Review of Warcross by Marie Lu

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

Rating 4/5 stars 

I enjoyed this book immensely. I kept me interested from the start right through to the very thought provoking end. It has good characters and a brilliantly imagined world. Marie Lu’s descriptions are so good, it feels like you can see exactly what she intended! All the colors and shapes of the virtual world.

Emika’s character builds from a ‘’one man show” kind of girl, to a first-class team player. Even though she is a down and out teenager, who struggles financially, she makes friends with billionaires and high ranked game players.

The virtual reality of this book is outstanding, evidence of the writer’s skills. I have read some of Marie Lu’s other books and it is just as great.

The book has a very thought provoking ending. A choice between two things. One is good, the other bad. But the good are also bad, and the bad are also good. So which one will you choose?

I think both adults and teenagers will love this book. 

#marielu

#warcross

Review of Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

***** 5 stars

What an interestingly written book! It is written like no other book I’ve ever read before. Almost like a comic book or graphic novel, but the pictures are made of words. The whole story consists of files, reports, messages, etc. It is in fact a report compiled by someone about what transpired on the Planet Kerenza, and after.

It is such a captivating read. I was really surprised that you can tell a whole story, in enough detail, with just emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and such. Very creative! I’ll definitely be reading the next two books in this series soon (Gemina & Obsidio).

I fell in love with the two main characters from the start, and empathized with them, their situation, their very complicated relationship. The character building is so good. Kady and Ezra really grow as people from childish teens to more responsible young adults.

The way it is written make for an awesome read that never bores. The twists (yes, plural!) in the end are something I never would have predicted. And I absolutely love unpredictable books! This is definitely one of the very few 5 star reads I’ve had in a while!

It is classified as a young adult book, but it is quite graphic in some scenes, I would not recommend it to younger teenagers. It has a lot of violence in it more suitable for older teenagers/young adults.

Review of Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Everyone loses something to the Tox; Hetty lost her eye, Reese's hand has changed, and Byatt just disappeared completely.

It’s been eighteen months since the Raxter School for Girls was put in quarantine. The Tox turned the students strange and savage, the teachers died off one by one. Cut off from the mainland, the girls don’t dare wander past the school’s fence where the Tox has made the woods wild and dangerous. They wait for the cure as the Tox takes; their bodies becoming sick and foreign, things bursting out of them, bits missing.

But when Byatt goes missing, Hetty will do anything to find her best friend, even if it means breaking quarantine and braving the horrors that lie in the wilderness past the fence. As she digs deeper, she learns disturbing truths about her school and what else is living on Raxter Island. And that the cure might not be a cure at all...

**** 4 stars

This was a very interesting read for me. It was written nicely throughout the whole book, which made it a pleasant read. It does require a lot of trigger warnings, though. (I’ll mention some below) The book is classified as Young Adult, but I would say that you should be a bit of an older young adult to not get scarred by some of the things going on in this story.

It is brutal and does not try to sugar coat what really happens. I would say it is borderline horror. Which I like!  I describe it as similar to Lord of the Flies, but with girls. Without giving any spoilers, there are animal deaths, human deaths and maiming. And the animals are, well, lets just say they’re not like they used to be.

The ending is a bit weird. It didn’t fit in with the rest of the story for me. But, that’s just me.

Trigger warnings:

Suicide, suicidal tendencies

Violence (graphic)

Gore

Parental death, animal death, character death

Starvation

Non-consensual medical treatments

Body mutilations

Reading Slump - A Reader's Worst Nightmare

As you might have guessed, I am going through a terrible reading slump the last few weeks or so and I absolutely hate reading slumps!

After I finished my last book, I went through my TBR list to find my next read. Picked up the book and started reading. A few chapters in, I start to realize I’m not into it. And no matter how hard I try to force myself to finish, I simply can’t. Ok, fine. Next book, same. And the next lot after that too. At one point I must have stood in front of my bookcases for a full 15 minutes, if not longer, trying to find something, and I have lots of books. I even tried reading something I’ve read before and enjoyed a lot. Nope, nothing works.

Now my question is, does everyone go through something like this, or am I just weird (which I am)? I get slumps like these often. Especially after I finished a really good book. Then all others seem to be dull and boring. Even if at any other time I would have enjoyed it immensely. It is so frustrating, because reading is like an addiction for me. I cannot not read. Impossible.

So what is the solution? What do you do if this happens? Do you have a list of go to books? All I can do is pick up book after book and hope (pray!!) that the next one will be THE ONE. Yes, I end up half/quarter reading several books (sometimes up to 10!) before one captures me so completely, I never want it to end. But what else am I supposed to do? I can’t just sit on the couch and stare at nothing. Yeah, I’m weird, but that would be pushing it a bit. I might just get admitted.

So, let me know what you do in a situation like this.

Here are a few quotes I love:

“Never force yourself to read a book that you do not enjoy. There are so many good books in the world that it is foolish to waste time on one that does not give you pleasure.” 
― Atwood H. Townsend, Good Reading

“When you stand in the darkness, when you have lost all hope, when you can’t see any path to walk ahead, read; reading will act as the lantern to show you the path. It might not take you to the destination, but it will keep on guiding you towards a resolution.” 
― Neelabh Pratap Singh, Pi Agency

“Read! It is as important as breathing until you are breathing.” 
― Hira Shahid Kazim

Review of The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Rating: ★★★★ 4

Historical fiction is not really my genre, but I read this book for bookclub, and man was I surprised! Very pleasantly surprised. I couldn't put it down, I literally read it in one day.

It was a very easy read and flowed well 'till the end.

This book made me think about how fortunate most of us really are. We don't always realize it, because we all look at the world from our own perspective. And perspectives are formed through life experience, age, opinions, relationships and all manner of different things. 
This tale makes you realize how strong the human will is. And how strong the emotion, love, is. The two main characters fell in love in the most inhospitable of circumstances.
So yes, it is not just a historical fiction, but strip away all the background, who they are, where they are, why everything is happening, and what you get is a love story.A beautiful love story, great for any romantic.

I was a bit disappointed at the lack of detail, though. Detail about what really happened in the camp. The gruesome, ugly truth. I am one who likes the ugly details and the dark side of things.
I did only read the YA Edition, so maybe that is the reason. After I've read the adult edition, I'll let you know.

I also would love to read a book from the other point of view. Maybe from the viewpoint of a Nazi soldier guarding the prisoners. 

I would recommend this book to YA and adult alike. 

Full review of Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall

★★★ 2.5 - 3


"FIND THE ROAD. FIND THE GATES. FIND THE GIRL."

Briar Glen has it's own ghost story. Lucy Gallows went down a disappearing road in the woods during the 1950's, never to be found again, dead or alive.
This mysterious road appears every year, with a game attached to it. And like every game, it too has rules.

Becca is missing and Sara, her sister, thinks she went down that road a year ago to play the game. This year she is going to find the road and get her sister back.

So, my thoughts:

It begins with enough mystery that it made me want to read on, thinking this would be a great read, with this story line.
There are good character building, relationships and myths in the beginning. But, as soon as you get to the ghost story part, it slows down significantly. The characters stagnate. Only Sara, the main character, grows throughout the book. The rest is like background noise.
I had to force myself to read on to the end, because it did not bind me. It got a bit boring. And that, for a ghost story, is not good. It should keep you at the edge of your seat and even scare you, it was not scary at all. So those of you trying out some horrors/ghost stories, but are a bit apprehensive? You should try this one. It's a good intro to this genre for teenagers too. It is mild enough.

Then the ending seemed all over the place. Not really ending per se.

I would recommend this book for teens aged 15-18.
I, unfortunately, was a bit disappointed.

First impressions of Fireborne by Rosaria Munda

Love the cover! Love red and love dragons, so the combination is beautiful. And with dragons in any book, I'll read it and love it!
It's engaging and thrilling. There's kids being forced into adulthood through circumstance.
Would definitely want to read this book till the end.

Review of sneak peak of Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall

I got this sneak peak of the book from Bookish First to review. 

This is probably one of the best ghost stories I have ever read (or started reading). It flows seamlessly and keeps you tied to the story throughout. Even when it jumps from interviews to reports and text messages to actual story, it does not become boring and you are never unsure of where it is taking you like some books that jumps around from character to character, or from present to past. 
It keeps you intrigued. There are interesting characters and the author makes you want to get to know them. And I love how folklore is weaved into the story. 
The authors pick of words make this already scary book even better. 
I cannot wait to read the book to see if Becca is found by Sara and her friends.

#rulesforvanishing
#katealicemarshall

Reading Harry Potter for the first time

Yes, I know.

I have watched some of the movies, but never have I read any of the books. I have always known of the Harry Potter books, but for some reason I never picked one up.

So, I decided to start reading them. Just started with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. I am buying the House Edition books as they come out now too. I am reading it on my kindle though, I don't want to ruin the books... But I think I'll switch over to the books soon anyway. I'd rather read a real book with pages to turn and that lovely book-scent than reading on a screen.

So far it is a nice smooth read, so I am enjoying it. I even went to www.pottermore.com to find out which House I am. Ravenclaw!!

So, I there are any more newcomers to the Harry Potter books, please share your thoughts.

#harrypotter
#jkrowling

Review for Caraval by Stephenie Garber

This book is without a doubt one of the best I've read. Ever. All I can say is, wow. I am definitely reading Legendary next.

I like how the main characters develop and grow. The Caraval world is brilliantly thought out. There is always some hidden alcove of bridge or tunnel to find. There are enough twists in the story to keep you on the edge of you seat, with the biggest and best twist ending you can imagine.

Well done Stephanie Garber! Mixing romance and mystery into an unbelievable contest, with sisterly love weaved through it all. It's no wonder this book is heading to Hollywood to become a film.

After I've finished this series, I'll be watching for more book from Stephenie.

#stephaniegarber
#caraval

Review for Isles of Storm and Sorrow 1: Viper by Bex Hogan

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a great debut by Bex Hogan.

It has a strong main character who needs to make the right decisions constantly, and succeeds. There are pirates and heroes, murder and saved souls, a bit of love and just enough horror to make it interesting. Very entertaining with a well thought out world of islands. And of course, a touch of magic.

I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

#bexhogan #viper