Simon v/s the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save

his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the

wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight.

Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play

wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become

everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of

the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit

group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing

more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all

kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a

way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—

without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling

a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never

met.

5 stars! 

Every book lover has a number of books which serve the sole purpose of helping you get over a book. This book, was just another one of those books for me. 

BUT, oh, I loved it! I love it to the point of tweeting about it 3 times. Thank you, Becky. 

I smiled through out the whole book and I could almost feel John Green and Rainbow Rowell smiling at me. This book is truly their love child. 

The best part is, this book, more than being a love story, is such a true account of a struggle the community faces. It feels real, amazing and very fun to read. Simon's emotions are just so vulnerable and palpable that you just feel like hugging him. 

Buuut, that's not all! Simon is also super sarcatic, funny, and easy. So he's really just soooo easy to like. I mean, honestly, shut it Simon. We love you, even when we know you won't return it. 

And Blue. Oh freaking Blue. He's so hilarious and cute that its impossible not to love him the moment you read his perfectly framed words. 

Simon's family is amazing, especially his sisters. His dad is the quintessential lame dad, but they're very supportive, so no complaints here.

His friends- Leah, Nick and Abby are as awesome as awesome gets, really. And they're no white chick show. They're diverse, liberal and open-minded. They give you serious squad goals. Really. 

I honestly don't know what you're waiting for. READ THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY. 

Halloween Reads!

Halloween is almost upon us, and I know this is a really exciting time for most of you guys, but in India we don't really celebrate Halloween. I mean, honestly, there are so mnay festivals that we are celebrating, and we don't need another one on that long list.
BUT, I do love the extra attention spooky books get at this time. Watching horror is one thing, but reading it, thats another thing entirely.
So here is my collection of books that are sure to spook you and make the even more worth the wait.

1)The Woman In Black by Susan Hill

You've all seen the movie featuring Daniel Radcliffe. But the original novella is a must for the early build up to the day!

2) The Fall on the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe

Reading anything by him, be it the Raven, or Dream with a dream, can rattle you, but this cllection of stories speaks straight to the brain and sends shcok waves. Trust me, I'm telling you a first hand account.

3) The Diviners by Libba Bray

Trust me, I still have bad dreams imagining the Naughty John tune. This is the kind of book that you will HATE, But completely fall for at the same time. Because come on, Libba Bray is the DA QUEEN. 

4) The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton

This one is an absolute gem! Winner of the Pullitzer and nominated for Nobel 3 times. But that doesn't count it down on the spook meter. 

5) Pet Semetary by Stephen King

We all know Stephen King's The Shining, Carrie and countless others which have given us the spook and nightmares for days. Guess what this spook master had to say about this book: "this is a terrible book. Not in terms of writing, but how dark it is. I never knew so much darkness could come out of me.." Right, you are.

So, that was my collection of scary books that I will be reading in my #HalloweenBookAThon and I hope you guys join me too!

(P.S. I'm reading Simon v/s the Homo Sapiens Agenda and review to be up soon!)

A Court Of Thorns And Roses By Sarah J. Maas (Spoiler Free)

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 grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.


5 Stars. 
You can't not love this book. It's an amalgamation of the perfect parts of Game Of Thrones, classic old Sarah J. Mass and Brandon Sanderson. 

I did my waiting for this book. About 2 months after this book originally launched was it delivered on my doorstep. Amazon kept pushing the release date-but I couldn't blame them. I more or less got it for free. 

Now many of you might make up your mind too quick about how this book caters to the Stockholm Syndrome. That's what I thought. But think again. This book has some obvious bad assery promised with every SJ. Maas title.

You get a world packed with Fae *sighs*, A MAP and a bad ass huntress. WHAT DO YOU NEED MORE?!

The best part about this book is that it leaves a trail of that familiarity associated to her books.  I could almost feel Calaena and her world creeping in through the shadows, just waving us hi. It was amazing to be back in the world from the mind of SJ. Maas. 

It is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and OH MY GOD, is our beast handsome?!

Tamlin is quintessential HOT FAE. But then there's a catch. He's always hidden behind a mask. All she knows about him is the color of his eyes, and that he is High Fae, a caste she had been taught to hate--and fear. 
He holds her captive or killing one of his soldiers, but allows her to do whatever she wants. Not comprehending his mercy, she is drawn to him, willing to fid out all his secrets. 

The book is slow somewhere in the middle, but other than that, AMAZING.
 GOD, THE FEELS! 

I'm super excited for the next books in the series. Hope this turns out to be another Throne of Glass!

Unravel Me (#2 Shatter Me) By Taherah Mafi review

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

5 Stars

Well, you either read this book before you read the e-novella Destroy me, or after. And trust me, that novella make a hell lot of difference. 
Trust me, I'm the kind of person who hardly ever reads the novellas. But this time, I made an exception. And darn it, wow. 
I saw everyone, including loser extreme, Juliette, in a different light. And there is SO much to Warner than we give him credit for. (Well, apart from his devilish good looks, now)

I had hated Shatter Me, the first book in the series, rather passionately. What? It's freaking useless and eventless! But this one, one the contrary, is SO good. Eventful, amazing, funny. Its kept me so hooked, I was feeling like Juliette after she starts liking Warner. (THAT, though)

No, really. I was pretty content on my stand for this series, and had absolutely no intention of reading it. Then, #ShatterMeTV happened. That was pretty much enough to convince me. 

There is so much Warner in this book that its just freakin' overwhelming, man. And Adam is just lost and stupid. And in the light of a new discovery about him and why he can touch Juliette breaks him further. And trust me, I'm not complaining. He's not even worth my time when Warner is around. It's rather funny for me when people talk about "teams" here. When were there freaking teams? There be only Warner!
And as for Juliette, *sighs*she starts out as a complete basket case 

but goes on to be a somewhat badass. Her character hit character development faster than spontaneous combustion.  Literally. 

We see Warner all head-over-heals, makes-you-wanna-cry mood. He's actually nice. But he still maintains his bad boy charisma we love him for. I try my best to like Adam. To adore the brother side of him, or anything. But bam, no. There are 2 sides to Adam. One is bearable, and one makes me wanna give him a hug. On the neck. With a rope. 
As for Warner, there are so many sides to him. So many. If you don't like one, love the other! You either love him, or you're freaking asexual. 

Aaaaand when you find out about the Adam-Warner relation..

And Warner's real name is Aaron. Aaron. Aaron. I can say it all day.

And the Warner-Juliette scene at the end. I. Couldn't. Believe. The. NERVE. of that wretched girl. HOW? How could you? 

All in all, I'm happy that they're getting this on TV. Can't wait. 

P.S- I'm reading Fracture Me, the novella from Adam's point of view, and making funny sounds and faces at him. #SorryNotSorry

The Heir By Keira Cass #4 of the Selection series review (Spoiler free)

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought. (synopsis from goodreads)

For most, this was there most anticipated novel of they year. And most expected a round up struggle story of Maxon Schreave and America Singer after their marriage. Instead, get ready for an inanely proud protagonist, their bitchy daughter, Eadlyn.  
4.5 stars.

I frankly have no idea what I even expected from this book. But one thing I was sure of was the follow-up story nostalgia. Did I feel it? NAH. The mere posibility of that feeling was demolished on the first page. America herself was hard enough to bear because of her immaturity and stupidity. But her daughter, my my. Eadlyn is the kind of character with which a love-hate relationship is the only way to sustain yourself throughout the book. She is smart, confident; but stupid at the same time. She acts like a total bitch, BUT SHE HAS NO REALISATION OF THE IT!

"My name is Eadlyn. I am going to be the queen of Illea. And no one is more powerful than me" 

The story turns around when Eadlyn is forced into a Selection and she has to choose among 35 suitors, the guy she will marry. But seeing how headstrong she is: she comes up with a counter attack to her father, poor ol' Maxon, that she will only hold it up for 3 months. Fair deal, I'd say, But she doesn't freaking try! Speaking of the boys, she sees no potential in any hardly any of them. Except Kile, Marlee Woodwork's son who she had hated most of her life (believe it or not, because of hygiene problems. That's how picky she is), A Finnish guy called Henri (who doesn't speak English), and as much as I think, his translator Erik, who is not even a part of the Selection. I found him and Kile growing on me, and if she picks either one, the sadness in my heart will be inevitable. I also saw that any people have started shipping Erik with Eadlyn, but can't really say. 

But my favourite guy, *sighs* has to be Eadlyn's twin (She's older by 7 minutes) Ahren. Ahhhh, Ahren!

He's the perfect picture of Maxon from his youth. Not like I liked Maxon before, but Ahren is sure to make you swoon. 

P.S I Still Love You by Jenny Han review (Spoiler-ish)

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too.

Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

No. She can't be in love with 2 boys at once. And this book is all about how epically she fails at that..

3.5 stars.

I'll keep this review as honest to god as I can without spoiling it. 

This book was everything To all the boys I've Loved before wasn't. Which is stupid, cheesy, Overly romantic. And I did not like this book for those very same reasons I had LOVED TAILB. This can definitely be my let favourite book by Jenny Han. I love her, but this book, NO. 

Lara Jean's cute innocence turned into nails-on-a-chalkboard disturbing. I couldn't bear her. Any bit. The end, I assure you, was good, and settled the crazy emotion storm that that was going on in me. I was just thinking about all the negative things I'm going to write about in the review. 

Okay. So here goes. I LOVED the relatively conclusive ending to the first book. What EXACTLY was the POINT of writing this book with unnecessary drama? 

We see the emergence of a new character. John Ambrose McClaren. Remember him? MUN guy? Blonde who hadn't received her letter? That one. He comes back with his heart warming confession that he had liked her all this time. And Lara Jean is very confused both by this new twist and Peter's "friendship" with Genevieve. So, basically, Jenny Hen gets us all mushed over Kavinsky, and now, poof, LIKE THIS NEW GUY. I say, WTF?! 

At so many times, I wanted to throw this book. Why didn't I? Because I don't throw books, and it was an Ebook on my iPad. Lucky beyotch.

I wouldn't throw a Hemingway away, anyway

As I had obviously loved Peter so much, I was very territorially protective of him. It was like we were being Assassin (read the book, you'll know), and I had taken it upon myself to protect Kavinsky. 

I had liked TABILB because it was realistic. This book, nah. It made me SO angry at times, I couldn't handle it. 

"Peter came into my heart first. Now he won't leave"

Uh, so why did you leave him? 

The Winner's Curse By Marie Rutkowski Review (Spoiler free)

Winning what you want can cost you everything you love..

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel

 has other intentions. 

 One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

PICK IT UP. DON'T WAIT.  5 FRIGGIN STARS.

For all those of you who follow my reviews on Goodreads (If you aren't, then go follow!) know that I was constantly updating my views on the book as I was advancing in it. Up until page 250, I couldn't decide which genre to put this book in. It was Fantasy, but I'd never read a fantasy book even remotely close to this one. This was unique in its own way and gave me a book I'll remember for a long time. This book really surprised me, and pretty much half of the time my reactions were simple.

I'd been starving for a good fantasy novel ever since Throne Of Glass, and had been disappointed by each and everyone that had come my way. Either they'll be blatant copies or scrap offs for some old good fantasy novels. This book, though, was very different. Marie Rutkowski took elements, built upon them, and gave them a good end. She didn't leave anything hanging in air. And if she did, she did it with the promise of answers in the next book. 

The complexity of the characters was limited to the choices they made. They were very well thought of, well executed and very easy to follow. The events that occur leave you with the scent of that Greco-Roman feel that was perpetually around, only not visible, like a ghost.

Kestrel is the kind of character that makes you reconsider your definition of "strong". She was not a good fighter in the world where it was almost a necessity, but she never for once considered it her short coming. The way she strategised was a one of a kind experience to read. 

Arin's character, on the other hand, was just the right kind of character. He was refined, knew how to keep his darkest secrets, and gave Kestrel tough competition on the strategising grounds. I loved the conversations they had, and they felt pretty real to me.

“A kestrel is a hunting hawk.”
“Yes. The perfect name for a warrior girl.”
“Well.” His smile was slight, but it was there. “I suppose neither of us is the person we were believed we would become.” Ahhh<3

My favourite parts are many, but Kestrel's fight with Irex, a haughty going-to-be lord was FANTASTIC. She knew her asset, and his weakness. And the way she used it..WOW.

AWARDS!

Favourite Character: Kestrel. 

She is a calculated young woman, and doesn't let her feeling come in the way of her goals. Although I won't really mind if she proves me wrong in Book 2. Arin+Kestrel is a RAGE.

Favourite sidekick: Jess

She is sweet, helpful, and needy. Just the kind you want as a side kick. 

And a Special Mention to Arin. He is a FANTASTIC male protagonist.  Good looks, brains and understanding. PERRRFECT.