Review: Matched

Title: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

General statement: lame.

Rating: 1.5/5

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
(goodreads)


Arrghh, I fell for that beautiful cover! :( The book wasn't half as good as that pretty cover. 


Actually, the plot seemed really interesting — I love Dystopian! — but in the end, the blurb described everything that's going on. That little plot twist that happens during the last sixty pages just seemed like a page filler to write another senseless book of this, excuse me, shit. Otherwise, everything that happens is described in the blurb: Cassia gets her Match, which is her best friend Xander Carrow, and she's all "Yaaay!". But when she inserts this MicroCard, with which she can look into details of Xander's life and blah, another face flashes on the screen: mystery boy Ky Markham! And she's like "what the fffff I NEED TO FIGAH TIS OUT!" and then one of those Officers comes to her and tells her it's all been only a mistake. Problem solved. BUT, Cassia can't keep thinking that THIS WAS FATE AND SHE'S MEANT TO BE WITH KY, for god's sake. So she starts spending time with him and falls for him and blah. You know what really made me want to throw this book out the window NUMEROUS times? THAT FREAKING POEM. Personally, I didn't like it very much (dunno. Was just not my thing), but that would've been okay if they wouldn't have repeated it EVERY FIVE PAGES. Seriously. I know there are only a hundred poems left, but that's still no reason to make such a big drama out of that stupid thing that isn't one of those hundred.


And know what else? There was NO pace and NO structure. It was so fucking boring. There were basically only three things Cassia did in the 360 pages of this book: 1) She spends time with her friends/family 2) She "sorts" (I still don't really get what the hell that is useful for. I mean, I kinda get the idea what exactly she's doing, but it seems completely useless to me) and 3) She spends time with Ky on that Hill. Beside those things, there was NOTHING going on. NOTHING. And there was no structure. Everything was tangled up, like Mrs Condie had no outline or anything before writing this book. She just started doing it. '_'


AND THE CHARACTERS. Let me introduce you Ms Robot Extraordinaire, Cassia Maria Reyes. I understand that people in other Societies think different and that writing in present always conveys this robot-feel ("I feed the cat. Then I go make me a sandwich," you get the idea.) but this was more than that. I didn't feel like Katniss was a robot, nor was Clara or any other protagonist of books written in present tense. I guess it's because Mrs Condie didn't really describe much beside what Cassia was doing, no detailed landscapes or scenes. Just "Xander leans in and I kiss him", bam, done. Dunno. Xander was that handsome, everyone-loves-me best friend guy, whom the author just created to have a love triangle and to be another obstacle in the love of the two main characters. Other than that, he wasn't good for anything. She might as well have excluded him. Still, at least Xander didn't seem like a total robot, he had at least a LITTLE character. Ky on the other hand also had that robot vibe going on (maybe that's why he and Cassia fell in love...), but with him it was little understandable at least. His parents had been murdered while he lived in the worst part of the country and then he just got shipped into a big town to relatives he didn't know as a little boy. He had always been an Outcast in a city of strangers, so it's understandable he's keeping a distance and he's always so composed and blah. Still, I didn't feel any connection to him, so I couldn't build ... well, a "relationship" to him. It was frustrating.


All in all, I wouldn't recommend it. I know a lot of people liked it, but I didn't. You may go ahead and see for yourself, but I would spend my money and time on better things. :|

Review: Hourglass

Title: Hourglass

Author: Myra McEntire

General statement: thrilling

Rating: 5/5

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

(goodreads)

Ahh, I totally loved this book! And can I just say I ADORE that cover? It's probably the most beautiful cover I have ever seen so far! It took a while to realize she's actually standing on the wall and facing the ground, but still. Amazing idea and amazingly done. :)

Now, the plot ... I can say, because it's no big surprise, it's about time travel. So, I've only read one other time travel book so far and that was awesome, too. Also, I was still hung up on one of my favorite character's death in another book, so I didn't really think I would enjoy this book a lot. But boy, did I. The pace is very well chosen and there's not one lame moment in this book. You keep turning the pages until you sit there and you're finished and you wanted more of this awesomeness. But then you have to wait till June for Timepiece. :( Let me tell you, this book won't disappoint you.

And the characters! You know, Usually, I always dislike something about the heroine, may it be only one action she took or her whole personality in general. But Emerson? She was SO likeable. She was down-to-earth, she wasn't arrogant , she wasn't vain — and, most importantly, something the YA scene nowadays really needed: a mentally instable girl who's all over the place and STILL able to kick ass! She was awesome :) And Michael was perfect, too. He was just that hot, swoon-worthy guy who actually treats women the way guys should! I don't have any complains about him, too. He wasn't too perfect — he lost his temper, he didn't always overthink things — and still he was no dumb jerk. Good work, Mrs McEntire! And the other characters were so lovely, too, even Ava and Jack and Cat. I liked everyone, really, which is a super rare thing for me!

This book won't be a let-down! For once, the book cover represents the beauty of the book itself. ;)

Review: Warm Bodies

Title: Warm Bodies

Author: Isaac Marion

General statement: super.

Rating: 5/5

A zombie who yearns for a better life ends up falling in love—with a human—in this astonishingly original debut novel.

R is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he has dreams. He doesn’t enjoy killing people; he enjoys riding escalators and listening to Frank Sinatra. He is a little different from his fellow Dead.  

(goodreads)

I really loved this book. At first, I actually thought it was for 12-year-olds (yeah, I really did - dunno why) but it CERTAINLY is not, lol. Yes, I admit it was really kinda morbid (what with the brain-sharing between M and R, really creeped me out), but also super awesome.

And the plot. It was creative. Actually, this was the first YA novel about zombies I have read, so maybe that's the reason I thought this was original. Still, it was something else for once. Of course not the romance part of itself, but the story as a whole: Zombies, Humans hiding away from these zombies and the human race almost being wiped out. And then there's R, who is so fucking loveable, even though he really is a zombie. I'm disliking so many characters because they act so zombie and stuff, but this one character who actually is a zombie and has an excuse for being brain-dead I love. Doesn't make much sense, right? Well, but that's how it is. Anyway, it was a little short, yes — only 240 pages of this awesomeness. But still - awesome is awesome, y'know?

And yeah, I already said I loved R. So, again: I loved R. He wasn't the zombie he was supposed to be, but a very interesting character with very interesting emotions. And even though he couldn't speak properly, alls his actions spoke more than thousand words, haha. And Julie was kickass. She wasn't dumb like other heroines or bitchy (though she was hot-tempered), but really likeable. She was creeped out by the zombies and R at first, so she wasn't pulling a Bella on us and went all "oooh R you make me hot" and stuff. That was a big pro. But she actually took the time to listen and observe and didn't sit back on her prejudices and the judgments of others - She ignored all these, got to know R better and came to like him. She was open-minded and that's what I really, really loved about her. She thought for herself, and she wasn't stupid so while thinking for herself, she made wise choices! That's a very rare occurence for YA heroines nowadays, I think.

All in all, I can only tell you to read this book — it's only 240 pages, so it's a quick read you certainly won't regret.

Review: Delirium

Title: Delirium

Author: Lauren Oliver

General statement: great.

Rating: 4.5/5

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love — the deliria — blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

(goodreads)

This was really amazing. And so, so philosophical. When I finished this book, I had to sit there and keep thinking about how this book now really changed my whole view on the world. Because, really, what hollow place would the world be without love?

The plot was very original! And so enjoyable. A world, where love is viewed as a disease from which humans suffer and die. I loved the idea, because it is kind of true — Love can be terrible and cruel. So aside from the pure awesome fact that this book leads you to using your brain cells, the story it tell you is also a very beautiful one. A teenager like us living in that world, fearing falling in love. And then it really happens: She falls in love. Lena and Alex' "adventures" are so amazing to read and I fell in love with Alex the moment Lena saw him standing there during her ... rating thingy. I'd have to spoiler now to dwell further into my love for the plot, so I'll leave it with this: it's very philosophical and breathtaking.

And the characters! Lena definitely knows what's up. I loved her way of thinking, it's kinda similar with mine — everyone is going to disappoint and leave you at some point, even those you call "best friends" and you thought you could always count on. And more things like that, I very much liked all the Lena quotes. And Alex! He was so swoon-worthy, really. He was incredibly sweet and I liked him instantly just because of his name. And boy, let me tell you he doesn't disappoint! He really upholds the honor of hot Alex'. ;) Everything he did for Lena - it was what any girl would've melted over. He risked everything just to be with her, aww. :) And Hana was also really cool. I got the feeling she was kinda overlooked by the author, because we got to know so little of her. Still, what we did get to know of her made her seem very likeable (:

I can really, really recommend you to read these books or at least put it on your soon-to-read list. Personally, I cannot wait for Pandemonium and am eagerly awaiting my already pre-ordered copy. <3

Review: Fallen

Title: Fallen

Author: Lauren Kate

General statement: okay.

Rating: 2/5

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move. 
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret ... even if it kills her.
(goodreads)

This was ... well. It was decent. Not anything I would go to my friends with and scream "YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS! IT'S FUCKING GOOD SHIT." but nothing where I would tell you it's bad as fuck and you should never read it. Though I would certainly tell one to go look for something better if someone asked me if I could recommend this.

It was just so utterly and fully predictable. I could always tell what exactly was going to happen next, it was a really let-down. It all was just too much foreshadowed. Another thing that set me off was that even though Cam was perfectly sweet to Luce and made it clear he was interested, she still threw herself at Daniel. And Daniel was being a total jerk to her. Any other girl with self-respect would've given him the finger and tried to get to know Cam better. But no. She was just all "HURRR HE'S HOT AND HE HAS A SECRET - I'M GOING TO FIGURE TIS OUT! FUCK YOU CAM I DUNT WANT YO I ONLY WANT THAT GUY WHO'S BEING A  TOTAL DOUCHE!" (Ironic, since in Torment, she questions her relationship with Daniel all the time -_-) Also, it was unoriginal and I don't know. This was probably the 3829083th angel book I've read, but that's not what wasn't creative - The whole story seemed kinda ripped off. Evermore + Hush, Hush = Fallen. That's what it kinda felt like. Fluff and romance like in Hush, Hush and that I-am-always-being-reincarnated-and-we-always-fall-in-love-Evermore stuff. :/

The characters weren't too bad. I didn't like Luce's stupidity, but all in all she was okay. She wasn't being a bitch like Rose or a complete dumbass like Bella. I have to say, as soon as Daniel was introduced, I already disliked him because of his hot-sunny-boy description. But he developed into a decent character — that was, until he went all stale and stiff. Man, I couldn't connect with Daniel at all. He seemed like a lifeless character somehow. I don't know why I got that vibe, but I certainly got it. So I don't hate Daniel but I don't like him, either - I just have absolutely no connection with him whatsoever and thus, I can't really judge him. As much as I want to say he's a jerk. Arriane was awesome, though - I really liked her. She was tough and badass and not acting like a spoiled kid. She was honest and down-to-earth. Penny was also pretty decent. And Cam was amazing. Practically the only character I really, really liked in this book. I was Team Cam at first, even though I knew Luce wasn't going to give up on Daniel and I still am — kind of, at least — because he's so awesome. I don't want to spoiler, so nuff said.

All in all, it was pretty enjoyable. Nothing that leaves you hanging there and thinking, "What is reality worth if there really is such a great world such as one displayed in this book?" :P

Review: The Mortal Instruments

 

  The Mortal Instruments

Titles: City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, City of Heavenly Fire

Author: Cassandra Clare

General statement: amazing.

Rating: 5/5

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 
(City of Bones - goodreads)


Ahh, yes. The Mortal Instruments. Of course I have read - and loved - them. They're just incredibly good books and they deserve every single reader they get, unlike a lot of other popular books. Mrs Clare is probably my favorite author, not only because she's such a very good writer (but she totally is!), but also because she's so devoted to her ans. She has a tumblr and a twitter and she constantly interacts with fans and patiently answers all the individual questions. :) 


So, the plot. It's just awesome. And very creative. In all other angel books I've read, Nephilim are always portrayed as either the bad guys or they're just irrelevant, but this shows a whole other side of Nephilim. Not the direct offspring of humankind and angels, but humans with angelblood in their veins. Their parents aren't angels or saints, but they certainly have heavenly roots. Add to that all the other species such as vampires, warlocks and faeries, the whole fiction party is present! Now that alone is just an awesome world setting, but the plot takes everything to a whole new level: Of course, the protagonist who's something special, when he/she always thought they were normal and is now suddenly introduced to a whole new world. Usually, they then set off to a magnificent and wonderful journey to either save someone/something or get something/someone back (which is basically the same ... but still.) And also, that's the matter with TMI, the main characters are trying to get The Mortal Instruments before Valentine Morgenstern does, but it all ends with a horrible war and... I don't want to spoiler. But all in all, this stuff is pretty intense. It never bores you and you turn the pages like a maniac, trust me. 
And it isn't all rainbows and unicorns in love triangle wold, either. 


Clare has a hand for writing beautiful und loveable characters! They were all amazing. Especially our male leads, Jace and Simon, were so well written and alive, I still can't believe they aren't real.When I'm reading these books, it feels like they're standing right in front of me and I could reach out and touch them. They're just both so relatable and witty. Jace is your usual broken boy, waiting to be fixed by the right girl, when or if she comes along. For him, this is obviously Clary and can I just say how asjid§/(§jdiq9128 Clary and Jace are? Jace develops - like Ash - so much throughout these books. Same with Clary. Not only does she develop personality-wise, but her appearance also changes, as said in CoFA. Now this I call character development! xD And Simon ... he goes from being the nerdy, decent-looking sidekick to being the hot, womanizing vampire best friend. Let me tell you, his sexy vampire mojo totally worked on me. I have to say, I prefer Simon to Jace (Yeah, there really are people who like Simon better than Jace!), but I still would've liked him a lot even if I would prefer Jace, I'm sure. He's just so down-to-earth and reliable and amazing and I'll stop fangirling now. But you get the picture. And all the others are beautifully "manifactured" as well : Isabelle, being the kickass girl who's slightly arrogant and bitchy; Alec, the awkward, but good-natured parabatai and Magnus, the best High Warlock you have ever seen. ;) They're all great, even non-talking characters like Church the cat.


All in all, I can recommend to read these books as soon as you can! You definitely won't regret it.

Review: The Iron Fey

  The Iron Fey

Titles: The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen & The Iron Knight (Novellas: Winter's Passage (1.5) and Summer's Crossing (3.5))

Author: Julie Kagawa

General statement: superb.

Rating: 6/5

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

 (The Iron King - goodreads)

This was just. wow. Amazing. This series is definitely one of my favorites ever. I've liked these four better than I have The Mortal Instruments or The Hunger Games, so ... they're really, really great books.

Now, the plot may seem really mushy and lovey-dovey when you read that blurb, but really, it's not. Of course there's a love triangle, but it's not dominant and the action outweighs all the fluff and let me tell you - there's no shortage of suspense! I couldn't put the book out of my hands because every event leads to another even more thrilling one. There was tension all the time that kept you turning the pages and telling yourself, "just one more chapter. just one. screw it, another one." and so on!

And the romantic stuff ... God, can I just say I loved everything about the romance in these books? Everything? Of course, I am Team Ash - have been since the very first start. And it all develops gradually. Meghan doesn't fall for Ash instantly, she's attracted to him, yes, but she doesn't throw herself at him after fifty pages. And the whole "I'll kill you" stuff wasn't like Edward's "hurr stay away from me I'm dangerous durr" blubber, it was serious and intense. Ash certainly isn't one to play around with! Also, Julie just has a hand for writing everything so beautifully and brings so much details into everything. I had my very own butterflies in my stomach when I read about Meghan and Ash's and even Meghan and Puck's romantic scenes. It was all so well written, wow. I cannot say anything other than Wow.

Let's get to the characters. Can I just tell you that I loved every single one of them? Even the unlikeable bitches like Shard or Mab or Titania. Especially Ash. God, he was so gorgeous, he's now my #1 favorite character, throwing Simon Lewis off his throne (Sorry, Simon!). Usually, I dislike all the heroines because they always do something that makes me want to rip my hair out (like, doing something really stupid and life-risking when told not to), but I totally loved Meghan! She was down-to-earth, relatable and just plain lovely. She has such a nice character and she's brave and strong, Meghan is a really good role model. I've heard some compared her to Bella in Iron Daughter, but that's not how I thought of her at all. After Ash just deserted her and practically called her a worthless whore, she cried, of course. Wouldn't you cry too if the guy you loved dumped you? Sure you would, if you really loved that person and thought they loved you, too. And Meghan certainly did think that after what they've been through in the Iron Kingdom. But after her pity party, she didn't give up. She wore a tough exterior, had a steady mantra (»I'm made of Iron.«) and held her head high. She was determined not to show that she was falling apart because Ash gave her the cold shoulder. She was strong. And to remind you, Bella stumbled through life like a zombie, numb and lifeless after Edward left her. That is NOT what Meghan did. Also, you could follow Meghan's development so nicely! In Iron King she was just another teenage girl, crushing on the popular football quarterback and living a pretty normal life. But she gradually develops into a fighter, she learns how to wield a sword, how to stand your ground against a whole army of enemies, how to be a leader. And like I said, she doesn't let it get to her head, she's still down-to-earth! She's not arrogant or spoiled. Also, she's no robot, she loves and cares about her family and people close to her (Ash, Puck, even Grimalkin and Razor, the gremlin) and she's willing to take great measures to keep those people safe (She went into a whole new world she knew nothing about to save her brother!). 

And Ash. He developed, too. At first, he was a distant, cold and bloodthirsty Unseelie prince. He was practically untouchable by anything, especially emotions. But with time, and because of Meghan, he starts to feel again, and begins to be a better person: In Iron Knight, he's feeling regret and remorse because of all the bad things he's done, he tries to keep Meghan save and he's extremely loyal to her. Even after he's so devastated because of Ariella's death, he learns to love and care again. He's just super sweet and he just raised my expectations of men to Faery Prince!

All in all: Everything's great. The characters, the plot, the love story, the setting(s) and all that. I can only recommend to read these books immediately if you haven't done so already!