Book Entry December
Last of this year :) I'll make another entry near the end of the year with some lists of all the books I've read (including some of the rereads I'll hopefully have done by then), but also movies and tv shows. I'll link to all book entries then too, I think.
I deem all books I review that are next books in a series with spoilers in the cut title as it is bound to spoil for the first book.
World After (Penryn and the End of Days 2) by Susan Ee
Supernatural/Dystopia
Goodreads Link
When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.
Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.
Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?
4 out of 5 stars
This book, though for me not as great as the first, was certainly good. It picks up pretty much where the first one left of. A bit slow at the start, compared to the first one, it continues on with the emotional punches. The rawness of emotions. Still, I felt the first book had a bit of a better pace.
I'm curious to see how this will play out further, plot wise. We still don't know why exactly Gabriel came or what really happened to him. What did the doctor do to Paige? How is this ever going to get fixed?? Still so many questions left. It is also turning out to be quite a horror story with all these monsters and gruesome details. But that is good. It gives a realistic feeling.
The developing relationship between Penryn and Raffe's sword, who has been named splendidly by Penryn. Pooky Bear. It still cracks me up. Especially Raffe's reaction near the end of the book. Very nice, fitting addition. The sword offers Penryn and us a few new perspective on things from the first book. I'm glad it were only a few scenes and not a theme carried out throughout the whole book. That would have been too much.
Penryn, as a main character is still pretty great to me. Her relationship with her sister was strained throughout the book. Again, Susan Ee knows that saying it outright, how Penryn feels and dreads about her sister, won't make as much of an impact as these constant little hints and nudges, that really work well on my emotions.
Their mom was again present and it was great to see how she embraces Paige. I'm glad she wasn't in this at every moment. Can't have too much of this mom. Claire was also a nice addition and I'm glad she got her sort of happy ending. The twins always great. Need more of those two conniving, smart bastards.
Nearing the ending, Raffe came back in to play, learning that Penryn isn't actually dead. There were moments it was a bit romancey, thought I guess it was certainly better than other books. No kiss~ But the having to strip and beach house things were a bit too convenient there, Susan Ee. I'm so glad you didn't completely go there though.
Looking forward to the release of the third book next year!
Never Fade (The Darkest Minds 2) by Alexandra Bracken
Paranormal/Dystopia
Goodreads Link
Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.
When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children-and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts-has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future-and who now wouldn’t recognize her.
As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam-and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart-she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?
4 out of 5 stars
Looking back on this book, there are two distinct parts for me. Without Chubs and With Chubs. That is what it comes down to. The first 100 pages or so were slow. Especially the first few chapters were a bit confusing. Characters thrown in by name without knowing who they are. I had a hard time getting into Ruby. After those 100 pages it got better. I got used to this Ruby again. This colder Ruby.
But once Chubs came in, for me there was a turning point completely. It was when Ruby's emotions truly started flowing again and I could connect with her a bit better. I can't say I loved Ruby as much in this book as I did in the first. I get why she had to change. I just hope she can get back a piece of herself. Once Liam was found the story truly sprang into action. Emotional action, events that happened. Emotionally though I was very grabbed by the ending there. The death. It is also why I am rating this four stars and not 3,5. That hit me, more than I thought it would have, to be honest.
Vida felt odd to be at the beginning but she ended up growing on me when we got to know her a bit better. Especially her interactions with Chubs were great. Jude was a warm person, despite things that had happened. Nico is certainly interesting. I hadn't expected that at the end either, like everyone else.
Oh Liam. My poor Liam. I really need Zu to be in the next book.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Romance
Goodreads Link
Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She's horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.
Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realizing that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible ...
3 out of 5 stars
I guess because of the title and the hype I had other expectations of Fangirl. I do like it. Is a cute read that at moments made me laugh. I liked the quirky interactions between the characters. But that is about it. I’m not that moved by the book. There aren’t any surprises in this story. It just trudged along comfortably and so did I as I read it.
Cath, being a fangirl in a large fandom, I had expected would have more interactions online. Often fan fiction writers don’t just write. They love to talk theories, create forums or facebook groups to talk with other writers and share tips or just random fangirl moments. I was a little disappointed it hadn’t moved out into that. There was certainly enough room in this book to mention more things like that, and I thinks Cath had it too, but it wasn’t delved into.
At first I kind of liked the bits about Snow and the Fan Fiction bits after each chapter. That lasted for about 150 pages. After that I caught myself glancing over them quickly, and later skipping them all together. I’m reading this book for the characters, not for their fan fiction. A bit here or there can be great additions, but this felt as a bit too much.
The whole fiction writing class and the fan fiction versus original fiction thing kind of annoyed me. Cath showed no progress in her original fiction. She wasn’t brainstorming. Let’s be honest, she put in no effort there. And who turns in a piece of fan fiction to fiction class in college? I wanted to kick her, because wasn’t she there to learn? She hardly got any negative feedback with the exception of the fan fiction thing and even got a second chance for handing in her assignment. In the end she rushes through the original fiction assignment. Where did she pull that out of her ass from? It just felt rushed, like it needed to be wrapped up in a few pages. And honestly, I would have loved to have seen more tips from her teacher instead of what she got. Really didn’t work to develop Cath further either. But yes, fan fiction and original fiction can live next to each other.
I do like Cath as a character. I can relate to her. I write fan fiction. I’ve never been a social person. I hardly ever drink. The questions she asks I get. I’ve been there. Levi was a warm character from the start. I liked him the best from the cast of characters. Reagan was pretty cool, though I didn’t always agree with things she said (like the whole judging thing they did together at lunch of those that walked past). I would have liked to have gotten to know her better. Wren was annoying for most of the book, but then she was meant to be. And with their mom, I get it.
Speaking of their mom, I’m not sure how I feel about the mom story line. It doesn’t really feel resolved.
Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss 1) by Stephanie Perkins
Romance
Goodreads Link
Anna has everything figured out - she was about to start senior year with her best friend, she had a great weekend job, and her huge work crush looked as if it might finally be going somewhere... Until her dad decides to send her 4383 miles away to Paris. On her own.
But despite not speaking a word of French, Anna finds herself making new friends, including Etienne, the smart, beautiful boy from the floor above. But he’s taken - and Anna might be too. Will a year of romantic near-missed end with the French kiss she’s been waiting for?
4 out of 5 stars
Anna and the French Kiss is a book I would have never chosen to read had it not been for the Book Tumblr community and their heavy recommendations. It is a fun quick read, which feeling wise compares for me to reading a chick lit. A book one shouldn't think too much about. For me, anyway. I don't agree with everything in this book. Especially that high dramatic ending with all the fighting wasn't really for me. Etienne and Ellie were annoying too. But his moments with Anna were so cute, that made up a lot for it.
Mockingjay (The Hunger Games 3) by Suzanne Collins
Dystopia
Goodreads Link
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.
2,5 out of 5 stars
The Hunger Games as a whole is by no means a series that I enjoyed reading. My reluctance to start this book was also felt quite heavily throughout starting this book. It doesn't strike an emotional cord with me as I never really attached myself emotionally to any of these characters in the previous books (with the exceptions of Rue and Prim, how could I not?). One thing I can say though, whether you like the ending or not I think, it was a realistic ending (with the exception of that execution scene) to a war. That execution was meh, I sort of get it, but meh. There were other ways. The decision the last living tributes/survivors had to make and the decision they made...can I smack them, please?
Eona (Eon 2) by Alison Goodman
Fantasy
Goodreads Link (Dutch Edition)
Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the selfstyled "Emperor" Sethon. Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and power - and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans. . .
3 out of 5 stars
I'm so jumbled about this book. I really, really wanted to love this book. I thought after the first one there was a lot of potential. For me, it did not deliver, and the added in love triangle made me want to weep. Next to that, this Eona, was one that was getting on my nerves.
The start to this book, as Eon, was slow. It took a while for me to get back into this world. Unlike what the back cover said, it did not draw me in from the first word. After about 150-200 pages it started going. There were certain minor characters added that spiced up some of the interactions. Kygo and Ido, despite the triangle, at least brought more excitement in the interactions and events. Plot wise, a lot of things did not work for me. What was the point of bringing in her mom like that when she was being shoved aside like that? The triangle in this plot was annoying. It was all kinds of wrong.
Eona changed into someone she would have never wanted to be in the first book. And it went quite quickly. I'm glad that the other characters at least constantly brought it up and confronted her about it. Too bad, she didn't truly own up to it. She blames Ido for dragging her along. Please, he might have manipulated a bit, but it was her own mistrust and want for power that drove her to make those decisions. Ido just egged her on in the second part of the book.
So yeah for me, this second book felt like a disappointment I'm sorry to say. I really had to push myself. The three star is barely deserved, mainly because I do like the ideas and the world. And the dragons, those too. They were the ones with REAL compassion, not Eona.
Goodreads Challenge: 76 out of 70 books
1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - 4 stars
- xxxHolic: Rei volume 1 by Clamp - 4 stars
2. In Extremis (Crime Scene Investigation 9) by Ken Goddard - 3 stars
3. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson 3) by Rick Riordan - 3 stars
4. Among the Nameless Stars (For Darkness Shows the Stars 0,5) by Diana Peterfreund - 3 stars
5. Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle 2) by Diana Wynne Jones - 4 stars
6. Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires 1) by Rachel Caine - 3 stars
7. The Demon King (Seven Realms 1) by Cinda Williams Chima - 5 stars (reread)
8. The Witch of Duva (The Grisha 0,5) by Leigh Bardugo - 4 stars
9. The Exiled Queen (Seven Realms 2) by Cinda Williams Chima - 4 stars
10. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments 1) by Cassandra Clare - 3,5 stars
11. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games 1) by Suzanne Collins - 2,5 stars
12. First Day of the Rest of your Lives (The Morganville Vampires 0,5) by Rachel Caine - 3 stars
13. City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments 2) by Cassandra Clare - 4 stars
14. Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles 2) by Marissa Meyer - 3,5 stars
15. The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker - 3 stars
16. The Little Android (The Lunar Chronicles 0,6) by Marissa Meyer - 3 stars
17. Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) by George R.R. Martin - 3,5 stars
18. Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy 1) by Richelle Mead - 3 stars
- Death and what comes next (Discworld 10,5) by Terry Pratchett - 3,5 stars
19. Dracula by Bram Stroker - 3 stars
20. Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini - 3 stars
- Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Volume 2 by Clamp - 5 stars
21. Divergent (Divergent 1) by Veronica Roth - 3 stars
22. Don’t Hex with Texas (Enchanted Inc. 4) by Shanna Swendson - 3 stars
23. The Iron King (Iron Fey 1) by Julie Kagawa - 2,5 stars
- The First Kiss (Iron Fey 1,25) by Julie Kagawa - 2 stars
- Shutterbox volume 3 by Rikki Simmons - 2 stars
- Shutterbox volume 4 by Rikki Simmons - 3 stars
24. Cress (the Lunar Chronicles 3) by Marissa Meyer - 5 stars
25. The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympans 4) by Rick Riordan - 4 stars
26. City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments 3) by Cassandra Clare - 3,5 stars
27. The Cordelia Collection (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Novelization 12) by Nancy E. Krulik - 2 stars
28. The Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices 1) by Cassandra Clare - 4 stars
- The Last Airbender: Prequel - Zuko’s story by Dave Roman, Alison Wilgus, Nina Matsumoto - 2 stars
29. So long and thanks for all the fish (Hitchhiker’s Guide 4) by Douglas Adams - 3 stars
30. Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone 1) by Laini Taylor - 3 stars
- Air Gear Volume 7 by Oh!great - 3,5 stars
31. Frostbite (Vampire Academy 2) by Richelle Mead - 4 stars
- Attack on Titan Volume 1 by Haijme Isayama - 3,5 stars
- Attack on Titan Volume 2 by Haijme Isayama - 4 stars
32. A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire 2) by George R.R. Martin - 3 stars
33. Eon (Eona 1) by Alison Goodman -3,5 stars
34. Catching Fire (Hunger Games 2) by Suzanne Collins - 3 stars
35. The Colour of Magic (Discworld 1) by Terry Pratchett - 3 stars
36. City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments 4) by Cassandra Clare - 3 stars
37. Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days 1) by Susan Ee - 5 stars
38. Clockwork Prince (the Infernal Devices 2) by Cassandra Clare - 4 stars
39. Mostly Harmless (Hitchhiker’s Guide 5) by Douglas Addams - 3,5 stars
40. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling - 3 stars
41. Insurgent (Divergent 2) by Veronica Roth - 2 stars
42. A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy 1) by Deborah Harkness - 2,5 stars
43. Mort (Discworld 4) by Terry Pratchett - 4 stars
44. The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel 1) by Michael Scott - 2,5 stars
45. A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire 3) by George R.R. Martin - 4 stars
- xxxHolic: Rei Volume 2 by Clamp - 4 stars
46. The Magician (The Secrets of the Immotal Nicholas Flamel 2) by Michael Scott - 2,5 stars
47. The Gray Wolf Throne (The Seven Realms 3) by Cinda Williams Chima - 4 stars
48. The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds 1) by Alexandra Bracken - 4,5 stars
49. The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm - 3 stars
50. The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey 2) by Julie Kagawa - 2,5 stars
51. Bones of the Lost (Temperance Brennan 16) by Kathy Reichs - 3 stars
- Harry Potter: the Prequel (Harry Potter 0,5) by JK. Rowling - 4 stars
52. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - 4 stars
53. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass 1) by Sarah J. Maas - 3,5 stars
54. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy 3) by Richelle Mead - 4 stars
55. Blood Promise (Vampire Academy 4) by Richelle Mead - 2,5 stars
56. City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments 5) by Cassandra Clare - 2,5 stars
57. Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices 3) by Cassandra Clare - 3 stars
58. Fearie Tales: Stories of the Grimm and Gruesome. Edited by Stephen Jones. Illustrated by Alan Lee - 3,5 stars
59. The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5) by Rick Riordan - 4 stars
60. Love in the Time of Dragons (The Light Dragons 1) by Katie MacAlister - 3 stars
61. The 5th Wave (The Fifth Wave 1) by Rick Yancey - 5 stars
62. The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion) by Rick Riordan - 4 stars
63. The Reaper Man (Discworld 11) by Terry Pratchett - 4 stars
64. Incendio by Tess Gerritsen - 4 stars
65. The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms 4) by Cinda Williams Chima - 3,5 stars
66. The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy 1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen - 2 stars
67. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - 5 stars
68. World After (Penryn and the End of Days 2) by Susan Ee - 4 stars
69. Never Fade (The Darkest Minds 2) by Alexandra Bracken - 4 stars
70. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - 3 stars
71. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - 4 stars
72. Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss 1) by Stephanie Perkins - 4 stars
73. Mockingjay (The Hunger Games 3) by Suzanne Collins - 2,5 stars
74. Eona (Eon 2) by Alison Goodman - 3 stars
75. Five on a Treasure Island (Famous Five 1) by Enid Blyton - 3 stars (reread)
76. Five Go Adventuring (Famous Five 2) by Enid Blyton - 3 stars (reread)
I deem all books I review that are next books in a series with spoilers in the cut title as it is bound to spoil for the first book.
World After (Penryn and the End of Days 2) by Susan Ee
Supernatural/Dystopia
Goodreads Link
When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.
Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.
Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?
4 out of 5 stars
This book, though for me not as great as the first, was certainly good. It picks up pretty much where the first one left of. A bit slow at the start, compared to the first one, it continues on with the emotional punches. The rawness of emotions. Still, I felt the first book had a bit of a better pace.
I'm curious to see how this will play out further, plot wise. We still don't know why exactly Gabriel came or what really happened to him. What did the doctor do to Paige? How is this ever going to get fixed?? Still so many questions left. It is also turning out to be quite a horror story with all these monsters and gruesome details. But that is good. It gives a realistic feeling.
The developing relationship between Penryn and Raffe's sword, who has been named splendidly by Penryn. Pooky Bear. It still cracks me up. Especially Raffe's reaction near the end of the book. Very nice, fitting addition. The sword offers Penryn and us a few new perspective on things from the first book. I'm glad it were only a few scenes and not a theme carried out throughout the whole book. That would have been too much.
Penryn, as a main character is still pretty great to me. Her relationship with her sister was strained throughout the book. Again, Susan Ee knows that saying it outright, how Penryn feels and dreads about her sister, won't make as much of an impact as these constant little hints and nudges, that really work well on my emotions.
Their mom was again present and it was great to see how she embraces Paige. I'm glad she wasn't in this at every moment. Can't have too much of this mom. Claire was also a nice addition and I'm glad she got her sort of happy ending. The twins always great. Need more of those two conniving, smart bastards.
Nearing the ending, Raffe came back in to play, learning that Penryn isn't actually dead. There were moments it was a bit romancey, thought I guess it was certainly better than other books. No kiss~ But the having to strip and beach house things were a bit too convenient there, Susan Ee. I'm so glad you didn't completely go there though.
Looking forward to the release of the third book next year!
Never Fade (The Darkest Minds 2) by Alexandra Bracken
Paranormal/Dystopia
Goodreads Link
Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.
When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children-and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts-has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future-and who now wouldn’t recognize her.
As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam-and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart-she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?
4 out of 5 stars
Looking back on this book, there are two distinct parts for me. Without Chubs and With Chubs. That is what it comes down to. The first 100 pages or so were slow. Especially the first few chapters were a bit confusing. Characters thrown in by name without knowing who they are. I had a hard time getting into Ruby. After those 100 pages it got better. I got used to this Ruby again. This colder Ruby.
But once Chubs came in, for me there was a turning point completely. It was when Ruby's emotions truly started flowing again and I could connect with her a bit better. I can't say I loved Ruby as much in this book as I did in the first. I get why she had to change. I just hope she can get back a piece of herself. Once Liam was found the story truly sprang into action. Emotional action, events that happened. Emotionally though I was very grabbed by the ending there. The death. It is also why I am rating this four stars and not 3,5. That hit me, more than I thought it would have, to be honest.
Vida felt odd to be at the beginning but she ended up growing on me when we got to know her a bit better. Especially her interactions with Chubs were great. Jude was a warm person, despite things that had happened. Nico is certainly interesting. I hadn't expected that at the end either, like everyone else.
Oh Liam. My poor Liam. I really need Zu to be in the next book.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Romance
Goodreads Link
Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they're off to university and Wren's decided she doesn't want to be one half of a pair any more - she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It's not so easy for Cath. She's horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a romance far more intense than anything she's experienced in real life.
Now Cath has to decide whether she's ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she's realizing that there's more to learn about love than she ever thought possible ...
3 out of 5 stars
I guess because of the title and the hype I had other expectations of Fangirl. I do like it. Is a cute read that at moments made me laugh. I liked the quirky interactions between the characters. But that is about it. I’m not that moved by the book. There aren’t any surprises in this story. It just trudged along comfortably and so did I as I read it.
Cath, being a fangirl in a large fandom, I had expected would have more interactions online. Often fan fiction writers don’t just write. They love to talk theories, create forums or facebook groups to talk with other writers and share tips or just random fangirl moments. I was a little disappointed it hadn’t moved out into that. There was certainly enough room in this book to mention more things like that, and I thinks Cath had it too, but it wasn’t delved into.
At first I kind of liked the bits about Snow and the Fan Fiction bits after each chapter. That lasted for about 150 pages. After that I caught myself glancing over them quickly, and later skipping them all together. I’m reading this book for the characters, not for their fan fiction. A bit here or there can be great additions, but this felt as a bit too much.
The whole fiction writing class and the fan fiction versus original fiction thing kind of annoyed me. Cath showed no progress in her original fiction. She wasn’t brainstorming. Let’s be honest, she put in no effort there. And who turns in a piece of fan fiction to fiction class in college? I wanted to kick her, because wasn’t she there to learn? She hardly got any negative feedback with the exception of the fan fiction thing and even got a second chance for handing in her assignment. In the end she rushes through the original fiction assignment. Where did she pull that out of her ass from? It just felt rushed, like it needed to be wrapped up in a few pages. And honestly, I would have loved to have seen more tips from her teacher instead of what she got. Really didn’t work to develop Cath further either. But yes, fan fiction and original fiction can live next to each other.
I do like Cath as a character. I can relate to her. I write fan fiction. I’ve never been a social person. I hardly ever drink. The questions she asks I get. I’ve been there. Levi was a warm character from the start. I liked him the best from the cast of characters. Reagan was pretty cool, though I didn’t always agree with things she said (like the whole judging thing they did together at lunch of those that walked past). I would have liked to have gotten to know her better. Wren was annoying for most of the book, but then she was meant to be. And with their mom, I get it.
Speaking of their mom, I’m not sure how I feel about the mom story line. It doesn’t really feel resolved.
Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss 1) by Stephanie Perkins
Romance
Goodreads Link
Anna has everything figured out - she was about to start senior year with her best friend, she had a great weekend job, and her huge work crush looked as if it might finally be going somewhere... Until her dad decides to send her 4383 miles away to Paris. On her own.
But despite not speaking a word of French, Anna finds herself making new friends, including Etienne, the smart, beautiful boy from the floor above. But he’s taken - and Anna might be too. Will a year of romantic near-missed end with the French kiss she’s been waiting for?
4 out of 5 stars
Anna and the French Kiss is a book I would have never chosen to read had it not been for the Book Tumblr community and their heavy recommendations. It is a fun quick read, which feeling wise compares for me to reading a chick lit. A book one shouldn't think too much about. For me, anyway. I don't agree with everything in this book. Especially that high dramatic ending with all the fighting wasn't really for me. Etienne and Ellie were annoying too. But his moments with Anna were so cute, that made up a lot for it.
Mockingjay (The Hunger Games 3) by Suzanne Collins
Dystopia
Goodreads Link
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.
2,5 out of 5 stars
The Hunger Games as a whole is by no means a series that I enjoyed reading. My reluctance to start this book was also felt quite heavily throughout starting this book. It doesn't strike an emotional cord with me as I never really attached myself emotionally to any of these characters in the previous books (with the exceptions of Rue and Prim, how could I not?). One thing I can say though, whether you like the ending or not I think, it was a realistic ending (with the exception of that execution scene) to a war. That execution was meh, I sort of get it, but meh. There were other ways. The decision the last living tributes/survivors had to make and the decision they made...can I smack them, please?
Eona (Eon 2) by Alison Goodman
Fantasy
Goodreads Link (Dutch Edition)
Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the selfstyled "Emperor" Sethon. Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and power - and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans. . .
3 out of 5 stars
I'm so jumbled about this book. I really, really wanted to love this book. I thought after the first one there was a lot of potential. For me, it did not deliver, and the added in love triangle made me want to weep. Next to that, this Eona, was one that was getting on my nerves.
The start to this book, as Eon, was slow. It took a while for me to get back into this world. Unlike what the back cover said, it did not draw me in from the first word. After about 150-200 pages it started going. There were certain minor characters added that spiced up some of the interactions. Kygo and Ido, despite the triangle, at least brought more excitement in the interactions and events. Plot wise, a lot of things did not work for me. What was the point of bringing in her mom like that when she was being shoved aside like that? The triangle in this plot was annoying. It was all kinds of wrong.
Eona changed into someone she would have never wanted to be in the first book. And it went quite quickly. I'm glad that the other characters at least constantly brought it up and confronted her about it. Too bad, she didn't truly own up to it. She blames Ido for dragging her along. Please, he might have manipulated a bit, but it was her own mistrust and want for power that drove her to make those decisions. Ido just egged her on in the second part of the book.
So yeah for me, this second book felt like a disappointment I'm sorry to say. I really had to push myself. The three star is barely deserved, mainly because I do like the ideas and the world. And the dragons, those too. They were the ones with REAL compassion, not Eona.
Goodreads Challenge: 76 out of 70 books
1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - 4 stars
- xxxHolic: Rei volume 1 by Clamp - 4 stars
2. In Extremis (Crime Scene Investigation 9) by Ken Goddard - 3 stars
3. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson 3) by Rick Riordan - 3 stars
4. Among the Nameless Stars (For Darkness Shows the Stars 0,5) by Diana Peterfreund - 3 stars
5. Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle 2) by Diana Wynne Jones - 4 stars
6. Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires 1) by Rachel Caine - 3 stars
7. The Demon King (Seven Realms 1) by Cinda Williams Chima - 5 stars (reread)
8. The Witch of Duva (The Grisha 0,5) by Leigh Bardugo - 4 stars
9. The Exiled Queen (Seven Realms 2) by Cinda Williams Chima - 4 stars
10. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments 1) by Cassandra Clare - 3,5 stars
11. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games 1) by Suzanne Collins - 2,5 stars
12. First Day of the Rest of your Lives (The Morganville Vampires 0,5) by Rachel Caine - 3 stars
13. City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments 2) by Cassandra Clare - 4 stars
14. Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles 2) by Marissa Meyer - 3,5 stars
15. The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker - 3 stars
16. The Little Android (The Lunar Chronicles 0,6) by Marissa Meyer - 3 stars
17. Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) by George R.R. Martin - 3,5 stars
18. Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy 1) by Richelle Mead - 3 stars
- Death and what comes next (Discworld 10,5) by Terry Pratchett - 3,5 stars
19. Dracula by Bram Stroker - 3 stars
20. Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini - 3 stars
- Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Volume 2 by Clamp - 5 stars
21. Divergent (Divergent 1) by Veronica Roth - 3 stars
22. Don’t Hex with Texas (Enchanted Inc. 4) by Shanna Swendson - 3 stars
23. The Iron King (Iron Fey 1) by Julie Kagawa - 2,5 stars
- The First Kiss (Iron Fey 1,25) by Julie Kagawa - 2 stars
- Shutterbox volume 3 by Rikki Simmons - 2 stars
- Shutterbox volume 4 by Rikki Simmons - 3 stars
24. Cress (the Lunar Chronicles 3) by Marissa Meyer - 5 stars
25. The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympans 4) by Rick Riordan - 4 stars
26. City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments 3) by Cassandra Clare - 3,5 stars
27. The Cordelia Collection (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Novelization 12) by Nancy E. Krulik - 2 stars
28. The Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices 1) by Cassandra Clare - 4 stars
- The Last Airbender: Prequel - Zuko’s story by Dave Roman, Alison Wilgus, Nina Matsumoto - 2 stars
29. So long and thanks for all the fish (Hitchhiker’s Guide 4) by Douglas Adams - 3 stars
30. Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone 1) by Laini Taylor - 3 stars
- Air Gear Volume 7 by Oh!great - 3,5 stars
31. Frostbite (Vampire Academy 2) by Richelle Mead - 4 stars
- Attack on Titan Volume 1 by Haijme Isayama - 3,5 stars
- Attack on Titan Volume 2 by Haijme Isayama - 4 stars
32. A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire 2) by George R.R. Martin - 3 stars
33. Eon (Eona 1) by Alison Goodman -3,5 stars
34. Catching Fire (Hunger Games 2) by Suzanne Collins - 3 stars
35. The Colour of Magic (Discworld 1) by Terry Pratchett - 3 stars
36. City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments 4) by Cassandra Clare - 3 stars
37. Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Days 1) by Susan Ee - 5 stars
38. Clockwork Prince (the Infernal Devices 2) by Cassandra Clare - 4 stars
39. Mostly Harmless (Hitchhiker’s Guide 5) by Douglas Addams - 3,5 stars
40. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling - 3 stars
41. Insurgent (Divergent 2) by Veronica Roth - 2 stars
42. A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy 1) by Deborah Harkness - 2,5 stars
43. Mort (Discworld 4) by Terry Pratchett - 4 stars
44. The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel 1) by Michael Scott - 2,5 stars
45. A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire 3) by George R.R. Martin - 4 stars
- xxxHolic: Rei Volume 2 by Clamp - 4 stars
46. The Magician (The Secrets of the Immotal Nicholas Flamel 2) by Michael Scott - 2,5 stars
47. The Gray Wolf Throne (The Seven Realms 3) by Cinda Williams Chima - 4 stars
48. The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds 1) by Alexandra Bracken - 4,5 stars
49. The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales by Jacob Grimm - 3 stars
50. The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey 2) by Julie Kagawa - 2,5 stars
51. Bones of the Lost (Temperance Brennan 16) by Kathy Reichs - 3 stars
- Harry Potter: the Prequel (Harry Potter 0,5) by JK. Rowling - 4 stars
52. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - 4 stars
53. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass 1) by Sarah J. Maas - 3,5 stars
54. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy 3) by Richelle Mead - 4 stars
55. Blood Promise (Vampire Academy 4) by Richelle Mead - 2,5 stars
56. City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments 5) by Cassandra Clare - 2,5 stars
57. Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices 3) by Cassandra Clare - 3 stars
58. Fearie Tales: Stories of the Grimm and Gruesome. Edited by Stephen Jones. Illustrated by Alan Lee - 3,5 stars
59. The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5) by Rick Riordan - 4 stars
60. Love in the Time of Dragons (The Light Dragons 1) by Katie MacAlister - 3 stars
61. The 5th Wave (The Fifth Wave 1) by Rick Yancey - 5 stars
62. The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion) by Rick Riordan - 4 stars
63. The Reaper Man (Discworld 11) by Terry Pratchett - 4 stars
64. Incendio by Tess Gerritsen - 4 stars
65. The Crimson Crown (Seven Realms 4) by Cinda Williams Chima - 3,5 stars
66. The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy 1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen - 2 stars
67. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - 5 stars
68. World After (Penryn and the End of Days 2) by Susan Ee - 4 stars
69. Never Fade (The Darkest Minds 2) by Alexandra Bracken - 4 stars
70. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - 3 stars
71. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - 4 stars
72. Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss 1) by Stephanie Perkins - 4 stars
73. Mockingjay (The Hunger Games 3) by Suzanne Collins - 2,5 stars
74. Eona (Eon 2) by Alison Goodman - 3 stars
75. Five on a Treasure Island (Famous Five 1) by Enid Blyton - 3 stars (reread)
76. Five Go Adventuring (Famous Five 2) by Enid Blyton - 3 stars (reread)