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.

If I Should Die (Die For Me, #3)

If I Should Die by Amy Plum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SPOILER ALERT!


There it is, at last, the last book of the Revenants series. I've read and loved the first two books in the series and now I've read and loved the last one. Since the first book I've thought Plum's ideas about bardia and numa are very original, and I still think so.

I definitely thought this was the strongest book in the series because Kate really grows a pair in this one. She kicks ass.

The first chapter in this book was very sweet. If you're an emotional reader (which I am not), keep tissues at hand.

I think the whole thing with Vincent being allowed to stay three days with the bardia was a bit too convenient. I just can't believe any villain would allow that.

The two plot twists involving Kate (her being the Champion and her becoming a revenant) were really obvious, but well done.

I thought it was very realistic how Kate reacted to being a revenant. She didn't go all

1: Bella, "YES I am finally a monster! Life is so much better now! Yay me!"
or
2: Skye, "Oh boy, I am so special and two hot boys fawn over me, fuck my life!"

Instead, her reaction is very realistic: she's disgusted. She can't think of herself being undead, because she's disgusted. Yes! Now this is the appropiate reaction to finding out you're undead! God, I'm really glad Plum pulled it off that well.

I also feel like Plum's prose has developed over the course of the series. It doesn't make it to my "gorgeous prose" shelf, but I definitely see improvement, and that's a good thing. I really liked this passage, for example (spoiler for those who haven't read book 2!):

But I am suddenly unafraid, knowing I will face Violette with a powerful weapon: love. The complete and unconditional love of another being. That is something Violette does not have. It won't win me the battle against her. But it has already made me the victor over my fear.

I really loved that passage, and I do think Plum has talent.

The way redemption was woven into the story surprised me and made me happy. It's good to see the message that all hope is never lost, and you can be good and true if you really want to.

The ending - the epic battle- was a bit unsatisfying for me, but I can't name what exactly I missed in it.

I disliked how Jules was written out of the story. I get that friendship doesn't always last forever, but it was a bit too sudden for me. I wish the book took more time slowly buiding to his department.

All in all, I really liked this book. I think this is definitely the strongest book of the three, and it is a nicely woven tale of friendship, redemption and ass-kicking!

A Beautiful Dark (A Beautiful Dark, #1)

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

A Beautiful Dark had an interesting premise, some great ideas, and is extremely disappointing.

Even though it's not very original, the idea of an agent of good and one of evil trying to win over a girl is good. With some slow burning romance, ass-kicking and an awesome heroine, it would be pretty perfect.

What we get is an unlikeable herione, way too much clichés, insta-love and a cheap Twilight-ripoff.

There is a checklist for crappy YA novels these days. Let's see if A Beautiful Dark can get all the checks!

- Unlikable herione

Check, check, double check. Skye is a whiny teenager. She's so very special, but instead of going all "Hell yeah! Let's go kick some ass!" she's just "Fuck my life. Fuck my miserable life. I have powers, ewh! I have a very crappy life. I have two hot boys who want me. Ewh. My parents died, fuck my life!"

Sigh.

She's also Bella Swan the Second. Look at these quotes:

"My skin looked even paler than usual."

Why do they all have to be so pale?

" "Okay, wait, I know you also said no presents," Cassie shouted above the music as we worked our way through the throng, "but I have no self-control." "You better not have spent-" "

Guess who also loathes presents, especially when people paid money for it? You guessed right, Bella Swan!

Also, she gets some kind of iPod adapter thing so she can listen to it in her car. Bella got a new radio for her car. Hmm. Must be a coincidence, no?


- Herione doesn't want her powers

Check. So, Skye's got some pretty awesome powers. I mean, control over the elements? Healing? Pretty badass. But instead she's just:
"I have powers! But fuck my life. It's so very different now that I know I have powers. I wish I'd get my old life back. But I have powers. Oh no!"

- Slutty best friend, not relevant to the plot

Check again!

"I never reacted this way to guys I'd just met. It was Cassie who was boy crazy."

Of course, Cassie's only there to make Skye look good. Also, without Cassie, Skye doesn't have a life.

- Love triangle with two guys, one the 'bad' guy, the other brooding and serious

Guess what? Check. So there's Asher, who's the bad guy and basically a fucking jerk. Why do they always have to think making the MC jealous is the perfect way to get her? Why? I'd be more like, "fuck off now, you've made your point clear." But of course it works. Sigh.

Then there's Devin. He's so very serious and brooding and in luurve with Skye.

- Stalking equals love

Of course, how could I forget? If someone stalks you, it means they are so very in love with you.

"You watch me sleep?" "Once or twice." He smiled.

So very creepy romantic. (Also, guess what Edward does? He watches Bella sleep too! Yay!)

"I know a lot more about you than you know."

Flattering, isn't he?

- 'Parent' who's always conviently away

Check. Aunt Jo is always going out to hike. So very convenient!

- (only add in case of wanting to rip off Twilight) The human boy who's hopelessly in love with our protagonist

There's Ian. He's so in love with Skye, because of course it'd be weird if only two guys fell for her! He's a lot like Matt (or what was his name again?) from Twilight. They're both in love with the main character.

So, A Beautiful Dark's got every single thing! Hurray!

Also:

I didn't feel any older on the day after my birthday than I had on the day before it.

You don't say?

Since he'd arrived, I was having a difficult time concentrating in all of my classes, but for some reason, history, with its rote memorization, had been the hardest.

Because when you're attracted to a guy you're supposed to fail all your classes! please note that this girl wants to go to Columbia.

[the teacher] actually blushed and patted her mousy brown hair that frizzed out in a crown around her face.

Why are teachers always displayed as ugly? Sure, at my school there are some who aren't exactly attractive, but also young teachers, and good-looking ones. So I don't understand why teachers (who are very important, by the way) are always displayed as old, ugly and naïve creatures.

So.. this wasn't really my cup of tea. Too much clichés, way too much. But since I already have the sequel, I'll read it sometime.

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1)

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hmmm... Not really sure what to think about this one.

From the description of this book you probably got that this is an awesome book about assassin nuns. I mean, assassin nuns. How cool is that?

I expected this to be quite bloody and full of murder. Unfortunately, that's not really what this is about. This book is mostly about political games and treason, not about murder. Sure, Ismae does kill sometimes, but for me, those times were too few and far between.

I did like Ismae, however. She knows how to use her brain, something most YA heriones don't. She held a lot of prejudices against men, but due to her story, this is understandable. And her attitude changes (in other words: character growth! Yay!).

I liked most of the characters, now that I think of it. Duval was nice, and no insta-love! I really appreciated that.

The ending was a little bit rushed, but good. I liked how (view spoiler)[ Mortain appeared to Ismae, and how she stands up to the convent (hide spoiler)]. However, I did not like how (view spoiler)[ Ismae had to have sex with Duval to get all the poison out of his system. I wish LaFevers had done that differently. (hide spoiler)]

So.. I don't really have to say much about this book. For me it is 2.5/3 stars.

I'll read the sequels, but I'm not exactly in a hurry to get my hands on them.

The Elite (The Selection, #2)

The Elite by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

*ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I really loved The Selection, and I really loved The Elite.

I don't think they are high-quality books like Daughter of Smoke & Bone. This is due to worldbuilding, prose and just the general concept. I don't think they are lacking, but I also don't think they're outstanding.

But you know what? I really don't care. I read these books because they are light and fluffy and enjoyable. They make me happy, I like to read them. And that is what counts in the end. The The Selection series are just plain old fun to read. (Because, c'mon, who didn't or doesn't dream about being a princess? I bet you did.)

I would like to see a little more worldbuilding and information about the rebels. I thought the scene with the rebel girl was a nice touch, but also made me curious for more!

I also thought the plot twist involcing Maxon and his father was surprising and good. I'm curious to see if, and how, this evolves in The One.

Speaking of Maxon, he was incredibly sweet, as always. I really hope America chooses him, because he is just so sweet and giving toward her.
I was in fact a little shocked when there was a little revelation about (view spoiler)[ how he'd never recieved any gift (hide spoiler)] and I hope America will change that.

I did not like Aspen. Yes, he was at times sweet, but he mostly annoyed me. And I still haven't forgiven him for being such a jerk in book one.

All in all, a fun, quick and light read!
And the next book, called The One will be published in 2014. Yes. 2014. How will I survive? I need to know what's going to happen!

View all my reviews

Boundless (Unearthly, #3)

Boundless by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Cynthia Hand?


Actual rating: 4,5 stars

I absolutely love this series. I can't believe it's actually over now D:

Boundless is a stunning close to the series. For some reason, it's also extremely difficult to review.

Things I liked:

There was character growth! Clara really grows up in this novel, standing up for herself and her life. I really loved her: she's such a likeable heroine.

We also got to see more of Angela, Jeffrey, Christian and Tucker (yay!).

The plot twists. OH MY. Apart from one plot twist, they were all surprising, i-never-saw-that-coming plot twists, sometimes ripping your heart out, sometimes making you gasp. Oh my. Oh my.

Chapter 18. So sweet. I really loved it!

Things I didn't like that much:

The ending. It all felt too convenient for me, because everything for Clara and the boy she chooses is just so.. convenient. Life is never convenient.

I also didn't like how things ended for the other boy. We have no idea how he is.

And the whole purpose thing was a little vague. So she's got a divine purpose, but actually it's just a possible future? So what the hell was her purpose exactly? And Jeffrey's??

All in all, a worthy close to the Unearthly series. I can't believe it's really over now! *cries*