Book Review: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Published: August 11th, 2011 

Publisher: Gollancz

Pages: 615

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

ELANTRIS WAS A PLACE OF GLORY

The capital of Arelon, the home to people transformed into magic-using demigods by the Shaod.

But then the magic failed, Elantris started to rot, and its inhabitants turned into powerless wrecks.

And in the new capital, Kae, close enough to Elantris for everyone to be reminded of what they have lost, a princess arrives. Sarene is to be married to unite Teod and Arelon against the religious imperialists of Fjordell. But she is told that Raoden, her husband to be, is dead.

Determined to carry on the fight for Teod and Arelon's freedom, Sarene clashes with the high priest Hrathen. If Hrathen can persuade the populace to convert, Fjordell will reign supreme.

But there are secrets in Elantris, the dead and the ruined may yet have a role to play in this new world. Magic lives.

Deskynowsky's Review:

I am enchanted by the beauty of Brandon Sanderson's world... so EPIC!

so I bought Elantris in hoping to get introduced to the magical world that Brandon Sanderson has created through his hypnotic writing style.. And I think Elantris is a great choice for me and anyone who wants to start reading his books... I could easily choose to read his famous series, the Mistborn series, but before I invest my money, my energy, and my time, I really wanted to know first if it will be worth that much.. and Elantris sold it for me.. even after couple of pages, I knew this book is a win!

Well, I can tell you, I have all other Brandon Sanderson books waiting in my basket.. just a click away... I am that much swooned over his awesomeness...

This book is a complete package, I don't know if my review will be legit enough to describe how amazing the story of Elantris.. I think this book can stay as a Standalone.. So no worries guys, it's really satisfying..

This book is about the extinct of magic, the lost glory of the Gods, the power of politics and money, the battle of faith, the blossoming romance, loyalty and justice, and the rising of hope.. I am so so so satisfied and happy after reading this book.. is like I have found Magic... this book and I believe, all other Brandon Sanderson's books must be really magical... the story was so engaging, well-plot and developed, the characters were believable and they were so amazing.. and the writing was so easy to digest yet pretty and sharp..

If you guys haven't read any Brandon Sanderson's book before like me, I really and highly recommend you guys to pick up this book, it is a great introduction of what we can expect and read more from him.. and although on Goodreads, it said that this book is part of a series, but I think it can be a Standalone.. so no worries guys... I love it, I think it's amazing, and I think you should read it too........ ok, to the next read

Book Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Published: February 28th, 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (paperback)

Pages: 527

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

Mara Dyer knows she isn't crazy. She knows that she can kill with her mind, and that Noah can heal with his. Mara also knows that somehow, Jude is not a hallucination. He is alive. Unfortunately, convincing her family and doctors that she's not unstable and doesn't need to be hospitalised isn't easy. The only person who actually believes her is Noah. But being with Noah is dangerous and Mara is in constant fear that she might hurt him. She needs to learn how to control her power, and fast! Together, Mara and Noah must try and figure out exactly how Jude survived when the asylum collapsed, and how he knows so much about her strange ability...before anyone else ends up dead!

Deskynowsky's Review (FREE SPOILERS):

HOLY HOLY HOLY BAT-SHIT!!!!!!!

I am just so soooo sooooo freaking glad that I decided to pick up this book, it's just definitely a 5 BRIGHT STARS READ! I have to thank-you, Ellen from AstridTheBookworm (a booktuber), her review on The Evolution of Mara Dyer convinced me to continue with the series... You might not know, but I didn't really impress with the first book, it was just too heavy on the romance-cheesiness! that I kinda felt a bit iffy about it... 

BUT THIS was/is definitely a winning sequel for me.. I fell in love with the story, the characters, the creeps, the romance, the mystery, and the everything! so PERFECT! Everything was just in right proportion! all the elements in the story were perrrrrrffffeeeccct! Enough creeps, enough romance (It's a Swoon Fest. and Noah was the STAR!), enough drama, enough thriller, enough mystery, it was just CLICKED!

What can I say more.. read this book, it's more intense, creepier, more mysterious, and more superior than the first!

OMG! I can not wait for the third book to come out! I WANT MOREEEEEEEE... the ending was craaazzzzyyy!!!! <3 <3 <3

July Multiple Books Reviews: 1. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Oh Wow, I think I have to say that July has been a great reading month for me. I read 10 books in total.. I am so excited..

Since it's been quite some time I haven't posted any book reviews, guess this is the time to catch up the absence don't U think? :)

1. The 5th Wave

Author: Rick Yancey
Published: May 7th 2013
Publisher: Penguin Books
Pages: 457 pages
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

The Passage meets The Hunger Games in a gripping new series from Carnegie-shortlisted Rick Yancey. After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave. On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, until Cassie meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be her only hope for rescuing her brother and even saving herself. Now she must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. Cassie Sullivan gets up.

Deskynowsky's Review:

Everyone has been raving about this book... So am I.. I was sooooo curious, because I really like a good YA SciFi with post-apocalyptic setting..

This book is definitely one of my fave books of year 2013! I am really impressed and satisfied with this amazing YA book!

Somehow the story of this book (for me) kinda reminded me of The Passage by Justin Cronin and The Host by Stephanie Meyer (and fyi, I love those two books). The idea of this book is in the line with the idea of The Host, and the post-apocalyptic world setting of the story is very much as creepy as The Passage.

I like all characters in this book, very well characterized and built with a devastating background-story which shaped their development through out the story. And as for the story line, this one is the most main factor that made me enjoyed and love reading this book. Like I have mentioned earlier, this book is for me like the combination of The Host and The Passage, but less complexed and complicated than the Passage, and more action than The Host. So, how could I not like this book?! xp

So I think, most people who like The Host (and/or The Passage) will like (and favorite) this book. So read it! :D

Book Highlight! : The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Publisher: Hyperion
Date Published: expected January 2013 (I am gonna die waiting ><)
Pages: 336

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive. 

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous--it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now that her little brother is gone too, Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall. 

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hardwon redemption.

I got approved on Netgalley for the sneak-peak of The Archived by Victoria Schwab. Basically, it was only the first nine chapters of the book. But, OH MY GOD! Now, I am sure the waiting for the book will be torturous! I need all chapters! I need the book right now!

This book will blow me away totally! what have those nine chapters done to me?! There was mystery (checked!), detective-feel (checked!), paranormal (checked!), a bit of crime (checked!), ghost (checked!), hunt (checked!), library (checked!). Romance? I felt there would be, but what nine chapters could tell me about it? (T.T) There was this guy, with spiked black hair, eyeliner (punk much?) and a very taunting smirk.. I really want more.. I wish I can tell more.. huhu..

So, the story would evolve around this girl (the heroine) named Mackenzie Bishop. And she was the Keeper. The Keeper was like a hunter who hunt lifeless-soul/ghost or to be exact their histories to be kept into the Archived at the Library of the dead. woooooooooo! but that was not just it, there were more.... she just moved to her new resident which used to be a century-old-old-Hotel and now an apartment! and guess what, as The Keeper of Histories of the dead she was able to see the past. And there was something! SOMETHING terribly wrong at her new resident! and I am really CURIOUS!

Hah....... January 2013.... where are you.......