Zaklínač: Posledné prianie (The Witcher: The last wish) ~ Review

Format: Paperback
Size: 115×171×28mm

Publication date: 2011
Language: Czech

Publisher: LEONARDO

Geralt of Rivia is a witcher a cunning sorcerer, a merciless assassin and a cold-blooded killer.His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.But not everything monstrous-looking is evil, and not everything fair is good and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.Don t miss the international hit that inspired the video game "The Witcher."

★★★★
1/2

Ah! Finally! My friend will be ecstatic when she hears I managed to finish one of her books that I'd borrowed. The reason why I did borrow it? Well my dear readers, I've played the games and I wanted to read it just beacuse it was based on it, and what a better opportunity than seeing it on my friend's shelf, right?

This brings me to the thing I struggled the most with. I compared it a lot to the game and I have to say that Geralt in book is just as intriguing silent type as in the game, but the book one seems more compassionate. Also it was a tad chaotic for me. I thought that Marrigold was Tris (a witch according to game) and Dandelion was a minstrel but in the book Marrigold was a musician? I was so confused.

As the book is just a bunch of short stories put together and not one consistent story I missed the fluidity of the text. I'm not saying it's wrong I just wasn't used to such 'time holes' as you could say. And it reminded me of Once Upon a Time show because I recognised one of the stories as Beauty and the Beast  but slightly modified version of it.

Anyways, the czech language made it a tad difficult read, because I know they tend to translate as much as they do and I don't know all the words, but I was quite satisfied. The book gave some insight into the Witcher world and how Geralt met certain people.

Krv Prvorodených (Blood of the Firstborns) ~ review

Format: Hardback
Size: 138×216 mm

Publication date: 2014
Language: Slovak

Publisher: Slovart

This time the trio of Stein, Barbarič and Jaroš wanders into the old city of Prague to solve the murders of the firstborn children of the local nobility. It starts off with them rushing for the cover before the heavy rain just outside of the city ramparts, however as it turns out the city itself isn't much better than the weather. After seeing what the people in this part of the country are like they arrive at the crime scene and their hostess tells them about the night the killer attacked. They meet with the house's occupants who consist of Contessa di castellari and her son, who as they later learnt is the secret son of the current monarch. Later on the new murmurs happen and they are called to examine the body directly on the banks of Vltava.

Yet as they were nearing to solving the mystery of the murderer's identity, the man  tries to cut the loose ends - meaning other people rather than children are dying, which gives them even more clues as to who it might be. However, another child is abducted and they are fighting the time in hope to find the poor child and to catch the culprit.

★★★★★

Seems like the family friend decided to make my TBR taller by borrowing me the next two books in the series, despite telling her that it doesn't need to be so soon. Yet I didn't regret a thing - finishing the book in matter of days and now I'm currently reading the third in the series.

My first impression of the medieval setting was that his books were getting bloodier and bloodier. But despite the gore behind all that the book was finely written. I liked the idea of  Italian Bandits controlling the city and the later suggested connection with other important characters in the book.
Also! It surprised me how Stein, the cold, not caring and always complaining man, actually cared enough about his companion - Jaroš, the executioner's son, that he managed to dig out his big secret (which I'm not going to spoil for you ;) Let's just say it did involve a woman.) of why he run away from his home and why his own father hated him so much.

The end was surprising yes, but I didn't like the aggressivity everyone approached things, But then again, it was men solving things and it was back in 1800s so I suppose it was to be expected. And yet, I thought that there won't be anything that had my heart swell, after all it was historical fiction, people were brutal in those times. But the last few lines of the book had me awing.

Mŕtvy na pekelnom vrchu (The Dead on Hell's Hill) ~ review

Format: Hardback
Size: 130×210 mm

Publication date: 2013
Language: Slovak

Publisher: Slovart

It's about two males: Captain of Slovak legion - Stein  and Matej Barbarič (who is a Commissioner of Oaths) who are trying to solve crimes that happened in history. It's set in area of the 16th century Slovakia and starts with description of recapturing Slovak city, which was occupied by Turks before that. Captain is then sent to the Northern part of Slovak country with his newly appointed lieutenant - executioner Jaroš, to find a traitor that had planned to smuggle Turks into the middle of one of the cities - Štiavnica, which is important thanks to its ore mines.  In the city Stein meets Barbarič, who from start hates the captain but soon finds himself intrigued by the ongoings around the city and helps him willingly.

★★★★

As mentioned in the TBR Tuesday, a family friend recommended this author to me. Said I might like it which in a way I did. The first few descriptions gave me the idea that this book will be a rather brutal and a lot of blood will be spilt. Just the title suggests that actually and I wasn't necessarily wrong.
       The opening scene was a description of a city that was under siege twice, and right after the battle. So there were still bodies and blood and every possible gore rated thing. This opening in which one of the main characters (Stein) starred with his thoughts as the only form of a spoken words left me thinking of him as a brutal and blood loving guy. After seeing the end of a fight he said that he had missed all the fun.
        Talking about Stein he is cold character and in a way he reminded me of Geralt of Rivia from Witcher. In the game he was as well this soulless, unemotional character just asking questions no matter what it cost him or if he had to cut flesh to get the answers going. Still I could see his development. Having companions around him taught him a little bit of compassion I think, despite him having a family around.
          Yet, as it was set in the 16th century, I kind of expected the descriptions to be more colourful. Compared to John Flanagan ones, these lacked something. It was just sentence upon sentence without using much of variety of expressive words. Maybe I'm just reading too many books from foreign authors and have my standards high, but I missed that kind of touch. Still I have to point out that the descriptions no matter how brief got the point across about how the society looked or the disgusting reality of battlefield and deaths where blood and gore were an everyday thing.

About recommendations I would watch the kids. This book was bloody with strong language at times and even mentions of NSFW things. Definitely for older audience, but I'm afraid that this isn't available in other countries than Slovakia, because of the author (and because our books...aren't translated much into other languages :/)

Ranger's Apprentice: The Burning Bridge ~ Review

Format: Ebook (.mobi)

Size: 938 KB
Publication date: 01 Jan 2005
Language: English

Publisher: Penguin Books LLC

Bracing for a final clash with the evil warlord Morgarath, the Rangers rally the kingdom's allies, and Will is chosen, along with his friend Horace, as special envoys to nearby Celtica. But the simple mission soon takes an unsettling turn - the Celticans have disappeared, their town abandoned. The scheming hand of Morgarath, it seems, has been far from idle. He has found a way to bring his legions over the once impassible eastern mountains and is planning to ambush the king's army in a rout. Now with help many miles away, Will and Horace are the only ones standing in the way of the dark lord's plans.They have shown great skill and courage in their training, but how will they fare in the face of true evil?

With bigger battles and higher stakes, John Flanagan's epic adventure charges ahead with this rousing follow-up to The Ruins of Gorlan.

★★★★★

In this book we are introduced to another character Gilan, who becomes the inseparatable part of Will's life. His sense of humor is  self-explanatory, as all rangers apprantely have this special dry-type of humor which is funny at times. There are few passages which I would like to share with you that I found quite funny:

" 'That's the question, isn't it?' said the Ranger. 'I suppose I could hang them. I do have the authority. After all, tehy did try to interfere with officers on the King's business. And they're looting in time of war. They're both capital offenses.' He cast his gaze around the rocky hills surrounding them. 'The question is whether I can actually do that here,' he murmured. 

'You mean,' said Will, not liking the way his friend was thinking, 'you may not have the authority to hang them now that we're not in the kingdom itself?' Gilan grinned at him. 'I hadn't considered that. I was actually thinking that it'd be a bit difficult when there isn't a tree over a meter high within a hundred kilometers.' "

And then there is this thing when Halt finally shows that he cares for the boy, which really tugged at my heartstrings: 

" 'Gilan, do you think for one moment that I don't want to tear that plateau apart stone by stone until I find him?' "

Beside the funny attitude and heartwrenching moments I almost at all times reading through this book felt the surges of fangirliness. (resulting in me kicking my legs,  hugging my pillow and everything because I simply love this series and characters in it - no...DOn'T LOOK AT ME THAT WAY! I know that you know what I mean.). This series and me, one true love. And to add thanks to these books I found my soulmate :P.

School of Deaths ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi)

Size: 896 KB
Publication date: 14 May 2015
Language: English

Publisher: MuseItYA

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail. 
Caught in the middle of a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths, Suzie must uncover the reason she’s been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

★★★

I've noticed that I've read this book a while ago, in March to be precise, and I have few good excuses for that:
First it was really not that interesting book to read,
secondly I had finals to prepare for ~ so yeah.....

I found this book to be very simlar to Harry Potter. The character was just sucked up into the supernatural world and I found it a bit fast paced.  Suzie is kind of forced to do stuff and that might have been the reason why it had taken me so long to get through it. She seems  without any flaw,s, maybe if she was scared of fire or something it might have been a slightly more believable character...Or maybe I'm just not sure about this, becuase I haven't really noticed.

I didn't feel like I was immersed into the story, no real connection with the character, which I was lacking. I tend to live in the situation with the chacters and this book didn't give me the feeling of acomplishment when she indeed defeated the antagonist in this book.

Yet the descriptions of nature and the actual world had depth I have to admit that. There was lore, many other different kinsd of supernatural beings with their own customs and it added to the diversity and made the story a tad more interesting to read. 

Darca (The Giver) ~ review

Format: Hardback

Dminesions: 152×219 mm | 420 g
Publication date: 2014
Language: Slovak

Publisher: Artforum

In a perfect world, Jonas begins to see the flaws...THE GIVER is the classic award-winning novel that inspired the dystopian genre and a major motion picture adaptation for 2014 starring Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes and Taylor Swift. It is the future. There is no war, no hunger, no pain. No one in the community wants for anything. Everything needed is provided. And at twelve years old, each member of the community has their profession carefully chosen for them by the Committee of Elders. Twelve-year old Jonas has never thought there was anything wrong with his world. But from the moment he is selected as the Receiver of Memory, Jonas discovers that their community is not as perfect as it seems. It is only with the help of the Giver, that Jonas can find what has been lost. And it is only through his personal courage that Jonas finds the strength to do what is right...The Giver is the award-winning classic of bravery and adventure that has inspired countless dystopian writers as the forerunner of this genre.

★★★★

This book started and actually was very similar to the Divergent series and I have a feeling that Veronica Roth took some inspiration from here. Where ther ewas a system of plitics, closed off from any influence, of having everything to be by the rules, not out of normalcy. It tried to point out how our feelings andknowledge of our past, from which we can learn our mistakes, is important. To beware of the previos mistakes we had made.

The end was sad, which I didn't expect it to be like that. I hoped that The giver and Jonas would find a way to help people without such of a big sacrifice. It also surprised me how the author portrayed the fact that if we had the possibilities to make decisions for ourselves that it would be dangerous. Which in a way is partly true, because we don't always make the right decisions.

Still the book was written in easy language, younger readers would understand of what was going on. There were many pictures adding to the experience, almost after every single chapter and it wasn't that chunk of a read thanks to that. The sentence flow was easy and I didn't have the need to skip paragraphs to get to the point of the chapter.

Yet the only thing that bugged me were the mistakes in the print. There were often different font types and I even found a grammatical mistake, which I will balme on Slovak translators or possible the editors. Now I understand why editorss need to know their language. I would be ashamed if i let this kind of thing into print.

A Court Of Mist And Fury ~ review

Format: Paperback

Dminesions: 129 x 198 x 43mm | 437g
Publication date: 05 May 2016

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

★★★★★

The long awaited reviews are coming up. Finally I have the time to put something together. After all the school's over, and I have more time for reading books! Yay! Anyway ~ I was waiting for this book for over half a year and when it finally arrived I didn't do anything else but read it. (don't count the overjoyed feeling when it was in my hands >.<)

It was the best book I've read from Maas so far and I loved it to bits. I don't think there is a thing I would mark as a  negative. The narrative was perfect, the whole story, oh my. I was on a roller coaster of emotions! Like, at first I thought I hated Rhys, but the more I read the book the more I'm starting to hate Tamlin instead! Mass did a great job of convincing me, making me fall in love with Tam in the first book and then. BAM! Everything he did from the very beginning of the book had me screaming inside.

Even though the first book was more engaging, I immersed myself right into it. This one, however, has the action scenes divided into more pages and has more descriptions of Feyre's thoughts. Which I think was another bit that made the book more appealing. Definitely worth more then five stars if it was possible.

I was pushing the time when I'll finish the book till the very end, not wanting it to end. Especially with what was at the end! Had me read it over again. Also I can't wait for the Empire of Storms to come out! 

Vampire Academy ~ review

Format: Audiobook

Size: 187 MB

Publication date: 28 August 2008

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires - the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.

After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger . . . and the Strigoi are always close by.

Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever . . .

★★★★★

I've read this one long long long time ago, when I was still in elementary school and honestly I  managed to forget what it was about. And oh boy.

I have the track from Audible and the  way it was narrated made me fall in love with Russian accent and especially Dmitri! (At the end of the book I was like...please love me? And say that name again....) I mean even if the narrator was a woman I was transfixed by the voice. It was a masterpiece.

The snark comments exchanged between Rose and Dmitri made it hard to listen to the book on public transport because it was hard for me not to smile at it. 

Dmitri is a complex and hard to comprehend character but as the end of the book was nearing I started to understand him better and actually even like him. Damn that Russian accent and..that end. Made me almost cry teh way it was narrated.

I liked how Rose was the only one that really understood what it was to take on the responsibility and that she knew that she had to do in order to protect Lisa. Even if she made few mistakes that resulted in them arguing. The author showed the true meaning of friendship, when they overcame their problems and talked to each other again.

I'm looking forward to jumping into the next book in the series and hell I want DMITRI to get together with ROSE. I don't give a freaking damn about their regulations, they are one of my OTP now. Deal with it.

The Passage, a Dance and a Little White Dress ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi) | 238 pages

File size: 4255 KB

Publication date: 13 April 2016

Publisher: Kasian Publishing

Goodreads | Amazon

It's been a week since 17-year-old Zoe Jabril found out her best friend is a Guardian Angel, her boyfriend is a Nephilim, and a fellow classmate is a Fairy. What makes Zoe so special? She’s destined to unify Enlightens to battle evil—that is, if Demons don’t kill her first.
​
With "Project: Enlightens Unite" underway, Zoe learns the history of the area wolf pack and realizes she's in a race against time to get her newly discovered talents under control. Despite struggling to fight a mysterious attraction to her new neighbor, rescue her boyfriend from Demons, and travel into Fairyland to convince the Summer King to join the fight, Zoe must still attend high school classes so her nosy parents don’t suspect anything is out of the ordinary before Demons can mount another attack.

Zoe will need all the help she can get, from the most unlikely of sources, if she’s to save her boyfriend's life and prevent the Devil from escaping Hell on her eighteenth birthday.

★★★★★

First off, I should mention this book was received as an ARC and I'm very very thankful for that! I had a reading slump but as soon as I started reading I couldn't put that book down. Well in one case I did but that'll be explained later.

I liked the retrospective in the first few chapters, reminding the reader of what happened in the previous book. It had been few months since I've read it and it refreshed my memory to the ongoing in the world.

Just like the other two books it was well written. The flow of the action and reaction scene was flawless and I managed to finish this book in two days. I'm looking forward to the final book. (Really that ending! I was so screaming at Zoe, god...stupid, stupid, stupid)

The guessing of what is going to happen next was one of the best parts in the book. When I came up with something like what could have happened to Shay, the author put a plot twist and my mind was trying to grasp at what was happening. Also to get to the part when I had to put the book down. The last two cahpters. Especially the end of 28th (I think). Like really Zoe...giving that kind of information away to a boy you barely know? See where that resulted?

To sum it up. I wasn't disappointed at all. There might have been few grammar mistakes but I am sure that it will be sorted out before it is released. Keep up the good work!
P.S.: I don't want to wait another months for the next book *cries* (no rushing you at all..nuh-uh)

Soundless ~ review

Format: Paperback | 266 pages

Dimensions: 129 x 198 x 17mm | 191g

Publication date: 12 November 2015

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Goodreads | BookDepository

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village. Her people are at the mercy of a mysterious faraway kingdom, which delivers food in return for precious metals mined from the treacherous cliffs surrounding them.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, their rations shrink and many go hungry. Fei's home, the boy she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

Then Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon . . .

★★★★

After long long long time I'm finally on-line. this few months had been hectic because I had MATURITA exam going on, which basically is a school leaving exam. Didn't really have time to read and then I went to AnimeShow and GameExpo in Bratislava during the weekend so yeah. BUT! I managed to read this novel in couple of days, thankfully.

Onto the review!

It's a G-rated book, good for the -teen year old. Not much of the gore nor the sexuality so it's fine. The romance that is going on in there was sweet and not too much for those who don't like  romance novels. Even though it is mentioned and hinted through out the entire book.

The book was slow paced though, however it is evenly spaced. There's action and then reaction. Each chapter has something particular about it. I think that the fact Richelle is an experienced author worked its magic here. She kept just enough tension for the book to be bearable.
I love the descriptions of sounds. How she took the time and in close detail described everything. How unnatural it felt for the main character to hear everything around her, the way it overwhelmed her and then how she used it to her advantage to help her village.

The development of the character is beautiful in here. The main character, Fei, had hard time choosing between what her heart says, which collided with her mind and the principles she had. But in the end it was all worth it, nicely developed character, satisfied with her life. Even if the ending was delayed as much as possible.

The Assassin's Blade ~ review

Format: Paperback | 448 pages

Dimensions: 129 x 198 x  32 mm | 310 g

Publication date: 13 March 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Goodreads | Bookdepository

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassins' Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed prequel novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery ...Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine and find out how the legend begins in the five page-turning prequel novellas to the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series.

★★★★★

One word...one quiestion to be excact WHY?! FOR GOD'S SAKE WHYY? I won't be getting over this book so soon. Damn it Maas...just why would you do that?! Making me cry and gosh....

The book..the story..I can't speak.  IT'S JUST TOO GOOD!...*sniffs* I know I started reading the book at the start of the January, but when I got to the last one of the short stories I didn't want to finish the book. THis is basically me! Because I have some bad feeling something will happen and it did! No...I can't I was CRYING god damn I never cry when I read books. 

But to get to the point of review...okay no more emotions. I could say this was written after the firs few books, because it is so much better. I mean...is there anything to be said? Everyhing was perfect and and *cries* I can't i'm sorry. The characters. Nicely written. I just can't believe what she did to Caelena! At least I understand her better. Damn...

The Beholder ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi) | 320 pages

File size: 631 KB

Publication date: 4 December 2013

Publisher: Breakwater Harbor Books

Goodreads | Amazon

Around the world, people die under mysterious circumstances. Each branded with an arcane sign, they are pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When more people are missing, with similar signs appearing in and around their homes, Jason, an average New Yorker, realizes the victims are a riddle addressed to him.

He is the final piece.

Emily appears, the most beautiful woman with extraordinary powers and startling amber eyes, and tells Jason that powers dormant within him are about to wake. In the world of Light- and Darksighted, he is the only person who can prevent Darkness from enslaving the world. He is the Beholder whose advent has been awaited for many years.

Setting out on a journey with Emily, Jason discovers many improbable things like Sight, Soulfusion, the Hall of Refuge, but the greatest surprise arrives the moment he realizes he has fallen in love with Emily.

★★★★★

It started as a boring book. I was thinking really? This is supposed to catch the reader's attention? BUT then the author throws at you the supernatural! I was convinced from reading the synopsis, that it will be just like any other fantasy books with the main character from ordinary world and being sucked up into the world of magic. But he made it so good that I was hooked. You could say I swallowed the book.

The characters are neatly developped, believable. Although I didn't really like the easiness Jason, the main character, agreed on  following Emily. Their love story was touching, mainly in the end. ALMOST MADE ME CRY DAMNIT! Still the plot twist was the worst - hitting right in the feels. Also I liked the fact that the guilt was pushing him forward as more and more people were dying.

The complexity of the world surprised me. Everything seemed to have it's place and it was thoroughly explained to the readers. And I really really like the diversity in places, how they travelled across the countries. I had some laughs come with it. I'm Slavic too, and hell that description was on point!

To conclude, excellent book. Keep up the good work!

Double Dare ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi) | 176 pages

File size: 360 KB

Publication date: 28 October 2011

Publisher: RhondaNelson

Goodreads | Amazon

Runaway bride Louisa Honeycut is looking for a quick escape when she passes the Double Dare, Inc sign and the slogan "Are you ready for the time of your life?" seems like divine intervention. Sheltered by her overbearing father, Louisa has years of catching up to do and can think of no better person than gorgeous Sam Rawlins to show her. Is she ready for the time of her life? Hell, yes.

Ordinarily unflappable adventure guide Sam Rawlins makes his living showing the wealthy how to have fun, but nothing in his experience could have prepared him for the "adventure" Louisa Honeycut asks for. He might be showing Louisa the time of her life, but the quirky little snack-cake heiress is soon turning Sam's own life upside down...and perversely, he likes the new vantage point.

★★★★★

I should mention that this book is out there for free on Kindle. So those who have it or the app, go for it! This book was kind of something new to me. I don' usually read romance books but I have to state it is a good book.

It is fast paced and dispite that it's a short novel it didn't lack anything. It had the beginning, the middle and even a good ending. The characters were neatly described and there was nothing that could mistake me in imagining them.

I had some antipathy against this type of the novel, because as far as romance novels go, it can get freaking sweet and disgusting. But this one...It didn't have any of it. Yes there were some descriptions that are not for under aged reader, but nothing too sweet. Straight forward. That's what I liked about it

If you don't have much time and you want to read a good book this one is the right one to pick. I was surprised that it had 176 pages but the story flew and I just kept reading until I finished the book.

American Gods ~ review

Format: Paperback | 635 pages

Dimensions: 106 x 170 x 38 mm | 295 g

Publication date: 04 March 2005

Publisher: HeadlineReview

Goodreads

Days before his release from prison, Shadow's wife, Laura, dies in a mysterious car crash. Numbly, he makes his way back home. On the plane, he encounters the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, who claims to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America. Together they embark on a profoundly strange journey across the heart of the USA, whilst all around them a storm of preternatural and epic proportions threatens to break. Scary, gripping and deeply unsettling, American Gods takes a long, hard look into the soul of America. You'll be surprised by what - and who - it finds there...

★★★★★

I have heard many good reviews on America Gods. And for quite a while I was thinking of reading it. Then my friend said she adores his style of writing and offered me to borrow me one of her books. I went straight for this one. Little did I know it was this chunk of a book! Also I hate to confess that this review is way behind. I've read the book on.. 26th of December, but the Christmas festivities and visiting grandparents....Enough of my rant, here is the review:

At the very beginning I couldn't put the book  down. There was this need to continue reading. I think because it truly is written well. I didn't even need to stop and think of what was happening it was easy to grasp. The author did a really good job in making the book authentic - when the character was confused I was too.

The main character, Shadow, is quiet fellow, not wanting any conflicts at the very beginning of the book, but as the book progressed I noticed the little changes in his opinions. I valued the fact that he was honest most of the times and stayed true to his word. He met Wednesday early on and boy let me tell you. I wanted to kill that character at the start, but as the story unfolds he grew on me.

To conclude, hell this book blew my mind. I was on page 150 and I could tell this was the best book I have read so far that involved mythology. There were many points when I was just staring at the book in disbelief, how could I miss that much of a clue early on. Definitely recommended to all lovers of mythology.

Around the World in Eighty Days ~ review

Format: Paperback | 276 pages

Dimensions: 111 x 178 x 29 mm | 170 g

Publication date: 01 April 2010

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

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Phileas Fogg was one of those mathematically exact people, who, never hurried and always ready, are economical of their steps and their motions. He never made one stride too many, always going by the shortest route. He did not give an idle look. He did not allow himself a superfluous gesture.' When Phileas Fogg wagers a bet that he can travel across the globe in just 80 days, little does he know about the epic journey that he is about to undertake. With his faithful French servant, Passepartout, Phileas Fogg embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, travelling across four continents by whatever means he can - train, elephant, steam ship - and experiencing endless surprises and mishaps along the way.

★★☆☆☆

This was part of the two books that I have as a compulsory reading, sort of. It doesn't have many pages but I was progressing slowly. Here are the reasons as to why:

I'm not sure whether to start with the things I didn't like or the ones I like. But from start let's say there is a narrator telling the story of our main characters. Phileas Fogg u very punctual and generous person, maybe a bit eccentric, but it didn't lessen the fact he was still mysterious with his mathematical exactness.
His Jean was his new servant who is introduced at the very beginning of the book. The fact I have noticed is that the characters are added gradually. This leads to not having trouble understanding who is who and what is their role. I liked it and maybe that's why the books is good. The modern books have a way of putting all of the characters in one chapter as if reflecting the lack of time into the book.

It has easy English despite the fact it is a classic, but then again it's not really an English author is he? And it looks like that the author either travelled a lot or had done nice research because the descriptions are done in detials. Yet that is what reminds me of Tolkien. Too many descriptions and lacks of dialogues. The main reason I wasn't in rush to pick the book up and continue reading it.

As for the story that was going on it has nice and romantic end to it, but...why does Phileas find the solution to a problem that quickly? More struggling would be welcomed, or maybe some more action.

Soo that is all from me for now. I know I'm running behind promised schedule, but school is taking the best of me and I'm glad I have some time for myself for the past days! Seeya soon lovies.

The Masquerade, an Altar and a Fairy ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi) | 142 pages

Size: 5 196 KB

Publication date: 19 August 2015

Publisher: Kasian publishing

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Frustrated with her extravagant duties as a Summer fairy, Sidelle Amistad is desperate to prove she can be more than a petty princess. The accidental capture of Winter fairy, Finnegan, looks like the ideal opportunity — until Sidelle and Finnegan fall in love. 

Knowing her love for Finnegan is forbidden, a heartbroken Sidelle searches for deeper meaning in her eternal existence. Her pain leads her on a quest to help the humans … in a desperate fight against Hell itself.

★★★★★
Just as the first book, this was sent to me in an ARC, sort of... And I have to admit I wasn't disappointed.  It is a short novella about one of the main characters in the first book The Guardian, a Sword and Stilettos, Sidelle. The summer fairy. I did notice the reference to her past in the first book and I was curious of what had happened. This book satisfied my needs, because it describes the life of Lady of the Summer, which Sidelle is, and all of  her adventures since her childhood. How she managed to slip into the world of Ordinaries, how she got involved with the angels and with seeking the Redeemer.

Throughout the book you can notice the way she had developed from a naive fairy to a strong member of royal family after one single event, that changed her life entirely. The affair that was going on between her and the Winter fairy, kind of reminded me of the story of Romeo and Juliet, yet it was a neat adaptation with far much better ending.

I think that the book itself could be read without even reading the main book, because all of the details and even the additional info is mentioned in this small novella. The star rating says everything that needs to be done about this series. Not to mention I've noticed another book had come out recently! I think it's about the Winter fairy this time, and I took liking in that cheeky male, bring it on!

The guardian, a sword and stilettos ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi) | 282 pages

Size: 1281 KB

Publication date: 10 May 2015

Sold by: Amazon, co.

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Zoe Jabril could be just another 17-year-old girl attending parties with her friends and checking out cute guys—except her best friend is a Guardian Angel, and the boy she crushes on is a Nephilim, half-angel, both sent to Earth to protect her. A high school classmate happens to be a trendsetting shopaholic fairy. And now there’s a new werewolf in town.

Zoe has to deal with her feelings toward Shay, who spreads a strange electrical current through her body every time he touches her. Now Zoe is under constant attack from demons, trying to kill and stop her from fulfilling the Prophecy: a girl will be born who will unite the Enlightens to battle evil. Then on top of that, between boring homework and drama with girls at school, she has to control new found talents if she’s to prevent the devil from escaping Hell.

In order to do so, Zoe must devise a kick-ass plan ASAP or watch everyone die, because she’s running out of time. She turns eighteen in two months—the date Armageddon kicks off.

★★★★★
I should start saying that this was sent to me as a kind of ARC. From author yet again and from start as I saw the synopsis I knew I would love it. Because honestly, angels and demons? That's my thing, even all the supernatural!!! It was yet again a book with first person POV, but hell, I think I'm starting to like these kind of books. I didn't mind it at all and it didn't even feel weird for me. I fell in love with it instantly. The story is fluid, continuous. Easy to read with not so complicated sentences. Oh! I have to say that the first few chapters got my attention completely. Couldn't put it down...(resulted in almost my Kindle being taken by my Maths teacher...BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT!)

The characters are cute and the way Zoe and Shay fell in love, step by step. Gorgeous! Need more fluff in this world! The development of the main character - Zoe- was clear, getting to accept the ordeal she was born into. I fell in love with Shay as well. I have no idea if the authors purpose was to fall in love with the book or any other characters, but it definitely worked on me! I even felt pity for the poor Kieran. The world that was created and explained was flawless. Now when I come to think of it...was there anything I didn't like? Oh..yes. HOW DID IT END WITH SHAY  AND ZOE???!! I have to know! I just have to, my life isn't full if I don't know.

Brooding city ~ review

Format: Ebook (.mobi) | 185 pages

Size: 3530 KB

Publication date: 01 Sep 2015

Sold by: Amazon, co.

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A homicide detective must chase down a violent drug lord whose product is leaving a trail of bodies in its wake. Detective Brennan is aided by having a special power—he innately knows when someone is lying to him or telling the truth. There are others like him, though, and his dreams are haunted by deadly agents from his own shady past. Meanwhile, in the valley outside the city, a young boy comes into his own power of downloading other people’s memories on touch, and he uncovers old secrets that threaten to tear his whole family apart. His power also makes him a prime target for the aforementioned shadowy dream-stalking agents, since his brain lights up like a beacon at night with so many memories crammed inside.

★★☆☆☆
As I starter reading I had high expectations, because I am a lover of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and this clouded my judgement a bit, From the start to finish I was confused of what was happening. It was like two stories crammed together in one book, the constant jumping from one character to another was not helping at all. Yes, it is a short book, not more than 200 pages but it took me "ages" to read it till end. Also there were long sentences from start and it tired my mind. I'm not a native speaker of English, so I had to read some of them twice to grasp their meaning.
As for characters, i needed a while to get accustomed to the names. Brennan and Bishop were almost the same (both starting on B :P, my mind filling in the wrong names) and I  had trouble to actually know who is male and who female. Were I the author I would stick to the first names. I didn't quite see the character development in any of the characters, maybe only the slight difference in Jerremy actually accepting Sleepers were real.

Which brings me to another point. Who are the Sleepers? How did they come to be? What is their purpose? I lacked the background story. All you got in the book isn't enough, it leaves you guessing.

Recommendations? I don't know anyone who would want to read a detective story, but I guess ones liking other crimis would like it. The good thing at least was the fluidity and reality of the problem, the finding of the drug dealer. 

Shatter me ~ review

Format: Paperback | 338 pages

Dimensions: 134 x 202 x 26mm | 280g

Publication date: 16 Oct 2012

Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

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I have a curse.I have a gift.I'm a monster. I'm more than human.My touch is lethal.My touch is power.I am their weapon.I will fight back.No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time--and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever.In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a riveting dystopian world, a thrilling superhero story, and an unforgettable heroine.

★★★★★

From start I was quite perplexed. I don't read books written in present tense, nor do I read  books written in first person point of view. Still maybe it was this that kept me reading the book till the end and hell I wasn't disappointed.
I have to mention that when I saw the book arrive and everytime I look at the cover I sing this song (WARNING: link will send you over to youtube and the song starts playing!). Also the cover is so beautiful, so in love with it.

Okay, okay..to the review. Focus. The information in the book is evenly distributed and it doesn't hit the reader in the face straight away with too much information. Book has bit depressing mood, but the way it is described, makes you get into the skin of the heroin.

Speaking of which there was a great development of the character. Thanks to the point of view, you could watch every exact thought she had and how it slowly changed from self loathing to accepting of what she is. Furthermore I love the way she is happy of the simplest things like the wind or being outside, many people lack this ability these days.

It is very similar to other dystopian books, but not in the way of the plot development. The idea behind is brand new. I had no idea what, but i had to read it without much pauses. It was impossible to put down for longer than 10 minutes.

Sky Ghosts: Marco ~ review

Format: E-book (.mobi) | 67 pages

File size: 811 KB 

Publication date: 26 Aug 2015

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

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It was hate at first sight. She broke chairs on his head, and in return he broke her bones. When Marco joined the New York Sky Ghosts Headquarters, he expected trouble. What he didn't expect was a girl half his size that would turn his life into hell. They spilled too much of each other's blood for any hope for reconciliation. How did it happen that they ended up spilling blood for each other on a daily basis? Sky Ghosts: Marco is the second book in the Sky Ghosts series, a young adult urban fantasy for fans of sword fighting and the superhero genre. If you liked Sky Ghosts: All for One, this short story is a must-read before the second part of the trilogy.

★★★★★

What can I say? Prequel, but recommended to be read after the first book didn't disappoint me any bit. It was humorous, it had beautifully described fight scenes. Mystery and plot. Every single thing was perfect.

The book gives good insight into how Marco appeared in the book and the explanation of the quarells between Pain and him. Being my favourite character so far I was taken aback how different he acted in the first book compared to this one. And the humour. Oh I was laughing at the little shopping trip and all the pranks they pulled at each other.

The author got the perfect balance between action and humour, making the book one-sit read. Keep up the good work, Engellman! You have a heels-over-head fan ♥. Except for one thing. Too. Freaking. Short. 67 pages? I...yeah I could have finished it within like 2 hours...I can't wait for the second book to come out.