Fairest ( The Lunar Chronicles # 3.5) by Marissa Meyer

Patient's name: Princess Queen Levana Blackburn of Luna

"Your Highness, what do you wish to talk about?"

_____

_____

She slowly turns in my direction. *Holy hell*

"Your parents' death. That was obviously very taxing. You lost them at such a young age. Fifteen, was it not?"

*were her eyes that colour to begin with?*

"I see.."*cough* "you're safe here your Highness. There's no need for glamours, Queen Levana. No one is going to judge you."

Her lips slowly stretch in a charming smile... and they continue stretching *creepy*

"There is always need for glamour... doctor. In every minute of my life. How would I be perfect otherwise?"

"But, no one is perfect Queen Levana. We all have..."

"I am not everyone. I am the Queen of Luna, and I am Perfection."

~Okayyyy... writes down obsessive compulsive disorder. Egocentric.~

"We were talking about your parents,Queen Levana: what did you feel when they died?"

Deep Breath " It was very bothersome. My sister Channary *sneer* decided she was not to be bothered with the details of their demise..."

"That must have made you feel very sad..."

"No. It was just bothersome." She regards him coldly.

~Writes down, sociopath.~

"You and your sister. You must have felt her death dearly?"

"Not really. I hated her with all the powers of Luna."

My mouth drops open. "It is not uncommon for grieving family..."

"I used her skull as a ping-pong ball..."

*gulp*

She laughs at my horrified expression, "I am kidding, after all her head was still attached to her neck."

_________

"Right. "

"If you could name one person.."

"EVRET"

"Ah, yes, of course your husband.."

"HE IS MINE."

"Of course..."

" WE WERE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER... FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!"

Yes, yes, I see here, that Prince Evret had already been married with a woman named Sols...

"DO NOT SAY HER NAME!"

__________

*cough*

"Winter then... Winter is your stepdaughter..."

"Evret loves her. It would break his heart if she died."

"So she lives... for now."
"Ah, right."

"Maybe we should continue this session some other day, Queen Levana... as much as I would LOVE to continue our session, time has run out."

_____________

Parody aside?

I honestly didn't think I would end up giving three stars to this story.

First of all, because I didn't like reading this... but that is not to say that the story isn't well written.

 Levana is more than unbalanced when the story starts... and yes, she has her reasons for it. But it was exhausting to be in her head.

Also, throughout the pages, she goes from being "solely" unbalanced, to being pure evil. That's what made me in the end, give it this rating.

For everything that happens, I guess that half the pages would be more than enough.

Recommended only for die hard fans, I guess. I was left with the feeling that were this the first book I had ever read by the author I wouldn't be following the series...

As it is, I can't wait to read Winter.

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Slightly Scandalous (Bedwyn Saga # 3) by Mary Balogh

(Presenting the Portuguese book cover, mainly because the other ones are simply hideous)

With all justice, this should probably get a two/ two and a half star rating, but, I did manage to read this in less than a day, so it has to get at least an half star for that reason entirely.

This is what?
The fourth or fifth book I've read by this author, and I still can't say that this is a favourite series.
This was written in 2004 _ I think _ so maybe her latest instalments are better?
I can only wonder.

So far, a pattern seems to exist: I struggle with the beginnings and I end up enjoying the last pages.

I wasn't crazy about the characters, not because they weren't likeable _ which, okay they mostly weren't _ but because they felt undeveloped. Very one dimensional.

Also, there is quite a number of eye rolling situations: I don't care if they were engaged _ of fake engaged _ some things just weren't done at those times. At least not blatantly so.

Also in one of the prequels, the whole fake engagement plot, had already been used, and two books later here it is again?

Not very original..but at least in Kit's and Lauren's case, the situation was much more believable.
What can I say?
I never felt the "love" between Freyja and Joshua, and their supposedly "hot" scenes were more tepid than anything else. -_-


Author's Official Site

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The Unlikely Lady ( Playful Brides # 3) by Valerie Bowman

                               Arc provided by  St. Martin's Paperbacks  through Netgalley

                                                      Release Date: May, 5th

I have enjoyed Jane's and Garrett's banter since day one. Meaning, since I first read "An Unexpected Duchess".
And it wasn't before long that I knew I could count on them, to help downplay things when the drama would get too much.

So you can have an inkling of what I am talking about....

Presenting the relationship between these two stubborn mules people :

“I mean you like it because I don’t. I swear if I claimed the world was round you’d say it was flat merely to be contrary,” Garrett replied.
“Are you saying the world is round, Upton? Because if so, it makes me question—”
(The Unexpected Duchess, book #1)

He gave her a slight mock bow. “Ah, off to a fine start shredding gentlemen with your tongue. Well done. It’s not even noon. But I must ask, how exactly do you know so much about gambling, drinking, and chasing ladies of ill repute?”
Her smile did not falter. “I read. A lot.”
They glared at each other.
(The Accidental Countess, book #2)

I love intelligent characters and witty repartee, and these two have it in spades. When to that, one adds a sort of "Much Ado About Nothing" retelling/parody..I was basically in book heaven!
I love that specific play.
Well, truth is I love Beatrice's and Benedict's dialogues...Hero and what's his name _ Claudio _ not so much. Too much drama for my taste...also I don't think she should have forgiven him.
Ever. o_O

So, you see where this is going, right?
I loved this story's beginning. I loved when the meddlesome friends _thy name is Lucy _ started with the "game" of basically misleading Garrett and Jane's about each other's feelings.

But then there's this obnoxious character _ well played Mrs Bowman, I don't think there was ever a single moment in which that character appears, in which I didn't wish that she had been run over by a horse....or two, or three _ who led this story to a more dramatic...route?

A little too dramatic for me, but like I said I am biased against Hero and Claudio, and all of a sudden, I felt as if the characters stopped being Beatrice and Benedict's representations, to incorporate the drama inherent to those vapid characters known as H. and C.
But at least, no one had to pretend her own death...so I count that as a blessing! ;)

My biggest issue with the story has to be the fact that towards the end, Garrett ended up sounding a little too much like "Miss" Hero, than an actual Benedict. That was a little strange.

But prejudices aside, this was a well played _ and told _ retelling, with some fun moments _ I especially enjoyed the drunk _ Garrett_ and the half  blind _ Jane_ interaction scene, lol.
My only complaints end up being the overplayed drama...but this was inspired in a Shakespeare play, so really, what was I expecting?

Also, I should probably cut them some slack, since both of them are at times the epitome of all that is geek and bookish! :)

Author's Official Site

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Arc approvals

Can you believe it that it's almost April? o_O
Where have the first three months of 2015 gone?
And what I am doing that I don't have the time or concentration to read?
Argh. This is the worst feeling for a bookworm.

I was _ well, I still am _ determined to read a couple of series that I have been meaning to read for the last couple of years. Of course there's always the new releases _ some of them at least _ that have me quite interested in reading them, but let's say that I've become much more selective regarding the arcs that I want to read.

As such, I have been resisting going into Netgalley and Edelwiss with a fury!
_______
That doesn't mean that I am not curious about certain stories..
There's this book on Edelweiss that sounds so good...and the cover is so pretty *.*
  See? Pretty! And the synopsis looks good as well..
Someone please go and request it, and let me know if it's any good!

Then there's also this one:

                                           
Of course being so reticent in requesting them, probably means that I would love them o_O

But I am trying to cut in my arc requests..so I'll have to be, you know strong!
(let's see how long that will last...)

So, arc approvals: officially only one, because the other book was on the download copy section.
Strangely, I was approved to read Mechanica:

 

Another insanely pretty cover..darn, lol -_-

And look what was available to download on Edelweiss...nothing more than the sequel to my favourite 2014 book! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

No pressure o_O

What does this mean?
It means that I am currently re-reading the first book in the series, Radiant, because it has been a couple of months since I've read it, and I want to go into Defiant remembering everything.
What about you?
What are you reading?

A Magic Dark and Bright ( Asylum Saga #1) by Jenny Adams Perinovic

                                             Arc provided by Bookish Girl Press

                                                  Release Date: April 28 th

I am going to start with what I liked in this story: The first paragraph. It was creepy and atmospheric.

A woman haunted the woods behind my house.
I used to watch her from my bedroom window. She glowed silver in the moonlight, a pale wraith in a white dress that curled around her ankles and twisted in an ancient wind that didn’t touch the pine trees around her.

The characters
Well developed, with their own story and background, they never felt flat.
Amelia is a level headed girl who is going through a hard time in her life, and I felt for her.

The romance
Despite feeling as if thwarted what I was hoping to get from this story _ something way creepier _ it never felt over the top, because Charlie is one of the "good guys". He's sweet and caring, and doesn't appear to have an idiotic bone in his body.
Of course this is the first book of...I don't know how many more, and characters are known to change, lol.

No bloody love triangles in this story: thank you!
I'll confess that when another character appears _ Ransom_ I got a little scared: OMG, a love triangle..NO! o_O
Luckily that doesn't happen.

The writing
I had no problem with it, and I can't help appreciate the little clues that were hiding at plain sight...most of which completely escaped my notice.


The setting in which the story takes place that was inspired in actual facts.

The less than positives aspects:

For more than a third of it, the story doesn't seem to go anywhere.

It has a very "young" YA vibe to it. There were times in which I felt I could be reading an Enid Blyton's story with a mystery lurking at the background...
Even when the bodies start piling up, the tone of the story doesn't change: It continues the same old self, calm and quiet.

Slut shaming, there's some instances of that. Also there were comments on how a girl became bitchy to her friends _ my words _ after "her boobs" _the author's words _ developed.
This really got on my nerves.
Could this be more cliché?

The cliffhanger
The only reason I kept on reading _ despite the fact of this not being my cup of tea _ was simply because I wanted to know what was going to happen.
Unfortunately when things started becoming more interesting...it ends. -_-
I could even see myself reading the follow up, if it had already been released.
As it is, the sequel will probably be released next year _? _ and I can almost see the heavy emotional angst that a certain relationship will entail,_something for which I simply don't have the patience or interest_ so I'll probably never get around to reading it.

Bottom Line: This is not a bad book _ in fact, it is way superior to some YA bestsellers _ it just needs a different type of reader.

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Royally Ever After by Loretta Chase

                                   Arc provided by Avon Impulse through Edelweiss

                                                           Release Date: April 7 th

4 Stars to  "Lord Lovedon's Duel"

Well, this was fun. And sweet...and unfortunately short. :/
My favourite novella _yes, of the two of them _ has to be "Lord Lovedon's Duel".
If you're a fan of witty repartee and insane characters, you're probably going to love this:

“It seems I must kill myself,” he said. “It is impossible to continue in this world without Miss Sharp’s approbation.” He put the back of his hand to his forehead. “Farewell, all. I go to a better place.”

“I think not,” she said. “I think it will be rather worse than this one and a good deal hotter.”

Insanity all around..I loved it! ;)

And since I am on the subject, why isn't there a series of which this novella could be part of?
So, I could go and you know..read it? At once.

2.5 Stars To The Jilting of Lord Rothwick

As for The Jilting of Lord Rothwick, it had great potential _not that I am saying that I disliked it _ but it ended up being really short for a novella. More like an "itsy bitsy baby" novella. And I wanted more. o_O


In the end there's a presentation of the author's new book ,_ "Dukes Prefer Blondes", release date 2016_ and it ends up having almost as many pages as the second "novella".
_____________
Yes Avon, your bookish master plan worked: My curiosity has been roused, and I would love to get my hands on Clara's and Oliver's book right this minute.
~January 2016 for heaven's sake~ mumbles to herself.

Author's Official Site

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All The Rage by Courtney Summers

                                  Arc provided by St. Martin's Griffin through Netgalley

                                                         Release Date: April 14 th

                                                             TW's: Rape / Bullying

It would be impossible for me, to stay indifferent to what happens in this story: There's the spectre of rape touching almost everything that happens, and that is so gut wrenching, that I mostly read this while standing up.
My feet wouldn't stay quiet, and I was a nervous wreck.

There's also bullying in this story. Strong girl on girl hate, and as if all that wasn't already enough, there's something even worse..

By the middle of it, I was promising myself, that in the future I will read all the zombie books that this author may write, but I will never read anything like this again, because I simply don't have the stomach for it.
There was a point in which I started questioning and getting angry with Romy's decisions.

Things were already bad, and she would go and act in a completely irresponsible way, which would only add more fuel to an already impossible drama...
I don't know how someone who has been raped will behave. I don't know if she'll have a strong preservation instinct...but I would like to think so, and Romy here, has two unbelievably stupid moments _ especially for someone who first comes out as incredible adult and responsible _ and those situations, combined with other aspects _ some undeveloped moments _ made it impossible for me, to give it more than three stars.

I also wasn't crazy about the way the story is presented: I found the time frames confusing as hell, and I would go back and forth to see if I could make some sense of that.

Romy doesn't have a single friend, she hates her body. She hates being a girl.
Her only coping, and defence mechanism, is her makeup...which is only believable for a small part.
Basically, too much happens for this girl to keep her act together!

Then there was also the love interest _ yes, there's one in this story _ which for me had no place in this story.
Don't get me wrong! The guy is great, and he sure gives his support to Romy _even when she doesn't deserve it _ but keeping in mind all that happens, I think it was too unbelievably rushed.

Bottom Line: This is an story with a strong message, that every teen should read, at least the parts that focus on what it entails being a girl our days, being subject to rape culture, and what they go through... especially in high school.

Keep in mind however, that the story needs another blurb: there's some references to a character _ Kellan _ that actually never makes an appearance, and reading it, makes it sound as if we're in for a thriller...which mostly doesn't happen.

Author's Official Site

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Pale Demon ( The Hollows # 9) by Kim Harrison

A strong instalment to the series: Rachel "only" has a reasonable amount of tstl moments in it. Understandable, due to what she goes through in this..."episode" _ a lot, as usual .

This is the most chaotic series that I've ever read: There's a witch, that may turn out to be an actual demon..but she doesn't want to be a demon.
She wants what she's had her entire life...if only people would leave her alone!

But now in her life there's a living vampire, a family of noisy pixies _ with the occasional fairy _, a demon who once was the big threat to her life, and now is more like a comforting presence? Yes, I am talking about Al.
It's complicated.

An ex-coven witch who was killed and buried alive _ *shiver* _ on what is now Rachel's and Ivy's _ officially more like Jenks _ church grounds, and may now be a sort of significant other to Rachel...if only he didn't insist on killing demons.
____

Now, imagine all this people, together, in one car.....

________

___________

Yes, it's a mess. An insane _full of non stop adventure _ mess.

As always in the end, Rachel ends up, in even dire straits that the ones she started in, to begin with.
You know? Basic, Rachel Morgan's insanity all around.

Oh, and a secret about Trent is revealed, lol, and I am not going to say which one. ;)

But it was nice to see Rachel and Ivy finally _ Oh, God, I hope it lasts! _ come to an understanding. I was getting sick and tired of their back and forth dance.

Author's Official Site

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Taken By The Toaster by Dick Thumper

This is one of the funniest things I've read in recent years.

Onto the plot:

John, a basement dwelling weeaboo neckbeard, spends his time on "intellectual pursuits at [his]computer" and cannot spare any more of it, not even for Christmas dinner, which his mother brings down to the basement so he won't have to join the festivities above. 

He is adamantly against moving out of his parents' house for, as he puts it, "Pussy-Slasher underscore 1975 is almost forty and he still lives at home", and seeing as he's a "level two hundred paladin" he's a worthy role model. 

But more importantly, for Christmas, John got a toaster. And is immediately enamoured by it. Oh, he tries to fight it, but as he says, "that harlot of a toaster just wouldn't quit".

And that was the beginning of a steamy and passionate relationship.

Reminded me a lot of this comic (sorry, I don't know who to attribute credit):

I strongly recommend it.

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@ Amazon

The Witch Of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose

                                    Arc provided by Atria Books through Netgalley

                                                     Release Date: March 17 th

DNF at 30%

I'll start with the positives: The pretty cover and the enticing title...both of them, made me click the request button.

The writing:
The story is mainly told in such a boring, fastidious way, that I cannot in full conscience give it more stars.
Who knows? Maybe the story does get better...although I doubt it, with such a simpering leading character...

 I'll admit that I am not this book's intended audience, mainly because I like strong plots. And even while reading fantasy, I like it to have solid bases.
 For me, being bombarded on all sides with fashion décor is not what I consider a strong plot...strong descriptive abilities, yes.
Plot? Non.

  The flimsy way in which the paranormal aspect was inserted in the story, was so vague and  unremarkable, that I just couldn't force myself to keep reading this. It was like Sandrine tripped in it: Oh, here it is, I must follow it.

When I reached the twenty percent mark, what did I have?
Long, boring, pretentious descriptions of this and that.
I am all for setting a story's tone, but with such nonsense "floating" around, there's no reason for me to suffer through this.
The sound of "tears being shed"?

This is not magical realism, nor does this read as an horror novel_much less sci-fi! what's with those time dates on the paintings?_, and those were the only logical "explanations" for what happens, or for what the character says. But with such sugared, cheesy descriptions _ of all that is pretty and nice _ the plot doesn't have a proper strong voice as an historical romance.

Also, I really dislike soap opera twists, and having a guy drop dead because he was slapped, was really pushing it. Slap a guy, and he has a fulminant asthma attack?
Really? -_- Well, if he were in a House's episode maybe...
Not that he didn't deserve to die!
He was an eighteen year old messing around with a fourteen year old girl! *off with his balls!*

Oh, and insta love? Can I just say how "lame" that description felt?

I lost count of the amount of pointless descriptions this book has...so, here's an idea: why not develop a proper romance between grown ups?

Then there were the plot inconsistencies: For instance, the thing with Sandrine's age?
We are told that she was already involved with Leon when she was fifteen, but at the beginning, we are told that he dies in the morning of her fifteenth birthday...
So, what is it? Fourteen sounds "problematic", but fifteen doesn't? :/

Then there's a phrase in which we get a demure twenty five year old Sandrine, imagining how it would feel  to turn around, and to kiss an almost complete stranger _ the love interest _ and how she had never done anything so spontaneous...
Are you kidding me?
For someone with such a good memory, she sure has selective amnesia. Hello?
What about the time when "you" were fourteen and were caught in bed _completely naked _ with "your" beau?

First and probably last book, I'll ever read by this author.

Author's Official Site