The Elite (The Selection #2)

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Kiera Cass 
Pages: 323
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 7 out of 10

** Spoiler Alert! Even reading the summary will spoil you. You've been warned! **

Summary (you da bomb.com, Goodreads):Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

My Thoughts: So, the last review I totally just spewed on and on about the characters. I'll try to refrain from doing that this time, because my opinion on most of them haven't changed. This book got me, I read it one sitting and I'm now anxiously counting down the days until the next one comes out. May 6th, for those of you not in the know. 

So, this one basically reaffirmed my hatred for America. Okay, put away the eagles, this girl is talking about the character. (I'm so funny, right?! Just... play along...) I really really disliked her, which is awkward. You'd think I'd want to be done with her character, but that is not the case. This one she gets bad for flip flopping between Aspen and Maxon. Seriously, at a few points, her mind literally changes every chapter. It was bad, but I kept going and I'm glad that I did. 

For some reason, this story stuck with me. It wasn't written in any fantastic way, and the narration wasn't to die for, but I can't get it out of my head. So, I guess that's the mark of a good novel, right? Maxon only made me love him more, Aspen only made me hate him more. (Remember when I said I wouldn't talk about characters....hahahahahah) 

And on that note...

Final Thoughts: It was a good read, I mean, I am biting my nails to the stubs waiting for the next one. (Only somewhat of an exaggeration). 

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Reviewer: Kelsey

Rating: 6 out of 10

What I think: Like the first in this series, I think that this novel could be a lot more. Also, like the first in this series, I quite enjoyed this novel. It pulled me in, though I couldn't say why or how it managed to do that. 

I hate Aspen even more. Can't he just leave it all alone?

I'm not sure what to do with Maxon. I saw some things with him coming and other I didn't. He seemed to jump around a lot like I thought America did in The Selection. I'm mad at some of his choices. Am I surprised at what the author did for plot twists? Not really.

America still can't make up her bloody mind and it still bugs me. I feel like her emotions and interests are just made up as the author goes because I can't grasp her character. I think I have a handle on her than she randomly changes her mind. Clearly, it will end with her making some kind of decision. I have my own thoughts on who she should choose, of course.

The end of this novel pointed to a decision but I have a feeling that, in the end, it won't make a difference. It makes me angry. It's like she's made up her mind but keeps bouncing back to the other guy. Frankly, I'm tired of her and her nonsense. She's basically using two people and leading them on. Why bother fighting for something you don't want? I hope this issue is quickly resolved cause it's starting to bore me. I'd prefer more of a story that wasn't focused on her bouncing around.

So: I plan on finishing the series but I'm not really happy about it. I'm tired of America not choosing because I feel she already made a choice, not once but twice. The ending of this novel didn't do it for me but I really have no say in it so whatever. I'm not sure why I get so interested in these novels when they are in front of me. We shall see what happens.

Cold Spell (Fairytale Retellings #4)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jackson Pearce
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 323
Rating: 7.5 out of 10 (I'm the one doing the rating, I can use whatever number system or decimals I feel fit!)

Summary (Don't be chilling with me Goodreads): Kai and Ginny grew up together–best friends since they could toddle around their building’s rooftop rose garden. Now they’re seventeen, and their relationship has developed into something sweeter, complete with stolen kisses and plans to someday run away together.

But one night, Kai disappears with a mysterious stranger named Mora–a beautiful girl with a dark past and a heart of ice. Refusing to be cast aside, Ginny goes after them and is thrust into a world she never imagined, one filled with monsters and thieves and the idea that love is not enough.

If Ginny and Kai survive the journey, will she still be the girl he loved–and moreover, will she still be the girl who loved him?

Thoughts: I really like Jackson Pearce. I like her novels and her videos. She seems like an awesome person. I'd like maybe kill to meet her. Fangirling aside...

Hurrah for a strong female character! Yes, in the beginning, she was kind of weak and struggled to be who she is. She was centered on Kai and his life but she grew into herself. She realizes over the course of the novel that she can be strong and independent and fight for what she really wants in her life. She wants Kai and that's okay. Woman can fight for whatever they want even if that is a certain boy. I thought her weakness would bother me but she wasn't weak. I needed to scratch the surface.

I wish there would have been more development on what Mora actually was. I felt the same thing with Fathomless (The third Fairytale Retelling). I felt like it was only explained on the surface to let the story flow but the actual back story was ignored. No, that doesn't sound quite right. I just wish I could figure out why all of these different types of characters are being thrown together to explain one kind of mythical creature. I mean, it doesn't sound too awful I just wish there was more explanation. Maybe there will be more on this is future novels. Here's to hoping.

Winter is the perfect time to read this. I started reading this on a day when it was -45 degrees Celsius where I live. Maybe Mora was behind it all...

Anyway, it was quite a bit more entertaining because it was so cold. I was really feeling the plot. Every time it spoke of cold, I happened to be cold. It was perfect. 

I thought the plot was solid and entertaining, as were the sort of subplots. I loved the characters, especially the minor background type characters. They definitely were unique and perfect for their roles.

Anyway, loved this but wanted a bit more, I guess.

Not sure if it would be a reread but it was a fast enough read, for sure.

Conclusion: I loved this book but wished it had some more explanation of what the Snow Queen, or whatever, actually is. I will continue to read Jackson Pearce's novels. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal works or fairytales. Take a look at it. Give it a try.

Favourite quote:
"We'll be in the kitchen eating cake."
"We haven't eaten dinner!"
"We're adults. We're allowed to have cake for dinner,"

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 16

Favorite female character

I like Kira from Partials by Dan Wells. I like that she is tough and is trying to do something good. I'm tired of weak females that struggle to keep up with men or who exist for just love stuff. 
I like a lot of female characters but I think I'll pick her. 
This question was hard too!
What's yours?

~ Kelsey

KATNISS EVERDEEN. 

Kristen 

Origin (Lux #4)

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Format: Paperback
Pages: 384
Rating: 9 out of 10

This is book 4 of this series. I would stop reading here if you plan on reading the first three...cause SPOILERS. 

Summary (Goodreads is out of this world!): Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything. 

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? 

And will they even be together?

My Thoughts: I just want to punch Daemon in the face for what he did. I know why he did it but it was stupid and I, many times, wanted to reach through this novel and punch him. Had other things not happened, it would have ended so horribly and I would still be a puddle, crying, all this time later. As it is, I could barely handle this novel.

I think this one is my favourite in the series so far. I'm glad the author didn't just decide to let them die in a horrible fire brought on by the pain and fury of readers everywhere...then again, the ending? WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO ME! I don't like what was implied and you can guarantee that if it ends the implied way, there will be trouble. I can see myself finding this author and us having a little chat. I swear I'm not as crazy as I sound, I promise.

I don't know what to do until I get the next novel. I can henceforth be found rocking my sorrows away in the darkest recesses of my room. Too much? I think not. I cannot do the dealing or handling of this novel. 

Sadly, I hate to admit that I'm glad it happened. I enjoyed the action as well as the romance. I think that it followed the natural course though it was by no means predictable. I did, however, at times, feel like it was going awfully fast. It wasn't too fast to stay caught up though so you don't need to worry about that at all. 

I think this author is doing great things with this series and it's characters. I'm excited to see what happens next.

Just read them...now.
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THIS IS REALLY BOTHERSOME TO ME BECAUSE I WAS FIRST FOR EVERY OTHER BOOK IN THIS SERIES BUT KELSEY DECIDED SHE WANTED TO BE FIRST. 

Oh hi, it's Kristen, and thus my review will commence. 

My rating is going to be a solid 9 out of 10 stars. 

My Thoughts: So, I read this in August. Yup. August. You know what month it is now? January. (Though with the way that I'm having to move schedules around, this could very well be posted in March. The irony.) So, I'm going to have to go off of memory, and mine a'int so stellar. 

Basically I want to have Daemon's babies and marry the shit out of him. In whatever order he so desires. I love Katy. I remember that I really liked the dual POV's. I liked getting a glimpse inside of Daemon's head. 

I also can be found rocking in a corner waiting for the next book. The romance was so caaaaute and I just wanted the book to never end. The action kept me going. This book is giving me life. 

Serious author crush on Jennifer Armentrout. 

Go read, now. Your life will never be the same. 

P.S Any news on a movie?!

Follow Friday

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

Oooh! I have my calendar filled with books that I can't wait to get my hands on.
Into The Still Blue by Veronica Rossi (January 28th)
Panic by Lauren Oliver (March 4th)
Don't Look Back by Jennifer L Armentrout (April 15th)
The One by Kiera Cass (May 6th)
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare (May 27th)
Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton (June 24th)
Opposition by Jennifer L Armentrout (August 5th)

These are the ones I'm really looking forward too! It's going to be a good year for books!
- Kristen

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare (May 27th)
Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton (June 24th)
Opposition by Jennifer L Armentrout (August 5th)
Look at Kristen and I being all matchy!
Also,
Unhinged by A.G. Howard
The Descent by Alma Katsu
Vitro by Jessica Khoury
Ruins by Dan Wells (March 11th)

Some are already out but I haven't had time to pick them up. I'm so excited!
~ Kelsey

The Selection

Reviewer: Kristen

Author: Kiera Cass

Format: Paperback

Pages: 327

My Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary (thanks, GR): For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Thoughts: I do this really cute (and by cute, I totes ma-goats mean really damn annoying) thing where I read book after book and then not review them. Bizarre, right? Yeah, not in my life. Also, Kelsey drafted her review of this novel and told me (GUILTED ME) into posting mine. So if it's short... please forgive me. 

Kelsey also stole my "The Hunger Games meets the Bachelorette" line. Though, I think I saw that somewhere else. Okay, focusing now, I swear. That line literally sums up what I thought of this. Okay, so there's no death, but oh brother, can girls be catty. So, in the catty, girls are too mean to each other sense, this is totally like The Hunger Games. The Bachelorette thing basically describes the entire plot of this novel, which I actually think is really cool. I really like that it felt unique, and that it took dystopian to a new level that I haven't encountered before. 

There was definitely similarities to other dystopian novels that I've read before. There is a caste system, and our home girl America was one of the lowest ones. She and her "let's go to the tree house and make out but lets be clear we aren't technically together because that's now allowed because I'm a caste lower than you and I can't drag you into that life when you could have [not actually that much more] more than me" boyfriend are in one of those taboo relationships. Her parents would kill her if they found out about Aspen, despite the fact they like his family. Basically, in summary, Aspen = Gale in my books. Kind of Edwardian (totally going to change this definition to a character resembling Edward Cullen) in the sense that you can't be with me because you can't make your own coherent choices, and thus I must protect you from all the evils you aren't smart enough to understand. Okay, apparently I'm angry today. I digress. 

Maxon, however, I was really intrigued by. He's the Prince and the bachelor if we're going to stick with the whole Bachelorette thing. Beautiful girls from each caste are sent to him, and the way that the author sets it up, you totally expect him to be a douche.  But he really isn't. It just so happens, I really like this Maxon guy. He's patient, and cute, and realistic (in a total book way, not reality way). I understand why some people don't like him, because if the author hadn't tread with care, he would totally be some douchenozzle player. I mean, he gets the prettiest 24 girls in the country to play with and decide he wants to marry. Good thing Cass does him justice. Basically, in summary, Maxon = Peeta in my books. 

So, following the above logic, one would assume that America = Katniss. BUT NO. WRONG WAY, TURN AROUND IMMEDIATELY. America was my least favourite character, which sucks because she's the narrator. The plot kept me, not this shitty character. Seriously, girlfriend couldn't make up her mind to save her life. The one that instance that Kelsey and I talked about a lot was the fact that she was uber pissed off about having to participate in this contest, but she stopped to sign autographs of her "adoring fans" aka people that just learned of her existence because she may be the next princess. Anyway, America was seriously so flaky and that's such an ugly word, but I can't think of anything else. 

Final Thoughts: Basically, I read this for the plot. Not for America. Hahahahah, that sounds way dramatic. 

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Reviewer: Kelsey

Rating: 7ish out of 10

Thoughts: This was kind of a guilty pleasure type of read. I didn't think that it was any kind of outstanding writing or plot or characters even but I did enjoy this novel a lot. I read through it rather quickly. It was an easy one. The plot was easy to understand and follow too. It wasn't totally original nor was it unoriginal. It was kind of average really. I did find, however, that it had some kind of hold on me. I didn't put it down until it was done.

I thought that it was sort of The Hunger Games meets the bachelorette. Take that however you wish.

Character wise...okay, I thought it was a bit of a mess. I'm not sure the author took all the time necessary to get to know her characters. I thought that America jumped all over the place. She wanted one thing then suddenly wanted something totally opposite. A little bit of this might not have been a problem but America does this suddenly and often. It was like character whiplash. I couldn't figure out who she really was. I also had a problem with Aspen. He was stupid. I'm tired of "we can be together" then "we can't", "we can", "we can't". Make up your mind.

I think that this novel had a lot of potential but it was lost somewhere. Maybe it just needed a little bit more work and polish. I don't really know. To me, it was missing that spark. It was missing what couldn't made it a great novel. I wish it could've been great.

Basically: I thought that it was a fast and easy read. I found that I wanted to finish it and I got a hold of the second one right away but this could never be my favourite novel. I thought that it lacked something and the characters were all over the place. This book doesn't really stand out to me and, if Kristen hadn't given it to me, I probably would never have picked it up off the shelf.

The Epic, Extravagant, (Evil), and Elastic Examination Day 15

Favorite male character

OMG I DO NOT KNOW!
I think I'm going to go with Luke from The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks. There are just sooooo many. I want to pick some but they died. I want to pick others cough Daemon Black (Lux Series) but they can be really jerk like. I want to pick like every character ever. However, I did enjoy The Longest Ride and Luke was all for hard work, family, and his girl. I don't know.
This is the hardest question ever in the history of hard questions.

I'm interested to see what you all think. Comment. I'm curious!

~ Kelsey

I'd like to plead the fifth. What's that? I'm not American? Dammit! 

Okay. Hmm. Ahhh. Oiii this one pains me. 

(Y'all aint just getting one because that's impossible and I'm not in the whole "defy the impossible" mood today ;) )

Okay. Let us begin. 

Peeta Mellark. Finnick Odair. Kellan Kyle. Daemon Black. Augustus Waters. 

And, that's all I'm going to list, because I could probably go on forever. 

Kristen