Book Review: Jane Steele-Lyndsay Faye

I have to say this ... I became a huge fan of Lyndsay Faye's writing after reading the Timothy Wilde trilogy and she made me love Historical Fiction and can say that I'm addicted to this genre because of her.

Her style in writing, in building up the characters, narrating the story, the events and how the plots develops amazes me. You think you know how it will end but later you find yourself you are wrong for she is no ordinary writer that let you figure out things before the ending. 

Jane Steele relates to Jane Eyre's novel somehow, however you want to see it or relate it it depends on the reader himself. Actually Jane Steele tells her story by addressing the reader every now and then. Whatever Jane does through the story, you can't but fall in love with her and her unique characters, even when she becomes a criminal killing people who are hurting the people she cares about the most.

She has been sent away from where she used to reside with her aunt to a boarding school where she commits a murder and escape with her school friend to London where her character changes dramatically due to the events she faces with her friend Rebecca Clarke.

Then she learns that the place where used to reside need a governess and applies for the job because her mother once told her that this place belonged to her but her aunt Patience took it from them. She becomes the governess of the residents that now belongs to Charles Thornfield and falls in love with him but he himself has a dark past of his own that we discover at the end.

I myself fell in love with Charles Thornfield with his wittiness and sweet language when addressing Jane, either when comforting her or teasing her, he's such a magnificent man. 

A must read for sure <3

Book Review: Glass Sword-Victoria Aveyard

3.5 stars

This sequel was bit boring lacking meaningful events. I mean the whole book was spent looking for the new bloods and that was it. Until the end. I liked the twist in the book where they involved The Lakelanders and others from far places (Arabs maybe or Persian), that served the plot a bit.

I can say that I HATED Mare's character in this book, she was so annoying thinking herself invincible and always commanding people thinking she is right when later we find she is not. She was irritating. I loved Cal's character more and more in this book, I felt the development in his character and how killing his father has changed him ALOT. Also Farley, I loved her character and its development in this book, she was more clear and visible to the reader in this sequel and she played a great role in the plot. I still hate Kilorn, i don't know why but I can't stand him.

Now I felt kind of upset for killing Queen Elara this fast, we should have seen more of her and her twisted games, why kill her so fast without any involvement whatsoever in the book!

I really hope book 3 will be much much better than this one and that we'll get to have a good ending to this trilogy. 

Book Review: Scarlet-Marissa Meyer

I can't believe how entertaining this series is, I mean it's very easy to read, fun to imagine and it gives you this lovely feeling. You can't help yourself, you suddenly find yourself smiling without even noticing it, it happens naturally when you are reading. Marisa Meyer has the most attractive and seductive language ever. There is nothing special about but it's easy for the eyes and mind to read, not like other books that make you struggle in every sentence you read and sometimes you find yourself staring at the same sentence for more than 5 minutes. That doesn't happen with Marissa Meyer.

The story of Scarlet follows the story of Cinder after being held prisoner for what she has done at the ball. Kai being a spoiled emperor (Can't like his character) doesn't believe in what she says, i don't blame him and I still don't blame Cinder for both didn't know what was going on .

Cinder being the lost Princess Selene from Luna, escapes the prison in search of Michelle Bonoit, the woman who saved her life wanting to know more about her ancestors and life. Cinder meets Scarlet Bonoit and Alfa Kesly (Wolf). I loved those pairs, especially Wolf's character, oh my my he was such a seductive character with his stiffness and attitude.

I hated that we didn't see any development in Kai's character. I was hoping to see more of him and what he'll be or do but that wasn't the case. This book focused more on Cinder, Scarlet and Wolf. Maybe in the 3rd book!

Books Review: Me Before you/After You-Jojo Moyes

Me Before You

If you're in the mood to be depressed and blue then this is the best book to get in that mood plus the current weather, you have a great setting to dive into your own world of misery and sadness. I've heard about this book, that it's sad and everything but I haven't imagined it would be THAT sad and totally depressing.

A caregiver falls in love with quadriplegic young man who was very fit and alive before he had a motorbike accident and had him on that wheelchair since then.

Will has no interest in going out and living his life because from his own point of view, he lost his life when he lost all movement in his body. There comes Lou, his new caregiver who tries her best to take care of him and makes his life as easy as possible but Will is determined to push Lou away from him just as he did with the other ones. To his surprise, Lou gets closer to him and he starts falling for her, until Will decides something that shatters Lou.

Great story, great writing, great characters. You can feel everything and everybody in this book. You somehow get to live the life of Lou and sometimes the life of Will and suffer from what they're suffering. At the end I cried but I also laughed. Loved the book.

After You

I've been waiting for this book for a very long time and couldn't believe it when I saw it on a bookstore shelf before its official worldwide release, I bought and started reading it. Now, I'm going to comment first on why people were so upset with this book? I really thought I was going to read an awfully written sequence but it was the opposite. And actually, you can't call it a sequence but more like a CLOSURE to Lou's life. This book gives a reasonable ending to Lou's life. To be honest, Lou wasn't going to have a REAL life with Will because of his disability, even if she loved him and remained loving him, he had to die in the first book so Lou can have a normal life. It was tragic yes, but very reasonable.

Moving on to After You. As I said this book is a closure to Lou's life after Will. We see her dealing with his loss in a very messy way, being scared of new feelings and dealing with Will's problems even after his death. Which I feel it was irrelevant to the story. Why give Will a daughter he didn't know about and make Lou deal with his and her mess?! That I couldn't understand and kind of didn't like.

I loved Sam's character all, I actually fell in love with him too (can't wait to see this book as a movie). Donna his partner is such an entertaining character. Lou herself is still witty and funny even though she can be a little frustrating with all her sadness and so but that's a normal thing.

I loved this book. It made me laugh, be angry, and happy at the end :)

Book Review: Cinder-Merissa Meyer

There so many writers out there writing good books. There are so many writers out there writing great books. But there are few writers out there writing great book with amazing ideas and a beautiful writing style. Those writers are really rare. I always wonder how their brain function, from where do they get their ideas and how they put them in a beautifully written book! 

This was the easiest book I've read in 2016 and I finished it in less than 12hrs. I've never done that before and now I can't help myself but reach out for book 2 and start reading it. I know I should give my mind and eyes some time to rest but I don't think I'll be able to. I'm starting Scarlet after I finish writing this review.

"You're even more painful to look at than she is" Oh really Kai? That was the harshest sentence in the whole book. I couldn't believe my eyes when I've read it. I mean how could he say THAT to her, after all she's done to save him from that lunatic Lunar Queen Levana .... *angryface*

Basically, it's the retelling story of Cinderella but in a very different way. Cinder is an adopted Cyborg who has been brought to this family to take care of her. After the father dies, her stepmother keeps her in the house but without any love or affection towards her. She has 2 step sisters Peony and Pearl. Pearl is awful but Peony is nice.

Cinder is the best mechanic in New Beijing who fixes anything. One day Prince Kai comes to her to help him with his android and she does. Not knowing that this android device has the story of her life. This android has the secret that has been hidden from her all of her life. 

The characters were all great. Hated Pearl and Queen Levana from the bottom of my heart, I could feel anger and frustration growing inside me as I turn the pages of this book. I loved Peony and felt really sad for what happened to her. Loved Cinder, her character was good. But Kai's character was a bit annoying and lacked some depth, maybe in book 2 we'll get more of him and his character.

Read this series, don't miss it.

Book Review: I See You-Clare Mackintosh

Imagine someone follows women everyday, create a website and write a log of where they go everyday. Which train these and which station they arrive to, what clothes they are wearing and a brief description of them. Imagine having your picture posted on a website for men to meet women without you knowing about it all. Imagine men following you after you finish your work thinking you want them when actually you don't. What happens then?

That's basically the creepiest description I've ever written for a book I've finished reading. The idea of the book was really creepy, I mean from where does Clare Mackintosh get her ideas and twists? This book isn't as great as I Let You Go, but it's good. The plot, the twists and that final page was like "No Way". Will there be a sequel for this book? Or will we be left to end this book with our own imagination. Either way, I'm totally satisfied.

I have to admit that i felt bored till half the book, but i persuaded myself to continue reading because this is written by Mackintosh and if you've read her first book then you'll know what I mean. After that the story started to get creepier page after page and when you think you know who is doing all of this, guess what? YOU ARE WRONG. It's how Mackintosh writes, she makes you think that you've got the psycho who is causing all the troubles in her stories but actually you are not ;) She's so clever and I love how talented she is.

Though in this book I felt detached from the main characters, I couldn't find my way to Zoe Walkers character or her life. I don't know why. But anyways, this was a great read. 

Book Review: The Coincidence of Coconut Cake- Amy E. Reichert

I can't describe my feelings for this book in words because words won't do this book justice. It's just amazing, beautiful, dreamy, delicious, yummy, heavenly, beyond amazing, mouth watering etc. You name it. As if you're having a delicious meal and reading a book at the same time.

I've never read Culinary Romance before, and I'm new to this genre but all I can say is that I'm hooked and will be addicted to this genre very soon and to the writer of this book Amy Reichert.

The story itself is simple and fun to read, nothing out of the ordinary but how it's written and shaped makes it really interesting and beautiful. You can see through out the novel how the two main characters Lou and Al's persona change and develop becoming better persons because of positivity and love. How someone is willing to change his bad attitude for the person he/she loves. How we become blind for people who don't really deserve us. And finally, how food has a great affect on our life.

I can't wait for her next book which is coming out this July and I'm already searching for other Culinary Romance books <3

Book Review: How To Find Love in a Bookshop-Veronica Henry

I can't decide whether to give this book 3 stars or 4 so I'm settling on 3.5 stars.

The idea of this book is amazing but it lacked the depth of characters and their development through out the story. I felt this book was done very fast without getting deep into the story itself. The feeling you get is not that strong because you couldn't have formed an idea/feeling or get attached to the characters.

I've always loved the idea of having or managing my own bookshop so you can see my face when I saw this book in Waterstones. I couldn't help myself but get it. Emilia is struggling to get Nightingale Books going after the death of her father. She does her best to keep it going knowing that it had a great impact on its customers and found out some secrets trying to keep the bookshop going.

The book had many characters but focused only on few. The only characters that I liked were Dillon and Alice. So many characters were left behind like Thomasina & Jem. Also Jackson & Mia, not to mention June & Mick. I wish the writer had given more time and effort for the left out characters.

The writing was ok, not that wow but easy for the eye and mind.

Book Review: Outlander-Dianah Gabaldon

"Looking at this wanton damage I could not avoid a mental picture of the process that had caused it. I tried not to imagine the muscular arms raised, spread-eagled and tied, ropes cutting into wrists, the coppery head pressed hard agains the post in agony, but the marks brought such images all too readily to mind. Had he screamed when it was done?"

"I could no more stop myself rising to his touch than I could stop myself bleeding when he cut me"

"I lie here feeling that I will die without your touch, but when you touch me I feel as though I will vomit with shame and loathing of myself"

If I could give this book 10 stars I would. I mean where where these books hiding? This is just book one and I'm emotionally wrecked :/ I can't think of a book more vivid and clear to the eyes and mind than this one. I started with some of my favourite quotes/parts of the book, to show you the writing, the words used to describe such awful and outrageous scenes/events. 

A writer has his/her words only to make the reader see what is inside their head, to see what he/she wants us to see and to feel exactly what he/she wants us to feel. If they use the write words then they're talented and I have to say that Diana Gabaldon is more than talented in using words, playing with them and creating such images in the reader's mind.

I seriously can't tell you how I felt at the end of the book, I was enjoying reading ti with all the fighting scenes between Claire and Jamie but when I reached the last part "To Ransom A Man's Soul", I felt my hands shaking because what I was reading was horrible, what Jamie went through all his life and at the end on the hands of Black Jack Randall was more than anyone can imagine. I wonder how this will shape his character in Book 2 which I'm going to start reading soon, hopefully.

I loved the dialogues between the characters, it showed you their personality and how then it became more mature or reckless. From the dialogues you feel the development of the characters, especially Jamie's. Also Claire, how she fell in love with Jamie and refused to go back to her husband, her first true love because she felt something else with Jamie and couldn't let go of that feeling, couldn't leave him and live with the feeling being away from him.

Of course I have to praise the historical facts used this book, it was full of history, what was happening between England and Scotland and what would happen later. I learned to so many facts, words, rituals and more from this book and that's why I'm becoming to appreciate huge books because they hold a lot of knowledge and information. I used to get intimidated by huge books, but not anymore. I'm enjoying them.

If you haven't started yet with this series, then I advise you to start reading it now. But I have to warn you that it has sexual scenes, rape, language, violence and more. So read it at your own risk.

Book Review: The Girls-Emma Cline

3.5 Stars

You know the feeling after you finish a book and you don't know whether you liked this book or not? I mean you love the plot but you feel something is missing but then you feel the story is complete. You love the writing and the language used in the book but it feels like the author didn't do a lot of effort to make you live the story like it was real. That's what I'm feeling right now about this book. But anyways I loved it and I think everybody from all ages must read this book because it talks to everyone, from young adults to adults and parents to be specific. Parents must read this book so they can prevent their teen children from going to a dangerous path if the signs presented themselves, like what happened to Evie Boyd.

The story is about Evie Boyd who is 14 years old, feeling lost and un-noticed after her parents got divorces, her father living with a young woman, her mother trying her luck with a new man and her friend having a quarrel with her over something silly. Evie meets Suzanne who is part of a cult run by Russell Hadrick who is welcoming lost girls not that much older from her and making them feel special, control their minds with his charisma, and making them do stuff that doesn't seem ok to others but to them, they can't see or feel it. They are lost and think they've found their right path or way with Russell but they were all wrong.

Evie wanted to find love and confidence with Russell but Suzanne gave her that. She felt getting close to her day after day. Even when she left the ranch for days, she came back for Suzanne and not Russell.

I don't want to spoil the story for you but I loved the ending of this book and found it very special and unique. 

Book Review: The Essex Serpent-Sarah Perry

You know when you start reading a book, you feel it's slow & going no where in the first few pages!? Well, that's how i felt about it in the beginning but because of the crazy reviews i read about this book i kept reading it til i reached a point where i couldn't stop & i just kept reading falling in love with the plot, the characters, the setting & everything in between.

I'll not talk about the story for it's pretty clear in the synopsis but i'd rather talk about the characters & what they've represented. Science & religion. Power & money, high class & lower class, freedom & suppression, desire & shame, love & friendship.

The characters & their lives can be interpreted in so many ways, it just depends on the reader & how he/she sees the story. 

I loved Cora's character & how she couldn't deal with her little boy because maybe there is something wrong with him & she doesn't see it?! Will's character was also very well written, struggling with his desire & afraid to sin as he's the Reverend & a married man to a loving wife who seems stupid or naive but she is the opposite. I also loved Martha's character, she's something hehe, but hated Luke. Such an arrogant man :/

This book is highly recommended

Book Review: Vengeance Road-Erin Bowman

This book was full of lessons and meanings. I loved every word written and related to some of the incidents the characters faced or went through. I had this book few months ago and don't know why I didn't start reading it, but i'm glad i'm done with it with a happy face.

18 year old Kate is full of vengeance and anger. She will not have peace till she avenges her father's death. She meats The Coltons, Jesse and Will will help her with her vengeance on one condition, that she gives them the gold. Will the plan run as planned or will they face outlaws, guns, and death?!

The story talks about forgiveness and letting go of the past even though it's difficult but one can try to have peace. It's all about being content from the inside and being surrounded by the people you love, family and friends. Money can make your life easier but it will not bring you happiness if you lose your loved ones and it will not make you feel content when you're surrounded with money but not family or friends.

It's about being humans and helping each others no matter what our colour, religion or past. I felt this novel was talking about our world now and how we are living it full of hate because we have different opinions, colour and religion.

I really wish this book can be taught in schools so that young people can learn to live in peace and harmony. 

Book Review: I Let You Go-Clare Mackintosh

I LOVED THIS BOOK AND I CAN STOP THINKING ABOUT IT.

One of the best crime books I've read this year. All the events were so shocking that I didn't see them coming at all. Even when I thought that I've realised what will happen next, I was wrong all the time. I love those kinds of books that let you think you've got the story, but then you realise you were totally wrong, and shocked.

Jenna Gray runs away from her home, looking for a fresh start away from everything that happened to her in the past. She is scared and cautious, not wanting to let anyone in her life afraid they'll know who she really is and what's she's done. But it seems that no one can run away from their past no matter where they go or how far.

I'm not going to talk a lot about the story, or write the names of the characters involved in the plot because I don't want to ruin anything for those who are planning to read it. I'm just going to say that all the characters were carefully written and built, especially Jenna. You'll see how her character will shock you in the story, you'll not see it coming, and if you, you're more clever than I :P The writing style is very easy to read and smooth, you'll feel as if you're watching a movie not reading because the words makes all the scenes so vivid. 

Book Review: This Savage Song-V. E. Schwab

I have to say that Victoria Schwab has a wild imagination. After finishing reading her 3rd book, I admit she's amazing.

A city divided into two halves, one is under the hand of Callum Harker who keeps monsters as pet and weapons and the other half is under the hand of Henry Flynn who has 3 adopted children with a secret that must be hidden from those who might use it in a ..... ?! I'll keep that to your imagination.

Katherine is daughter of Callum Harker & August is the son of Henry Flynn find themselves running together for their lives and trying to save their city with everything then can, only to be betrayed by those who are close to them and never saw it coming.

All the characters in this book are amazing, even though there is a slight similarity between August and Kell (Shades of Magic) but still the story is original and unique. Creating 3 races of monsters (Malchai, Corsei, and Sunai) helped the story also, she didn't just mention them and leave those races for the readers to fill in the blanks, no. She actually created a solid background for them and also a song which I liked and kept on singing it even after I finished reading the book.

When I started reading the story, I kind of felt lost or somehow bored and thought "Oh no, this book will disappoint" but I kept on reading and good thing I didn't stop because I literally couldn't keep it down. It was a very good story and can't wait for book 2 to come out because that ending made like "You've got to be kidding me!" and a huge exclamation mark on my forehead!

Book Review: The Muse-Jessie Burton

The first book I finished in September and I'm proud to say that I've read this book for it is a literary MASTERPIECE. If I was an academic teacher, i'd teach this for my student because it represents everything related to Art & Literature.

I'm really overwhelmed, I can't explain what I'm feeling right now after finishing reading this book. I'm sure I loved it and it's amazing but it has this effect on me which I can't explain. It's a hreat-breaking story of love, art, survival, treason, adultery, self-search and more.

"Just be careful of him. You don't just happen upon a painting like that Odelle"

This book left me taking notes and thinking all the time. It's about the story of Olive, Teressa, & Isaac and how each of them interfered in the other's fate. When you think that people use you but it might be the other way around. When you want to be seen but can't and use someone else's name just to reach your goal and when you can't see the real love of the honest people because you're blinded by your love to others who don't deserve it.

I loved the writing style of this book, it is much better than The Miniaturist. It is so smooth and easy to comprehend and fall in love with. I'm feeling really sad because I finished this book in one day. I just couldn't keep it down, events and cliffhangers kept coming/happening at the end of each chapter/part.

I loved Olive's character ALOT, and hated her mother Sarah. I don't know how I feel towards Isaac because of what he went through in his life but of course that doesn't mean you can deceit and play with people's feelings. Now, comes Teressa who I believe is the centre character if the story even though you don't feel it in the story but you'll get what I mean when you finish this book and start thinking of the whole story in your head.

Who was The Muse? Olive, Isaac or Teressa? I won't really say because there is no name mentioned in the book but it's open to the reader's imagination. And I will not discuss the matter because I don't want to spoil things for you.

A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOOK.

Hello September-TBR

So I've decided what I'll be reading this month and I hope I'll stick to my list and finish reading them on time. Here's my list for September in the picture. So excited :D