Book Review: Silence

Silence

Warning!: This review contains some spoilers. Even the summary contains spoilers from the previous two books.

"When Silence is all that's left, can the truth finally be heard?

Nora Grey can't remember the past five months of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks - with no one knowing where she was or who she was with - she tried to get her life back on track. Go to school, hang out with her best friend, Vee, and dodge mom's creepy new boyfriend.

But there is this voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows.

And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing.

Then Nora crosses paths with a sexy stranger, whom she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers...and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again."

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Year of Release: 2011
Genre: Fantasy; Paranormal
Sequel(s):  Finale
What motivated you to read this book?: With the cliff hanger at the end of Crescendo, I had to find out what happened next!!
Book Version: Hardback
Where did you get the book?: Local Library
Favorite Character: Patch Cipriano
Least Favorite Character: Hank Millar 
Thoughts on Cover: My favorite cover of all the books in the series. I love how Nora is portrayed as helpless just as she is at the beginning of the book when she has no idea of what's going on. I also like how Patch looks. Pretty sweet wings if you ask me!
Recommended to: Paranormal fans
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Review: This book was a lot better than I thought it would be! When I read the summary of it, I thought I would be highly disappointed, but I was wrong. The plot was really enjoyable & fast moving. I didn't get annoyed with Nora the way I did with her in Crescendo & she was with Patch for at least half the book & I thought she wouldn't get with him until the end. That made me very happy. I also liked how Nora was getting answers right away, & that as a reader I didn't have to wait until the last 100 pages or so to find out everything. That was really nice. As always, I really enjoyed the plot surprises which were unexpected but made them all the more enjoyable. The characters were really well done as, too. I still liked Vee in this book just like I did in Crescendo. I also found myself liking Scott a lot more when reading this book. Scott is like the guy best friend I always wanted. (I really want a close relationship with a guy that's nothing more than plantonic. That would be really nice. haha) Overall, this book is by far my favorite of the series so far. I was quite pleasantly surprised!

Book Review: Crescendo

Crescendo

Warning!: This review contains some spoilers.

"Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it. A mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever (if that's possible) and what's worse, he seems to be spending time with Nora's archenemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude, Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feelings that he is hiding something.

If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to question whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to figure out what happened, she puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations to get the answer. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts."

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Year of Release: 2010
Genre: Fantasy; Paranormal
Sequel(s): Silence & Finale
What motivated you to read this book?: I wanted to see what would happen to Patch & Nora. I really enjoyed Hush, Hush so I wanted to read the sequel!
Book Version: Hardback
Where did you get the book?: Local Library
Favorite Character: Vee Sky or Patch Cipriano
Least Favorite Character: There are many that I don't like, but none stands out as my least favorite
Thoughts on Cover: Pretty cool. Went along with the cover of Hush, Hush except with Nora on the cover instead of Patch. It's a good cover. I'm not sure if I like the font used though.
Recommended to: Paranormal fans
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Review: I actually liked this one a lot better than Hush, Hush even though Nora & Patch weren't together for 85% of the book which I didn't like very much at first. I really enjoyed the plot twists and turns. I believed certain things about some characters & then ended up being totally surprised in both good and bad ways. I also enjoyed the plot a lot better in this book. It seemed to flow better and was more fast moving. Like in Hush, Hush, I had many unanswered questions and as more and more events occurred, more questions were forming. However, I wasn't annoyed with not having the answers to the questions the way I was when reading Hush, Hush. I also liked Vee a lot better in this book than in the first book. Vee was very hilarious and always seemed to have Nora's back. She's definitely the type of friend I want.

Although I liked this book a lot more than Hush, Hush, Nora got on my nerves a lot more. Nora is extremely selfish. I didn't mind at first when she and Patch were fighting and broke up. I actually really liked it. It made the story more interesting. However, I didn't like how Nora tried to hurt Patch just to "get back at him". I also didn't like how she pretty much obsessed over him when she thought he was with Marcie. I mean seriously? Get over it! I would have understood if they dated for 2 years, but they had only been together for two months! I also didn't like how Nora made decisions like sneaking into other people's houses without really thinking it over. She was like "Okay, I really want to learn more about this, so I'll just break into their house while they're not there. No big deal." I'm pretty sure she snooped around in three people's houses/apartments.

There were some other parts of the plot that I didn't like because they never got resolved or because they were mentioned once and were never mentioned again. One example was when Nora got a speeding ticket. What was the point of that? She never paid it off!! She got a job to pay it off and her job was only mentioned once or twice. After that, it was as if the problem magically went away.

The weirdest part of the plot that I didn't like was how Scott went from hating and wanting to hurt her because she took the Black Hand's ring to "I'm so sorry Nora! It's my fault your father is dead. Please forgive me!" The ring issue never got resolved and she never returned it to him or anything. So strange. Then at the end of the book he randomly decided to buy her a car. What the heck?!? I also didn't like how Patch still kept things from Nora like the fact that he was Marcie's guardian angel. Didn't make much sense. Other than that, I really liked this book. I liked the ending and how it left me hanging wanting to find out what happens next!

Book Review: Hush, Hush

Hush, Hush 

"A SACRED OATH

A FALLEN ANGEL

A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life."

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Year of Release: 2009

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

Sequel(s): Crescendo, Silence, & Finale

What motivated you to read this book?: I can't remember where I originally heard of the book, but I knew it was popular and the summary caught my attention.

Book Version: Hardback

Where did you get the book?: Local Library

Favorite Character: Patch Cipriano

Least Favorite Character: Elliot Saunders

Thoughts on Cover: It's pretty cool. I like how it shows Patch as he falls from heaven.

Recommended to: Paranormal Fans & Twilight fans

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

Review: Although Hush, Hush is has a lot of similarities to Twilight, it stands on it's own. It is a really good book. However, I am not giving it four stars because it was quiet slow moving. I felt as though more and more events happened that resulted in more questions and no answers. It was very annoying. I don't believe I got any answers until around page 300. I guess this was Fitzpatrick's method of trying to get the reader to keep reading. It definitely got me to keep reading. I really like Patch. He is really mysterious and your typical bad boy. I always have a thing for the bad boys in books. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. The writing is fantastic and Fitzpatrick has a certain way of grabbing the reader's attention and drawing them in until they are finished. 

Book Review: Origin

                                                           Origin

                   
"Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home--and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.

Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia's origin--a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.

Origin is a beautifully told, shocking new way to look at an age-old desire: to live forever, no matter the cost"

Author: Jessica Khoury

Year of Release: 2012

Genre: Science Fiction

Sequel(s): None, it's a standalone, however, there is a spin-off book called "Virto" about different characters

What motivated you to read this book?: I'm a fan of Breathless Reads on Facebook & this was one of them for Fall 2012. Ever since I read the description I knew I wanted to read it.

Book Version: Hardback

Where did you get the book?: Local Library

Favorite Character: Eio Farwalker or Pia

Least Favorite Character: Uncle Paolo

Thoughts on Cover: Very original. I like the jungle that surrounds the human and that the title is three-dimensional, so you can feel it. Very cool. 

Recommended to: Dystopian & Science Fiction Fans

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Review: I really enjoyed this book. I love science fiction, it is one of my favorite genres.  I actually didn't know what to expect from this book, but it is truly remarkable! I literally had to force myself to stop reading it so I could sleep, and the first thing I would do in the morning was read it! It's a very quick read. Each chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep reading to see what happens next. It didn't have a dull moment! I loved that.

The characters are very likable especially Pia and her love interest, Eio. Pia's Aunt Harriet grew on me as well just as Pia started to like her more and more. The plot itself was fascinating. I can only imagine living a life knowing that you would never ever die while knowing that everybody else will. It only puts things into perspective for me. I do not want to live forever even if there are others who are immortal too.

I really like the idea Khoury used of being mortal as living an eternity. I never really thought of that before. Being mortal while making the most out it, and facing death knowing that there is an afterlife that will last an eternity.

I was very pleased with this book and was truly amazed that the author was only 21 or 22 when she wrote it. There were many plot twists and turns that were so unexpected! It was great! I see a great feature for Khoury!

Book Review: Clockwork Princess

       Clockwork Princess

"Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her."

Author: Cassandra Clare

Year of Release: 2013

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Sequel(s): None, last in the series

What motivated you to read this book?: I wanted to read the last book to see what happens to my favorite characters!

Book Version: Hardback

Where did you get the book?: Purchased at Barnes & Noble

Favorite Character: Will Herondale or Gabriel Lightwood 

Least Favorite Character: Mortmain

Thoughts on Cover: LOVE it! Tessa is beautiful! Love her dress. I also love that she's holding a book.

Recommended to: Mortal Instruments Fans

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Review: Cassandra Clare is truly a remarkable writer. She has created a world that has grabbed my attention & has made me want even more. Her descriptions of the characters, plot and setting make the book feel so realistic. I felt as though I was really there in the characters' shoes living and feeling just as they did. I even cried twice while reading it. The emotions just felt so real. It is a very emotional book.

What I love about this series is that the characters are so incredibly lovable. I really love every protagonist. I especially enjoy how each character has grown throughout the series. One character who has changed and grown is Gabriel Lightwood. In the first two books, Gabriel is portrayed as the bad guy. Will and him hate each other. I absolutely love when the unlikable bad characters do a complete 180 & change for the better. I went from disliking him to loving him! To me, he is the character that has grown the most.

I will not go into specifics to not spoil any thing, but this book has so many surprises and plot twists. It made it so much harder to put the book down! I deeply loved it! I was really shocked when I read the epilogue. I wasn't expecting that at all! Although this book answered 99% of the questions that I had after I finished Clockwork Prince, a few new questions formed after reading this book which will hopefully be answered when reading the last Mortal Instruments book.

I cannot put into words how much I love this book. It is really challenging to write a review about a book that I love so much without giving anything away, but I loved how Clare was able to tie this book not only to the first two books in this series, but also to The Mortal Instruments books. Clare is very, very talented.

I am sad that this series is over, but I am very glad that there are still more books that will be released in the future from this wonderful world that Clare has created.

Long Absense

My dear readers,

I want to thank everybody who has taken the time to read my blog ever since I started it in March 2012. After I started school again, life took over & I never had the chance to read much, let alone update a blog. I pretty much went on a HUGE reading slump. I have since graduated this past April & things have slowed down a bit. I highly considered posting an update announcing that I was going to stop blogging on this blog all together. I just lost interest. But now, after reading "Clockwork Princess" (which is amazing, by the way), I realize that I still want to blog & discuss what I read with all of you. Therefore, I will still be blogging.

Here's what I will be blogging about:

1) Book reviews (obviously, that was the whole purpose of this blog)
2) Character analyses-Posts in which I will discuss characters that I love
3) Random posts where I just rant

Thanks again for reading! You guys are awesome!

Apologies

Hello everyone,

I apologize for the lack of updates for the past several months. Life has taken over. I'm a senior in college and school and other aspects of my life have kept me busy. With that said, I haven't read too many books since my last book review. I will post reviews for them soon.

 This blog will mainly focus on book reviews for the time being. And I'm not going to lie, I kind of lost interest in all the "blog hops" that I participated in. I felt like I had to do them, and I definitely don't want to blog if I feel as though I have to do so. Blogging is something that I will only do if I want to. That goes for everyone. You shouldn't blog because you feel as though you need to, you should do it because you want to.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season!