2014 Wrap-Up: The End (Blog-A-Thon Day 1)

This is a celebratory post to the series that have ended this year and a wrap up of my thoughts to all of them because I suck at writing reviews for all of them.  I didn't manage to catch the end of EVERY series of 2014 (cause girl can only read so many of them) but these are the ones I finished.

*This post only applies to series that ended in 2014. I might have read some series late and didn't finish them in time. I'M SORRY TO THOSE ONES IF I REALLY LOVED YOU I PROBABLY TRIED TO WRITE A REVIEW TO YOU GUYS OR ACTUALLY WROTE ONE

**Also I don't count novels that are companion novels to each other as a series (like Anna and the French Kiss, Lola the Boy Next Door, and Isla and the Happily Ever After) but it doesn't mean I don't love them.

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Article 5

Series review found here.

Oh jeez I forgot about this series haha. I read Article 5 in my fetus dystopian rage trend years and I blew through SO many dystopians and Article 5 certainly did not escape me with it's haunting and gorgeous covers. I loved it at the time while my more rational friend Summer (who some of you may remember from that one cameo review she wanted to do on the blog) thought that the characters lack dimension. Obviously me being me, I shrugged it off. By the time Breaking Point came out, I had calm down a little on the dystopians and gotten a better grasp of what my standards are of a series.

 It's a very simple classic dystopian stories without too many crazy twists, really focusing on the main idea of what a dystopian novel is, but that also comes with a con of it not having something extra unique to its world setting.

Shatter Me

Series review found here.

Chapter 55. :3

Under the Never Sky

Series review found here.

I have such fond memories of this series. It certainly is not the most well written or thrilling dystopian series out there but Veronica Rossi does it right with her well rounded characters with relationships that you can't help but feel for, and simple basic premise that doesn't overly complicate everything. It's clean, thorough, and angst free, making it an easy feel good series for the dystopian fan.

(Also the covers and the titles!!)

Blood of Eden

Series review can be found here.

I hope by now you guys know how much I love Julie Kagawa because holy cow can that lady write. I love her Blood of Eden series way more than her Iron Fey series and the fangirling was REAL. #thestruggle
 SHE LITERALLY SPARES NO FEELS. A cruel cruel writer (for fangirls) and so good at GOOD cliffhangers. (*cough The Eternity Cure) Just a wild ride. I just finished her new book on her new dragons series and I want to just take my feels and strangle Julie Kagawa with it because ASDFGHJKL. Highly recommend this one.

The Mortal Instruments

Review for City of Heavenly Fire here.

The fact this has ended is like mind blowing to me. LIKE IT ENDED. IT ACTUALLY ENDED. It's been so long and such a great ride and just. Ah. There's a lot I want to say but the one thing I can really say about this novel is nostalgia. I started the series just before finishing elementary school and I've been looking forward to a new TMI book every other year (as TID crossed in inbetween) and now it's just.  Over. There's a lot to love about it but it's also not everyone's cup of tea. Obviously I was a MAJOR fangirl at the start and now while I still love the series, it's no longer my obsession, but I'm still so glad that I read this because it lead me to The Infernal Devices which is one of my favourite series EVER.

The Syrena Legacy

Series review can be found here.

This series is a roller coaster. It literally threatens to kill me with everything it throws me with. I'm not a huge fan of mermaid novels, but by far this is my favourite series for mermaids. Now this series isn't without it's flaws, completely suffering from the second book curse, but there's something about the setting and the characters that just almost makes up for all of it.

Mythos Academy

Series review can be found here.

Oh gosh another long time series come to an end. I started Mythos when Kiss of Frost had came out so I think I've been following this series for.. two years?  While there are definitely rocky moments in this series and it could've been shorter, it is a great norse mythology series and I definitely really enjoyed it.

Also Known As

I love this series. It's adorable and quirky and brings back those early Gallagher Girls' series feels. The characters are loveable and endearing and the plot is well paced and mixed perfectly with serious espionage and funny moments. Recommended if you're a fan of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series or Heist Society series.

Everneath

I won't lie, I started this series purely because Everneath was a gorgeous cover.
#judgeme
But it turned out to be a pretty good series. Nothing shocking or amazing, but it held its own. I enjoyed it for what is was, but it's nothing mindblowing. Good characters, plot and premise. Simple, cohesive and thorough. I will say though the covers are amazing.

The Steampunk Chronicles

I meant to do a series review on this but never got around to it. I haven't read a great deal of steampunk but of what I've read, I like this series quite a lot. It starts off very strong with The Girl in the Steel Corset, and though it takes a bit of a div around the third book of the series, the fourth one wraps up everything in a very satisfying conclusion- although I will say the fourth one shifted focus of the main characters a bit.

The Grisha Trilogy

Series review found here.

This series is fantastic. It's high fantasy that's dark, edgy and sexy in all the right ways and has a fantastic premise and set up. Leigh Bardugo does not disappoint when it comes to writing, and a strong heroine who has flaws. And let me tell you, a villain to die for. Fantasy done right.

The Lux Series

(I refuse to acknowledge the cover change of the fifth book. No. No. IT DOESN'T MATCH THE REST OF MY BOOKS ASDFGHJKL)

Oh gosh another Jennifer Armentrout series. She sure knows how to write paranormal romance. (or sci-fi in this case) I adored this series in the beginning. The beginning is the strongest of the series, as it is for most of Jennifer's series as I found. I didn't particularly love Origin or Opposition but it wrapped up the series. If anyone's who's looking for a snarky steamy series that pushes the boundaries of YA a little... wellllll :))

The Heroes of Olympus

Series review here.

THANK YOU RICK FOR LEO VALDEZ. BLESS YOUR SOUL.
And what are the chances we'll get more Percebeth???!!!!

(Honestly if you haven't read Percy Jackson... REALLY!! Even I did it okay I like procrastinated on this series until The House of Hades)

The Darkest Minds

I literally just finished this a while back. ALEXANDRA BRACKEN. WHY. WHY DO YOU LIKE TO TORTURE US. HUH. DO OUR HEARTS NOT MATTER??!!
*breathes
That aside, this series has such a cool premise, well written, AND UNBELIEVABLY GOOD CHARACTERS. Honestly you get so attached to them. I had a few issues with pacing, feeling like it dragged a little in the middle, but the characters are so worth it. The last book was a good conclusion but I wanted a little more out of it.

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DAY 1 OVER. Oh my gosh I forgot how much work these are with the picture formatting *drowns in self-pity for sucking at technology

Thanks if you made it to the end of such a long post!
Tomorrow will be my monthly post, and then two more days of Blog-A-Thon. WHEEEE.

Blog-A- Thon 2014

I'M ALIVVVE YESS



I lived through my exams. Holy crap this isn't even my last year of high school yet. I AM NOW TERRFIED FOR NEXT YEAR. ASDFGHJJKL


BUT ANYWAYS. I AM DONE. I AM EXCITED TO BE ON BREAK.
So like last year, I'm going to be doing Blog-A-Thon again! Three days of posts to end off the year! Usually consisting of a year-end wrap of reviews for series, awards, and my top ten of the year. I'm going to throw in one more post this year. (A very opinionated end to the year... hehe)

SO DATES: Janurary 1st will be my usual monthly post. I'm going to split Blog-A-Thon up a bit so the dates aren't to crazy. I will have one post on December 31st and then Janurary 2nd, 3rd, 4th will be the rest!


Other than I'm going to see if a) I can finish off my reading challenge and b) if I can actually blog something.

OKAY LATERRR

Blog Tour: The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer by Laxmi Hariharan (Review + Giveaway!)

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Book: The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer
Author: Laxmi Hariharan
Rating: 4.25/5 stars - a suspenseful thriller but needs some backstory
Synopsis:

A girl desperate to rescue her best friend.
A cop willing to do anything to save the city he serves.
A delusional doctor bent on Bombay’s annihilation.

When Ruby Iyer’s best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr Kamini Braganza, she will do anything to rescue him. Anything, including taking the help of the unpleasant Vikram Roy, a cop on a mission to save Bombay.

The city needs all the help it can get, and these two are the only thing standing between Bombay and its complete annihilation by Doctor Braganza’s teen army.

As Bombay falls apart around them, will Ruby be able to save her friend and the city? Will she finally discover her place in a city where she has never managed to fit in? And what about her growing feelings for Vikram?

Get it on Amazon, shelf it on Goodreads.

Review:

*Much thanks for Laxmi and her publicist Ally for sending me a copy of the novel so I can participate in this blog tour. Apologies for the post being a bit late as I had technical difficulties.

I had not previously read of Laxmi's novels, but The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer was quite exciting.

I would've gotten to this novel sooner had it not been something called finals, but when I finally found like to sit down and enjoy this novel, I finished it in one sitting. Laxmi has such wonderful control on the tension and the plotline of this story. It's tense in all the right places, and nothing too revealing is given away which keeps the plot fast paced and leaving you to want more.

Our main character Ruby Iyer is a likeable protagonist who we can sympathize and understand through the story. There are hints to her childhood that give us an idea to why she is who she is today, and it shows why she has such loyalty to her best friend because of her own past. Also. BAD. ASS. Can I please have her fighting skills. PLLLLLEASE?

My own issue was the book was I felt like it needed a bit more to it. I wanted more on Ruby's childhood and backstory, as well as more on the other characters, especially her best friend Pankaj. He's an equally interesting character and there were more things I wanted to know about him! Perhaps they will be explained in the second novel... (BUT I WANT IT NOW).

While the romance was not what I was particularly interested in throughout the story, it certainly didn't take away from the story. So don't worry if you're concerned that it becomes the main issue of the story!

There were so many elements to the story that I did wanted to get some more information on. No spoilers, but I wanted to know why certain things were the way they were or a little more on why this happen the way it did. Whether or not it was because we needed to wait until the second book, I don't know, but I would've like a little extra background to go with everything.

All in all, The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer was an riveting and action packed novel. I'm dying looking forward to the next novel, and perhaps try out Laxmi's other novels.

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About the Author

Laxmi Hariharan

A near life experience told Laxmi Hariharan to write. She never stopped.

Laxmi is the creator of Ruby Iyer, and the Amazon bestselling, eLit Gold winner The Destiny of Shaitan (Bombay Chronicles, 1). She has been a journalist and a global marketer with NBCU and MTV. Laxmi also blogs for Huffington Post, among others.

London is where she writes. Bombay is what fires her imagination.

Reach her @laxmi or at http://www.laxmihariharan.com/. 

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Giveaway!

'Cause who doesn't love free stuff. It's a simple as you can get: a rafflecopter giveaway. Good luck!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

December 2014

Monthly Wish List for this month and what I've read and seen this past month.

Book List: 

*synopses may be spoilery if you have not read the previous books in the series. All synopses were found on Goodreads.

Book: This Shattered World (Book #2 in the Starbound series)

Authors: Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner

Release Date: December 23rd 

Synopsis:

The second installment in the epic Starbound trilogy introduces a new pair of star-crossed lovers on two sides of a bloody war.

Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war.

Note From Carmen: WHO ELSE IS SUPS EXCITE FOR THIS? I'm a little sad it's not Lilac and Tarver.... but hey I'm sure it'll be just as great.

Book: Gathering Darkness (Book #3 in the Falling Kingdoms series)

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Release Date: December 9th 

Synopsis:

In GATHERING DARKNESS, book three of the New York Times bestselling Falling Kingdoms series, the stakes have never been higher as three teams push forward on a race to find the Kindred, the four elemental crystals possessing ancient all-powerful magic, first:

Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...

• THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

• THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

• THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.

The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved.

Note From Carmen: Every time I feel like I'm getting a grasp on this series and can predict what's coming and who I ship, THE BOOK THROWS ME AGAINST THE WALL and is like NOPE HAVE A TASTE OF THIS PLOT TWIST. 

Book: Zodiac (Book #1 of the Zodiac series)

Author: Romina Russell

Release Date: December 9th 

Synopsis:

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.

But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.

Book: Princess of Thorns

Author: Stacey Jay

Synopsis:

Game of Thrones meets the Grimm's fairy tales in this twisted, fast-paced romantic fantasy-adventure about Sleeping Beauty's daughter, a warrior princess who must fight to reclaim her throne.

Though she looks like a mere mortal, Princess Aurora is a fairy blessed with enhanced strength, bravery, and mercy yet cursed to destroy the free will of any male who kisses her. Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora's throne ten years ago.

Will Aurora triumph over evil and reach her brother before it's too late? Can Aurora and Niklaas break the curses that will otherwise forever keep them from finding their one true love? 

Book: Transcendent (Book #3 in the Starling series)
Author: Lesley Livingston
Release Date: December 23rd
Synopsis:

LOVE CONQUERS

On a storm-swept terrace high above the streets of Manhattan, Mason Starling holds the fate of the world in her hands as her beloved Fennrys lies bleeding at her feet, his life hanging in the balance. The ancient Norse prophecy of Ragnarok stands poised on the knife edge of fulfillment. Mason’s transformation into a Valkyrie—a chooser of the slain and the one who will ultimately bring about the end of the world—is complete. Still, she remains determined to thwart her father’s apocalyptic desires. Whatever is to come, it won’t happen because of what the prophecy foretold, or what Gunnar Starling has planned, or what the fates have already decided. What happens next will be up to Mason and the Fennrys Wolf. The world had better hope they haven’t reached the limits of what their souls and swords can survive.


Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, and set in the same universe as Lesley Livingston’s much-loved WONDROUS STRANGE trilogy, with roots in Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, and Celtic myths and legends, this thrilling conclusion to the acclaimed Starling trilogy is filled to the hilt with sweeping adventure and soaring romance.

Note From Carmen: SO. EXCITED. I love Fenn way too much.

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November Obsessions:

Books:

The Perilous Sea

The Book Thief

Other Stuff:

Nothing Much to Do

Things I Read/Saw in November:

The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer (*Blog Tour coming soon!)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

*again, sad reading month much... sigh

Excuses, Excuses

HEEEY GUYYYS DID YOU MISS ME?

Okay maybe not really haha. I'm actually kinda sick right now.

I'm sorry I've been so absent this month... I finally made it to end of term so I got all my tests done! I just wanted you guys to know I lived. :D

Just a few quick updates:

a) there will be a December post

b) I watched Mockingjay!! It was pretty good- though I would say Catching Fire was better. Even any of you want a review on that, just comment!

c) I'm hosting part of the blog tour for The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer! There will be a giveaway because who doesn't love giveaways? I have read the book.. (i.e. today because EFFING EXAMS) and I will say right now that it a great thriller. Come back on December 6th for the full post!

Other than that, I think that's preeettty much it. Okaaay baaai.

November 2014

*WHOOPS A LITTLE LATE THIS MONTH SORRY GUYS

Monthly Wish List for this month and what I've read and seen this past month.

Book List: 

*synopses may be spoilery if you have not read the previous books in the series. All synopses were found on Goodreads

Book: The Bane Chronicles

Authors: Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson

Release Date: Nov 11th

Synopsis:

A Collection of Ten Short Stories centred around Magnus Bane. Each short story is going to be published as an ebook followed by a Full Single Print Coming 2014

Ever wondered about the enigmatic, mysterious warlock Magnus Bane? The only character to appear in every Shadowhunter book, Magnus has a past even more shrouded in mystery than his present. I’ve teamed up with acclaimed YA writers Maureen Johnson and Sarah Rees Brennan to create the Bane Chronicles, the back (and front) story of Magnus told in ten linked tales.

Look for short stories like Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale; The Rise and Fall of the Hotel Dumort; Saving Raphael Santiago and What To Buy The Shadowhunter Who Has Everything (And Who You’re Not Officially Dating Anyway). Each story will be available as an ebook on a monthly basis starting April 16 with the tale of What Happened In Peru.

Each story will be released monthly online for the next ten months — and then for those who don’t read e-books, the full print collection will be available in bookstores and wherever else books are sold after the Chronicles have been finished. 

Note From Carmen: I actually haven't read the short stories- I knew I wanted to own the print edition and to save money I decided to wait until the print edition came out. BUT OMG FINALLY TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED IN PERU.

Book: Mortal Heart (Book #3 in His Fair Assassin series)

Author: Robin LaFevers

Release Date: Nov 4th

Synopsis:

Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has... 

Book: Forbidden

Author: Kimberley Griffiths Little

Release Date: Nov 4th

Synopsis:

In the unforgiving Mesopotamian desert where Jayden’s tribe lives, betrothal celebrations abound, and tonight it is Jayden’s turn to be honored. But while this union with Horeb, the son of her tribe’s leader, will bring a life of riches and restore her family’s position within the tribe, it will come at the price of Jayden’s heart.

Then a shadowy boy from the Southern Lands appears. Handsome and mysterious, Kadesh fills Jayden’s heart with a passion she never knew possible. But with Horeb’s increasingly violent threats haunting Jayden’s every move, she knows she must find a way to escape—or die trying.

With a forbidden romance blossoming in her heart and her family’s survival on the line, Jayden must embark on a deadly journey to save the ones she loves—and find a true love for herself.

Set against the brilliant backdrop of the sprawling desert, the story of Jayden and Kadesh will leave readers absolutely breathless as they defy the odds and risk it all to be together. 

Note From Carmen: YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY GOOD THINGS I'VE HEARD ABOUT THIS. I want this so badly.

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October Obsessions:

Books

The Blood of Olympus (THE. END. OMG. Series review here.)

Other Stuff

Nothing Much to Do (Web Series) (CAN WE JUST.)

What I Read/Watched in October and Didn't Review:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Frankenstein, MD. (Web Series)

*side note: THIS IS THE SADDEST READING MONTH I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. AND I GENUINELY MEAN THAT. DAMMIT SENIOR GRADE OF HIGH SCHOOL.

Series Review: The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Series: The Heroes of Olympus
Author: Rick Riordan
Books: The Lost Hero, The Son of Neptune, The Mark of Athena, The House of Hades, The Blood of Olympus
Series Rating: 4.5/5 stars- a great follow up series but not without it's flaws
Book #1's rating: 4/5 stars- Enjoyable but I need Percy. Leo Valdez is amazing.
Book #2's rating 4.75/stars- PERRRRCCCCY
Book #3's rating: 5/5 stars- CRYING EVERYTHING IS JUST NOT OKAY
Book #4's rating: 5/5 stars - breathtaking in the perfect balance
Book #5's rating: 5/5 stars - clean, enjoyable, I really loved it, but I do have to give it a small slap on the hand

Synopsis of The Lost Hero:

Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.

Review:

*just a heads up guys, I'm anticipating this to be a looong review

So if you guys don't know, The Heroes of Olympus is the spin off series to Percy Jackson and the Olympians! There will be spoilers for Percy Jackson, but not (any major spoilers, but minor tidbits of knowledge) for The Heroes of Olympus. (except for the spoiler section cause how can I not?) So if you haven't read Percy Jackson- WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING GET ON BOARD ALREADY EVEN I DID IT AND I PROCRASTINATE ON EVERYTHING.

*cough

That aside, I will not be doing a fangirl reaction, not because I didn't fangirl, but because god knows how long that section will be on top of this review that's already going to be pretty long.

The Heroes of Olympus was a bandwagon I jumped on late... like Percy Jackson, but this time I did hold on with a purpose: that I wouldn't have to die with anxiety for the books to come out. HAHAHA. So yes, I feel really bad for all the people who had to wait for House of Hades... but yeah I read Mark of Athena after it came out. >:) I did have to wait for Blood of Olympus though.

While I enjoyed The Heroes of Olympus, I definitely can think of flaws in this series that made me prefer the Percy Jackson series more. DON'T GET ME WRONG: this is series is fantabulous. It has one of my most favourite characters in it and one of my otps. But Percy Jackson just happens to be more fantabulous.


In this review I mainly want to talk about the characters and then just a mishmash of other thoughts. OH AND THE ENDING BRIEFLY (but more about that in the spoiler section hehe)

LET'S GET TO IT

Characters

Before I talk about each character individually, I want to say that my personal opinion for The Heroes Olympus is that there were too many characters. I thought seven demigods was too much, and I would've been happy with five, plus Nico and Reyna. I feel like everything was so scattered and some characters could've been completely eliminated.

Jason:

Let's start with the controversial Jason Grace. I know from other reviewers that they think Jason... is a bit useless. I personally don't think so- I definitely agree that he wasn't too defined in the beginning of the series, but I did warm up to him a little at House of Hades and beginning of Blood of Olympus. His character growth is most apparent there and his internal conflict is a good and important one once Rick Riordan introduces the idea of two camps. Having a son of Zeus to kind of balance Percy out is definitely... interesting. Two children of the Big Three... there's got to be some fun interesting demigod powers on display.

Piper:

You know how people thought Jason was useless? I thought Piper was beyond useless for at least the first three books. I warmed up a little to her for House of Hades and Blood of Olympus but I still thought she was annoying. I feel like Rick Riordan tried to "break" the stereotypes with her character and it didn't really work on me... and she just wasn't interesting, and truthfully speaking, plain annoying. I feel like she was only needed for her charmspeak, and... yeah. You know which demigod I would get rid of.



Leo:

Remember how in the beginning I said this series has one of my favourite characters and otp? Well otp aside, LEO VALDEZ IS THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER. I loved this damn boy. There was something about him being the single of the seven that's not matched up with everyone else that gave him an edge of vulnerability and he just tried so hard to be strong and hide it. OHMYGODS. He's absolutely hilarious, probably he and Percy are my favourite comic relief during the story, and just the way he acts and how loyal he is to everyone makes him so much more of a dynamic character than Piper and even Jason. By far, of the seven demigods, beside Annabeth and Percy, I definitely connected to Leo the most and understood his backstory and character best.



Percy:

He's Percy FREAKING Jackson. Done. No more words needed.



Annabeth:

I originally was a bit iffy on Annabeth's return. I loved her in Percy Jackson. But as soon as she was alone without Percy, it almost seemed like it snuffed out the spark in her. Which totally makes sense, but makes for a bit of a downer. But I grew to love her even more in Mark of Athena. Her quest and part in this prophecy is something really fearless and is proved that she is meant to be here, even though she doesn't have lightning like Jason or control over everything water like Percy.

Also PERCEBETH. Just. Sigh. Seedweed Brain and Wise Girl. Forever an otp of mine.


Hazel:

I feel like Hazel is the counterpart to Piper. She's not annoying, and I actually quite liked her. She's very quiet and determined, but when the girl needs something done, SHE GETS IT DONE. She might not be the most talented and use her powers sparingly throughout the story but she is a comforting presence and how she makes Frank embarrassed and blushy is funny as hell.

Frank:

My homie. Basically. How can I not love a fellow Asian Vancouverite?! I loved his character growth throughout the series, becoming more and more confident in himself and being more and more comfortable in his own skin. I especially love the dynamic between Leo and Frank, they're so just much fun to read about when they're together.

Nico:

I have to give Nico a shoutout. I know some people thought he got really weird and emo-y and stuff BUT LITERALLY I DON'T CARE. He's like the character I want to just hug and reassure and say "everything will be okay" will patting them on the head and feeding them tubs of ice cream. His vulnerability in this series finally came into the spotlight and just... everything came into place at the end. I absolutely love what Rick Riordan did with his character.



Reyna:

Reyna is every bit the badass strong fearless person I want to be that I probably can never be. I really grew to love her in Blood of Olympus and that final scene... ohmygosh. Her backstory was interesting and I'm really sad we didn't get to see more of her.

General Thoughts

In general, I really liked how we saw more of the different gods and places and myths in this series, and the dynamics of the entire prophecy coming together. I didn't care for all the POVs, I really would've prefer to have less characters for that reason, and I agree with everyone else, we needed a Percy and Annabeth chapter in Blood of Olympus to wrap everything up nicely. I just want a final farewell, and just everything to kind of fall into place. I wasn't dissatisfied with the ending, but I definitely want Rick Riordan to write a short story after because it ends in a bit of an awkward ending.

The humour is still on point here, and the plots are written very well- good climax, good rising action and in some cases VERY TOO GOOD PAINFUL CLIFFHANGERS UGGH


(this is so hard to try and do without spoiling everything)

But although I don't think this series quite matches up with Percy Jackson, it was definitely an interesting pace and different way of storytelling and I think it's worth reading. Go give it a go! And those of you who have read it- READ THE SPOILER SECTION THEN LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS :))

(I finally figured out how to hide a spoiler section guys aren't you so proud of me?!!)

CLICK FOR SPOILER SECTION

Just a quick run down on stuff for some characters that I didn't say up there.

Jason: Liked him, don't hate him but I wouldn't cry without him. I did like when he promised to do his best to recognize minor gods. His internal conflict of being Greek or Roman was also great as well, it gave more layers to him and I ended up liking him much better by the end of the series.

Percy & Annabeth: As much as I wished Percy & Annabeth was more of a central role in this series, I acknowledge that he and Annabeth had their major moments in their own series, and that they were more supporting in this series, and truthfully speaking, they completed their part of the prophecy by House of Hades.

Except for the nosebleed for Blood of Olympus. DIED OF LAUGHTER. Wakes Gaia up by a nosebleed. Such a Rick Riordan thing. On top of that, Percy complains about it. Hilarious.


They were adorable though, and him falling down into Tartarus for her... just. WHERE CAN I FIND A BOYFRIEND LIKE THAT?

Also- just a part I also really liked: when the camps are fighting Gaia and Reyna and Frank were commanding the Romans into an efficient army with all their fancy Latin commands, and Percy's just like "Umm Greeks... LET'S FIGHT. AND STUFF. CHARRRGE!!"

DIED.

Nico: I really want things to work out between him and Will Solace. I love how he find his self-esteem in the end and confronts Percy with his feelings and comes clean. It's like a heavy baggage off his back. And his relationship with Reyna was such a great bond in Blood of Olympus.

Reyna: THE SCENE OF HER RETURNING ATHENA TO CAMP HALF-BLOOD. Reyna is basically amazing. I loved her determination, the small guilt she carries with her, and that fighting spirit. LOVE HER. Like I said, her and Nico's relationship was really beneficial to each other in the story and I really really wished we could've seen more between them. Instead of being annoyed by having even more POVs in the story, I genuinely enjoyed reading from their point of views.

Leo is getting an entire section because he's basically the entire ending of the series. THAT SELF SACRIFICING FOOL. I was scared and freaked out all of the novel that he would actually go suicidal for the greater good and just ugggh. The whole time I was just screaming at him that he made a promise to Calypso and he better keep it. I loved him and Calypso. Them together in House of Hades... ohmygosh. The fact that we got Calypso to return and we gave her freedom is just.. EVERYTHING CAME FULL CIRCLE. But luckily Leo pulled through and reconnected with her and it was happy and beautiful and everything was great. I wanted though, to read when Leo met up with everyone else with Calypso. Can you imagine him coming home on Festus with Calypso clinging to his waist and him screaming "I'MMMM BACK GUYS!!"
Seriously I WOULD KILL TO READ THAT SCENE.

I definitely wanted a more conclusive ending to Blood of Olympus- whether or not Rick left it open-ended intentionally for his next series, I have no idea, but I rather he wrapped it up and start one with no relevance to this world. Sort of like The Kane Chronicles.

I can't say I was disappointed with what I got though. This series has been a great joy to read and I have some definitely favourite moments and characters and being able to see more of Percebeth and meeting this lovely character called Leo Valdez... all worth it.

Quick Announcement!

HEELLLLO PEOPLE
I AM STILL ALIVE.
woooohoooooo.

Okay so by now you guys are probably used to use me having impromptu hiatus, and yes this one is no different. School started, and since I'm a senior grade high school student now (!!) LIFE IS DIFFICULT. (Also, to my fellow Americans, I'm a junior I think by your school system... not exactly a senior haha)

So why am I semi-back? I have a longer extended weekend this week, and I plan to use it to FINALLY WRITE MY REVIEW FOR THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS.

I know, I'm so late. SORRY. But better late than never right? Also, just warning you, it's going to be a LONG REVIEW. I'm debating if I want to split the series review away from the last book and do a review on the last book alone since there's so much to talk about! But we'll see how the series review goes first.

There will be a November post, so breathe. I will try to squeeze in another review, and trust me I haven been meaning to do a review of a couple things but honestly the amount of time I have is virtually nonexistent sometimes.

I WILL SEE YOU SOON. (Or talk to you via writing technically...)
Love y'all <3

October 2014

Monthly Wish List for this month and what I've read and seen this past month.

Book List: 

*synopses may be spoilery if you have not read the previous books in the series. All synopses were found on Goodreads

*again the fall season is so bad for my wallet

Book: The Blood of Olympus (Book #5 in the Heroes of Olympus series)

Author: Rick Riordan

Release Date: October 7th 

Synopsis:

Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it "might" be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

Note From Carmen: HOLY SHIT IT'S THE LAST ONE OMG 

Book: Talon (Book #1 in the Talon series)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Release Date: October 28th 

Synopsis:

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Note From Carmen: JULIE'S BACK WITH A NEW SERIES YAAAY

Book: My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

Authors: Holly Black, Ally Carter, Matt de la Pena, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Stephanie Perkins, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor, Kiersten White

Release Date: October 14th 

Synopsis:

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

Note From Carmen: LOOK AT THAT LINEUP??!! HOW COULD I NOT.

Book: Chaos (Book #3 in the Guards of the Shadowlands trilogy)

Author: Sarah Fine

Release Date: October 7th 

Synopsis: 

With Juri in control and everything in absolute chaos, Lela plunges into the depths of hell to free Malachi from creatures that have waited decades to exact their revenge. But the Judge has her own way of doing things, and Lela must work with Ana, the new Captain, who has a very personal mission of her own. Together, they infiltrate the most horrifying realm either has yet encountered in the Shadowlands—the bitter landscape ruled by the Mazikin.

The stakes could not be higher, and Lela must accept the help—and love—of people she barely knows or trusts. As alliances and loyalties shift and she realizes the soul she came to save isn’t the only one in need of rescue, can Lela summon the strength to see the fight through to the very end?

Note From Carmen: can we just. that ending. ugh I NEED THIS.

Book: Love and Other Unknown Variables

Author: Shannon Lee Alexander

Release Date: October 7th 

Synopsis:

Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. 

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. 

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

Note From Carmen: Being a complete math nerd, I absolutely love the premise of this.

Book: The Young Elites (Book #1 in the Young Elites series)

Author: Marie Lu

Release Date: October 7th 

Synopsis:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Note From Carmen: MARIE LU IS BACK GUYS AYYYYYYY SO EXCITED

Book: Snow Like Ashes (Book #1 in the Snow like Ashes series)

Author: Sara Raasch

Release Date: October 14th 

Synopsis:

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Book: In the Afterlight (Book #3 in the Darkest Minds Trilogy)

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: October 28th 

Synopsis:

Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds. 

They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.

Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.

Note From Carmen: RUBY. LIAM. CHUBS. MY BFFLS. 

*********************************************************************************

September Obsessions:

Books:

Heir of Fire (HOLY SHIT)

Other Stuff:

You From Another Star  (K-Drama) (can we just. I'm ONLY ON EPISODE 8. BUT SCHOOL STARTED NOOO)

My birthday. and all the fun stuff that comes with it.

What I Read in September and Didn't Review:

Crash Into You (Book #3 in the Pushing the Limits series) 

Take Me On (Book #4 in the Pushing the Limits series)

The Promise of Amazing (ssh... possible review on that one)

Landry Park (Book #1 in the Landry Park series)