Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner

Goodreads

I'm not even gonna hide the fact that I just picked these up so I can stay true to my whole "I would NEVER watch a book-to-movie adaptation with out reading the actual book." And that's pretty much my entire motivation for reading them.

And to be honest, I've had a lot of mixed feelings about they will be summed up on one gif:

Blood of Olympus

(GOODREADS)

So here it is. The thrilling conclusion to what has been nearly a five year commitment.

 And to be honest?

 I loved every bit of it.

 I have never once regretted picking up this series in the eighth grade, never once regretted the torture of waiting an entire year  between every book.

And now here it is. nearly five years after finishing The Lightning Thief,  I read what is quite possibly, the last book about Percy Jackson's world, The Blood of Olympus.

Love Letters to the Dead

Good Reads

This book is written in letters to the dead ( I know what you're thinking; it's probably around the lines of "No. Really!!?!" and "How did you guess!?!" but anyway...) and the idea is super cool--at first.

So here's the deal, the protagonist Laurel is processing the tragedy of her sister's death (which takes place before the time of the novel) and she receives an English assignment to write a letter to a dead person and that is how this whole thing begins.

So it's kind of interesting for a bit. But honestly? I don't get it. Laurel says she is so torn by her sister's death, how May was her best friend, how May meant SO MUCH to her, but I don't see any of that in the actual book.

What I do see, is Laurel pining after some guy named Sky, and just in general living her life, while occasionally throwing in "May died. I'm sad. It's my fault"

And what sucks is that you don't see this girl that's torn by grief actually getting torn by grief. Which to me, just really takes away the whole point of the book.

Another thing- the dead people. She writes letters to them; a paragraph about who they were, what they did, etc. and then stuff like this:

On my first day...I used my favorite outfit from middle school instead, which is jean overalls with a long-sleeve tee shirt and hoop earrings.

The next thing I realized is that you aren’t supposed to bring your lunch. You are supposed to buy pizza and Nutter Butters, or else you aren’t supposed to even eat lunch.

And this gem:

I especially like to watch this boy, whose name I figured out is Sky. He always wears a leather jacket, even though summer is barely over. He reminds me that the air isn’t just something that’s there. It’s something you breathe in.

From this you can tell its basically written like a diary. May isn't even a huge part of it, which is awful because all I really wanted was to find out what happened to her, and that doesn't even happen until the last half. Laurel's grief doesn't even seem visible during the first half. she doesn't even seem slightly bent from the devastating thing that is losing a loved one. And the lack of grief really screwed this up for me.

Rating: 2.5/5

Happy Reading,

Sidra

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

Goodreads

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye  Walton is not anything if not a lesson on life, love, and the beauty and pain of both.

The story follows Ava Lavender; an extraordinary girl wanting to be anything but. Ava was born with wings and a twin; who was born unique in his own way.

The beauty of this book comes from the writing. Walton paints a picture with words that made it hard to turn away. And the voice that was give to Ava had its own special quality, she narrates to the reader about the sorrows and joys faced by her family; as well as the difficulties of just living.

***

To many, I was myth incarnate, the embodiment of a most superb legend, a fairy tale. Some considered me a monster, a mutation. To my great misfortune, I was once mistaken for an angel. To my mother, I was everything. To my father, nothing at all. To my grandmother, I was a daily reminder of loves long lost. But I knew the truth — deep down, I always did.

I was just a girl.

***

Ava shows us that love isn't ll its cracked up to be. Sometimes we love those we try hard not to. Sometimes we love those who we know aren't meant to really and truly deserve our love, and then we turn around and ignore those who deserve it more than anything. And sometimes, people are just straight up psychos and need to be mashed in the head a couple times.

It's really hard to review abook without trying to spoil the important bits, but in this case everything is important. Yes, its the story of Ava Lavender, but the story of Ava Lavender can not possibly be told without the story of everyone around her. And that's the beauty of it. Every character in this book is not meaningless and adds to the plot, setting, and story; in some way.

In conclusion: Ava Lavender taught this 17 year-old girl more about love, life, and the rainbow after the storm than anyone ever could. And that's why Leslye Walton has one the most beautiful debut novels ever.

Rating: 5/5

Happy Reading,

Sidra

Feature and Follow 3: Book Looks!

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and ayou must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Question of the Week: Book looks - Your favorite fashions from the books you've read - Suggested byGo Book Yourself

The kefta's (? I don't know if I spelled it right..) from The Grisha Trilogy seem gorgeous to me. And they contribute to an entire culture so there is definately appeal in that. Besides that, its the robes and uniforms from Hogwarts. One of these days, I'm gonna get my hands either a Ravenclaw or Slytherin outfit and I shall feel amazing. 

What about you?

***

While you're here, I would appreciate it a bunch if you would go follow me on instagram  (<---- LINK). This blog is so hard for me to keep up with, and although I LOVE posting on here, sometimes school is just a hassle and I can't post as much as I want to. 

BUT, with IG I plan on posting at least once a day, with what I'm reading currently, mini reviews, and other book related things.

So please follow :)

****ALSO, I LOVE reading ALL of your comments but I'm not able to reply, because I'm still trying to figure out this template ( from bloggercandy.com She has a LOT of pretty & free ones :) ) But I appreciate every single one.

Happy Reading, 

Sidra

Feature and Follow 2 :

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and ayou must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Question of the Week: Book character(s) you'd like to see with their own Twitter page - Suggested byA Great Read

This is actually quite hard. For me, it would probably be Hazel Lavesque (Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan). I would find it amusing to read Hazel's reactions to various present day peculiarities. Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters would probably have some amazing things to say, too. Who would you like to see with their own twitter page?

***

ALSO, if anyone has an instagram please, Please, PLEASE, give me a follow! it will be more of a daily thing, rather than couple of times a week :) . Its on the right sidebar. I hope to start posting soon! 

Happy Reading,

Sidra

Legend by Marie Lu

 (goodreads)

 I have kind of an unearthly obsession for dystopian novels. I gravitate towards them. Maybe I just have a sixth sense that starts pinging in the deep trenches of my brain; I don't know. And I LOVE them if they're done right, and let me tell you, Marie Lu did a lot of things right.

Legend is the first of a trilogy that tells the tale of  two fifteen-year-olds living in a broken country that was a part of the good ol' US of A. Day is a wanted outlaw; he's been terrorizing and tormenting the goverment a long time; blowing up goverment-owned vehicles, attacking military personnel, stealing money; he's kind of a Robin Hood for the people. Gives them hope and whatnot.

June, on the other hand, is a prodigy (lol) . She has been groomed to become a leading military official. She's rich, she's loved, and she's a little lonely with only her older brother for any actual company.
Day and June meet in the most peculiar of circumstances, and unravel some dark secrets.

The Grisha Trilogy

 

      Ah, the Grisha Trilogy. I read these three consecutively and I literally could not put them down. If I did it was only because of two reasons A). I had to do work or sleep, or B). to pick up the next book. It is literally that brilliantly written. Bravo to you Leigh Bardugo, bravo. 

Bardugo tells a tale of an ordinary young heroine who is whisked away into the world of politics and magical abilities when she discovers her extraordinary gift; she's a sun summoner--Alina Starkov can summon light from her fingertips. And thus, we are submerged into something truly beautiful and unique alongside Alina; whose life goes from simple clothes to gowns made from the most luxurious materials. Into a world that contains darkness as well as light, a villain you love to hate ( and hate to love), a loyal friend, privateers, princes, mythical creatures, illegal magic, anarchy, friends, foes, a country worth fighting for, and so much more. 

Feature and Follow #1

Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and ayou must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

Question of the Week: Before blogging (dark times people!) how would you find out about new books or did you? - Suggested byA Great Read

First Feature and Follow, I'm actually quite excited!

 

Before I started blogging I found books the old fashioned way-- browsing the shelves at the library and reading whatever seemed appealing to  me. My school library has this thing where they "showcase" new releases, or books that just came in, or extremely popular books, along the lines of TFIOS and Divergent, and more often than not I found some pretty amazing stuff.

That was up until recently, where I picked up this blog again and started anew.  Now I follow all theses brilliant people, and I'm finding suggestions left and right, which is greatness, if you ask me. And I've recently discovered Goodreads (probably a bit late, i know) and now its my go-to source for getting a general idea for what books are like, which is ALWAYS helpful. What about you? How did you find books in the dark times? 

Happy Reading,

Sidra 

Mortal Dangers and what I'm reading currently

Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.
In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind... 
summary from goodreads

The Agency series by Y.S. Lee

 Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past

 Summary from goodreads 
*(A Spy in the House is the first novel)


So I picked up these books in a rush; I had to leave the library, but I didn't have nearly enough books to get me through the week; I didn't read the summary and barely glanced at the cover. The only thing that actually compelled me to read these was the little sticker on the spine labeling it as a mystery novel. I put it off as long as I could, and when I finally opened it my reaction was a bit like this:

Following the young heroine Mary Quinn became my favorite past time for the next two days.

 The novel is set in the late 19th century, and Mary is quite an adventurous young 17 year old; and an outspoken an independent woman for her time and age. She is inserted into environments where she has one job: to spy on the rich and corrupt and discover all their misdoings; smuggled goods, stolen items, and sunken ships. Along the way, she meets quite a few interesting people including James Easton and Octavius, who make her story all the more charming. One of the reasons I love this series is that, although it does contain some sort of a romance; this doesn't take away from the plot at all. The main focus is always Mary and her assignment, without the unnecessary and, quite frankly, annoying love triangle sub plot that seems to dominate the story. It made me smile and quite nearly almost scream in anticipation with the absolutely wonderful twists and turns that occur throughout the novel.

Rating: 4/5