Title: Legendary
Author: Stephanie Garber
Series/Standalone: Caraval Series (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 443
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Year Published: 2018
Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)
First Line: "While some rooms on the estate had monsters hiding beneath the beds, Tella swore her mother's suite concealed enchantment."
"A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn't yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver; Caraval Master Legend's true name.
The only chance of uncovering Legend's identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more- and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets... including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can't fulfil her bargain and deliver Legend's name, she'll lose everything she cares about- maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever..."
My Rating: 3.5/5
So I was expecting a lot from this story and it just was kind of ok. It was alright for me, but it just didn't have the same magic as the original one, but it did have something magical. It was good, just wasn't great. I liked following Donatella and seeing some of her memories of her past and exploring a new world with her, but it just seemed like a lot of elements that weren't in the first book. I did like the change of pace though.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This story just wasn't what I expected it to be. I was ready for not knowing what was real, but then everything turned out to be mostly real. And I wasn't ready for that, mainly because the original was all twists.
I loved that we had a change of setting though, and how it took over the city at night. I also appreciated seeing Donatella's memories of her past with her mother way more than Scarlett's memories.
Characters:
Donatella: I think that she had an odd perspective, she's already died once, she doesn't believe she'll ever find anyone who loves her and the fates have predicted a pretty shitty life overall. I was interested in her relationship with Dante, but now I'm more interested in where her relationship with Jacks goes. And was she really his true love, or just magical enough. What's she going to do about her mother, was it even worth it?
Legend: What is his long game? Honestly, what does he want from everyone? Is he just going to run a continual Caraval? Does he care about anyone, scared of the fates? Who freaking knows.
Jacks: How is he planning on getting his powers back, is he going to stay close to Donatella? Or is this a love triangle now? Is his kiss still deadly? What now!
Scarlett: What an ass. I understand wanting to see what her original fiance was like, but it just doesn't bode well that Legend has played with their whole life pretty much.
Julian: What's he going to do with Scarlett making a competition for him? And what's his past?
Elantine: I loved her honesty, but was her lost child really Legend, uh I don't know.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Invictus
Author: Ryan Graudin
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Time Travel
Pages: 464
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook
"Time Flies when you're plundering history.
Farway Gauis McCarthy was born outside of time. The sone of time-travelling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 Ad, Far's birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he's ever wanted, and after failing his final time-travelling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuable from the past.
But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with the knowledge that will bring Far's very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems."
My Rating: 3.5/5
This book was something I was very interested in after reading The Walled City and the title drew me in for the audiobook. I think that audiobook is definitely the way to go for this book. I really enjoyed the narration as well the ideas explored throughout the book. I would have to say that the first half of the book was my favourite, but after a certain reveal, I didn't enjoy the second half of the book as much. I'm looking forward to reading more of the author's works and will likely borrow more on audiobook.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So this book was one that drew me in by the cover and once I realized who the author was I was super interested in reading it. I loved the storyline and the characters overall. What really interested me though, was the idea of time travel and being born outside of time. That really kept me interested throughout the story. I will say that the twist of having different universes really wasn't what I expected and I had trouble getting behind that idea. That is the reason that my rating was on the lower side.
Character:
Farway: I think that his character impressed me. He was able to move on from defeat, with the help of someone fudging with his past and present, but he was able to find a way to follow his dreams. I also appreciated his willingness to sacrifice himself for his friends and the future. I do wonder what the future will hold for him and Priya.
Priya: Priya was probably my favourite character. She just had a fire that the others lacked to a point. She pushed for what she believed in and stood by Far no matter what but pushed him to be the best him. I think she stood apart from him enough though that she wasn't just Far's girlfriend. She was important in her own right.
Eliot: I don't know how I feel about her. I think that she was doing the best that she could but she annoyed me to no end if we're being honest. Even when she came back in the epilogue I was just annoyed.
Imogen: I think that she is the more like me than I'd care to admit. Her love for the fuzzy creatures was so sweet and really expanded her as a character. I also loved that she was able to keep fun logs, she gave the events of the book touches of humour in times of stress.
Gram: I'd be lying if I said I understood the logic of his brain, but I did appreciate his character for being able to fix problems with numbers and logic. Otherwise Far probably would have died and the fade still would have existed.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: They Both Die at the End
Author: Adam Silvera
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT
Pages: 368
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2017
First Line: "Death-Cast is calling with the warning of a lifetime- I'm going to die today."
"Adam Silvera reminds us that there's no life without death and no love without loss in this devastating yet uplifting story about two people whose lives change over the course of one unforgettable day.
On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Matea Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They're going to die today.
Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they're both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There's an app for that. It's called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure- to live a lifetime in a single day.|
My Rating: 3/5
I have heard so much hype surrounding Adam Silvera and I've read one of his book for myself. Honestly, I just expect more sometimes, I really enjoyed the storyline and the idea of a different present where we are able to predict the day we die and connect those who are on the same path. I do wonder what would really cause half of the deaths, the idea of knowing that you are on the way out of the world that really triggers the rest of the events. I am just hitting a point where I think I might better enjoy these books as audiobooks, or just reading them very rarely.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So I've read a few of Adam Silvera's books now and I'm not sure if his books are for me. I was interested in his writing after hearing so much hype about his ideas, and I think that his ideas are very deep and creative, but they lack something for me. It's just the follow through that isn't quite what I imagine. I think the idea of Death-Cast would really mess with the world. The more that I read, the more I realized knowing you were going to die often drove characters to their death. Doing things that they often would not do in life.
Characters:
Mateo: I think his fear of leaving his home was dangerous on itself, but he was able to keep himself safe there. But he wasn't really living his life to the fullest through his life at home. That being said, he likely wouldn't have died if he hadn't been given the alert. Although he did find someone to love and spend his final day with. I was impressed with his growth over one day.
Rufus: I think that his growth was also amazing but it was more in a social and emotional way than the way that Mateo grew. He was able to cope better with his past and what he assumed were his mistakes. He was able to deal with his past issues and move on in peace throughout the day (other than the very end).
Tagoe and Malcom: Not ratting out on a friend and living life as a chosen family is so amazing to me. Being there to chose your family and staying loyal even though it's not through blood makes me so happy.
Lidia: Her character was impressive to me. To be able to deal with the death of her child's father, and then her best friend within a year is powerful. She's raising her daughter amazingly and with confidence.
Aimee: I wonder about what she will do in the future. Who will she be able to get along with after everything she's seen? Certainly not Peck!
Peck: Possibly one of my least favourite characters in any contemporary I've read.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "I cross the street without an arm to hold me back."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Half Wild
Author: Sally Green
Series/Standalone: The Half Bad Trilogy (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal
Pages: 412
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Year Published: 2015
Format: Physical Library Copy
First Line: "a crossbill calls"
"'You will have a powerful Gift, but it's how you use it that will show you to be good or bad.'
In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, seventeen-year-old Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most powerful and violent witch. Nathan is hunted from all sides: nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted. Now, Nathan has come into his own unique magical Gift, and he's on the run-- but Hunters are close behind, and they will stop at nothing until they have captured Nathan and destroyed his father."
My Rating: 3.5/5
I really enjoyed this story overall. I was interested in finding out more about Nathan's gift and life after the events of the first book. I was entertained, it was full of action and adventure. The plot really never stopped and that is where my rating comes into play. After discussing my feelings with others, it's safe to say that I felt rushed. In my opinion, I would just start to come to understanding one plot point and something else crazy would go on. This did two things, made me feel like I'd read more than I had and at some points confused me. That being said, I plan on continuing the series and finishing it off next month.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This book was very intriguing especially after the ending in the first book. But what I've found so far in this series is there is almost too much that happens throughout and it leaves me feeling rushed. At times I even find myself confused when rethinking things that had happened during the past sessions of my reading. I will say that the characters have kept me interested and that is why I'm continuing the series.
Nathan: He went through so many ups and downs in this book. Learning his gift, finding a way to control it, finding Nesbit which then lead to Gabriel, leading into finding Annalise, finding the Alliance, Marcus, battles, coming clean with his past and then tragedy. I'm so conflicted on my feelings with him. I found the fact that he didn't come clean with Annalise from the start frustrating, but there is so much more to a relationship than the two people in it.
Annalise: I'm incredibly frustrated with her. She is just annoying me and she deserves whatever she gets at this point. I do wonder about her gift and if she was just using Nathan as a means to an end. Will the Alliance continue? Who knows when they can't stand together.
Nesbitt: His relationship with Nathan was confusing. I think he teased him to be friendly and make them more of brothers than acquaintances but too much too fast.
Gabriel: I think that this is definitely who Nathan belongs with. He understands him and sees him for all he is. Good, evil and the grey in between. I love his sense of humour and his relationship with Nathan.
Van: I wonder about her past, to say the least.
Mercy: I'm shocked that they defeated him so easily, especially after her large hype up in the first book.
Marcus: I started to understand his thoughts and his way of life. Before I knew it, he was gone. I was grateful for how his envisioned death did play out.
Cecilia: I wonder about her reaction to Nathan's "misdeeds" and Marcus's death.
Memorable Moments:
Final Line: "Tomorrow you go after her."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Requiem
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series/Standalone: Delirium Series (Book #3)
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 391
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook
"Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has transformed. The nascent rebellion that was underway in Pandemonium has ignited into an all=out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the centre of the fight. After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven. Pockets of the rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of the Invalids. Regulators infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels.
As Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain of the Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancee of the young mayor. Requiem is told from the perspectives of both Lena and her friend Hana. They live side by side in a world that divides them until at last, their stories converge."
My Rating: 2.5/5
This story was just overall such a disappointment. I already had lowered my expectations due to what I'd heard around the book community but this was just so frustrating to me. I wasn't connecting to the characters as much as I wanted to or to the story line. The only part that really made this story partially worth it was Hana's perspective. But even that didn't make much sense to me. I am planning on reading the short story collection from my library, but I'm not sure if that will be anytime soon.
What were your opinions on this classic dystopian ya book series? Let me know!
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
