Over and out,
Nerdalicious
I love to read Young Adult fiction! I review books and I will also keep you up to date on everything bookish!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
New 'City of Bones' Trailer!
A new, international trailer was released today, revealing some new footage. The movie is City of Bones, based on the acclaimed book by Cassandra Clare.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Monday, April 29, 2013
Book Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Let's just skip the enticing intro and go to my main point: this was a good book. Surprising, but good. The writing style was a whole new way of reading that I hadn't ever thought of before (though I'm sure that her fourth-grade teacher was rolling over in her sleep, assuming that she isn't . . . you know). The characters were unique and interesting, but I have to admit that there were instances where I think this story could have been improved. In case you weren't aware, today I will be reviewing Blood Red Road by Moira Young.
Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.
One of the main things that I liked about this story was that it didn't feel like a dystopia, or I guess, more like the fact that, even though their world was terrible, it didn't feel like that was the main premise of the book. Take The Hunger Games, for example. Every sentence, every syllable wrapped up in that 300-paged book revolved around Katniss's society. However, Young made it seem like the world took a backseat while the character development and plot where the main focus. A million events happened, but it didn't feel like I was reading a list of bullet points. It felt like I was reading a story.
I especially liked how there were no quotation marks. When we talk in our daily speech, when we think, do we think in quotations? Then why should a narrative have them? I thought that it really gave a new insight to both our world and Saba's world, a world where education and grammar have taken a definite nap.
Another attribute that I enjoyed from the world was that they didn't have a million specialized terms for every event in history, ever idea, every place. There was one term- Wreckers. As in, humans who wrecked our world before. There wasn't the Cat (the powerful kitty-cat that reigns over Fuzzy World) or the Dog or the Blanket or the Jacket. It didn't twist those ordinary words into words changed by the dystopian society, which I found nice. Because, seriously, look around. How many places do we refer to as proper nouns? School? No. Church? No. So, why is it that almost every YA fiction book we read these days has to have so many? It's not the capitalization that makes a place new, special, unique. It's the impact that that particular thing creates on both the reader and the character.
They were a smidge dirty though. Lugh was in desperate need of a haircut- his hair was described as being down to his waist! Can we just take a moment to notice that I have hair to my shoulders, and when I picture "to his waist" I think to his waist. And, as someone who finds Thor hair particularly, well, unappealing, I had to immediately shudder if not for that. I know, I know, judge me. But, hey, I won't change my weird opinion because some random person on the internet told me to. Thank goodness the love interest in this story got his hair shaved. I could not get into a male character whose hair is longer than mine. (About double the length, but we won't get into that.)
I really liked how Saba became a cage fighter, though. I feel like that in itself was easily symbolic in how tattered their primitive society is. Many times, plot events are relatively similar between books, but I hadn't seen anything even close to similar to that since The Contender.
All in all, I thought that this was a good read. If you are extremely picky about how you like your writing styles to be written, then I suggest you stay away. Or, you may end up shocking yourself by enjoying it. I think that the only way you can truly know if you liked a book is if you take the plunge and pick up the book yourself.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.
One of the main things that I liked about this story was that it didn't feel like a dystopia, or I guess, more like the fact that, even though their world was terrible, it didn't feel like that was the main premise of the book. Take The Hunger Games, for example. Every sentence, every syllable wrapped up in that 300-paged book revolved around Katniss's society. However, Young made it seem like the world took a backseat while the character development and plot where the main focus. A million events happened, but it didn't feel like I was reading a list of bullet points. It felt like I was reading a story.
I especially liked how there were no quotation marks. When we talk in our daily speech, when we think, do we think in quotations? Then why should a narrative have them? I thought that it really gave a new insight to both our world and Saba's world, a world where education and grammar have taken a definite nap.
Another attribute that I enjoyed from the world was that they didn't have a million specialized terms for every event in history, ever idea, every place. There was one term- Wreckers. As in, humans who wrecked our world before. There wasn't the Cat (the powerful kitty-cat that reigns over Fuzzy World) or the Dog or the Blanket or the Jacket. It didn't twist those ordinary words into words changed by the dystopian society, which I found nice. Because, seriously, look around. How many places do we refer to as proper nouns? School? No. Church? No. So, why is it that almost every YA fiction book we read these days has to have so many? It's not the capitalization that makes a place new, special, unique. It's the impact that that particular thing creates on both the reader and the character.
They were a smidge dirty though. Lugh was in desperate need of a haircut- his hair was described as being down to his waist! Can we just take a moment to notice that I have hair to my shoulders, and when I picture "to his waist" I think to his waist. And, as someone who finds Thor hair particularly, well, unappealing, I had to immediately shudder if not for that. I know, I know, judge me. But, hey, I won't change my weird opinion because some random person on the internet told me to. Thank goodness the love interest in this story got his hair shaved. I could not get into a male character whose hair is longer than mine. (About double the length, but we won't get into that.)
I really liked how Saba became a cage fighter, though. I feel like that in itself was easily symbolic in how tattered their primitive society is. Many times, plot events are relatively similar between books, but I hadn't seen anything even close to similar to that since The Contender.
All in all, I thought that this was a good read. If you are extremely picky about how you like your writing styles to be written, then I suggest you stay away. Or, you may end up shocking yourself by enjoying it. I think that the only way you can truly know if you liked a book is if you take the plunge and pick up the book yourself.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Contact/About
I am a young adult book blogger, one who pertains to mainly reviewing books. I am welcome to any requests for a review, as well as ARC reviews over young adult fiction.
If you are wanting to contact me, you can find me through:
Email: nerdaliciousfangirl@gmail.com
If you are wanting to contact me, you can find me through:
Email: nerdaliciousfangirl@gmail.com
Book Haul #1
Since I have visited Barnes and Noble three times in this past week, I decided I would do a book haul! I don't plan on doing book hauls too often, mainly because I am frugal with my money, even when it comes to books.
1. The Fault in Our Stars (Collector's Edition)
7. Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2)
When Clara Gardner learns she's part angel, her entire life changes. She now has a purpose, a specific task she was put on this earth to accomplish, except she doesn't know what it is. Her visions of a raging forest fire and a mysterious boy lead her to a new high school in a new town but provide no clear instruction. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between the boy in her vision and the boy in her life, between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. . . . When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
1. The Fault in Our Stars (Collector's Edition)
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
Author: John Green
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Author: Marie Lu
Mila was living with her mother in a small Minnesota town when she discovered she was also living a lie.
She was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was never supposed to remember the past—that she was built in a computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.
Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much, and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology.
Evading her enemies won't help Mila escape the cruel reality of what she is and cope with everything she has had to leave behind. However, what she's becoming is beyond anyone's imagination, including her own, and that just might save her life.
Author: Debra Driza
In a world of danger
an unlikely alliance
breathtaking adventure
and unforgettable romance
Author: Veronica Rossi
There are no men in Claysoot.
There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends . . . and he's gone.
They call it the Heist.
Gray Weathersby's eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he's prepared to meet his fate—until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he's been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets, the Heist itself, and what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot—a structure that no one can cross and survive.
Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken—or risk everything on the hope of the other side?
Author: Erin Bowman
No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever.
Author: Tahereh Mafi
tick tick tick tick tick it's almost time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Where do you go when nowhere is safe?
Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.
Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.
Author: Anna Carey
When you're being hunted, who can you trust?
For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.
But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.
Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past—and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together—but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.
Author: Anna Carey
When Clara Gardner learns she's part angel, her entire life changes. She now has a purpose, a specific task she was put on this earth to accomplish, except she doesn't know what it is. Her visions of a raging forest fire and a mysterious boy lead her to a new high school in a new town but provide no clear instruction. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between the boy in her vision and the boy in her life, between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. . . . When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?
Author: Cynthia Hand
The past few years held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner ever could have anticipated. Yet through the dizzying high of first love to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she could no longer deny was that she was never meant to have a normal life.
Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seemed like the best option, so she's headed back to California—and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.
As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he's not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won't come without sacrifices and betrayal.
In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must choose her fate once and for all.
Author: Cynthia Hand
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Book Signing and Q & A With Cynthia Hand, Veronica Rossi, Tahereh Mafi, and Anna Carey!
Today I had the privilege of meeting authors Veronica Rossi (Under the Never Sky, Through the Ever Night), Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me, Unravel Me), Cynthia Hand (Unearthly, Hallowed, Boundless), and Anna Carey (Eve, Once, Rise). They were all very insightful and hilarious. Each of them had their own personal qualities to them, such as Tahereh telling us (with many laughs included) about her family reading the romance scenes in her books, especially Chapter 62 (nudge nudge). From Cynthia Hand, I even received a patch that has Unearthly on it, along with a Team Tucker stitch in the corner. Below are pictures that I took of the event. (Sorry about the haphazard layout- sometimes technology just doesn't understand that this is a dictatorship, not some 'democracy')
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
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| Once, Rise, Hallowed, and Boundless |
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| Cynthia Hand, Tahereh Mafi, and Veronica Rossi |
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| Cynthia Hand |
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| Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Under the Never Sky, and Through the Ever Night |
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| Tahereh Mafi |
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| Tahereh Mafi |
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| I found this interesting that instead of having a bathroom sign, it had this. |
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| Tahereh Mafi and Veronica Rossi |
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| Anna Carey and her book, Rise |
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| Veronica Rossi explaining her book, Under the Never Sky |
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| Anna Carey |
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| The authors signing books |
Nerdalicious
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Book Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass
*plays inspiring movie intro song in the background* Welcome, welcome, citizens of Illea! I'm Gavril (or maybe not), your fabulous host for the night! Today I will be reviewing The Elite by Kiera Cass, the sequel to The Selection. Below is the summary, if you haven't had a chance to read it yet.
Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.
America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.
Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.
There were so many emotions packed into this book, I can't even comprehend them myself. It was like waiting and waiting for your favorite person on a reality television show to get kicked off. Anxiously, heart-pounding waiting. And, then, BAM. Emotions and experiences I never guessed would've occurred happened.
I wanted to slam this book into my head, run a mile, or start dancing like a three-year-old in my room to YMCA. Of course the M would stand for Maxon. See where I'm going with this? No? Okay. But seriously, there should be some sort of illness for burst of ultra-energy like this. Maybe a straitjacket or two so I don't go out and just . . . I don't know. (My mind is set on Maxon Mode, something that makes me think: What would Maxon do? And currently, I don't think Maxon would ever fangirl so hard. That's a profession in itself.)
I think I should start by saying that Kiera Cass seriously needs to rethink her priorities if she's thinking that America will end up with Aspen. No. I will find her if that happens. This will not end well, kids.
I think I need a t-shirt to express my undying love for Prince Maxon Schreave. Seriously. It could be like a new trend or something.
In The Selection, everyone was sweet and kind and rooting for each other. It was like tossing the basic recipe for a shockingly good storyline. My orignial thought was: Princes? Kings? Count me out. But, after reading it, I was dying for a sequel. If you have read it, then get prepared. It is as if Cass simply took the knob on the intensity and racked it up thirty notches.
Okay, so the first part of the book. Kinda sweet, kinda boring (honestly, what I needed). Cass spoon fed me Maxon in the beginning, if that makes any lick of sense. Then, America decided that she was going to be all wishy-washy and be like 'Oh, I'm not good enough.' and 'Oh, I could never be a princess.' Yes you can, girl! It's not the act of thinking- it's the act of doing. To put on the crown requires nothing more than the simple act of putting it on. But I love America to bits.
What I love most about America is how fiesty but kind she is. She really makes me want to root for the underdog. She's a heroin that I want to root for, you know? I can't say that I've experienced this in a while, this feeling of wanting a character to have something they deserve.
But, however, her own suspicions wreaked havoc, and almost costed her relationship with Maxon. Many, many times. The rest of the book left me dying and decaying and screaming. I had and still do have an insatiable hunger throughout reading The Elite.
Onward into the good night, everyone! Now I will talk about my relationship with Maxon. I love him in this book in several notable scenes, but others, he made me want to literally hate him and then, I don't know, kiss him. Towards the end, Maxon reveals a secret to America that literally made me want to reach out and hug this fictional character. I won't say anything, but it worked so perfectly with his character and I can't wait to see where Cass takes his character's journey.
Aspen was annoying. The end.
As was Celeste. I wanted to punch her. Over and over again.
In case you haven't heard, Maxon's father, King Clarkson, is going to be portrayed on the CW television show by Anthony Head, the same man who played King Uther, Arthur's father in one of my favorites, the BBC show Merlin. I am so excited to see him play the king as I think he knows exactly how to pinpoint a headstrong king whose personal morals are quite conflicting.
All in all, this book left me breathless and in a fragile state in which my emotions are involved. Cass is such a captivating writer; I cannot wait until the third book next spring. A whole year. Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Amazing!
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.
Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.
There were so many emotions packed into this book, I can't even comprehend them myself. It was like waiting and waiting for your favorite person on a reality television show to get kicked off. Anxiously, heart-pounding waiting. And, then, BAM. Emotions and experiences I never guessed would've occurred happened.
I wanted to slam this book into my head, run a mile, or start dancing like a three-year-old in my room to YMCA. Of course the M would stand for Maxon. See where I'm going with this? No? Okay. But seriously, there should be some sort of illness for burst of ultra-energy like this. Maybe a straitjacket or two so I don't go out and just . . . I don't know. (My mind is set on Maxon Mode, something that makes me think: What would Maxon do? And currently, I don't think Maxon would ever fangirl so hard. That's a profession in itself.)
I think I should start by saying that Kiera Cass seriously needs to rethink her priorities if she's thinking that America will end up with Aspen. No. I will find her if that happens. This will not end well, kids.
I think I need a t-shirt to express my undying love for Prince Maxon Schreave. Seriously. It could be like a new trend or something.
In The Selection, everyone was sweet and kind and rooting for each other. It was like tossing the basic recipe for a shockingly good storyline. My orignial thought was: Princes? Kings? Count me out. But, after reading it, I was dying for a sequel. If you have read it, then get prepared. It is as if Cass simply took the knob on the intensity and racked it up thirty notches.
Okay, so the first part of the book. Kinda sweet, kinda boring (honestly, what I needed). Cass spoon fed me Maxon in the beginning, if that makes any lick of sense. Then, America decided that she was going to be all wishy-washy and be like 'Oh, I'm not good enough.' and 'Oh, I could never be a princess.' Yes you can, girl! It's not the act of thinking- it's the act of doing. To put on the crown requires nothing more than the simple act of putting it on. But I love America to bits.
What I love most about America is how fiesty but kind she is. She really makes me want to root for the underdog. She's a heroin that I want to root for, you know? I can't say that I've experienced this in a while, this feeling of wanting a character to have something they deserve.
But, however, her own suspicions wreaked havoc, and almost costed her relationship with Maxon. Many, many times. The rest of the book left me dying and decaying and screaming. I had and still do have an insatiable hunger throughout reading The Elite.
Onward into the good night, everyone! Now I will talk about my relationship with Maxon. I love him in this book in several notable scenes, but others, he made me want to literally hate him and then, I don't know, kiss him. Towards the end, Maxon reveals a secret to America that literally made me want to reach out and hug this fictional character. I won't say anything, but it worked so perfectly with his character and I can't wait to see where Cass takes his character's journey.
Aspen was annoying. The end.
As was Celeste. I wanted to punch her. Over and over again.
In case you haven't heard, Maxon's father, King Clarkson, is going to be portrayed on the CW television show by Anthony Head, the same man who played King Uther, Arthur's father in one of my favorites, the BBC show Merlin. I am so excited to see him play the king as I think he knows exactly how to pinpoint a headstrong king whose personal morals are quite conflicting.
All in all, this book left me breathless and in a fragile state in which my emotions are involved. Cass is such a captivating writer; I cannot wait until the third book next spring. A whole year. Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Amazing!
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Book Review: Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
Subordinate Clauses. Awkward storms. Pointless Scenes. Unnecessarily long v-necks (or "ripped shirts" as it is made out to be).
Those are just some of the basics of what happened during my trek with this book. Don't get me wrong- it wasn't exactly bad. It's just that I simply felt like more than a few things could have been improved transitioning from Under The Never Sky to its sequel, Through The Ever Night. For at least two hundred pages, I kept waiting and waiting for a big moment to happen, until, finally, in the last portion of the book, it finally did.
I feel like, even though the body of the book was spent on subtle character development, more so for Perry than Aria in my opinion, most of those scenes were slow and just . . . eh. My harsh bias might be based on the fact that I'm swimming in YA dystopia right now, but I can't help it.
However, Rossi does have a nice writing style that flows together easily. For me, I spent most of the book only lingering briefly on the dialogue and vastly skimming the lengthy descriptions. I feel like, for that reason, I'm conflicted about reading it again because I don't want to endure the entire wrongness of it again. 'So wrong but so right' is my only trivial dilemma.
It wasn't bad by any extent- all of my friends who read it have thoroughly enjoyed it. Once again, I'm just the odd duck out of this algebraic equation. If you check on Goodreads, practically every single review clocks in at around 4 or 5 stars with stellar reviews. Not that I'm differentiating from the pack, however. I do think that this book was much more solid and compelling than the first, surprisingly.
I have to admit, that cover just isn't working for me. It has some sort of awkward-trying too hard- steamy romance thing going on, which personally makes me uncomfortable. That v-neck? Bro, get a new shirt. Let's get real, it's not working. Maybe a haircut. And a bath. And a new face.
I have to admit, I love Rossi for adding in the touch of Phantom of the Opera. That fit in so well with Aria's character, and I smiled so wide when I spotted the multiple references.
All in all, not a bad sequel. If you're skeptical after that first one, don't be afraid to pick it up. Like the rest of the population, I'm sure you'll like it. I definitely recommend checking this sequel out.
4.75 out of 5 star rating.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Those are just some of the basics of what happened during my trek with this book. Don't get me wrong- it wasn't exactly bad. It's just that I simply felt like more than a few things could have been improved transitioning from Under The Never Sky to its sequel, Through The Ever Night. For at least two hundred pages, I kept waiting and waiting for a big moment to happen, until, finally, in the last portion of the book, it finally did.I feel like, even though the body of the book was spent on subtle character development, more so for Perry than Aria in my opinion, most of those scenes were slow and just . . . eh. My harsh bias might be based on the fact that I'm swimming in YA dystopia right now, but I can't help it.
However, Rossi does have a nice writing style that flows together easily. For me, I spent most of the book only lingering briefly on the dialogue and vastly skimming the lengthy descriptions. I feel like, for that reason, I'm conflicted about reading it again because I don't want to endure the entire wrongness of it again. 'So wrong but so right' is my only trivial dilemma.
It wasn't bad by any extent- all of my friends who read it have thoroughly enjoyed it. Once again, I'm just the odd duck out of this algebraic equation. If you check on Goodreads, practically every single review clocks in at around 4 or 5 stars with stellar reviews. Not that I'm differentiating from the pack, however. I do think that this book was much more solid and compelling than the first, surprisingly.
I have to admit, that cover just isn't working for me. It has some sort of awkward-trying too hard- steamy romance thing going on, which personally makes me uncomfortable. That v-neck? Bro, get a new shirt. Let's get real, it's not working. Maybe a haircut. And a bath. And a new face.
I have to admit, I love Rossi for adding in the touch of Phantom of the Opera. That fit in so well with Aria's character, and I smiled so wide when I spotted the multiple references.
All in all, not a bad sequel. If you're skeptical after that first one, don't be afraid to pick it up. Like the rest of the population, I'm sure you'll like it. I definitely recommend checking this sequel out.
4.75 out of 5 star rating.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
'Divergent' Movie News!
A new photo was released last night, one to which I squealed when I saw! This photo was released to Entertainment Weekly on the movie entitled Divergent, based on the best-selling book by Veronica Roth.
This photo is of Shailene Woodley, who is playing Beatrice (Tris) Prior. Fans like myself are excited to see this as it is a prominent scene in the introduction of Tris' life in Dauntless.
*Professional moment over* AHHHH! EXCITEMENT!!!
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
This photo is of Shailene Woodley, who is playing Beatrice (Tris) Prior. Fans like myself are excited to see this as it is a prominent scene in the introduction of Tris' life in Dauntless.
*Professional moment over* AHHHH! EXCITEMENT!!!
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Marie Lu Booksigning and Q & A!
I had the pleasure of meeting the incredibly nice and insightful Marie Lu (author of Legend and Prodigy). She was very easy to talk to and really seemed to enjoy being there- I even saw her signing a young girl's cast! All in all, she made me very excited to read Champion, which is the final book in the Legend trilogy which is going to be released this fall. Below are some pictures that I had the privilege to take.
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| Q & A |
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| Marie signing books |
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| Marie about to start the Q & A |
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Book Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Gather 'round, kiddos. It's time for that monumental moment that we've all been waiting for- my first review! Today I will be covering Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. I will note beforehand that, though I will not reveal major plot secrets, I will be talking about some of the character's development and how I felt about them.
"You can't touch me," I whisper.
To start, let me just say: wow. I was not expecting this book to be so interesting and compelling. I had put off this book for such a long time because I had very low hopes for it, but now, I completely regret that choice. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend picking it up.
The way that Mafi writes is a unique element to the story in its own. Not only does she write in a short, choppy way contrasted against subtle detail really intrigued me. Most of the heroins thoughts arecrossed out, like so. It was a really interesting style of writing that I hadn't been exposed to, but I really enjoyed. Many of our thoughts as humans are ones that we scold ourselves for thinking, especially with what someone like Juliette has endured. When I tried to explain it to my friends, they simply titled their heads in confusion, but I promise when you read it, the words flow together easily.
However, I felt like some elements could have been changed. Juliette's relationship with her love interest was- dare I say it- boring. Having read many YA books before this, I felt like her relationship with him was plain and nothing I couldn't have expected. On the opposite end, though, I still see a glimmer of hope as there is another, highly hated character that I personally think could really add dynamics to her character.
Warner, the primary antagonist and previously mentioned hopeless lover, is a deemed psychopath bent obsessing over Juliette and what makes her so strange. I feel like both Warner and Juliette's characters could heavily evolve in different ways. I feel as though Warner definitely has a large potential to become a really deep character, but I highly doubt Mafi will ever even consider Warner as a potential candidate for love, considering all heroins of YA fiction simply have to be stuck like glue to their one-dimensional love interest.
Another region where Mafi could've improved upon was the plotline. Even from the synopsis, you get the image that Juliette will become a weapon, which could have opened many doors of possibility if she gave in, her morals encompassing her and her decisions. However, she runs off with Adam (surprise surprise) and decides to fight back (didn't see that one coming, huh?) I didn't feel like we saw very much of the Reestablishment or the real world outside. She was simply locked up for half of the book.
Finally, another issue I found was the character development. I feel like Mafi's writing style easily lends itself to an intense character change for Juliette, but it never fully came like a tidal wave. Maybe if you were nit-picky about it you could spot the subtle changes, but I prefer to know exactly who the character is in the beginning to who they are in the end. I did enjoy the fact that Juliette did not develop her character traits in the beginning from waking up one day and going, "Oh! From now on I will be kind and thoughtful!" That was certainly a nice change from some of the vomit I've read in the past.
All in all, I do think that this is a good read and will take you little to no time to fly through it. If you have any time to spare, I do recommend heading over to your local bookstore and picking this up because, even though it may come off as differently, it truly is a fine story. I am eager to read the sequel.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
"You can't touch me," I whisper.
I'm lying, is what I don't tell him.
He can touch me, is what I'll never tell him.
But things happen when people touch me.
Strange things.
Bad things.
No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon.
But Juliette has plans of her own.
After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever.
To start, let me just say: wow. I was not expecting this book to be so interesting and compelling. I had put off this book for such a long time because I had very low hopes for it, but now, I completely regret that choice. If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend picking it up.
The way that Mafi writes is a unique element to the story in its own. Not only does she write in a short, choppy way contrasted against subtle detail really intrigued me. Most of the heroins thoughts are
However, I felt like some elements could have been changed. Juliette's relationship with her love interest was- dare I say it- boring. Having read many YA books before this, I felt like her relationship with him was plain and nothing I couldn't have expected. On the opposite end, though, I still see a glimmer of hope as there is another, highly hated character that I personally think could really add dynamics to her character.
Warner, the primary antagonist and previously mentioned hopeless lover, is a deemed psychopath bent obsessing over Juliette and what makes her so strange. I feel like both Warner and Juliette's characters could heavily evolve in different ways. I feel as though Warner definitely has a large potential to become a really deep character, but I highly doubt Mafi will ever even consider Warner as a potential candidate for love, considering all heroins of YA fiction simply have to be stuck like glue to their one-dimensional love interest.
Another region where Mafi could've improved upon was the plotline. Even from the synopsis, you get the image that Juliette will become a weapon, which could have opened many doors of possibility if she gave in, her morals encompassing her and her decisions. However, she runs off with Adam (surprise surprise) and decides to fight back (didn't see that one coming, huh?) I didn't feel like we saw very much of the Reestablishment or the real world outside. She was simply locked up for half of the book.
Finally, another issue I found was the character development. I feel like Mafi's writing style easily lends itself to an intense character change for Juliette, but it never fully came like a tidal wave. Maybe if you were nit-picky about it you could spot the subtle changes, but I prefer to know exactly who the character is in the beginning to who they are in the end. I did enjoy the fact that Juliette did not develop her character traits in the beginning from waking up one day and going, "Oh! From now on I will be kind and thoughtful!" That was certainly a nice change from some of the vomit I've read in the past.
All in all, I do think that this is a good read and will take you little to no time to fly through it. If you have any time to spare, I do recommend heading over to your local bookstore and picking this up because, even though it may come off as differently, it truly is a fine story. I am eager to read the sequel.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Monday, April 22, 2013
Cover Talk: The Fall of Five
What makes this series so good, in my opinion? It's not the intricate plotline or the relateable characters that make me adore it- it's the fact that it's readable. With this series, I can sit down and eat it up in a day or two and feel like I haven't missed a thing. Not many books suck me in and make me actually want to stay in their lives.
Back to the cover. Can we just take, I don't know, take a moment to appreciate the glory that has manifested in this? This beautiful creation?
Yes, why yes we can.
The book is going to be released in late August- just in time for school to start. So, if you happen to see me hanging upside down from a swing reading this, you'll know that I'm thoroughly satisfied. (I would also recommend calling up a doctor of some sorts, because let's get real: I would literally die from reading that book, and not just because of the overload of feels.)
Emotions clocking in: joy joy joy.
That is all.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
Brief Introduction
Welcome to my world- the world of a completely nerdalicious (naturally) fangirl. It's a tough world out there, but somehow, I've found my peace through a blog. Blogs, by nature, are something of disdain, filled with ramblings and nonsense. However, I hope to change that opinion through musings about books I've read recently. I tend to read YA fiction, with my favorites ranging from Harry Potter to Divergent. All in all, I plan to keep you as a book lover out there satisfied with reviews about up-and-coming books, as well as me trying to contain myself when supernovas occur in the world of a fangirl, covering events from movie news to book signings.
Over and out,
Nerdalicious
P.S. That name is quite a mouthful, huh?
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