Lock Every Door by Riley Sager // BOOK REVIEW

“Never take anything you haven’t earned," my father used to say. "You always end up paying for it one way or another.”

Book: Lock Every Door

Author: Riley Sager

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Synopsis: No visitors. No nights spent away from the apartment. No disturbing the other residents, all of whom are rich or famous or both. These are the only rules for Jules Larsen's new job as an apartment sitter at the Bartholomew, one of Manhattan's most high-profile and mysterious buildings. Recently heartbroken and just plain broke, Jules is taken in by the splendor of her surroundings and accepts the terms, ready to leave her past life behind.

As she gets to know the residents and staff of the Bartholomew, Jules finds herself drawn to fellow apartment sitter Ingrid, who comfortingly, disturbingly reminds her of the sister she lost eight years ago. When Ingrid confides that the Bartholomew is not what it seems and the dark history hidden beneath its gleaming facade is starting to frighten her, Jules brushes it off as a harmless ghost story—until the next day, when Ingrid disappears.

Searching for the truth about Ingrid's disappearance, Jules digs deeper into the Bartholomew's dark past and into the secrets kept within its walls. Her discovery that Ingrid is not the first apartment sitter to go missing at the Bartholomew pits Jules against the clock as she races to unmask a killer, expose the building's hidden past, and escape the Bartholomew before her temporary status becomes permanent.

What I think about it…

Jules is a broke mid-20’s girl. After being cut off from the company where she was working, she came home in the apartment she shared with her boyfriend only to witness that he’s having fun with another girl. She broke up with him and stayed on her friend’s apartment. With nothing but a few hundred dollars in her bank account, she responded to a job offering to be an apartment sitter in the Bartholomew. A job too good to be true and yet she can’t resist the offer – to live in an apartment with not doing anything and get paid so much money – I mean, even I can’t resist. But behind the captivating building, beautiful walls and luxurious apartments lies the dirty secret of the people living in it and the Bartholomew itself.

It was written in a way that it is not difficult to read. The story itself is different from everything else I’ve read but it is so predictable. I kinda know who the bad guy/s is/are and also I kind of not care about Jules. Her life is a tragedy and I pity her but she should be more careful after everything that happened to her. Although I applaud her for being brave even if no one seems to back her up, still, she’s careless.

My Verdict

It was an okay, quick read. If you’re in for a mystery and you can tolerate a careless protagonist, go for it.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes // BOOK REVIEW

Book: Into the Darkest Corner

Author: Elizabeth Haynes

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller

Synopsis: When young, pretty Catherine Bailey meets Lee Brightman, she can't believe her luck. Gorgeous, charismatic, and a bit mysterious, Lee seems almost too perfect to be true.

But what begins as flattering attention and spontaneous, passionate sex transforms into raging jealousy, and Catherine soon discovers that Lee's dazzling blue eyes and blond good looks hide a dark, violent nature. Disturbed by his increasingly erratic, controlling behavior, she tries to break it off; turning to her friends for support, she's stunned to find they don't believe her. Increasingly isolated and driven into the darkest corner of her world, a desperate Catherine plans a meticulous escape.
Four years later, Lee is behind bars and Catherine—now Cathy—is trying to build a new life in a new city. Though her body has healed, the trauma of the past still haunts her. Then Stuart Richardson, her attractive new neighbor, moves in. Encouraging her to confront her fears, he sparks unexpected hope and the possibility of love and a normal life.
Until the day the phone rings . . . 

What I think about it…

From the point of view of Cathy, the book alternates between what happened before and during her relationship with Lee – her control-freak, murderer and abusive boyfriend – and what’s happening three years after she was almost killed by him.

Now living far away from Lancaster – with a new name –  to escape Lee and forget the trauma he put her through, just when she’s making progress with the OCD that was caused by the abuse she experienced with him, she received a phone call telling her that he was about to get out of prison. With Lee’s release come the anxiety and panic attacks and a certain person who walked out of her life all those years ago.

I like Cathy, I pity this poor girl and though I understand her situation, I just don’t like that she’s pushing away people who only want to help her – particularly Stuart. There are times when I detested her when she was still that Catherine but years after that, she changed and she’s stronger and braver than I give her credit for.

My Verdict

This one is pretty intense. I don’t think I’ve liked any thriller before like this one. I just finished reading Big Little Lies and these two books both have tackled a very sad reality a lot of women is facing today… domestic violence. Though I was kinda annoyed with how it was written – jumping from the past and then the present and then back to the past and so on – because it confuses me, as I went on I get the hang of it, adjusted and enjoyed it midway. There were some parts that were pretty graphic and disturbing that it was hard for me to read because I can clearly see it in my head. But that’s the beauty of this book – the message it portrays – to open your eyes and do something for someone who’s suffering it.

This is highly recommended. I can’t say for sure that this is unique from other books because I know there may be other books that are similar to this but it was kind of a breath of fresh air cos this time it’s not the woman somewhere… under the table, in the chair, in the door or elsewhere.

MY RATING

★★★★☆

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty // BOOK REVIEW

“They say it's good to let your grudges go, but I don't know, I'm quite fond of my grudge. I tend it like a little pet.”

Book: Big Little Lies

Author: Liane Moriarty
Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny, biting, and passionate; she remembers everything and forgives no one. Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare but she is paying a price for the illusion of perfection. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for a nanny. She comes with a mysterious past and a sadness beyond her years. These three women are at different crossroads, but they will all wind up in the same shocking place.
Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the little lies that can turn lethal.

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary

Synopsis: A murder...A tragic accident...Or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead.

What I think about it…

Big Little Lies is a very interesting story with some mystery, a murder, a whole lot of fun and catfights. It revolves around the lives of three moms and what’s going on in their families, the problems they have, their struggles and hustles and the secrets they keep. The back stories on how the characters are related to each other are just crazy. The plot is more about the dilemma and abuse that the women are facing –be it that you’re single or married.

I love all the characters – Madeleine’s nonstop chattering, Jane’s simplicity and Celeste’s vulnerability – they represent a lot of women in this planet.

Madeleine was once a young, single parent that’s why when she met Jane, she can identify with her. Madeleine is having problems with her teen daughter Abigail. I can also relate to Madeleine in so many ways. Not that I was once a single mother or that I am married or that I have a teenage kid but more so on the fact that she can’t forgive her ex, Nathan, after all these years and even after they have their own families. It’s difficult to forgive especially when you can see that the person who wronged you doesn’t suffer for what he/she did to you. And so Madeleine, I so feel you.

Jane, a single mom to Ziggy, has her own secrets to keep. No one knows who was Ziggy’s father and Jane is not ready to share it to anyone, not even to her family. But one night she just felt like she needed to tell her story and be free from it. She told Madeleine what happened to her and who the father is Ziggy’s father. One of the endings I love in this book is of Jane’s. There’s so much hope in her ending and I hope she finds true love and happiness.

People think Celeste have it all – the beauty, the money, the handsome, successful husband and the perfect family living in the perfect house – but what they don’t know is she’s been keeping a dark secret …. You only see what other people want you to see. Sometimes what lies beneath is not what it seems on the surface. Celeste’s story is the proof that reality is painfully ruthless.

My Verdict

I love that ending. The stories of the women in this book could be happening to anyone in reality. I’ve never been so awestruck with an ending. There are books that bring warmth, make me cry or surprised me but so far Liane Moriarty’s plot twists are the only ones that make my jaw drop and say, ‘sh********t’ – yes, the super long one. So, I need to see that TV adaptation. Also this book is highly recommended.

MY RATING

★★★★☆

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick // BOOK REVIEW

Book: Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush #1)

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis: A SACRED OATH. A FALLEN ANGEL. A FORBIDDEN LOVE.

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

What I think about it…

I put this on my TBR shelf not expecting anything. I remembered this because this was the series my college friend was looking for in the local bookstore and she didn’t find it. Reading it many years later after knowing the story was appalling. I kinda regretted picking this up.

This story bothered me in so many levels it actually is creepy. I hate the message it’s trying to convey – that it is somehow okay to fall in love with your evil stalker. The plot was okay, many readers said that it was a rip off of Twilight and I don’t have a say in that. I just hate the instant love here – it is absurd, annoying, unbelievable and horrible.

These people killed it for me especially our damsel in distress Nora Grey. Nora’s thinking and the way she acts is totally contradicting. She’s scared of Patch (because why not, she have every right to be scared of him, the man, after all, is not human) but also attracted to him. It’s annoying to see how the first minute she’s so scared and then suddenly is kissing Patch the same minute. Like she’s so sure that he wants to kill her and then thought that he cannot hurt her in that same sentence without punctuation. Whatever happened to “I secretly enjoyed the attraction between us, but the mystery and eeriness outweighed it. From now on, I was going to flush Patch out of my system – and this time, I meant it…” ? I hate that she can’t make up her mind. She’s that idiot in a horror movie who will enter a creepy and haunted room instead of running for her life.

Nora’s supposed best friend and sidekick Vee Sky doesn’t help at all. I thought she’s really not a friend of Nora. She doesn’t listen and doesn’t believe Nora at all. How can a best friend be like that when she should be the first person that Nora can confide with. Vee is the biggest joke in this book. I so hate her.

I have no issues with Patch though. He is the most consistent character in this story. What I just don’t like is how openly he threatened Nora. He’s hot? I don’t think so. I don’t think he is up to something good too but I will never know that because I don’t have plans to finish this series.

My Verdict

I usually don’t have a problem with the plot or the writing of the authors but what always get to me are the characters. So no matter how good the story may be if the characters are stupid and continuously choose to make bad decisions over and over again, it’s also over for me. I don’t recommend this at all. It’s exasperating and annoying and a complete waste of time.

MY RATING

★☆☆☆☆

Vanished by Danielle Steel // BOOK REVIEW

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Book: Vanished

Author: Danielle Steel

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery

Synopsis: Vanished tells the story of a man and woman faced with an almost unthinkable tragedy--the mysterious abduction of their son.

In the late 1930s, in the shadow of the Lindbergh kidnapping, and as war looms in Europe, Marielle Patterson shares and elegant Manhattan brownstone with her husband, Malcolm, and their little boy, Teddy. Though the couple's lives are filled with secrets, Marielle is a devoted wife and mother, and Malcolm is a man everyone admires.

On the eve of Teddy's disappearance, Marielle runs into her first love, American expatriate Charles Delauney. And when Teddy is kidnapped, Charles is first blamed, then arrested. But as the search for Teddy widens, even Marielle is scrutinized by the FBI and special agent John Taylor. Suspicions and accusations mingle with terror and heartbreak as every threat, every failure, every fear, is remembered, examined, explored.

During Charles Delauney's trial, a series of revalations begins to unravel the about Marielle, Charles, and Malcolm, uncovering the motives and passions controlling their lives.

Vanished is a tale of guilt, desire, suspense, and of people drawn inexorably together, seeking the child who... vanished. From the Paperback edition. 

What I think about it…

I love the story and the mystery behind it. I pity Marielle so so bad. A lot of people hated her and treated her like a weakling but obviously, with everything that’s happened in her past and what she’s been through, she’s one hell of a woman.

I love how brave she is and that she made a right choice with her relationships. I was never disappointed with her choices – except kissing John Taylor.

Also that ending is very satisfying. I love endings like that because it felt so realistic and it gives a sense of hope in the future – that there’s so much more to come. It’s neither an open ending nor a cliffhanger. It ended just the way it needed to be.

What I liked less…

Everything is going okay until Special Agent John Taylor and Marielle started to have an affair. I mean, Marielle, you know better than to get involved with a married FBI agent who’s handling the kidnapping case in the midst of the trial of your ex-husband while you yourself are also married with the father of your kid who was kidnapped. It is just absurd but knowing Danielle Steel, I know everything is going to turn around in the last few pages of this book. I. Knew. It. It’s not the first time that she did it. Just as you thought Marielle and John Taylor is the end game? Well, get ready for another OTT stuff that’s gonna happen. I would say though that that thing with the lawyer was extremely ridiculous. Marielle is that beautiful that a lot of men she’s meeting is falling in love with her in just a short amount of time, eh? I think that DS just put it there just so we can have another twist. Although I don’t really mind Marielle being with the lawyer than to be with the married John Taylor (I hate cheating!!!) and I want her and Charles to be happy and go on with their lives separately.

My Verdict

I knew that a Danielle Steel book will never disappoint. It’s been years since this was published, it’s in the works even before I was born but I’ve seen a TV soap with the same plot and I don’t know if they got it from DS and though this is quite predictable, I’m still hooked. I think it’s beautiful and very engaging. I like it!

MY RATING

★★★☆☆

A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1) (Kairos #1) by Madeleine L'Engle // BOOK REVIEW

“I don't understand it any more than you do, but one thing I've learned is that you don't have to understand things for them to be.”

Book: A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1, Kairos #1)

Author: Madeleine L’Engle

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Children’s

Synopsis: It was a dark and stormy night.

Out of this wild night, a strange visitor comes to the Murry house and beckons Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on a most dangerous and extraordinary adventure—one that will threaten their lives and our universe.

Winner of the 1963 Newbery Medal, A Wrinkle in Time is the first book in Madeleine L'Engle's classic Time Quintet.

What I think about it…

The Story

Lots of traveling – or tessering – and fun adventures, the story revolves around Meg, her youngest brother Charles Wallace and her schoolmate turned friend Calvin to find Meg’s and Charles Wallace’s physicist father who tessered / wrinkled somewhere and was imprisoned by IT. With the guidance of the Mrs. Ws, it is up to Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin to save their father and win the fight against the Black Thing that’s threatening not just earth but the entirety of the universe. 

The Life Lessons

There are lots of life lessons that I picked up in this book. One is to embrace our own uniqueness; then accepting the truth that we can’t know everything; third is that not all things can be expressed in words and that is okay; and lastly, that above everything else and at the end of the day, love will always win.

My Verdict

This is weirdly magical (if ever there is such a feeling) and I don’t know if it’s aimed for kids but I so felt the message of this book. I love how L’Engle inserted bible scriptures here and there. Though it was kinda difficult for me to imagine what kind of world was out there outside of earth, it was still enjoyable and again, pure magic.

MY RATING

★★★☆☆

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe #1) by Benjamin Alire Sáenz // BOOK REVIEW

“I bet you could sometimes find all the mysteries of the universe in someone's hand.”

Book: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe #1)

Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT

Synopsis: Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

My Initial Thoughts…

The synopsis didn’t give much. I thought it was too vague and when I read the book, it is in fact vague. What kind of story is this? A story of how Ari adore Dante so much?

I was a few pages away from chapter one when I realized I kinda, sorta don’t like Ari. He is overbearing and I can already tell that early that I’m not gonna like this book because of him. I’ve read countless YA books that deal with teen angst but this one is so annoying and cringey. There’s so much complaining, whining and hatred here that I kinda felt it was absurd. I know right off the bat that I’m not gonna like it as much as my friends and people who I follow on Goodreads do and I know this is an unpopular opinion. For me, Ari has so much hate for everything and I don’t like it that he’s putting Dante and Dante’s family in a pedestal. I hate it when a protagonist hates his family without a reason at all when his family is obviously trying. And his mom is right when she said that Ari doesn’t know how loved he is because he is busy hating everyone. He made up too many things in his head. For a guy who likes trouble and is not afraid to fight people, he is a coward.

The Story

Ari is an angry teen. He has a love-hate relationship with his parents and sisters. Ari’s father was a former soldier who fought in Vietnam and came back with internal battles no one can understand. The first few chapters pretty much narrated how Ari wants his father to communicate with him. They do talk but communicate? Not so. Ari’s hatred towards his family grew because they don’t want to talk about his brother, Bernardo, who is in prison. Not a single photograph of his brother can be seen around the house and no one ever talk about Bernardo as if he’s dead. Because Ari felt like his life is someone else’s idea, he decided to go to the local community pool to be alone and there he met Dante. Two young loners with characters that are polar opposites spent that summer together and discover the secrets of the universe.

Towards the Ending…

I didn’t know that I was halfway through the book until I’m there. It is a very slow book that I can say that there’s really nothing exciting happening. I was still annoyed with Ari because though it is his point of view, I don’t know why he was thinking the way he was thinking even with all those words he’s saying. The book being focused on his mind doesn’t help because he himself is confused so what more am I, right, I’m just a naïve reader.

Anyways, all the feelings in this book were right towards the end. When he started talking about his feelings and his dad and mom started to talk about their feelings. I thought then that if they only just communicated what they’re really feeling, there’s no story (like this book) to tell. As much as I was annoyed with Ari, I kinda tear-up during those intense conversation with his family. See, Ari, this is the life lesson in this story: you’re not the only person who’s struggling. Your father doesn’t talk about Vietnam War for a reason; your family didn’t talk about your brother for a reason. Ari, you’re just a fifteen year old boy who’s busy whining and complaining about life. Sometimes people don’t talk not just because they don’t want to but because there in the silence is comfort.

What didn’t work for me…

It was just so much hatred and confusion here. The first minute Ari is happy then the next he’s mad and I need to back read just to confirm why he suddenly became angry at certain situations. The emotions of the characters in this book is so confusing, absurd and all over the place. There was this one scene where Ari and Dante’s family went to play bowling. Their parents go first and then Ari and Dante met them there and I think they were okay then because Ari picked up Dante at their house and they were okay, they were even laughing. So they played bowling and everything was okay, again, they were laughing and talking. And then when they go home Dante was suddenly angry with no reason at all (or did I just missed it?). I don’t know, maybe Dante was not okay even before that bowling trip but being Dante, he wouldn’t act as if everything is okay when it’s not. I like him more than Ari but I think their roles here are super cringey and cheesy and scripted. This whole book is just so cringey and kinda unbelievable at all. Also, also, it never occurred to Ari that he was gay until his parents told him? I mean, with all that thinking and making up things in his head, he didn’t realized that? Okay, so maybe his life is really someone else’s idea then.

My Verdict

It was a decent read and I thought it was okay although I would say that there are events here that are just too illogical to be believable.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie // BOOK REVIEW

Book: And Then There Were None

Author: Agatha Christie

Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Synopsis: First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. A famous nursery rhyme is framed and hung in every room of the mansion:

"Ten little boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little boys traveling in Devon; One said he'd stay there then there were seven. Seven little boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in half and then there were six. Six little boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five. Five little boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four. Four little boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three. Three little boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two. Two little boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one. One little boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none."

When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion.

What I think about it…

It was just okay.

I was expecting more from this book because I’ve seen all those five stars and good reviews.

The Characters

I didn’t feel anything for them. I feel like I was not engaged in this book as I thought I would be. They are all detestable in their own ways.

The Story

At first I was trying to look for clues and trying to keep up with the story but then I thought that the author didn’t really drop any clues for the readers to know what’s really happening. The confession in the end - the supposedly surprise ending - didn’t surprise me at all because I was already expecting that that’s gonna happen – that someone, most probably the killer, will act as if he was murdered so as not to raise any suspicions from the other guests. What I didn’t guess is who the killer is. But when the killer’s identity was revealed, I didn’t even raise an eyebrow because I actually didn’t care at all.

My Verdict

Fast-paced and quick read and I kinda liked how it was written. I like quick reads but I think the downside is I was not focused and engaged with fast-paced books like this. I mean, okay, I hate slow books but this one is like mega super fast that I didn’t know it was the end until I’m in the About Agatha Christie part.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing (Magic Cleaning #1) by Marie Kondō // BOOK REVIEW

Book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing (Magic Cleaning #1)

Author: Marie Kondō (Author), Cathy Hirano (Translator)

Genre: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development

Synopsis: Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles?

Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you'll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo's clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list).

With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house "spark joy" (and which don't), this international best seller featuring Tokyo's newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home - and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire.

What I think about it…

I’m not a filthy person (that sounds bad) but I’m actually not quite tidy as well. I’d like to consider myself in the middle. I clean my clutter every other day or if I’m not feeling lazy. The thing is, I chose to pick up this book because I’ve been seeing Marie Kondō in my YouTube recommendations and one of my favorite tarot readers on YouTube recommended that this is  good read and since I’m quite behind with my reading challenge and this is a quick read, I've decided to give it a try. But it’s quite boring and redundant.

My Verdict

I honestly don’t know if I have the right to give it a review because I just skimmed through the book. Again, because I thought Kondō kept repeating herself throughout the whole thing, I decided to just read the title and skip the discussion. But if you're in for a discussion about how you've been cleaning your home wrong your whole life, read it.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater // BOOK REVIEW + RANTS

“You're asking me to define an abstract concept that no one has managed to explain since time began. You sort of sprang it on me," Gansey said. "Why do we breathe air? Because we love air? Because we don't want to suffocate. Why do we eat? Because we don't want to starve. How do I know I love her? Because I can sleep after I talk to her. Why?”

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Book: The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis: All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

What I think about it…

Finally, the conclusion of The Raven Cycle series! I have so much to talk about but I don’t know how to talk about it without spoiling it so I decided this review will contains lots and lots of spoilers… and rants. But to sum up my feelings for the whole series, I will still stand with what I said in the review of the first book (The Raven Boys) that this is going to be a favorite although the book two and three is not much fun for me. I love all the characters here and everything else is solid.

What I liked less…

You see, even if it’s one of my favorites, there are some things here that, I would say, confused the hell outta me and there are questions that sprout on my mind with that ending.

• I personally think that Gansey and Blue’s love story was set aside to give way to Ronan and Adam’s. I mean, of course they’re not the only main characters in the story but given that synopsis in book one and all, I thought that their love story is gonna be the thing.
• I don’t know if I missed the part where Gansey knew that he’s going to die when he is kissed by Blue. I was surprised to read that he already knew that he’s going to die from Blue’s kiss but how did he know that he is Blue’s true love? I know Blue told him that her true love is going to die if she kisses that true love but did Blue told her that it is him (the true love)? Or Gansey just connected the dots?
• So it was mentioned countless of times that there are three sleepers – one being the demon and then Gwenllian and the last one who? When they found Glendower, he is dead. Dead. Dead for so centuries. They can’t wake him up and so I thought that made him not the third sleeper because he’s not sleeping. Again, he’s dead. And then there are events that seemed to tell us that Gansey is the Raven King like (1) In Blue Lily, Lily Blue when he fell in the first cave and then suddenly there are ravens that began to shout, “The Raven King, make way for the Raven King,” and Gansey said he’s coming out of the pit; (2) when the three women who looked like Blue appeared in Cabeswater and they’re walking towards Gansey saying, “Make way for the Raven King”; and (3) they woke him up in the ending and as the last tree from Cabeswater fell, there was something that said, “Make way for the Raven King,” and then Blue said, “Wake up.” So I thought, is he the Raven King? Do Blue, Ronan and Adam know about that? Coincidence? But I’m paying attention when I was reading book one to know that The Raven Boys do not believe in coincidence and so am I.
• That was it for Noah? What? No. Maggie Stiefvater didn’t give his character a justice. He’s one of the Raven Boys and his character was left like that? Also I’m confused with time being a circle or whatever or whatnot and it turned out that it is Noah who whispered something to Gansey and not Glendower but still it’s confusing. So why is Noah’s spirit still with them then? For what other purpose? To poke Blue’s eyes out?
• In my personal opinion, Persephone’s death is completely unnecessary. I mean, why did she die? What reasons? To teach Adam what? I don’t get it. I think Stiefvater killed her just to have some bang in Blue Lily, Lily Blue’s ending.
• Some characters are there for completely no reason at all first one being Malory, I mean, okay he helped Gansey during his search for the ley line abroad but I don’t think his character helped a lot to progress the story when he appeared in book three. Then there are the Laumonier triplets who I thought was really scary and a worthy opponent but then I also thought we’re already in the ending and Stiefvater is still trying to introduce us to problems. What is she up to? And then Jimi – heck I didn’t know about Jimi, Orla’s mother, until this book. We were introduced to Jimi only to know that she and Orla was sent away somewhere to keep them safe. No, I think Stiefvater only wants to get rid of as much characters as she can because it’s the end and there’s really nothing for them.
• Also I need more from Neeve. Her half chapter doesn’t even discuss why she’s that way. I mean, okay, she wants more but what’s up with waking up the demon? And she died just like that? She isn’t even needed in this whole series so why make her character.
• I need to know what happened to other characters like Artemus and Gwenllian, are they gonna stay in this world and not aged? Also, I thought there was something more about why Artemus is acting cowardly but there’s no explanation at all. Why was he so distant? And I don’t like how crazy Gwenllian is like why does Stiefvater made her that way? Just to make it appear like there’s some kind of a mystery and in the end not even addressing it? Heck. What happened to Mr. Gray and Maura’s love life? Declan and Matthew? What happened to the people in the gathering and the demon? When Gansey died, the demon just disappeared like that? No more details?

The Ending

Now let’s talk about that ending. I made my point that I think Gansey is The Raven King but his death was delivered like that. I want more, I was expecting more drama and more tears but there’s none. And I love Gansey. Blue, Ronan and Adam love Gansey and I know that for a fact but it felt like Henry Cheng is more hurt and in pain when Gansey died than those three. The three books build that up – Gansey’s death – and that was it? Again. I. Want. More.

The thing with Glendower is quite satisfying because I don’t know if I can handle it if he is, in fact alive. I didn’t understand that thing with Artemus and Gwenllian but with Glendower, its fine. But what’s sad is that they don’t get to make a wish for Noah to come back to life but I also think that it’s okay. But again, Noah deserves a good ending. Also, I’d like to know where the myth that Glendower is actually alive and that you can ask him for a favor comes from because damn Gansey was expecting so much from it and I was expecting so much more from it.

My Verdict

To sum up my The Raven Cycle experience, I love it. It’s just that I felt like the ending was rushed and I don’t know if I was the only one with so much confusion like that. I didn’t know if it was explained in the book and I just missed it. I love it. Still one of my favorite series. Crazy ride my Raven Boys.

MY RATING

★★★★☆

Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater // BOOK REVIEW

“I'm glad you misdialed."
"Well. Easy mistake to make," she said. Might do it again." A very, very long pause. She opened her mouth to fill it, then changed her mind and didn't. She was shivering again, even though she wasn't cold with the pillow on her legs.
"Shouldn't," Gansey said finally. "But I hope you do.”

Book: Blue Lily, Lily (The Raven Cycle #3)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis: Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.

Mothers can disappear.

Visions can mislead.

Certainties can unravel.

What I think about it…

The Characters

I believe this book is more focused on Blue, her psychic family (including Calla and Persephone) and Adam.

There’s the introduction to new characters such as the man behind Mr. Grayman and then we get to meet Malory this time. Just a little spoiler, I honestly don’t see the sense of Malory coming to Henrietta. I don’t reckon he did something particularly remarkable while he was there. Also there are deaths here that I don’t think is necessary. It’s just sad and distasteful.

The Story

They are now looking for some caves that might be where Glendower was buried. But the dilemma is there are three sleepers. One who they should wake up, one who they should never wake up and the last is the one in between.

What I liked less…

I used to love history. It was one of my favorite subjects way back in high school and I even topped the history quiz bees for two consecutive years but here I am getting super bored and overwhelmed by how confusing the back story of this book is. I mean I love the idea, the plot of this book and at this point (come on I’m already on the third book) I should have understand everything that is going on and yet I’m so clueless, so lost. I cannot say anything bad about the author’s writing cos I find it quirky and funny at times so I would say that what I didn’t like about the story is that when the characters started to act dumb just like in horror movies when the protagonist is in a house and the lights went off and he should run for his life and yet what he did is to continue entering the said house to locate the light switch and that’s when the serial killer appears. It’s like that dumbness in this book. The characters here know how dangerous scrying is and yet, and yet…

My Verdict

I am confused as ever but and I don’t dwell on my irritation cos I love the characters in this book. There is so much going on and yet I feel like nothing is actually happening. I’m wondering how this story is even progressing and yet here I am in book three.

MY RATING

★★★☆☆

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater // BOOK REVIEW

“I wish you could be kissed, Jane,' he said. 'Because I would beg just one off you. Under all this.' He flailed an arm toward the stars.”

Book: The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis: Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after…

What I think about it…

The Characters

This book revolves more around Ronan Lynch, one of the Raven Boys and the dream thief, and his family. Ronan is, as usual, the snake and his badass self. Here I got to understand him more and got to know more about his family.

There are also some appearances of Matthew, the youngest of the Lynch siblings, and not much of Declan. 

Joseph Kavinsky, also, has some major parts here and his story is quite interesting but since I’m already reading the Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle Book #3), there’s still not much background of why he was what he was. If there was no explanation whatsoever regarding that then I will be left hanging.

The rest of the Raven Boys are still here (of course!) and still funny as ever. The ever scholarly Gansey, the mysterious Noah and then Adam. Adam, I think this is also his book as much as this is Ronan’s. Sometimes, what annoys me most about him is that he always thinks that people around him pity him but I don’t think that’s the case with Gansey. I think Gansey only want to help Adam and not to rub his wealth in Adam’s face. Adam and his pride is annoying.

Then there’s Blue and her psychic family. It was kinda blurry to me what kind of relationship Adam and she had. I don’t think its mutual understanding or whatever. There are lots of unsaid things between them and it’s scary that once it’s been said it’s gonna hurt one of them real bad – and I think it’s Adam. 

The Story 

In this book we got to see and learn more about Ronan’s family and their secrets and the secrets of some other characters too. Book one showed that the Raven Boys are not the only ones who are after the ley line – because there’s Whelk – and though he is dead there are still others who are after it. There’s this Gray man (the hit man who works for someone) who is after the Greywaren. But what exactly is that Greywaren and why are there so many people who are willing to kill just to get their hands on it?

My Verdict

This is not as fun or interesting as the first book. There are lots of vocabularies and I need to keep up with it and its confusing. Sometimes I have to go back a few paragraphs just to keep up. But I still love the Raven Boys! Them dissing each other, burning each other is so funny to me like they are #SquadGoals! This is still one of my favorite series though it's only three stars. Lol.

MY RATING

★★★☆☆

My Big, Fat, Fake Wedding by Lauren Landish // BOOK REVIEW

“She can be a badass bitch when she wants to be.”

Book: My Big, Fat, Fake Wedding

Author: Lauren Landish

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Fiction

Synopsis: He needs a wife. I need a husband. It’s just temporary… what could go wrong?

I’ve always wanted the fairy tale wedding. Not for the princess perfect dress or big party, but for Papa.

My grandfather. The only father figure I’ve ever known.

It’s his dying wish to walk me down the aisle.

Gee, no pressure.

But I can grant that wish...

I just have to fake being head over heels in love with Ross Andrews, my best friend's big brother whom I embarrassingly crushed on all through high school.

Handsome. Knockout sexy. Arrogant jerk extraordinaire.

Our childish pranks and tit-for-tat battles were legendary. Then I grew up.

Not that he ever noticed.

I know it’s a terrible idea, and we’re both in over our heads.

It could be the wedding of a lifetime or a total disaster.

How do we make it to the altar without killing each other first?

Or without falling in love for real?

What I think about it…

The Characters

Violet Russo is the main female character. She didn’t have any striking or unique characteristics or whatever. For me, she seemed just like a normal background character if not for her dilemma.

Ross Andrews just like any stereotype male lead character – handsome billionaire and a playboy. I find his personality a little problematic. I seriously disliked the way he handled the situation when their (spoiler) fake marriage was exposed.

The Story

I find this one overboard, so over-the-top. It was kind of funny and entertaining at first but the second half of the book felt like the story was being dragged and cringey and just too much. For someone who’s working in a corporate world, I find Ross’ conference with the Board absurd and hilarious. I don’t know if there’s ever a company that’s going to hold a meeting over someone else’s personal life – even if it’s the Vice President of the company. 

What didn’t work for me…

I like romance but this was too cringey and unbelievable, again, over-the-top. I readied myself when I realized that Ross is the brother of Violet’s best friend, Abi. For me it’s a no-no to date your friend’s siblings – that’s just incest (this is my opinion). So it added to the cringy-ness I was feeling but not too much. Also Ross’ pointing fingers when the truth was revealed kinda turned me off. He said something along the lines that yes, the Board certainly didn’t push him to do what he did but they pressured him. Oh-kay boy, so that’s what you do when you’re pressured? You make irrational decisions? Oh-kay.

My Verdict

In all fairness the love scenes here are quite steamy and Violet’s family is kinda amusing. I also have a big and crazy family. Honestly, the book was quite fine but maybe I’m just not in the mood for something like this. I skipped a lot of pages towards the end. Not that enjoyable but the story is kinda bearable.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak // BOOK REVIEW

“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.”

Book: The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Genre: Classic, Historical, Fiction

Synopsis: It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

What I think about it…

The Characters

Liesel Meminger, the book thief, her life – though fictional – made me think, ‘How can a little girl endured so much?’ She’s undeniably strong and courageous. I admire her bravery, of facing the world head on. She’s been through a lot of hell at a young age and yet she overcomes the world.

Rudy Steiner, oh boy Rudy is Liesel’s best friend. This boy with a lemon colored hair and a gangly blue eyes is athletic and brave. He was with Liesel everywhere. They’re literally partners in crime. From stealing apples, potatoes and books – a thief – he became the boy that hands breads to the Jews.

Max Vandenburg is the Jew that was kept in the Hubermann’s basement. He’s the only son of Papa’s former colleague – the guy that taught him how to play the accordion.

Papa is Hans Hubermann who taught Liesel how to read. I admire Papa so much. He embraced Liesel like she’s his own flesh and blood. He is tenderhearted. He has a gentle soul. He’s poor but that doesn’t stop him from helping people who needs it.

Mama is Rosa Hubermann who always, always curses everyone, like, she’s not gonna finish her sentences without a saumensch, saukerl or arschloch. She’s not Mama if she doesn’t curse but you know that’s her weird way of saying she cares and loves Papa and Liesel.

Ilsa Hermann is the Mayor’s wife. Ilsa became somewhat friends with Liesel. She lets her come inside their home, inside her library and she also lets Liesel read books there. She’s always in her robe and slippers with an unreadable expression. Honestly I don’t know what to make of Ilsa but there’s something in her that made me like her.

The Story

Liesel was 11 years old when she lost her younger brother. Her brother died in front of her and that’s what Liesel’s nightmares are made of in so many years to come. The day of her brother’s death, she got her first book – The Grave Digger’s Handbook. This book means so much to Liesel cos the book was there when she last saw her brother and the last time she saw her biological mother. But as ironic as it sounds, the book thief doesn’t know how to read. As the years went on and she started learning how to read, she also started stealing books.

What didn’t work for me…

I didn’t get the hype and for that I’m sorry. It was boring, for me, and the only time that I felt something about this book is that chapter. Maybe I’m just too dumb for this book because I didn’t understand a lot (and I mean a lot) of things here like, maybe, there are symbolisms or whatnot that I missed. I know Max’s sketch meant something but I was too bored to care. I don’t know what I missed but I think the reason why it was on my shelf for, like, forever was because it was in the historical genre.

My Verdict

This book has been in my shelf for years. Yes, years. It’s only this week that I had the urge to start reading it and boy it disappointed me. I felt bad that I didn’t love it like my friends loved it, like the people who I followed on Goodreads loved it. So yeah, one star for Rudy and one star for Papa.

MY RATING

★★☆☆☆

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater // BOOK REVIEW

“My words are unerring tools of destruction, and I’ve come unequipped with the ability to disarm them.”

Book: The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis: “There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

What I think about it…

The Characters

Gansey, Ronan, Adam and Noah are the Raven Boys.

Gansey is President Cellphone. I super love Gansey. He's independent, smart and responsible. He's like the big brother to the three other boys. He's rich and yet he's so simple. There are times when he feels like he's nothing to his friends but what he didn't know is they love him and he's the glue that holds them all together.

Ronan is the bad boy that's barely holding it all together. He's been keeping a lot of secrets just like his father.

Adam is the clever one because he needs to. He's not rich just like every other students in Aglionby. Gansey took him under his wing and Adam doesn't like it. He wants things to work his way and not because he has rich friends. He's living with his abusive father and submissive mother.

Noah is Noah. He's always there although you can't see him.

Blue is the only girl in the circle. She's not part of the Raven Boys and she's not studying in Aglionby but she became friends with the Raven Boys because (1) Adam has a crush on her; (2) she doesn't have a psychic power just like everyone else in her family and; (3) her mother told her to stay away from the boys but she disobeyed her.

Barrington Whelk is the young Latin professor who was once a student in Aglionby. He came from a once very wealthy family. He also has a lot of secrets he's been keeping for years.

These characters are all so adorable. They have different personalities like for instance Ronan is arrogant and rough but Adam is the complete opposite and yet you know the love and care for each other is there. They roast each other like there's no tomorrow and yet you can feel their support towards one another. 'Tis squad I'm looking for.

The Story

The story is so intriguing and it might look like it's over the top but it's not. I was not expecting that the author will go for a love triangle here - Gansey, Blue and Adam - and upon finishing the first book, I still don't know who Blue will end up with or what will happen to Gansey. There's a lot of adventures and magic and paranormal in the story that makes it captivating.

My Verdict

I've been wanting to read this series for so long and now I'm beyond ecstatic that I get to have my hands on this first book already!

Paranormal genre is not my thing but the plot is too intriguing not to read. In the end, I don't regret a thing and my instinct is right that I'm gonna love this.

The story is cute and intriguing and not scary at all. Something tells me it's gonna be a favorite!

MY RATING

★★★★☆