Book Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Series: Standalone
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Publish: October 7th, 2014 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Brit Pheiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants;but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

Britt is forced to guide the men off the mountain, and knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there and in uncovering this, she may become the killer's next target.

But nothing is as it seems, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

Eh. A lot of things pissed me off in this book. I'm sorry, Fitzpatrick, but just so you know, your Hush Hush saga wasn't bad. As I was reading, I took some notes on my electronic device.... And I returned the book to the library, so I'm not sure what my notes will be referring to, but I'll try to remember as I type.

The beginning is your first impression of the book, because, I mean, it is a first impression and you all know first impressions are important. Maybe they won't stand true and may falter and shatter, but my first impression of the main character was like..it stayed and my impression of her never changed. I did read a couple of reviews before jumping into reading on Goodreads, and the complaints were mostly for the stupidity of the main character. Oh, and how she's very self-centered and rude, so I prepared myself for the worst and my mind-shield was protective enough so that I was able to give this book three stars and avoid the bad things about it.

Oh, yes, can't forget. Korbie is someone...who changes mood very fast, and for some reason, I find that very unrealistic for her character.

Oh my, oh my. Too many things to point out without spoiling. All I can say is that it's not very realistic. The main character is extremely narcissistic and doesn't know how to make smart decisions although she claims that she had read many books about surviving in the wild and boasts about being reasonable and smart while with her kidnapper. Like, I mean, seriously. Just. Seriously.

And Fitzpatrick just has to kill the - maybe - most reasonable character EVER, so far in the story.

And the main character - Britt, was it? - SPOILER reads into Korbie's diary and finds a list that compares their features.

Oh - and I DELETED MY NOTES SO I CAN'T SPOIL YOU GUYS ANYMORE. AHAHAH. BE GRATEFUL.

Book Review: Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Standalone
Genres: Young Adult, New Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary
Published: April 10, 2014 by Disney Hyperion
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

This is a gorgeous book. It's too good. Like seriously. Everything abut this was good. I think this novel ought to be her best work so far that I've read. I love the mystery aspect in it, very beautifully written. There was a hint of horror in it, but that's to be expected as it was a thriller and suspense novel. It was also fun to read it because of 'Mean Girls'. I've watched that movie a thousand times and this is the first time I've used it to read a novel.

"The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level..." That sentence from the summary of my copy just sparked a 'mean girl' fangirl in me and I started reading her old friends as Regina, Gretchen and Karen. Oooohhh, it was such a fun read to be able to read it like that.

I also loved the family interactions in this novel. Like we even got to know more about their parents and the actual reasons to actual problems. The only thing I didn't like was the conflict at the end. I felt like it could've been better written and more detailed, but that aside, everything was amazing. Her brother was also a protective one, which is so cute. The amnesia part was very well written and I loved how there wasn't so much of a sarcastic aspect in this novel because she is actually logical at time. Sometimes, the characters are too sarcastic in other books that I can't stand them, but this novel lets me take a nice break from it, but at the same time enjoy some funny comments.

To be honest, I'm very surprised that Armentrout actually fit all the answers to the questions in our head by the end of the story. It's a pretty short thriller novel if I were to say so myself, especially when our main character has amnesia and she was to find everything out. Ahhh, this just gives you the feels and it's too good to not read. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone if you've yet to read it!

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Series: The Maze Runner (#1)
Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Fantasy
Published: October 6th, 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

"If you ain't scared, you ain't human."

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers--boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It's the only way out--and no one's ever made it through alive.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Oh..Wow. One word. Superduperamazing. The plot was splendid and unique, the world building was fine. The characters though, was another aspect. Plain and simple, nothing unique.

Usually in my reviews, I don't type out what this book is about, but really, I just want to explain it..The whole summary from goodreads. So, Thomas, is a boy. A teen, if I were to be more precise. He wakes up in a box and has amnesia...only remembering his name. The box opens and he's now surrounded by strangers. More boys he doesn't know. They drag him out of them box, and he lands in a place the boys call, "The Glade". The Glade is a room, I guess that's the best I could describe it, but outside the barriers(the stone walls) is a maze. One that changes it's routes every so often. And everyone is trying to escape.

Yep. That's The Maze Runner to you. I just wanted to give you a brief explanation of what The Maze Runner truly is. Not a confusing story. Well, it is. The mystery is well kept and something I would never tire of. I wanted answers, but the only way to get them was to read through the characters' points of views. So, you just kind of have to bear with it and go along with their mysterious lives. Now the characters on the other hand are simply the downside of the book. Makes the book less worth. They're all similar with their amnesia and the way they landed in The Glade. They only remember their names and their only goal is to escape. Very....un-unique. Boring. Plain. Not the type of characters I was expecting in a spectacular book like this.

The Plot...Oh my gosh. Fangirl. Sooo good! Haven't read a book like this in soo long, one that captured my attention every moment of my life. For some reason, it didn't really bother me not getting any answers..y'know? I'm not sure if everyone feels like they need to have answers, but I felt like I could get along with the book just fine with the few answers Dashner has given us. The world building was also fine and on point. It had the grievers and the maze and overall, everything in general. I really have nothing to say about this book, for it has few faults and many...cool scenes. Um..Emotions that I was feeling? I never really felt sad when we lost a character, so I would've liked it more if Thomas interacted more with the other characters before Dashner killed them off so that I could..you know..have emotions when someone dies.

Book Review: Altered by Jennifer Rush

Series: Altered (#1)
Genres: Young Adult, SciFi, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance
Published: January 1st, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

Review ~

I loved the story in this! In fact, that was the only thing that kept me reading. Oh. Very unpredictable. I didn't know that the person was going to betray them. I didn't know they were going to make it. The only let down was the near death situations, and how they still survived. Also, the main character?
Anna? She annoys me. She's your typical stuck up and nosy teenage girl. I mean leaving them alone and more of a punishment for you than to them? Obviously, you got that right. Like seriously, all you think about is yourself.

The boys are the best characters in the whole book. Sam though, we need to see more of his real side, not the masked side. Not much character development between the boys either. As of the world building, not much either. The plot was the best, earned the book three stars and a half. Anna and the boys dragged it down. Haha. Alright book. Will I read the next one? Yea, if I have time though.

Drama. Yes. The most crucial part of a book. It was solved very quickly. Like, just a page or two of the characters discussing the matter and then they either forgive each other quickly or forget about it for the rest of the book. I also loved the plot(I said that), but like the part..you know, I love how Jennifer Rush includes the brain being altered, "telepathy" and other scientific notes.

One thing that was confusing. Who loved who? I mean, maybe its my fault and I don't mean to be slow, but I wasn't fully into the "romance" of the book, I was into the scifi and mystery/thriller/suspense in it. I don't know, but those aspects were simply amazing and captured all my attention.

Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass (#2)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Action, High Fantasy, Adventure, Paranormal, Mystery
Published: August 15th, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.
Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for. 

Review ~

By the Wyrd! I loved this. I think this was even better than Throne of Glass. Has anyone been on Team Chaol since the beginning? Because I have. And I probably always will be. I just don't know why I don't like Dorian. You know my nickname for him? DURIAN. If you don't know what durian is, I advise you to search it up. Stinky fruit. 

“The rest of the world quieted into nothing. In that moment, after ten long years, Celaena looked at Chaol and realized she was home.” 

Celaena was just AWESOME. She's kick-a** and bad-a**. People were underestimating her because she's a girl. Well they thought wrong. Chaol was just sweet and kind. I hope that Dorian will become a great king. I want the king dead. Crown of Midnight contained more action, betrayal, secrets and trust. I loved the romance and character development between Chaol and Celaena. I totally ship them. CHAOLAENA. And shoot, if you don't end up with him, I will gladly take him.

"And in that world... Celaena swallowed hard. She and Chaol would never be a normal boy and girl, but perhaps in that world they could make a life of their own. She wanted that life, Because even though he'd pretended nothing had happened after the dance they'd shared that night, something had. And maybe it had taken her this long to realize it, but this man ― she wanted that life with him."

MAJOR SPOILERS START HERE

There's one part I would like to talk about. So Crown of Midnight is split into two parts. When I read part two, it was just depressing when reading it. I hated how Celaena acted after the death of her beloved friend, Nehemia. She blamed and wanted to kill Chaol. I mean, I do agree that Chaol should have at least warned the guards about the anonymous threat to Nehemia. Nehemia saw it coming. She basically planned it out. Chaol just thought he was protecting you, while Nehemia had been lying to you about many, many things. "You will always be my enemy." do you know seeing how much Chaol was hurt hurt me. Her saying that kept coming up in his mind, The way she was acting afterwards, I was like, "Get it together, Celaena! Stop!" She was burning everything that he had touched. I mean come on, I'll take whatever he touched then.

“Why are you crying?"
"Because," she whispered, her voice shaking, "you remind me of what the world ought to be. What the world can be.”

One of my favorite parts was when it was the night of Chaol's birthday. Celaena had arranged a dinner in the greenhouse. And it was so sweet! Chaol had said he hadn't had something like that since he was little. I was just like, "Awwww~". And then they have this one discussion (which I'm not gonna say what since she basically tells him what she's been doing in the beginning) and then they make out and then they make love. <3 I love the scenes with Celaena and Chaol.

“And because she was young, and so damn clever and amusing and wonderful, wherever she made her home, there would be some man who would fall in love with her and who would make her his wife, and that would be the worst truth of all. It had snuck up on him, this pain and terror and rage at the thought of anyone else with her. Every look, every word from her... he didn't even know when it had started.”

We learn some things about Celaena towards the end of the book. I knew one of them because I saw a spoiler on Goodreads, you know, just one simple sentence reveals a lot and that was actually the last sentence of Crown of Midnight. And I was like, "Oh my god. All the possibilities." THE ENDING WAS JUST HEART-WRENCHING AND TEAR-JERKING. Oh, the tears came when Chaol made a deal with his father to discuss to the council or whatever to have Celaena shipped to Wendlyn (for a really heart-wrenching reason) and for that he would have to move back to Anielle. And when Celaena was boarding the ship to Wendlyn and Chaol didn't tell her that he would move back to Anielle and said he loves her, I just died. It just hurts thinking about it right now. Seriously.

There's a little something-something with the Wyrd keys and one of the competitors involved in the mystery. I'm not gonna go into that since either you've read it or you haven't yet.

I just recently found out that the third book is called HEIR OF FIRE. You know what that means right? By the Wyrd, we have to wait for 5 more months. Waiting for the cover reveal...