Book Reviews


Along for the Ride Review

Title:Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen

Publisher:Speak
Genre: romance, young adult
Pages: 383
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5


I had planned to read one of Sarah Dessen's books during the summer, but I didn't know it was going to be this one. While I was browsing the bookstore, I decided it was either Along for the Ride or Keeping the Moon. I decided to go with the former.(I'm still planning on picking up Keeping the Moon).

I had only read one book by Sarah Dessen before this one which is The Truth About Forever, but I knew that I was going to love this book. Sarah Dessen's writing style is so captivating. I honestly enjoyed every minute reading this book.

Like Sarah Dessen, Summer is also my favorite season of the year. And that is another reason that I liked this book.

Auden life has mostly been centered on school work and studying. She hasn't experienced a fun childhood. She didn't learn how to ride a bike. Her teenage life wasn't any more interesting. So when her brother sends her a picture frame from Greece with his picture in it and the words "The Best of Times" written on it, she decided to go spend her summer at her dad's house in Colby.

I totally related to Auden. In some ways, we were alike. Her life is complicated because of her parents' divorce and her mother wanting her to be a perfectionist at everything. I admired that she is not the girl who gives up easily. She's a hard worker. But she also realizes that there are more important things in life than homework and notebooks.

At first, I didn't get why Auden didn't like Heidi. She wasn't that annoying. What annoyed me was Auden's father. He was so selfish at the beginning, ignoring Heidi and his daughter in order to work on his book, leaving Heidi with all the hard work. I basically hated him. And I got so angry when I found out that he only wanted Auden to come just to help Heidi babysit. What kind of a father is he?! I also disliked Auden's mother for most of the novel. However, I changed my opinion of her at the end.

It wasn't until Eli came until things started to get better. At the beginning, he and Auden happen to bump into each every once in a while. Oh Eli *makes dreamy face* he's just so amazing. I loved every aspect of him.

Adam was also one of my favorite characters. I liked his dorky personality. Plus, his secret crush on Maggie was kinda cute. I didn't like Maggie and her friends Esther and Leah at first, but when they helped Auden at the Eli's ex-girlfriend's party, I realized how nice and funny they were. My favorite part of the book was the food fight at Adam and Wallace's house. It was so hilarious!!

I loved this book so much! I can't wait to read another book by Sarah Dessen. 




Bloodlines Review



Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 421
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

Summary: (from goodreads)

Blood doesn't lie...

Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...


My Review:
Bloodlines picks up after the events of Last Sacrifice. When I was introduced to Sydney in Blood Promise, I thought that she was annoying and I didn't like her so much. But eventually she grew on me, especially after helping Rose on her journey. Although she isn't a badass as Rose, she is definitely a great character. 

In this installment, Sydney is sent to a school in Palm Springs called Amberwood Prep in order to act as the protector of the queen's Moroi sister, Jill. We are introduced more into her world including her relationship with her family, her beliefs and of course, her loyalty toward her Alchemist superiors. She has a lot of traits that stand out like her intelligence and fierce loyalty and forgiving nature. At the beginning she faces a lot of difficulties. One of them including her not being used to living with vampires, but she manages to adjust to the situation and even develops a good friendship with Jill. The other is because of Keith, a lying son of a bitch who cares for no one but himself. That problem is solved too when his actions and motives are uncovered. 

Let's move on to Adrian. Like Sydney, I didn't like him at first... Now, I wanna marry him!!!
Adrian is still suffering from the feelings that he still has toward Rose and is still the guy who drinks to drown his sorrows and smokes cigarettes, but in this book he takes control of his situations into his own hands, which apparently can do manual labor. Aside from his witty comments and great sense of humor, he has a huge heart. You can't help but fall for him. 

There was a fair amount of romance in this book. At the end of the it, I could see a spark growing between Sydney and Adrian, and I'm glad that this romantic thing between them is happening slowly and gradually. I still feel bad for Eddie. He doesn't deserve what he's going through with his feelings toward Jill!! Micah is another character that I liked. 

Honestly, I don't know if I'm going to get addicted to Bloodlines as much as Vampire Academy, so I guess I'll have to keep reading to find out.  I can't wait to read The Golden Lily and The Indigo Spell!!!!! 




The Golden Lily Review

Title: The Golden Lily
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Paranormal romance,urban fantasy, young adult
Pages: 418
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

Summary:(from goodreads)
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?


My Review:
As soon as I finished Bloodlines, I had to read The Golden Lily. I was planning on reading it with The Indigo Spell during spring break, but I couldn't wait that long. I needed to find out what will happen next.

Let me start  by saying that Sydney is a wonderful character. I can totally connect to her.  She's responsible, organized, and knows how to handle everything so well. I don't know why I disliked her when she was introduced in Blood Promise 'cause now she's one of my favorite characters.


Same goes for Adrian. He's totally, absolutely, completely amazing!!! I lOVE HIM, I LOVE HIM, I LOVE HIM!!!!  He and Sydney grow more close,  and they share a passionate kiss in the end. WHY DID SYDNEY HAVE TO RUIN IT?!! She claims that shouldn't be with him because of the alchemist law. I hate those alchemist now more than ever!!

As for Eddie and Jill. Well, it got more complicated. Eddie decided to give Angeline a chance. And Jill dumped Micah so that she could be with Eddie, but it was too late. I wonder if she'll get back together with Micah. He's a nice guy, and I'm sure he'll understand if she told him the truth about her real identity.

My favorite character from this book was Angeline. She made me laugh so hard especially when she punched 3 people from a band and threw a speaker at them.  
I love her almost as much as I love Rose!!!

This books deserves 5 glamorous stars!! I can't wait to know what will happen next!!!!!!!





Shadow Kiss Review




Title: Shadow Kiss
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Paranormal Romance,Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 443
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5



Summary: (from goodreads)
It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She's having dark thoughts, behaving erratically, and worst of all... might be seeing ghosts.

As Rose questions her sanity, new complications arise. Lissa has begun experimenting with her magic once more, their enemy Victor Dashkov might be set free, and Rose's forbidden relationship with Dimitri is starting to heat up again. But when a deadly threat no one saw coming changes their entire world, Rose must put her own life on the line - and choose between the two people she loves most.

My Review:
I love Rose’s character. She is this strong, passionate, courageous, badass girl that I can relate to. She puts her life in danger in order to protect the people she loves. And Dimitri...Oh Dimitri…Just when things were starting to get better between him Rose, he is turned strigoi. HOW THE HELL ARE THEY GOING TO BE TOGETHER NOW??? 

As for the ending, I think I died a little while reading it. I was practically screaming at the book ”NO,nonononono !!!This cannot be happening!!! “ . That's all I’m gonna say ‘cause I don’t want to spoil it.

I liked Adrian more in this book, but I still prefer Dimitri over him. As for Christian… Oh, he was so badass in the end and I got obsessed with him even more. I also felt a little bit sorry for Lissa, because things were starting to get better with her too.

I am so glad that I won’t have to wait another year to read Blood Promise and ,hopefully, will start reading it very soon. I am obsessed with this series! It is possibly the best book series I have ever read! I cannot believe I’m saying this… Even better than the Hunger Games series!




Last Sacrifice Review



Title: Last Sacrifice
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre:Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 594
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5



Summary: (from goodreads)
They come first.

My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in. I swore it was like I could hear Robert whispering in my ear: The world of the dead won't give you up a second time. Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitri's face join Lissa's. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world.

The dead could finally have me.


Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back...and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?

Join Rose, Dimitri, Adrian, and Lissa in Last Sacrifice, the epic, unforgettable finale to Richelle Mead's international #1 bestsellingVampire Academy series.


My Review:
Contains Spoilers

Well, at long last, Rose got her happy ending. And I am so glad for that. Last Sacrifice is the best book in this series. It's difficult to describe how amazing this series is. I can write a whole book about how awesome it is, and it still wouldn't be enough. I'll try, however, to write a good review.

Rose is the perfect heroine. She is fierce, loyal, ready to jump into danger when it comes to her friends' safety, even if it means putting her own life at risk. She has a great personality , and her sarcasm and witty comments make me like her even more.

Dimitri*swoons*. Aside from being the gorgeous, sexy man he is, he has a huge heart and,as Rose, is willing to protect the people he loves and cares about, and keep them safe. But with a bit of rationality on his side(unlike Rose who is reckless). I simply can't get enough of him. I'm really glad that he and Rose got the happy endings that they deserved.

I really, really feel sorry for Adrian. He is this great guy, and I hated seeing his heart torn apart. I'm looking forward to know him better in Bloodlines.

I also grew to like Sydney more. I mean, at the beginning,I thought that she was annoying, but she turned out to be as great as the other characters.

Last, but not least, *drum roll*... Lissa and Christian. Lissa is an amazing friend and will without a doubt make a great queen. As for Christian, he is loyal, sarcastic, sexy, and completely out of this world. No pun intended.

I have finally decided that Richelle Mead is my favorite author. She has such a great gift that reflects in her writing. She manages to suck you into the world she has created from the very beginning. In other words, she rocks!!

I had a great time reading this series, and will definitely read it again. Vampire Academy all the way !!!






Dark Flame Review



Title: Dark Flame
Author: Alyson Noel
Publisher: Mcmillan
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Supernatural, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5




Summary (from goodreads):


In Alyson Noel’s most darkly seductive Immortals novel yet, Ever fights for control of her body, her soul—and the timeless true love she’s been chasing for centuries.
Ever is trying to help Haven transition into life as an immortal.  But with Haven drunk on her new powers and acting recklessly, she poses the ultimate threat—exposing their secret world to the outside.  As Ever struggles to keep the Immortals hidden, it only propels Haven closer to the enemy—Roman and his evil companions
At the same time, Ever delves deeper into dark magick to free Damen from Roman’s power. But when her spell backfires, it binds her to the one guy who’s hell-bent on her destruction. Now there’s a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, and no matter what she does, she can’t stop thinking about Roman—and longing for his touch.  As she struggles to resist the fiery attraction threatening to consume her, Roman is more than willing to take advantage of her weakened state…and Ever edges closer and closer to surrender.
Frantic to break the spell before its too late, Ever turns to Jude for help, risking everything she knows and loves to save herself—and her future with Damen …


My Review:
First of all, this cover is GORGEOUS!! I think it's better than the US cover. Now, to move on to the real review...
This book was way better than Blue Moon and Shadowland! It had more suspense and surprises in it and I absolutely loved it!!! Alyson Noel took me completely by surprise and that shows just talented she is.

In this installment, Ever delves deeper into dark magic to try to get from Roman the antidote that will allow her and Damen to be able to touch each other again, but things don’t go exactly the way she wants them to… 

Roman was my favorite character in this book and I became so excited when he popped into a certain scene!! I couldn't get enough of him . He is evil, Yes. And he’s the reason for Ever and Damen’s tragic situation, Yes, but it was explained in the end of Dark Flame why he is the like that. Besides, I always tend to like the bad guy.

And just when everything starts to become better, JUDE APPEARS!!! I hated him the second he was introduced in Shadowland. He is such an idiot!!! And he honestly believes that he has a chance of winning Ever’s heart. How pathetic!! ALL HE HAS EVER DONE WAS MAKE THINGS WORSE!!!! Stop interfering in Ever’s life and leave her the fuck alone !!!!! I felt sorry for him when Ever injured his arms, but now… I want him dead!!!

Damen was his compassionate and forgiving self and that made me love him even more. But I preferred Roman over him in this book.

I still don’t understand why Ever confided in Jude and revealed everything to him. That was so stupid of her. But how she came through with Roman and reached the part in humanity that was hidden within him was one of the best things she had done in this series and I applaud her!! 

One person I also felt sorry for (other than Roman) was Haven. I mean, sure she doesn't have a perfect life, but on the other hand no one does, and that’s no excuse to become a bitch. She’s really a terrible friend to Ever. Enough said.

This is such an amazing series and I can’t wait to know what the other installments hold in them for the character! I hope everything turns out well for everyone. (except Jude)








The Power of Six Review


Title: The Power of Six
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Science fiction, action-avdenture, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

Summary: (from goodreads)

NINE of us came here.
BUT sometimes I wonder if time has changed us.
IF we all still believe in our mission.
THEY are getting closer.
THEY are trailing us, tracking us.
THEY know about our legacies.
THEY know too much for us to believe.
WE WILL EVER BE SAFE AGAIN.


My Review:
"The Power of Six" is the second book in the Lorien Legacies series. It pick off where "I Am Number Four" left. It continues with John Smith aka number Four, Sam And Six on the run from the cops and the Mogadorians who seek out to destroy them and take over Earth. This book is narrated from two points of views.

The first one is from John Smith's POV. John is still struggling with the death of his guardian Henri and the message he left for him, and between his love for Sarah(the human he fell in love with in the first book) and his big crush on Six. 
Six is amazing and knows how to kick ass. She's so brave and strong and kind at times. I LOVED her character. 

We are also introduced to number Seven aka Marina which the book is also narrated from her POV. She lives in a small town in Santa Teresa(Spain) with her Guardian Adelina, who turned her back on her. She longs for freedom from the orphanage she lives in and wants to go and help the others in the war. WARNING: Spoiler Ahead.....Number Nine shows at the end of the book and he is by far my favorite.

This book is filled with action and thrills and just when u think things have settled down.. BAM, your faced with another battle. This series is one of the best series I have ever read!! The legacies are so cool and make you wish u were an alien!! If you like action packed novels and science fiction AND awesome aliens, the I suggest u read this book. You'll find yourself on a roller coaster the whole time you're reading it. 





Before I Fall Review


Title: Before I Fall


Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: Harper
Genre: romance, Young Adult
Pages: 470
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5



Summary: (from goodreads)
What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.

The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death--and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.



My Review:
Lauren Oliver-God bless her- is officially one my favorite authors. Her writing is so beautiful and she is such a talented and gifted writer. While reading this book, I felt many kinds of emotions: happiness, sadness, tension, excitement, confusion. At times, I was laughing so hard my stomach was aching, and at others I was bawling my eyes out. Yeah I cried. A lot

Sam was a great character and I absolutely loved her. She has the perfect life, but doesn’t realize that Friday February 12th is going to be her last day. However, she gets a chance to repeat the same day for a week. She is mean, and shallow, and carless in the beginning. Her character development was well written and believable. Like, she didn’t change from bad person to good one in one single chapter. And I was so glad at the moment she realized that her boyfriend Rob was such douchebag. ( although it was a little bit late)

I really liked her friends, Lindsay, Elody, and Ally although Lindsay really pissed me off for the things that she had done to Juliet. 

The state of Juliet’s situation is upsetting and heartbreaking. She is the girl that nobody knows and nobody cares about. She’s bullied by the students in her school, but she won't do anything about it and just ignores it hoping that it will pass away soon. And I really admired her for being so mature about this whole situation. 

Another character I really liked was Sam’s little sister Izzy . She’s sorta funny with her lisp. Kent was one of favorites too. He was so caring and sweet and affectionate. And although I am more fond of the carless -irresponsible -impulsive- arrogant guy, I thought that he was really great. 

This book deals with many subjects such as friends, family, and even bullying. It makes you wonder about many things in life. Once you pick up and start reading this book, you’ll never want to put it down.

5/5 stars !!





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