Star Cursed(The Cahill Witch Chronicles,#2)

☆☆☆☆☆

star cursed

Cahill Witch Chronicles,#2

jessica spotswood.

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Publication Date:June 18,2013

Genre:YA Fantasy| Romance|Adventure

Format|Pages:Hardcover|384

Source: Goodreads|Library.

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves. 

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war. 

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England. 

✈ ✈

 

 

No. No, why Maura? I had tried so hard to not dislike her, I tried to give her a chance like Cate, Tess been doing. After a cliffhanger like that, it’s hard for me to dislike her. Now I can’t stand her. How could anyone do that to their own flesh and blood? To me it seems like she cared more about feeling accepting, fitting in than considering her own sister’s feelings. Cate has been there for her and she forgave her for some of things that she either said or did. I do not see her being able to forgive her for this. I know that I wouldn’t be able to. The ending had my emotions all over the place; I even re-read it once just to make sure that I read it right. I felt sad for Cate, I wanted to go over and give her a hug. I was angry at Maura, I never been so angry with fictional character that I been with her. I could tell that there was something off with Maura, just how she was acting but even I didn’t expect this of her. She got out of control. If she was capable of this, who knows what else she would be capable of. After that ending, I’m anxious to see what’s going to happen, how this will affect all of the sisters. 


How could you not love Tess? Besides Cate, she was my other favorite character. I love the bond that her and Cate seem to have, it’s a special connection. To me it feels like they are more of friends than sisters. They trust each other, and no matter what happens, they are there for one another. I think that it’s possible that Maura might be jealous of their bond. But lately she seems like she wants to be in control of everything. I’m glad that Cate at least still has Tess. After way that Maura betrayed Cate, her trust and broke her heart, she will need her sister. Somehow Tess always seems to find a way to make her feel better. I hope nobody else finds out she is Oracle because I have a feeling that it wouldn’t end well if they did. She’s just a child. But considering how much she has to deal with lately, she has a bit heart and a lot of courage. 


Of course I adored the scenes between Finn & Cate, how could I not? At beginning I was afraid that Finn wouldn’t forgive her, that she wouldn’t be able to explain why she joined the Sisterhood. The way he looked at her, it didn’t look like love to me. I couldn’t blame her, he joined brotherhood for her and then she did opposite of what she said she would. When they got to meet and Cate explained to him what happened, when they kissed. I was beaming. I was that happy that they reunited, the two of them are the couple that I know belong together. What the two of them have is true love. Finn risked so much to be near her, to help her. Maura couldn’t stand the thought of her sister happy, so she had to go and ruin everything. I am curious to see if he will actually remember? Or will he be confused about everything, including why he joined Brotherhood to begin with. I’m hoping that somehow he regain his memories with Cate. 


Star Cursed was more action based, with more suspense than Born Wicked seemed to be. I did not want to put it down and once I finished it, I picked up the next one right away. I needed to see how adventures for cate, for the sisterhood would end. If she would reunite with Finn. It’s a book that you can’t but wonder how it will all come to end. One of the best series about witches, witchcraft. A series that I do not want to come to end. 


Beautiful. Captivating.

The Raven Boys(The Raven Cycle,#1)

☆☆☆☆

the raven boys

The Raven Cycle,#1

maggie stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date:September 18,2012

Genre:YA Fantasy |Suspense

Format|Pages:Hardcover|416

Source: Goodreads|Library.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue never sees them--until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks to her. 

His name is Gansey, a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. 

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can't entirely explain. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul whose emotions range from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher who notices many things but says very little. 

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She doesn't believe in true love, and never thought this would be a problem. But as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

✈ ✈

 

I have heard about Maggie Stiefvalter for few years now. Seems that a lot of others seem to love her writing, her books. When I came across The Raven Boys when I was at the library, decided it to check it out. Actually both the cover and the title captured my attention before even reading the summary. The title: The Raven Boys, that has a mystery behind it already. I believe that it would have any reader wondering, curious what it means The Raven Boys. There got be some meaning behind it, right? The cover with Raven on the cover also adds another mysterious look to the novel. Once Ronan came across a raven and kept her, in a way I got the meaning behind it. The novel was unlike any novel that I read. It was haunting, filled with suspense, action with bit of romance. However it had more action than it had romance. I can see why there were quite few good reviews about it. It was beautifully written and story draws you in. Half of the time I felt like I was there with the boys, Blue searching for the ley line myself. Every description was filled with so many images. I could see it all. I could see all their adventures, struggles. There were some parts in the book that were confusing to me at first, and was bit hard get into. Plus the shift of point of views confused me at first too. Once it picked up, I did not put book down expect when had to work. 


Blue, loved her from the start. She was unlike any other girl character that I read about before. Blue was strong. Independent and that’s what I loved about her. She didn’t let anyone tell her what to do, walk all over her. I loved how she handled herself when Gansey was being jerk to her in restraunt, how she stood up to herself. I don’t think I would been able to do what she done. Blue she has a lot of courage. Love the name too, it’s unusual, not a name that you would see or hear in either a book or real life. I love the scenes between her and Adam. Out of all the boys, so far he has been my favorite. First of all he treats her with respect and I can tell that there is some sort of chemistry between two of them. I’m eager to see if it will lead anywhere else. Both Adam and Blue are my favorite, at least in this book. I felt so bad for Adam though, and angry at his father. What sort of parent hits their own child? I just hope he finds a way to get out of it, or away from him. I got feeling that if he doesn’t, he’ll kill him one day. 


The Raven Boys is a type of a book that you can’t help but love. Once I finished it, I found myself picking up the next one right away. I needed to see what happen with boys next, with Blue. Would Blue end up with Adam? Would she save Gansey? The ending was unexpected too; it’s not something that I had expected from him. I wouldn’t been surprised if Ronan did but Adam, not so much. I think everyone was surprised, especially Gansey who felt like Adam betrayed him in the way. One character I had trouble liking in Ronan, I understand that he lost his dad but that’s no excuse to act way he does. He has no respect for anyone it seems like. The Raven Boys has everything from mystery, to thriller, action, acceptance, taking chances, secrets. Everything that I love about books. Worth every page.

Gone Girl.

☆☆☆☆

gone girl.

gillian flynn.

Publisher Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Publication Date: May 24,2012

Genre:Psychological Thriller.

Format|Pages:Hardcover|419

Source: Goodreads|Library

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer? 

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet. 

✈ ✈

 

Wow, my emotions are everywhere after reading this novel. I love Psychological thrillers but Gone Girl is unlike any other book that I have read before. I didn’t even know about this book till after I saw movie, with friend from work. I loved the movie so I decided to check the book out. I loved it as well. From the first page till the last page, there was always something happening, and it had me wondering what would happen next. The reader can’t help but find him drawn to the story, Nick & Amy’s relationship. Gone Girl is a novel that will have you on the edge of seat till the end. The reader will find themselves wondering: “Will they stay together? Will they make it?” Despite the fact that I saw the movie first, I still found myself asking that question. I was curious what would happen between Amy & Nick next, how much longer they are going to pretend. Gone Girl is one of those books that you will think about after you read it. It’s a story that you will remember. I know that this is one book I will remember for years to come. 


Amy & Nick relationship was most messed up relationship that I read about. At times I wondered how they could make it as far as they did, without actually killing each other. I was sure that after she came back, that Nick would either leave or kill her, considering what she put him through all these months. Surprisingly he stayed with her. I was sure that he would try to get as far from her as he could. She killed someone, she was a murderer. At same time I could kind of see why he stayed with her, he was afraid of her but had no evidence on her about the lies she told. It was hard for me not to like Amy. In beginning I did, and the diary she wrote. I believed it. How Amy expressed her emotions about their relationship and it seemed like she was actually afraid of him. I was angry with Nick. Till I found out the truth. All of this because he cheated on her? It seemed a bit extreme for me. To me, Amy was scary. She ruined multiple people’s lives. 


There were few parts in beginning of book, that started out a bit slow for me and didn’t keep my interest the whole way. In general it was a novel that I could not put down, I didn’t want to put down. Each page had me wondering what’s going to happen next. Would Amy get away with it? Will Nick end up in jail? It was pretty intense book and not a light read. The way that both Amy & Nick’s emotions were portrayed within in book, there were times that I felt sorry for them, and times that I hated them both. Gone Girl will make you angry, there were parts that had me angry, mostly towards Amy. I had never disliked any character the way that I disliked Amy. I tried to like her and at times I did. Most of time I couldn’t. Gone Girl is a book worth checking out.

Not In Script ( If Only...,#3)

☆☆☆☆☆

not in script

if  Only...,#3

amy Finnegan

Publisher: Bloomsbury.

Publication Date:October 7,2014

Genre:YA Contemporary Romance

Format|Pages:Hardcover|392

Source: Goodreads|Library.

Millions of people witnessed Emma Taylor’s first kiss—a kiss that needed twelve takes and four camera angles to get right. After spending nearly all of her teen years performing on cue, Emma wonders if any part of her life is real anymore . . . particularly her relationships. 

Jake Elliott’s face is on magazine ads around the world, but his lucrative modeling deals were a poor substitute for what he had to leave behind. Now acting is offering Jake everything he wants: close proximity to home; an opportunity to finally start school; and plenty of time with the smart and irresistible Emma Taylor . . . if she would just give him a chance. 

When Jake takes Emma behind the scenes of his real life, she begins to see how genuine he is, but on-set relationships always end badly. Don’t they? Toss in Hollywood’s most notorious heartthrob and a resident diva who may or may not be as evil as she seems, and the production of Coyote Hills heats up in unexpected—and romantic—ways. 

This novel in the deliciously fun If Only romance line proves that the best kinds of love stories don’t follow a script.

✈ ✈

 

Wow. Amazing, Beautiful, Sweet. 


Have you ever come across a novel that once you read it, was hard for you to believe it was a debut novel? You found yourself smiling halfway through the book and rooting for the characters? Not In Script was that book for me. The writing was beautiful, most of characters lovable. Even the ones that you didn’t like at first, you found yourself loving towards the end. You could actually see yourself being friends with characters like these in real life. It felt real. I had always loved to read books that dealt with celebrities, television. I have read another one before. Not In Script in a way gave me a glimpse of what actors might go through on daily basics. I’m not actresses but I heard about it from others who acted before. The moment that I read the descriptions of the novel, I was already hooked to the story. That was not compared to the actual story that I read, it was addictive from the first page to the last. I did not want to put the book down. There was always something happening. I loved it. Even after I finished the novel, found myself wondering what would happen with them next. It’s a book that you can’t forget. 



Writing was beautiful. The descriptions, how she portrayed both Emma & Jake’s emotions when they got closer. I even couldn’t seem to dislike Brett & Kimmi. One person I wasn’t too fond of was Emma’s mother, who did act like her manager instead of her mother when she need her mom. Whenever Emma did something, was seen together with Brett. Her mother’s first thought was, what would other people think? How would that make you look? It was always business with her. It’s no wonder that Emma didn’t want to tell her what was going on with Jake, how she felt about him. To me, it felt like Emma seemed to care about others feelings before her own. She set up Jake with Rachel to the premiere though she really liked him. I can only imagine how much it hurt her, to see him with her. I think she should told Rachel how she felt about Jake earlier, from the start and maybe all of the drama that had happened, could be avoided. She should be more concerned of how she feels, not how it make everyone feel. 


Of course I loved Jake & Emma, how could I not? I loved that the book was both from Emma & Jake’s POV. It gave the readers a better glimpse of the both of the characters, what they were thinking, how they were feeling. The reader could also tell how the characters changed by the end of it all. There was chemistry between the two of them, from the moment that the two of them met, even if Emma tried to deny it. Only reason she even tried stay clear of him, was because of Rachel and because they worked together, that could complicate things if it didn’t work out. I can’t really blame her, considering how her other relationships in the past ended up. But it wasn’t long before I figured out how much they cared for another, when they were together, they were happy. The both of them were. The scenes between two of them always had me smiling. I was rooting for them all the way through. Rooting for their happy after. Of course I was smiling towards the end. 


Not In Script was a amazing debut. Amy Finnegan is an author to look out for. I’m eager to see what story she will come with next.

Wish You Were Italian ( If Only...,#2)

☆☆☆☆☆

wish you were italian

if  Only...,#2

kristin rae

Publisher: Bloomsbury.

Publication Date:May 6,2014

Genre:YA Contemporary Romance|Adventure

Format|Pages:Hardcover|323

Source: Goodreads|Library.

The summer before senior year of high school. It’s supposed to be one of the biggest summers of her life, but Pippa is headed to an art program she has no interest in. The one saving grace is it’s in Italy. And when the opportunity strikes, she decides to ditch the program and travel Italy accomplishing her own list of goals. Things like swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, eating a whole pizza in one sitting…and falling in love with an Italian boy! 

As she explores the famous cities of Rome and Pompeii, Pippa finds herself falling for two boys: a local guy she knows is nothing but trouble and a cute American archaeology student who keeps disappearing and reappearing at the strangest moments. Will Pippa find her true love before her parents find out the truth about her summer program? 

✈ ✈

 

This was such adorable debut novel. You can’t help but love Wish You Were Italian . It took me 2 days to finish the book. I spent most of Sunday reading it, I couldn’t force myself to put it down. I got so attached to Pippa’s story, adventures that I was curious how it would end for her. I wondered if she would get caught, considering that she lied to her parents for 2 whole months. If her and Darren would finally admit their feelings for one another, kiss. There was so much that I wondered about. I loved fact that it took a place in Italy; it’s one of the places that I would love to visit in the future. I always loved reading travel type of novels that took place in foreign country. Once I read Wish You Were Italian I felt like I learned even more about Italy and now I want to visit it more, I am eager to see places that Pippa, Darren, Nina saw. All of them sound fascinating, breathtaking and I would love to see them all. It had such vivid descriptions’ of each. How could you not want to go to Italy afterwards? If I could right now. I would. 


At first I had a bit trouble determining if I liked Pippa or not. At first I was bit annoyed that she was complaining about going to Italy. Even if I went alone, it not something that I would complain about, it’s Italy. Of course forcing for her to study art history which wasn’t something that was her, I could see why she was angry with them. I was actually curious if she would go through it, go to art history class. Moment that she discovered the money, I got a feeling that she planned something but I didn’t know if she would actually go through it. In a way I hoped she would, studying art history all summer in Italy, wouldn’t be my idea of fun though I love art. I would want to explore instead. That’s what Pippa did. I felt like I went along on her adventures with her. Even if it didn’t end well for her, I’m glad she got to experience Italy. I was sure she would gotten caught sooner that she did. If she didn’t do it, she wouldn’t met Darren, her new friends. 


Darren, how could you not love him? I could tell that there was connection between two of them, moment that two of them met. Connection that two of them didn’t want admit seemed like. I knew why Pippa didn’t, because at first she thought he was with Nina and then she met Bruno. She was conflicted. If I was in her situation, I would be too. Two cute guys, both sweet and pay attention to me, it would be hard to decide whose feelings were real. In this case, I knew it was Darren, considering how many girls Bruno flirted with, including in front of her. Then stealing from her. He wasn’t one for her and I hoped that she would see her. I was bit confused why Darren refused to kiss her, there were few times that they came close, but each time he held back. Pulled away. Once they did kiss, it seemed magical to me. It had me smiling. I loved most of the scenes between two of them, I could tell how much he cared about her. Otherwise he wouldn’t came all way, to see her. He did everything so he could spend time with her. It was sweet. I was glad to see their happy ending. 


This was one of most contemporary, romantic debut I read. There were multiple times I found myself smiling. It was also real. At least to me it felt real. It was fun, sweet. You couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters. It’s an author I will be checking out in future.