Title: Gone Girl
Author: Gillian Flynn
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Adult
Pages:415
Publisher: Broadway Books
Year Published: 2012
Format: Library Copy (Paperback)
First Line: "When I think of my wife, I always think of her head."
"On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and media- as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents- the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter- but is he really a killer?"
My Rating: 3.75/5
This was my local book clubs pick for the month and it took a lot longer for me to get through than I anticipated. The story was interesting, but due to already having watched the movie, I found that I knew where the story was headed. If I hadn't watched the movie, I think that I would have enjoyed the thrilling aspects much more. I also enjoyed the writing style, there's something to be said for being able to write really unlikeable characters and still have the reader interested in where their lives are going. That being said, if you have already watched the movie, I wouldn't say that it's necessary to read the book.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This story was one that was suggested by the shyest member of my local book club. So our meeting this month should be interesting, to say the least. I think that this book had many interesting elements. The unlikeable characters (I think I liked 2 people out of everyone), the thrilling aspect (had I not already watched the movie) and the look into criminal investigations/crime tv.
I think that the idea of having someone be so committed to a lie to commit self-harm was a wild idea but none-the-less an interesting one.
Characters:
Amy: There's no way around it, she's a freaking psychopath. She doles out her own means of justice however she feels she needs to. I kind of forgot all the other people she had lied about and gotten away with before Nick. It makes you wonder if she was able to do this to more people after the course of the novel took place.
Nick: He is another character that isn't likeable. He's not a good guy. He's done some shitty stuff, but the idea that he and Amy are having a child together horrifies me, to say the least. What kind of household would I child be raised in with these two?
Rand: I liked him. He was self-aware that he sounded corny and kind of ridiculous throughout everything.
Go: She's a hard character to keep up with, but she might be the only sane one in Nick's life. Yes, she doubted him for a little while, but that being said she stuck by him through everything.
Marybeth: I didn't like her in the least, to be determined that Nick was the only problem in the marriage might be some of the reasons that Amy had romantic issue (I mean besides her being crazy and unable to tell fact from opinion).
Rhonda: I wish she'd been able to get her guy. But I think that it's safe to say that not everything worked out in the novel we would have liked.
Desi: I felt a little bad for him in the movie, but in the book, he was as much as a jerk as possible. To try to buy someone's love is just pointless.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "I think I've earned that."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Into the Still Blue
Author: Veronica Rossi
Series/Standalone: Under the Never Sky Trilogy (Book #3)
Genre: Dystopia, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 389
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year Published: 2014
Format: Audiobook
"The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do- and they are just as determined to stay together.
Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.
Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival- he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.
In this final book in her earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close."
My Rating: 4.5/5
This ending was more than I could have expected and possibly my favourite book in this trilogy. I loved the storytelling and the plot, but also the way our characters reacted to things that had happened in the second book. I also really enjoyed the change of setting that occurred throughout this last instalment. I would definitely read more works by the author. I loved this series, and it reminded me of all that a dystopian really can be. So different and so heartwarming, but still so spooky to think about the what-ifs. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoyed dystopian books in the past but felt like they've seen it all.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This whole series had really reminded me of what I love about dystopian. The ideas of what if and what would you do if are very strong in this series. But this story also has the idea of fate. Whether you are born as a dweller or an outsider, your fate was the same by the end unless you aligned yourself with someone promising, and even then odds were that you wouldn't make it out.
I've also enjoyed the more adult aspect of this series. This series doesn't go into explicit details, but it doesn't brush away the ideas of needs and wants. It helped me to connect with our characters and make me feel like they were real people.
Characters:
Perry: His passion for his people and for Aria knows no bounds. I loved that he was a passionate character and wanted the best for everyone overall. I also enjoyed the fact that he clearly cared about Aria and wasn't afraid to show it after so long being apart.
Aria: Aria grew a lot as a character in this last book, she thought about who she was and who she wanted to be. I also enjoyed that she was willing to stand for herself, but was able to ask for help if she needed it. I hope her future is bright, even better than anything that would have happened in the pods.
Talon: He deserves this bright future. And he made me smile.
Cinder: His loss hurt me deeply, but I also think that it was necessary for his loss. I really loved that he showed his emotion and his fear, it's important for us to realize that fear is important.
Roar: I think that Roar is my favourite character. He is charming and funny, teasing as many of my friends are. That being said, his heartbreak was evident in this story and played a very important role in this storyline.
Sable: He is the evil we never even thought of. I honestly thought that he was a Rhysand type, but boy was I wrong. I wonder what would have happened if he hadn't been so harsh and raised to be so Horns above all.
Hess: Can't say he'll be missed, he was the original villain and I still didn't forgive him for all he put Aria through.
Sorren: I think that Sorren grew a lot in this book as well, he realized it's not important about to be the head man if he wasn't going to live to see another month.
Brooke: I'm happy that she found someone else and was willing to be more friendly to Aria.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Winter
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series/Standalone: The Lunar Chronicles (Book #4)
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Retelling
Pages: 827
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year Published: 2015
Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)
First Line: "Winter's toes had become ice cubes."
"Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mark her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.
Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend-- the handsome palace guard, Jacin. but Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.
Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series."
My Rating: 4/5
I've heard so many good things about this series and I wonder if the hype didn't really do me any favours. I found that this series was really entertaining and creative with the use of fairy tales. That being said, it didn't blow me out of the water. I think that this conclusion was beautiful, although a bit long. I understand that all the aspects of the story we had to follow were important but by halfway through I was wondering how much more could be thrown into this last book. That being said I do love the majority of the characters and I enjoyed the idea of living in space. I'm interested in reading more work from Marissa Meyer but I don't think that I'll be reading Stars Above anytime soon. It just doesn't hold a high appeal to me. Overall I enjoyed the series and the plot line, it was just so hyped that I felt a little bit let down.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
One goal I have this year is to finish out series that I start and to marathon them when I can and enjoy them. This one has been a long time coming and after Cress, I wasn't sure what to expect. Overall I really enjoyed the characters and the setting in this installment. That being said, I found that the plot was a little lacklustre at some points. I just didn't seem to feel the urgency that I should have felt while reading the second half of the book. That being said, I think that Marissa Meyer is super creative with her retellings and the way that she uses things from the original fairy tales.
Characters:
Winter: I think that she was an interesting character to hear from. Especially based on her choice not to use her gift. I was interested in her madness and how quickly she could spiral. I also wonder about after the war and where her thoughts went. I loved her characters and I wish that we would have heard a little more about her upbringing with Levana.
Jacin: His loyalty to Winter throughout this story is so impressive. Also his restraint in keeping himself from telling her how he felt. I liked the element of wanting something he couldn't have. It made their romance so much more than guard and princess.
Levana: She is a good freaking villain. She's crazy and selfish but seriously thinks that she is doing right by her people by making the choices she does. A fantastically written villain.
Cinder: I was most proud of her last decision to adequate the throne at some point. After all, she didn't really want to be a ruler she wanted to give the people of Luna freedom. She succeeded in the goal and plans to give them a more secure future with her decision.
Kai: I still think that he's a little bland. Too much a just kind of there to hold off the villain which I understand but not my favourite male character by far.
Thorne: Thorne grew a lot on me in this book especially after Cress is left behind. His urge to get back to her broke my heart. I also enjoyed the way he reacted to trying to tell her how he felt. Even after he just stabbed her. I also loved that at the wedding he told that Lunar he loved her because he thought that she was Cress. My heart hurt as we watched their relationship grow.
Cress: Another character who grew on me as she got more confident in her abilities. She was willing to risk herself for the good of all, which I felt is something she lacked in the 3rd book. I also think that her romance with Thorne was better fleshed out in the finale.
Scarlet: Still my favourite female character. She's badass and she doesn't take shit from anybody. She's willing to fight for those she loves and those she just started to get to know (Winter). I think that her storyline and romance is the real reason I finished the series. And possibly the only reason for me to continue with Stars Above.
Wolf: Probably not a surprise but my favourite male character as well. His romance with Scarlet was so perfectly executed in this storyline. The way he changes and is still himself underneath it all. I also loved that he was willing to let Scarlet go if she wanted, even though it would likely break him. I also just think that he was hot. Not even gonna lie he has so many amazing qualities.
Iko: I'm not a huge fan of her but I don't hate her either. She was ok for me to read from, especially as she was not affected by glamours. I understand that she had a different personality than the average AI, but I'm not interested in reading Wires and Nerve just yet.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "She held her foot over the water and let go."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Leviathan
Author; Scott Westerfield
Series/Standalone: Leviathan Series (Book #1)
Genre: Steampunk, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 440
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Year Published: 2009
Format: Physical Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The Austrian horses glinted in the moonlight, their riders standing tall in the saddle, swords raised."
"Choose your weapon: Beastie and Clanker
Aleck is a prince without a throne. On the run from his own people, he has only a fighting machine and a small band of men.
Deryn is a girl disguised as a guy in the British Air Service. She must fight for her cause- and protect her secret- at all costs.
Aleck and Deryn are thrown together aboard the mighty airship Leviathan. Though fighting side by side, their words are far apart. British fabricated beasts versus German steam-powered war machines. They are enemies with everything to lose, yet somehow destined to be together."
My Rating: 4/5
I went into this book expecting to love it from the start, and at the beginning, it was a little too out there for me. I found the storyline a little difficult to grasp, as well as the science fiction concepts. That being said, as I read I grew more and more interested in the characters as well as the world. I find that the storyline grew on me as I began to understand the world and the difference between the Darwinists and the Clankers. Along with the awesome writing, the author added illustrations if you are like me and have trouble envisioning things that are a little out there. The story overall was very interesting and I look forward to continuing the series.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This story was a huge surprise to me. When I first picked it up I thought that I wouldn't be able to get into the storyline, that it was a little too much to fast. But after taking some time away from it I found that I really enjoyed the different world and the characters. I think that this steampunk twist makes an interesting war story. I also wonder how these two allies that we've found in this story will continue to get along.
Characters:
Dylan/Deryn: I really enjoyed her point of view. Her love for flying led her to a dangerous path. I only wonder how long she'll be able to keep up the scheme that she's a boy. I don't think it will be too much longer. I also wonder about her feelings for Alek. That is not a priority and more than a little of an unnecessary romance. At least in my eyes.
Alek: Imagine being viewed as less than those around you and then all of a sudden being told that you are able to inherit after years of believing that you would not be able to. I also wonder how he'll keep that secret long enough for the emperor to die.
Klopp: Seems kind enough and is able to keep Alek in line when he needs to. All except when it matters (good job sneaking out of the castle Alek).
Dr Barlow: Something about her gives me Ms Coulter vibes for sure. I also found that she is just rude to those around her. Maybe this is due to her relations with Darwin. I also wonder how she'll continue on this journey.
Volger: I like his sass and ability to tell Alek what he thinks, even if sometimes its a little harsh.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "But the eggs just sat there, not answering at all."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Firstlife
Author: Gena Showalter
Series/Standalone: Everlife (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopian
Pages: 438
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Year Published: 2016
Format: Physical Copy
First Line: "Duuude."
"I've been told history is written by survivors. But I know that isn't always true. My name is Tenley Lockwood, and very soon, I'll be dead. This is my story- but the end is only the beginning.
Tenley 'Ten' Lockwood has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. She's earned her rep as the craziest of the crazies, but that doesn't stop the torture. Ten can leave, but only if she allows her parents to choose where she'll live- after she dies.
There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.
In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enermies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herelf on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the boy she's falling for and the realm she wants to support. Who will she choose? Can she stay alive long enough to make a decision?"
My Rating: 2/5
This book was a lot more religious than I expected. I should have guessed based on the premise but unfortunately I didn't expect there to be a totally right and wrong choice. I also didn't expect the book to take a whole evil on one side approach. I was interested in the idea, and had planned to continue the series but after how underwhelming this story is, I also don't believe that I'll be continuing this series anytime soon.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Overall I really didn't enjoy this book. The writing style and the content were not all I had hoped for. At first I thought that the book was intriguing especially when it opened in an asylum. I also thought the idea of having a second life to live was interesting. Thats when the story took a wild turn into what is right and wrong. It also made me think about religion, in a way that I don't really care to read about.
Characters:
Ten: She was an interesting character to read from, but this was a way to intense novel for what it was and it was obvious at what it was pointing fingers at. The idea of not chosing a side.
Killian: I liked him, even though he was evil, but he wasn't all that and a bag of potato chips.
Archer: I liked him the most he was willing to stand for what was right when he knew it was right, and do what he could to help those around him.
Van: I wonder how the Everlife will treat him. If he will dare to try to cross into Myriad.
Sloan: She was one bad ass, but not all I wished she could be.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
