The Glittering Court

Big and sweeping, spanning from the refined palaces of Osfrid to the gold dust and untamed forests of Adoria, The Glittering Court tells the story of Adelaide, an Osfridian countess who poses as her servant to escape an arranged marriage and start a new life in Adoria, the New World. But to do that, she must join the Glittering Court.

Both a school and a business venture, the Glittering Court is designed to transform impoverished girls into upper-class ladies who appear destined for powerful and wealthy marriages in the New World. Adelaide naturally excels in her training, and even makes a few friends: the fiery former laundress Tamsin and the beautiful Sirminican refugee Mira. She manages to keep her true identity hidden from all but one: the intriguing Cedric Thorn, son of the wealthy proprietor of the Glittering Court.

When Adelaide discovers that Cedric is hiding a dangerous secret of his own, together they hatch a scheme to make the best of Adelaide's deception. Complications soon arise - first as they cross the treacherous seas from Osfrid to Adoria, and then when Adelaide catches the attention of a powerful governor.

But no complication will prove quite as daunting as the potent attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. An attraction that, if acted on, would scandalize the Glittering Court and make them both outcasts in wild, vast uncharted lands.... - excerpt from book.

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead is a story about a girl who escapes her arranged marriage and went into hiding. Sadly this book was a disappointment for me. I expected the plot to be more rich after reading the summary of the book. I felt that the world that was built was lacking in some places, there wasn't enough depth. Secondly, her time in the school was a little bit too brief for me as I wanted more incidents to happen in there. 

The plot can be boring and slow paced at times and then suddenly there was so much happening but still lacking depth in those twist and turns. It was quite a let down and I was having a hard time to finish this book. I did put it aside for another book as this did not capture my attention at all. Towards the last 100 over pages I just merely skim through reading only conversations and it was enough to let me know about the story.

Glass Sword

Mare Barrow's blood is red- the color of COMMON FOLK but her silver ability, the power to control lightning has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tried to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince-the friend-who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever? - excerpt from book

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard is the second book in this trilogy and I have to say I was a bit disappointed in it. I think it's because I was expecting a lot more action in this book but it was not up to my standard nonetheless it was still a good sequel. I think the highlight of this book is the character growth but I sometimes find Mare a bit whiny. Her interactions with other characters are sometimes exciting and also frustrating too. There were moments that I wanted to slap her so so bad. Mare did change a lot in the whole journey of this book to the point that either you love her or hate her. 

Top 5 Wednesday : Most Recent Additions to my Wishlist

As a reader or most would call me a book addict I have a very long wish list of books. I can never read as fast as I add them to the list. But sadly, I also don't buy those books so quickly because cash is always a problem (must not overspend you see =P). I'm always influenced by Bookstagram and BookTube videos, and it is those recommendations that I always add new books in my wish list. So here are the Top 5 books that I've recently added into my wish list that I really really want to buy soon....if I can reduce my TBR pile to 50% of it's current amount.

Air Awakens by Elise Kova

I've recently seen many of this series being pictured in Bookstagram and I've heard many good things by the readers. It's rating on GoodReads is particularly good at least 4 stars. 

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

This book's cover was really beautiful in pictures and since it's a fantasy book it gave me reason to put into my wishlist.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The final book to the series was out this April which I've heard nothing but good things in the Bookstagram community. Since everything is out I'm hopeful that I will purchase all 4 together and then binge read them if I can.

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

After reading this author's The Darkest Minds, I was instantly hooked to her writing. This book was released at the start of the year where I heard time traveling is involved. I am always convinced to put a book into my wishlist with that key word. I hope I would love this book because it seems to be a hit and miss with readers, either you love it or you don't.

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Although this book will not be out until September I have already put it into my wishlist. This was a book that I loved very much last year and I cannot wait for the sequel to come. This book will be the last book making it a duology. 

If you know of the books I've listed, it is all in the fantasy genre which I love the most. Those books certainly have covers that attract your attention but it's the content that matters more.  Hopefully by September I would be able to order these books =D. So what are some books that you've added into your wish list? 

Summer Comment Challenge

Hello fellow readers and also bloggers! I took part in this Comment Challenge in June hosted by a dear friend Lonna @ FLYLeF who has been very supportive of my review. Thank you very much Lonna. She is hosting this with Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense who is another blogger. So for August I'm taking part again. 

The point for this challenge is to comment on a specific blogger's post to spread the love. If you do not know, after writing for so many years, I always look forward to comments be it a good or a bad one. I just want constructive criticism from readers. 

Sadly, my experience for June was not so good because I was quite busy and I think I've only managed to comment twice for my partner and I didn't get a single one from her. Hopefully this August it'll be better. If you're interested please feel free to register at Comment Challenge: August Sign up

Never hesitate to comment on my posts because I enjoy reading different opinions all the time. 

Rebel of the Sands

Tell me how you want your story to go, he says, and we'll write it straight across the sand.

Dustwalk is an unforgiving, dead-end town. It's not the place to be poor or orphaned or female. And yet Amani Al'Hiza must call it 'home'.

Amani wants to escape and see the world she's heard about in campfire stories.

Then a foreigner with no name turns up, and with him she has the chance to run.

But the desert plains are full of dangerous magic. The Sultan's army is on the rise and Amani is soon caught at the heart of a fearless rebellion... - excerpt from book.

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton is a story about a girl trying to escape from her terrible circumstances and then find her fate in the world. This book had a good start and then a slow middle part and then a great climax. It took me sometime to read this book when I was in the middle as the plot is just okay then. When I reached about 75% of the book it started to get really good. All the excitement was kinda focused at the later parts of the book. The world built for this book was quite good as I have not often read books that are Arabic inspired.

The characters were good in this book, I liked them very much. The struggles that the main heroine has to go through kinda drives her in the story. Along with the male character of the book, things are more interesting than when she is on her own. I often look forward for their interactions and adventures together. Towards the end of the book more characters were introduced and I really love them. It was so exciting to read more about them. They truly help bring more life ans excitement into the story.

I thought that for a debut book it was not bad and the author left the ending at a good place to prepare for the next book. I can see a lot of potential for the story to evolve and become better in the second book. It was refreshing indeed reading this book as I could not expect what's to come but even though I felt that way, my attention wasn't captured long enough for me to keep reading. Towards the end of the book is where it became a book that is hard to put down. I do recommend this book to those readers who enjoy Arabic theme. I think for first in a series it had a good start so fantasy readers should try this book too, it's worth continuing on to the second book.

The Start of Me and You

It's been one year since it happened....

When Paige Hancock's first boyfriend died in a swimming accident, she shut out almost everyone. Now Paige has decided it's finally time to rejoin the world, and she has a plan. First on the list: go out with Ryan Chase, her longtime and newly single crush. And last on the list: swim. Terrifying, yet possible?

But when Ryan's sweet, nerdy cousin Max moves to town and recruits Paige for the QuizBowl team (of all things!), her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Starting over isn't easy, but Paige knows the scariest things are usually the most difficult. Can she face her fears and open herself up to life and love again? - excerpt from book

The Start of You and Me by Emery Lord is a story about a teenage girl who is dealing with her grief and trying to live life again after hiding for a year. I really love this book as I could relate to her feelings and what she is trying to do with her life. Obviously there are certain circumstances that are different between us but the grieve and wanting to start again is quite true.

The plot of the story was really smooth and I really like the incidents that happened in the book. I like how the twist and turns of the story suite the personality of the main character. Everything happens in such good timing and it was such fun reading about her activities. There were good times and sad times and many fun times in the book.

The characters of the book are truly the people who captured me. The friends and family surrounding the main character were such awesome people. Though they are flawed but perfect for the story. The support they offer to the main character was just so heart warming. I would really loved to have more friends like them. I honestly can say that I grieve a lot on my own and did not have many friends reaching out to me but Paige's friends were just there for her and they are a tight group. As for the boys in the book, they are wonderful boys and I loved reading about their interactions with Paige. Often their activities are ones that fun to read about. One of the family members of the character was also such a great support to her and offered many great advice in life.

Top 5 Wednesday - Books I Wish had Sequels

There are so many standalone books that I have wished there were sequels because the story was just too good to end. Of course those books had good endings but many a times I would really love to read about the characters and their happily ever after. Below are top 5 of my choice without following any order:

The Unbound by Victoria Schwab

I have to say this book ended with a slight cliff hanger because there was still so much more to elaborate on the relationships of the main characters. Many that have read this book like myself are eager to read more about the boy in the story. I have heard rumours that the author might be planning a third book (YAY!).
Review here: http://www.anythingbuteverything.com/2014/06/the-unbound.html

The Start of You and Me by Emery Lord

This was a really touching book for me. After reading the bonus email correspond between the main characters, it made me want to read more of their stories which includes their senior year and college days.
Review here: http://www.anythingbuteverything.com/2016/07/the-start-of-me-and-you.html

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

This book had a suspended ending and many fans were quite devastated by it included myself. I really wanted more for those two and a sequel will surely satisfy many readers.
Review here: http://www.anythingbuteverything.com/2013/07/eleanor-park.html

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

This book featured a really sweet and funny love story. I laughed many times and I wished there was more for the couple. I would look forward to reading more about their life story.
Review here: http://www.anythingbuteverything.com/2014/01/attachments.html

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

The characters in this series were just so much fun to read about. I wished there was one more book that combined all the characters together featuring their university life.
Review here: http://www.anythingbuteverything.com/2013/12/anna-and-french-kiss.html

Most books that I've picked are contemporary books because usually fantasy books have proper ending or at least a satisfying one for readers. It's the characters in these books that made me want to read more about them because their story manage to captivate me well. What are your picks of books that you wished had sequels?

Summerlost

Summer would be same and never the same.

Last summer we had a dad and a brother and then they were gone.

It's been a year since the devastating car accident that killed Cedar's father and young brother, Ben. But now Cedar and what's left of her family are spending the summer in her mother's hometown of Iron Creek and trying to amend their broken pieces. Memories surround Cedar, including strange gifts that begin to appear in the night- the type of small household items her brother Ben used to collect.

Until one day a boy named Leo, dressed in costume, rides by on his bike, and everything about Cedar's summer changes. Soon, Cedar not only has a jov working at the reowned Summerlost theater festival, but also a growing friendship with Leo that will blossom as they piece together clues about the short and tragic life of one of Iron Creek's most famous residents. - excerpt from book.

Summerlost by Ally Condie is a standalone middle grade book. It's about this girl who is 12 years old and trying to grief on her father and brother's death. Her summer is totally different because of the missing family members. I really like the characters of this book because it's quite realistic. I could sort of relate to them easily and how they try to deal with their grief. I loved the activities that the festival has, it was quite interesting. I also love the interactions between characters especially Cedar and Leo, Cedar and her other younger brother. I definitely look forward to reading about them all the time. The side chracters are really interesting people too and I wished the author would have gave them more depth like Leo's family.

The plot of the book was very basic and simple with the topic of grieving as the main thing. This was a really short read and so there weren't too many twists and turns, just a reasonable amount. The flow was really smooth, everything happened at a good pace. I truly wished that their adventures would be longer so I would have more to read. I love the writing of the book as how the author managed to describe Cedar's feelings simple yet wonderful at the same time.

If you tend to enjoy middle grade books then do give this book a try. I find that even though it was short it captured my attention well and I love how I could relate to the book. I love that I learnt new things when it comes to the subject of grieving.