Warcross(Warcross,,#1)

☆☆☆☆☆

Warcross.

Warcross, #1
 marie lu.

Publisher  G.P Putnman's Sons Books.

Publication Date: September 12,2017.

Genre: YA Science Fiction.

 Format|Pages: Hardcover|353.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

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 Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. 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. 

☂

This book…This story, a lot of emotions. It was astonishing.




There were so much going on in here, from start to the end. I am not a gamer, I played few games when I was teen, but did not played it often. I was hooked only after few pages into reading WARCROSS . I loved the whole idea behind WARCROSS and its unique, unlike any other book that I read before. A story that is impossible to put down, every page and every chapter will have you craving for more. I am already craving for the next book in series and placed it on hold at library. I know that it will end up being one of my favorite series, I can’t wait to see what will happen with Emika next. Emika, she’s an amazing character, I loved her from beginning to the end and I am curious to see what’s going happen with her next, especially now that she knows what Hideo has planned. Will she be able to stop him? I have the same feeling as she does when she did when she found out. Shock. Anger. Betrayal. I can’t imagine having someone you trust and cared so much for, how the betrayal might feel like. I know why Hideo did it, and despite that, it doesn’t make it okay. It makes sense why he took her out of game, and off the job. I wondered what the real reason behind it was.



It did not take long, to see a connection between Hideo and Emika. I know that she felt it as well, just not wanting to admit it at first. I do wonder, after finding out Hideo’s plan if he actually cared about her or not. Even if he wanted her by her side. I wonder if he thought that Emika would understand. There were a lot of questions when I reached the end of the book. Now that the truth is out, what will happen with them? That ending, how can you not want to pick the next book right away? I have a feeling that more challenges are about to come Emika’s way. I am hoping that she will find a way to stop him. All the gaming details, and descriptions were amazing. They were so vivid, I felt as I was there along with Emika, playing the game along with her. Everything about the game, the story and the characters felt so realistic to me. I loved the name, WARCROSS , just the name itself, so captivating. If it weren’t for classes and work, I would read it a lot faster than I have. Just when you thought you could put it down; a sudden twist will have you reading late into night.



WARCROSS is a first novel that I read by MARIE LU and I heard nothing but amazing things about this author. Now I know why, she’s brilliant. There wasn’t a single thing that I did not enjoy in this book. Each chapter had me falling in love more with the story. I wish that I could give this book more than five stars. Do you like science fiction? Are you a gamer or enjoy games? I highly recommend picking up WARCROSS now. Be prepared for a thrilling ride!

Starry Eyes.

☆☆☆☆☆

starry eyes.

   jenn bennett.

Publisher  Simon Pulse.

Publication Date:April 3,2018.

Genre: YA Romance| Adventure.

Format|Pages: Hardcover|421.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern-day Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.



But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.



What could go wrong?



With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.



And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?

 ☂

This book gave me butterflies in my stomach, while I was reading. It brought a lot of emotions. STARRY EYES has few of my favorite things in a book. Hiking, Camping, survival and adventure. I am positive that it was what both Zorie and Lennon had to face while they were stuck in wilderness with each other, and it’s what made it a lot more addictive. As a reader, you will wonder what will happen next and wonder if they will make it to their destination. Not only that, in addition of what challenges they might have to face next. I was rooting for them to make it, but on other hand I wondered what would happen with the two of them once they did. I feel as if this book got you to thinking, at least at the parts of it. I couldn’t seem to get enough of their adventure. I know that if it wasn’t for work, classes and homework, I would read this book a lot more then I did. I was glad when I finally got a chance to sit down and finish it. However, once I did reach the end, I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about it. Wondering what would happen after the end.



I loved the story in general. I love camping and I love nature. I can’t imagine myself being stranded like they were, I don’t think I would actually know what to do. I was glad that Lennon went on the trip with them, and I was actually happy that he was the one that she ended up being stranded with. I am not sure if she would made it as far as she did, if it wasn’t for him. Lennon seemed to be able to keep her calm, help her when needed. Not just that but it also gave them a chance to reconnect. Like Zorie, I wondered why they stopped talking and the real reason he didn’t show up at homecoming. When the truth came out, I was in shock, not something I expected. I can’t even begin to imagine what he went through. It made me glad that Zorie was there with him this time when he told her. I also wondered if her dad would found out, and I hoped that he wouldn’t, I know that nothing good would come up out of it. I am glad that Zorie and Lennon got a chance to reunite, it’s what they bother needed: each other.



If I were Zorie, I am not sure if I would be able to forgive Reagan. I know she was upset and angry, but a true friend would not leave their friend behind, in wilderness. She wasn’t only character I disliked, I did not like Zorie’s father at all. The way he treated Lennon and his family, and how he hurt his wife, and lied to her about it. I had a feeling that he wasn’t being honest about it. STARRY EYES was a beautifully written story, and I found myself feeling all emotions that Zorie was feeling as I read the story. I loved the maps they had in book, it gave me a better sense where they were. I could picture it all. STARRY EYES was the second book I read by JENN BENNETT . I read ALEX, APPROXIMATELY couple years ago which I loved. I have a feeling that this is going be an author whose books I will read, for years to come. I can’t wait to check the rest of her works. I’m aleready in love with her books, and you will be too.



Breathtaking.

Girl In The Blue Coat.

☆☆☆☆☆

girl in the blue coat.

   monica hesse.

Publisher  Little Brown Books.

Publication Date:April 5,2016.

Genre: YA Mystery| Historical Fiction.

Format|Pages: EBook|310.

 Source:  Goodreads|Owned.

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Amsterdam, 1943. Hanneke spends her days procuring and delivering sought-after black market goods to paying customers, her nights hiding the true nature of her work from her concerned parents, and every waking moment mourning her boyfriend, who was killed on the Dutch front lines when the Germans invaded. She likes to think of her illegal work as a small act of rebellion.



On a routine delivery, a client asks Hanneke for help. Expecting to hear that Mrs. Janssen wants meat or kerosene, Hanneke is shocked by the older woman's frantic plea to find a person--a Jewish teenager Mrs. Janssen had been hiding, who has vanished without a trace from a secret room. Hanneke initially wants nothing to do with such dangerous work, but is ultimately drawn into a web of mysteries and stunning revelations that lead her into the heart of the resistance, open her eyes to the horrors of the Nazi war machine, and compel her to take desperate action 

 ☂

What an incredible, powerful read.



As you are aware by now, I am fascinated by historical fiction novels. I wanted to read more historical fiction in 2019. After I read GIRL IN THE BLUE COAT I fell in love with genre even more. I always feel drawn to historical fiction novels, and reading GIRL IN THE BLUE COAT wasn’t any different. I have been hearing about this book for a while, and finally curiosity got the best of me and I bough it. I’m so glad I did. I was hooked. I was drawn into Hanneke’s story from the start, and curious if she would find Mirjam, if she would be able to find her in time. One of things I loved about this book, not only was it historical fiction but had mystery aspect added to. Historical Fiction and Mystery, two of my favorite genres, I couldn’t pull myself away. I was as drawn to Mirjam as Hanneke was seems like. Part of me felt as I was there along with her, trying to find her and trying to make sure that she was safe. If someone were to ask me what was my favorite part of book, I wouldn’t be able to tell them, I loved everything about GIRL IN THE BLUE COAT .



When it was discovered that Mirjam switched her blue coat with someone else, and like Hanneke I wondered, Why? Was she running? Was she in danger? and how can you not have those questions. What I found out, wasn’t what I was expecting. GIRL IN THE BLUE COAT was a very moving story, and I got to be honest I cried few times while I read the book. It was also powerful and inspiring, and reading it, I see now why it got so many good reviews. I feel in love with story only after couple pages. I couldn’t stop thinking about the story, even once I reach the ending, it was on mind for a while. GIRL IN THE BLUE COAT is a story that will never be forgotten. I could tell from reading it, how much research went into it, the descriptions were vivid. I pictured everything while I was reading it. This story, it was real.



Love historical fiction? I would highly recommend for you to pick this book up now.

Undercover Princess( The Rosewood Chronicles,#1)

☆☆☆☆☆

Undercover princess.

Rosewood Chronicles, #1
 connie glynn.

Publisher  Harper Collins.

Publication Date: September 4,2018.

Genre: YA Fantasy.
 Format|Pages: Hardcover|448.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Lottie Pumpkin is an ordinary girl who has spent her life longing for the extraordinary.



Ellie Wolf is the crown princess of Maradova, who wants nothing more than a chance at an ordinary life.



When fate puts Lottie and Ellie in the same dorm room at the prestigious Rosewood Hall, there’s only one solution: for the girls to swap identities, and live the lives they’ve always dreamed of.



But at Rosewood, a secret never stays secret for long. Someone in the school is on to them—and if the truth is revealed, the results may be more treacherous than they ever expected. 

 ☂

Princess. Friendship. Adventure. Mystery.



Have you ever picked up a book while at library, either because title interested you or cover caught you attention? That was the case for me for UNDERCOVER PRINCESS , I was at library looking for books to read when I came across it. Both the cover and the tile caught my attention and once I read the description, I knew that I had check it out. From as long as I remember, ever since I was little, I loved fairy tales and books that featured royalty of some sort. I never read any books by CONNIE GLYNN so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was hooked within couple pages of starting the book. The more I read, the more I got sucked into Lottie and Ellie’s story. Every page, every chapter there was something going on. Just when you assumed that you could stop, something happened that had you reading for few more hours. I did not want to put it down. I read royal books before, and none of them were like UNDERCOVER PRINCESS , there were twists that even I didn’t see coming. I loved the mystery in it, which will grab reader’s attention and have on the edge of the seat. I couldn’t seem to get enough of Ellie and Lottie’s story.




Ellie and Lottie had a special bond. In beginning, mostly of how Ellie treated Lottie, I had feeling that it might be a long year for Lottie at the Rosewood Hall, if that’s how Ellie was going treat Lottie. I am glad that not how it ended. I liked how Lottie seemed to want to protect her even before she found out that she was princess. I think that Lottie did a pretty good job at protecting Ellie, even letting the others believe that she was the princess. It clear that Ellie cared about Lottie a lot too, the way she came to her rescue. I do wonder if there a possibility that either Lottie or Ellie could be bisexual. It a feeling that I got, the way that they acted with one another sometimes, that hinted that there could be possibility of more than friendship there, but I am not positive about it though. I do believe that there is some attraction between Jamie and Lottie, the way the two of them acted with each other, especially towards the end. Of course I can’t help and be curious to see what happens next.




UNDERCOVER PRINCESS was the type of books that I love. I enjoyed the fact that it had some mystery, along with action in the book. Once you reach the end, you will find yourself craving for the next book in series. I know that I am. Do you love fairy tales? Stories with princess with a twist? Then you should pick this one up, it’s unique, adventurous and thrilling.

Dumplin'(Dumplin',,#1)

☆☆☆☆☆

dumplin'.

Dumplin', #1
 julie murphy.

Publisher  Balzer+Bray.

Publication Date: September15,2015

Genre:YA Contemporary Romance.
 Format|Pages: EBook|371.

 Source:  Goodreads|Owned.

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.



Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all. 

 ☂

Why haven’t I read this earlier? It’s one of those stories that is inspiring. I already know that DUMPLIN’ is going be a story that will stay with me. Plus, I know that it’s not the ending, not with an ending like that. Once I reached the end, I was wondering, What’s next? and how can you not wonder? While I was reading DUMPLIN’ it all came to life to me, as if I became part of Willowdean’s world. I was hooked. I shouldn’t be surprised since this isn’t the first book I read by JULIE MURPHY , I read two books prior to reading this one. I heard people talking about it, especially since Netflix movie came out. I didn’t want to see the movie until I read the book. Now that I have, I am excited to see the movie. If I were in Will’s situation, I don’t think that I would have the courage to do what she done, I would not been able to go through it. I know that her mother might assume that she is doing it for another reason, but to me, what she did. It’s brave and it’s inspiring. I don’t think that the other girls would even considered going through, if Will didn’t enter it first.



I’m not sure what to think about Bo, I am in between liking him. There are times that I like him, and there are other times that I am not sure about him. Where I am not sure if her likes Will the way that he claims he does. Though by the end, it was clear how much he liked her. I did not like how they hooked up, it felt as if he was hiding her, as he was ashamed her. I do know, it’s because of Bo that Will never gave Mitch a real chance. With Mitch, it was clear right away how much he liked her. He even tried to help her, when she decided to do magic act for her talent for the pageant. I wish that he didn’t get hurt in this. Of course that ending, I can’t help but wonder what will happen with Bo and Will, will they finally get together. It’s clear that they both want to. Will is being a bit stubborn about it, but I do understand her reasons behind it. I am curious to see what will happen with them.



I never knew much about pageants, and by reading this book, I felt as I know more than before I read it. I know that Will enter it, to show everyone that everyone deserves to have a chance, I feel that she knew that she wouldn’t win. I do wish that her mom would been more supportive in her decision though. I had on and off feelings about Will’s mother as well, and that was mostly due to how she treated her. I loved Ellen, I loved how supportive she was when Will told her that she was going enter the pageant. I did not like how Will treated Ellen once she found that she entered too, I can’t blame for Ellen for being angry at her. I did hope that two of them would make up. It was clear how much two of them missed one another, even if Ellen tried not show it. I was hoping for them to make up.



A beautifully written book.

All We Have Left.

☆☆☆☆☆

all we have left.

   wendy mills.

Publisher  Bloomsbury

Publication Date:August 9,2016.

Genre: YA Contemporary| Historical Fiction.

Format|Pages: Hardcover|368.

 Source:  Goodreads|Library.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Now:

Sixteen-year-old Jesse is used to living with the echoes of the past. Her older brother died in the September 11th attacks, and her dad has filled their home with anger and grief. When Jesse gets caught up with the wrong crowd, one momentary hate-fueled decision turns her life upside down. The only way to make amends is to face the past, starting Jesse on a journey that will reveal the truth about how her brother died.

Then:

In 2001, sixteen-year-old Alia is proud to be Muslim... it's being a teenager that she finds difficult. After being grounded for a stupid mistake, Alia is determined to show her parents that that they must respect her choices. She'll start by confronting her father at his office in downtown Manhattan, putting Alia in danger she never could have imagined. When the planes collide into the Twin Towers Alia is trapped inside one of the buildings. In the final hours she meets a boy who will change everything for her as the flames rage around them... 

 ☂

This story is…powerful, heart aching, realistic.



I can’t imagine being in situation that Alia found herself in. Or not knowing what happened to your brother, why he was there like Jesse. Two different girls, but both dealing with the same tragedy, even if it’s in different way. There were a lot of emotions that went through me when I was reading ALL WE HAVE LEFT . The title of the book, fits the story perfectly and that was actually wanted me to pick up the book. I knew that it would be a hard subject to read about and emotional one. I did not realize how hard it would be to read. I teared up multiple times while I read the book, feeling all the emotions the characters were feeling. I was surprised that Travis was one who got stuck in elevator with Alia during 9/11. Since Jesse mentioned that her brother died in 9/11, like her I was wondering how it happened. Also, like Jesse once she found out about Alia, I wondered if she made out. I hoped that at least one of them made it out alive. It didn’t take me long to get attached to all those characters. Expect for Nick, I had a feeling that he was bad news from start. I am not sure why, I just had a bad feeling about him from start.



I could tell there were connection between Adam and Jesse, when two ended up climbing partners. They had a connection that Jesse and Nick didn’t. I wished that the two of them met before Jesse met Nick. I know that what Jesse did was terrible, and yet I found myself hoping that Adam would forgive her. I wish she realized what she was doing was wrong, before she did it. I am glad that she realized it and admitted it that it was wrong. I did have that feeling that Adam wouldn’t be able to stay away from Jesse even if he wanted to. Another person I was not fond of, Jesse’s father. I understand that he was hurting because of what happened to Travis, but that doesn’t give him a right to treat everyone else that way. It’s no wonder Jesse’s mother had enough of him. If I were her, I would left a long time ago. I hoped that Jesse would find out about Travis, find Alia and maybe she could finally find some peace.



I was terrified for Travis and Alia. I knew that Travis wouldn’t make it, but I didn’t know when it would happen. Travis was a great guy, he helped Julia and he did everything he could, to make sure that they got out of there. It’s sad that he didn’t. While there were stuck there, when the towers started falling, that was when I was the most afraid for both again. I wondered, Is this the end for both of them? And I wondered if Jesse would actually find her. ALL WE HAVE LEFT is the first book that I read by WENDY MILLS and now that I have, I am going to be checking out the rest of her books. I felt as I learned a lot more about 9/11 after reading the book, especially when I read Alia’s point of view. I felt as I was there. It was real.



ALL WE HAVE LEFT is a story about love, loss, survival and hope. A story that will stay with you, forever.

Alex & Eliza(Alex&Eliza,#1)

☆☆☆☆☆

alex & eliza.

Alex & Eliza, #1
 melissa de la cruz.

Publisher  G.P Putnam's Sons Books.

Publication Date: April 11,2017.

Genre:YA Romance|Historical Fiction.
 Format|Pages: Hardcover|368.

 Source:  Goodreads|Owned.

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Their romance shaped a nation. The rest was history.

1777. Albany, New York.



As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.



Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history. 

☂

A Love story that will stay with you. It was…Splendid.



Before reading ALEX & ELIZA I knew nothing about Alex Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler, and nor did I see the musical Hamilton . One of reasons I picked it up was because of the cover, it was one of things that captured my attention. The second reason was because I love the author, I read few books by MELISSA DE LA CRUZ before coming across ALEX & ELIZA and when I found out about the book, I knew that I had to check out. I love historical fiction books as well and I knew that this would be the book for me. This is the 2nd time that I have read the book. I first read it back in 2017. I remember loving it back then, and re-reading it, I found myself falling in love with the story more. Have you ever read a love story that hit you and stayed with you long after you finished it? It’s what happened to me, both times that I read ALEX & ELIZA . I even got the book sighed and met the author at the National Book Festival, who was a complete sweetheart and it made my day, being able to meet her.



I loved both Eliza and Alex from the start. Out of all sisters, Eliza was my favorite and I loved how close all the sisters seemed to be. I had a feeling that there was something between Alex and Eliza from moment that the two of them met. Even if Eliza wouldn’t admit it, but I knew that she felt some sort of attraction towards Alex. I do wonder if Eliza didn’t write that note for Alex, then who did? Could it been one of her sisters? I have feeling that they noticed that there was something between the two of them, before Eliza did. After then, I did wonder when the two of them would meet again. I loved the fact that Alex never gave up, even when he heard that she was going to be married. I do wonder what would happened if he told her, about how he felt about her earlier. If the outcome would be different. All through the book, I was rooting for both. Alex was the one that Eliza should be with.



I loved the ending. I was glad that they were able to get their happily after. With everything that the two of them went through, the war and how everything seemed get in their way, to keep them from being together. I thought that it was romantic what he did for her, even if it ended in him getting hurt. I know that is most likely changed Eliza’s mother mind about Alex. I was happy that she did. I think that even she saw how much Alex loved Eliza. I am curious and eager to find out what will happen with them, now that they are married. When I found out that there are other books, I was excited and one of the reasons I decided to re-read ALEX AND ELIZA and now that I did, I am still thinking about it. Once I read it, I even researched more about it because I was fascinated by the story.



If you love historical fiction, mixed with love. Pick it up today. You will fall in love, like Alex and Eliza.