Review: Legend

Legend by Marie Lu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While the idea of Legend is in no way unique, with the recent influx of post-apocalyptic/dystopian storylines in YA fiction, it is still an enjoyable read. It was nice to have the two varied perspectives - the boy from the street and the girl of means. Their story is full of highs and lows, deception, hurt, betrayal and death. Each deals with events in their own way and comes out of the series as a very different person. (Series-wise) (view spoiler)[I was not entirely satisfied with the ending. It left the reader with the temptation of promise and a what-if, but felt like an afterthought. The epilogue didn't seem as pulled together as the rest of the novel. It felt more like the readers raged against the conclusion of the book and the author tacked this story on at the end to appease them. Remember what tragic things, what relationships, what changes happened at the end that you didn't like? Just kidding, I take it back. Here's a glimpse of the storyline you actually wanted. (hide spoiler)] Other than that I really enjoyed the series and would recommend it.

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Review: Mirrored

Mirrored by Alex Flinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a fan of Alex Flinn's fairytale re-tellings, especially Beastly, I was anticipating this novel greatly. It was a unique take on the Snow White tale's Queen, Huntsman, Prince and happily ever after. As the story of Snow White is pretty well known, there's not much I can say without giving away how this re-telling decided to approach the story. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy fairy tales and happily ever afters.

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Review: Zodiac

Zodiac by Romina Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Every time you think you have something figured out in this book, the author throws you a curveball. I never knew what to expect when reading this book but enjoyed it overall. The world building was good, but I hope it is developed more in subsequent books. It could be so rich and immersive if that happens. Some of the scenes were weak and made the pacing drag. The main character is relatable despite her unexpected change in station and dramatic odyssey. As seems typical in recent YA fiction there is an element of a love triangle. I don't find it entirely believable, so it pulls me out of the narrative at times. Overall, it's an enjoyable read and I will be reading the subsequent books in the series. Definitely recommend reading this book if you like YA fiction about space, technology, bad guys, adventure or romance.

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Review: Black Widow: Forever Red

Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but this was not it and yet I enjoyed it immensely. It almost makes it okay that we didn't receive a Black Widow movie in Phase 1, since we have this really unique way to explore her character. The book itself was full of the action, espionage and utter heart wrenching agony one would expect from a good Black Widow (back)story. Without wanting to spoil it, I just recommend that you read it and tease that a certain Avenger makes a cameo.

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Review: The Graces

The Graces by Laure Eve
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I was very intrigued by this book from the description and it immediately pulled me in. I came into the story expecting magic and a similtarity to the Secret Circle. That is not at all how this book ended up being. It turned my expectations on their head. The Graces: perfect, different and maybe a little bit feared. To be honest, it read a little like the Cullens from Twilight. The main character is just a normal girl that gets pulled into their dazzling orbit and her life is changed. There is drama, heartbreak and completely unexpected twists and turns throughout. The entirety of the plot was unexpected and I could never foresee what was going to happen. It ends on a cliffhanger that makes you want to know what happens next. Not highly recommended, but give it a shot and see how you feel.

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Review: The Eye of Minds

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As technology advances and virtual reality becomes a standard in gaming - the storyline of Eye of Minds becomes more possible. All you have to do is lay down, let these wires invade your body and the virtual becomes your reality. It simulates pain, hunger and all other aspects of daily life. You can play games similar to Call of Duty by running around and pulling the trigger yourself rather than mashing controller buttons. You can spend real world money to upgrade your games or yourself. Whether your virtual self actually resembles you or not is a matter of personal preference.

We meet Michael, Sarah, and Brycen in the VirtNet. They are best friends even though they have never met before in "the wake" or real life. The three get drafted by the VNS, VirtNet Security, to find a dangerous man called Kane who has been destroying people' virtual and waking lives.

Their coding abilities and determination are put to the test in a series of trials. They don't make it out unscathed and their lives are changed forever. A must read if you're a fan of the author, books involving technology or action, or just YA novels in general. I definitely recommend it and can't wait to finish the series.

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Unpopular Book Opinions

A Popular Book/Series You Didn't Like:

Wicked by Gregory Maguire - one of the few books I never finished reading. One day I will give it a chance again (so many people like my cousin love the book, I love Wicked which was based off it.), but I just didn't like it.

A Book/Series You Love But Everyone Seems to Hate:

I don't love this series, at all - but when I first read Twilight as a little high school freshman I did love the book. My YA Librarian introduced me to it, then later we had a trivia, tshirt making event before the fourth book came out. At the time, I enjoyed the series although my interest waned with each subsequent novel. Re-reading it now (I read the gender-reversed version for the anniversary), I find it enjoyable as a piece of casual fiction but not what I would consider award-worthy writing.

I would also put the Hush, Hush series here. I read it years ago, but I remember enjoying it and people don't seem to like it. 

A Love Triangle Where the Person Ended Up With the Wrong Person, or OTP That You Don't Like:

I sat here and absolutely couldn't think of a good answer for this. There wasn't someone that immediately came to mind - so these are my sort-of incorrect pairings:

When I read the book, I wanted Katniss to end up with Gale. Reading people's reasonings on Peeta vs. Gale, I see how Gale was an incendiary presence whereas Peeta was always there for Katniss, the good guy, blah, blah blah. But come on, Gale. How could you not?













Again, this is one that I don't particularly care about - but Edward and Bella. If pushed, I definitely liked Jacob better than Edward so I would have preferred that she end up with Jacob. But... I was also Team Jasper (and Alice). I liked them and didn't really care who Bella ended up with.









Finally, Ron and Hermione. It's not that I necessarily think that they ended up with the wrong people, but I just didn't see that coming. I could see it just as easily have been Harry and Hermione (although I love Ginny.) So I don't know exactly how I feel about it, but I know I didn't read the series and say "That's perfect. Those two belong together." As such, they're on the list. 

A Popular Genre That You Hardly Reach For:

I love detective/mysteries, but I hardly ever read them even though Sherlock Holmes is one of my favourites and my entire youth was spent reading Nancy Drew in my grandma's trees.

A Popular Character You Do Not Like:

Snape. I know he had that slightly-misguided redemption at the end of the series, people are always quoting "Always." But... I do not like Snape. I don't care that he loved Lily through it all. I don't care that Dumbledore trusted him. He was terrible to many beloved characters and he wasn't redeemed in my eyes. Sorry.

A Popular Trope You Are Tired of Seeing:

Love triangles or insta-love. I feel like almost every book I read lately has a love triangle in it, generally featuring our heroine being incredibly indecisive about two lucky guys. Sometimes its the guy, but I feel like its usually the girl which makes it even more tiresome. Insta-love is just utterly unrealistic and makes a book less appealing.

A Popular Series You Have No Interest In Reading:

Beautiful Creatures by - I don't know what it is but I just see the books and think, I don't really want to read that. 

The Book is not Always Better Than the Movie/TV Show:

Hands down I think the Vampire Diaries is one of those series that the tv show surpasses the source material. I enjoyed reading the series as maybe a high school freshman, but looking back at the writing I'm just not impressed. The TV show is so much better.