Book Review of The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Book Review: (SPOILER FREE)

Title & Author- The Elite by Kiera Cass

Genre- Young Adult, Teen Fiction, Dystopian, Romance

Rating- 3.5/5

Synopsis- "The Selection began with thirty-five girls. Now, with the group narrowed down to the Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever--and America is still struggling to decide where her own heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen, who she always thought was the one?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want--and America's chance to choose is about to slip away."

Review- Back in June of 2013, I write three words in the review section for the book The Elite by Kiera Cass: "NOT A DISAPPOINTMENT".  I'm gonna have to disagree with my 2013-year-old self.  This time around, I was disappointed in The Elite.  Unfortunately, I didn't write in-depth reviews back then so I'm not going to have to much to go on as I argue with what I said last year.  My main issue with this book was America's lack of decisiveness (is that proper grammar?), she was just so wishy washy, her indecisiveness was annoying.   She couldn't make a decision.  Ugh.  I got very annoyed- especially since I really didn't want her to like a certain someone.  I got a bit fed up with the continuation of the competition;  I was so dead set on her just picking the guy I wanted her to end up with.  I understood that Maxon had to explore his options but I wasn't a fan of the multiple relationships: America's and Maxon's.  There were many things that bothered me through out this book.  Most of my annoyance was caused due to my lack of patience; America needed to hurry up and get her shit together.

Book Review of The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Book Review: (SPOILER FREE)

Title & Author- Selection by Kiera Cass

Genre- Teen Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian

Rating- 5/5

Synopsis- "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."

Review- Please note that this is my third time reading this book; The first time I read it was when it came out, the second time was when The Elite came out, and the third time was when The One.  Now, while it is still very enjoyable, it isn't one of those books that I'd like to read over and over again.  Through out the years, I've just forgotten the little things that have happened through out the story such as names and events.  But the great thing about Cass' writing is The Selection wasn't a difficult read!  While a lot may have happened in the story, I was never confused and I was always able to keep up.  

I love this book because of its story.  The writing makes it an easy read but the actual story is what makes it incredible!  The first time I read the synopsis, I thought much of the focus would be on the other girls and their fight against each other.  I also thought it'd be hard to keep up with the dystopian world, but this book was more than that!   While there was a lot going on in the dystopian world, Cass provides us readers with enough background and information that doesn't overshadow the events occurring.  She gives us just the right amount to keep us up with what is going on.  And relationships are built (friendly and romantically), hearts are broken, chaos occurs.  I didn't think I'd become attached to America but the events in this book proved otherwise.  You're just gonna have to read it to find out what I'm talking about!

Book Review of Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

Book Review: (SPOILER FREE)

Title & Author- Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

Genre- New Adult, Teen Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Rating- 4.5/5

Synopsis- "In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs."

Review- There isn't much I have to say about this book. I absolutely loved Hopeless (the book before this one)- I gave it a full 5/5! After reading it, I immediately picked up Losing Hope thinking it was a continuation. Unfortunately, I was wrong and I had different expectations for the book. Don't get me wrong, I still really enjoyed it! Losing Hope was told from Holder's point of view; you were able to get glimpses of his life and of his side of their story. My problem was because I read the two stories back to back, much of the dialogue in the first book appeared in the second. It didn't feel like its own unique book. I understand it's the same story, but I was expecting more from their past, or different details of happened during their present, or what happens in their future. Like I said, it was still a very enjoyable read! I would just recommend you space out some time in-between reading both books.

Book Review of Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Book Review: (SPOILER FREE)

Title & Author- Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Genre- New Adult, Teen Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Rating- 5/5

Synopsis- "Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever."

Review- Hands down, this book deserve the whole 5/5.  Hoover's writing is fantastic!  I loved this story so much.  What's not to love about this book?!  I'll admit, I thought the story's events were a tad unrealistic but stranger things have happened.  Plus, Hoover's writing didn't leave me annoyed with the outcome of the events.  It was all beautifully done.

A few warnings before you read this book.  This book doesn't complete revolve around the details of sex like many other new adult books but this defiantly falls into the NA (New Adult) genre.  That's why I'm putting out a disclaimer: for mature readers only!  That doesn't mean you have to be a certain age; just know this is not a light fluffy summer read.  While the romance is a fantastic element in the book, there is way more to the story!

P.S. I've recommended this to two of my other friends who aren't avid readers and who read very different books than I do yet the enjoyed it very much!

Book Review of Drawn by Lilliana Anderson

Drawn by Lilliana Anderson

Book Review: (SPOILER FREE)

Title & Author- Drawn by Lilliana Anderson

Genre- New Adult, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Rating- 1.5/5

Synopsis- "From the best-selling author of the Beautiful Series, comes Drawn, a powerful tale of a relationship that rides the edge of hate and love and everything in between. 

Have you ever felt so drawn to someone, that you will put up with anything to be with them? That’s how I feel when I’m around him. 

Most of the time, I want to hate him. I want to stay as far away from him as possible. He’s so cocky, and arrogant. And he gets in the way and tells me what to do. He’s all things that I normally detest in a man. But, when we’re alone… I can’t even think for myself – the pull is that intense. 

I know I should run, I know I should stay away. But I can’t. I don’t know if I’m strong enough. 

What do you do when you just can’t stay away? Even when you know you should…"

Review- *Free on iTunes* There isn't much I have to say about this book other than it was awful.  If you see my goodreads updates (which contain spoilers), you'll understand.  In the beginning of the book, I thought this book was going to be a good one!  The way they met, how he acted around her, how he treated her: I was expecting a better story.  Too bad the characters really sucked.

The story started off fine but immediately went down hill the first time he "made love to her".  I couldn't stand all the sex.  I felt as if it was always happening at such wrong moments.  I was literally saying "what the fuck" out loud (I was by myself) whenever they resulted to sex.  Even when they still had yet to deal with their problems, they'd still get it on.  Damien was too controlling and manipulative.  He treated her like property and kept her from having a life.  And Etta's jealousy problems: this girl threw a fit with any slight assumption of cheating.  I got that she had a bit of a right to act that way but the fact that she'd put up with it just shows her type of character.  Seeing  Etta return to Damien every time he did something wrong irritated the hell out of me.  I got that she was attracted to him but I couldn't help but see her as weak.  There are other reasons why she really annoyed me but I can't discuss them without spoiling the end of the story.

I don't really want to continue reviewing this story because it was just annoyingly bad.  However, I would like to say, the ending was such a cliffhanger, I was tempted to buy the next one just to see what would happen.  It turns out, you can pick the ending you would like (you'll understand after reading the story [if you read the story])  In the end, I couldn't really justify spending the money since I wasn't a fan of the author's writing.  

Book Review of We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Book Review: (SPOILER FREE)

Title & Author- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Genre- Young Adult, Teen Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Adventure, Summer

Rating- 4/5

Synopsis- "A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
 
We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. 
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE."

Review- Try to go into this book with knowing as little as possible.  All you need to know is it's a summer book!  I read this book a little while ago and underestimated my memory so this review won't be as detailed as my others.  Overall, I enjoyed the book but I did have a few problems with it.

The pacing of the book kind of made me want to rate it a 3.5, or at least a 3.75 but the whole story and the writing- holy bananas!  This book was all kinds of amazing.  The whole story was awesome and the writing was beautiful.  At times, I had some trouble with the writing; as amazing as it was, it was written like a modern-day classic.  Personally, I struggle with keeping my focus when it comes to writing like that.  Also, as wonderful as the story was as a whole, through out the book, I couldn't help but wish it'd pick up the pace.

I know it's not much, but that's all I have to say about this book.  I do know, knowing what I know about the book now, I will want to reread it someday!

Book Review of The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Book Review: (SPOILER FREE)

Title & Author- The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

Genre- Adult Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Rating- 1.5/5

Synopsis- "In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.

Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew -- about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear -- was not as it seemed. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?"

Review- Ugh.  I read this book a while ago and I'm just now getting around to writing its review.  Well... actually, I've been putting it off.  Having to think about this book again makes me want to sleep.  If you have seen my goodreads updates, you'll know I literally fell asleep multiple times reading it.  You'll also notice that a lot of my updates/thoughts on the book have made it into this review (I frequently use my goodreads updates to write these reviews).

I was over halfway into the book and I wasn't even hooked.  I knew the future rating for it wasn't looking to good.  I was so tempted to skim through the entire last half of the book since the first half was so dull.

I bet you're wondering, "Did she cry at all in this book?"  The answer is no, I didn't cry.  Not because I'm not an easy cryer; I've read about ten books that have made me cry, three of which were written by Nicholas Sparks (I've only read four of his novels).  It's just, other than boredom and annoyance, I hardly showed any emotion throughout this book.  You'll see why as you continue to read my review.

Through out almost all of the story, I was uninterested and bored; I had no connection to it and I couldn't relate to any of the characters.  Yes, I get that this is a book for adults; the woman has three children and a husband.  I'm pretty sure they were in their late forties so I might not have completely understood the appeal to the book, but it just draggggggs on with boring detail, none of which I found very entertaining or intriguing.  It was a lot of telling and not enough showing.  All Sparks had done so far was tell me about Amanda and Dawson's past, how "it's always been..."  Nothing stood out as a reason for why Dawson loved her or why she loved him other than what was said about their past.  It was pretty much instalove.  

Also, I did not think it was necessary to add in all of those POVs.  I get that in some cases, it was necessary to the story.  But for a few other characters, I felt as if they were just making the book feel longer.  The only time I felt engaged was during Ted's POV. Yeah, he's an anti-feminist, incestuous asshole who was willing to do whatever meant necessary to get what he wanted but at least his character was complex/different.

No spoilers, I promised!  I just wanted to mention how much I disliked it.  Yes, it's good for drama but honestly, I felt like I wasted my time reading the book.  If the ending was good or at least less of an unrealistic, chaotic tragedy, I wouldn't have been so annoyed; it probably would've gotten a whole 2/5.  The book was so damn slow 95% of the time and then all of a sudden a lot of shit happens left and right.  Because of that, I would say this book is not worth your time.