Best of 2013: The Top Ten (Day 2 of Blog-A-Thon)

The 100% biased list of the year. Gotta have one of those at least every year.

DISCLAIMER: This is ALL based on personal preference and opinion. Please respect that and if you don't agree, why not just comment (nicely) and let me know what else you would have on your list :)

This list is complied on what I enjoyed- not so much what I rated it. How I put this list together is I scroll through all the books I've read this year and whatever stands out to me I write it down then I have an intense internal battle picking out my top ten. This list is in no particular order (because to that would be even harder and more hair ripping) but first. Honourable Mention. (Yes, I spell Honourable with an u, I'm Canadian.)

Honourable Mention

Poison Princess

Although it was a 2012 release, I didn't get to this until 2013. (SO IT COUNTS SHHH) The premise is incredibly original, and it sets up an interesting world and a fun fantasy element. It's told in a very intriguing way, a narration in a sense, and I was so captivated by the premise. My only issue with this book was the love interest and how the main character lets him push her around. However, it totally redeemed itself at the end, although not enough to make up for the WHOLE book. But it makes me hunger for the second book (which I haven't gotten to yet) and I'm just so into the whole premise of tarot card mythology. 

The Darkest Minds

I held off on putting this list together because I was like "Nope nope there's still The Darkest Minds". I heard so many raving reviews about this and I was antsy to pick it up and read it before 2013. Although I think my expectations were set a little TOO high for this, The Darkest Minds delivered a fantastic dystopian world with a sci-fi twist. I adored the characters, and although it dragged a little bit in the beginning, it brought good development to the story, setting up a base for the next books that make me excited to read it. Unfortunately there were some pretty stiff competition and this baby landed on Honourable Mention.

Oh and a cliffhanger. A horrible one that you know rips out your heart and stomps on it. No biggie.

THE TOP TEN

(Again,  in no particular order)

Clockwork Princess

This series is my life. I cannot explain my love for this series in mere words. Clockwork Princess was like the happiness and the dread of my life this year. Happiness: it ends. We finally know HOW IT ENDS. Dread: it ends. THERE WILL BE NO MORE.

The conflictions.

The end made me smile and laugh and cry, and there was no better ending. Just so many feels.

The Burning Sky

The Burning Sky brought a magical fantasy world that rivalled my love for the world of Harry Potter. Sherry Thomas creates such an amazing fantasy world, even with footnotes (are they called footnotes? My literary knowledge -.-) to give more depth. It has a fast paced plot, with a nice touch of medieval hierarchy. Although the romance is weee bit weak in this book, I'm so in love with the characters that I'm kind of beyond caring. I'm just hope their love in EACH OTHER grows in the next books and adds more depth in their relationship.

The Eternity Cure

I wished everyone read this series so they can experience the feels with me. This series embraces the vampire and dystopian genre with a fierce action packed plot,  is fast paced, and incredible kick-ass characters with strong relationships. I adore this series so much, more than Julie's Iron Fey series. And the cliffhanger they had at the end of this novel was. BRUTAL. MEAN. NOT FAIR TO MY HEART.

The Archived

Review can be seen here.

Dark and enticing, The Archived is just. *complete loss of words
So original, and Wesley just makes everyone sigh.

Hemlock

Hemlock surprised me by how much I enjoyed it. I picked it up randomly, quite late (yes again, a 2012 release don't judge me), and I wasn't expecting to much. It was werewolves and I wasn't quite expecting much, since my faith in the werewolf genre was pretty low. (aka Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater) But I was so captivated by the mystery, the chilling atmosphere, and I could not put it down. Like literally. I was reading this at my volunteering session and I kept sneaking pages in here and there. This restored my faith in the genre and it definitely became a favourite paranormal of the year.

Eleanor & Park

I usually have one major contemporary hit on my list every year- it's one of my favourite genres and there's usually that one that just hits me right in the feels.
The melancholy yet almost hopeful feeling of this novel, the beautiful budding romance, and the roaster ride of feelings, there was just so much of this novel that spoke to me. Eleanor and Park are both wonderful characters. In fact I swore that if Park was real and this wasn't set in the 80s, I would just grab him and be like "MARRY US" in front of a priest.
No joke.
It's happy, sad and just so moving. I can't even.

Just One Day

Never before has book contained so many of my favourite things. Paris, French, in-depth tried and true characters, beautiful writing, a sweeping romance of pain, a cover that I lust after, and a cliffhanger that literally has you screaming for more.

There's probably more but that's what came to me right off the top of my head.

Scarlet

Cinder was a 2012 read that I was intrigued by. I wasn't falling all over the place for it, the idea was fun and the premise was unique. Four books had me wondering how this was all going to unfold so I picked up Scarlet and OH MY GOD NEVER HAVE I MADE A BETTER CHOICE.

I was utterly in love with Scarlet and Wolf as characters and Marissa's interpretation of the story. A girl in a red hoodie carrying a gun with her. SCORE.

It's one of those books that maybe you want to re-read a quick scene of something because you have a few minutes, but you don't know what to read and you just pick up this one off your shelf and literally re-read half the scenes. The romance between Scarlet and Wolf just makes me grin.

The way the plot is unfolding in this series makes me so excited, I actually can barely contain myself. I'm going to be jumping around when Cress hits.

The Indigo Spell

2013 was the year I discovered Adrian Ivashkov and never looked back ever again. I returned to the vampire genre around this year and I REGRET SO MUCH FOR MISSING OUT ON THIS. Adrian is my (one of) new love(s).

The Indigo Spell gave me every aspect of his character I ever wanted and more, and Sydney came out absolutely badass in this novel. This series gets better and better and I'm so anxious to get my hands on The Fiery Heart. (WHY LIBRARY. WHY YOU NO GET THE BOOK FASTER.)

(If my English teacher is reading this, he's probably cringing from my grammar.)

Champion

Series review here.

Champion alone as a novel was not my favourite of the series, but it still delivered everything I wanted from it. It's a thrilling dystopian that makes you thirst for every twist and turn and the ending is beautifully bittersweet. Good job on screwing me up even more after Allegiant. On the day before my French test.

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BOW TO THE AWESOMENESS OF THESE NOVELS BEFORE YOU.

I have to give my thanks to them for my laughs and tears for 2013 and to the authors for enriching our lives with these stories. I look forward to what 2014 is going to bring- probably another boatload of tears and laughs.

Best of 2013: The End (Day 1 of Blog-A-Thon)

(I fail at being creative so we're just going to call this Blog-A-Thon. Sigh.)

We're saying goodbye to 2013. I also said goodbye to a lot of series this year. Good and bad. So let's reflect back on them a little!

*These are books where the last book in the series I read came out in 2013. I generally don't miss last books, but if I did, SORRY, I'll probably review you when I'm done the entire series. :)

Maximum Ride

The first series I said goodbye to this year was Maximum Ride- my friend was the one who had me hooked on the series and I blew through the series like a crazy maniac. I started reading around when Angel came out so I didn't have to wait too long for Nevermore. The series was serious roller coaster- good and bad both, bad mostly and I was pretty sad that such a great premise was ruined. 

I was pretty pissed at the end, the last book was beyond horrible. You can click here for my rant. (Warning: spoilers are in the rant. I was pretty upset.)

Seven Realms

A great fantasy series, Cinda Williams Chima has proven to be an excellent author in magical fantasy. Although The Demon King is a slow start to the series, the rest proves that this series deserves it's attention in the fantasy genre. I enjoyed the final end in The Crimson Crown this year and I'm sad to see this series go- so rarely do such great fantasy series come and I'll definitely miss this one. Will check out Cinda's previous fantasy series. 

The Infernal Devices

Oh Will. Oh Jem. Oh Tessa. How many tears I have shed over this series, how many laughs, how much joy and pain and fangirling have I had over this series. I'm so sad to see this series go, it's most definitely one of my favourites and I love all the characters (Will is my future husband thank you) and Clockwork Princess was a supremely beautiful end to the series and I just can't stop fangirling over it even though it's over.

Angelfire

Angelfire was one of those impulse borrows from the library that set me off on this whole new journey. I fell in love with Angelfire, cried with Wings of the Wicked and cheered for the badass-ness (yes I make up words) in Shadows in the Silence. It was a fun paranormal ride, with fun romance, totally kick-ass moments with an equally kick-ass protagonist and just all around awesomeness. They are super thick books though. 

Delirium

Delirium. You little rebel child. Delirium is somewhat of a heartbreaking series to me because of it's immense wasted potential. Delirium was a bit cheesy but the idea, the premise was interesting enough to me that I picked up Pandemonium. Pandemonium was absolute amaze sauce and I was so so so so so excited for Requiem cause the Pandemonium cliffhanger was KILLER. Then Requiem came out and I wanted to toss the book to the other end of the room and return the damn novel for my money back.

The ending was an absolute disappointer and if it's supposed to encourage me to see it in an open ended way it most certainly failed with me, because I like my dystopians and excited, fast, and CLEAN.I had like a two day rage over this thing. I found out the ending was written this way because Lauren Oliver wanted the ending to be open ended because it was to be a TV show, but guess what? Fox didn't even pick up the TV show. It makes me lose so much respect to Lauren Oliver as an author because no matter if it's a movie or not, you shouldn't change your story to accommodate it, you should give the ending your readers deserve. (I mean if that was the case, we wouldn't have the ending Allegiant had. -.-)

And the ending wasn't the only thing that made me mad.

You can read my rant here. (Warning: spoilers and Carmen ends up swearing more than she ever has in a review.)

Unearthly

Unearthly is a very beautifully written paranormal- of most paranormals, it had more of a contemporary feel to it. I enjoyed Cynthia's take on the angelic lore and it was a really fun series. Though it lagged a little in the middle, there's something really beautiful about the way these books are written and the way they're executed. I'm not crazy about  the characters, the plotline and how everything turned out, but overall as a series, Unearthly is enjoyable and a great paranormal to pick up. Not to mention the covers are die hard GORGEOUS. I can see the silver wording sparkling in the light from my bookshelf.

Die For Me

Die For Me was one of my first reads when I first got addicted to the YA genre. I enjoyed it enough to keep going with it and boy was it a ride. The series gets better and better as it progresses and Amy Plum doesn't fail to disappoint. Finishing If I Should Die this year feels like closing a chapter to another paranormal series of my life, because I read Die For Me just before entering high school. The covers have this almost elegant gothic feel to them and they're just really pretty. Plus the series is set in Paris and I'm very very very obsessed with Paris.

Starcrossed

This series is kind of a small guilty pleasure in a sense. I love Greek mythology and this series was a great bind between the mythology and the Trojan War. I love the premise and the how everything interweaves together. The reason I say this is kind of a guilty pleasure is that the romance is kind of "teenage angst-y" and cheesy and love triangle-ly lame. But otherwise, it's a fabulous series for Greek mythology.

Gallagher Girls

The inner spy of my childhood. I've been following this series since book 3, and now it seems impossible that it's finally come to an end. Every other year or so I'd expect a new one to come out and I'll be flipping out all over the place and being all excited for Zach because we all need a little Blackthorne Boy in our life. Still in disbelief that this is over. I also met Ally Carter this year and she was just awesome. There is so much fun in these books, with the espionage, the humour, the romance and the plot twists. I'm going to miss this series so much. 

Divergent

Review can be found here.

I have nothing more to say. I can't believe it's over as well.

Legend

Review can be found here.

A great dystopian series- I'm going to miss this so so so so so much. Definite favourite.

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And that's it! I can't believe that all these journeys are over now. But finishing one journey means the start of a new one. :) 2014 will bring more new stories and characters and many more things to fangirl about.

January 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!

Monthly Wish List for this month and what I've read and seen this past month.
(The List is FREAKING long this month guys!)

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 Unbound (Book #2 of The Archived duology)
Author: Victoria Schwab
Release Date: January 24th
Synopsis:

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she's struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn't easy -- not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she's really safe. 

Meanwhile, people are vanishing without a trace, and the only thing they seem to have in common is Mackenzie. She's sure the Archive knows more than they are letting on, but before she can prove it, she becomes the prime suspect. And unless Mac can track down the real culprit, she'll lose everything, not only her role as Keeper, but her memories, and even her life. Can Mackenzie untangle the mystery before she herself unravels?

With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Unbound delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin.

Note from Carmen: Wesley. Wesley. Oh and can we please talk about how freaking deliciously creepy these covers are with the smoke and everything?

Book: Into the Still Blue (Book #3 in the Under the Never Sky trilogy)
Author: Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 28th
Synopsis:

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestsellingThrough the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

Book: Uninvited (Book #1 in the Uninvited series)
Author: Sophie Jordan
Release Date: January 28th
Synopsis:

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Book: Cruel Beauty
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Release Date: January 28th (AGAAIN.)
Synopsis:

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Note from Carmen: THE INNER FAIRYTALE LOVING ME IS FREEEEAAAKIIING OUT. The trailer totally sold me, and it sounds SO. COOL.

Book: Evertrue (Book #3 in the Everneath trilogy)
Author: Brodi Ashton
Release Date: January 21st
Synopsis:

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

Book: Going Rogue (Book  #2 in the Also Known As series)
Author: Robin Benway
Release Date: January 14th
Synopsis:

Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver. Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo. Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. Too bad it only serves to put her and everyone she loves in danger. Maggie and her "new team" flee to Paris where they must come up with a plan to defeat their former allies.

Note from Carmen: *le squeal

Book: Being Sloane Jacobs
Author: Lauren Morrill
Release Date: January 7th
Synopsis:

Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure-skater from Washington, D.C., who choked during junior nationals and isn’t sure she’s ready for a comeback. What she does know is that she’d give anything to escape the mass of misery that is her life.

Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player from Philly who’s been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks. Her punishment? Hockey camp, now, when she’s playing the worst she’s ever played. If she messes up? Her life will be over.

When the two Sloanes meet by chance in Montreal and decide to trade places for the summer, each girl thinks she’s the lucky one: no strangers to judge or laugh at Sloane Emily, no scouts expecting Sloane Devon to be a hero. But it didn’t occur to Sloane E. that while avoiding sequins and axels she might meet a hockey hottie—and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It’s not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you’re someone else might be more difficult than being yourself.

Note from Carmen: THE COVER THE COVER THE COVER THE COVER

Book: The Lost Boys
Author: Lilian Carmine
Release Date: NEW YEARS DAY (January 1st)
Synopsis:

An intensely addictive romance novel about girls, ghosts, and forbidden love, ideal for fans of Stephenie Meyer
 Fate has brought them together. But will it also keep them apart? Having moved to a strange town, 17-year-old Joey Gray is feeling a little lost, until she meets a cute, mysterious boy near her new home. But there’s a very good reason why Tristan Halloway is always to be found roaming in the local graveyard. Perfect for fans of Stephenie Meyer and Lauren Kate,The Lost Boys is a magical, romantic tale of girl meets ghost.

Note from Carmen: I really don't like Stephenie Meyer or Lauren Kates books. I kind of hate them with a small (ok fine kind of big) burning passion. And this sounds like the cheesy plotline ever. But then the cover. And the fact that it sounds kind of cute, and it's about ghosts, and the reviews sound pretty good. Crossing my fingers on this one if I can get my hands on it.
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December Obsessions

Books
Fangirl

Other Stuff
Christmas
Storytellers(Web Series)
I Hear Your Voice (K-drama) (The cuteness and dorkiness of this drama kills me.)
The Prince of Lan Ling (Chinese Drama) (Not Korean. I know what a shocker! But soooo good so far. But 46 episodes. 0.0)

Stuff I Read/Saw and Didn't Review in December
The Beginning of Everything
Just One Year (Book #2 in the Just One Day duology)
The Lost Hero (Book #1 in the Heros of Olympus series)
Stealing Parker (Book #2 in the Hundred Oaks series)
The Darkest Minds (Book #1 in The Darkest Minds trilogy)

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (movie)

End of Year Book Haul + Announcement!

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS: SALES.

Books:

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken
Scorched by Mari Mancusi
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

I'm a little sad I didn't managed to get The Darkest Minds in hardcover, but oh well.

Much thanks to my parents for setting me loose in the bookstore. :) You're the best. THANK YOU I LOVE YOU.

(Yeah that's my Christmas present basically every year. Get set loose in a bookstore.)

NOW FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

*DRUM ROLLS

I'm going to be blogging for a consecutive THREE DAYS. So a post a day, to celebrate the end of the year. Almost like BookTube-A-Thon but blogging wise, and not review wise. :P

The dates are going to be January 3rd-5th (Because you guys are probably partying all New Years Eve).

The posts will be really just to wrap up the year in general, no like in depth reviews or anything. This is going to be focused mainly on books, but in the future, this might extend out towards other things. (Cause I'm thinking of making this an annual thing.)

The Monthly List for January will be out January 1st as usual.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS. I hope your Christmas was filled with presents, joy and tons and tons of chocolate and eggnog.

Mainly chocolate though.

OK BYYYYYE.

Book Review: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Book: Wild Cards (Book #1 in the Wild Card series)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Rating: 4.5/5 stars- oh you remind me why I love cliches

Synopsis (as found on Goodreads):

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Review:

Another contemporary. I know.

Having read Simone Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry series last year and fallen heads over heels in love with the series, I went into Wild Cards with some pretty good expectations along with the hopes for that fun chick-lit style along with a fresh new twist.

I was super pleased that it nailed every expectation pretty well, and I had so much fun with this one!

Wild Cards reminds me a little bit of Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally with the football aspect of the novel. The plot is totally different but it has that familiar background almost which I enjoyed.

Simone Elkeles returns back to the plot of the bad boy vs the good girl, which yes, I know, is an ultimate cliche. But I feel like that's what Simone Elkeles does best and she does it well. My thing with cliches is as long as it's done well with some creativity it's fine. It's hard to find original plots these days, and it's especially hard with contemporary. I'm not going to pick on every single one on originality. Especially if the author pulls off that cliche well. Am I lying if I say this book isn't cliche? Yes. But I'd also be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy the cliches.

I think Simone Elkeles pulls it off well, and it's seems to be what she writes best. I don't mind cliches personally if they're done well, which in this case, I think it is done well. If you don't like cliches (especially the broke bad boy and good girl cliche) I advise you steer clear of these novels.

Personal opinion: a cliche is a cliche for a reason. It became a cliche because people liked it. It's hard to be COMPLETELY original these days, so using a cliche and adding your personal touches doesn't seem like a heinous crime to me. I like cliches that are well used and gives you the feeling that this became a cliche for a reason- it's not a mindless one thrown in there.

Derek and Ashtyn are both classic to the cliche, yet with their own twists and faults and different plot to keep the story light and entertaining. It's super fun to read, with funny lines in between and weirdly loveable side characters. (Like Grams. OMG I love Grams.)

Personally, with a novel like this, I don't think it should be broken and down and analyzed and be critiqued for originality or whatever- it's meant to be fun, it's meant to be an entertaining and relaxing read and it's to allow to have a good time and wind down with it.

And that's exactly what it had and that's all I wanted from the novel. I wasn't expecting like amazing depth or originality, I was just hoping to have a nice chick-lit to wind down from the long day. Which the novel delivered.

That being said, of course the novel has it's faults. It's fairly predictable, the characters have a bit too much of a insta-love physical attraction that makes you not really believe in their romance. It can be kind of cheesy, kind of facepalm-why-did-you-do-this feeling, and find Derek and Ashtyn kind of immature. But I mean. Teenagers. That's how we are. We are annoying. Period.

In the end, Wild Cards was a fun read, an enjoyable time. Is it a classic piece of masterful writing? No. Is it a good book? Depends on how you look at it. I recommend this if you're looking for a fun chick-lit to wind down from a long day just to have a bit of a laugh or if you've been reading some pretty intense paranormals or serious novels.

(P.S. Recommend that if you enjoy the occasional cliche like me that you check out Jennifer E. Smith's novels, The Statistic Possibility of Love at First Sight and This is What Happy Looks Like. SHE MAKES YOU LOVE THE CLICHE. Makes me remember why these scenarios are cliches to begin with.)

Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Book: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Rating: 5/5 stars- going to be fangirling about Fangirl for a long time

Synopsis (as found on Goodreads):

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park.

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Review:

Sorry about the hiatus! Again. Teachers apparently think it's possible to squeeze in one more assignment right before the break and assign about 4 projects during the break.

*Carmen not amused

Never the less, I will be in a reading storm now that I finally have some time on my hands and first up was Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. (I'm currently on a contemporary streak.)

Rainbow Rowell took the reading world by storm with Eleanor and Park, which was released in early 2013.

AND ELEANOR AND PARK DESTROYED EVERY HEARTSTRING I HAD.

In which then Rainbow Rowell joined up into my set of contemporary writing gods, and when you're one of my contemporary writing gods (or goddesses too to be technical I guess), I basically read almost everything you write.

And plus, who couldn't resist a title called FANGIRL. Not this fangirl.

And I diiiiiiiiied.

This book was bubbly, cute, fun, and it tugs at the heartstrings a little. Rainbow totally understood the feelings of being in a fandom and represented it so accurately in the novel, how much you love the characters and how you live in their world... I felt like I was at home with this book.

I like how we touch on a lot of aspects of Cath's life in this novel, although I almost wish we did a little less of the writing and more of the family life.

I said almost.

The romance was adorable, it was cute, I wanted to punch both of them for the mistakes and then bake them rainbow cupcakes and give them hugs after it was all over. It was awkward-ish cute, but like the loveable kind of awkward that makes you secretly smile.

The snippets of Simon Snow through this book was... oh my. I love how it's almost a play on Harry Potter and the just some of the things made me LAUGH. And then Cath's fanfiction was so perfect. I love the fact she wrote that Simon and Baz were into each other. I was dying from laughter, but I was actually also utterly in love. THE CONFLICTIONS.

Everything about this book is an amazing combination of funny, awkward, romantic, cute, awesomeness, sweet, and self-discovery. It has that Rainbow Rowell kick and style in it, but it's a happier atmosphere than Eleanor and Park.

Personally, I kind of prefer Fangirl over Eleanor and Park... just because I like happy stories a little more than soul crushing devastating the reader and killing them tragic with heartbreak stories, (I mean I love those too, but the heart can only take so much), and Fangirl was just everything I loved, and I walked away with one word in mind: PERFECTION.

December 2013

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

Happy December guys :D CHRISTMAS IS COMING! 

Which means I sing Christmas songs at the top of my lungs and ain't no one going to stop me.

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

Book: Taste of Darkness (Book #3 in the Healer trilogy)
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Release Date: December 31st

Synopsis:

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

Note from Carmen: Have I ever confessed my love for Maria's books? THEY ARE AMAZING AND THE PREVIOUS BOOK'S ENDING ASGJVHDFKJGLKOFISEUDHJ.

Book: These Broken Stars (Book #1 in the Starbound trilogy)
Author: Amie Kaufman, Megan Spooner
Release Date: December 10th

Synopsis:

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

--

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

Book: The Promise of Amazing
Author: Robin Constantine
Release Date: December 31st

Synopsis:

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.

Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. 

One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

Note from Carmen: I NEED THIS. The cover is gorgeous and the blurb sounds amazing. (heh see what I did there. I know, I'm lame.)

Book: Fireblood (Book #1 in the Fireblood series)
Author: Trisha Wolfe
Release Date: December 17th

Synopsis:

To save a kingdom, Zara must choose between a prince who could be the answer and a rising rebellion that threatens to take control.

When Zara Dane is chosen to marry Prince Sebastian Hart, son of the man who ordered her father’s capture, Zara knows she must fight to save everything she loves from ruin. 

Being betrothed to the prince means a life trapped behind the towering stone walls of the Camelot-forged realm. Under the watchful eye of the prince's first knight, Sir Devlan Capra, changing her future becomes difficult. 

When an unlikely rebel reveals the truth about the deadly secrets that fuel King Hart’s twisted world, Zara’s path to rescue her father becomes clouded by deception. The Rebels clear her path by forcing Zara’s hand with an ultimatum: sway Prince Sebastian to join the Rebels, convincing him of his father’s evil nature, or they will take him out. 

But Zara is uncertain about a future under the Rebels’ command and where the prince’s heart truly lies. She must decide who to trust, what to believe, and what she’s truly fighting for before the king destroys all of Karm, including her heart.

Note from Carmen: Sounds like it could be amazing, or it could flop or die.  Either way, excited to see if I can get my hands on this one.
*********************************************************************************
November Obessions

Books:

Champion (Book #3 in the Legend trilogy) (Series review can be found here.)

Other Stuff:
Blueberry Greek Yogurt

Things I Read/Saw in November and Didn't Review:

The Burning Sky (Book #1 in the Elemental Trilogy)
Crown of Midnight (Book #2 in the Throne of Glass series)
Midnight Frost (Book #5 in the Mythos Academy series)
The Vincent Boys (Book #1 in The Vincent Boys duology)
Defiance (Book #1 in the Defiance series)
Life of Pi