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Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.
Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.
Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything

When I read the reviews on Amazon, I quickly requested this book from the library. But the reviews on Goodreads have not been promising, plus the fact that this book is ridiculously long, I thought I might return this book as soon as I borrowed it but since my holiday is about to end soon, I gave this book a try, and I finished all the 563 pages of it.

The story started off pretty well, considering although I've read the synopsis earlier, I couldn't make sense what the book is all about. The jokes were sometimes really funny and I liked the idea how even though Lena was quite pretty, she has no sense of style whatsoever, which somehow made her stylish in her own way. But towards the end, she seemed to give up too easily and kept saying 'there's nothing you can do blah3'. Come on, a female lead should be more inspiring than that.

What I like
- The whole type of Light and Dark Casters, the Siren, the Natural, the Incubus etc. Cool names, but the details of their powers were not being elaborated enough for the readers to fathom.
- The sharing of dreams and visions, and how the smell, the heat, the blood lingered even after the dreams and visions were gone.
- Link is a pretty hilarious character.
- Boo. I silently wished he would not be dead and thankfully he survived.

What I don't like
- The length! OMG, how could the authors force me to read a 563 pages long novel and left me with so many questions even after I finished reading the last page. Save for the sequel of course, but honestly, by reading the synopsis of the following novels and the no of pages they have, I don't think I'll read the sequels anytime soon. Maybe never.
- The story lost pace after about 200 pages or so. Yes, I did finish this book within 24 hours, and as much I was eager to find out what happens next, I can't help but noticing how there were so many scenes that were insignificant and should be cut off from the novel.
- The prejudice against the Southern people. I mean, they can't be that bad, can they?
- The cover. Some people commented it was beautiful but nah, I don't think so. Just average.

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Mercy by Rebecca Lim
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mercy ′wakes′ on a school bus bound for Paradise, a small town where everyone knows everyone else′s business -- or thinks they do. But they will never guess the secret Mercy is hiding ....
As an angel exiled from heaven and doomed to return repeatedly to Earth, Mercy is never sure whose life and body she will share each time. And her mind is filled with the desperate pleas of her beloved, Luc, who can only approach her in her dreams.
In Paradise, Mercy meets Ryan, whose sister was kidnapped two years ago and is now presumed dead. When another girl disappears, Mercy and Ryan know they must act before time runs out. But a host of angels are out for Mercy′s blood and they won′t rest until they find her and punish her -- for a crime she doesn′t remember committing ...
An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, MERCY is the first book in a major new series.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO...was the first word I muttered when I finished reading this book. Can't the author have some 'mercy' for her readers?

I don't know about other people but I wished there are more background story about Luc, Mercy and Uri was explained. It's mean you see, having read all 280 pages of this book and left feeling like this book is some sort of an episode from CSI i.e Ryan, Carmen, Lauren are just characters for an episode, filling in for a side story.

But I have to admit that the writing was impeccable i.e words crafting: Asian level. Oh, I think the author is indeed at least partly Asian right? Her writing skill is beyond standard. For the first few chapters, I thought I had another Unearthly-like blockbuster in my hands but the admiration dissolved after a hundred or so pages.

I'm still not sure if I like the idea of 'less romance' strategy in this book but it's definitely refreshing to have the female lead noting the features of the male characters simply because she likes beautiful things.

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

It started with a cup of hot tea I made at 1 am. Darjeeling tea to be precise.

I felt craving for hot beverage after a few rounds of UNO tournament with my housemates. While waiting for the drink to cool off a little, I decided to pick up this book where I left it off at around page 100 or so.

It was a wrong decision.

I even forgotten that the hot drink was there.

I ended up going to sleep at 5.30 am.

Which obviously pointing out at one thing. I'm a painfully slow reader. Well, I wanted to savour every word of this book!

Oh ya, another obvious thing...

THIS BOOK IS FREAKING GOOD!!!


After Unearthly and Angelfall last year, I had a season of drought when I could hardly find a phenomenal book like this.

THIS.IS.IT.

It took me forever to borrow the book from my local library. The requests keep coming in. That explains why I had been so left behind of this awesomeness. I'd say now...

I SHOULD JUST BUY THIS FREAKING BOOK.

Well, I almost feel reluctant to review the actual book. I believe I'll be repeating what the other awesome reviewers had said.

But I'll review it anyway because I can. Ha-ha!

Since I've read Angelfall and Divergent first, It was hard for my brain to adjust that this book came before those two. And if there are any intentional resemblance to The Hunger Games, it's Veronica Roth and Susan Ee who have to answer to us. But soon, I didn't care much because I was too engrossed in the story and the actions.

The narration was simple enough, not many catchy phrases or mind bogging words but the philosophy runs deep. As brutal as The Games, I couldn't help but to question, are we being control to that extent as well, but with more subtle disguise?

I would totally vote for Raffe against Gale or Peeta because this book IS about Katniss. Although without any male characters to be swooned for, I feel like the emphasis on Katniss was a smart move by the author albeit the risk.

I'm kind of nervous in continuing with the series right now because I had a very terrible experience with the second book in every series so far. Hopefully, Catching Fire would be able to break the consistent streak. I'm not sure if I would be glad if Suzanne Collins would like to start writing about a new series because I'm afraid, when you reached max level, you stop leveling.

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If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elizabeth Egan's life runs on order: Both her home and her emotions are arranged just so, with little room for spontaneity. It's how she counteracts the chaos of her family -- an alcoholic mother who left when she was young, an emotionally distant father, and a free-spirited sister, who seems to be following in their mother's footsteps, leaving her own six-yearold son, Luke, in Elizabeth's care. When Ivan, Luke's mysterious new grown-up friend, enters the picture, Elizabeth doesnt know quite what to make of him. With his penchant for adventure and colorful take on things large and small, Ivan opens Elizabeth's eyes to a whole new way of living. But is it for real? Is Ivan for real?
If You Could See Me Now is a love story with heart -- and just a touch of magic.

First & foremost, I'm not the type of reader who prefer romance books because it is so difficult to find a story which portrays love in depth without any physical contact.

This is actually only the second book in romance genre I ever read (minus all those craps I read when I was in secondary school.

So, here’s quick (hopefully) look on why this book is such a smashing hit for me.

1. I got it for free! (Well, I swapped with a handbag which I don’t like. Haha)

2. I never read Cecilia Ahern’s before (I did watch P.S I Love You movie which people say id not up to the standard with the book itself) And I didn’t take a peek on Amazon’s rating or read the reviews. So, basically, I knew nothing about the book before I started to read it. So, all the surprises & twists felt genuine to me.

3. The lead roles are not anywhere near perfect specimen of human being (handsome, pretty, romantic, or anything like that).

4. It offers my favourite type of ending. A tragic happy ending.

5. You can guess it was meticulously drafted and yet, the tone felt natural and spontaneous.

6. The author is ridiculously talented compared to how young she is.

7. Not making me google anything (like when I read Dan Brown’s. Which is a wonderful thing to do actually)

8. Some of the scenes will just stuck in my head.

9. The book made me realize how all this time I was being more like a logician than an aunt. Seriously. The author wrote something like this

“I am not like Edith who will going to beat and blaming the floor in front of Luke when Luke fall on his knee”
I - Elizabeth, the main character
Luke - her nephew
Edith – Luke’s babysitter

Yup, my mom always do like that to her grandchildren and I was like, huh?

10. The last reason is despite no exaggeration on how the characters were feeling, I did shed a few tears. Hey, it’s not just about the love between the two main characters, it is also about the love within the family.

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Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Daring to Be Different
In a moving and highly engaging tale about the vagaries of adolescent peer pressure, Newbery Medal winner Jerry Spinelli tells the story of Stargirl, a high school student who is startlingly different from everyone else. The need to conform -- and unabashed curiosity about those who don't -- are at the heart of this touching tale, which aptly demonstrates the peaks and pitfalls of popularity. 

Actual rating 4.5 stars

Well, what can I say. This book is equivalent to a cute cat on the internet. Heart-warming and generally likeable.


It's kind of funny because I kept anticipating outrageous revelations such as Stargirl is an alien, or Leo's imaginary friend, or a doll coming to life or anything like that (paranormal fantasy overdosed for sure). It is funny but in the same time it is sad that I can't imagine the existence of someone like Stargirl. What kind of society we live in today... *sigh*

If you read this book for the romance then well, there's not much in store for you. Leo and Stargirl relationship is oddly healthy (because Stargirl is definitely not the type of girl people would introduce to one's family but hey, she's definitely better than the bitches out there). Leo is not the strong male character I was expecting but I guess the author shaped his character as a representation of what a regular nice person would do. Of course most of us have a conscience to be nice to other people no matter how he or she behaves but not all of us would have the courage to stand up for the outcasts even though you know the majority is wrong anyway.

All in all, I would approve this book as a school textbook in coming years. There're so many valuable lessons coming out of this little gem.

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Hereafter by Tara Hudson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss. 

Actual rating 3.5 stars.

*Sigh* I really hate it when I have to read a book in many sittings. I can't be sure if the book was indeed not that good or the gap between the sittings made me losing my interest. The book started so well, I think the first four chapters were the best starter I've read so far. It was sharp, well-paced and deep with emotions.

After Chapter 4, it was...well...okay for me. Some of the scenes truly entertained me such as the differential equations incident. Some of the other scenes, for instance when Amelia went to Joshua's bedroom was more like a fanservice for me. I bet most of the readers squealing in their sit while reading that part *wink2*

Up until the climax, the author effortlessly offered adequate explanation for Amelia's nature and ability that I can read this with a peace of mind. But when it got to the climax, all hell broke loose. I was like what?


You know when a character is simmering, it's not a good sign! (except Clara from Unearthly...mind my biasness) *cough* Edward *cough*

Amelia was a cute, innocent character, I think. She can be stupid sometimes. But I guess she had the right personality to be a ghost from 1999. Joshua? He could be nosebleeding-inducing guy sometimes. Some of his lines, like

"See? Good vocabulary. 'Patronizing' has four syllables"

"Just because I can't do differential equations, it doesn't mean I'm totally useless"

were very witty. But other that that, he was not that special of a character.

I'm a bit confused with Eli. Probably the author tried to conjure Eli as a complex character, evil but the readers would feel for him as they got to know him further. For me, while the events in this book were influenced heavily by his doing some way or another, I didn't find him as a believable character. The reason behind his evilness was somewhat laughable. He couldn't be THAT immature right? He should be a sicko, you see. A stalker...obsessed for Amelia. But I seriously feel like he was just an outdated rock star who like to prank people! He was really not at all scary.

The whole Amelia-is-a-beautiful-girl was very cheesy as well.

The truth is, I really think this book is better as a stand-alone book. I found the idea of Seer as very messy. It reminds me a lot of Beautiful Creatures series. I don't know...contrary to the plethora of vampire, werewolf, witch and angel, I feel that the relationship between the living and the dead should be the simplest, purest love, where the only way for them to be together is death. I secretly wish Joshua to sacrificed himself in the epilogue so that he can be together with Amelia. Hate me people! I know I'm not the most optimist person in the universe!

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Angelfall by Susan Ee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.
Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.
Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.
Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco where she’ll risk everything to rescue her sister and he’ll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

The 99 cent I spent on this book was the best 99 cent I ever spent.

The reviewers I followed, Cait and Larissa (thanks to both of you ^_^) generously gave five stars for this book, and I thought, sure this is good but it can't be THAT good, right?

Turned out, it can.



Yup, this book came out of nowhere, and it just blew my mind away. THIS BOOK DESERVES MORE ATTENTION PEOPLE!

The Cover:
At first glance, I wouldn't give this book a second thought but on closer inspection, I think it's a pretty decent cover, the colour combination simmers in an eerie way that pretty much resembles the end of days.

The Plot:
I honestly wish I could finish this book in one sitting but I started reading on 9 pm, so by the time it was 12 am, I regretfully had to put my tablet down or else I might not wake up the next day to pick up my friend from the airport.

So, based on the first good 200 pages I read in the first sitting, the plot was awesome! (for the lack of better adjective). I found my heart racing most of the time, sometimes spooked (the low demons were really frightening and so did Penryn mom), sometimes hyperventilating (the fighting and action scenes sounded very dramatic). Susan Ee has the gift of interjecting just the right amount of everything in her story, just the right amount of background story, just the right amount of emotions, just the right amount of descriptions.

From the second sitting, the rest of the book started to leave out few motives and information (obviously, saving for the sequels, which is not a bad thing) so I felt the story losing a few ounces of 'kicks', but then the gap between the first and second sitting was almost 18 hours, so probably that explains why.

The characters:
I'll being completely honest here. I WANT PENRYN'S BRAIN!!! Not because I'm a zombie but because she easily is the smartest lead female character in YA books. Her inner voice is very strong, she always weighed her options well before taking any action and yes she did it naturally. That's a real talent, to posses an ability to make the right decision albeit the dire of the situations she faced. I like the fact that she sounded selfish but actually she was just being practical. She was not trying to save the world in any way, just to claim her sister back. Her love-hate relationship with her mother was very moving too. Maybe the only area which Penryn has to improve is to come up with good comebacks.

Raffe is definitely not the usual 'Hey, I'm attracted to you, but I'm too dangerous for you, we can't be together so I'll stalk you. Oh no! You attracted to me too, so I must stay away from you. Then, I regret it, I must do anything to get you back'.

Nope.

He basically stuck with Penryn, having a goal of his own. He put enough respect and trust on Penryn fighting skill so Penryn is not a girl who needed to be saved everytime.

Final words:
I would recommend this book to teens at least 15 years of age. There were some serious gore and theology discussion throughout this book.

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