In Time by Alexandra Bracken Prereview

When I first stumbled across the fact that there was going to be a Darkest Minds 1.5 I was so excited and filled with hope!


Then I saw the release day. It's so close but so far away.


So, now I'm just sad.

Dreams of Monsters and Gods by Lani Taylor Prereview

After finishing Days of Blood and Starlight my heart broke. What Karou and Akiva had was a beautiful romance and I want it to never end. But it did and this left me a little distraught.


Then I was like, "HOLD UP! Someone, hit me!"

So I stopped feeling with my heart and started thinking with mybrain . It's astonishing what perspective can do. Upon revision I found the cold, hard fact: Akiva gave the angles means to cause the death of Karou's family and race. He had knowledge at his fingertips and he used the power for bad - for genocide! It doesn't matter that he spent the entirety of the book trying to right his wrongs or that he handled the consequences like a meek child who knows they deserve the punishment. He's done bad things and though doesn't necessarily make him 'bad', somethings are unforgivable. If Karou does forgive him, I won't be able to respect her as a character. 

This leaves me teally really conflicted. The hopeless romantic inside of me still ships them (what can I say, love is irrational) but the rational side of me is like 'HELL NO!'. 



Edit: This is just my humble opinion, so feel free to express your own arguments in the comments. But remember to keep it clean and be mature. Thanks!

Split Second by Kasie West Prereview

My reaction upon discovering that there was a sequel to the brilliant Pivot Point:


The excitement is for the following reasons: 
1. I have it on good authority that Untitled Pivot Point #2 is going to be amazing! After reading Pivot Point #1, I have a lot of well founded trust in Kasie West's abilities. And, you know...


2. Addie no longer 'desires' Duke, the annoying, cocky turd . So now she can focus on the important people *cough* Trevor *cough*.



3. Reading another story with my favourite cast of characters ever .
Rehashing...
Addie: she's flawed, loveable and is the chick that summed up your feelings of all males' eyelashes: "your eyelashes make mine want to commit suicide from shame." 
Trevor: he's the guy who makes you swooooon 
Lalia: the greatest best friend ever written. I literally had moisture in my eyes from the laughing so hard at Lalia and Addie's exchanges. 

4. Trevor. Sigh. 


5. I cant wait to see what direction this series takesbecause there didn't seem to be a plot beyond what was resolved in Pivot Point. This should scare me, since there are plenty of books that would have been better of as stand alones, but it doesn't. I have a lot of faith Ms West.

Comments make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, so drop me a line on what you think! I hope you all have a lovely day avoid dying internally upon discovering this book will be released one whole year from now . 

Edit Ekk! That cover and that blurb put me in a happy place :D

Heroes of Olympus 5 by Rick Riordan Prereview

I am so pumped for the finale of this amazing series! It's the final show down where The Heroes of Olympus, our heroes finally show the giants who's boss. 



I know I'm coming across as conceited by saying that they will win, but:
1. This book is pitched for tweens - how can there not be a happily ever after?
2. My brain which is slightly irrational when it comes to anything Riordan relatedrefuses to accept the possibility that anything bad could happen
...Oka so I might be in denial here, but who isn't hoping for the best?



Mingled amongst the excitement, there's apprehension. Because it is the end. No more laugh out loud Leo, adorable Percybeth moments, or the final quests where nothing goes according to plan? Nada. I'm feeling a little weepy inside

Okay, so maybe a lot would be more accurate 



The only plus side I can see to this whole 'last-book-int-the-series' dilemma is that if there is one person who can conclude a book series like no other (recall; The Last Olympian ), it is Riordan! 

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken Prereview

First chapter here and a teaser here. (view spoiler)

Spoilers below 

A quick recap: The Darkest Minds left off with Ruby erasing all memories of herself in Liam's brain. That is why I need this book NOW! 



The ending had me like in tears looking like this:



I am not often shocked. Right now I am totally flabbergasted and in a whole truck load of denial. That did not just happen; I refuse to except it. 



I wanted to reach out and stop Ruby but I was powerless against what is in print. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion: you watch with horror in a front row seat with binoculars as your heart shatters, wanting so badly to help but with dawning and horrifying realization that you can't. 



You think I'm being dramatic? That was nothing on my reaction when I was reading the book. I was down to the last few pages, I knew what was going to happen but didn't want to accept it so I literally did this:



I am very conflicted. Rationally, I know Ruby made the right call. Liam wouldn't have walked otherwise. But the irrational part of me - which is bawling right now - wants them to be together no matter what. 

Anyway, enough about the romance. I hope this next book is as perfect as The Darkestminds was. It's a little hard to tell exactly where the plot is going to go. Fingers crossed nothing else heartbreaking happens. Also, I'm a bit worried that if Ruby stays too long with the Childrens League, she'll turn into another psychotic Orange. If she does, I'll be all tears again. 

Drop a comment below about what you guys think is going to happen! 

Edit: Announced here: the title is set to be Never Fade. Mrs. Bracken had this to say: 

We were looking for something to capture the feeling of resistance that underscores the story. I love that NEVER FADE is a powerful, assertive statement in and of itself... we tested it out next to THE DARKEST MINDS... [it] left us with another striking phrase that somehow also fit with the book’s core themes: The darkest minds never fade... my editor suggested continuing to add onto the statement with book three’s title.

Personally, I think it is a really interesting and certainly unique method of naming book titles. But now the big question is what is the third book going to be called...



Edit 2: Damn, that cover... 

House of Hades by Rick Riordan Prereview

Read first chapter here 

Unfortunately, I was right: The Mark of Athena ended with a heart wrenching, sob inducing, horrifying cliffhanger. 

I understand that Riordan, as a author who needs to sell books, has to keep the reader in suspense so they buy the next book. But seriously? 



Why in Hades did Riordan have to end The Mark of Athena in that spot? Percy and Annabeth - my two favourite characters - are falling into Tartarus and he ends the bookthere after one of the most romantic moments in this book. This was my reaction:




Let's just take a moment to pray that Riordan doesn't to the unmentionable. 

Despite all this, I can't help but feel happy because they are finally together. Plus, Riordan soothed the wound by say that of Percy and Jason, Nico thought Percy was better. Serious bonus points for Nico! 



Moving on, if we consider Percy and Annabeth's situation since The Heroes of Olympusstarted they have either:
1) Been separated and unsure or worried about each other 
2) Been in imminent danger. (Although, admittedly they are together now. This pleases me greatly.)

It just me or does the universe have vendetta against Percybeth?

The main consolation I can give is that Percy and Annabeth's characters are too big not to have a part in The House Of Hades . If I had to guess, I'd assume that one of their point of views will be told parallel with the main groups (ie. Jason, Piper, etc). At the end they will reunite after or during the epic show down when the close the Doors of the Death.

As always, Mr Riordan goes on my 'author's who need to write faster list'. Let me clarify: I think it is really great that he publishes a new book in the series ever year and I understand that it takes time to produce perfection. At the same time, after that cliffhanger I need to know what is happening. *Sigh* I'll have to console myself with the thought that the waiting will make it sweeter. 

Edit : found this on Tumblr. It's exactly how I imagined Percybeth falling: