Rei'sa al Ghul; life, books, tea and other things!

Title: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Series: Yes, first of a trilogy.

Age Range: I would say 16 and up.

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Adventure, Political

Would I recommend it to anyone: Kind of. I would to anyone who wants a good thrill ride.

Description on Goodreads:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Review:

 Soooo. I picked this book up, put it down. Up, down, up, down.. for months. I just kept getting distacted and picking up other books. It's wasn't it's fault. I have ADD. This happens sometimes. Or, it would be too intense for what I needed at that moment. But, recently I picked it back up and wiped it out in a matter of days.

 

I absolutely loved the world building. I actually felt like I was sucked deep into the world, when Tris was first in Abnegation, training in Dauntless and so on, I wanted to take on the enemy by her side.

 

This book truly is worth the hype it has. The emotions, the adrenline rush that I had with almost every chapter..! I never wanted it to end!

In the end I had to give it a 4.5 out of 5 though. It was brillant, but something... something felt missing. Maybe Insurgent will be different. :)

 

My Rating: 4.5/5

 

Goodreads Link:

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent

 

So I had to take a week off BookTube and blogging in general. 

 

We had a death in the family on my fiance's side and well... I had a to be a better sweetheart than a better blogger. I hope you all understand. BUT! That did not mean that I stopped reading every second I got, which wasn't a lot to be honest. :( 

 

I did, however finish Steelheart today.  I cannot WAIT to type up the review for that! :D It was mind bending!

 

As a general blog post though; things seem to be going slowly back to what we consider to be normal. Auhzy is finally sleeping a bit, he fell asleep about two hours ago, and is eating normally, we should be able to get through the month hopefully.

I have moved onto Full Measures by Rebecca Yarros already and let me tell you! I needed a book like this. After Steelheart, I just needed a rewind. I was asked to read/review this by her publisher ASAP after I had sent in a request for it. One night, and I am already 25% done and looooving it!

 

Now... for me. How am I feeling? Honestly? I have no idea. I have been feeling like a blank slate this entire time. I mean, dont' get me wrong, when it's time for cuddling & loving I am all for it! I just... I feel like part of me is going BLEH to itself and I have no idea why. Maybe it's just seasonal. I dunno.

 

Anyways, tomorrow may be the beginning of a new chapter on BookTube, a new setting for /r/bookies!

 

SEE YA SOON!

 

~ Reisa

 

Also, I have never seen Frozen but I love that Let it Go song. o_o

Title: Splintered

Author: A. G. Howard

Series: Yes.

Age Range: I would say 16 and up.

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy

Would I recommend it to anyone: HELL YES YES YES YES

Description on Goodreads:

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Review:

Okay. OKAY. LET ME SAY THAT HOLY MONKEYS EATING CORN MUFFINS I LOVE THIS BOOK.

I am going to be spoiler free, but GOOD GOD. The characters are deep, the writing is like beautiful art and just... /Morpheus/.

The way that it all falls together is like paint on a canvas, so delicately placed... so vivid and pulling. I found it so hard to put down this book at ANY point. And I have ADHD.

Even while reading another book, THIS was always on my mind. I found myself needing it more and more. Now, I am waiting for the first to get the Novella. BECAUSE I NEED IT. I own Unhinged, and I plan on buying Ensnared.

The author herself is even a grand example of someone who, even if I didn't end up becoming friends with; would be on my BUY IMMEDIATLEY list. One of my top authors.

Her world is like a fine wine, to be savored and enjoyed.

And I, would love to live in her dark wonderland.

With Morpheus.

My Mothman.

<3

 

My Rating: 5/5

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12558285-splintered?from_search=true

My video review:

http://youtu.be/5srPYVNBEO0

 

Title: Fangirl

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Series: No.

Age Range: I would say 16 and up.

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Coming of Age

Would I recommend it to anyone: HELL YES.

Description on Goodreads:

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park.

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . .

But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Review:

Holy shit balls.

HOLY SHIT BALLS.

If you have not heard of this book, you are about too!

As it said in the Goodreads blurb, Cath is pretttyyy much your typical Fangirl... What with the fanfiction, the slash (paring up characters un canon) and 9 times out of ten being an introvert.

She did NOT want to be separated from her sister, the only person in the world who understood her love of the world of Harry Potter Simon Snow! HOW COULD SHE JUST LEAVE HER TO GET A ROOMATE SHE DOESN'T KNOW?!

This book is almost like a diagram of how I would and DO react in most situations!

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I must say that this book took me my surprise. Ever since Lola and the Boy Next Door (Review upcoming), I have been on a HUGE contemporary kick, and this just fed my addiction.

More than the Harry Potterkids can understand the feelings of a fangirl. Those needs, those emotions. How you clutch your books right and cry when [Insert Character] died/was injured/got kicked into nothingness basically. How you squealed and danced when something good happened! When the couple has their first kiss/hug/awkward realization that... Hey. I like this person. OH FUCK.

This book... this is a must in every fan girl, boys, undecideds bookshelf in my opinion.

As this was my first (and DEFINETELY NOT LAST) Rainbow Rowell book, I must tip my hat to this wonderful lady.

You made a fangirl of you, the worlds you created.. and I hope to CROWLEY you make the Simon Snow series a reality.

Also.

YAY LEVI<3

My Rating: 10/10

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068905-fangirl

 



PS: A THANK YOU TO MY FRIEND, THE NERDIEST OF BIRDS FOR READING IT ALONG WITH ME. :)

I have been meaning to post.

 

 

Serious.

 

 

I MEAN IT.

 

 

I AM SORRY!@

 

I promise this week will be full of updates.

 

 

Book reviews

 

 

and lots more.

 

 

I love you bbeee.

 

plz don't go

So, 

 

Lately I have been wondering if it would be worth it to get a type writer. Does anyone have experience with one? Could you give me hints and tips?

 

I have always had a fascination with them. The touch, the feel. Just the pure.. Power of them. Once you write, there is no back space. There is no do over. You have to do the whole damn page over again. It just feels so final.

 

it's something I have always wanted. I love the smell of a type writer. I love thinking of what COULD be. What IS to be. Something that is beyond comprehension. I guess it's like a long lost love feeling.

 

I have always loved writing. When my main laptop is fixed, I plan on starting my manuscript again. I know what I want to write. What story is locked inside and I know it will explode onto the pages.

 

So, if you have any points, tips, or good affordable (120$ and under) brands you can share, I would love it! 

 

- Reisa

First review since coming back!!

------

Title: Of Mice and Men

Author: John Steinbeck

Series: No.

Age Range: 14 and up.

Genre: Classic, Young Adult, Historical Fiction

Would I recommend it to anyone?: Yes. A million times yes.

Description on Goodreads:

The tragic story of the complex bond between two migrant laborers in Central California. They are George Milton and Lennie Small, itinerant ranch hands who dream of one day owning a small farm. George acts as a father figure to Lennie, who is a very large, simple-minded man, calming him and helping to rein in his immense physical strength. 

Review:

This is a classic. Something I read a long time ago, but one of my absolute favorite reads.

The story follows Lennie and George.

Lennie is a lovable, but slow oaf who is always getting in trouble just trying to be himself.

George is a short, and even short tempered man who protects Lennie from life and others.

The story follows them both from being chased out of the first town, to their new adventure, new job and new troubles!

There they meet Candy and his dog, who both are a precursor to the whole story. Candy is an aged man, who still works his hardest despite only having one hand, and his only love in life is his dog. Old, smelly and just wanting to make his master smile.

Then there is Curly and his wife. A protective and jealous man, even shorter tempered than George, with a wife who in every sense of a tart, Always angering him my flirting with the farm hands.

The book shows the beauty of a strong male bond, companionship and what we are willing to do for our friends. What we will do when given the choice of hard or harder. Pain or true suffering. What is to be gently touched, and what we should avoid. Temptations hard and searing.

This book, at its core is something I am glad I read growing up. It taught me there isn't always rainbow and sunshine, there sometimes isn't a happy ending, but a needed ending. Something to grow on.

Lennie and George will always have a place in my heart, and I promise not to pet the puppies to hard on my road of life. :)

My Rating: 10/10

Goodreads link:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/890.Of_Mice_and_Men?ac=1

----

An added thank you to Ashley and her husband for making this possible. You two are simply amazing. I love you both immensely,

Anyone hear anything good about this book?

Mind you, this is my first Rainbow Rowell book. I already can identify with Cath. I know those clinging insecurities. I think after Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Styxx might have to be put on hold.

Ever have those biting questions? Those thoughts of, what if? Why is X talking to Y? Why is it so have to get to Area C? If so, drop them in my comments! It can be about any book

Title: Dead Until Dark

Author: Charlaine Harris

Series: Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries

Would I recommend it to anyone?: Yes.

Age range: I'd say about 16 and up due to come content.

Genre: Mystery/Paranormal/Romance/Fantasy

Description on Goodreads: Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out.... Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

Review:

This book is nothing but a delight and a wonderful way to start the series! Sookie is a bar waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Just your average, run of the mill girl... who can hear peoples thoughts. That is until someone comes in whom she cannot.. Bon Temps first vampire. Since Synthetic Blood (True Blood) had came into creation, vampires were finally coming out of the woodwork! And this one couldn't have come sooner. 

 

Bill, the vampire who walks into Sookie's life turns her life upside down. Secrets of her bosses life come out and murders come to fruition! And who else is to blame.. since they all are on the darker sexual side than the new vampire... until evidence leads to Sookie's brother; Jason. 

Side Notes:

This obviously is my first review, so if you have pointers please point them out! :) I really would suggest this to anyone who is a fan of the show, vampires or just a good murder mystery! I will be continuing this series. :)

My Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Link: 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/301082.Dead_until_Dark