Top 5 Wednesday - Least Favorite Book in Your Favorite Series

There are so many series that I've read over the years and usually my favorite are ones that gets better and better. There are some series where I love all books equally and then there are some that are hard to choose. The books mentioned below are some that I can distinctively tell the difference. Without following any order here are books:

Allegiant

I totally love the first two books and it really became my favorite Dystopian novel until I read the last book. Sadly, everything seems to wrapped up really quickly, the answers to some questions were not detail enough. It just felt like a lousy job done quickly to meet a deadline. I had such high hopes but was greatly disappointed.

Prodigy

The only reason why I felt that this book was least favorite because the beginning was great and then the second book was good but the last book was fantastic. This book didn't suck, it was just the caught in the middle of two great books making it a good book.

The Elite

Well I like this book the least because of the indecisiveness of the characters that pissed me off. Other than that it had a great plot.

City of Fallen Angels

This is like the worst book out of the six because it felt like a filler. When you watch anime that is adapted from manga, there is a point where the manga is not drawn fast enough for the anime. Hence, the production studio put in fillers like Naruto and Bleach had many fillers before focusing back to the main plot. This book just filled in the blanks with just a little bit of action happening. Even the characters felt like they were stagnant in their growth.

The Hunger Games

I liked all three books but this was picked because I felt that some events happened just too quickly. It would have been better if we get to know the side characters better, give them a little bit of growth. I felt that some contestant from some districts were kinda sidelined.

I truly wonder if the author would have made any changes if the reviews for those books were not as good as expected. I think some times it is not bad to have alternative endings. What are your picks? Please share at the comments below. Thanks for reading.

The Kiss of Deception

She flees on her wedding day. She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection. She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father. She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia escapes to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive- and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink og unlocking perilous secrets- secrets that may unravel her world- even as she feels herself falling in love. - excerpt from book.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson is book 1 of The Remnant Chronicles. I have not read other books from this author so this was my first. There was a lot of hype in the BookTube community but I did not pick up the book instantly, instead I waited for the floppy paperback version. So a little insight that I know before reading this book is that the both the male interests in this book are not specified and kept mysterious until the end of the book. I thought this was an interesting way of writing the book.

Salt to the Sea

War torn Germany. Four young people. Four dark secrets.

They come from different lands but each of them is hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies...and war.

As thousands of refugees flock to the coast, desperate to escape the advancing Red Army, the paths of four young people converge. All are hoping to board the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom. 

Yet not all promises can be kept. - excerpt from book

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is my first time reading a historical fiction. Set in the time of 1945 during world war II this book was pretty interesting for me and that's because I didn't learn about this event in my history class. Of course I roughly knew what happened but I could not talk about it as I'm not sure about a whole lot of things during that war. So when I started reading the book there were some things that I wasn't sure of like how Europe was like, which countries were involved in the war. Things like Red Army, the ships, the Amber Room and treasures were new to me and when I came across it I had to Google it and read from Wikipedia. I didn't want to feel like I was studying for a history test so I decided to just read the book till the end and then find out things I don't know.

Top 5 Wednesday - Fictional Items I want

Most often when we indulge in fantasy books and science fiction there will be artifacts or objects that are used by the characters to help them in their quests. These tools play important parts in the stories because it's part of the world building, it assists the characters progress in the story. This is definitely a good discussion because I would love to really own those tools especially in the magical world. Because this is top 5 I've to pick my absolutely must have from the Harry Potter world and one other book. So here is my list not in any particular order:

A Wand (Harry Potter world)

This is a Silver Lime wood with a Unicorn hair core 14 ½" and Slightly Yielding flexibility which is my wand that I've gotten from the Pottermore website. After doing the house test, I'm in the Hufflepuff house. So how can I not have a wand if I were to attend Hogwarts. I think having a wand is such a wonderful thing because it allows you to perform magic and of course using magic can certainly help with some daily tasks in my life. Ahhh, if only magic exists, it would be so much fun indeed.

The Marauder's map (Harry Potter world)

I solemnly swear I'm up to no good. This map would be a saviour when you're sneaking around in the school or avoiding people that you do not want to bump into. Isn't a fun to have a map that can track people and see where they are. I want this just to stare at it with all the footprints moving here and there, so adorable.

Cress

Even in the future, there are damsels in distress....

Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder of Queen Levana's evil plan, has a slight problem. She's been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress involving Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet, and Wolf goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has. - excerpt from book

Cress by Marissa Meyer is the third book in the Lunar Chronicles. The story continues right we're left off in the second book. It's already quite exciting at the start and I love how a new character is introduced. The author does a good job in giving a new adventure for Cress while the others are busy with problems of their own. I absolutely love how we can get to know a new character and see her struggles. Other than that, the male interest of Cress is also given the spotlight in this book. He is such a funny guy and also someone who compliments Cress very well. I totally love their interactions with each other.

The author has built brilliant relationships for all the characters with each other. I'm so thrilled every time I read their conversations. Their chemistry with each other is just heart-warming and touching like they knew each a long time. I'm so impressed with all the characters because they all have such great growth in the story, especially Cinder and Thorne. They never cease to amaze me, that's why both of  them are my favourite characters. Another impressive character would be the side character Iko who has such funny lines and an important role in supporting the main ones. Oh I just love Iko so much.

As for the plot of the book, it's been such a ride from the start to the end. The twists and turns that appeared in the book was just perfect. I felt that I was watching an epic science fiction movie in my head while reading. It was so thrilling and exciting and everything happened at absolute perfect timing. Many a times I was trying to figure out which parts of the book resembled Rapunzel and what is new in the story. All the different point of views gave progress to the story and reveals the personality of the characters.

I had such a fun time reading the book, it was a fantastic page-turner. I love how the author intertwined the characters together in the book, even though they are slowly introduced into the plotline in the first and second book. This book sparked a lot of good feelings for me towards the characters, I feel that their uniqueness made up so much of the novels. I really love the characters and felt drawn to them, having crushes on the male characters and wanting the girls to be my BFFs. So what more can I say, you've got to read the series, it's just gets better and better, start it if you haven't. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?!. If you're a science fiction fan read this, it will not disappoint you. If you love fairy tale retelling this book will capture you. Lastly, if you've read the first two, you have to continue with this one. Please check out my first and second book review here and here if you haven't. Below are two quotes that really gave me the feels.

"The type of love that time and distance an even death couldn't separate" - page 29 line 23

"Maybe there isn't such a thing as fate. Maybe it's just the opportunities we're given, and what we do with them. I'm beginning to think that maybe great, epic romances don't just happen. We have to make them ourselves." - page 512 line 23

Top 5 Wednesday - Biggest Book Hangovers

Hangovers usually happen when you've drank too much alcohol previous night and I have not tried it before because I don't drink (small fact about me). But book hangovers I've gotten plenty of them. There's just so many times that after completing a book or the last in the series I couldn't let it go. I kept thinking about it for days and I wanted more from the characters then to have it end. Of course the endings are fabulous endings that is why it got me thinking about it constantly. 

The Darkest Minds

When I completed this book I was like suspended or halted in time. The ending was just hard to take in. I needed the next book but sadly I'm on a book buying ban so I can't get it until May. The whole journey of the book was fantastic, it was such a exciting ride. This book really left me thinking about it over and over. Review here.

Champion

I cried when I read the epilogue, the ending was so beautiful. It made my heart ache. After that I kept thinking back of what would happen if it was some other ending. I really wanted more for the characters but after more thoughts I felt that it was the perfect ending. Review here

Six of Crows

I loved the characters so so much and also the plot of the book was mysterious and hard to predict. This was a book about heist and how  a bunch of people tried to pull it off. It was a book that was truly exciting at all times. As for why I had a hangover, well it's because the ending was at a suspense and I won't be able to know until the next book. It's so infuriating that I would have to wait about a year or less for the second book to be published. I kept thinking what's next, kept thinking back on the characters' past. Please just give me the second book already! Review here

The Lunar Chronicles

I am so in love with the characters and the story. This series is just so epic and it deserves to be turned into a movie. I just finished the last book not long ago and I wanted more for the characters. I really want to have a longer story for all the love interests. I really did not want to finish the book but I had to know the ending. After I completed the series I was so sad that I won't be reading about them but lucky for me there was a book with all the short stories for the series published. Until  then I would just have to dream about the characters I love. Review here

Clockwork Princess

This was another book that had an epilogue that was totally beautiful. It really made me cry because it was just so good. I was so happy with the ending and really hope there was more for the characters. As far as I know they will be back in other Shadowhunter related books. Review here

There you have it, books that made me wept and think about for days. I really love them so so much and I think having a hangover means those are books worth your time to read. So what books made you act like that? Do share it with me in the comments below. 

The Darkest Minds

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp". She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America's children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her- East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp, Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no mater how much she aches for him. Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living. - excerpt from book

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken is a book set in a dystopian future where most children contracted a disease that cannot be cured, some die and some live. Those who live are put into rehab but that's not the truth. This is the first book of the trilogy. I have always love dystopian stories because who can tell how the future will turn out to be and so these books provides imagination to a future that has weird shit happening. The sort of apocalyptic world gives a great setting to the book. The world is a scary place and many are affected because of the diseases. 

I like how the author describes the world, the flow of words are often detailed, giving you a sense of feeling of the character's thoughts. She makes you feel her words in the book, it comes easily because of how beautifully she writes about Ruby's feelings. Ruby is the main heroine of the book which has a painful past and a secret that she's keeping. I love how Ruby does not give up everything to the readers and slowly along the book she grows. She grows because of situations and she grows because of other characters. Liam, who is the main male love interest of the book is also a wonderful character, he is a person who makes the middle part of the story move forward. As for his past and personalities, it is also revealed through his actions and his conversations with other characters. Two important side characters are in this book where they often influence the main characters. Their personalities are unique and special and they too developed with the plot.

Top 5 Wednesday - Books That Feature Time Travel

This is such a fantastic topic to discuss about this Wednesday because I love time traveling. Whenever I watch a time traveling related movie, I always have a great discussion with my best friend, as he too was really into this. We would often pause the movie in between to talk about the time jump, the kind of butterfly effects it would cause. I really miss those days and unfortunately I would not have that chance to discuss with him ever again. So we both always agree that writing about time travelling is tricky because the author has to be able to cover all the loopholes and have butterfly effects that made sense. Because of the concept being so complicated, there is only a handful of movies and books on the topic. Hence I've only read one trilogy and a standalone novel that involved time traveling. I did my research so I've included 3 books that are in that topic and it's listed below:


Ruby Red Series

 

This is one of my favorite series of all time. The author incorporated the concept of time traveling so well that I couldn't find any flaws. I read this in English and apparently it's a translated version. I think the translator did a fantastic job because I didn't felt that the sentences were weird or the grammar was wrong anywhere. If you want to know more about the series I've written reviews for all 3 books. A brief summary of the series is there is this girl who had been born into a family that can time travel and a society actually governs the travelers. Apart from her, there is another family who shares this bloodline, together they both need to go on missions to complete an object.

Ruby Red
Sapphire Blue
Emerald Green

A Tale of Time City

This book is written by one of my favorite authors Diana Wynne Jones. It's a story about a girl who was mistaken as someone else as she got kidnapped by two boys. Together 3 of them go on a quest to save the city that the boys are from. This book is considered in the middle grade genre but because she's my favorite author I decided to read the book. It was quite an adventure for the threesome and I quite enjoyed it. The time travel factors were written quite well without any flaws that I could spot. I've also written the review here.