Saturday, January 30, 2016

Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows
Six of Crows #1
Leigh Bardugo
YA Fantasy
Paperback, 465 pages
29 September 2015 by Henry Holt

Goodreads Ratings : 4.41/5
My Rating : 4/5




Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. 

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. 

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.


“Six people, but a thousand ways this insane plan could go wrong.” 

If you’ve been on social media, you probably have heard of Six of Crows, Leigh Bardugo’s new series. Which, you probably have seen the book cover too. ISNT IT PRETTY AND GLORIOUS?!!!! I wish I have the hardback edition where the page spine is painted black. Such beauty.

Six of Crows tells the story of six amazing characters who are put together for an almost impossible heist mission with great rewards awaiting them. We have Kaz Brekker, Inej, Matthias, Nina, Jesper and Wylan to gush over but more on that later. This story takes place in the same world as Bardugo’s previous trilogy; The Grisha Trilogy—but they have totally different perspectives altogether. This is my first time reading Bardugo’s work so I need a bit of getting used to the Grisha world but the author herself totally helps by explaining the world building here and there within the pages of the book.

Okay moving on to what I like about Six of Crows :

1) THE CHARACTERS. Leigh Bardugo totally excels in writing diverse characters. THEY ARE ALL AMAZING WITH A BIG FAT CAPITAL A. Each one of them is very distinctive with very different personalities from each other, yet still amazing in their own way. If there is one thing to say about Six of Crows, its definitely this. 

Kaz Bekker is ruthless, heartless, a genius criminal prodigy and a bit of an asshole here and there but still loveable all in the same time. Inej is a woman of colour who is brave and passionate. Nina is one kickass character for me. She’s fierce, full of compassion, bold and MY FAV WOMAN CHARACTER HERE. Matthias is like this one huge teddy bear (hes not fat, if that’s what u thinking lol) who tries to act all fierce BUT SO ROMANTIC INSIDEEEEEEEEE. /dies/ Jesper appears to be funny but he has this depth in him that I like. And then we have this cute clueless Wylan.

2) THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS THEMSELVES. They are all so different yet the dynamic they have when they are together is palpable. JUST LOOK AT THIS.

“Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"
"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.
"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.
"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.
"You're all horrible," said Matthias.”

And this too!!!!!!!!! I actually laughed lol.

"Jesper knocking his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. "Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I'm going to get Wylan's ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost."

Brekker's lips quirked. "I'll just hire Matthias' ghost to kick your ghost's ass."

"My ghost won't associate with your ghost," Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.” 


3) THE SHIPS. THIS BOOK IS A SHIPPER’S PARADISE. I really love how the romance element in Six of Crows isn’t overly done like some other books. I mean, its there but not that much??? Just enough gestures and thoughts that wont make you cringe. They were all briefly written that made you yearn for more and more. AND THERE IS NO LOVE TRIANGLE YEEHAAAAA!!!! (I hate that stuff)


We have Kaz & Inej with all their vulnerabilities. Matthias & Nina WHOSE RELATIONSHIP SCREAMS ANGST AND HATRED AND PASSION AND SEXUAL FRUSTRATION AND MORE OMG GIVE ME MORE OF THEM GIVE MEEEEEEEEE. And then we have my favourite couple of all, Wylan & Jesper because FLUFFINESS AND GAY AND CUTE AND FLIRTY AND DHGCUKWCUWDCGEWUFFBWEUHWEBUWE goodbye

“I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all.” 



“It's not natural for women to fight."

"It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.” 




 “Wylan blushed deeper, and Jesper shook his head. “Play piano, too?” “Flute,” said Wylan defensively.
 “Perfect.”


4) THE ACTION. The tricks and actions in this book is intense and genius. There is always something to expect from Kaz and he always delivers. At some point of this book I shrieked because of the sudden gore this book has. It's almost like Game of Thrones.

Naturally, I have some issues with this book too.

1) IT HAS A PAINFULLY SLOW START. I almost give up, I swear. Its not until 100 pages or so that the plot starts to pick up. But once youre sucked in, youre sucked in.

2) NONE OF THESE CHARACTERS ACT LIKE THEIR OWN AGE. I could’ve sworn that at some points, I had a doubt on Kaz’s real age. He thinks like how a 28 years old leader/mastermind would think, for God’s sake. I mean, if you want your characters to be 17, make them at least think like 17 years olds. They are all so painfully mature that its hard to imagine them as teenagers. I had to readjust my imagination lol.

All in all, Leigh Bardugo can totally write. If I haven’t yet convinced you to pick Six of Crows up, I’ll say it again. READ. IT. I don’t care when you are going to read this book, but you need to read this book at some point of your life. Just read it, and then we’ll talk. The sequel (Crooked Kingdom) will be released on 22nd September 2016.

My SoC reaction tweets can be found at #thesurayareadsSoC thread in Twitter 



“When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.”- Kaz Bekker, Six of Crows

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Illuminae
The Illuminae Files #!
Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Trilogy
Young Adult Scifi
Paperback, 608 pages
20th October 2015 by Knopf Books

Goodreads Rating : 4.31/5
My Rating : 5/5



This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes. 

READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT

Ok tbh I've been trying to write a proper review of this book since 8.30pm but I failed. I got writer block or anything u call it, but try as hard as I may, I couldn’t fully express what I want to say about Illuminae in an interesting way. I already typed 4 paragraphs of my review but I stopped because it isn’t what I want.

So im just gonna write this in point form lol.

  •  The hype over this book is justified. I can guarantee that. I'm so so glad that I get to read this book and enjoy it. (This book intimidates me tbh)
  •  It’s a scifi + dystopia. Its perfect for scifi lovers, really, And probably star wars lovers too because it mentions the space, space war, spaceships and some other aerospace things.
  •  Illuminae is told in a very very unique way—Its in footage style. We have IMs, emails, hacked documents, journal entries, pictures, transcription of surveillance videos etc etc, which revolves around spaceships, an attacked planet, a robot/machine and 2 amazing characters. I don’t know how Amie and Jay did that but they nailed it!!! Not only that the unique and cool formatting enhance your reading experience, it also makes you feel  various type of feels for the characters.
  • VERY VERY PRETTY COVER ART!!!!!! My edition is the paperback one. The hardback in its naked form is gorgeous too. I might buy the hardback edition once I found a good deal on it because hardbacks are expensive here. I love the book too much <3
  •  I LOVE THE MAIN CHARACTERS. KADY GRANT IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL. AND EZRA MASON!!!!! <3 <3<3<3<3<3 FOR HIM.

  • I got sucked in immediately when I was introduced to both these characters. I like them both even as individuals with all their characters. Kady is an intelligent girl hacker with her ‘I do what I want to do and I do it my way, y’all are stupid anyways’ attitude and Ezra with her charming witty self. I was definitely won over, big time.
  • AIDAN. God, I don’t know what to make of AIDAN. I hate it. I love it. I cried for it. I pitied it. I want to kill it. I want to hug it. I feel all of those things for AIDAN. You’ll understand me when you get there.
  • VERY VERY INTERESTING PLOT I SWEAR!!!!!!! AND THE PLOT TWISTS!!!! I DIDN’T EVEN SEE THEM COMING!!!!! My God.

  • Have I mentioned that I cried while reading this book?
COMPLAINS I HAVE FOR ILLUMINAE

1.    Truthfully, Illuminae is so hard to understand T___T. I had to ask a friend to explain the basic plots for me to be able to confirm what I have in mind. That happened because of the unique formatting and lots & lots of scientific terms. (Im ashamed because im a biochemistry student but I always find it hard to understand scifi books tsk)

2.    There are still a few things I don’t understand but some of them are cleared up once I had a discussion+fangirling session with Hanan.

3.    One of the reasons for the confusion is that we don’t really have a background story before Kerenza was attacked. The story starts right where the attack happened and it moves forward after that, with very few notes about the past. Some readers felt that they couldn’t really connect with the characters because of this.

4.    This book contains a lot of cuss words but they are all blacked out as in highlighted with black highlighter so you couldn’t see them. It gets annoying at some points but those blackened words can be predicted. If you prefer a cuss free book, then this is for you.

5.    The romance bit is okay but at some parts it gets cheesy. I found this being said by a reviewer and I couldn’t agree more :

     "I’ve read a decent amount of reviews touching on the subject of the romance aboard Illuminae and how it was too much, too cliche. I’m not going to go into a lot of detail, but the one thing I kept in mind when reading the ‘love story’ bits was this: when your family is gone, and you have the one person that you used to love in front of you, the only remnant of your home planet, what would you do? (& I advise that all prospective readers keep it in their head, too.)"

Kady & Ezra is still OTP, though <3

TIPS TO READ ILLUMINAE

  • Make sure you have someone you can go to in case youre feeling confused/need explanation. You can always PM me :)
  • Focus. Don’t think of anything while reading this book. It requires your utmost attention

SPOILER/DISCUSSION (Quickly scroll pass this if u haven’t read the book yet)

1.    Zhang. When he met Kady at Alexander, he said something like, “I do it for you” or something like that. I don’t really get it. What does he mean by that???? Was he in love with Kady or???/
2.    WHEN THAT ONE PARTICULAR CHARACTER DIED OMG I WAS SO SHOCKED I COULD BARELY RESPOND. I WAS HEARTBROKEN.
3.    Ezra’s mom????? WTF WAS THAT??? God, I need book 2.
4.    I was in absolute emotional pain when AIDAN was dying T_____T Poor AIDAN T____T


*SPOILER ENDS*


If you follow me on Twitter, you probably have seen my outrage over Illuminae since yesterday so please read this book and fangirl with me. Please.

WARNING : ok so i understand that there is a lot of hype surrounding this book. Just because I love this book, doesnt mean that this book IS SUPER GOOD. it may not match your taste because I believe this book isnt for everyone. You may hate the book despite my overflowing praise for it. I also have a few complains like i mentioned above so i understand if some people find it overhyped. I just dont want people to go all 'im disappointed. i dont find this book entertaining at all' on me.

If you haven’t known yet, Warner Bros and Brad Pitt has signed Illuminae up to adapt it into a scifi movie. Honestly? I dont know. Illuminae is unique as a book because of its formatting. Lets just see how Warner Bros will deliver the uniqueness of Illuminae in movie form.

OH AND THE SEQUEL OF ILLUMINAE IS CALLED GEMINA!!!!!!

(This review I did still fail to express what I want to say about Illuminae sigh)


Thursday, January 7, 2016

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

November 9
Colleen Hoover
Stand Alone
New Adult
Paperback, 320 pages
10th November 2015 by Atria Books

Goodreads Ratings : 4.54/5
My Rating : 4.5/5




Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.



“When you find love, you take it. You grab it with both hands and you do everything in your power not to let it go. You can’t just walk away from it and expect it to linger until you’re ready for it.” 

Finally.

If you’ve been my friend, you would know how much I anticipated to have this book in my arms and kiss the hell out of it. I’ve been there waiting the entire year just to have a touch at this book. I’m pretty sure at some points my friends got annoyed at me for my constant sighing and whining because I’m not that good that waiting.

But all those months of waiting finally paid off because HOW IN THE WORLD DID COHO MANAGE TO WRITE THIS ENTIRE PLOT?1!?!?1?1!!!!!

Ben the Writer meets Fallon the Transient in a restaurant in LA on November 9th when they are both 18. Fallon is an ex-teenage actress whose career died the moment she had scars marking half of her face and body due to some accident when she was 16. After realizing that they both have intense attraction and palpable chemistry going on—but couldn’t be a couple due to wrong timing, they later make a pact to meet each other on November 9 every year at the same place and same time without any form of communication in between. And now we have a story to unfold.

“Sigh"
"Did you just say sigh? out loud? Instead of actually sighing?

"Eye roll”

LOL that’s me right there. I always said “sigh” instead of actually sighing

The premise of spending only 1 day each year with a stranger you barely know is unrealistic, but isn’t that romantic? LOL. Damn it if I say I don’t wish for a set up like this with someone as attractive as Ben. To put your trust in someone to come see you even after a whole year of not talking and hoping that they wont disappoint you is bewildering and exciting. And in those 1 year, anything can happen. CoHo proves that statement with this book. 

Okay moment of truth.

This book doesn’t grip me as much as it grips others. Not until somewhere in the middle of the book. The first few chapters are cringe-worthy. I went all wtf at Ben for his cheesy lines and then at some cheesy moments here and there. I dislike some parts of the early chapters. I think this is why I cant give it a full on 5 stars.  Not until the third November 9 that I started to feel things. And boy, the roller coaster ride I went through last night? Its worth it. The hours I spent not sleeping is worth it.

Moving on to the 4 best things I like about this book.

1) Ben the Writer is not much of a reader despite being an aspiring author. He reads but not as much as Fallon does. That girl is a huge sucker for the romance genre and being me,  I got super ecstatic!!!!! There are a few mentions on the typical plot of a romance novel that I’m so familiar with and those tiny little details (alpha-male, book-worthy kiss, grand gestures) thrown in between the pages of November 9 and I couldn’t love it more. Also, there’s the whole talk about TBR piles and insta-love and whatnots.

“So just to be safe, if kissing scenes are something you like most about books, what’s your least favorite thing? I need to know so I don’t screw up our story.”
“Cliff-hangers,” I say immediately. “And insta-love.”
He makes a face. “Insta-love?”
I nod. “When two characters meet and supposedly have this great connection right off the bat.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Fallon, I think we might already be in trouble if that’s one of your least favorite things.”

2) Naturally, being a romance novel itself, November 9 also has its own grand gesture. That mega thing one of the characters did to fix their relationship. And THAT grand gesture in the book? THAT MIGHTVE BEEN THE BEST GESTURE IVE EVER READ. And the most tragic and saddening gesture all at once.

3) When you talk/discuss about November 9 with fellow readers who also have read the book, there's one huge thing to talk about. The plot twists. THE MINDBLOWING PLOT TWISTS. THE ‘HOW COULD YOU WRITE SUCH HEARTBREAKING PLOT TWISTS, YOU CRUEL AUTHOR?!!!! DO YOU NOT HAVE HEART?!!1?1?!!’ PLOT TWISTS. Notice that s there? Yep. You're gonna have to face quite a few numbers of plot twists. Be warned, people. In all honestly, I can sense something bad and heartbreaking is coming due to the response I got from my friends.  So when I read the book, I was on high alert the whole time. I didn’t let myself grow attached to the characters too much. I kept on imagining the worst possible scenario and came up with a few theories (I got one of my theories right). I texted my friend Kimberly at 2am—telling her my theories and predicted whats gonna happen next and being a good friend that she is, she went all, “LOL that’s funny but yeah it could happen”. But nothing my mind plotted could come close to the actual plot twists. NOTHING.

4) Ben's family. Or Ben's brothers to be exact. OH OH AND MILES AND TATE ARE FEATURED IN THE BOOK YESSSSSSSS!!!!

November 9 is a book with unexpected plot twists, gripping, addictive and will throw you in for a whirlwind of emotions. Although there are a few disappointing things, I have to say that November 9 holds the best plot line CoHo ever written yet. (Excluding Never Never that is.)


“Whether or not the couple ends up together at the end of a book doesn’t determine whether that book has a happy ending or not. As long as the two people end up happy, it doesn’t really matter if they end up happy together.” - Ben Kessler