Review of Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Status: read elibrary audiobook.
Rating: 3.5/5
Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the third book in the Raven Boys Quartet by Maggie Stiefvater. Since its birth, I have been a massive fan of the series. The books are very focused on a group of unlikely friends who cross paths at the eve of Blue's 16th year. She and her raven boys are looking for a sleeping king hidden on the ley line. In this book, the group encounters other sleepers on the line and get ever

closer to the discovery Gansey's king and the day of Gansey's predicted death. Full of twists, gorgeous writing and stolen moments when Blue and Gansey fall in love, this novel made me long for magic.

The book was enjoyable however I came away disappointed by a few things. Foremost, Ronan's storyline which was dominant in Dream Thieves practically disappeared from Blue Lily. You do grow attached to Stiefvater's characters so its sad when they stop appearing in the books. For instance Ronan's friend, brothers and Gansey's family make no appearance in this book. The male antagonist, though extremely prominent throughout Blue Lily, is taken out of the picture by the end of the novel. Maggie's character development though wonderful and unique seems almost unsustainable.

No one can fault the writing style however. There were many passages so delicious to read (or hear in the audiobook) particularly when describing characters or the magic. If you want a books you can truly savour I would recommend this series.


Favourite quotes:

Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn't all encompassing, that wasn't blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now she'd had this kind, she didn't want the other.

She stood on the ledge of his smile and looked over the edge.

They were not creating a mess. They were just slowly illuminating the shape of it.

Let me know what you thought about the book and any theories as to the last one. If this sounds interesting click the book title for its Goodreads page or if you'd like to read my review of Dream Thieves click here. Ciao!

Review of The Giver by Lois Lowry

Status: returned to elibrary to much dismay.
Rating: 5/5 stars.

In a futuristic society Jonas reaches the age of maturity where his career will be decided. Instead of being awarded a career, Jonas is selected as the society’s new Receiver of all human memories of the past. Though exempted from society’s rules against curiosity and dishonesty in his new position, Jonas vows to never lie. But he must lie. With the Giver’s training he sees the true world and cannot share it.

This novel kept surprising me. Like many adult readers, I lowered my expectations due to the book's classification as children’s fiction. However the book challenged me intellectually and morally beyond what a child may grasp. I came to realise how a totalitarian society can flourish without its citizens noticing how controlled they really are. The twists were seamlessly interwoven with world-building and clear dialogue. I would recommend this book for non-readers or lovers of dystopian or introspective literature. Think Animal Farm crossed with If I stay. An odd mix, but it works.

Let me know what other children’s stories you enjoyed as an adult. Have you seen the film adaptation of the Giver? Ciao.

Christmas Book Haul

Happy New Year to you lovely folk. We are well into 2015 and I still haven’t posted a Christmas book haul. I got a lot of books both given to me and purchased by me so I wanted to share my nerdy excitement here!

1.       Scarlet and Cress by Marissa Meyer

My sister heard me cry out and came running to my room, asking me what was wrong. I said, “Cinder finished. And I don’t’ have the second one.” She bought me both sequels. My sister is the greatest. (Read my Cinder book review here.)

2.       I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

Sometimes the world is horrid. I am saving this book for when I need to know how to survive human cruelty. Malala is a young woman standing up against the Taliban by going to school and speaking out on behalf of oppressed young women. At 17, she is possibly the greatest human alive with a Nobel Peace Prize under her belt and a survivor of brutal gun attacks. I already know this is going to be a massive book for me particularly as feminist literature.

4.       Landline by Rainbow Rowell

If you haven’t yet picked up a Rainbow Rowell book I really don’t know what you’re doing. I am seriously excited to start this one. This author has taken the young adult and adult contemporary genre by storm, particularly in 2014. Her novel Eleanor and Park remains my favourite youth fiction romance ever. Fangirl –omg Fangirl-  is incredible. Go read Rainbow Rowell.

5.       Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

A fantastic new addition to my bookshelf (one that I bought myself) in the form of a teen urban fantasy-suspense. I remember reading Westerfeld’s Uglies series in my early teens and being enchanted by his world-building and plot driven storyline. This is one book to watch.

6.       Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

I purchased this by suggestion of a friend who promised me a mighty heroine and a premise which would blow my mind. I’m hesitantly excited but I trust Richelle Mead – author of Bloodlines which I love - with my fragile fangirl life. I am always excited to start new series.

As always, you can follow the links of the books you like the sound of to Goodreads. Now the only question is: where to begin? Ciao.

Mockingjay Book and Movie Review

Status: read all the books and seen all the movies. 
Rating: 7/5 stars

*** Warning contains movie AND book spoilers. Do not be spoiled ***

After seeing the movie, I decided it was time for a reread of one of my favourite trilogy's conclusion. Collins' words are harsh and bleak. They speak of the pain and greed which scars the victors of the Hunger Games.

The story unfolds in the depths of District 13's underground bunkers which are about as cheerful as they sound. Although I was slightly unimpressed by the lack of imagery of 13 when compared to the lavish descriptions of the Capitol and District 12, the setting reflects Katniss's caged feeling as she refuses the role of rebel symbol.

I loved the role of minor characters such as Hatymitch and Finnick in the novel. This was something the movie definitely lacked. It was in these intimate interactions between the victors that readers truly appreciate the effects of the "circuses" of Panem have had on individuals. Finnick and Haymitch's stories add a depth to their characters which is downplayed in the movie. Particularly Finnick's story which is used as almost background noise to the real action is sorely missed by fans of his character. This downplaying of the victors' roles may decrease the emotional effect of some characters' deaths in part 2.

Katniss's sarcasm and bluntness shines when she grates against Plutach's optimism and enjoyment of the war. As a character, she has unprecedented complexities as a young female protagonist in youth fiction. Her assassination of the President shows balanced on the weight of a profound promise of honesty shows her rebellious nature and her struggle with accepting hard truths.

I loved this novel more this time around particularly after seeing the first half of the story played out on a cinema screen. I am very very very very excited for the last film.

Let me know what you thought about the movie adaptation. Ciao!

Cinder by Marrissa Meyer - Book Review

Status: Have already purchased books two and three.
Rating: 7/5 stars.

I haven't had a book completely blow me away like this since The Fifth Wave or The Hunger Games. I went into this thinking it was a retelling of Cinderella and boy was I wrong. I was hooked from the first page. We are immediately introduced to a mechanic who has just detached her own foot. This is not your classic Cinderella. This is Cinder.

Cinder is a mechanic girl adopted by a horrible stepmother and living in New Beijing. She is first approached by Prince Kai to fix his personal android which contains important information not available on the imperial internet. Just a normal boy meets girl scenario. Except that Cinder is cyborg, 36% machine and a servant to society at large. She is volunteered by her stepmother to become a vaccine tester for medical research undertaken to cure the plague spreading to the Commonwealth. What follows is an epic adventure through a new world, government system and some bad ass  non-Disney princesses.

The novel was heavily reliant on dialogue to keep a fast pace. Not many witty one-liners but certainly lots of chemistry with Prince Kai and Iko. And the pace was what made this book for me. I was never bored and was always ready for the next mystery to present itself.

In short I ate this book up. I reveled in its creative homage to the classic fairytale and the fantastic twists and turns I never saw coming. The world-building was truly amazing and akin to the dystopian worlds I hope I can build for my stories in future. This is one series to keep on your YA fiction horizons.

Favourite quote: 
It was not her fault he had liked her. 
I was not her fault she was cyborg.
She would not apologize.