ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a wonderful book that I wish every young girl could read; eARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a wonderful book that I wish every young girl could read; especially those who are contemplating having sex for the first time. This book tells the story of seventeen different women, and how each of them lost their virginity. And the spectrum of the narratives in this book is phenomenal. I think every woman could connect to at least one of these very different women's experiences.
“Virginity isn’t a possession locked behind a chastity belt or spread wide on silken sheets. It’s not a ripe cherry waiting to be plucked, popped, or eaten. Virginity is a state of being. Being a virgin means standing on one side of an experience, not yet having walked through the door. Crossing the threshold is far more about gaining something than about losing it.”
I think I made the mistake of expecting too much from this book, because I was coming off a Falling Kingdoms binge reading high. I wanted so much, andI think I made the mistake of expecting too much from this book, because I was coming off a Falling Kingdoms binge reading high. I wanted so much, and this story just fell short. It wasn't that I was expecting Magnus and ended up being disappointed, this story just lacked the magic (pun not intended) that Falling Kingdoms has.
It took me forever to even care about these characters, maybe with the exception of Maddox. I'm all about slow burns, but people help me figure out what is going on. Once the story picks up, and you start discovering the secrets, it starts to be a really good read. Unfortunately, that came way too late for me.
This story is set in two worlds; one being modern day Canada, and the other being the world in Falling Kingdoms, Mytica. Two girls, who live in a bookstore, find a strange book their aunt sends them. When one touches the book, it sends her spirit to a witch-boy in Mytica, and leaves her body in a coma with her family in Toronto. Her sister is stuck in the modern day trying to figure out how to get her sister back. She then stumbles upon information about a secret society that her dad is involved in.
Just like in Falling Kingdoms we follow four young characters, even though we only get three points of view:
The young girl that gets transported to Mytica is Becca. She doesn't know how to get home, but she does know that there is only one person in this new world that can see her. She also has some really awesome twists about her (and Maddox) that will completely hook you to their story. Becca is also the character we do not get to see the point of view of. I wish we could have been able to get even just one chapter in her perspective.
The (view spoiler)[necromancer (hide spoiler)] boy that can see Becca is Maddox, who hasn't had the best life and is struggling to learn about his unusual powers. The story between Maddox and Becca was a joy to read, and you can actually feel their true attraction to each other. (view spoiler)[And at the end when Becca is telling her family how she needs to find a way to get back to him.... My heart, please. (hide spoiler)] I could have easily read a whole book about this side of the story, and been happy about it.
Farrell is a dick. I know the author is going to pull the "he's being mind-controlled/brain-washed" card, but the dude is a grade-A douche all on his own. It's going to cause me pain to see him "redeemed" and become the love interest in the next book, if I decided to read it. And he's not only a dick in a rich and privileged way, he's also a dick in the fact he has no manners or respect for women way. He needs to go buy himself a pack of strawberries, and leave our leading lady the fuck alone. He is not only a member of the secret society, but he is assigned to watch, and find out information, about a certain young lady that lives in a bookstore.
Crys is the star of this book, in my opinion, and is going to be the victim of Farrell's redemption. I liked her character, and I really enjoyed the little details about her. Like her goofy shirts and funny mannerisms. She's an aspiring photographer, who is naive and trying to put the pieces of her missing sister's mystery together by herself.
There is also many cameos from Valoria and Cleiona from Falling Kingdoms, because this time period in Mytica is theirs (1,000 year before my MagnusFalling Kingdoms).
I could go on and on trying to convince myself I liked this book, but the real thing is that this book didn't come close to how good Falling Kingdoms was. The character development was questionable, the world building wasn't really there, and the story takes forever to get going while trying to make up for it with an explosive end. The premise of this book is really interesting, unique and I can see the potential, but it just didn't work for me.
This book was everything I wanted. Everything Rebel Spring lacked, this book had excess of. This book was very close to perfect in my eyes. Seriously, I completely loved this installment.
“Because if you don't choose to fight against the wrong in the world, then you are the wrong in the world. ”
These books, somehow, just keep getting better and better. This book was phenomenal. This series is, hands down, the best series I've read in 2015. The fifth book very quickly became one of my most anticipated reads of 2016.
I've read a story from this anthology every night up to Christmas Eve! It was just a fun little treat to myself and something that helped me get even I've read a story from this anthology every night up to Christmas Eve! It was just a fun little treat to myself and something that helped me get even more into the holiday season (along with The Sorcerer's Stone Illustrated Edition). I was very surprised, because I absolutely adored a few stories by authors I've never read before. Then, in turn, a few of the bigger named authors I've read and loved were disappointments. Overall, this really is a heartwarming book filled with lots of holiday cheer. I definitely recommend this book to be read in December, by your fireplace, with lots of hot chocolate on hand!
The cover of this book needs to be talked about. It's obviously a perfect fit for a holiday collection book, but upon further inspection you'll realized that all the couples ice skating are from the twelve stories! Like, how perfect is that? Seriously, wonderfully done!
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The Twelve Nights of Christmas Reading Challenge:
Night One.) "Midnights" by Rainbow Rowell: Two Stars ★★ This was really well written, but it just didn't hook me the way I thought it would. It was a flash back through the past four New Years Eves, and what happened as the clock struck midnight. This starts sophomore year of high school and ends freshman year of college. The story did do a wonderful job making the reader reminiscent about growing up and feeling like everyone around you was changing. Especially when coming home from college and seeing your old high school friends. Rainbow Rowell can string together such beautiful stories, but this one seemed a little boring to me (kudos to her for mentioning the University of Michigan though). This also seemed a little awkward for me, because it was placed as the first story in a holiday anthology, when it's a story all about New Year Eves.
Night Two.) "The Lady and the Fox" by Kelly Link: Four Stars ★★★★ Miranda is a young girl whose mother is in prison for life. She spends every Christmas with her Godmother and her Godmother's son. They always throw big and elaborate parties, but one year Miranda notices a man outside looking in on the party, and has to go investigate. I didn't love the ending, because I'm not familiar with this particular folk-tale, but I loved this story so much. It was so beautiful and very engaging, and really showcases unconditional love. Miranda's devotion completely captivated me, and had me wishing for snow right alongside her. While reading most of my friend's reviews, I see they didn't like this one very much. In fact, it seems like most gave it one star. I'm just so shocked, because this was so wonderfully written and put me in such a holiday mood. Maybe they didn't understand it? Or maybe they just couldn't connect? But I legitimately had so much empathy for Miranda, and even after I finished I was thinking about this story the rest of the night. So much emotion packed inside thirty pages.
Night Three.) "Angels in the Snow" by Matt de la Peña: Three Stars ★★★ This story was so flippin' sad, and had no real closure! It's about a boy that's away at college in New York, and came from a very poor family back in California. He's cat sitting for his friend during the holidays, and he meets a girl in his friend's apartment complex. Oh, and they're snowed in. It was hard for me to connect with the main character, but I had a lot of empathy for him. I couldn't help but shed a few tears when I read the meaning of the title for this story. I just hope and pray that he doesn't throw everything away after his cat sitting job is over.
Night Four.) "Polaris is where you'll find me" by Jenny Han: Four Stars ★★★★ This was so original, and I just ate this story all up! I was so happy that not only did it have elves, it was actually set in the North Pole as well! And I couldn't have been the only person to loved picturing elves going to a mini prom! Yes, it did remind me of Elf with the whole "Santa brought a human home" storyline, but I love Elf, so it didn't even bother me. I know this one wasn't as romantic as the others, and I know that it ended with a terrible cliffhanger, but I think this story embodied Christmas with Santa the best. I honestly would read more of this story if the author ever releases it.
Night Five.) "It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown" by Stephanie Perkins: Two Stars ★★ I know, I feel horrible giving this two stars. I thought since this author put this collaboration together, that her story would be one of the best. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with this story at all. Another sad thing is that North is one of my all time favorite boy names, but not even that could redeem this story for me. I think this might have worked much better as a full length novel. That way we could get to know both of their situations and backgrounds better and, in greater detail, the need of North's voice.
Night Six.) "Your Temporary Santa" by David Levithan: One Star ★ This was by far the worst story of the twelve. It was very awkward, and the ending made me really uneasy. Basically, a boy dresses up as Santa for his boyfriend's little sister, which sounds sweet, but felt so forced. He then has a confrontation with their older sister when he tries to leave. I'm extra disappointed, because I would have loved to have a good LGBT holiday story, instead of this awkward and forced one.
Night Seven.) "What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?" by Gayle Forman: Three Stars ★★★ This was sweet story about two people trying to find themselves while finding each other. This was also a nice change of pace, because this is a Hanukkah story! I think this story does do a nice job of describing how people can feel so alone, even surrounded by others constantly. It was a little hard for me to connect, just because some of the things that they liked, I didn't like. I probably wouldn't be caught quoting The Simpsons to start off a winter romance. And am I the only one that has never heard of eating cheese on apple pie?
Night Eight.) "Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus" by Myra McEntire: Two Stars ★★ I liked this more than I thought I would from the title name. This story was surprisingly heartwarming, but it was still so cheesy. I seriously expect this to be a longer made for TV movie on ABC Family or The Hallmark Channel. Gracie is the reserved daughter of a pastor, and Vaughn is a trouble maker with a good heart, but a bad home life. Even though they seem like opposites, they connect and see the good in one another.
Night Nine.) "Welcome to Christmas, CA" by Kiersten White: Five Stars ★★★★★ This is the epitome of what a holiday story should be. This was perfection. It had everything you'd look for in a good holiday tale; it was heartwarming, emotional, had a happy ending, wonderfully written, and was filled with magic. This is a story about a girl that is trapped in a small town. Her mom runs a Christmas themed diner, which she begrudgingly works at, and they just got a new cook! I don't really want to say much more, because I think going into this story expecting nothing, but receiving everything, is part of the magic. This was my first time reading anything by Kiersten White, but it most certainly will not be my last.
Night Ten.) "Star of Bethlehem" por Ally Carter: Four Stars ★★★★ This was another very unexpectedly good holiday story! I was so confused why a girl would trade plane tickets with a random girl at the airport, but the realization (on Lydia's end) was really cute at the end. Sadly, this story really needed to be longer, because we never find out what the deal with Ethan and Hulda's relationship was. This was very original and very unique, and was a very good installment for this anthology. I think this story will surprise quite a few readers, and most will enjoy this novella immensely. Especially if you like the "cowboy" thing.
Night Eleven.) "The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor: One Star ★ This had a cool premise, but overall was just really disappointing to me. Basically, if you're a single lady on this island (where it's almost impossible to leave), on December 1st though December 24th a suitor can leave you a gift on your porch. After the last day, the island has a ball, where you find your betrothed, and seal the marriage with a dance. I have not read anything by Laini Taylor, but I know many of her books have a lot of hype surrounding them, so I just expected better. This novella was so unclear and rushed. It felt so weak, even in the fantasy department, where I think this book was supposed to shine. Even with a happy ending, this story didn't make me feel good, it didn't fill me with holiday cheer, it really didn't do anything for me. I'm very thankful that I didn't save this story for last like intended, because I would have been very letdown.
Night Twelve.) "Krampuslauf" by Holly Black: Four Stars ★★★★ I chose to read this story last, because I'm in love with anything Holly Black writes, so I was banking on her for being an amazing Christmas Eve read. Little did I know, this story was very far from a Christmas read! I still loved it, just because Holly Black's writing style is completely for me, and her story was so different that it would be really hard for me not to appreciate it. There were also a few really good quotes nestled in this really short story. The writing of this novella was better than the other eleven novellas combined. If this story wasn't for a Holiday Season Anthology I'd give it five stars.
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I gave this anthology three stars overall, because out of a possible 60 stars (5 stars possible for each of the 12 stories) this anthology accumulated 35 stars (58%).
I hope all of my GoodReads friends and family have a very merry Christmas, filled with love, health, happiness, and lots of good books.
This was sixty pages that were packed full of amazing. This was my first Kat Daniels novella and I was not disappointed. This little book probably wilThis was sixty pages that were packed full of amazing. This was my first Kat Daniels novella and I was not disappointed. This little book probably will make me go back and read all the other novellas that I've neglected.
I loved this prequel to Scarlet, where I'm guessing Ze'ev will be The Big Bad Wolf. This novella was amazing! Seriously, I enjoyed these 20 pages more than the entirety of Cinder. This story breathed fresh air into this hyped series, and has given me the motivation to continue on with it!
We learn in Cinder that the Lunar Queen is building a very strong army to conquer Earth. This story shows you exactly what kind of army she is building; which is a pack of werewolves!
Ze'ev proves at the end that his pack is the strongest. It's impossible not to love him and develop empathy for him. He was taken from his family at a mere twelve-years-old, surgically "enhanced", to then having no friends or loved one for five whole years (view spoiler)[Until his brother is, too, taken into this military program; who then wants nothing to do with Ze'ev (hide spoiler)]. This novella was packed with action, and was my favorite thing in The Lunar Chronicles so far.
I knew going into this that I would probably enjoy Scarlet more than Cinder, because of how much I loved the novella, The Queen's Army. But the truth is, I just like Scarlet way more than I like Cinder. I'm happy that at the end of this, Cinder finally has a backbone, but Scarlet was tough and brave from the start. Her story was all about unconditional love and what a human is willing to do to protect the ones they love. The spin of Little Red Riding Hood was phenomenally executed. If the book was just about Scarlet and Wolf, I would have given this a higher rating, but Cinder and (mostly) Kai just pisses me off to know end.
So in this futuristic retelling, Little Red Riding Hood is a eighteen year old girl that runs a farm with her Grandma, who is now missing. Cinder was set in China, but Scarlet is set in France, where Queen Levana has been training a very special army for years! Obviously the army is packs of soldiers who think, fight, and can kind of turn into wolves while being drunk in bloodlust. Our Big Bad Wolf is on a very specific mission for Scarlet, but he doesn't expect to develop feelings for this little kick-ass, independent, strong woman.
“I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you.”
One of my favorite parts was that Cinder was able to find a new "body" for Iko! Iko is seriously the silver lining of Cinder's story! I love that little android! She has the best one-liners and is always so happy, that you can't help but smile like an idiot while reading her banter.
“Scarlet and Wolf are saying gushy things in the galley," Iko said. "Normally I like gushy things, but its different when its real people. I prefer the net dramas.”
And the new character they introduced, Thorne; Oh, please sign me up for everything involving him! I found myself always secretly rooting for him instead of stupid Kai, even though I know it's a lost cause at this point. Thorne was seriously a wonderful introductory character that completely salvaged all of Cinder's story-line for me.
“Now I understand why you have been so immune to my charms. I had no idea I was competing with an emperor. That’s a tough hand to beat, even for me.”
Also, this book wasn't nearly as predictable as the first. I was genuinely surprised a couple times, and it really made the difference compared to Cinder. I'm so happy that I gave this series another shot, and I'm even more thankful for all of my friends that told me the series only gets better. You guys never let me down!
“But you're the only one, Scarlet. You'll always be the only one.”
“This story is for all the slightly broken people out there. I am one of you. You are not alone. You are all beautiful to me.”
Pat somehow made me feel more for these inanimate objects than I have for actual people in other's books. This book was so beautiful, so very beautiful, but I can see why it wouldn't work for a lot of people. Fortunately for me, I'm a huge sap that is also a huge fan of Auri so it completely worked for me. When her soap got eaten, my heart shattered. Yes, over soap. This is what this crazy, beautiful story did to me.
“...even though she knew that nothing good could come from wanting at the world.”
This story shows you seven days into Auri's life in the Underthing while waiting for Kvothe to arrive back. Just like The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man's Fear, the writing and storytelling are incomparable to anything else I've read in years. You can't help but feel entranced and finish this novella in one sit through.
I never understood why Auri refused to wear anything other than new clothes when she was obviously in need, but now I completely get it. My heart aches, but I get it. It was so magical being inside Auri's beautiful mind.
“Cruelty never helped the turning of the world.”
Again, I fell in love with Pat by watching his stream of Fallout 4 for a charity he runs, Worldbuilders. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this cause is and how you should check it out. Mr. Rothfuss being a good human is just an added bonus to him writing the best fantasy books I've ever read.
“To be so lovely and so lost. To be all answerful with all that knowing trapped inside. To be beautiful and broken.”
Falling Kingdoms is a much smaller scale, YA, version of A Game of Thrones. A Game of Thrones is very near and dear to my heart, and it just does it bFalling Kingdoms is a much smaller scale, YA, version of A Game of Thrones. A Game of Thrones is very near and dear to my heart, and it just does it better. This would also be a wonderful introduction to fantasy that I would recommend with my whole heart.
This is a dystopian future where women who are not "compliant" are sent to Bitch Planet to live out their lives. The women have a vast array of reasonThis is a dystopian future where women who are not "compliant" are sent to Bitch Planet to live out their lives. The women have a vast array of reasons to be sent to this planet prison. Some women are sent there from just not pleasing their husbands.
This bind up has the first five volumes in this world:
Issue #1: This comic is basically just setting up the world for you. You will learn the hard way that successful men can pretty much do away with their wives at the drop of a hat. Having a mistress is completely okay. Just send your wife to Bitch Planet.
Issue #2: We learn more about our star, Kamau Kogo! She's an ex-professional athlete, who is wanted for Megaton; which is two teams, with the allowance of 2,000 pounds, who will fight to the death, while playing a game for the world to see. One team will be made of the guards of Bitch Planet, the other will be a team made by Kamau.
Issue #3: This was my favorite issue, because it was all about my favorite character; Penelope Leona! She is the embodiment of loving your body, no matter what. I know it might sound crazy, but I connect with this character more than I connect with books I read full series of. Hell, I connect more with Penelope than real life humans. And the ending of this issue was nothing short of perfection.
Issue #4: Kamau really shows how strong she is. Obviously she is physically strong, but she also showcases her mental strength by forming a new alliance (even if it was by brute force). We also learn that Kamau has a weak spot that will probably be exploited.
Issue #5: This comic is the first game of Megaton. It becomes very apparently, very quickly, how the games are going to go, and how the guards care nothing about the lives of the Bitch Planet prisoners.
[2022] a very happy reread + a very special feeling last book of 2022
[2015] This review is going to contain mild spoilers and theory crafting, so I have to caution you while reading this if you are not familiar with this amazing world.
“I do this so you cannot help but hear. A wise man views a moonless night with fear.”
Obviously I'm being a little bit presumptuous, but I believe The Kingkiller Chronicles will be the best trilogy I've ever read. And I've read a lot of trilogies, and none of them can hold a candle to this masterpiece.
“No man is brave that has never walked a hundred miles. If you want to know the truth of who you are, walk until not a person knows your name. Travel is the great leveler, the great teacher, bitter as medicine, crueler than mirror-glass. A long stretch of road will teach you more about yourself than a hundred years of quiet.”
Most the time I think the second installment of trilogies feel like complete filler books. Unnecessary information gets thrown at you left and right, while completely wasting your time and giving you a cliff hanger from hell. Everything in this book feels well thought-out and meaningful. I knew every piece of information was part of a larger puzzle, and I just tried to grasp every piece I could because I knew it was purposeful. The story telling in this book is seriously unmatchable.
This book picks right back up where The Name of the Wind left off. It is day two for Kvothe, so he's in The Waystone Inn telling his story to the Chronicler while Bast listens along. This book's stories take him all over Tenerant on quite a few adventures that are all an absolute joy to read. This book definitely dabbles in a few darker situations that Kvothe ends up in, but he handles them all beautifully, even though he tricks you into thinking he isn't. We also meet lots of new and very interesting characters that help make the story even more perfect.
I have to touch on how hard I'm fan-girling over Felurian. I don't care if she ends up good or bad, I completely loved her. She is literally a Fae siren, which if any of you know my in real life you'd know the stars aligned for me when this character was written. Kvothe traveling through the Eld Forest , and then entering into The Fae was my favorite moments of this whole series. I am dying to understand how The Cthaeh. works and what will come from the cryptic messages it told Kvothe. I don't know as much of The Cthaeh, Felurian, or The Faen realm as I'd like, but I just had to gush about how much I loved it all (especially Felurian though, I am seriously crushin'). It's also good to note that Felurian and Bast have similar titles; Felurian is the Lady of the Twilight and Bast is Prince of the Twilight and the Telwyth Mael.
My friend brought it to my attention that they think Kvothe's mother and Lady Lackless are sisters, because of what Lady Lackless says to Kvothe when he is courting her for Maer Alveron. Then there is a song that Kvothe sings in the The Name of the Wind when he is still with his troupe, then his mother scolds him for singing it and it is about Lady Lackless. I love this theory and think it's pretty sound.
Oh, and the final book's title name is Doors of Stone, and I can think of three doors; the one in the archives, the one in the Underthing where Auri lives, and a third that is mentioned in the song about Lady Lackless.*excitement intensifies*
As soon as I finished this book I immediately had to look up other's fan theories on who Master Ash really is. I completely fell in love with the theory that he is Cinder. Like, how freakin' amazing would that be? I'm 100% going to obsess over this while waiting for Doors of Stone. I also listened to a podcast and at the end (about the 1:40:00 mark) one of the guys makes a beautiful revelation about how Cinder being Denna's patron could be because she has powers that will make people believe her, and with the song he's having her write, they could rewrite the history and make the world believe a completely different set of events. Ahhhh, it gives me goose bumps it's so perfect!
Again, I fell in love with Pat by watching his stream of Fallout 4 for a charity he runs, Worldbuilders. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this cause is and how you should check it out. Mr. Rothfuss being a good human is just an added bonus to him writing the best fantasy books I've ever read.
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“It had flaws, but what does that matter when it comes to matters of the heart? We love what we love. Reason does not enter into it. In many ways, unwise love is the truest love. Anyone can love a thing because. That's as easy as putting a penny in your pocket. But to love something despite. To know the flaws and love them too. That is rare and pure and perfect.”
This short just seemed so sad. Hopefully the full books will touch more on this story or at least Miko, but as a stand-alone novella it was just a little too depressing for me. Definitely the saddest The Little Mermaid retelling I've ever read. Very, very heartbreaking.
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I did love (grown up) Cinder's cameo. I also loved the new information that there is a cyborg draft going on that is skewed towards female cyborgs (like Cinder). I'm sure that will make for an interesting turn of events in Cinder, and was purposely placed in this novella to prepare the reader. ...more
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