Review: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Series: Masque of the Red Death #1
Author Info: Website | Goodreads
Published: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 319

Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Hardcover
Rating: 3.5/5

It may come as no surprise that the first things that drew me to this book were the name and the title. It instantly seemed like a nice dark/gothic non-horror novel that would be right up my alley. And then when I read the summary of what it was about, I knew I had to have it as soon as it came out. So I had extremely high expectations of this book. Unfortunately it did not deliver.

I'm definitely not saying it was a bad book, I just feel like my expectations were so high and that's why I feel a little disappointed but I still did enjoy this book. Just not as much as I'd hoped. It started out great, the way the world and surroundings were subscribed set a dark atmosphere to the story which I loved. Plus there's glitter. And I do love glitter. But quickly after that the story was only mediocre. Boring is not the word for it, I never once felt bored while reading it. But there also wasn't anything that made me really want to keep reading as much as I can to see what happens next. Perhaps I'm stupid but I was questioning what the main plot was about for about the first half of this book. Yes there's a sickness that plaguing the world, and Araby and her friend April get all glittered up and go to the Debauchery Club, but is that all there is to the story? I later realize that answer is no.

The climax was great though. It drew me into the book much more, and even made me decide that I probably will read the sequel when that comes out, because I am very interested to see what happens next. And perhaps I will enjoy that book as much as I hoped to enjoy this one. And maybe there will be more glitter, although I'm really doubting that.

Even though I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, I still would recommend it because it was a good read. I just had this book so high on my list of books that I wanted to read, that I was expecting it to be a favorite.

Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

Author Info: Website | Goodreads
Published: December 28, 2006
Publisher: Dutton Books
Pages: 221
Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Paperback
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 5/5

This is the second book I've read by John Green so far (the first being The Fault in Our Stars) and I loved it every bit as much as Looking for Alaska. Gosh I don't even know what to say about this book, I'm finding it quite difficult to come up with reasons why I liked it so much, which seems to be common among people who rate books they loved.

I loved the characters, all of them, particularly Alaska. I found her to be quite intriguing. But I will say that it was a little irritating that she would get super cranky at times, and it was never really discovered what exactly she was so cranky about. And then there's the main plot point in this book which wasn't 100% resolved, which left me feeling kind of an empty void, but at the same time it fits in well with the story, it would have been unrealistic to get the answers to all the questions that were asked. Often times when someone is put into that experience, they are left with a lot of questions, that can never be answered but will still tear you up inside. However I feel like not knowing kind of drew me closer to the characters and everything they were going through.

This book is definitely one that will have you questioning a lot about life, and why we are the way that we are. It's something I think about from time to time anyways, but this book brought me right back into that mind setting. Very thought provoking, and just an altogether amazing read.

Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Series: The Infernal Devices #1
Author Info: Goodreads | Wikipedia
Published: August 31, 2010
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 479
Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Kindle e-book
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 3/5


I've been wanting to read this (or The Mortal Instruments) series for quite a while, considering they're quite popular and the story seemed unique enough to spark my interest. And now that I've finished Clockwork Angel, I'm not completely floored by it, but I did still enjoy it. But I'm perhaps thinking that maybe I picked the wrong book to read first, and maybe I should have started with City of Bones. I picked Clockwork Angel to read first because it's story comes first, in timeline order. But I got the feeling while reading this that it assumes I have already read at least the first Mortal Instruments book. I felt like there might have been some things left out. For example I didn't quite understand exactly why everyone was doing what they were doing. I think maybe there was some back story that was told in City of Bones/Glass/Ashes that if I had read those first (considering they were published before Clockwork Angel) that maybe I would have had a better understanding of the plot.

This book was still enjoyable though, I felt that most of the characters were really unique. I took a liking toward Jem, wasn't sure whether to like or dislike Will, and I couldn't stand Jessamine. Every time she spoke she made me dislike her. They only character that bored me was Tessa. I felt she was just very flat and boring. Nothing at all interested me about her, save for her ability. And I still enjoyed the story even though I felt there were things that were left out. There were lots of plot twists and shockers, especially towards the end, that I didn't even see coming.

I may or may not continue on with these series, I think if I do I'll read them now in publication order instead of timeline order. Maybe then I'll have a better grasp of what these novels are about. And of course I'd also like to know, what's up with Will? Why is he the way he is? What secrets is he hiding? Those questions alone compel me to want to read more.

Friday Finds 6/29

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS! 
Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

 Have you read these books? Let me know your thoughts, or show me your review!

Friday Finds 6/1

What great books did you hear about/discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS! 
Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

 Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t…

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

 In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale.

What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.

Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy… and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.

Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends…

 Have you read these books? Let me know your thoughts, or show me your review!

Review: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Series: Pretty Little Liars #1
Author Info: Wikipedia | GoodReads
Published: October 1, 2006
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 286
Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Kindle e-book
Purchase: Pretty Little Liars Books 1-4 on Amazon
Rating: 4/5

Gonna keep this review short and sweet, I don't know what else to say about this book, other than I loved it.

I didn't know what to expect when I first started reading this book. Nor can I pin down my exact reasoning for wanting to read it in the first place. It was mostly just to see what the hype was about (granted I jumped on the bandwagon pretty late) but also it sounded like it was a story full of drama, and I like reading drama, even if it is a little juvenile for my tastes.

When I first started reading, I found it to be pretty predictable and not all that interesting, but I still continued to read, I don't like leaving books unfinished. And sure enough, the more I read, the more intrigued I got. And by the ending cliffhanger, I'm now totally hooked and have to have more.

Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Author Info: Website | GoodReads
Published: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Dutton Books
Pages: 318
Age Group: Young Adult
Format I Own: Hardcover
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 5/5

When this book first came out, I had never heard of John Green, because I was just starting to get really into reading. But so so so many people were excited to read this book, and also were raving about it once they read it. At first I didn't think anything of it, I didn't think it would be something I'd be interested in. But the more I heard people talking about it, the more intrigued I became. I did not hear one negative review about it. And then I caught on to the fact that evidently, the ending of this book made a lot of people cry. I've never had a book make me cry before. Challenge accepted, John Green.

It did not make me cry, but it almost did. Regardless of that, I completely loved everything about this book from the first day I started reading it. All the main characters were interesting and likeable, the bursts of humor actually made me laugh out loud, and then there were sad moments that made me question life and everything in it. Even though it didn't make me cry, I can definitely see how it made others cry. Clearly my heart is made of stone or something. Or it's partly made of stone, because I was sad, just not in tears.

After reading this, I definitely have to say that I will be picking up more of John Green's books. If they are anywhere near as good as this one, he's sure to become a favorite author of mine.