Me Before You by Jojo Mayes

*Definitely Spoilers*

Me Before You
by Jojo Mayes

Read: February 11-12, 2016
Published: July 30, 2013
Genre: Adult Fiction, Romance

They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose...

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he's pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living. (Amazon)





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Why did you read this book?
I saw the trailer for the upcoming movie and being close to Valentine's Day, I thought I could use a good uplifting romance. Oh boy.

What did you like about this book?
I thought the characters were developed really well. None of them were perfect and none of them were completely horrible (except maybe Patrick...I didn't like him). This was also one of the most convincing slow-build relationships that I've read. It took a long time for Louisa and Will to start to like each other, and even longer for them to grow that friendship into something a little more. It was realistic. I also really liked Louisa's character. I could really relate to her. I don't have big dreams and I don't much care for living anywhere other than my beautiful small town. It's safe there. I liked reading about how she learned to broaden her horizons a bit with Will's help. I really did like this book, except...

What didn't you like about this book?
Small things first...there were times when it got a bit slow. There were some descriptions and scenes that were just unnecessary. And Patrick. He was the worst and I didn't like him. However, my biggest beef with this book was the end. *Huge Spoilers After This Point!* Now, I can handle it when a main character dies at the end. I handled it in The Fault in Our Stars and in Allegiant. There were reasons for the deaths. In one, death was inevitable and in the other it was a sacrifice to save a life. Will Traynor however was unwilling to continue his life even though his family and Louisa were pleading with him not to. He had Louisa's love, and he loved her, and that wasn't enough for him. I couldn't handle that. I would have appreciated this book much more if it ended with the same uplifting and hopeful tone that was consistent throughout. The end just made me so angry. It all felt pointless and hopeless in the end.

Bottom-Line:
I don't know. It was a good book, but I strongly disagree with the ending. There is a movie coming out in June, so I'm glad a read the book before so I'm not completely shocked and distraught in a theatre, so maybe I'd suggest it to someone who wants to see the movie, but likes to read the book first. Or to anyone that wants their heart ripped out.



"You know, you can only actually help someone who wants to be helped." -Me Before You by Jojo Mayes

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

*Possible Spoilers*

A Court of Thorns and Roses
by Sarah J. Maas

Read: February 1-2, 2016
Published: May 5, 2015
Genre: Fantasy

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin--one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.


As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it...or doom Tamlin---and his world---forever. (Amazon)




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Why did you read this book?
This is one of the many books that my cousin recommended to me and I'm finally getting to it. Also, I was in the fairy tale mood when I got it at the library a few weeks ago. And it's due Saturday, so I really had to get a move on and read it.

What did you like about this book?
This is one of my favorite Beauty and the Beast adaptations that I've read so far (I'll compare to them later). I liked the faerie aspect of the book. I've been kind of turned off towards the whole fae genre since I went through a fae genre frenzy by freshman/sophomore years of high school. This is the first I've read in a long time that I really enjoyed. As far as characters go, Lucien was probably my favorite. He was funny, but also really tough with a rough backstory. Feyre and Tamlin weren't as compelling to me, as characters, but I loved their love story. The best part about this book was probably the descriptions and the action scenes. Maas really has a way with words and her fighting scenes are excellent. It was really just a beautiful book to imagine, with the settings described so well I could see it.

What didn't you like about this book?
There seemed to be two climaxes to this book. The first was paced appropriately, but the second one was hard to get to. The whole build up to the main event at the end just took too long. I found myself skipping whole passages just because I was bored with it. I also had a problem with Feyre's character development. At the start of the book she was tough, and stubborn, and a provider...she was just awesome. However, as she fell in love with Tamlin, she lost the traits that I loved about her and by the first climax, she was a completely different person than she had been in the beginning. She was still portrayed as a strong, independent character, but I just didn't feel it like I did in the first chapters.

Comparisons:
As compared to Cruel Beauty, I enjoyed this one much more. The characters were better developed and it had a more driving plot and I cared about what happened in the end. When I compared this book to the original Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont, I was pleased to find small, basic similarities. There were the two sisters (although, the brothers were left out of Maas' book) and the sudden matter of Beauty/Feyre's father losing their fortune. The beast/Tamlin also sent Beauty/Feyre back home (although for different reasons). I just enjoyed the little similarities that reminded me that it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling. However, there were very, very few similarities to the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast. No dancing cutlery, singing teapots, or animalistic footrests. The only thing that really reminded me of the Disney movie is when Tamlin took Feyre to the gallery, which was very similar to the beast showing Belle the library.

Bottom-Line:
I really did like this book. I'm not sure if I'll add it to my shelf, but I do know that I'll have to read the second one when it comes out in May. I will add that I'm a little leery of the second book (I've heard rumors of a love triangle. The horror!). However, I think this book can be read on its own. The ending is satisfying enough where you really don't need a second book. So I will recommend it to anyone that enjoys fairy tales. You may divulge in book two (A Court of Mist and Fury) at your own risk.




"We need hope, or else we cannot endure." -A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

*Possible Spoilers*

Saint Anything
by Sarah Dessen

Read: January 24, 2016
Published: May 5, 2015
Genre: YA Fiction

Sydney has always felt invisible. She's grown accustomed to her brother, Peyton, being the focus of the family's attention and, lately, concern. Peyton is handsome and charismatic, but seems bent on self-destruction. Now, after a drunk-driving accident that crippled a boy, Peyton's serving some serious jail time, and Sydney is on her own, questioning her place in the family and the world.

Then she meets the Chatham family. Drawn into their warm, chaotic circle, Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance for the first time. There's effervescent Layla, who constantly falls for the wrong guy, Rosie, who's had her own fall from grace, and Mrs. Chatham, who even though ailing is the heart of the family. But it's with older brother Mac—quiet, watchful, and protective—that Sydney finally feels seen, really seen, at last. (Amazon)




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Why did you read this book?
We've been over this, guys. I spent my junior high/early high school years absorbed in her books. I am now morally obligated to read every book that she publishes.

What did you like about this book?
I really enjoyed this one, enough to read it in one sitting. It was better than her previous books (which I reviewed). With this book, I felt like Sarah Dessen went back to the quality of writing I expect from her. It was good to read her work and finish it feeling satisfied again. While the romance part of this book is pretty good, my favorite part was the relationship between Sydney and Layla. I loved their friendship, which seemed more natural to me than the Sydney's other friends from before she switched schools. I also really related to the protagonist more than I have related to one of Dessen's characters. I always (well, usually) love them and understand them, but with Sydney I could easily see myself thinking her thoughts. Heck, I have thought her thoughts. Not so much about having a problem older brother, but I've always felt invisible and so did she. It was nice to relate to someone in that aspect, even if it was only with a character in a book. The setting of the book was familiar, same schools that are used in previous books. I've got to say, I'm a little sad it wasn't in Colby, but it wasn't a summer book and that's where the summer books take place.

What didn't you like about this book?
I did not like Sydney's family. To be honest, they all sucked. There was hardly even a redeeming quality, even in the end when they finally saw her. I'm sure Dessen intended it to be that way, but I hated reading parts with her family in it. They were awful! I wasn't a huge fan of the end of the book either. I liked where they were going with it, but I think there could have been a few more pages, or a chapter even, after where it ended. It had that summary quality Dessen's final chapters usually have, which is all fine and dandy, but then she ended on something that couldn't be summarized. It needed dialogue and description. So, I guess the ending was a bit wanting.

If you liked this book...
...but don't want to read Sarah Dessen or you've already read all of her books, I'd suggest Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira or perhaps The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti. Both have a little bit of love, lots of friendship, and a good dash of self-discovery along with tricky familial relations.

My Swoon (Warning! Contains Spoilers)
My favorite part in the whole book was when Mac told Sydney that she wasn't invisible. That part, more than any of the other potential swoon-worthy moments, got me. I think I loved it so much because that's all I want...to be seen. Here's the quote, because I love it:

“As I shut the door and started to walk away, I heard him say, "Hey. Sydney." 
"Yeah?"
"You had on a shirt with mushrooms on it, and your hair was pulled back. Silver earrings. Pepperoni slice. No lollipop."
I just looked at him, confused. Layla was walking toward us now. 
"The first time you came into Seaside," he said. "You weren't invisible, not to me. Just so you know.” 

Bottom-Line:
I liked it. If you're a fan of Dessen's books, you'll probably like it too. I would definitely recommend it to anyone in need of a light romance with a bit of depth, but not so much that it moves you to tears or changes your life. I'd say this is a small step above a fluff read, but still very good.



"I would have loved to know how it felt, just once, to have something fall apart and see options instead of endings." -Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

*Possible Spoilers*

Cruel Beauty
by Rosamund Hodge

Read: January 17-18, 2016
Published: April 17, 2015
Genre: Fantasy

The romance of Beauty and the Beast meets the adventure of Graceling in a dazzling fantasy novel about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

For fans of bestselling An Ember in the Ashes and A Court of Thorns and Roses, this gorgeously written debut infuses the classic fairy tale with glittering magic, a feisty heroine, and a romance sure to take your breath away.

Betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom, Nyx has always known that her fate was to marry him, kill him, and free her people from his tyranny. But on her seventeenth birthday when she moves into his castle high on the kingdom's mountaintop, nothing is what she expected—particularly her charming and beguiling new husband. Nyx knows she must save her homeland at all costs, yet she can't resist the pull of her sworn enemy—who's gotten in her way by stealing her heart. (Amazon.com)


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Why did you read this book?
My friend read it and said it was pretty good. Also, I've been in a fairy tale mood because I've been watching a lot of Once Upon a Time. So, when I went on a library run and saw this on the shelf, I picked it up. And I just really needed a new book.

What did you like about this book?
I really enjoyed the premise of it. Hodge combined the classic Beauty and the Beast fairy tale with Greek mythology. It was a retelling that I had never encountered before, so it was refreshing. The way that the Greek mythology was intertwined with the fairy tale worked very well, in my opinion. As far as characters go, I'd have to say Ignifex was my favorite. He was honest with who he was the whole time and he was so incredibly patient with Nyx (I couldn't have been that patient). I also loved the way that things were resolved in the end. It was close to what I guessed would happen, but not exactly. Which was good. I like surprises.

What didn't you like about this book?
Oh boy. I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. And yes, it did have some strong points...just not enough for me to want to add the book to my shelf. First off, I didn't like Nyx. She didn't make sense to me and she was angry all the time. Yes, she had the right to be angry. Her family was horrible. Especially her twin sister (who was supposed to be precious and lovable, but I hated her). And then there was the love story between Nyx, Ignifex, and Shade (which was sort of a love triangle, but not really...that's resolved at the end of the book). It wasn't believable to me. Perhaps once it started it felt right, but I'm not sure how Nyx got from hating Ignifex to loving him. There wasn't really an in between. There was also too much description of Nyx exploring the house. I understand that it was important to the plot, but the descriptions got too lengthy and it was difficult to stay interested in the number of doors were down the long hallway.

Food for Thought:
For those of you who have watched the ABC series, Once Upon a Time, you'll find that Ignifex is reminiscent of Rumplestiltskin (who is also the beast in the series). There are shady deals and unforeseen prices that are too steep for those that made the deals with him. Just in case you were interested.

Bottom-Line:
I kind of liked it. I don't know if I'd recommend it. Altogether, I'm left feeling torn about the book. It has its good points and plenty of bad ones. I might have to re-read it myself just to get a better hold on what I thought of it. I suppose if this has made you curious enough to read it, by all means go ahead. It wasn't a horrible book and maybe you'll like it more than I did. I just won't give it my highest recommendation.




"You fought and fought to keep all the cruelty locked up in your head, and for what? None of them ever loved you, because none of them ever knew you." --Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

*Possible Spoilers*

Snow Like Ashes
by Sara Raasch

Read: December 2015
Published: October 14, 2014
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Two currently published

A striking fantasy tale of dark magic, dangerous politics, and discovering your true self—perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, An Ember in the Ashes and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now the Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter's defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, Winter's future king—she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter's magic, Meira decides to go after it herself—only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics—and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. (Amazon)

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Why did you read this book?
The cover is pretty. (I'm not even ashamed.)

What did you like about this book?
I was a big fan of the world building. I was sold from the beginning. Raasch does an excellent job including the history of the world without making the first chapters sound like a history book. I also really enjoyed Meira as a character. She was spunky, but not annoying (which unfortunately happens to so many 'strong, female characters' in YA). She was passionate and also smart. I can't quite say that I could relate to her, but I felt her character in me. It was in first person, like most of YA, so it was easy to become Meira. There was one plot twist that I didn't even see coming (although, in retrospect, I really should have). I love it when a book just leaves me in shock. You know, one of those 'mind blown' moments.

What didn't you like about this book?
While this book was very good and I enjoyed it and I'll more than likely be reading it again, it didn't have that much depth. I wouldn't quite call it a fluff read (you know the sort...usually in the romance genre), but it wasn't exactly one that didn't that much concentration. Also, there was a love triangle. I don't mind them, when they're done well. However, this one was just wasn't all that believable. I think, given more time, it could have worked. Unfortunately, it didn't...at least, not for me.

If you liked this book...
...I'd suggest Graceling or Fire, both by Kristin Cashore. They're both in the fantasy genre with female main characters learning to come into their own. Despite the similarities, they are very different. However, I think the reader that enjoys Snow Like Ashes would also like Kristin Cashore's books.

Bottom-Line:
I liked it and I'd recommend it to anyone that enjoys fantasy. A note of warning, this isn't a fantasy epic like The Lord of the Rings. but it's still very good. I haven't read the second book, Ice Like Fire, yet. When I eventually read it, I'll let you know how it goes.



"Someday we will be more than words in the dark." -Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Something Small

    Today, I read a quote and I thought it was beautiful and simple and I wanted to share it with you lovely people. Unfortunately, I don't know who said it, so just know that these are someone else's words, not mine.

"Your small stories are important." 

         

Finally, some Ireland!

Day Thirteen:                                                                                                       May 29, 2015

Today was Aran Islands Day. First we took a bus (for about an hour) to the ferry and we were on the ferry for another forty minutes or so. But then we got there! The first thing I did was eat lunch with [Professor T], [Friend H], [Friend K], and [Friend J]. I just got soup and brown bread because it was the cheapest and I was hoping to find something for my sister to spend my money on. I was separated from  [Friends B, C, and M], but I found them as I was climbing up to the fort and the cliffs. [Friend B] was kind enough to go back up with me. The view was breathtaking! I can only imagine what the Cliffs of Moher will look like. After we got back down, [Friend B] had to eat.
The line was super long, so she told me to go ahead and look for something for my sister (again, no luck). I did, however, find myself a sweatshirt, which I wasn't planning on for this trip. Oh well, it's super warm and comfy. It's much thicker than all of my sweatshirts at home. I had just enough time to buy the sweatshirt and then it was time to get on the tour bus (it was more like a glorified van) to see the rest of the island. There are so many church ruins! We stopped at one and I was so tempted to pick up a rock (and keep it). They were all perfect oval skipping stones. WE also stopped at a place where you could step in the water. I didn't, unfortunately, because I was wearing hiking boots and it was very cold. Then we stopped at another place where you could see seals! Unfortunately, the tide was in, so we could only see their heads bobbing around in the water. When the tour was done, [Friend B], [Friend K], [Professor T], and I stopped in a café to warm up. I ordered a mint hot chocolate and it was the most disgusting thing I've ever had. It was like drinking straight liquid peppermint, which doesn't actually found that bad in concept, but it's really quite gross. We didn't have much time after that before we were on the ferry for another hour and then an hour on the bus after that. We made stuffed chicken and veggies for dinner. So good! And then we all worked on homework until bedtime.


Day Fourteen:                                                                                                     May 30, 2015

Today was our free day. I read a good chunk of The Return of the King. because I was up early and we weren't going to set out until 10:30. We went straight to the market area. That was so cool! (I've never actually been to an outdoor market like that before,) It reminded me of the free fair a little bit, with all the stands and such. Our group was separated somewhere in there. We started with eleven of us and ended up with six. We never found the others, so we went to find lunch. We went to an Italian restaurant and I had an open bread panini. Afterwards, we headed in the general direction of Butler's Chocolate Cafe (!!), making a few stops along the way, including one at a music store. That's where I bought my older brother's gift. I'd been having a hard time trying to find him something, because I just really don't know what he would want. Hopefully he likes the drum. We also stopped at a few jewelry stores and I tried, in vain, to find something for my sister. I just don't know what to get her. It's too much pressure! But anyway, we went to Butler's and I got another mint hot chocolate...and a box of chocolates to make chocolate at home. I'm so excited! Then we wandered up the street to TK Maxx (which is basically TJ Maxx). [Friend B] and I rode up and down the escalators while everyone else used the toilets. After that we found a huge mall. It was weird though. You walk into this alleyway thing and you're a bit scared for your life and bam! You're in this huge shopping centre! We stopped at Burger King because [Friend A] wanted some fries. While were there [Friend C] and I took some gorgeous pictures in a Frozen cut out thing. (I was Anna and [Friend C] was Elsa). And then we found the book store. I tried to resist, I really did. But Maskerade was really calling to me. I heard it! And I was, of course, drawn to the Irish copy of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, as I have been in every book store I've been in. Each time, I pick it up, think about getting it, and then put it back down. I'm not sure who eventually convinced me to just get it ([Friend B] or [Friend C]?) but I'm glad I got it. I'm running rather low on euros at this point, so hopefully I can make it to the end of the trip. And hopefully I can find something for Zoie when we go to the Cliffs of Moher tomorrow!! (Fingers crossed...)

*I don't have any good Day 14 pictures, so you get extra for Day 13*