 

I guess I should start with the first thing everyone sees when they look at a book: The cover.

This book should win a "Cover of the Year" award. I mean, seriously! This is the most beautifully breathtaking cover I have ever seen. Ever. It is so simple, yet at the same time a millions words could be said about it. The way the wind is blowing and covering her face makes you ask "Who is that girl? What does her face look like?" And the white dress she wears, how white symbolizes pureness. Is it irony or symbolism? And then the field of wheat she is standing in. We know from reading the book that she grew up someplace near a field of tall grass, but from the perspective of someone who has not read it yet, the field could represent being stranded or isolated, or in this case the time period and social class of the main character, as well.

__________

Powerful

If I had to describe this book in one word, that would be it. 

The talent this author has to be able to construct such a book is beyond me! If only this were a paperback book. This would be something worth getting signed by the author, herself. 

A few chapters into the book, and I felt myself fully tuning into Adelaide's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. There were times when I wished that I could only start screaming and kicking like she was, when they started to hold her down and restrain her. And, not only did I feel for her when she was going through the things she did in the Asylum during the "After", my heart also broke for what she went through in her home during the "Before". 

__________

Her Father's drinking, her Mother's disappearance (view spoiler), and being beaten by her "Daddy". These were very strong emotions that the author brought into the novel, creating a sense that Addy was truly lost, hopeless, and broken. 

Then Damien comes along. At first, I was upset about their relationship. I wish the book was a bit longer, and that it went into more detail about how they fell in love. That is always my favorite part about romance novels. When you see the characters spending more time together, and when you hear the "click" go off in their minds when they realize they love each-other. That was sadly missing from this book. However, we do know that what ever happened in the beginning, they are deeply in love.

As the story goes by, I find myself in a trance. I desperately want to know how she got in the asylum, and is there is really a way out. 

Overall: Speechless!

Quotes:

"There was a brief moments, days after his death that I thought I might be okay. That I might be able to always remember our love, but be able to move on."

Note:
I did notice two small grammatical errors, throughout the book. I also kept wondering why there where awkward breaks in between conversations in the text.


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/439541253

Fire by Terra Harmony

Title: Fire

Author: Terra Harmony

Book #: 2nd of Series


Publisher: Createspace

Publish Date: October 15th 2012

Pages: 366

Format: Paperback


Date Read (Throwback): November 4th 2012

Rating: ★★★★★  / out of 5



Summary:

The Seven has another leader, Kaitlyn is a new mother, and everyone is busy building their armies. During one battle, the secret to Akasha is discovered, and the race to master it is on. With all eyes on the prize, what matters most gets left behind. It is up to Kaitlyn to preserve the planet in the wake of the pure destructive power of Akasha, and the humans who wield it.
(Synopsis taken from GoodReads)

Review:

This book is yet another reason for me to declare my love for this series, and for the author who wrote it. 

This book kicks off right where the second one ended, and we finally meet the little baby! Her name, of course, is Bee. At first, I was as skeptical as Micah and Shawn were when they first heard the name. I kept assuming that it was just temporary and that she would eventually give her an actual name, but that just wasn't the case. And, honestly, I kinda grew into liking it. I mean, it is cute and adorable; just like she is!

This book, again like the others, gives us a deeper look into the lives of "super-powered-tree-huggers" in the most fascinating and complimentary way possible. It really made me think about all the things that we do that are destroying the Earth; things that we do on a daily basis without even giving it a second though. Like, for example, turning on the lights and using power.

I love this entire series. 

The main character and I share names, which of course is totally and extremely awesome!

Overall, I love reading super-hero like stories, and when their powers are based on the elements I always find it even more interesting. The covers are so simple yet beautiful! The characters are all witty and enjoyable. (As much as I detest Shawn, he does have his "OK, that was pretty funny" moments)


On My Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/406044128