Review of 2013

It felt like time really flew by quickly this year. It has been a tough year at the beginning months and those events really help me grew and gave me more insights. After some struggles, the following months was more calm and I'm grateful for that. The thing that changed was  my attitude and my maturity that I believe have been better now. Nearing the last few days of the year, I would think back and review my year, assessing how well I've progressed. Then I look at my resolutions post that I made at the start of the new and see whether I have achieved any of it. Sadly I only manage just a few. 

• Exercise more (hopefully twice a week)  did not achieve this
• Eat healthily (more greens, more water, more fruits and less fast food) I did it! I actually ate very little fast food which is less than 10 times
• Read 50 books I manage to read 37 books where 2012 I only read 27 and there were many great books, great reading year!
• Separate my book reviews elsewhere I did not work on it at all =(
• Blog more often I did not blog more than 2012 sadly
• Become more positive I think I am slightly more positive but there is room for improvement
• No excuses for laziness I did get lazy in my skin care sometimes but I did not slack on my book reviews for every book I read in 2013 I did a review.

I think I could have done better especially on exercising. In terms of getting closer to my dreams, I am quite far behind. Overall, it's been a calm and good year for me as I know there are many who have to struggle more. I am quite fortunate to be where I am now and I'm thankful to have the people I love beside to support me. As I end the year feeling grateful of my life and slight regret on my laziness, it is a must that I have new resolutions which I will do in a new post. Goodbye 2013 and thank you for being good to me.

Anna Dressed in Blood

Cas Lowood is a ghost hunter and he sends them to the place they were meant to go with his athame. The athame is a special knife that is passed down in his family. It's now his because his father was killed in a hunt and that was very long time ago. It takes some time for Cas to get a ghost because he needed to investigate before confronting the ghost. After Cas is done, he will move to a new town where his source provides him information. His mom and him are already quick packers because this is their lifestyle, go to a new town, eliminate the ghost then on to the next mission.

Cas and his mom moved to a new town in Canada after receiving information from his source Daisy. According to the rumours, the ghost Anna was on her way to prom in a white dress and she was murdered. When she was found, her throat slit and the blood soaked her white dress red hence she's called Anna dressed in blood. Cas could not help but think of the thrill of a new target, what will Anna do to him when she sees him and what kind of tricks will she pull.

Cas picked a school to enroll in and from there he would gather information about Anna. When it was lunch time, Cas could quickly locate the socialite or popular person in the school. He sat down at Carmel's table and introduced himself and Carmel was a friendly person who quickly invited him to a party. Tonight at the party Cas would have to find out Anna's location.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake is a paranormal series where boy meets girl but girl is dead. This book is a first for me when reading about ghost as I'm quite new to the paranormal genre for young adult books. I quite enjoyed it because the characters of the book were wonderful and surprising. The plots of the book was good and smooth. I wouldn't say that this book is fast pace nor is it slow. Every event that happens fit into place fantastically.

This book is a page turner for me as I wanted to know more about the heroine of the book and I wanted more character development from her. The mystery behind the heroine is well thought out and definitely entertained me. I kept on reading because of the mystery and it was revealed at a good timing I say. The turn of events was also surprising which captured me and I decided that I would read more from this author. Overall this is a unique paranormal book for me and I really liked it. I don't know what to expect for the next book since the ending seemed quite conclusive so I'm excited to read it. Sadly, I'm not so in love with it till I'll reread within the year but maybe in the future but it's a book that I will recommend to paranormal lovers.

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola is a person who never dresses the same thing twice and everyday she would be in a different outfit. That's her personality and it's the special thing about her. Lola currently has a boyfriend called Max who is 22 years old making him 5 year older. Her parents (who are gay partners) can't really accept him and to have a good watch over them, Max is invited to have Sunday brunch every week. When they both go out, Lola have to often call to check in with her parents.

It was a usual Sunday where her parents often questions Max's decision in not going to college at brunch. Max is the lead singer of his rock band and Lola met him in a club where she was allowed to go for the first time. He approached her after his performance and asked for her number. After a few dates and finding out that Lola was really young (which Max didn't mind) they manage to start dating.

Lola kept bugging to leave that morning and was told to bring her dog for a walk while her parents chat with Max. So Lola took her dog for a walk and she saw that new neighbors were moving in. Lola was feeling nervous and she glanced to hope that "the family" is not back. After her walk, she fussed to leave for her date soon and grabbed all the plates on the table to clear it. She looked out the window and manage to peek at the neighbor which was who she feared Calliope Bell and all the plates were smashed by her shock.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins is just as wonderful as her first book. The author's series is the type where characters from the first book has a slight involvement but ultimately it's a new love story. This book picks off in the timeline where Anna and St Clair has left Paris and studying in college this year but they are not the main, it's Anna's coworker that is the main heroine. I love how simple this story is again with a plot that is smooth and the pace is just perfect.

The personalities of the characters dictate how they response to events happening in their lives. I love that these characters like the first book is just as real a person in reality. The young love that is depicted in the story is fantastically real and it is often how teenagers would have reacted. This book is just a joy to read because the events happening to the characters are so surprising and lovely. I enjoyed the feelings that I've gotten from reading the book which reminds me of my teenage years but I only had one sided love though. A definite page turner that kept me glued to the pages. I loved the ending and because it met my expectations well. When I'm in for a innocent, young and simple love story I will reread this book for sure.

Anna and the French Kiss

It's Anna final year in high school and she was looking forward to it but then her father decided to transfer to Paris. Anna was to experience new culture and complete her final year there. Anna was sad to leave her best friend behind and also there was a potential boyfriend in the picture. That summer holiday, Anna was working in a cinema and she meet Toph there whereby something sparked between them. On her final day at work, they kissed and Anna was hoping they would start dating but not anymore. Anna's parents were there to help her with the orientation week and both her parents left on the night before class started the next day.

After they have left, Anna could not helped but cry because she was in a new place all alone. There was a knock at her door and her next door neighbor came to offer her a cup of hot chocolate to comfort her. Anna felt slightly calm and went back to her room where she bumped into a guy who was really handsome. That guy was looking for her neighbor Meredith. The next day, Anna decided to go to the cafeteria to eat breakfast and Meredith invited her to join her table of friends. There he was the guy she bumped into last night whose name is St Clair. There were two more person at the table which is Josh and Rashmi who are a couple. Anna went to order breakfast with St Clair's help because it was written in french. St Clair is such a nice guy to Anna and she could not help but feel something, unfortunately he has a girlfriend who is a year older which graduated from this high school.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins is a contemporary young adult novel. I have to say that this book makes me happy, thrilled, swoon and also envious. It's a simple book with a love story that is quite true in reality. Reading this book makes me envious of all the young innocent love that teenagers have and it's so sweet. I had a lot of fun reading this book and throughout the book it was just capturing to me. I kept reading to find out what happens to the characters' lives. 

I love the flow of the book because it's just perfect for the whole story and there isn't any complaints from me. The author did a good job with the characters as they are really people who are real and they also make you get drawn in. Those characters in the book are real to me because they're not perfect and they have flaws too, the handsome boy has a flaw, the pretty girl also have flaws which made the story feel real. The feeling that I get after finishing the book is I wished I had a love story like that. I'm also impressed by the author and can't wait to read her next book. This book is a good book to reread and can be finished quickly because it's a page turner. I will definitely reread because it gave me such good feelings at the end.

The Sum of All Kisses

Lord Hugh Prentice made a mistake three years ago and it was a costly mistake. This mistake cost him to unable to walk properly, it was a mistake that affected many people. Lady Sarah Pleinsworth hates Hugh because he ruined her relatives which made her life hell and she did not get to début on her first year. That season 14 couples got married and she missed the chance. She hate him because of that and also that her cousin was exiled from the country to hide from Hugh's father as he wanted to kill him for causing his son to be crippled.

It was Honoria's wedding weekend and Hugh was invited to the wedding to show society that her brother Daniel and Hugh have resolved their problems. One of the cousins of Honoria and Sarah was to sit at the head  table but he fell ill so Honoria asked Hugh to replace him and his partner is Sarah. Sarah was not pleased that she had to sit there with him but it was better than with Cousin Arthur. Honoria also asked for a favour from Sarah to accompany and make Hugh were welcomed this weekend. Sarah is best at chatting with people and making them feel welcomed so the task was hers to do. Sarah hates him and Hugh just can't understand women like her but they're forced to be each other's company for the wedding weekend.

The Sum of all Kisses by Julia Quinn is the third book of the Smythe-Smith quartet. At the start of this book, it dwells quite a bit on the past to explain some things that are significant to the characters. I find the story a bit slow at the beginning  and midway but the pace quickens nearing the end of the book. I feel that I know the hero quite well but the heroine on the other hand I do not know her well enough. I feel that the heroine did not get enough emphasis on her personality at all.

This book is not romantic enough and I feel that more could happen between the characters before they fall in love with each other. I would love if more events and incidents for the couple happened in the book. The conversations were good and the involvement of the other characters from the previous books were good too. The book was only okay for me because it did not feel that it made the same impression as the previous two books in the quartet series. I absolutely love the other characters of the first two books but these two characters was just fine for me. I doubt I would reread this book as it did not have the all the romantic and funniness that matched the author's usual writing. I'm sad to say I was slightly disappointed because I usually have a lot of fun reading Julia Quinn's books.

Clockwork Princess

Tessa is trying on her wedding dress as Jem and her has decided to get married in December. The dress was gold in color not like the traditional white because it's a shadow hunter custom. Someone knocked on the door and apparently it was Jem telling Charlotte and Tessa that Gabriel Lightwood came to the institute asking for help. Everyone was gathered where Gabriel was and he explained the situation. His father had turned into a demon and Gabriel needed help to find it.

Cecily who is Will's younger sister showed up two months ago wanting to be a shadowhunter insisted on following the boys and Henry. Tessa also went with them to go but it was not agreeable by Will that the two girls went along. Once they reached the Lightwoods' house, Gideon noticed that his sister's carriage was there and was worried that something might have happen to Tatiana. They all divided themselves and searched the house for the worm. Tessa followed Jem, Will and Cecily but Will told her to wait by the carriage and then they saw a female figure running towards them.

It was Tatiana and she described a monster pulled her husband out of the carriage and went to the Italian gardens. All of them moved towards the garden and suddenly Tatiana muttered her husband's name. In the hedge, there was a man's boot protruding and that was all that was left of Tatiana's husband. Tatiana screamed as she was devastated and they rushed to her thinking there was trouble. Suddenly, the ground exploded where dirt and mud was geysering into the sky and in the center there was an enormous pale grayish-white color blind serpent.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare is the final book in the infernal devices trilogy. I am so happy with tears while I read the ending, it was just so beautiful and so unexpected for me. Throughout the whole book, the plots were fantastic and there wasn't a dull moment or any parts that I felt were not  necessary. It was such a journey following the characters. I felt their emotions strongly and it was just so wonderful. This book was hard to finish because I did not want it to end not that it was bad. It was too good to finish quickly but then again I wanted to know the ending eagerly too. I was really conflicted as I couldn't put down a good book that I did not want to end.

The characters were fantastic and with new people added into the story I felt that it was just good to the plots. Every character grew and they were so essential to the whole series. If those characters were real I would really love to meet them, know them and be close to them. Besides loving the characters and the plots, I also love that the title of each chapter is related to some short poems and snippets of classical works. It was fun reading some poems before you continue your story and it also makes you curious to search on those authors who were quoted in the book. 

I do not know what else to praise about this book. I can only say that it left me with the same feeling when I finished the last Harry Potter book. That feeling is love, admiration, joy, excitement and a big grin on my face after I was done. It would be a shock if I told you that this book is not a page turner. One last thing that I love about this book is how it slowly relates to the Mortal Instruments series and you can slightly pain a picture or mapping of the timeline for the families involved. This is really a story like no other, I know I have not read many young adult fantasy but I can say I have read none that is similar at all. Lastly I would like to say that this book would make a great movie and if it does not happen you can always use your imagination to picture your version of this series. 

Keeping up with dreams

I haven't been writing a post like this for a long time because I wasn't sure I should put my thoughts and feelings into words. For most of this year I have been trying to chase my dreams slowly but surely and at one point which was some months ago I thought of giving up as I couldn't see much results in it. I told myself that I'm working hard and I did but after reviewing myself I know that it's not enough.

I don't only have one dream and hence I have too many things to work on and thus I easily get distracted. I think I can multi task and handle more than one thing but it's easy to lose focus too. Even being a person who is persistence it isn't enough, you must really want it so bad, work so hard that even if you're tired you don't feel it. Reading is like that to me, even when I'm tired I still wanted to read and this passion is something that lasted longest in me. 

Blogging is also a passion but I'm reluctant to write about personal things here. When it comes to reviewing I sometimes feel that I'm not qualified enough to do so and I worry much about view of others. I know all these are setbacks and excuses to just give up but I do have a small glimmer of hope and so I continue to blog when I feel like it. When I know I have to do something I always have the negative thought of it first before thinking of the positive effect. I look at the bad side of things before the brighter side and this is a major hold and myself committing to my dreams.

When those things came that I do some self reflecting I'm quite saddened by the result as I'm clearly far from my dreams and achieving something I should have been able to. The person holding me back is myself and since it was so clear it still is not enough. I know it is time to act more and think less because all those thoughts will just come rushing in and clouding up my passion and enthusiasm. After writing this, I feel a slight relieve that I am able to admit to the world I didn't work hard enough and that's why I am not where I thought I would be now. So end of my emotional episode, less thinking more working. I hope whoever who has many dreams and you really want it, don't think too much but work on it. Use the energy as efficient as you can and slowly but surely you will be there.

Clockwork Prince

Tessa and Jem traveled to Westminster Abbey as there was a meeting there with the council. Jem was showing Tessa something and then they stumble upon Will at that time and all three headed to the amphitheater. Charlotte, Henry and Jessamine was already there and they entered late. Tessa could see that the Lightwoods were there and also some other shadowhunters who had came for a meeting before the de Quincey ambush. At the center of the meeting was Consul Wayland and the Inquisitor as well. Charlotte explained the whole situation about Mortmain on what happened with the de Quincey raid to the institute being attacked.

Benedict said that Charlotte was not fit to run the institute since she could not see that there was a spy under their roof which was Tessa's brother and easily allowed Mortmain to attack. Benedict Lightwood challenged for her position and was supported by 3 more shadowhunters. In order to make matters fair, Consul Wayland gave the task of finding Mortmain within 2 weeks for Charlotte. If she could not prove herself then she would lose her place in the institute. Since Charlotte will be busy searching for Mortmain, Benedict offered his two sons to train Sophie and Tessa to be combat ready. Charlotte was upset with Consul Wayland's decision but she had no other choice. They all went back to the institute and began to investigate everything about Mortmain and why he hated the shadowhunters.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare  is the second book to the infernal devices trilogy. It continues where the first book has left off which was Mortmain escaping and also killing two servants of the London Institute when he attacked. I love how the story continues smoothly from the first to second book and the plots are just wonderful. There are so many beautiful scenes and dialogues that I love and some humor here and there too. I was amazed by the first book and this book really tops it and made the story even better than it was.

I have to say that this book covers it's mysteries really well leaving no room for flaws in the story. From the start till the end the characters draw me in and I could not help feeling the same as they do. I really really love the main characters of the book because their personality, actions and emotions are just so real. There is just so much happening to a person that it's so acceptable that those people are reacting the way they do. The author did not just wholly focus on the main characters but also gave many of the side characters room to grow and change. The interactions of all the characters and how they grow is what makes this book so interesting besides the plot of course.

I honestly get really excited when there are plots about relationships and I couldn't stop reading and just wanted more of it.  The climax and the ending of this book was fantastic and I know I can expect good things from the final book. A fantastic page turner and the author manage to keep us readers on our toes about the mystery that the shadowhunters have yet to unlock. If you have read the first book then no doubt you should pick up the second. This book will not let you down and I'm so excited that I picked up this series after the whole trilogy is completed so I don't need to wait for the third book.