Sever (The Chemical Garden, #3)

Sever by Lauren DeStefano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first finished this book, I gave it five stars. After a bit of thought, I decided to make it four, because there were a few things I didn't like. When I first started this series, I enjoyed it. I didn't love Wither, but I definitely enjoyed it. Then I read Fever, which is by far the best book of the series. I absolutely loved that one and you've probably seen me gushing over it. And now I've read Sever. I really enjoyed it, but in the end didn't love it as much as Fever. These are basically my thoughts during Sever:

Pretty prose.. Gimme more.

Hm, so I like this guy. I get the cover now.

Yes, indeed, you're stalling. Don't.

Okay, interesting.

Whoa, really? I like Fever even more now.

God, Vaughn really does everything, doesn't he?

Meh. Don't like this guy, really.

Oh wow. That must suck SO HARD.

Wait wait, what is happening? How? Whut?

NOOOOO! No, no, no. I refuse to believe this. Fuuuuuuuck.

YOU GO, GIRL!

So.. Let me explain.

I have always loved DeStefano's prose and probably always will. I really love her writing still since it's so poetic and fits the story well. I did think her prose was strongest in Fever, not in Sever. But hey, pretty is pretty right?

I really liked Reed, but he was a bit convenient. I mean, we've never heard of him before (or maybe we have, but I've forgotten). But he was great, or so I thought. And oh, Cecily. I didn't like her all that much in Wither, but I absolutely loved her in Sever and she's probably my favourite character now (sorry, Rhine, too bad.). I mean, she really grows up and this girl is a Badass with capital B. Not that she does fight scenes or anything, but she's strong, maybe even stronger than Rhine. (view spoiler)[ Also, that ending? HELL YES. Cecily, I freaking love you. (hide spoiler)]

I like Rhine, but she was a bit passive in this book. I mean, in the first book (spoilers for book 1 and 2 here) she escapes the mansion and in the second book she's going on this journey that's tough as fuck. but in this book she sits a bit too much around instead of kicking some ass. Not that I didn't like her, but it was a little disappointing.

Then there's Vaughn. He might be the best character in this series. Yes, he's the villain, but altough I hated him in the first two books, I just couln't in Sever. In fact, I felt sorry for him. I could understand him and feel for him. It takes some skill to make your readers feel for the villain, so good job!

Unfortunately, I disliked Rowan. He's just way too meh for me (like Gabriel). He believed like everything he was told and I found I couldn't connect with him.

Now, we need to talk about that cover. Wither's cover was stunning. It was absolutely gorgeous. Then, Fever's cover happened. It was awful, but after reading the book made sense. And now Sever, which also doesn't really live up to expectations. I love the original way of presenting the font and cover, but other than that it's not really a pleasure for the eyes. But once again, after reading the book, it makes sense. The apples, the globe, the plane, the bird (probably representing freedom)... So even though I do not like that cover, I say once more good job.

And.. The plot. I loved how some things from Fever made more sense in this book, making me love Fever even more. I thought it was overall well done, but the ending was a bit hasty for me. The whole thing with Hawaii etc. was a bit too fast for me and I still don't really understand what happened there.

In short, a beautiful and often touching conclusion to the prettily written Chemical Garden series.

Teeth

Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have never read a novel by Hannah Moskowitz before (I know, shame on me). I kept seeing five-star ratings and glowing reviews for her books, especially Gone, Gone, Gone. I wanted to read her books, but I was hesitant buying one of them. I wanted to read an excerpt or something first, because what if I wouldn't like it? Then I'd have bought a book I hated, spent money on something I don't want. But after seeing like billions of reviews gushing over Hannah Moskowitz, I knew I had to do it. I had to buy a book written by her.

Well, it didn't disappoint. I absolutely loved Teeth. Why? Well, let me tell you...

The writing

Oh God, how I loved her writing. There's something about it that makes the story real, even if it's about magic fish. It's raw and has a way doing some sort of surprise attack. You let your attention falter for a moment.. and BAM there it is, her writing has slammed into your heart and now it's lying on the floor in little pieces.

The characters

This is were Teeth really shined for me. Her characters are so complex and flawed, so real and heartbreaking. Two lonely and broken boys, so different and so the same. I loved all of them. Teeth, oh Teeth. He's really slap-worthy at times, but I loved him. I absolutely loved him. It's a shame he isn't real. *cries*

I would like to talk about the description of the book.

Be careful what you believe in.

Rudy’s life is flipped upside-down when his family moves to a remote island in a last attempt to save his sick younger brother. With nothing to do but worry, Rudy sinks deeper and deeper into loneliness and lies awake at night listening to the screams of the ocean beneath his family’s rickety house.

Okay, so far, this is all right. But then:

Then he meets Diana, who makes him wonder what he even knows about love, and Teeth, who makes him question what he knows about anything.

I might be the only one, but I don't think this is true. He does hook up with Diana, but I didn't have the idea he was wondering about love. At all. Instead, he admits he doesn't really feel anything for her. So, in my opinion, that's not correct.

In short, I loved this. I really loved this. And yes, I am going to buy her other books too. Like soon.

Eona (Eon, #2)

Eona by Alison Goodman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow.

Eona was everything I expected and more.

This book is freaking amazing, like, really. Honestly, I don't even know what to say about it because it's so awesome. Halfway through the book I'd already decided that this was a 5 star book, and then that ending happened. Every doubt I may have had was instantly gone.

I love the character growth! This story is about Eona, but also about what power does to you. It was very crafty. When Eona said she didn't lie much, or that it was for someone else's sake, I agreed with her. I thought, people, give this girl a break, yeah? She's right. And then someone would accuse her of lying or not telling something, I started to think and I realised they were right. But I could never hate her, or even dislike her.

What also adds to the strength of this book is the fact that no-one can really be trusted. It influences everything, including the romance. Speaking of the romance, I LIKE. It was not the main theme of the story, thank God. Lately every Young Adult book is all about twu luurve. But not Eona, and I was very grateful for that.

Also kind of major spoiler:
(view spoiler)[ I really liked the sort of love triangle. I really really hated Ido in the first book, but I loved the dark attraction between him and Eona. And that one scene was HAWT. Really, I wanted it to happen again. But Kygo is also very sweet, and in the end, I am definitely team Kygo. But still.. damn. (hide spoiler)]

This book is over 600 pages, but every page is worth it. I read it so fast, I just couldn't lay it down. And every of those pages was needed. There was never too much, and I can't think of a single page that needn't be there.

In short, I loved Eona and I recommend. Highly.