Book Review: The Wrath and The Dawn

Title: The Wrath and The Dawn
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Series/Novel: The Wrath and The Dawn (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 395
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "It would not be a welcome dawn."

"One life to one dawn.
In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliphs reign of terror once and for all.
Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone.She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?
Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and The Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end."

My Rating: 5/5

So I just finished this book before leaving the city and it's beautifully large library. This book was incredible and perfect. I understand now what all the buzz was about when it first came out and it's a perfect day to have finished it as the second instalment has just been published and is available. Don't worry I already called the book store and had one put on hold for me. This is such a diverse novel and the way it's inspired by A Thousand and One Nights makes it even more interesting to read. I found that the setting at first was hard to imagine but after it being described in such detail I found no trouble picturing the palace, desert and the city. It seemed to fill my imagination. Everything from the food, the sights and the clothing were interesting and different to me. This is something that can really pull a reader in, and I was certainly interested! The characters are surprising but not not to the point where their actions seem out of character. Rather they are unique and filled with depth. I could tell that the author had thought hard about how to portray each of the characters. The only thing I struggled with for the first few pages was the amount of names that started with the same letter, but after really getting into the book, it was no longer a problem. Rereading that last sentence, I sound like a child. I may be the only one who has the problem.
The book left off in such a great place and I plan to start the second one tonight, The Rose and The Dagger and complete it by the end of the week. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: The Wrath and The Dawn by Renne Ahdieh

Let's start this off by saying that I had heard ALOT of hype about this book. It's been nominated for many awards and has gathered the attention of many readers/bloggers. The diverse story has really captured an interesting story and has alot of people pushing for more diverse stories, which is something I think we could all use.
This book really switched up the playing field of retellings and stories that are inspired by others. I really enjoyed the different setting of this first book. It was something I never really had read about before. The descriptions at first were confusing to me but throughout the book, I was able to really picture what was happening in the plot. Everything connected throughout the setting the descriptions of the city, desert, clothing and food really helped to connect the dots on an  area of the world I'm not familiar with. It was exciting to explore different perspectives throughout the Khorasan's adventure.
The characters were deep and were not predictable, which I always appreciate. The perspective of the book was from an outside view which gave the book further depth as you could understand what each characters thought and how they felt thoughout the volume.

Characters:
Shahrzad: This character is a strong female, which is something to be appreciated. She willingly sacrificed her life to take revenge for her friend. Although we never meet Shiva, we know that she must have been special and her death effected many around her. As the story continues we see that Shazi, as she's commonly called start to fall for her once enemy. Seeing her struggle internally to push away her feelings is hard to watch. And as much as you hate Khalid for killing so many women, you want Shazi to show her true feelings. (At least I did). As the story goes on Khalid opens up to Shazi, but when Tariq appears to rescue her she is forced to make a choice about where to stay. After she has made a choice, her choice is revoked and she is forced to leave the city. I look forward to see how she reacts to being taken.

Khalid: At first, I hated this character, as is to be expected. Stringing people up by their throats isn't really an action that makes people fond of a character. As you find out more about him you begin to wonder what is plaguing him and how his childhood made him the man he was today. At first I assumed that the death of his mother left him unstable with a female, but as you read on the magic comes to life and you realize that he is really trying to be the Caliph that the people of Khorasan deserve. Even if it involves the death of many

Jalal: He's slick this one, but quickly takes Shazi's side, something to be appreciated. I do hope that he found Despina and took care of her. They should obviously be together! Duh. 

Despina: A pain at first, a nuisance, but she grew on me quickly. Her quips and friendly manner remind me of those of my own friend. This being said, being a self proclaimed spy didn't make me trust her, which is obvious. I do hope she made it out of the fires because the heartbreak for Jalal may overcome him.

Tariq: He's clearly in love with Shazi, but the idea of stealing her away interested me. She clearly has grown at least a fascination with the Caliph. She stands by his side and sticks up for him as well as herself, and she has started to make contact without a hesitation. Tariq appears unable to let go and move on which is unfortunate, but makes for a great story! And a possible revolution.

Yasmine: This girl is trouble and I expect to be seeing more of her throughout the coming sequel. She is not afraid to use her wit to get what she wants and appears to want to do anything to get to the Caliph


Moments to remember:
Pg. 166-167
"'If I'm a plague, then you should keep your distance, unless you plan on being destroyed.' The weapons still in her grasp, she shoved against his chest. 
'No.' His hands dropped to her waist. 'Destroy me.'
The bow and arrow clattered to the ground as he brought his mouth to hers."

Pg. 209
"'I am not a fool.'
'No you're not. Not yet.' Despina grinned. 'But it's inevitable. When you meet the one who makes you smile as you've never smiled before, cry as you've never cried before... there is nothing to do but fall.'"

Pg. 316
"'It's a fitting punishment for a monster. To want something so much to hold it in your arms and know beyond a doubt you will never deserve it.'"

Final Line: "Into a glorious dawn."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockheart

Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockheart
Series/Novel: Novel
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery
Pages: 225
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Year Published: 2014 
First Line: "Welcome to the beautiful Sinclair family."

"A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends- the Liars- whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth."

My Rating: 5/5

OK, so I thought that I was going to be a lot busier than I was this weekend (thanks to a bug I  caught), and I had a time to finish a book I've really been wanting to read. This novel is just incredible. It confused me and mystified me. It left me thinking about it even while I was doing other things. I finished it in the course of an afternoon and was glad to have had the opportunity to read basically uninterrupted. The writing in this book was incredible. It was really impressively written and well explained. It was a good amount of confusing. It was so appealing and yet confusing. I loved the description and helped me to understand what was going on. So well read! So incredible!
 I also found that the characters were interesting to read about. A family who has it all but is a total mess at the same time. It shows a family that is falling apart and trying to keep it together all at the same time.
I think that the premise of the book is interesting as well, I thought that the outcome would be predictable, but it was really surprising. A great ending totally ties this book together.

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Spoiler: We Were Liars by E. Lockheart

There is a reason that this book was a best book 2 years ago. Shit, it's still so good now. I think that this is one of the best contemporary books I've read in a while, as I've really been in to dystopia and fantasy. This book. Hot DANG! This book had such an incredible flow to it. It moves through different times in a way that better explains and unfolds the story. It also holds such beautiful metaphors. Maybe beautiful is the wrong word, but the metaphors are perfect and help you to feel exactly how the character is feeling in that moment.
Really they were just kids and they got in over their heads. Although they were doing it for the right reasons, things really got out of hand and the price was paid.

Characters:
Cadence: Dang this girl has had a lot to deal with. And that ending am I right? I think that the way she coped with everything that has gone on in her life makes total sense. The things that lead up to her accident. The way that her father leaves her family and how she is told to buck up and carry on surprised me but really set the tone for how this book was going to go. I also think that the way she finds out about her memories was hard for her but made for a great story for the reader damn. I hope that this character doesn't regret finding out her memory but it would make sense if she did. Also don't drink and do crazy shit. So bad.

Johnny: He was so bright and full of light. And the way he was described as bouncy is exactly as he acted. I cried for him.

Mirren: I suspected that she was pregnant when she kept getting sick, but I suppose the alternative made sense. It's unfortunate especially if they are a figment of Cadence's imagination.

Gat: He was sweet, smart and so willing to make a change in the world, but he never will. It's extremely disappointing. But also the way that he was left. That they were all left.

Because I read this book in a day, I didn't really slow down for moment to remember but here is the.....
Final Line: "I endure."

If you enjoyed this book tell me why? And what did you think of that crazy ending? Did you see it coming?

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

25 Things About Me

I know that this isn't a book review or spoiler, but I feel like I'd really like to get to know you guys and this is part of it. If you have questions for me please contact me (information on the side) or comment.

1. I am 21, and don't party as much as I did when I was 18.

2. I'm Canadian and yes, I do say sorry and enjoy Tim Horton's beverages.

3. I'm in my final year of college and I'm training to become an early childhood educator, which means a preschool teacher.

4. I'm in a relationship with my best friend from high school who I've known for 8 years. Although we've only been going out for 2.

5. I once tried to make a youtube video channel and failed after realizing how crazy expensive cameras are.

6. I am both introverted and extroverted. I think I get energy to be with people by spending time alone, but if I'm with people too long I kinda shut down.

7. I'm a very anxious person. I am constantly overthinking.

8. Sometimes I look like this:


9. When I'm in a bookstore I look like this:


10. I think people who don't know me, see me like this (resting bitch face):


11. I'm a Pisces.... and I'm running out of things to write.

12. I used to be in band. I played a ton of instruments and love music.

13. I have no set music taste, my spotify goes from Frank Sinatra to DMX to Luke Bryan and it drives my boyfriend crazy.

14. I watched all the Star Wars movies for the first time this year and loved them.

15. I prefer coffee to tea any day.

16.  I've never broken a bone....

17. I cuss a lot which surprises some people who read my blog, but I work hard to keep this area clean.

18. I have one sister.

19. I was born on a farm and my family has owned cattle, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep and horses.

20.  I often think about making a booktube channel, but am unsure if that's something people would be interested in.

21. I once got in a grocery cart race with my friends from high school and was kicked out of our local grocery store #toocool

22.  I am secretly addicted to trash tv (The Next Pussycat Doll...)

23. My emoji is the one with all the teeth because I often say the wrong thing at the wrong time.


24. I once travelled to Prague and areas of Germany on a band trip. We had the opportunity to play in a competition but we lost. Still an incredible journey and hope to travel someday again soon.

25. I used to be a party animal and go out every weekend until I met the friends I have now. We're a little more relaxed.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Cruel Crown
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series/Novel: Red Queen Series (Prequelish)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopian
Pages: 142
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "As usual, Julian gave her a book."

"Two women on either side of the silver and red divide tell the stories no one else knows. 
Queen Song:
Queen Coriane, first wife of King Tiberias, keeps a secret diary, how else can she ensure that no one at the palace will use her thoughts against her? Coriane recounts her heady courtship with the crown prince, the birth of a new prince, Cal, and the potentially deadly challenges that lie ahead for her in royal life.
Steel Scars:
Captain Farley was raised to be strong, but being tasked with planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job then expected. As she travels the land recruiting black market traders, smugglers, and extremists for her first attempt at an attack on the capital. , she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation- Mare Barrow."

My Rating: 5/5

So to begin with, this book is two separate Novellas Queen Song and Steel Scars as mentioned above. Each other them shows different aspects of this futuristic world.
My only regret while reading this book is that I didn't savour it for long, because now I have no new Red Queen material to hold me over until the next book comes out. This book was very impressive. It really filled in the gaps of what happened before Mare entered the castle and how Cal's parent met. I thought that was very interesting to see how the Silvers interact with each other and how Elara worked her way into the whole scenario. 
The second novella really followed Farley's entrance into Norta and how she worked the Scarlet Guard into the country. I thought that that was an interesting way to look at Farley. I find myself sometimes forgetting that she's younger than I assume. 
I hope that the next Red Queen book is just as incredible and so far I have no doubts! I'm excited to see what will happen after the ending of Glass Sword. I also wonder if Victoria Aveyard has any other half novellas waiting for us in the future.
Tell me what you want to see and if you're enjoying this series so far.
THANK YOU VICTORIA AVEYARD FOR SHOWING US THE IN BETWEEN!

Thanks for reading,
Love
Sidny

Spoiler: Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard

Just in case you have not read this prequel, I will tell you that there is a book review above if that's what you'd be more interested in reading, because this will spoil aspects of Red Queen, Glass Sword and Cruel Crown for you. You've been warned in case the title was not enough.
Because of the size of this book I will not have a separate characters area either.

This book comes with two separate novellas: Queen Song and Steel Scars.
Queen Song follows Queen Coriane through her courtship, into her marriage and the birth of her son, up to her death. It does so sparsely which interests me but doesn't drag on so that's awesome. I thought it was interesting to see how she was living before she was courted. To know that her house really wasn't doing well and then to be picked out by a prince who refused the tradition of Queenstrial which must have been the greatest scandal EVER! And then to see that she really struggled with depression. Which is something that many can relate to. I think that was a very important aspect of this novella.

Steel Scars focuses on Captain Farley and how she infiltrates Norta and gains followers for her resistance. I thought it was interesting to see her communication with both her father, the Colonel, and Command. The way she does what she feels is right was important as well the way she feels so strongly about the Scarlet Guard. I hope to see something more about her past in the upcoming books, but I understand if that is kept in the dark for sometime. We all love a good mysterious past. Watching her fall in love with shade was incredible. To see how he interacted before he was a member of the Guard and how he was so easy to smile, and joke even in such a terrible position that he was in, it was impressive. I think that those moments were the saddest to read, because we really got to look at their relationship up close and remember, feeling the pain of them together.

Final Line: "RISE, RED AS THE DAWN."

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Book Review: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Glass Sword
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series/Novel: Red Queen (Book #2)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia
Pages: 444
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2016
First Line: "I flinch."

"If there's one thing Mare Barrow knows, it's that she's different.
Mare Barrow. Mare Burrow's blood is red- the color is common folk- but her Silver ability, power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.
The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince- the friend- who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling. She is not only one of her kind.
Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king. Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.
But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the monster she is trying to defeat.
Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?
The electrifying next instalment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and blood-segregated world they've always known- and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul."

My Rating: 5/5

I am so happy I had the time this long weekend to finish this incredible book! I haven't finished one in what feels like forever and this book was the perfect to get me back into reading the way I want to. Throughout the weekend, I found myself carrying it with me to find moments when I could pick it up and find out what was happening and to who. 
I think that my friends were getting a little fed up with my constant reading habit everywhere we went. 
This second instalment really showcases how Mare has been effected by the past and in the present by actions surrounding her. I also think it truly shows you never know who you can trust in a time when you are an unusual individual. People fear what they don't know. I also think the exploration of the country was interesting as there is a distinct difference in the character we meet along the way. The idea of fighting is also large in this book and very well described, making a reader feel like they are in the heat of the battle. I think the additional characters really made a difference to how this was written. It showed different perspectives and gave different ideas about the future of the series. I think that the book also moved at a natural speed which is something that some books have trouble with, this one on the other hand had a perfect flow for me to read throughout the weekend. 
And that ending........ just saying. Read it!

THANK YOU VICTORIA AVEYARD FOR SHOWING A CHARACTER WHO IS SO UNREAL YET SO GENUINE!
Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny 

Spoiler: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

I finally finished it!!!! I know what everyone in the Young Adult reading community has been talking about. And yes, it's everything they say it is. INCREDIBLE! 
I've been reading this book all weekend, whenever I have a minute. And woah, what a fantastic way to spend a weekend. It was awesome.
The change of setting throughout this book was incredible. It really showed different areas of the country and the changes that have been happening since the denouncement of Cal and how people are reacting to their new ruler. It also shows the change in the group known as newbloods. The ones everyone wants to dig their claws into. The additional characters in this book were incredible and really added to the story. Unfortunately I won't be able to get to them all in the character section, but let it be known that their is a constant changing "cast" in this book. Their is also alot of action style sequences so if that's what you enjoy reading you'll really love this. 

Characters:
Mare: Mare has changed throughout her time in the palace and several different prisons. She's learning that people fear what they don't understand and know. What they don't find normal in their day to day lives, and some may try to eradicate these things. After she is saved she is immediately in battle with those around her and on the run. After surviving one thing, it just seems that nothing can go her way. For example, the Colonel locking her up after she tries to assist him with his plans for war. I think that Mare is suffering trying to push her different roles in her life to different characters instead of letting her different personalities make up who she is. Which makes sense when she is constantly fearing for her life and those around her. I was very excited by the end of the book to see the Choke and then to be captured... I did not anticipate it, but that ending though, as much as I hated it. Perfect.

Cal: Cal is also lost without his role as a leader of a group. He doesn't fit in the new world in the new rebellion and he doesn't fit among his own kind. Especially as a king killer. I think that the death of his father really affects him as we see his nightmares during his sleep and the way he acts with those around him. The way he reacts in the prison surprises me the most and how he reacts when Mare kills his Silver counter parts. I can't blame her, but I also understand his feeling, these are people he's grown up with. He's known them all his life to harm them would be betraying his own, no matter what they have done. I do hope that he is safe though.

Shade: It's cool, I'll just bawl. I don't need to be happy that's fine! I was angry, but it was a perfect move for an author. A change for sure. I never thought he would be killed after he kinda came back from what we assumed was death in the start, and to be killed in an instant of trying to save his sister was crazy and horribly sad. The description was perfect and fit the shock I felt as it happened. I wish that he would have been around to see the revolution that his actions had caused.

Farley: She is a good person. As much as she is trying to push against bounds of others who are her superior, she becomes an equal with Mare. Some trust her and other's Mare. Together they work to find as many as they can. I am curious to read about her background in Cruel Crown. I think I know what she was asking when she first had questions about Jon. I also wonder how her life will turn out after the capture. I hope the best for her. Shade and her would have made a fantastic couple, just too good I suppose.

Kilorn: We all knew this confession was coming. I just hoped that Mare would be able to return it, but when she couldn't I felt for him. I hope that he is able to find someone who can love him as he needs. I also hope that he doesn't let the jealousy of not having abilities eat him up, and seeing that he is valuable as he is. 

Cameron: This fiesty little thing threw me for a loop, but she was also just what the group needed. She was angry and challenging I hope that she puts those characteristics and feelings to good rather than to sit back while Mare is butchered.

Maven: Still a crazy mother f**ker but at least that mother of his is dead. I'm curious if he'll actually kill Mare or just keep her as a pet. I'm also curious what's going on in his head while all this is happening. Madness.

Moments to Remember:
Pg. 315
"'I'm useless,' Farley chirps from her seat. A blade flicks back and forth in her hands, betraying exactly how wrong she is."

Pg. 378
"I'll just wait up here,' Cameron says, watching us from the openin doorway at the top level. Her legs dangle. She even has the gall to whistle, eyeing the last magnetron as he moans."

Final Line: "I kneel."

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Book Review: Reached by Ally Condie

Title: Reached
Author: Ally Condie
Series/Novel: Matched Series (Book #3)
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia
Pages: 512
Publisher: Dutton Books
Year Published: 2012
First Line: "A man pushed a rock up the hill."

"Cassia's journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect façade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.
The wait is over.
One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most- family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.
With exquisite prose, the emotionally gripping conclusion to the international bestselling Matched trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose."

My Rating: 4/5

I finally had a chance to stay up late and finish this book, with little to no regard to my studies. So take that midterms! I think that this book was a fine summary to a great Dystopian trilogy. It showed the rise of rebellion and a change in a society, while still following three of our favourite characters. We also get to learn about their different roles in the rebellion which is what we have all been waiting for.
Some parts of this final instalment were surprising to me all the same, as a fair amount of new characters come into existence within a torn country. The setting that is ever changing keeps things interesting while helping readers to visualize a change in a futuristic society. 
Unfortunately, I'm a girl who is stuck in a rut, and hates a good series to end, and this series is no exception. I can't help but wish there was more, but I'm grateful for what I learned from this series. That sticking up for the rights of all can be as easy as sticking up for something you believe. 
THANK YOU ALLY CONDIE FOR SHOWING HOW GRATEFUL WE CAN BE FOR OUR RIGHTS!

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny