The Winner's Crime | Book Review

Title: The Winner's Crime
Series: (The Winner's Crime #2)
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Genre: Fantasy, War, Romance (pfft, yeah right..)
Publication Date: March 3rd 2015
Format: ebook

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement... if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

"I don't mind being a moth. I would probably start eating silk if it meant that I could fly."

I would've picked this for my senior quote if I read it earlier...

I am done
 I am so done
  I am fucking done. 

Marie Rutkoski says:

"This book was exhausting to write and took a while for me to finish (having a baby in the middle of it might have had something to do with it)."

So um what the hell was that? Was that the reason? Was it pregnancy and hormones? I bet it was.

Excuse me, Marie Rutkoski.. What have I ever done to you, huh?
She was able to change a very bad situation to a much worst one...


So this whole book was fascinating, but it was also very frustrating. First of all, the misunderstandings! The FUCKING. MISUNDERSTANDINGS. 
If Arin would just fucking shut up and listen for once, half of the problems in this book would've been solved (I was about to write "been solved faster" but then I remembered they don't actually get solved..)

I'm just so sad. I'm angry. I don't know how to feel.

I want to have a girls night with Kestrel just holding her to tell her everything is going to be okay. Everyone is against Kestrel in this freaking book!
She's the one who gets to make the hardest decisions, and she's the one who gets blamed for everything, and she's the one that everybody leaves. 

My little poor Kestrel..

Look, I don't hate Arin. I love him. And as much as understandable his situation is, I wish he just shut the fuck up for once and realize the shit he's doing. His insecurities made me love him so much more to be honest. Like, how many male characters in YA book are concerned that they'er too ugly? 

I thought Verex was going to be a problem but aww he's so cute. 

Overall, I found the political aspects of this book so much more interesting than the first one and I absolutely loved the complexity behind it. The characters continue to wow me with their intelligence. It is a thrilling read full of chess action, a tragic romance and rich characters. I felt so much reading it (mostly the feeling of wanting to throw it against a wall). The wait for the third one will be torture..

I have a few theories that I might share close to The Winner's Kiss's release but for now let us keep it at that. 

Juliet Immortal | Book Review

Title: Juliet Immortal
Series: (Juliet Immortal #1)
Author: Stacey Jay
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Publication Date: August 9th 2011
Format: ebook

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

"These violent delights have violent ends

And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,

Which as they kiss consume."

—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

God, I love this book.

When I picked this book up I had no idea I would love it this much. I added it to my favorite's shelf for fuck's sake and everybody knows: I take my favorite's shelf very seriously.

So the concept of Romeo and Juliet hating each other and being immortal was very interesting to me, especially for someone who doesn't like the original Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet. Now? I'm not so sure.
I haven't read the classic because I couldn't understand it to be honest lol.
But now I think there might be a small possibility that I would like it.

So Juliet Immortal was a roller coaster of a book. Holy damn, I was always on the edge of my seat -or bed.. mostly bed- desperately holding myself back from reading the last page of the book>

I loved all the twists and turns the book surprised me with. It made it fast-paced and enjoyable throughout the entire thing.

I'm not saying this book is for everyone, because it definitely is not. I went into it with pretty much no expectations at all and look at me now.
But like I said, I saw many, many people saying they thought the book was cheesy or predictable or they just didn't like it. So I guess it's different for everyone.

I thought I should mention that this book reminded me of two other books:

The Winner's Curse: Also one of my favorite books. They weren't like each other in plot or characters but what remeinded me of it was the way I felt reading it. In both books I just could not see how the author could possibly make the story work, it was pretty much a dead end!

Cruel Beauty: I can't really explain this one very well.. I just felt like the atmosphere of the book was really similar to this one.

 The writing of this book was just so... Pretty. A different writing style could've made the story cheesy and cliche so I was very pleased with how the book was written.
Very quotable indeed.

Juliet Immortal doesn't have the highest ratings on Goodreads. Yet, I enjoyed it so much, which just had me open my eyes to read more books even if they'er not very popular.

There is a sequel called Romeo Redeemed, which I cannot wait to read omg.

Overall, I thought Juliet Immortal was so much fun to read, had a very perfect ending,pleased my giggly, girlyside. But, for some reason, I can't bring myself to give it five stars. I don't know why, so I knocked half a star to please my weird self (Y)

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.

Paper Towns | Book Review

Title: Paper Towns
Series: Standalone
Author: John Green
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Publication Date: October 16th 2008
Format: ebook

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

I feel like it's becoming a thing to read John Green's book just a few days after the trailer comes out. It happened with TFIOS and now PT. I think I like it that way since I'm in no hurry. We'll see Looking For Alaska next year, hopefully.

It was very difficult to think of a review and a rating for this book so I'll just divide it into the three parts the book consists of:

Part #1 

My second favorite part. I enjoyed the adventure that Margo and Quentin when on, even though Margo was the ultimate bitch. I found myself smiling a lot while reading their night.

which hysterically sounds like "like you" in the trailer

Part #2:

My least favorite part. This is the part where we lose dear, sweet Margo. And it's also where Quentin loses his shit. His obsessiveness over her was quite creepy and dumb to be completely honest. Even after reading this book I still don't understand his motives. I mean, does he honestly think he loves her? They never talked for fuck's sake.

Other than Quentin's annoying refusals to enjoy his last days in school with his friends this part was still enjoyable to read. The clues and the mystery part was very interesting and exciting to learn about. Also, for some reason, I really would like to read Whitman's poem now, like it really appeals to me after the bazillion times it got mentioned.

I loved Quentin's friends: Radar and Ben. They added so much to the story with their rich characters and I love the emphasis on how friends are different and sometimes they can be assholes, but you know what? they'er still friends.

The two parties in this part where the best scenes of the whole book in my opinion, I just love their innocence and how raw they were.

btw, this is probably my favorite gif of all time

Part #3

Ah, my favorite part. Except for the ending, that is. I feel like Margo gets mentioned the least in this part but mainly I loved the friendships that were formed because of her in this part. My favorite hours are probably #4 because that was intense, #7 because the car is just awesome, #16, #17, #18 because it's a joke that you'll get when you read the book. 

This part was a whole entire book on its own. I loved every word they said in it and honestly I felt so happy and giddy reading it. 

In the movie, I can already see a bunch of changes made to this part in particular and I'm so annoyed. God, I really am. But Nat Wolff is bae.

Overall, I still don't think contemporary is for me but I know for sure I really enjoy John's writing and usually I'm so bad at finding quotes that I like, but I actually found a couple on my own which I'm so proud of. So beside the ending and Margo and Quentin's obsession in Margo, I really enjoyed my time reading this book.

 Before I go, here are the quotes I found on my own:

Fallen Too Far | Book Review

Title: Fallen Too Far 
Series: (Too Far #1)
Author: Abbi Glines
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publication Date: December 14th 2012
Format: ebook

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter. 

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother. 

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

"At least he had looked my way. I hadn't known what to expect from him."

Oh my god, this was a struggle.

Honestly, as a NA reader I know what ridiculous can be... but this book. This fucking book just absolutely killed me.

While Reading: 

lol what the hell is this?

Some real thirst in here.

So one of the characters just blurts that whole situation (a.k.a said plot-twist) in one breath which was totally unnecessary since they all fucking know the story. and Blaire just HAPPENS to overhear it. Ah, what an amazing coincidence. 

IS EVERYBODY IN THIS DAMN BOOK A FUCKING IDIOT? HOW DO YOU EVEN JUSTIFY ACTS SO EASILY THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE.

This better end a legitimate end or I'll give it a shameful one star. 

After Reading: 

lol what?

So I actually really don't like this book. I thought it was completely stupid and unrealistic.

For instance, our main character knows how to use a gun and she also has a gun because she's just so incredibly badass -note sarcasm- but see, the problem is we later find out that she has a permit. At. The. Age. Of. 14.
Where in the fucking world do you get a permit to a gun when you're 14? loony town.

I honestly don't understand how Fallen Too Far has a 4.26 rating on Goodreads... What happened to humanity..?

The story and the conversations were so cheesy, so cliche and just so... dumb.
I just didn't really enjoy this at all. It was so ridiculous I was laughing. And even though it's supposed to go by quickly I still skimmed the last part.

Blaire was like "I want you but no. Awe that's so cute take me. Dude no you don't get to- I'm yours." -________________-

I really am pissed at the fact this was ended like this because now I'd have even the slightest of urge to read the sequels.

Overall, I thought Fallen Too Far was a cringe-worthy, cheesy New Adult. I haven't lost faith in Abbi Glines, isn't this her debut novel? I'm not pretty sure. But, I think I will try some of her other series. I can see people enjoying but at the same time... I really really can't man. 

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.

Cinder | Book Review

Title: Cinder
Series: (The Lunar Chronicles #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fairy Tail Retelling. 
Publication Date: January 3rd 2012
Format: ebook

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Finally, after putting this book on my TBR for 5 months... I finally did it! 

I'm really more happy about finishing it than reading it. Don't get me wrong though, I really enjoyed it!

Okay, first of all, a fairytale retelling huh? It was so much more similar to Cinderella than I imagined it would be. The only fairytale retelling book I've read before this was Cruel Beauty By Rosamund Hodge but now that I think of that book it wasn't really much of a retelling so seeing Cinderella literally as a cyborg was definitely interesting.

As a first book the plot hadn't really developed much but it was mostly an introduction to the characters, which makes me really sad because the next book isn't going to follow the characters that I came to love yet saw no closure for them whatsoever. I mean I know they come back, but the story isn't theirs, which is just sad.

My favorite thing about Cinder was the characters for sure. 



Cinder was just a really fun character overall and I definitely related to her on the whole freedom thing -minus the asshole of a step mom- and I loved how she was inspired by Cinderella but was not weak and underneath all the uncaring no-tears face -and a couple metal parts- there was an emotional, girly girl.

Also, her mechanical techniques are the fucking truth people. Hit it a couple of times and it's as good as new!!


I'm so sad we're not going into her character in depth again..

Prince Kai was just like I imagined he would be.. the perfect prince. I love him, basically. (trying hard to forget the ending..) 
The fact that he was Asian automatically turned him into Lee Min Ho. I couldn't help it xD

Kaito is one of my favorite names and it earned him so many points.

I think I sympathized with Kaito's situation the most, it really was hard what he was going through and at such a young age too 

  

 Iko was the cutest thing in the world and the whole time she was talking I always thought of how much I wanted an Iko for myself. Oh my God, she was seriously hilarious and the best thing that happened to the book.

I'm not pretty sure but do you think Iko is the Fairy God-mother? I mean, was she inspired by her? I do believe she is.



Overall, I thought this book was very fast-paced and easy to read. Some of the plot was predictable but it was still fun nonetheless, and you get attached to the characters so fast.

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.