Diabolic by E.J. Kincaid

I wanted and waited for Diabolic since the day I heard of its premise. Well, I’m just thankful it wasn’t my money that paid for it. (HAHA thank you forever Yen!)

Diabolic wasn’t necessarily bad but was also not the best. I’ve had issues from the beginning and as I continued, there seemed to be a consistent ride of good and bad.

I am a sucker for royalty, whatever fantasy or galaxy it may be set. I’ve always been interested in the dynamics of power in a monarchy and set hierarchy and how individuals either revel or begrudge in it.

At this, Diabolic did not hold back. Set in a future Empire where your wealth is in your reputation and currency is in information, things were bound to get bloody. And they were. The sword was sharp and brutal. There was a live skinning, attempted rape, actual committed rape, and of course, murder. The sadist in me loved every moment of it. How else does a world feel real without witnessing its flaws?

However, the world building did lack on many areas and it was left to the acts of the characters themselves – no matter how trivial or grand – that created this reality. The concept, although familiar, was interesting and I do wish it was given more of a fleshing out to truly immerse the readers.

"But then, I’ve always believed love is the most volatile substance in the universe. It erupts, it incinerates, and then it simply flames out..."

If you’ve been a veteran of this blog, you’d know my greatest enemy in literature is insta-love. I simply cannot stand it in any way or form and Diabolic was crazy enough to be founded on that notion.

Diabolics are creatures – androids? – created and designed to protect a single person as long as possible. Apparently, that is through a “bonding” process with the master, which we act-iii-later learned was chemically involved. With Nemesis’ own words, I quote, “I wondered at the feeling inside me, which glowed like warm embers in my chest. This marvelous glow came from looking at her…This was love.” And in a world where love can’t even be scientifically explained, it just sounded ridiculous to me.

Looking back now post-reading, I am slowly understanding Nemesis’ loyalty and devotion to Sidonia. But love? Nemesis was a Diabolic bred not to feel emotion and pain, only to serve and protect. So why bother labeling it as love? Couldn’t it be just simple commitment? Love entails more than just looking after someone’s safety and reading from Nemesis’ point of view, that’s definitely not how she perceives whatever was going on.

From what we were given, it can be seen as insta-love but not really. Nemesis is Sidonia’s best friend and the heir treats her as such, with kindness, acceptance, and love. But where did this come from? There were no experiences or flashbacks of any sort that could create the history of their close and already established relationship. Yes, it was in Nemesis’ focused and stiff point-of-view but Sidonia was also a vital character to the plot and to Nemesis herself. Leaving out their childhood, their memories together and just assume their undying love for one another was a bad move. Since Diabolic was instituted from that relationship, it was critical that we know and understand these characters’ history with one another before anything else. In the end, I couldn’t care less about the naïve Sidonia because there was nothing to care about.

I could still get Nemesis’ rigid narration. She was a creature only for protective services, after all. What I couldn’t understand, however, was the need for blatant dictionary definition.
Diabolic was set in the far future where most of the rich population live in space. I admired the dynamics of it all: the throwaway and lax culture that was created, their Helionic religion, and the sheer brutality of their daily living. But apparently that also involved a definition of terms (and I’ve had enough of those from research papers). While I usually don’t mind being introduced to new or altered concepts to convey a different reality, Nemesis presented them in such a boring bomb in the face in about a paragraph or less.

“Sidonia is the Impyrean heiress. Her father is a Senator. A Senator is rich and has a position in the Senate. The Senate and the galaxy is ruled by the Domitrians.” Ugh, no. It took the fun right out of discovering their world for myself and unnecessarily dragged the plot just to explain this ritual or this tradition or this family. Memorizing the complicated surnames and positions were tedious enough then you would have to take note of the procedures for Senate voting along with it before you can continue with the story.

There are definitely better and more creative ways to present a world to the reader. I won’t take the excuse that it’s from Nemesis’ Diabolic point-of-view when these customs aren’t even foreign to her despite how she retold it as such. Kincaid have got to trust the reader to piece together events from context clues.

On the other hand, there were also ideas that were left too untouched. Such as the concept of Diabolic killing machines themselves. Are they androids capable of emotions? Are they enhanced humans? Do they even bleed? (And Neveni’s history with the Domitrians!) There wasn’t a balance between the basic information and adding depth to the world.

"Perhaps scorpions were the only ones who could save each other. Whatever lay ahead, it would always be the two of us above the rest of the universe, and woe to any who dared step in out path."

If there’s one thing I truly loved about Diabolic, it was Tyrus Domitrian. In a power hungry futuristic society, Tyrus was a piece curiously placed in the board. He was titled as Successor Primo, to lead the elitists and everybody else upon his uncle, the Emperor’s death. The catch was Tyrus was the resident madman – bringing shame and going against their religion, hearing voices in his head, and basking in vanity. So who would want him as Emperor?

The moment Tyrus and Nemesis met, I basically saw a glimpse of how it’ll end. But, the journey was still enjoyable. Tyrus was probably the only character I was able to fully relish and even relate to. He was built-up well with a known reputation, a distinct personality, and a clear motive – the telltale signs of a good character. In a world of false-youths, drug addiction, Diabolics, and stiff storytelling, he felt human. He was a good anchor in the vast, new world and an intriguing read.

On the other side of the scale, Nemesis was a Diabolic who repeatedly claimed her superiority. Upon this, I immediately thought of Khan in Star Trek: Into Darkness. Benedict Cumberbatch played this truly intelligent and strong antihero, who without a doubt dominates over an ordinary man even in presence alone. He can be seen as the antagonist – a murderer, to be exact – but his personal motives place him as a hero of his own story, determined to protect his family and exact revenge on the power that hurt them. Sounds familiar?

Then we meet Nemesis. She was a vigilant hawk, always looking out for Sidonia. And yes, she may be physically dominant with a constant lust for blood but she can really be stupid sometimes. She walked into situations that screamed bad (and ended up worse) to anyone with reason, all the while convincing herself that it is part of a strategic gameplay. Equally frustrating were the instances she let herself tricked by something so common sense and by someone named untrustworthy. Don’t even try to argue that she’s blinded by love or grief or whatnot. It was so completely out of character and against what Kincaid consistently tried to convince the readers of.

Nemesis was a different point-of-view, altogether, comprising of characteristics and thoughts an android would have. I personally think that there should’ve been another perspective side-by-side our Diabolic titular character. This would differentiate Nemesis from normal humans and further build up the description of a Diabolic. It would also create a more holistic storytelling. The focus was with Nemesis the entire time even if something more important was happening elsewhere. (Yes, I am talking about a certain useless prison, self-wallowing scene here.) Lastly, it would stop the info dumping.

"It’s terrifying to realize your own decisions are shaping your destiny."

I had such a high regard for Tyrus Domitrian that the ending simply took me aback. In a raised-eyebrow way. Diabolic revolved a lot around revenge and personal vendettas. The last act definitely dealt with the final pursuit of it all although in a sudden, uncharacteristic way. It still would’ve been good and acceptable if it weren’t so rushed and of course, suddenly tied up in a pretty neat bow. It read like a grand finale, tying up all loose ends. There wasn’t anything left – no cliffhanger or suspenseful epilogue – to have our hands itching for a sequel.

Diabolic as a whole feels like it’s still in need a fourth draft. There were inconsistencies with the characters, a limiting and dragging perspective, and a great lack in the world building department. Nonetheless, I still did enjoy Diabolic despite discovering a lot of concerns with it. I can’t promise that I would be picking up the sequel, though.

If you like an R-rated sci-fi with light romance and heavy drama, then I wouldn’t take away Diabolic from you. I simply belong to the minority.

Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

"My name is Magnus Chase. I’m sixteen years old. This is the story of how my life went downhill after I got myself killed."

After the Great Triggering and Depression of Lady Midnight and the withdrawal period that was Trials of Apollo, I was again emotionally available for something to read. Julienne, being ever so meticulous with her books (truly understandable!), eventually offered me a jacketless, hardbound of Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan (wordy!). Being the desperate that I am, I read it the same day it was given; thus, basically going in blind. Completely blind enough to be mindblown when I discovered that Magnus and Annabeth Chase were cousins. (Actually, that was probably bordering on pretty stupid.)

Given how I knew very much nothing about this thick book in my hands with really really sharp corners (I have the scars to prove it), I found Magnus to be refreshing and enthralling from the beginning. He was a homeless teenager, for Frigg’s sake. I can only count one book to start with that. And of course, the fact that he legitimately died somewhere in the first three chapters or so. (Clearly, when you kill off main characters, you earn points from me. I'm waiting, King’s Cage.)

“'What kind of animal am I eating?'  

Sam wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. 'It's named Saehrimnir.'

'Okay, first of all, who names their dinner? I don't want to know my dinner's name. This potato--is this potato named Steve?'

She rolled her eyes. 'No, stupid. That's Phil. The bread is Steve.'”

Magnus was humorous and adventurous as the story unfolds and to read, as well. His responses and reactions were sometimes too real to manage. However, he was built on this “thrust-into-a-new-world-turned-hero” template, sprinkled with sarcasm and just a little denial. I hate to say it but there were instances he was too generic for me to care about his wellbeing; there’s an assurance he’d get out of the situation because he’s just that amazing, even if he doesn’t know it yet.

Another issue I had was how he literally took in everything without a grain of salt. “Oh, there’s a whole world based on what I thought were just myths. Weird but yay!” “Oh, there’s a goddess right in front of me that I don’t even understand how they can exist. Nice to meet you!” Magnus was just an ordinary boy who lost his mother to Brooklyn wolves, enjoying the lack of responsibilities as a street kid then he was suddenly introduced to this vast and complex parallel world(s) of Norse. Response? Nod, smile, and join the bandwagon. It was more telling than showing.

I found his overall intentions in finding the sword of Summer extremely…blurry. Yes, the whole quest was to delay the inevitable Ragnarok but Ragnarok was never fully explained, in the first place, aside from prophecies that were meant to just happen. Obviously, it entails Doomsday, the end of the world, the apocalypse but we were never properly presented with the high stakes and so, I never felt the urgency of Ragnarok. Throughout the book, it often made me wonder, why is Magnus even doing this in the first place? Why does he care when he has got nothing left to lose anyway?

"The thing about fate, Magnus: even if we can't change the big picture, our choices can alter the details.That's how we rebel against destiny, how we make our mark. What will you choose to do?"

The inconsistent pacing and dragging around the middle didn’t help my already skeptical brain. While the adventures were fun to a degree, some moments simply felt unnecessary or forced and stretched the quest longer than necessary. The rising action had that sense of urgency everyone was going on about but on the long journey to the “climax” and “falling action”, delaying Ragnarok was dissolved to an item in a to-do list that must be finished before the weekend.

The whole quest of finding the sword of Summer and not letting the dog out (woof woof!) was a series of 45-minute episodes of a season of Magnus and Friends Travel Diaries. Almost literally. Every episode began and ended with a magic teleport to a world vital to the next step of plot. Every episode included a guest star vital to the next step of plot. Although the next episode was unpredictable – who knew we’d get to a giant’s beanstalk of a windowsill or the woodworks capital of the nine realms – the elements were repetitive and too convenient to the next step of plot.

Truth be told, I don’t necessarily mind meh story telling if the characters manage to bring the book up (i.e. Clockwork Angel). However, Sword of Summer ended up short just a little bit in that department. I don’t fault Rick Riordan for sticking with a Magnus POV. It was a necessary move but it limited to me loving Magnus and just liking (and sometime tolerating) everybody else. We get a clear depiction of everything Magnus – the camera was just solely focused on him – but it’s as if Riordan forgot, character arcs were happening at the same time. We only get updates on character developments and teasers of their intricate backstories like a Waize during traffic. This resulted on the dreaded detachment of reader.

One of the lacking things I actually enjoyed in Sword of Summer was the absence of nonplatonic love. This series starter very much focuses on family even from the beginning and I was impressed to discover it continued to be. There were a lot of familial elements, and although I wish it was more expounded and emphasized especially with Magnus and Friends, I still appreciate it and hope it’s more evident in the sequel.

Sword of Summer was a lot of things I liked and didn’t. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing Tom Hiddleston as Loki in the next book, Hammer of Thor.

Midnight Star by Marie Lu

To be honest here, this is my third draft of this review. Somehow, I just couldn’t express my thoughts right. So, I’m taking the blunt road out –

Midnight Star wasn’t what I was expecting. With the action-packed impression I got from Marie Lu’s other beloved creations, I thought it’d be breathless running and exhaustion from no breaks, especially for the final book. However, that doesn’t mean Marie Lu delivered a crappy-ass job.

Emotional and heart-wrenching, Midnight Star was the ending to the Young Elites Trilogy that by the end, I didn’t know I wanted. It was heavy with so much feelings, to say the least, and it was actually quite fun to be Adelina without the armor. I saw the evil she had lived through and there were times when I couldn’t help but not disagree with the new Queen of Kennettra’s cruelty. Marie Lu had created this inhuman anti-hero and seeing firsthand her humanization, the breakdown of her own illusions as she comes face to face with her demons, connects the reader to the real Adelina Amouteru.

"You cannot harden your heart to the future just because of your past. You cannot use cruelty against yourself to justify cruelty to others."

This connection served its purpose really well when the final chapters came rolling in and tears came running down. I’ve commended Marie Lu’s skill with playing with emotion before and here I am, praising her again. She got hold of my heart in this book and it must be fun messing with it with every tragedy that befalls the characters and every body that falls dead.

However, I had some issues with the love story and aspects about the mission-type storyline. For one, the Magiano and Adelina relationship felt forced at times, as if it was there for plot and ending-plot. I think I could’ve been fine if they were just close, trusted friends and that doesn’t take away the bond they had developed throughout the book. I got to say though, the hidden pool was real steamy, if you know what I mean.

Another was the whole idea of alignments and the whole "adventure to save the world" storyline. In my defense, due to certain circumstances involving stupidity, I wasn’t able to read the Young Elites (but I stayed so that’s saying something) and after being immediately introduced to the Elites’ capabilities in the Rose Society, the whole “alignments to certain stones” sounded off. Adelina also seemed to put a lot of blind faith on Raffaele’s hunches about their entire journey, especially as she considered him as an enemy.

This branches on to how there were inconsistent characterizations from the previous books and a lack of fleshing out - Maeve and Lucent, anyone? Sometimes supporting characters simply become a bokeh in the background, only called on stage when needed because plot. I don't know if it was just me or because of Adelina's perspective but the tone of the entire book bordered on depressing and dragging (emotionally heavy, didn't I say?).

Nonetheless, I personally consider Midnight Star's ending a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy and the whirlwind of Adelina’s story, although the areas leading up to it are just quite. Throughout the whole series, Marie Lu did a tremendous job bringing to life such a strong and punishing yet internally tortured anti-hero and relating her pain and struggles. And with the position Marie Lu left her in, I honestly hope she finds her peace and happiness. (Notice that I only focus on Adelina?)

There's definitely some love and not-quite-life-but-question-mark in this book.

Before saying goodbye to this series, I would like to special mention this Goodreads review I have discovered where she expounds a few points to wonder that I couldn't and also, perfectly describe my reactions to certain deaths in the book (and she also managed to make me realizes a few other flaws here and there).

Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs

I did not like Hollow City. Not that it was pure terrible and should be burned to ashes and scattered in hell; I just forgot about it.

The movie for Miss Peregrine’s has come out in the Philippines and the days leading up to it, I had decided to borrow the last book to the trilogy to somehow get back into the world of Peculiars.

A big problem I had in Hollow City bridged on to Library of Souls – Jacob’s voice. Needless to say, I didn’t like it. He sounds like a professor with a doctorate or a man who had lived in late Victorian times when he’s supposed to be a teenage boy, fumbling over life like life was fumbling over him. This made him distant as a character and I couldn’t relate to him emotionally at all. Sometimes I even forgot that it was in his narration not in third person. This was probably the very reason I had forgotten nearly everything about Hollow City.

About ¼ through the book, I was considering making it a DNF. Very very close to actually doing it. The events were happening so slowly as if in real-time and some scenes felt so irrelevant to the whole arc. A number of the vintage pictures were also added to the story just to be considered added. They didn’t bring the story forward at all. I wasn’t a fan of it, especially with the addition of Jacob’s narration. After much deliberation, Lauren Hannah’s review said that eventually things will start to pick up and for that, I continued reading and flipping and reading and flipping.

To say it was worth it would only encompass 20%. There may have been more action and climax but it was as if slow pacing was taping exciting moments together. It was riding a rollercoaster that jerks and speeds up every few seconds.

"An opportunist disguised as a friend can be every bit as dangerous as an outright enemy."

One of the few things that I actually enjoyed more than I expected was Emma and Jacob’s love story. While the declaration of love is still an itch I couldn’t get rid of, it was definitely way more appropriately paced than what I’ve recently read and watched. Their little gestures and honest conversations were so sweet to read, especially in their life-or-death situation.

This made me love Emma more than I did in the previous books (as much as I can remember anyway). She was very mature, somehow acting her age despite her youthful appearance and how you expect her to act. (I guess Riggs really nailed an older, more experienced voice.) You see her love for her Peculiar family and her pride in being Peculiar in every small way she fought for them, no matter how heavy the challenges they were facing.

As resolutions were being presented, I was actually in better terms with the sad, torn ending of Jacob having to choose between Peculiardom and his normal life. The last few chapters of trying to move away from that heartbreaking choice felt so rushed and convenient as if Ransom Riggs was just putting too much sense to justify what was happening and what was about to happen. The absolute ending was way too happy for my taste, solving in a snap every issue brought up during “the choice”. But then fine, maybe Jacob deserves some happiness after all that tragedy.

Overall, my feelings about Library of Souls are very mixed with aspects I liked and storytelling that just didn’t float my boat. I can however attest that I am leaving the Peculiardom for good (unless maybe someone got me a copy of Tales of the Peculiar because damn). My place is probably in another world. *cough* still waiting on my letter, Hogwarts *cough*

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

Goodreads

This Is Where It Ends was not bad, nor was it really good. I praise the use of diverse characters and love the LGBT+ that was present, but they were mostly flat. There were back stories and deep thinking somewhere in those many POVs, supposed to make me connect but it was like watching those exaggerated high school dramas that I can never relate to. 

"There are no words in that fleeting moment between hope and the knowledge. There is no way to express how a heart can burst and break at the same time, how the sun can cut through the darkness but will cast shadows everywhere.

There are only fingers that entwine with another's, arms that link in solidarity." 

The only character I could see myself in was Autumn because we're both dancers going through dancer problems and that was it. I wasn't with the characters, going through the fear and the adrenaline. I was a mere spectator, one of the citizens watching from television screens. 

"You can't always keep your loved ones with you. You can't always settle your life in one place. The world was made to change. But as long as you cherish the memories and make new ones along the way, no matter where you are, you'll always be at home." 

The distant feel from the characters affected the flow and effect a tragic story should have. 

This Is Where It Ends promises an intrigue from its premise but it actually offers a pretty simple story line. If the characters were further fleshed out and the backstory behind the whole hostage taking was bit more complex, then I would've truly enjoyed this story. 

"We may not have forever. But we still have tomorrow."

Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard

Rating: 3 

I loved Red Queen but sadly, I didn't love Glass Sword that much. As much as I don't want to admit it, it was more of a bridge book than anything.

The aftermath of Red Queen that I was waiting for was barely there. Glass Sword was in a continuous loop of running, getting caught, escaping, running, and so on.

"I am your rightful king, Silver-born for centuries," he replies, seething, "The only reason you're still breathing is because I can't burn the oxygen from this room."

Maven, the traitor, the villain, the evil antagonist's presence was merely a portrait hung on walls in every town. Literally. His character in Glass Sword was created by just testimonies. Let's just say, I was captivated by the young, innocent Maven, much like Mare, and the sequel failed to convince me otherwise.

Glass Sword focused more on Mare's character development and seemed to only use the storyline as a plot device. She was darker than she's ever been in Red Queen and even more as her journey progresses. Mare was so much of a flawed character, which I love. You can feel her paranoia and immense distrust, as well as her loneliness. But eventually it got real annoying real fast. All she focuses on is herself and her revenge that she's bringing herself to her own downfall, dragging everybody with her. (I totally agree with Cameron Cole.)

"No heart can be ever be truly understood. Not even your own."

I don't have anything against character-driven plots but Glass Sword drove through Mare a bit too much that I am oblivious to everything else as she is. There are so many storylines that were just left fleshed out. (Shade and Farley, anyone?)

Glass Sword wasn't all bad - I cherished every MareCal moment - but it definitely went below my expectations.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Goodreads 

The Invisible Girl, The Jock, and The Mean Girl (+ The Boy Next Door)
I read this book because of all the hype surrounding it and I am glad but mostly regretful that I read it. Lara Jean was a Korean-American 16 y/o, who might as well be passed off as 12. She was childish - "kiddish", in her own words - whiny, and spoiled. Most of her decisions were rash and impulsive then she complains about the consequences of said decisions afterwards, especially when it comes to her younger kid sister, Kitty. Hell, even Kitty is more mature than Lara Jean sometimes.

I just let people believe what they please. I don't feel like it's my responsibility to quantify myself for them.

Here comes Peter Kavinsky, the popular, handsome boy in the entire school. Athletic, member of the lacrosse team, and of course, one of the recipients of Lara Jean's love letters. Basically, the "perfect" guy. I feel like I should include douche in the description. After a certain happening with Lara Jean, besides receiving the letter, he decided to be part of a fake boyfriend-girlfriend relationship with her, to finally cut ties with the "evil", drop dead gorgeous, and equally popular ex, Genevieve.

All the cliches can write a book! Oh wait...it did!

The letters were portrayed in the synopsis and at the beginning of the book as important elements but they were easily forgotten as the book decided to focus on the budding romance and lousy love triangle. Am I the only one who figured out who took and sent out those letters? I think not.

Romance, you say? 
Between, Peter K and Lara Jean, the romance was predictable yet undeniably adorable at times, especially the instances where it was just them, being truly real. Those were the most bearable and even sweet and pleasant to read.

I don't think relationships are just about physicality. There are ways to show you care about someone, not just using your lips.

Lara Jean's dynamic with Josh, however, was merely confusing and wrongly placed. Yes, Josh was Lara Jean's past love and the main reason she started a fake relationship with Peter in the first place, but throughout the book, it felt like he was being treated simply as property -  a possession war like a pair of boots being fought over by 2 sisters with  one of them captivated by the rest of the items while the other was slowly but surely undermining the other sister. "I saw him first so he belongs to me." "But I got to him first so he's mine now." "So unfaaaaaair!"

So what did I like about this book that stopped me from rating it 1? 
I didn't hate TATBILB 100% and I do not wish to go out on a negative note, so heare I am stating what I enjoyed reading the most: Margot Covey. Jenny Han created Margot to be the "big sister/mother replacement", the uptight, high strung figure of the family and out of all the characters, she was the one who felt real and whole - on par with Kitty. She was strict, in a good way, and rational and at the same time, caring and loving, putting her sisters and Dad before her. College in Scotland was her chance to think of herself after so long and coming back to being left out and betrayed by none other than her Lara Jean was painful. Margot's characters lifted off the page and my heart went out to her struggles more than Lara Jean's love letters.

A lot of my friends really loved and enjoyed TATBILB. It is fairly well written with a good exposition but the characters and storyline simple fell apart for me. They were uncharacteristically brittle like undercooked cookies. Maybe it's all about preference - if you enjoy a quirky romance and tolerate cliches, then TATBILB offers its pages for you. Even though Jenny Han, in a sense, summed up first loves and true loves beautifully, it just didn't work out for me and I have no plans on reading the sequel, whatsoever.

I think I see the difference now, between loving someone from afar and loving someone up close. When you see them up close, you see the real them, but they also get to see the real you. 

P.S. (Ha, see what I did there?) Scroll up and see my fail of a book photography. The orange hue is killing me huhu but that's what I get for taking pictures after sundown.

Partials by Dan Wells

Goodreads

Partials by Dan Wells

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with Partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. But sixteen-year-old Kira is determined to find a solution. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that that the survival of both humans and Partials rests in her attempts to answer questions about the war's origin that she never knew to ask.

                                           Rating: 3/5

Maybe I read it too early after The Scorch Trials let down or maybe Partials' impact on me is just really like that, but I'm sad to say that it was just "meh" for me.

The world building was great. The plot line was good. But the characters were mostly two-dimensional. They have some personality, yes, a great deal of the time, I have to remind myself that they're there, that they're the one's doing to talking and action. They weren't as fleshed out as I would've liked. We didn't know much of how they met. (Marcus and Kira, anyone?) Or where they're from? (Pretty much all of the supporting characters but Xochi.)

Partials was favorable. It was fast paced but quite predictable. I enjoyed all the science talk though, even if I get lost halfway through. I really would've liked it more if it didn't feel like such a stranger.

Lacking: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Rating: 3

Cas Lowood "kills" ghosts. They are dangerous and it his job to make them rest in peace.

He's used to fighting for his life in the process, so when bloody Anna decided not to kill him, he is determined to find out why. 

Author: Kendare Blake
Series: Anna
Published: 3rd of July, 2012 by
Genre: Paranormal > Ghosts
Format: 316 pages, paperback
Source: purchased

*Kindly take note that this review was written without being informed in any way this there is a sequel. Details are correspondingly changed.*

When ghosts and blood (and killing, of course) are included, I definitely expect days of paranoia and nights of hiding under the covers. And unfortunately, Anna Dressed in Blood, didn't make it through.

Having never read any ghost-killing book before, I found Kendare Blake's work very original yet very soft. Learning about the ghosts' varying backstories and murderous habits was exciting but the actual athame-stabbing-moment lost the punch. There was no heartbeat skipped, no breath taken away.

I was constantly getting distracted because Cas Lowood's grip isn't vise-like enough and his voice sounded like a girl. I don't mean to be sterotypical or anything but from reading mostly female narrations, I notice the difference. There wasn't an 'hmph' to his words. It was actually Anna's voice that brought that strength I've been searching for in a main character.

Whatever expectation I had for Anna, she surmount them all. In other words, I love her more than any other character. Anna is more than just a truly gruesome ghost who, for some reason, spared Cas his life. She's a being, much like us, stuck in a cage she cannot escape from, left with little to no choice. Admittedly at first, she scared me with her whole bloody facade and then came the young Finnish girl who should've had a better future than death. She was a well rounded character; I applaud Blake for that. It's Anna who made me finish the book and like it, at least.

Towards the last few chapters, the whole storyline pretty much stirred away from the whole Anna Dressed in Blood idea. It was a truly unexpected curve and another unexpected ending. I haven't got into terms with it still; I think this twist would've been better executed in a sequel, where it could be more detailed, coherent, and solid.

A lot of what I'm reviewing may seem unclear but I can't really say much without spoiling all the mysteries formed in the synopsis. Unfortunately. (Maybe I'll get a spoilery review done.)

With an abrupt conclusion and a tame narration, Anna Dressed in Blood should've been better. But through a bloody terrific ghost and an adorable relationship *ehem ehem*, it was enough for me to like it.

Goodreads || Kendare Blake

Outrageous: Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Rating: 3

Maylene Barrow may be odd with her weird traditions - three sips of a silver flask. But she is the only true family she has left.

So when Maylene passed away, Rebekkah had to return to the place she never intended to go back, only to find out that her dear grandmother was bloodily murdered and to learn that she has a bigger role in Claysville than the step granddaughter who left - along with the person she never intended to reconcile with. 

Author: Melissa Marr
Series: standalone (with an e-novella prior to the story)
Published: 9th of May, 2011
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: 324 pages, hardcover
Source: purchased



Graveminder started off great - a lot of mystery that keeps on the edge, desperate for answers to questions that aren't even directly asked. It was riveting and thrilling, especially in its gradual pace. I find my heart always beating fast when I flip to the next page because maybe then we would get some clarification. But we don't, not really. And it keeps getting better and better.

Until the moment when we actually discover the truth, the facts, all the hidden town secrets buried in its own land. The suspense of the continually mentioned "Graveminder" and "Undertaker" build up a lot and the big reveal didn't really match up to it, for me, anyway.

What made it worse is the romance that felt so incredibly forced. At the beginning, when everything makes you crazy - good crazy - Rebekkah and Byron's romantic ties made sense. It was believable due to the circumstances surrounding their relationship. And then the answers came flooding in and their love and affection became fake.

As the story progresses, the well-written mystery decreased - although it is still there but predictable - and the question - the sole focus - turned into, "Should I tell him that I love him or not?" The grief that was supposed to be there transformed into fondness that was too much at times.

Their whole dilemma with the love they uncontrollably obtain towards one another ruined the progression of the book. Or maybe because it felt a lot like insta-love (number one book turn off) or rather, a mandatory insta-love.

It would've been better if their romance is modified somehow.

The murder mystery case wasn't one I enjoyed too. Yes, I admit I did not figure out the mastermind beforehand and I found myself disbelieving upon knowing. The whole murder plot in Claysville is pretty impressive for Claysville. I just had a huge problem with the execution.

There weren't a boxes of sparks that really set you on fire. Rebekkah didn't even do much to put an end to the mayhem.

The beginning of Graveminder sent me spinning but the rest just annoyed me.

Goodreads || Melissa Marr

Genuine: The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins

Rating: 3.5/4

This book is a companion volume to Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Spoilers for P&P below. Consider yourself warned.

The weddings are done and everybody's happy. Now it's time for the new couples to live in a new world of love, life, grief, obstacles, and joy.

Author: Rebecca Ann Collins
Series: The Pemberley Chronicles

Published: 1st of April, 2008

Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: 384 pages, physical copy (paperback)

Source: purchased

What can I say about a book that brought me back to those days of adoring Jane, agreeing with Lizzie, and fangirling Mr. Darcy?

Well, it is universally acknowledged to be worth it. 

About a year ago, I watched the pilot of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and ended up marathoning them all. As much as I dread to say it, I have not read Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen but Lizzie's story of finding love in the oddest of places still captured my heart. (Just like Harry Potter.) It's one of my favorite classics of all time.

So the reason for buying The Pemberley Chronicles is laid out front. (Another is that it's in the bargain section and I can't resist the opportunity.) And adding this to my ever-growing bookshelf is a not regretted decision. It honestly surprised me in unexpected ways and drowned me with all the Darcy-and-Lizzie feels.

Rebecca Ann Collins was able to make the characters truly Jane Austen's. They underwent a lot of blissful moments and tragic events all throughout that you notice the changes - sometimes subtle - in manner in everyone of them. Any yet, Lizzie was still Lizzie with her teasing habits, Jane with her delicate persona, Lydia with her slutty attitude, and Darcy with his sturdy silence.

The Pemberley Chronicles revolves around the lives of the Bennet family - mostly Lizzie as Mrs. Darcy - after the happy marriages of the two eldest daughters. It includes a lot of letters between Lizzie and her loving Jane and Charlotte, as well as each of the characters reception of political and economical crisis that had occurred during the Georgian era. The politics was interesting to learn but there are times when my attention drifts away from the pages. This addition, however, made the characters even more real, as if they truly lived and struggled with these problems.

Lizzie and Darcy are very much contented to be the "happiest couple in the world". And I have no disagreements about that, but as their story developed with this statement in mind, it seemed like everything was blissful and perfect. Everybody was happy.

It took a few hundred pages to reach some tragedy - excluding the political concerns among the husbands. And by that time, I was definitely eager for some action. I can't say it was very well played. Just quite. (pun intended)

The adversities that struck, however, were truly heartfelt being matters of life and death, literally.

Collins' work isn't the perfect sequel to Pride and Prejudice that I'd expected. But it was as genuine as it could get. Fine by me.

|| Goodreads ||

Heart-rending: Where She Went (If I Stay #2)

My gaze returns to earth and when it does, it's her eyes I see.

Although it is not infinitely better than it's prequel, Where She Went did not fail to touch my heart.

Set years after Mia left Adam, the novel has a mysterious atmosphere around it that kept my interests at bay. Adam himself was not only wondering why Mia left him but also how it all ended up to his present life: consistent panic attacks, nosy reporters, uncontrollable recognition, insanity, and his distance between music which he once loved. 

Gayle Forman wrote in a unique and emotional way that I found myself contemplating as well. She was able to use Adam the way I'd expected a writer to do. It is to turn him into lovely poison that digs through the extent of your mind and heart until it aches. 

It's not a perfect book. There are instances where the pacing went from splendid down to moderate. A point to argue is that Adam's New York journey revolves around the sun once. A 24-hour story is challenging indeed, but there's still so much that could've been done than just bowl in a bus stop with a person you've learned to despise. [Take The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight as an excellent example.] 

Speaking of bowling in a bus stop, I can't fully agree that surrealism is present. It is believable for a contemporary story of rekindling a friendship, but for a world famous rock star with an album sold off the charts? Nope. It doesn't fit the puzzle of Adam Wilde's celebrity life.

There is a black hole in Adam's heart and Gayle Forman stitched it up exceptionally with an unexpected juncture that made my heart palpitate with the realization of the truth.

The sequel to If I Stay and the conclusion to the duo forms a dark and light stirring read of Adam's search for his voice, his music, and his love that will truly touch and twist your inner workings, especially your heart.

It's been three years since Mia abandoned Adam. 

He should have gotten over it by now, but no. He has questions and she has the only answers. 

With a twist of fate, the two successful musicians manage to be at the same place at the same time. Will Adam be able to know where she went? And why she left?

Author: Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay
Published: 17th of April, 2012 by Speak
Genre: Young Adult > Contemporary
Format: 274 pages, physical copy (paperback)
Source: purchased

Where She Went | Gayle Forman | Book Trailer | Goodreads

Alluring: If I Stay

How am I supposed to decide this?

Gayle Forman's If I Stay is an excellent and interesting novel lingering in the YA contemporary genre that focuses on the matters of life and death.

Most adore this book from beginning to end because of the emotional grip it has on readers. Sadly, I am not one of them.

The characters are all admirable and charismatic yet throughout the whole of the book, they felt...flat and conventional. They are helium balloons that I've desperately tried to hold onto but just cannot.

Forman's writing is brought it up. It possesses this certain consistency that allowed me to flow well with the Mia's sentimentality that surprises you with her present.

Life might take you down different roads. But each of you gets to decide which one to take. 

If I Stay deals with choosing to remain or let go (as you've noticed by the title, obviously). I believe this tough and important decision isn't asserted enough as I expected it to be. Maybe because I am apathetic of emotions but shouldn't that be a goal? To break the unfeeling barrier and truly touch the reader's heart?

Fortunately, the presence of notes and instruments created a foundation strong enough for me to hold on to Mia's day of contemplation.

This debut is as outstanding as people say. The time allotted in reading this novel is not a waste as we weave through a web of desperation, love, and hope, flavoring music tastes in the process.

Blessed with her wants and needs, cellist Mia has it all: a life full of loving memories, numerous music, and infinite possibilities. She never expected it to disappear with Beethoven's sonatra. 

Now entangled between the battles of living and the tranquility of dying, Mia is left with only one choice that will change her future forever.

Is she willing to let everything go?

Author: Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay
Published: 6th of April, 2010 by Speak
Genre: Young Adult > Contemporary
Format: 262 pages, physical copy (paperback)
                                                         Source: purchased

If I Stay | Gayle Forman | Book Trailer | Goodreads