9/25/2016

A Fast and Addicting Sequel. Makes Me Not Want this Trilogy to End // Thoughts on The Chasm by S Usher Evans

The Chasm

Author: S. Usher Evans

Publisher: Sun's Golden Ray Publishing

Release Date: July 12th 2016

Format: eARC

They survived The Island, but can they cross The Chasm? Four months after Prince Galian was discovered alive on a remote island, he's adjusting slowly to life at the hospital under the Kylaen media's glare. His promises to Theo remain unfulfilled as fear of his father keeps him from taking concrete action. And the more he learns about the machinations in Kylae, the less sure he is that it's possible to make a difference. Across the great Madion Sea, Major Theo Kallistrate struggles to navigate the tricky political waters of Rave's presidential staff. To make positive change for her people, she must remain relevant and interesting to the Raven media and to the president. When he asks her to deliver a speech on her supposed two-month imprisonment at Mael, she's not sure she can stomach the lies. The Chasm is S. Usher Evans' breathtaking, fast-paced follow-up to The Island, which readers say is "not to be missed."

Goodreads

I got this book as an eARC for review from the publisher and none of my thoughts are affected by this.

I kinda procrastinated on reading this book, whoops on me because it was such a quick, addicting and great book. I *basically* read it in one sitting. I don't know, all I know is that I started it at 11:30 pm, read it until 2:30 am, went to sleep, woke up, and then spent another hour finishing it. Yeah, it was thaaaaat good.

It has been awhile since I read The Island but after a few chapters, I was able to faintly remember the events in the past book and got back into the world and characters. That was one of the great things about The Chasm, on how easy it was to slip back into everything. And I was excited to read this book because I was really looking forward to reading more about Galian and Theo after events in The Chasm. The ending of The Island definitely left some questions for me and I was very happy to get those questions answered in this book.

Another thing I particularly liked about this book was all the new places and characters we get to see. In The Island, we mostly spend most of it with Theo and Galian on the island, but in The Chasm, we get to meet some new characters and see more of the world this series takes place in. It is a pretty fictional world so it was really nice to the other places in the world because they do sound very interesting places for this story to take place!

I think S is doing a really fabulous job with the story line in this book. It was a fabulous second book because it wasn't boring, tied up some loose ends from the first book, and opens some new doors for the next book. Guys, I am really excited to see more about what S will do with this series because it's going on a great path so far.

The ending was also fabulous. Again, S left us with a super heartbreaking ending but also with a bit of information on what might happen in the next book, which I looove because I have to wait so damn long for the next book so its great to know even a little about what may happen next. I am super excited for the next book though. A bit sad, knowing it is the last book and an end to this fabulous series but it's turning out to be a great one so far.

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9/21/2016

Okay, So It May Sound Like I Know What I'm Doing But // Behind the Scenes of One of Kaitlin's Reviews

So, when reading a review, do you ever wonder what the person is thinking while writing their review? Like, how they truly feel about the review their writing? Well, today, I have basically written a few paragraphs about my process (and thoughts) that runs through my head while writing a review. And just warning you, you won't get any useful review writing tips here, this is just the mess that goes on in my head while I am writing reviews. So uh, enjoy?

The first paragraph is a bitch to write. Why? Because it's been two years and I still don't know how the hell to open up a review. Maybe I might talk about what made me want to read this book? Maybe I might open with a sentence with a few hints about how I felt about the book. Honestly, if it's anything I dislike writing it's the beginning. And then I might end the paragraph with a "quote worthy" sentence summing up my thoughts on the book. Also, whenever I edit the first paragraph, I always end up adding in so much stuff because the sentences are SO. DAMN. CHOPPY. And I don't know why. Like my thoughts are usually *always* unfinished and I end up adding a lot more to them. Thank god for editing.

Here (and for the rest of the review), I try not to use the word "so" too many times. ("This book" is also a phrase that gives me anxiety because I do use it a lot as well) If I didn't do this, every sentence would start with "so." Maybe I might use "first?" Bringing back those transition words I was always told to use in school! Yay! These are the paragraphs where I don't know what to crap to say. Honestly, I just type and pray I stay on topic, don't say anything horrible, and write coherent sentences. I used to do this thing where my reviews would be 4 paragraphs. Opening, one about my thoughts about the characters, another about the plot/world/writing, and the ending. Recently though, I've just been doing small paragraphs about different things and not really sticking to certain things. Sometimes, I just might have a lot to say about the world, but nothing about the writing.

9/17/2016

Drama Follows You Everywhere. Yes, Even Boats in the Middle of the Sea // Thoughts on The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks

The Lifeboat Clique

Author: Kathy Parks

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: March 1st 2016

Format: eARC

Some people might say that Denver had a death wish. Why else would she have dared to sneak into a Malibu beach party where she’d be surrounded by enemies, namely including her ex-BFF Abigail? Oh yeah. Croix. Denver never thought in a million years he’d ask her out, but who was she to question this miracle of fate? Well, that wasn’t the only surprise fate had in store. During the party a tsunami hit the coast of California, wiping out everything in its path. Denver and a handful of others escaped death by holding onto the roof of the house and were swept out to sea. Of course, one of her fellow castaways was none other than Abigail, who could barely stand the sight of her. Now that she’s floating in the ocean, stuck on a small boat with the most popular kids in school and waiting to be rescued, Denver wonders what might kill her first-dehydration, sunstroke, or the girl she used to think of as a sister? A hilariously dark and twisted story that sparkles with a remarkably fresh voice, The Lifeboat Clique is Kathy Park’s irreverent yet insightful novel about how to survive in the most unthinkable circumstances.

Goodreads

I got this book as an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. None of my thoughts are altered by this.

One of my favorite things to read are books about people being trapped on something and are forced to survive with minimal resources. I haven't seen many books that have that concept so I was all for The Lifeboat Clique because that meant another survival book! There is always a small risk with survival books because it is very easy for it to get boring with these types of books. That definitely did not happen to The Lifeboat Clique, it was such a funny and definitely different type of survival book and that I really enjoyed reading.

One of the reasons why I really liked this book was just how sassy the main character Denver was. Kind of reminds me of, well me! Even in the situation she was put in, she managed to keep her sass and sarcasm which just made the book that much funnier. Plus, she was stuck with people that didn't really like her, so interaction between her and them weren't always the nicest. Sassy remarks to people she doesn't like for most of the book? Sign me up.

I also really liked the other characters that she had to survive with. They definitely weren't very fond her but I liked reading about them having to work together to survive. And I looooved how even though the characters didn't like Denver, they were all such great additions. They each had great personalities and if I could get a prequel about Denver being in school with the characters she was with, I would definitely read it.

Even though I really did not have much to say about this book, I did really enjoy it. I finished it in one day actually! It was a great debut for Kathy and I am really excited to read more of her books as they come. If anyone is looking for a quick and hilarious book that really should not be funny given the situation, definitely pick up The Lifeboat Clique!

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9/09/2016

That New Harry Potter Book? Yeah Not My Fave... // Thoughts on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Author: J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Release Date: July 31st 2016

Format: Hardcover

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later. Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016. It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

Goodreads

I feel like there has been a lot of commotion about this book. People very much have different opinions on the book and the fact that JK Rowling is adding some more content for the Harry Potter world. I, personally was excited for a little more of Harry Potter but I think I would have liked it a lot more if the content was written by JK herself. All I can say is, the hype definitely got to me with this book.

Cursed Child, in my opinion, could have been better. This script wasn't completely written by JK Rowling, so it was basically reading fanfiction for what happens after the ending of Deathly Hallows. Definitely not the best written fanfiction. (Yes I said it.) Honestly, there were moments reading this book where the events happening just didn't feel right. They were very unrealistic for this fictional world. Some of the main plot points in this book definitely could have happened but it just didn't seem like something that was likely to happen, which is weird to say, seeing as though it is indeed a fictional world. It didn't feel very Harry Potter like and I do think that comes from having the content being written by someone other than Jo.

And not only was it unrealistic events in this book that I didn't really like, I thought the characters were just soooo annoying at moments, especially the beginning. Like I was face palming myself at how stupid and naive they were at some points because holy lords they were definitely setting themselves up for failure or disaster based on the plans they were making.

And then I also felt like the original Harry Potter characters really weren't acting like themselves. I totally understand that things change after 19 years but I felt like I was reading about a different Harry Potter, I felt like I was reading about a different Ron Weasley. The things the characters did and said sometimes just really didn't feel like the characters I was reading as a little girl, which does make me a little sad because I really was excited to read more about our original characters only to have them not seem like themselves.

I didn't entirely hate it though. There were definitely moments where it was almost like being back in the Harry Potter world. (Keyword here: Almost) I have to admit, it was fun to be reading a whole new Harry Potter story and I liked getting some new content, even if the content didn't feel 100% authentic. I probably wouldn't read it again but I did enjoy new Harry Potter content and to get to know Harry's kids a little more.

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9/05/2016