Simply Avalon

Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

picture from Nose Graze

Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles ,#1) by J.A. Souders

on November 13th 2012
Genres: Science Fiction>Dystopia, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Thriller, Young Adult
Pages: 364
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
two-stars

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie.

Her memories have been altered. Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

***

Review:

I really wanted to like this book the plot had so much potential, but like most teen-dystopian (and utopian) books it fell short of that promise.

This book had everything going for it a pretty original plot (even though it reminded me ever so slightly of Dark Life by Kat Falls), and its own take on the everyday stereotypes. My biggest issue wasn’t the writing, but the lack of reasoning behind major events in the story.

For instance Gavin and his friends just so happened to stumble into a cave that held an entrance to Elysium. Or the fact that barely any land dwellers know about Elysium when it was an underwater resort. If this type of resort were to open today this would’ve been a major public spectacle that wouldn’t be forgotten just because a bunch of rich people wanted to stay tucked away from the "bad war".

I won’t say that that the book was totally bad, because for all intents and purposes it wasn’t. For instance Evelyn Winters (the protagonist) saw a small growth in her character throughout the book turning from a naïve “Daughter of the People” to a girl willing to run leaps and bounds to protect her lover, but her transition into a slightly stronger character was a little choppy.

I hated her reliance on Gavin as a character, sure I’m not all for feminism, but without his arrival she would’ve just continued to believe the lies her Mother fed to her. It was just a little too much, and this is coming from a person who thoroughly loved Gavin as a character.

In the end I believe this author cut some corners in the way she ended the book. Or maybe I was just expecting too much from an author’s debut novel.

Don’t get me wrong this book isn’t out right horrible, but if you’re the type of reader who wants more than an insta-love and underdeveloped plot & characters I suggest you look elsewhere. I have already gotten the second book so...looks like I'll read it sometime in the near future. Hopefully the story will improve. :)

Rating: /5 stars

XX,

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2) by Sarah J. Maas
on May 3rd 2016
Genres: Fae, Fantasy, Magic, New Adult, Romance, Thriller, Young Adult
Pages: 640
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

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.

I finished this book in one day. If that doesn't tell you how good this book is, you're beyond hope.

Disclaimer: I strongly believe that this book is not appropriate for teenagers below the age of 14, or whatever age you deem mature due to extremely sexual content.

(I'm almost 15, and even I felt a little guilty by reading it.)
*Warning there will be a few small SPOILERS in this review...you have been warned.*

Firstly, I must applaud the author for her character and world building. Sure the book was a whooping 640 pages, but I mean it was friggin' amazing and well worth the wait (and energy it took to read). Feyre grew up, and finally took control of her destiny as a character. Many people hated the fact that she basically allowed Tamlin to make every decision for her, but that Feyre is a thing of the past.

Tamlin made one mistake too many and Rhys finally called in his favor. I don't want to spoil too much, but Tamlin became a borderline psychopath in this book. To say the least the way he changed made it hard for me to justify my love for him in the first book. I mean we all knew there was something off, but did you really have to lock her in a tower?!

I'm just so very happy that Feyre didn't fall for his crap or come crawling back to him even with his empty apologies.

Maas really succeeded in creating an almost the unbeatable villain, or the King of Hybern the man who has to mess everything up, but my favorite part was the way she framed Feyrue as a real life woman who was not only determined to protect those she loved, but also had weaknesses she wasn't afraid to hide.

In case you didn't know...I shipped Rhysand and Feyre from the beginning of this series. (Even if he only appeared like three times in the first book haha) He began as a background character in the first book. However in the second book we find Rhys as the "supposed-to-be-a-villain-but-now-i'm-not-so-sure".

I'm not sure if I should say this, but Rhys was hands down my favorite character in the whole book. He exuded a sexiness that is hard to find in other characters and can only be compared to Divergent's Four (even though Veronica Roth never delved into Four's inner being like Maas has done with Rhys). His literal being embodies the perfect anti-body who behind his "wicked persona" is a man who leads two lives. The friendly guy who teaches Feyre how to read and close her midn to the people who might want to read its contents and the most powerful man in the Fae world who could melt your mind without a second thought.

Like are you trying to kill me?! I can't handle all of these feelings. I'm still trying to come off the Tamlin thing.

"I couldn't stop being around you, and loving you, and wanting you. I still can't stay away." ~Rhys

(A Court of Mist and Fury pg. 528)

Sooo if you're into that Hades/Persephone love story thing and a hell of a great fantasy novel than you should definitely check out this series either online or at your local library/bookstore. Warning if you're one of those people who hate a good cliffhanger at the end of the book I suggest you wait til the next book comes out before reading. :)

(5 out of 5 stars)

XX,

Long time no see! If you're anything like me you wait until the very last minute to actually settle down and buy gifts for your friends and family. Procrastination is seriously a problem. That's why I have decided to create a gift guide. Hopefully this will make it easier to shop for your friend or love one.

1. Gift Baskets/Care Packages
I feel as if this is one of the few items you really can't miss with. Buy a cheap basket from the dollar store or Walmart and fill it up with everything you know your friend or love one would like. I'm making a De-Stress one for my mother this year and am filling it up with face masks, tea, and other knickknacks for a perfect spa night. This idea is one of the easiest and works for everyone from guys to girls. As long as you have a little knowledge of what they like you can do this. A few other ideas for gift basket themes are: movie night, date night, breakfast/dinner for two, etc.
There is seriously no way to go wrong with this idea...unless you don't use it...
I've linked a few that you might be interested in below. :)

A Shower Essentials Basket
Photo Credits: Style me Pretty

Coffee Essentials (A coffee lovers paradise)
Photo Credits: Happy Go Lucky

2. Books
I don't care if can says that books are dead. Books are a gift that keeps on giving. Whether that be a release into a new world or a new source of interesting information. Books are a great gift for friends and family especially bookworms like me. If I've still not sold you on books being a good gift think of the money that you'll save buying a paperback. ;)

One of my personal YA favorites
perfect for a teen or adult.
Available at Amazon
and Barnes and Noble.

Here's a steal. It's only $1.99
(and it's hardcover) This book is perfect for
all my history buffs out there.
Available at Barnes and Noble.

3. Giftcards
When all else fails buy that friend or special loved one a gift card. Who doesn't enjoy the ability to buy themselves they've been wanting the past 365 days?! I feel as if this is very self explanatory but for those of you who still feel clueless here are a few ideas. :)