Confess | Book Review

Title: Confess
Series: Standalone
Author: Colleen Hoover (a.k.a queen)
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publication Date: March 10th 2015
Format: ebook

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

In Confess, Colleen Hoover was trying a different style of writing, or at least, it felt that way for me. A lot of things were changed like pacing and timing and the twist aspect.

In most of Colleen's books -if not all of them- she always has a huge twist that gets revealed at little after halfway point. The first half is all happy and shit to keep you off track and then the second half is when shit goes down and we're trying to fix it. 

This one was a bit different. She had twists throughout the whole novel that it was hard to know what the big twist is. Also the timing the events happened stretched out in a way I'm not used to reading in Colleen's books.

And I must say, I enjoy this style so much more. This is the 7th book I read by Colleen and each book published is better than the last, it's amazing.

The thing about Colleen's books too, is that she always has her characters do jobs that are not used a lot in the New Adult genre.
Our main character, Auburn, is a hair-stylist. Our male main character, Owen, is an artist.

Plot wise, this book kept me interested from start to finish. There was always something that I needed to know the answer for. She was painting a picture for us, starting from the basics to the whole entire view. the complexity of the characters' lives was fascinating.

I loved the characters! Auburn was so much fun and even though she's really having a hard time, she finds the strength to smile and do whatever. There was also a beautiful side of Auburn that would be a spoiler so let's not.

Owen is a new book boyfriend for me, OMG. -wink,wink- I love him. He was so sweet and so selfless and I felt so freaking bad for him, God! His job was so cool and I wished there was a studio scene at the end because I loved his job so much.

So if you don't know, the book has pictures that were painted by Danny O'Connor, who Colleen partnered with. They were so beautiful and heart-breaking.
The pictures are connected to the dedication at the beginning of the book. Which you'll get when you read the book, but the dedication made some things very hard to read.
I died so many times reading this book. I can't, man. I'm so excited to read even more and more Colleen because she's amazing and love her stories.

I have to say that Confess might be my new favorite. I still think Ugly Love seriously hit hard and Miles is actually my favorite male character of all time. But, I feel like Confess was more enjoyable to me. I do believe this one is my favorite out of her books.

Beat that November 9!

Overall, I enjoyed every single character and every single scene in this book and I honestly tried to find a flaw since I'm really picky with my 5 stars but you know what? This book deserves it.

The Raven Boys | Book Review

Title: The Raven Boys
Series: (The Raven Cycle #1)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Publication Date: September 18th 2012
Format: Audiobook

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore..

I picked this book up on a complete whim, not knowing what it's about, not knowing nothing. I think if I actually looked up what it was about I would've never read it, since I don't think mystery is necessarily my thing. Now? I'm not pretty sure.

As you can see, I listened to this book on Audiobook and I thought that was the best decision because I think this book would've taken forever if I read it normally since nothing really happens, all of this book is merely world-build but it was done beautifully.

The Raven Boys was mostly character-driven, which I found myself enjoying because the characters are so real and I got attached to the group so fast. They became like friends to me (that's a really sad statement)

Also, the writing is so whimsical and creepy and It didn't take me that long to get used to it, actually, which earns it bonus points.

Gansey, Ronan, Adam and Noah, all four of them had complete different stories and backgrounds and such different attitude, too. But their friendship somehow seemed natural and I have never thought that boys can actually be that sensitive it was so beautiful to look upon. Male friendship, man. My fucking favorite.

Blue was also different from the group, but I felt that the author spent so much time on the boys she forgot to take care of Blue. For example, if you give me situations asking me what each of the boys would do, I would answer in a heartbeat, but for Blue I'd probably just space.

For me, right now, Blue is just a weird person that I don't hate nor love. I hope she gets more characterization in the next books.

Lastly, I enjoyed the reader very much. He sounds like an old man but because the book is told in third person it's easier not to bother you so much that a 17 years old girl is talking in a voice of a man in his 40s. His voice somehow adds to the creepiness of the book.

Overall, The Raven Boys was a great start to a series and I can't wait to start listening to The Dream Thieves. The ending to this book was perfection, God, I don't think she could've done any better job of making me want to read the next book so badly.

Hopeless | Book Review

Title: Hopeless
Series: (Hopeless #1)
Author: Colleen Hoover
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publication Date: December 19th 2012
Format: ebook

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. 

After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

I didn't want to review Hopeless just because of how sad I am for not enjoying it as much as I do with other book by Colleen. But, I guess I'm doing it anyway...

I couldn't get into this book at all for almost 60% of it. The story pre-twist -Co Ho style- seemed very cheesy and to be honest... stupid. Holder and Sky literally meet by accident and suddenly they're obsessed with each other.
I guess I just couldn't handle romance when I was in the mood for fantasy so I guess it's my fault too.

This is probably the strongest plot of hers, (not counting Never Never because that shit killed me) but I didn't realize that I was so disconnected from the characters until I actually finished the book. 

Something that really blew me away is that I didn't... cry. This was probably the most sob-worthy story out of all of her books yet, I didn't cry, not even teared up.
Let me tell you something, I am a crybaby ok? Only in fiction life, though. Like, books, TV shows, movies and anime. I cried in In The Afterlight because Ruby was tired... She was just. tired. and I cried my ass off.

So I guess it's a pretty big deal I didn't cry in a book like Hopeless. But oh, well... 

I don't know if I even want to pick up Losing Hope. I know I will, but right now, I just don't feel like it.

I'm not saying I didn't like this book at all, I still loved Colleen's writing and the complexity of the whole situation but comparing it to her other work is just inevitable.

The Burning Sky | Book Review

Title: The Burning Sky
Series: (The Elemental Trilogy #1)
Author: Sherry Thomas
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction (?)
Publication Date: September 15th 2013
Format: ebook

It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.

Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.

First of all, I must applaud whoever made this cover a thing because fucking hell, that's beautiful.

The Burning Sky is a two perspective novel -a current favorite of mine- surrounding a world that uses Elemental Mage. I wouldn't call this High fantasy, it's got more like a Harry Potter feel where there's the magical world but there's also our world (the non-mage world) where people live there lives, unaware of magic.

I went into this book not expecting much, but I did remember a review that said to read this book for its romance, not the action-y fantasy, so I did.

Now, I'll be completely honest, I was very confused almost all the first half of the book, the politics and the world were kind of complicated to grasp and quite frankly, all over the place. Not to mention the vocabulary was even difficult. I kept on going though, since I was still enjoying it with all the confusion.
I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. It had a little bit of everything. Some people might think it's a bit boring and dragged out at places, but survival and hiding and all that sort of stuff really interests me and I thoroughly devoured it.

The characters were somewhat different than other characters I've read about, they were very interesting and I ended up loving our two main characters so much.

The first point of view is from Lolanthe, (wtf right?) but no worries, no one ever calls her that, Sherry Thomas sympathized with us there. For us, we'll call her Lola. Lola was very... polite at the start of the book. I was thrown off by the way her and Titus -the male protagonist- communicated. It was so weird and awkward.
But then, Lola takes a 180 degree spin and becomes this kickass chick that I loved. 

The other point of view is from Titus, Titus was kind of a mystery too. As much as I loved Lola, I couldn't help but love his perspective more. He thought differently than what he did, unlike Lola who was straight to the point. Throughout the chapter, I found myself waiting for Titus's POV. Also, he's Titus for God's sake.

The fantasy elements in this book, I found fascinating. Especially the Crucible (a thing you'll know about if you read the book). The magic system itself was pretty simple, the whole Elements controlling type of magic.

And last but definitely not least, the romance. It was pretty much non-existent but it was like- you know it's there. The characters were so proud to admit or do anything, my God. What I mostly love about the romance is that it felt like a partnership. They were in this together and they got each other's backs. 
I have a thing for male friendship, I just love the way guys communicate honorably and I just love it, and this romance felt like that. Which is kind of weird...

Overall, it was a very pleasant read and I'm very excited to read the sequel. 

Top 7 Most Anticipated Books of 2015 | Listopia

Another Year is here to bring us more fantastic books to read!

Today I'm bringing you my top 7 most anticipated books of 2015!!
Even though I have like 40 something books I'm anticipating... I'll probably make a Goodreads shelf of all of them so stay tuned for that!

Listopia begins!

#7

Invaded (Alienated #2)

Goodreads

The sequel to Alienated! I just really can't wait for this after what happened in the first book.. Damn, that cover...

#6

Six Of Crows

No cover for this one yet unfortunately, but Leigh Bardugo?
Yes Please.
Grisha World?
Gimme now.This book is the first book in a spin-off series for The Grisha trilogy, which is one of my favorite trilogies ever.

#5

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Goodreads

Dat cover tho.
Whatever Sarah J. Maas writes, I'll read. And with a badass synopsis like that... My body is more than ready for this book... I NEED IT.

#4

Miss Mayhem (Rebel Belle #2)

Goodreads

I wish they kept the original style of the covers but oh well.
As Rebel Belle was one of my favorite books of the year, obviously this is one of the most anticipated. I seriously cannot wait for this book.
How cool are this series' titles? They all sound awesome.

#3

The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy #2)

Goodreads

If they just kept the title all over the cover... *le sigh*
I am dying to read this book. Dying. I can't cope with life anymore. Please give it to me.
That torturous ending... I've been weeping ever since.

#2

Confess

Goodreads

Colleen is an auto-read and an auto-love now... I have no idea what this book is about but I couldn't have cared less. Give me now.

#1

CARRY ON

Goodreads

I WILL NEVER GET OVER THE FACT THAT THIS IS A REAL THING. I WISHED AND PRAYED FOR THIS TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN AND IT IS HAPPENING OH MY GOD YES THANK YOU RAINBOW.
QUEEN.