Me and my new best friend Lily

Hello there!!

Sorry guys for being so absent but I am having two jobs and it's a mess. Thank God I have time for reading, but blogging is another thing. So sorry, I will catch with you soon, promise ;) 

Two jobs? Well, I am trying to gain all the money I need to pay my University fee in Edinburgh. I need to repeat my English exam and I am still pissed off about this, really. Fucking 6.5 when I needed 7. Agrrr. Well, 4th of August should be a cool date or something. I will figure it out!

If not, I have a plan B. Canada. Or the UK. Or Australia. lol so much for one plan :P Whatever, I need to be and speak in an English speaking country, so really I can go to any place I want. And then I will pass the English exam like nothing. HA.

But let's stick to the point. 

I am happy to introduce you to my new best friend Lily <3

Say hi to my new Kindle Keyboard 3 :) 

And, I named her Lily, in honor to the first ARC I've ever received, Timepiece by Myra McEntire.

And I am so unbelievably happy about it!! It's so much easier to read and it's super awesome because I can take it with me practically anywhere :) And I love it!

Have an awesome Sunday and see you soon! ;)

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry Review

Pushing the Limits
by Katie McGarry
Expected publication on July 31st 2012
Harlequin Teen, 384 pages
Find the title on Goodreads

Book Depository - Amazon

"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

- Goodreads.com description

Oh, WOW. This book is absolutely fabulous. The story was so compelling that I couldn't stop reading it! I hated that I needed to go to work, because I would have rather read this awfully amazing book than work :P

Echo. Echo is a broken girl, to whom her mother did some really awful things. Her Dad remarried with her nanny Ashley and Echo hated it. Her brother went to the Marines and he died. She felt so alone. On one hand she was broken inside, on the other she was so so strong. I really liked her and it was easy for me to connect with her. Don't we all have parents issues and insecurities about being accepted from others at school? I really felt her.

Noah. Oh God, this boy was somehow broken too, but in a different way. In the beginning he was kind of a jerk, but then the reader could see that underneath that strong composure there was a boy who has lost everything and was trying to save what was left to save. I loved him too.

And what's even more cool is that all the story revolves around a psychologist!! :P Mrs. Collins was just amazing! If I will decide to do therapy.. I hope someday I will be exactly like her. As an almost psychologist it was a delight to read how the therapy worked.

The book is written is such a beautiful way. The story is told in two points of view, from Echo's and Noah's and that was so great, because it gives the reader the possibility to see in both their heads. It was actually quite intriguing ;) 

If you love reading about romance, parents issues, issues of growing up and all these mixed with some great deal of mystery, Pushing the limits it's the perfect book for you! ;) You won't be disappointed, because really, this book is made of awesome! <3
Some of my favourite quotes:

"I've already lost a piece of my mind. I can't trust you with what's left."

"Echo couldn't hurt anyone, especially when she seemed so breakable herself. But the need I felt to be the one to keep the world from shattering her only confirmed Beth's theory. I was falling for her and I was fucked."

"Echo placed the expertly folded blanket back on the couch and smoothed it several times, insisting on finding perfection in a world where none existed."

Ugly to Start With by John Michael Cummings Review

Ugly to Start With
by John Michael Cummings
Published on October 1st 2011
West Virginia University Press, 168 pages

Jason Stevens is growing up in picturesque, historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia in the 1970s. Back when the roads are smaller, the cars slower, the people more colorful, and Washington, D.C. is way across the mountains—a winding sixty-five miles away.

Jason dreams of going to art school in the city, but he must first survive his teenage years. He witnesses a street artist from Italy charm his mother from the backseat of the family car. He stands up to an abusive husband—and then feels sorry for the jerk. He puts up with his father’s hard-skulled backwoods ways, his grandfather’s showy younger wife, and the fist-throwing schoolmates and eccentric mountain characters that make up Harpers Ferry—all topped off by a basement art project with a girl from the poor side of town.

Ugly to Start With punctuates the exuberant highs, bewildering midpoints, and painful lows of growing up, and affirms that adolescent dreams and desires are often fulfilled in surprising ways.

- Goodreads.com description

The story is set in the 1970s. His father was a tipical man of history - you know, like only the man has a say in everything. The wife was closed in the kitchen when someone arrives at their home. He was kind of mean to their children. Uh, I didn't like him. But at least his mother stood up at one point and I was glad about it. 

The writing of this book is really good. The author made a good job with it ;) The story on the other hand, well, it's a story I've never came across. It's different. And the point of view of the main character was.. disturbing. To him, everyone is a fool. His friends. Other people. I think the only person he has a good relationship is his mother. As an almost psychologist I had a hard time connecting with him.

The main character, Jason, is well, in my opinion kind of weird. There was a chapter with a cat. You all know what a kitty person I am, and when I saw how he didn't like his cat anymore because she became ugly - meaning - she fought a lot and and her fur wasn't perfect anymore. I was shocked. I was petting my cat and reading and then I just stared at my cat and thought, my dear Muri, you will never ever be ugly to me. And also, in one chapter the father of two sons, which were kind of friends with Jason, had been accused of sexual harassment. And Jason shown no empathy at all. He was laughing at them. And I was like "What? You can't laugh at people who are suffering". Really, I didn't get him.

I've read only half of the book, because I couldn't connect with the story or the main character. BUT, I must say, that this book isn't my genre or any kind of genre I've ever read.  I usually read different kind of stories. So people interested in reading about history, small town life and the difficulties about growing up would love it! This book, interlaced with 13 short stories also won an award after all :) So, I guess it was me, because I've found it really difficult to connect with the main character and reading about history really isn't my thing :P 

And because I haven't finished it, I decided I won't rate this book. It would be unfair :/

Also in this occasion, I would like to wish John Michael Cummings a happy birthday! :) I wish you all the best, and may all your dreams come true ;) 

And I'm really sorry that I didn't like this book as much as I hoped I would :/ 

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready Review

Shine 

Shade #3
by Jeri Smith-Ready

Published on May 1st 2012

Simon Pulse, 416 pages
Find the title on Goodreads
Book Depository - Amazon

In this dramatic conclusion to the Shade trilogy, Aura and Zachary’s relationship sizzles as the secrets of the Shift are revealed.

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.

As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

- Goodreads.com description

I am a big fan of the Shade trilogy!! I completely love this serie <3 Ghosts, mystery, love triangles, pure love, and a strong female character :) What can I ask more? 

So, this book was the last book in the serie and I was completely blown away. Aura totally rocked. She was so fierce and strong and she overcame everything that came in her way. She became so, so brave. And I really connected with her in this book. Mostly in the end ;) I am in a kind of same situation right now. So I really felt her.

Zachary. Awww. This boy. This boy is amazing! And really, he is one of the rare nice guys I really came to love, quite deeply. In this book he was kind of broken, which broke my heart as well. BUT, he gets better in the end ;)

Why 4 stars? Well, the beginning was really slow paced. I started reading this book back in May. Around page 160 I stopped reading. I wanted action, I wanted to know what the hell was going on. I picked it up again a few days ago and I've finished it quite fast. :) And let me tell you, this book is made of awesome!  

The is mystery finally resolved and the reader finally unlock the truth about the Shift. And the was Jeri wrote it? WOW, amazing ;)

If you haven't started the Shade trilogy I seriously dare you to do it ASAP, because you won't be disappointed! You will be totally blown away because of the amazing world that Jeri Smith-Ready created. She rocks ;) And her writing is so beautiful <3

I'll share two quotes, that in my opinion, are so beautiful <3

"You can drive yourself crazy thinking like that. Believe me, I know."

"And that's the thing." Mickey raised his blue eyes, deep like Dylan's, not bright like Logan's. "Once I stopped imagining that better world, I was left with nothing but this one."

The future seemed so close. If I could reach out and grab it, I would guard it with my life.

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead Review

The Golden Lily
Bloodlines #2
by Richelle Mead
Published on June 12th 2012
Razorbill, 418 pages
Find the title on Goodreads

Book Depository - Amazon

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students--children of the wealthy and powerful--carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie, and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Richelle Mead's breathtaking Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive. In this second book, the drama is hotter, the romances are steamier, and the stakes are even higher.

- Goodreads.com description

If you visit my blog often, then you should probably know Richelle Mead is my favourite author ever. Since years now. So you can imagine how excited I was to get my hands on The Golden Lily! But.. this book somehow just felt off. 

Don't get me wrong. I really wanted to like it. Bloodlines was somehow ok, though it's not Vampire Academy. But it's Richelle Mead for god's sake!! So I decided to read this serie as well. And I had high hopes for the second instalment in the serie, because with the first I still haven't got that feeling about it. But I was disappointed. It was good, but not as sweep-me-off-my-feet as I wanted it to be.

The plot of the story was fairly predictable. I mean, I could tell the villians apart quite soon. 

And the misterious things that were happening.. well, I got a good feeling who was responsible for them. So really, the result haven't really surprised me.

Syndey. Sweet heaven, Sydney. Her practical nature and everything is filled with logic - I get it. But hell, sometimes she was just annoying. That guy she dated, OMG, that was just awful. Sure, sometimes hilarious, but most of the time it was just boring. And the magic. God, this was so frustrating. You have the ability to use magic and you don't want to use it, because it's not natural?! For heaven's sake, what the hell?! Grrr, this make me so angry.

Adrian. Oh wow, haven't seen it coming. The guy actually has put his shit together. He is feeling better and he also function better. Which is a relief, because really, I didn't like see him in pain. 

Dimitri. Ahh, always Dimitri <3 And Sonya. Well, this was off as well. The research thing was whatever. We actually haven't solved out much in this book. Which I've found odd, because come on!! I want to know what's different about Sydney's blood and why former Strigoi can't turn back!! And I wanted the two of them to be more into the story. Or that Rose would come visit. No such luck there. 

Maybe it's just that I am waiting for Sydney to turn into some version of Rose and that there would be waaaay more action. Or maybe it's just that I am used to Richelle's writing and this book is, well, different. But I must admit, the kissing scene is pretty amazing!

Somehow I have a feeling in this book our beloved characters haven't resolved anything about the mystery ahead of us. And that annoys me too. Ok, we get new knowledge about things we didn't know before.. but, I think this wasn't really enough. 

Florence by Ciye Cho Review

Florence 
Florence #1
by Ciye Cho
Published on July 1st 2012
ebook, 203 pages
Find the title on Goodreads - Amazon

Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and taken below the waves to the mer world of Niemela, she is the ultimate gift for merman Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of a dark ocean.

Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs--Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul.

- Goodreads.com description

You know, I've never read a book about mermaids. Dunno why, but they somehow didn't appeal to me. And then I got this book for review, and I was like "Seriously? Mermaids?" I thought about it and then decided to accept it. 

And let me tell you, Oh my god! This book is awesome. The world that Ciye created is stunning. Bright colours, amazing characters and an intrigue, unique story. It's quite fast paced and the story flew by like a blur. 

The story is told in the first person, and the narrator is a girl named Florence. Sometimes there were chapters in the third person, so the reader can actually see also the things that doesn't happen directly to Florence. It gives the reader a better understanding.

Florence in the beginning of the book was a really quiet girl. Noone noticed her. Noone talked to her. She went with the school to a trip on the beach. She went swimming by herself and diving in the water got her face to face with a merman. He kidnapped her. She woke up in Neimela, a bright coloured world underwater. Stunningly beautiful. Somehow she was allowed to stay in Neimela. She became best friend with the Princess Yolee. Yolee is cheerful, nice young girl and she really likes Florence. She introduced Florence into the underwater world. Florence finally found a place where she belonged.

The boys. Prince Kiren. Prince Rolan. WOW. They were both quite interesting. Kiren was a charming prince with nice maners. Rolan on the other hand seemed cold and distant. BUT, like he said: Nothing is truly what it seems on the outside. And really, it's not ;)

This book was a fast pacing through story which will leave you crave for more. I really enjoyed reading it. So, if you like mermaids, action, and with romance filled story, Florence is perfect for you!