Monday 27 June 2016

She Loves You, She Loves You Not...

- Julie Anne Peters

"Seventeen-year-old Alyssa thought she knew who she was. She had her family her best friends and, most important, she had Sarah." -Taken from the book.

The first time I read this book I was a wreck, not necessarily because of its groundbreaking or earth-shattering contents, but because it hit a little too close to home. I opened this book for the first time when I was eighteen years old and had just experienced my first heartbreak. That being said, upon my second encounter with this story, I was able to look past my own emotional baggage, and get lost in Alyssa's.

Alyssa is exactly what you'd expect from your typical seventeen-year-old to be completely honest, she cares about her friends, is a part of a few school committees and, you guessed it, still in the closet.

In all honesty, I found the main character a bit boring, the most interesting thing about her was the circumstances that caused her downward spiral, and even that was a bit far-fetched. Yet, I was still able to find the story pretty enjoyable. Partially due to the people that she has chosen to surround herself with and partly due to the choices that she ends up making throughout the story. However, it really isn't until closer to the end that Alyssa becomes less of an annoying concept and more of an actual character to me.

Basically, if you like to like your protagonists then maybe don't read this book, however, if you're willing to look past that and instead let the story itself unfurl before you, then you might find that this is just as enjoyable a read as any of Peters' other books. In the end, it's your choice, though, so please remember to form your own opinions and keep warm & read. 

I would love to hear you thoughts on this one whether you agree or not.

Monday 6 June 2016

Incarceron

-Catherine Fisher

"This prison is alive"- taken from the cover of the book.

I'm going to be completely honest in saying that this book was 100% originally purchased because of the cover. The metallic detail over the black background drew me in instantly.

This is a futuristic novel with an old-timey twist and the magic of other worlds. It started off a bit slow, and admittedly there were moments in the story where I found myself zoning out. However, I also found myself being held captivated not only by the mystical prison and it's very few inhabitants, but also in this new society that was neither a dystopia nor a paradise.

If you're someone who is not a fan of unnecessary romantic relationships in your action reads (like I am) then this certainly is the book for you. If you're a fan of unexpected betrayal,  then this is the book for you. If you're a fan of defiant women, a complex plot, and manly men who are not afraid to show what they're really feeling then I'd say that this is the book for you.
However, if you're not into big reads, and series, then maybe don't pick up this book. If you don't like the idea of reading about slight torture or heavy angst-ridden characters, then this might not be the book/series for you.

Ultimately, if I'm being asked if I would recommend this book for you guys to read, I'd say, yeah, why not. However, I'd also like to make a disclaimer that my sister purchased this book for me back in 2012 and since then I have not re-read this book (though I think about it often and fondly) and I have not bothered to purchase the second book (simply because every time I had the opportunity to I found a book that I was more willing to spend the $20.00 on). That being said, this story is just as satisfying as a stand alone. Bottom line is, form your own opinions, tell me what you think, and remember to keep warm & read.