Julia Anderson by Julia Anderson

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

180022 — 2015-01-30 17:58:55 UTC

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart. (goodreads summery)

This book definitely caught me by surprise. I thought this would be a confusing, game of thrones kind of book but it wasn't. Leigh created a realistic world with relatable problems. A girl who feels alone in the world, searching for acceptance in a land plagued by war. It has romance, adventure, suspense, cruel twists, and is the perfect book for anyone. I do admit that this book would be more suitable for girls due to the fact that the main character is a girl and there is quite a bit of romance in it but still, this book is amazing. I definitely recommend it.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

180022 — 2015-01-30 18:14:03 UTC

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can't outrun her past or her destiny for long. The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling's game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm. (goodreads summery)

To have a squeal top the first book is something you don't have very often. This is one of those rare times. Leigh out did herself on this one. What I really liked about this book is that she introduces three new characters that are very important to the story and it doesn't feel as if she is cramming a bunch of random people into her story. You really connect with these new characters and love them as much as you love the main characters. The only problem I have with this book is (spoiler alert) that by the third chapter the darkling already captures Alina and Mal. I think it was too rushed and I really wanted to see more of their life in hiding and on their own especially as a couple. But other then that, the book was amazing. You will love it.

Of Mice and Men: John Steinbeck

180022 — 2015-02-12 18:22:26 UTC

I am pretty sure I don't need to explain what this story is about. I read it before two years ago but I never understood the meaning behind the book and why (spoiler alert) George shoots Lennie. I thought he shot him because he knew Lennie wouldn't function in society and would eventually be killed because he killed Curly's wife. Well that was not the case. HE didn't kill him out of love and by I rereading the book I now understand why he killed Lennie. The book wasn't my favorite but it is an american classic (its no Wuthering Heights or Tale of Two Cities) and should be read by everyone contemplating on working of a farm xD

Splintere

180022 — 2015-03-04 18:03:37 UTC

Splintered: A.G. Howard

180022 — 2015-03-04 18:03:39 UTC

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own. (amazon summery)

This book caught me by surprise to be honest. I saw this book when browsing in the library and never really wanted to read it. After having a bad time finding a new book I wanted to read, I finally picked it up and decided to try it. The cover is absolutely beautiful and is my phone wallpaper. Overall this book was definitely worth a second look and I couldn't get the second one fast enough. I personally hated Jeb. He was a pointless character and that is my only complain. This book is defiantly for the readers who like fantasy, romance, suspense, and a little gore here and there.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue: Maggie Stiefvater

180022 — 2015-04-10 17:12:02 UTC

There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.
Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.
The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.
Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.(goodreads summary)

This book definitely succeeded the past two in this wonderful series, The Raven Cycle. I liked this book better then The Dream Thieves because it had a lot more of Blue (not the color) but the person in it along with her and Gansey's relationship. This book had plot twists, romance, suspense lots of humor, and it gave yogurt some good rep. (book reference). If you like adventure, mythology, horror, a tad of romance and humor, then I urge you to read this book

Blood Magic: Tessa Gratton

180022 — 2015-04-10 17:20:35 UTC

It starts off simply.
Draw a circle... place a dead leaf in the center... sprinkle some salt... recite a little Latin... add a drop of blood...
Maybe that last part isn’t exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents’ horrific deaths. She’s willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.
The book isn’t the only recent arrival in Silla’s life. There’s Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She’s not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick’s first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can’t deny their attraction. And they can’t ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

This book was eh. I was drawn to the idea of spells and magic being performed with blood but after the first few chapters I knew I wouldn't like it. Still I powered through and much to my surprise I..........did not like it. It was a clique in my opinion and too predictable plus the protagonist was a sissy and too annoying to like. The love interest was too pointless and I just did not enjoy this book. Feel free to read it if you dare. Maybe you will have better luck with it then me.