Book Review: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Author: Morgan Matson

Published: May 8th, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 468

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis:

Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.

Deskynowsky's Review:

I cried at the end, coz the pain was too much..

There were three parts of story in this book, Romance, Friendship, and Family.. As for the Romance and Friendship, it was kinda typical for me, and predictable.. So am not going to write much about it.. it was okay.. it was cute..

But the family story in this book was really hit me close to the heart.. this book deals with issue of losing an important member of your family.. In this book, it was Taylor's dad.. In my life, it was my dad.. all the feels that were described in the book were pretty much the same painful feels that I had experienced in real life.. I was crying towards the end.. it was too spot on.. I can relate to Taylor and her family..big time...

And I just feel I can't write more, coz I am kinda emotionally drained.. Read the book, if it's Morgan Matson, it is a guarantee that it will be a perfect (summer) contemporary read...

Book Review: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Published: April, 12th 2012

Publisher: Orion

Pages: 324

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:

Eleanor is the new girl in town, and with her chaotic family life, her mismatched clothes and unruly red hair, she couldn't stick out more if she tried.

Park is the boy at the back of the bus. Black T-Shirts, headphones, head in a book - he thinks he's made himself invisible. But not to Eleanor...never to Eleanor.

Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mix tapes, Eleanor and Park fall for each other. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you're young, and you feel as if you have nothing and everything to lose.

Deskynowsky's Review:

OMG!

Possibly the best Rainbow Rowell's book I have read so far (the only book that I hvn't read from her is Landline, but I will read it soon)..

The story, the characters, the development were so hypnotizing.. There was something really classic, timeless, and super attractive about Eleanor and Park.. I can't say anything more, coz I personally found this book flawless! And the ending, tho it was kinda abrupt, but I couldn't help to smile and think what I think that would be.. It got to be it! *wink*

I WANT THIS BOOK TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE! I even made this super quick fanvid of who I think will picture Eleanor and Park.. Check it out! Haha and tell me what you think XD

Book Review: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Author: Jay Kristoff

Published: September 1st, 2012

Publisher: Tor

Pages: 451

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis:

Griffins are supposed to be extinct. So when Yukiko and her warrior father Masaru are sent to capture one for the Shogun, they fear that their lives are over. Everyone knows what happens to those who fail him, no matter how hopeless the task.

But the mission proves far less impossible, and far more deadly, than anyone expects – and soon Yukiko finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in her country's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled griffin for company. But trapped together in the forest, Yukiko and Buruu soon discover a friendship that neither of them expected.

Meanwhile, the country around them verges on the brink of collapse. A toxic fuel is slowly choking the land; the omnipotent, machine-powered Lotus Guild is publicly burning those they deem Impure; and the Shogun cares about nothing but his own dominion. Yukiko has always been uneasy in the shadow of power, when she learns the awful truth of what the Shogun has done, both to her country and to her own family she's determined to do something about it.

Returning to the city, Yukiko and Buruu plan to make the Shogun pay for his crimes – but what can one girl and a flightless griffin do against the might of an empire?

Deskynowsky's Review:

This is going to be totally subjective of me.... At the end, this book won me over and I ended up liking it.. *silent applause*

So lemme tell U this.. People who are Japanese, students of East Asian studies or Japanese Literature, huge fans of Japanese Mangas/Anime/Music/Drama/Film or like me who happened to grow up and still until today with Japanese entertainment medias (Mangas/Anime/Music/Drama/Film) so have enough/decent knowledge of everything Japanese.. Probably will criticize this book coz that was the first thing that I did when I read half way through the book..

Am not saying that I am an expert of Japanese culture because I am not.... But I think the author needs to do more in depth research on the general Japanese custom or culture during the feudal times where I think this book based on and twisted it with the steampunk touch and supernatural.. People who watch Anime and read Manga of Samurai X, Inuyasha, and Sakura Wars will understand what I am really saying here.. The fist wrapping thing, I never seen that custom on any Japanese customary in feudal times or any time.. I believe it is more the custom in Chinese martial arts.. Then I kinda have problem with the name calling, you guys who learn or have learned Japanese calling hierarchy must know how complex this thing.. Yeah, so in the first half, I found the name calling in the book was not what I expected esp when I already used to read or watch Japanese mangas or animes or tv series or movies.. So it was really hard not to compare it..

I also have problem with the writing style, it was too over descriptive so it felt meaningless at some point.. This book had a really slow and dragging development.. And almost ALMOST cheesy in the romance department..

And you guys, this book had REALLY DIFFICULT Japanese terminologies! I was saved because I used to these terms coz I was kinda grew up with it (watched animes since I was a baby maybe) and I did learn Japanese language for two years.. But for people who don't have the knowledge, It will confuse you, but there was Glossary at the back of the book which I just realized after like 150ish pages into it.. Hmm.. Just a mild reminder for U who want to read the book.. There is Glossary at the back.

So why a quite high rating.. When I could overlook all those flaws, this book was pretty engaging.. I probably started enjoying it after halfway through it.. The story did get better and had faster pace than the first half of the book.. Tho the writing style was still kinda too over descriptive that kinda gave me a headache.. The romance, when you think it was going to fall to cheesy category with "the beautiful boy with green eyes", you are wrong.. And Kin, I like this character way more than the female protagonist who was also the main character in the book.. I personally like Kin so very much, I think his story was really interesting and I wish for more of him.. And I also like the world building so far.. The ending was kinda satisfying and cliffhanger-ish at the same time that make you were wondering "and what happen next"..

So that was my review.. At the end I enjoyed it and liked it too.. Can't wait to read the sequel!!! (Hope there will be more of Kin.....) :)

TBR for period of 16th to 30th of June 2014 - Fantasy Marathon!

I am freaking excited to start these awesome fantasy books!

So I have:

- 2nd and 3rd books of Demon's Lexicon Trilogy by Sarah Rees Brennan, the Demon's Covenant an the Demon's Surrender ! I really really really love Demon's Lexicon, you can see my review of the book here (Book Review: The Demon's Lexicon (The Demon's Lexicon #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan). And I am sooo excited to see where everything will go after the whole crazy things in the 1st book!

- Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. This is going to be my first book by Brandon Sanderson. I have seen Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy around on BookTube community quite often lately, so I think I will start with this one coz I think it's a standalone so far.. And see if I really like it, I will start to collect the Mistborn trilogy books afterward :)

- AND SO EXCITED for STROMDANCER by JAY KRISTOFF!!! I think it's a Japanese Steampunk story.. It looks freaking bad-ass!

<3 <3 <3

Book Review: The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

Author: Robyn Schneider

Published: August 27th, 2013 

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (Int'l Paperback Edition)

Pages: 335

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis:

Ezra Faulkner was supposed to be homecoming king, but that was before—before his girlfriend cheated on him, before a car accident shattered his leg, and before he fell in love with new girl Cassidy Thorpe.

Deskynowsky's Review (Free Spoilers)

I was considering 3.5 stars, but I thought about it again, and decided to give it 3 stars.. It was Ok, definitely a coming of age story, about a boy who used to be The Golden Boy, The Popular Boy, but then he had a car accident that changed his life forever... And in the state of his changed life, he found another life that he had been overlooked... He started to find the true meaning of being a life etc etc etc... I like the premise of the story... The writing style was a bit slow and kinda long (in a way) and yeah..... it was really Ok, I didn't feel any particular feelings after finished reading this book..... The characters were Ok, well-developed, thou I could not say the same to a particular female character who helped the main male character in the book post-car accident.. But I thought she had served her purpose in the boy's life here.. So.. yeah... and on-to the next read!!! :)

Book Review: Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Author: Morgan Matson

Published: May 6th, 2014 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster (hardback)

Pages: 449

Rating: 5/5

Deskynowsky's Review (Free Spoilers):

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK!

This is definitely my favorite summer read so far! A very very very perfect Summer-Read! HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

This book somehow reminded me of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (in a way). These two are totally different story, but I think similar in how I feel about the female lead characters.. Although, I have to admit I love Emily Hughes more, the main female in Since You've Been Gone.. and Gosh.. can I have a Frank Porter!??? WE NEED TO CLONE THIS GUY!!!

This was a story about Emily who had a bestfriend named Sloane and then Sloane kinda disappeared at the beginning of Summer. Emily was a girl, a pretty much socially awkward and unconfident about herself and Sloane was exactly the opposite of Emily. Their friendship worked so well, and Emily was pretty dependent on Sloane in terms of social-interactions with a general-similar-age-group-of-people. The disappearance of Sloane had such impacts on Emily's life. She was like a ship without a captain. Then suddenly she received a list from Sloane sent by mail, a list of things that Emily would not normally do. But she really wanted to find Sloane, so she was hoping by doing the things in the list would put her closer to find Sloane. And this was the start of very many intersting, loving, heartwarming, funny, romantic adventures....

This book is so perfect and I really love it.. I love the writing style, the development of characters (yes, all characters in this book developed, not just the main one), the plot, the scenes, the drama, the romance, the adventures, the comedy.... oh man.. it's awesome....

If you like contemporary books, I am 100% sure that you will enjoy this book! So GO READ IT!!! <3

Current Reads for June 7th to 14th 2014 (or I hope I can finish it during this timeline) xp

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

Book Review: This is WAR by Lisa Roecker & Laura Roecker

Author: Lisa Roecker & Laura Roecker
Published: May 6th, 2014
Publisher: Soho Teen (paperback)
Pages: 276
Rating: 2/5

Synopsis:

This is not a story of forgiveness...

The mystery of their best friend's murder drives four girls to destroy the Gregory family. Emily Thorne would be proud.

Everyone at Hawthorne Lake Country Club saw Willa Ames-Rowan climb into a boat with James Gregory, the Club’s heir apparent. And everyone at Hawthorne Lake Country Club watched him return.

Alone.

They all know he killed her. But none of them will say a word. The Gregory family is very, very good at making problems go away.

Enter the W.A.R.— the war to avenge Willa Ames-Rowan. Four girls. Four very different motives for justice and revenge, and only one rule: destroy the Gregory family at any cost.

Deskynowsky's Review:

So after reading this book....I decided to give it two stars..

Well, it was not horrible, I found myself enjoyed reading it.. It was okay, thou there were things that I want to question... Because somehow it was just left me more confused...

These characters in the book were mostly unlikeable, but the writers did a pretty good job on how to make them pretty interesting when they put them in dramatic situation. The drama, mystery, and how they act in that situation, well it was quite intriguing.. The story was told in 5 parts.. And divided based on 4 characters POVs (part 4 & 5 from one particular character POV).. I think it meant for readers to get more understanding and relate to these characters, well tbh I still didn't like them and I couldn't sympathize with them as well..

In summary of everything about this book in one sentence, it would be "there was something happened, then nothing at all".. Yeah it was confusing.. I feel in a way, these characters didn't do much, and the mystery kinda unraveled in not very spectacular way..

It was meant to be a YA mystery summer book, and I was drawn to the mysterious cover, intriguing synopsis, and that sticker telling the book to be "TeenVogue YA hottest read"..

Oh well...

Book Review: The Demon's Lexicon (The Demon's Lexicon #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Published: June 2nd, 2009
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (hardback)
Pages: 336
Rating: 5/5

I can't tell you how many book reviews I have missed to write about on this blog... I am so sorry to neglect you for so long.. but I feel like to write one now.... This book, guys... THIS BOOK IS SUPER SUPER SUPER AWESOME!!!!!

I FOUND A GEM!!!!!!!! and thanks to my friend, Atri who relentlessly recommended me this book.. this is super awesome!.. THANK YOU!!! 

I LOVE THIS BOOOK SOOO MUCH!!!!I haven't read anything that kind of shocked and knocked me out of my chair as hard as this one!Great and Unexpected TWISTS! Amazing Characters! Superb Storyline! OH MY GOD!!!! I'm rolling on my bed wanting to have the second and the third book now! (already ordered them and their on their way now..... come now come nooowwwwww)

Okay, to put it simple, this was the story about two boys named Nick and Alan Ryves.. They were brothers (okay okay no spoilers, I feel like I want to scream now)... and these two couldn't be anymore different, they were like two sides of a coin, but they loved and cared to each other so much... Alan was the good one who people loved and trusted and Nick was the evil one who people were scared of.... until came these two unexpected people, siblings named Mae and Jamie. Mae had been told that they should come to these two brothers if something paranormal happened which involved her brother, Jamie and a demon mark. Jamie had been marked by a demon which meant that he would be possessed, there were three stages of a demon mark and he was already on the last stage which meant hopeless to get rid off the demon mark. Nick didn't care whatsoever about them, He and his bro also his weird and detached mom had their own problem and currently on the run from magicians who seemed want to kill them coz something that her mother took a long time ago. But Alan was being a good hearted person he was, determined to help them. Nick who cared about his brother would follow through with his brother's wish, no matter how pissed he was. But then something went wrong, and in a way to save Jamie, his brother got a demon mark as well.. oh you can bet how angry Nick was.. He didn't care about anyone, anything, and willing to let people die as long as he could save his brother.. this was where the adventure began!!!!

Dang I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! ONE OF THE ULTIMATE BEST BOOK IN MY ENTIRE READING LIFE! The first half of this book was great, with some actions and then the second half was GREATER (if that even a proper english word), the twist that happened toward the end of the book literally knock me out of breath! I was speechless and breathless. I needed time to stand and jumped to calm myself down..

The only thing that at first bothered me was this book is told the story from the Third Person POV... It took me a lil bit time to get used to it first, but as the story progresses, it didn't bother me that much anymore..

MANNNNNN.... I WANT THE SECOND AND THIRD BOOK NOW!!!! *waiting patiently for Mr. Mailman to come and deliver me the books... I WILL DEVOUR IT FOR SURE!!!*

2014 April Book Haul!

So guys, I decided to make a book haul video for April 2014. This is the first time I did it.. hope you guys enjoy! :)

July Multiple Books Review: Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

9. Prodigy (Legend #2)

Author: Marie Lu

Published: January 29th 2013

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 356 pages

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

Deskynowsky's Review:

*Sobbing in the middle of the night*

What have you done to me, Marie Lu...

I can't take this.... that ending is toooooo mucccch to bear.......

Overall, this sequel is amazing! I LOVE THE TWISTS! The unexpected turn out of events that actually changed everything about The Republic...

Day and June are just the most amazing characters ever! I love them emotionally and how they grow so much in this sequel.. Their relationship is just so believable, I just can feel that they are made for each other... I don't know what will happen in Champion, it literally gives me a nausea.. I even took a long break while reading this book coz I was just scared to know what will happen to them.. and *BAM!*, there's the surprise, *SOBBING harder here* (I don't even have the energy to put a gif to express my feeling - I don't even think a gif can express what I feel after that ending...*

July Multiple Books Reviews: 7. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #3) and 8. The Battle of The Labyrinth (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #4) by Rick Riordan

7. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #3)

Author: Rick Riordan

Published: April 8th 2008

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Pages: 312 pages

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

When Percy Jackson receives an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he'll need his powerful demigod allies at his side; his trusty bronze sword, Riptide; and . . . a ride from his mom.

The demigods reace to the rescue to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two new powerful half-bloods, whose parentage is unknown. But that's not all that awaits them. The Titan lord, Kronos, has set up a devious trap, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.

Hilarious and action-packed, this third adventure in the series finds Percy faced with his most dangerous challenge yet—the chilling prophecy of the Titan's curse.

8. The Battle of The Labyrinth (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #4)

Author: Rick Riordan

Published: April 7th 2009

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Pages: 375 pages

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Synopsis:

Percy Jackson isn't expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears on campus, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to diabolical.
In this latest installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop them, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth-a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn. Full of humor and heart-pounding action, this fourth book promises to be their most thrilling adventure yet.

Deskynowsky's Review:

THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING!

AND THAT ENDING THAT FRIGGIN ENDING!!!!

IN THE NAME OF ZEUS WHAT IS THIS SORCERY!!!??

I FOUND MYSELF REALLY CONFLICTED!

I don't know how Rick Riordan managed to always and constantly make the ending more interesting, intriguing, and perfect every-time..

This series is spectacular, gripping, and amazing!

GIVE ME BOOK FIVE NOW!