I loved this ending. I feel like it's an ending with hope because we can't follow Lara Jean and Peter forever. So this was a great end for me.
I definI loved this ending. I feel like it's an ending with hope because we can't follow Lara Jean and Peter forever. So this was a great end for me.
I definitely recommend reading this trilogy. Even if you aren't a fan of contemporaries. I'm not really and I couldn't put them down. This is the second time I've read them as well and I love them just as much as I did the first time....more
Another re-read. This is the second time I've read To All the Boys I've Loved Before and I couldn't put it down again. I love Lara Jean, Peter, Chris Another re-read. This is the second time I've read To All the Boys I've Loved Before and I couldn't put it down again. I love Lara Jean, Peter, Chris and Lucas.
2018 - I received a copy of Obsidio from Allen and Unwin New Zealand to review. This is the final book in Th2019 - Still just as good the second time!
2018 - I received a copy of Obsidio from Allen and Unwin New Zealand to review. This is the final book in The Illuminae Files.
I loved the first two books in this trilogy. The story has been edge of your seat insane and I love how the story is told through surveillance videos, IM’s and illustrations. Obsidio was one of my most anticipated books this year and it deserved all the stars!
I was definitely expecting death in this one. I mean, why wouldn’t I after what AIDAN did in Illuminae and Gemina? And I didn’t want to get my hopes up that everyone that I liked would survive because I felt like I’d just be setting myself up for heartbreak. But that’s all I’m going to say about that.
I love Kady, Ezra, Hanna, Nik and Ella. It didn’t take me long to add Asha to that list but I wasn’t sure what to think of Rhys. Not just because he was in a BeiTech uniform but I was hoping he’d end up on the right side.
There were so many time while reading Obsidio that I thought people were dead. I can only remember one part where I knew some of the characters weren’t dead even though people thought they were. I’m not going to say who because I don’t want to spoil anything.
I loved the ending of Obsidio! The part where Kady, Ezra and Nik were talking about Leanne made me laugh out loud. And that final tribunal scene was hilarious! But I did enjoy the tribunal scenes in Illuminae and Gemina too.
Oh my god – the identity of the person doing the surveillance footage was revealed in this. How did I not see that coming? It’s so freaking obvious now! They were one of my favourite parts of all three books.
And then there’s AIDAN… What can I say about AIDAN? Well he didn’t disappoint. Even though he killed all those people I still missed AIDAN. Is that weird?
If you haven’t read The Illuminae Files you’re totally missing out! There’s zombies, disgusting giant worm things that always make me cringe when I read about them and a psychotic AI who kills people. Seriously, what’s not to love? This trilogy has made me actually laugh out loud in every books. I love the story, the characters, the sarcasm and Marie Lu’s illustrations. I gave every book five stars. I can’t wait to see what Kaufman and Kristoff come up with next!...more
I was sent a copy of Stray by Walker Books Australia. I really, really liked Spark but Stray was so freaking good! I couldn't put it down. When I saw I was sent a copy of Stray by Walker Books Australia. I really, really liked Spark but Stray was so freaking good! I couldn't put it down. When I saw how fast I was getting through it I wanted to slow down because the next book, Shield, isn't out till next year but I just couldn't stop.
The Affinity Project seem a bit much, there are some really abusive things they do to keep their "assets" in line. But at the same time I can see why an orginisation is needed to help the kinds whose mutated DNA has them getting stronger and not knowing why. But the Affinity Project has an evil side to it.
Evie made some tough choices in Stray, choices she'll carry with her. I think things may have had a different ending if Miriam had been honest with Evie. But because of the controlling Affinity Project she couldn't.
There's one point, near the end of the book, where I thought Evie was going to get the outcome she had fought so hard for, after I'd already thought it was the end and had a bit of a cry (I'm trying so hard not to spoil anything so if I'm not making sense, I'm sorry) and then the next page all hell broke loose and I was so confused and angry.
The way the Proxy was raised was horrible. Sacrificing a child so your orginisation can have power over others, especially in ReProg (that name reminded me of what happened to Sydney in Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead) is so twisted and evil. So it's no wonder the Proxy was twisted too. The things she did were disgusting (Jamie) and horrible. I don't know if what she told Evie was true but I can see Affinity doing it.
I had my suspicions about Miriam and Ethan. It was an interesting twist to find out what happens when Synergists (fingers crossed I spelt that right) have children. I'm excited to see what that means for Evie in Shield and what Affinity plan on doing with Evie and Jamie.
I tried to explain what Spark and Stray were about to a librarian at my local library and I don't think I did the books justice. They're not like anything I've read before and I love that. I read a lot of the same types of books so to have been recommended and sent these books to review was pretty great. I'm hoping the library will get copies of the books but they are pretty useless, buying sequels and not the first books...
I loved Stray and cannot wait to get my hands on Shield when it comes out next year. I can't recommend these books enough, please give them a chance and read them :)...more
I ordered The Martian through the library because I'd seen a lot of good reviews from people I follow on Goodreads. I didn't know it was being turned I ordered The Martian through the library because I'd seen a lot of good reviews from people I follow on Goodreads. I didn't know it was being turned into a film until Sebastian Stan shared a photo on Instagram of the cast on set. I can't wait to see what it's like after reading the book.
The Martian is so freaking good. I don't think I've ever read a book about astronauts before. If I have, I can't remember it.
I wasn't really into all the science and maths, there was a lot of detail but Mark is an engineer and botanist so it made sense to have it. I read it all but if you're not into it, like me, I think you could just skim it. It doesn't really affect the story if you don't read it all.
I loved Mark. His attitude after being stranded on Mars was to focus on finding a was to survive until he could get help, instead of just giving up. I also loved his sense of humor and sarcasm.
Poor Mark couldn't catch a break. It seemed like everything that could go wrong went wrong. But even then, Mark would try to find a way to fix things. It was like watching a train crash, you're powerless to stop it but you can't look away. I was on the edge of my seat a lot and if anyone interrupted me I bit their heads off. That's how much I loved this book.
I couldn't believe Mark kept his sanity through all of this. He was alone on Mars with no one to talk to and had to suffer through disco music and 70's shows. I'm sure I would've lost my mind. But Mark not only kept his sanity but his sense of humor and he was smart, resourceful and creative. Considering most of the book is told through the logs Mark keeps you get to know him pretty well and see his mindset throughout the book as he tries to find a way back to Earth.
There are a lot of quotes in this book that I loved, some serious, some hilarious, but I'm going to end this with one of my absolute favourites.
"If a hiker gets lost in the mountains, people will coordinate a search. If a train crashes, people will line up to give blood. If an earthquake levels a city, people all over the world will send emergency supplies. This is so fundamentally human that it's found in every culture without exception. Yes, there are assholes who just don't care, but they're massively outnumbered by the people who do. And because of that, I had billions of people on my side."
I wish I could take back the time I spent reading this book, erase it all from my memory, just so I could read it and fall in love with it all over again. That's how much I loved The Martian. I really want my own copy of it now. ...more
I was sent a copy of Spark by Walker Books Australia to review. I’d never heard of it before then. The author, Rachael Craw, lives in New Zealand so tI was sent a copy of Spark by Walker Books Australia to review. I’d never heard of it before then. The author, Rachael Craw, lives in New Zealand so that’s kind of awesome.
Spark picks up after Evie’s mother has passed away, I think she had cancer, and Evie has moved in with her aunt Miriam. She hardly eats or sleeps and constantly has pins and needles. When her best friend moves back from England, Evie couldn’t be happier. Until she hears Kitty’s brother Jamie is coming too.
Then, at a party, everything changes and Evie’s life will never be the same. As she starts to learn why she’s changing, why everything has to be kept a secret, even from Kitty whose life is on the line, Evie starts coming to terms with her new life, if not fully accepting some of the things that come with it.
I really don’t like the sound of the Affinity Project people. By the sounds of it they don’t like the people who ‘work’ for them to make their own choices, even when it comes to relationships. They weren’t in the book a lot but hopefully more will be explained in the next book, Stray. I’m looking forward to seeing what Evie makes of them.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Spark when I started it. I don’t know anyone that’s read it. But it didn’t take long for me to be drawn in and not want to put the book down.
I loved the characters in Spark. Obviously not all of them (Richard) but I liked most of the others. Gil made me laugh with his flirtatiousness but he wasn’t over the top with it, just funny. I really liked Evie, Kitty and Jamie and can’t wait to see where the next book takes them.
I’m not going to give away the ending but I, like Evie and Miriam, probably have false hope. There’s only one way to find out though, which is where Stray comes into it.
I don’t know when I’ll be reading Stray but hopefully sometime soon. If you haven’t read Spark I highly recommend it. I know I’ve said it before but I could not put this book down....more
I've wanted to read this book since I first heard about it. The library finally got a copy of it and I requested it as soon as I saw it. I'll have to I've wanted to read this book since I first heard about it. The library finally got a copy of it and I requested it as soon as I saw it. I'll have to get my own copy of it now. I loved it.
I read a lot of books like this, with similar storylines (revolutions against powerful/abusive rulers) but they're all so different. So far this year I've read Red Queen, Snow like Ashes and this. They're all kind of similar but all have their own stories and kickass characters.
In An Ember in the Ashes Laia's family live in a cruel world. They're attacked by Martials and Laia is left on her own. She thinks she's weak, a coward, and not strong enough to do what it takes to save her brother. Through the book, Laia has very significant character development to the point where she realizes she is loyal, caring, strong, smart and resourceful. Even though she has now idea how to get to her brother, she's determined to find a way.
Elias was raised differently to all his friends at Blackcliff. He had a chance to have a better life, he was raised with better people. Elias thinks that's why he sees the world differently to his friends and the people in Blackcliff. He's had his escape planned for months but the day before he's ready to leave he's told something that could change his plans and his life.
The world in An Ember in the Ashes took a bit for me to get used to but when I did I couldn't put the book down. I liked that there didn't seem to be magic but there were supernatural creatures. I loved the world in this book but I wouldn't want to live in it.
The ending left me wanting more. I'm so excited for the sequel, I can't wait to see where Laia and Elias go next.
I highly recommend this book. If you're a fan of high fantasy you definitely need to check this out. The story, world-building and characters are so good I couldn't help but love it.
Please, can the next book come out soon, I really need to know what happens next. ...more