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9780984662173
| 3.84
| 1,008
| May 27, 2014
| Jun 2014
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it was amazing
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I loved it! I really-really loved it! That was my last coherent thought before drifting off to sleep after finishing reading it, late into the night. A I loved it! I really-really loved it! That was my last coherent thought before drifting off to sleep after finishing reading it, late into the night. And I really recommend this story from the bottom of my heart! [image] Beautiful. Heartwarming. Funny. Romantic. Crazily cute. Emotional. Perfect. That’s all He+She is… and more. Why is it that, you ask? Because of the quality of the writing. The fleshed-out, full of life characters. The open and funny conversations. The freshness of the plot even. The cuteness surrounding the couple. The heartbreak in their past and the hope for their future.. Taken piece by piece or as a whole, it is absolutely perfect! I know a story is good when I keep trying to corner my husband and tell him all about it. Poor Mike, he was trying to sleep and I was talking his ears off, all enthusiastic and giggly. But, oh… how wonderful this tangled mess was; how beautifully their stories got to entwine; how full of fun and crazy cuteness their adventures were; how undeniable and tangible the chemistry between them really was. [image] To be honest I was expecting some fluff summer-story, silly me, but He+She is a lot more than that. Even though it borrows a few common elements from the genre it belongs to, with the optimism of Shea + the honesty of Hew + the freshness of the plot itself, this book shines on its own. Not to mention that the ‘dark past’ element had an actual purpose – I bet you’ve noticed that it is usually used just to grab the attention, but in this particular case it had full depth, it actually defined the characters, the contours of their souls and the reasons behind their actions. There were things that left me with my mouth hanging wide open in surprise. In fact there were even some mouth watering scenes. Also there was this ‘giggleness’, this deep feeling of rightness you only get when you read a complex story that’s been broken into tiny little pieces that slowly start to fit together. This is the best NA I've ever read and probably one of the very best contemporary stories on my list! [image] Michelle has become suddenly one of my top favourite authors. I can’t wait to read more from her! And I can’t wait too for He+She to be officially released, because I want it on my shelf really-really badly! Happy midnight reading! [image] *Find the complete review at: ReadingAfterMidnight.com ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 16, 2014
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May 17, 2014
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Apr 22, 2014
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Paperback
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1499646704
| 9781499646702
| 1499646704
| 4.24
| 9,516
| May 22, 2014
| May 22, 2014
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it was amazing
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Some stories are achingly beautiful. [image] They reach deep into the core of your soul and they fill you with so much happiness! They break your h Some stories are achingly beautiful. [image] They reach deep into the core of your soul and they fill you with so much happiness! They break your heart a little bit and then wash away each tear with their beauty. Flat-Out Celeste is one of them (the series as a whole for that matter). I don’t even know what should I start with. ♥ I loved Jessica’s emotional writing, full of humour but also tear inducing. ♥ I loved the characters full of life and love, of hope and fears. I loved their complexity, their particularities, I loved everything about them all. ♥ Then there is the beautiful dialogue (with the unique way Celeste talks in) and the wittiness most characters seem to carry around, the geeky t-shirts with those lovely funny messages on them, not to mention the coffee routine, the emails and the sugar-sweet romance. I guess this means that I loved everything about this story.. and yeah, I truly did! CELESTE is such a wonderful and special character. There’s nothing ‘flat’ about her, she has a lot of depth, but I guess that she needed to find that on her own. She needed someone to un-break her tiny heart, she needed to break free of the protectiveness of her family (especially Matt, who loved her so much that he sacrificed everything for her; Matt who also kept her as a shield, ‘protecting’ him from taking risks and living his life), she needed to find ‘herself’ and be comfortable in her own skin. Most of all she needed love. Because love was what broke her in the first place, and love was what could make her whole again. JUSTIN is one of the funniest guys out there. I loved his ramblings, I loved his clumsiness, I loved how protective and caring he was with Celeste, but also I loved how he was the one that made her break free of the many things that kept her in that imperfect bubble of solitude. He was everything she needed and reading their story made me really giddy. They were both so cute and right for each other. [image] I could tell you many more things about Celeste’s parents and her new friends, about her dreams and needs, about her first date and first kiss, about each and every element I loved in this book, but that would never be enough. You need to feel each emotion on your own, you need to love this book for your own personal reasons. All I can say is that this book is more than I ever thought it would be: simply, utterly and flat-out amazing! Happy midnight reading! [image] *Find the complete review at: ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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3
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not set
not set
May 23, 2014
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May 10, 2020
Nov 10, 2018
May 24, 2014
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Mar 14, 2014
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Paperback
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0062235672
| 9780062235671
| 0062235672
| 4.02
| 61,356
| Jul 01, 2014
| Jul 01, 2014
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it was amazing
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That's it, I found a book I want to live in. [image] For me this book was perfect: perfectly-awesome dynamics, perfectly-sweet romance and just a pe That's it, I found a book I want to live in. [image] For me this book was perfect: perfectly-awesome dynamics, perfectly-sweet romance and just a perfectly-bit of sadness to make up for the perfectly-amazing ‘giggleness’. Yes, I am a also a ‘perfect’ dork in love with romantic stories, but what can I say? I just loved this story so very much! And you shouldn’t simply take my words for it, so I will give you the reasons why those items on the list were so great to begin with: 1. fantastic family dynamics - from honest punishments, to love, teasing, comforting, helping.. everything was relatable, realistic and just as beautiful as any family should be. 2. best friendships – they are all so great together as friends, having fun, playing sports or just being themselves and nothing more. 3. cutest love story – I simply loved the fence scenes – their game was cute and honest :D and there were sparks, and beauty and so much fun. Not to mention that: - I had FUN! Tons of it! - I laughed out loud. I giggled like a kid. I smiled until my face hurt. - I highlighted half the book (it involved funny moments, and teasing, and some meaningful words and pretty much a lot of awesomeness). It was this great and more! The romance is slow.. And sweet.. And it has that confusing vibe that only first loves (teenage loves) can ever give. It also happened during the entire story and it was based on friendship and trust and history – all ingredients for a great realistic and fun romance. There is talk at some point about ‘love’ which might seem a bit too early (even though it happens near the end of the story), but it felt somehow right when I thought of it – because she loved him as a brother, as a neighbor, and afterwards she realised that her feelings were about more than just that – she loved him as a guy too. The transition was sweet, with her discovering all the different ways she might get to act around him – noticing new things about him, blushing at times, actually making a completely fool of herself too.. And it’s true, I wanted the author to take the time and put an “I love you” line in the first pages just to enforce what I am saying here – that there was ‘love’ first in their friendship, but it worked nicely anyways. It’s just a statement, not a problem at all. Also, there is a bit of drama, no wonder the comparison I made way up there, but it’s not gut wrenching – it’s in there more for the character’s sake than for ours. It shows how strong she becomes, how vulnerable she might be deep down, it shows how much love there is between the characters, it’s a missing piece in Charlie’s life that she needs to find in order to be complete again. After all, “On the Fence” is a self-discovery kind of story. Charlie lived in this bubble created by ‘the safeness of brotherhood’ (my words) and she knows that there is more to her, so she makes new (girl) friends, she goes out to meet new people, she takes a job and in time becomes more responsible (or at least she finds out that even small actions can have consequences). CONCLUSION: One of the very best romantic stories out there. Keep an eye on it when it comes out this summer! Happy midnight reading! [image] *Find this and more at: ReadingAfterMidnight.com ** ARC received from the publisher for review. Thank you! ___________________________________________ Pre-reading: While waiting like crazy for 'Split Second' I will enjoy this beauty here. Oh well.. Seems like a fair trade :D [image] ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Mar 06, 2017
Feb 07, 2014
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Mar 06, 2017
Feb 08, 2014
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Oct 17, 2013
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Paperback
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3.98
| 16,866
| Apr 21, 2015
| Apr 21, 2015
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it was amazing
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♥ Another story that steals my breath away... [image] I can hardly explain it, can barely describe the amount of happiness I felt bursting from my h ♥ Another story that steals my breath away... [image] I can hardly explain it, can barely describe the amount of happiness I felt bursting from my heart when I picked up this book, but know that this story is totally and utterly beautiful, sometimes in such an aching way, sometimes filling one's heart with so much delight. There is grieve, there is love, there is hope, there is happiness. Jessi can create the most romantic and lovely moments ever, also the deepest and the most heartbreaking, leaving you truly breathless and making your heart skip quite a few beats on the way. If you fell in love with her other stories you will simply adore this one! It was all that I wanted.. everything I hoped for, and my expectations were actually sky-high. Her best so far! [image] Without knowing it, Jessi has created in this story scenes that I dreamt about, or things that I hold close to my heart, or places I would love to visit and things I’d like to do or see for myself. She has created characters I would love to meet someday and beautiful, intense love(s) that could never die. “Things We Know by Heart” was emotional, but also romantic and fun! Also, Quinn and Colton are sensational. I loved how crazy and clumsy their first meeting was, I loved how they couldn’t stay away from each other from that point on (though Quinn struggled and the truth was killing her inside), I loved how they used every opportunity to have the best days ever, together. The sweetest even. I won’t say anything about the storyline because it’s way too early and I am not much into that anyways. For me what counts is what a book makes me feel, and this one managed to make me feel plenty and all soooo very good! The writing is beautiful and lyrical and I have tons of quotes that I love from the bottom of my heart. As Quinn says, I wish I would be able to keep these feelings in a bottle, to have them and remember them forever. It is perfect, guys, this book is absolutely perfect! Happy midnight reading! [image] More thoughts and love here! ♥ ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ PRE-READING THOUGHTS: Edit 2#: Oh, I need this so very badly! [image] Edit 1#: We have a cover, which is simple - and simple is good. We have a book description, which is already breaking my heart. Dear Jessi, I gave my heart to all your other books, take care of it in this one. [image] Edit #0 - My reaction to finding about a new book from Jessi Kirby: I have no idea what this story will be about, but if the author is Jessi I simply don't care - I'm pretty sure I'll end up loving it like all the others :D And it comes out near my birthday, which is pretty cool! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 22, 2014
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Nov 22, 2014
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Apr 12, 2013
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Kindle Edition
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1444722735
| 9781444722734
| 1444722735
| 4.12
| 108,995
| Apr 17, 2014
| Apr 17, 2014
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it was amazing
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I do believe in magic: the magic of words... [image] And Laini Taylor might as well have pure magic on the tip of her fingers, as that’s how enchant I do believe in magic: the magic of words... [image] And Laini Taylor might as well have pure magic on the tip of her fingers, as that’s how enchanted I am by her story. This series is just too wonderful for words, absolutely mesmerising! And I could never recommend it enough. [image] Once upon a time,an angel and a devil pressed their hands to their hearts and started the apocalypse. When I finished this story I was absolutely happy. I was locked into my own personal bubble of happiness, bursting right trough & from my heart, and it filled me with so much emotion that I can barely conceive to put into words right now. It felt like having wings – like I could reach Eretz if only I would spread them wide and let my soul soar into the sky. But then it hit me, it hit me to the roots, it hit me hard: There will be no more Prague (as seen trough Karou’s eyes), no more Poison Kitchen… There will be no more desert adventures, no more flying, no more Eretz. There will be no more Karou & Akiva to cheer for, no more Zuzana & Mik to make me giggle. No more monsters to love, no more Ziri, my dear sweet Ziri with his first love that could melt even the coldest of the hearts. There will simply be.. no more. How can such an amazing world not exist, huh? How can such wonderful characters not be real, how can this story be only trapped between the pages of this book, how can I not be part of it any longer? And so my bubble broke right in front of my eyes. And my vision blurred. I cried then. For all the hours I spent reading this book that I won’t relieve for the first time; for all beauty of this story and the wonder of Laini’s world that I keep hidden deep into my heart. For all the moments I stopped breathing and the ones when my heart seemed to stop beating; for all the instances when the happiness or the despair broke me and for all the tears that threaten me through the series. For all the moments I smiled like a kid, for all the moments when I though it could never get ‘better than that’, but oh, how much better it did get! So, this it it… That moment when a story seems to kill every other story for me, because after I finish reading IT what else in this world could possibly make my heart flutter the same way, what characters can make me love them just as much, what emotional carousel could ever break me and still make me whole again? *sniff* Happy midnight rea… Oh, forget it, what can be happy about this story forever ending, huh? *crying in a corner* [image] *Find the complete review at: ReadingAfterMidnight.com [image] READING UPDATES: [image] The Hell with keeping calm, I am anything but that! If I would die every time Laini drops a bomb, I'd never see the end of this story. [image] PRE-READING THOUGHTS: Edit #3: If they don't come up with a good cover to match my first 2 books I'm gonna cry 'till the end of time and then some more. [image] -- Edit #2: Found this on Laini Taylor's blog. It reminded me of how much I am dying to read this book. [image] Now .. Funny and all but give him back! I really need her to finish writing, damn it! :D -- Edit #1: Yeeeii.. we have a title! -- later edit: and a cover!! -- Judging by the other 2 books, it is well worth the wait, but still.. 2014? *sigh* ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 07, 2014
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Apr 10, 2014
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Nov 20, 2012
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Paperback
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B0076DCLF6
| 4.14
| 163,720
| Nov 06, 2012
| Nov 06, 2012
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it was amazing
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Bloody Hell!.. [image] .. this book is unbelievably wonderful, wonderfully amazing, amazingly beautiful, beautifully shocking, shockingly unpredicta Bloody Hell!.. [image] .. this book is unbelievably wonderful, wonderfully amazing, amazingly beautiful, beautifully shocking, shockingly unpredictable.. And I could go on and on, praising it because this book is a masterpiece, a new wonder of the world next to the pyramids and the Great Wall of China and other natural or hand-made beauties. I couldn’t stop reading it.. Really. In fact, after finishing it, I needed to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone again (which I did and I loved it even more than before, and at this moment I am re-reading Days of Blood and Starlight one more time and savoring every word, every beautiful paragraph, every turnaround, every mind-blowing detail I've somehow missed the first time around). There is nothing I could read after this book that could possibly fill me with the same amount of emotion *hint, where's the next one?! hint* "Addictive" is not a strong enough word. Off course I had to travel, to try on wedding dresses, to have fun with my friends and then there were some other keeping-away-from-the-book activities that managed to 'disturb' my reading, but I simply lost count of how many times I said: "just one more chapter, one more". There are very few books that I loved so much that I felt like I've got them tattooed on my heart, but this book is everything I've wanted, perfect in every detail and I love it from cover to cover. "Mindblowing" is such a mild term. How many chapters does this book have? Well there are almost as many turnarounds in the story. Every chapter left me hanging, begging for more, breathing in and out every word. I want to marry this book, I love Karou and Akiva and Ziri and Zuze and Mik and Liraz & Hazael and so many others. Can I have them all? I was so surprised by so many of their actions, I cared for them, cried for them, wanted to keep them safe, to bring them some joy, I want them to have a happy ending (when possible), as they deserve it so much. "Heart-warming" is such a weak feeling. This story broke my heart only to resurrect it. I wanted to cry and/or laugh (sometimes both in the same time), but my face was frozen in place, the shock of so many scenes not giving me a chance for any of those feelings to show. Love and hate, smiles and tears, breaking hearts and healing souls, wars that might get to an end and wars that will still go on... So close but still so far away, trusting with your heart even when your mind questions everything, filled with fear and hope.. So much hope.. Well, I guess that this is what this story is about. And then some more.. “Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living—one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers’ arms to take their turn in the killing and dying. [image] THE CHARACTERS: Karou Oh, I love this blue-haired girl so much and in this book Karou is stronger than ever (even with her doubts, with the chalenges, with her loss, her guilt, her broken heart). She gave everything for "hope" and then lost it all. She lived in a dream for 17 years only to wake up into a nightmare. Her love has cost her the chimaera world, her family and now she doesn't know if it was worth it after all. Her dreams of peace never included so much death, her love for Akiva was never meant to bring so much pain, helping her people doesn't feel right when it causes even more death and pain and she can't even think of a time when she might be able to forget or forgive. Love seems lost for Karou forever.. but is it? “What would you have done if the seraphim had taken you, tortured you, and made you watch as they cut off his head? Akiva Watching the love of his life die by the hand of her people (the ones she loved) made him die inside and it turned him into a weapon. All he wanted was to avenge Madrigal at the tip of his sword, paying death with death, pain with pain, ending the war one way or the other. But finding the truth hurt even more. Knowing what he's done, having Madrigal in his arms only to lose her again made him want to change the course of things once more. In the last 17 years he became the monster he was meant to be, killing beast after beast, but now it was time for him to bring a bit of hope to the world. He can't possibly undo the terrible things he has done, but he tries his best to save the unsaveable, to end the war without so much killing, even though Karou might never know. Off course, there are other interests and people that get in the middle, and things are never simple, because you see.. you can't decide which is the good side or the bad one, they are all monster's in the eyes of the others and all they've know is war - peace is a concept foreign to them, they simply don't know what that might be. Also, there are 4 worlds (you got it right.. four!) that will soon collide and when that will happen it will be simply mind-blowing (can't wait for that in the 3rd book). Peace seems lost forever.. but is it? “How, with swords clenched in both hands, could one hope to keep blood from spilling? I will quickly mention some characters (trying not to spoil anything), because they are great - good or bad: Zuze and Mik This is the cutest couple ever! Their joy made the horrors in this story a bit more bearable, they brought light into a world filled with death and pain, they were there for Karou when she needed them the most and they were so sweet and caring! Even the chimaera warriors liked them. Liraz and Hazael Akiva's sister and brother, the ones that felt like real siblings, the ones that acted that part, the ones that were there for him no matter what, the ones that would do anything, lose everything for him. Ziri and Issa Oh, sweet Ziri - still a kid with a crush, but I never knew that love and loyalty were capable of such sacrifices. And I'm zipping my.. fingers, and say no more, not about Ziri and not about Isa. Thiago and Ten What's a good story without some terrible evil characters, huh? I wanted to scream: "Don't trust them, don't trust them!! They only need you for what you know, what you do, but when they won't anymore, IF they won't.." I am glad to know that Karou is not that naive. She might feel guilty and she might help them almost blindly, but when it comes to self preservation she knows how to defend herself. It's hard to be in her shoes, helping Thiago when all she wants is to be far,far away from him. “Of all possible souls to survive the slaughter: her own murderrer. Then, there were some characters that told us their story in a chapter here and there. For some people switching points of view was a bit confusing, but not for me. I loved to find out more about what happened in Eretz, I loved how stories got to overlap, in how many words do you need me to tell you how much I loved this story? I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved it! Happy midnight reading! [image] * This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 06, 2012
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Nov 09, 2012
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Mar 31, 2012
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Kindle Edition
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0670076244
| 9780670076246
| 0670076244
| 4.32
| 14,556
| Sep 26, 2012
| Sep 26, 2012
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it was amazing
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———— 2019 I can’t measure the worth of this book (this entire story) in number of stars. Entire constellations would never be enough. The known univers ———— 2019 I can’t measure the worth of this book (this entire story) in number of stars. Entire constellations would never be enough. The known universe might not make it justice. All that I know is... the endless love I hold for these characters, the deep respect for the brilliant author, the sorrow and happiness that followed me throughout the story, the intricately woven plot twists by which I was left aghast and teary-eyed, the satisfying sigh I gave at the end. My heart never stood a chance, it fell in love over and over again, from the first page to the very last. How does one measure that? “[...] today, I think I’m leaning on the side of wonder” and I have no idea what you’re reading, but I hope it’s just as spectacular as this series is to me! ———— 2012 If there is a book that I can read with my eyes filled with tears and my heart full of happiness, it is one of Marchetta's stories.. [image] FULL REVIEW: This story took my breath away! It's an ocean of emotions that I've been sinking in and it's not like I haven't expected it, because I really did. I knew it was coming and even thought I was prepared for the force of it, it still blew my mind away - I loved it from the first page to the very last one .. and I guess my love for it will still go on forever. Be warned, this is what this series might do to you: it might drown you while you try to breathe in all the beauty of this world and with every word you'll only want more and more; oh, such a wonderful addiction that will leave you breathless, speechless, crying and smiling all in the same time. There is no one in this world (and I really mean NO ONE) that could write like Melina Marchetta. I hope that she already knows what an amazing writer she is, because if there is a book that I can read with my eyes filled with tears and my heart full of happiness, it is one of her stories.. Her words 'sing' to us and we can hear them from all around the world. I loved with all my heart the first two books in this series and this ending (Quintana of Charyn) was all that I've expected and then much more. This is a powerful story that still burns into my soul; it's like a symphony of joy, sorrow, fear, hate, love.. and hope (above them all there is hope, because this is the only gift she can give to her characters after all the suffering they've endured for all those years). As usual with Marcheta's books I am somehow at a loss for words. How can I describe its beauty if I can barely gasp it all? My husband asked me to tell him about it, and I didn't even know where to start. Everything seems important to me, every character has a voice and a destiny worth telling, every scene made my heart ache for joy or for sorrow.. I could never make justice to this book, to this fantastic world. Because this was such a complex story (the whole series is) with so many destinies to follow, with so many entwined lives, with so many turnarounds, with so many wonderful or terrible scenes, with so many tears to shed, with so many cries of emotion.. There is so much beauty in the writing and the world building that it hurts. [image] This is not only a story about Quintana (not even a story about only Quintana and Froi). It is a story about Charyn and Lumatere, a story about 2 queens, about two curses, about a cave with 5 completely different women trying to protect the truth and the future of a kingdom. This is a story about a man and his parents on their race to safe the unsavable, a story about a king that is to be born and give hope to a world of dispair.. This is a story about friendship, and trust, and forgiveness, and hope. It's full of death, of blood, of tears, but also full of life and joy and smiles.. [image] But she stepped forward and placed a finger to his lips and there it was before him. The greatest prayer to the gods he could muster with a heart so broken. "Don't let me outlive this woman. Don't let me exist one moment without her". So this is goodbye... It's becoming a habit - me saying goodbye to a series I love, with my hands trembling and my vision blurred.. And here's what I'll miss from Lumatere and Charyn: - I'll miss Isaboe and Finnikin, their strength, the beauty of their hearts, the love for each other and their people, their happiness shared with their friends and their daughter. - I'll miss Finn's father (Trevanion) and his family (Beatrice and Vestie) - even though we didn't see much of them in this book, I will always hold them close to my heart. - I'll miss Lucian and Phaedra, the valley, the people they cared and protected, I'll miss Tesadora and Perri... I'll miss Lumatere as a whole - with the dark and the light, with the dreams and the horrors, and everything in between. - And also, it hurts to say goodbye to Froi and Quintana and their family. There was so much pain in their lives, there was so much suffering in being apart from each other, but their love was strong and I won't forget their story, nor will I ever forget the twins (Gargarin and Arjuro) or the beautiful Lirah. It's been a long, long way full of deceit and pain and struggle, so I wish them all the happiness in the world and a very bright future to warm their hearts.. And my wish is not only for them, but for all the friends they have, for all the people that helped them, for all the people that survived the curse and fought for its breaking. And there is more: three books filled with reasons to love, hundreds of pages to steal your heart and break it and put it back together only to break it one once more... And even then there might be more... Minnor spoilers: (view spoiler)[I want to remember how the relation between Isaboe and Quintana got to change; how Phaedra got to be close to both queens and how she found a way back in Lucian's life; how Finn found Froi and how all the stories overlapped; how all the women in the cave got past their hate and misstrust in order to protect their Queen.. I want to remember the love our sweet couples shared and I want to remember the tragedy, the curses that bound two kingdoms, the song that called their people home, I want to remember the beauty and the horror, the happiness and the despair, I want to keep them all in my heart and never let them go. (hide spoiler)] A book will be closed as others will be opened... ... may all Marcetta's future books be as good as this series, because we really couldn't ask for more. Happy midnight dreaming! [image] * This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ———————————————————————————— NOTES: Re-read June 2013 - I might write soon a new review for the series, as it blew my mind once more and I still love it to pieces. Just know that this is a heartbreaking story that I will always hold close to my heart. Absolutely fabulous!!! ———— 2019 PS: I noticed at least 3 new open doors (I'm not saying that the author will come back to this world, it's just an observation I made during my re-readings - and of course I wouldn't mind it one bit if she DID write some more) with the repeated wonder of the open ocean, the Yutlind South matter, and the talk (between Finn, his queen & the priest) about who else is marked for a meaningful path. (view spoiler)[There was only one very tiny thing that bugged me a bit. I understand the need to secure the borders (now that Charyn was united and seemed to be more powerful than ever) and that giving away land was more for the sake of the future of Lumatere and less for Froi, but I wanted the negotiations to have taken a different turn. For one, I don't see Isaboe giving land to the charynites, not one centimetre, probably not even over her dead body; and there is also the way it happened like an afterthought, not a decision made by the queen or even the consort. This is not mentioned outside those few lines, but it sits wrong on my mind each time I read the book. Other than this, the story is pure perfection from the first word to the last and my love for it is endless! (hide spoiler)] ———————————————— Before reading: I swear time is standing still or going backwards *sigh* [image] October, please come faster.. Pretty please! ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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8
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not set
not set
not set
May 25, 2019
not set
not set
not set
Sep 28, 2012
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Jan 06, 2021
Jun 18, 2020
Mar 02, 2020
May 26, 2019
Sep 08, 2018
Mar 08, 2017
Jul 06, 2016
Sep 30, 2012
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Feb 18, 2012
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Paperback
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080509296X
| 9780805092967
| 080509296X
| 3.71
| 5,374
| Oct 25, 2011
| Oct 25, 2011
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it was amazing
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[image]
Help! I can't get this stupid grin off my face! :D Yeah, this means that I loved this story! And no, I don't really want it off - I kinda loo [image] Help! I can't get this stupid grin off my face! :D Yeah, this means that I loved this story! And no, I don't really want it off - I kinda look cute with it. Now back to our story.. There are books with deep messages that touch the bottom of my heart, but there are also books like this one, with simple meanings but with a great power to make me laugh, to make me dream, to make me hope, to fill my sleepless nights. I love them all the same - some for making my heart ache, some for making my stomach flutter. They all seem to bring to the surface all my deepest desires. They all seem to bring back lots of memories; all seem to make me feel like stepping back in time. They make me want to tell to my younger self: see, you could have done that, be that kind of person, done those crazy things.. let's do them now! Yes, sometimes I wish I could go back in time.. Be young again, have no worries, do something reckless, fall in love for the first time, make new friends, watch the ocean (not that I know how that feels), sing until someone begs me to stop, drop everything for a silly dream, fight for something I want with all my heart, maybe get drunk and kiss some boy I might like and not even be sorry when I'm sober. You know what?... I like books about following dreams and making them true no matter how many bumps you get in your road. I like the optimistic vibe they give me, the hope that fills my heart, the sweet hum that fills my mind.. it's like music to my heart. THE STORY This is a simple story, about a girl that all her life has been following the path her father had shown to her. Until one day when she wanted to try something different, be someone different.. be herself for the very first time. Off course this now means that she has to find a place to live, a real job, and try not to upset (too much) her new friends to whom she has to lie to befriend in the first place. Here we use to say something along these lines: that the lies have short legs and the truth catches up sooner or later. Not sure how do you say it in English but I am too lazy to search for it now, so my rough translation must do. Same for the story.. if you lie that you are an experienced musician, you can't expect people not to notice the truth at some point.. And what starts with a lie is a bit to shaky for you to feel like stepping on safe ground anymore. "Sure, I had pretty high expectations. [...] THE CHARACTERS: [image] Jasmine - What can I say about her? She is stubborn, ambitious, witty, funny, strong at times but also vulnerable. She needs love, friends, she needs to be accepted for what she really is (I might add that she needs some money now that she is on her own). At the beginning we find her kicked out of her home because she wants to play music and not go to college - in fact I think that she was the one leaving just to make a point. Too bad that she has not enough money, no friends in sight (her only best friend is far-far away) and her car just broke down. This leads us to her meeting the C-Side, a band searching for a guitarist. Wouldn't be awesome if she found a place to stay and a band to make her dreams come true? As a side note, I couldn't hate her father, because even though he was a jerk with her, there were things that he teached her that I found usefull. Yes, I can't imagine how could he sleep at night knowing that his daughter is in debt, on the street, but I simply couldn't hate him even though I wanted to so much. "Maybe I was being naive. Even stupid. I mean, who would trade Standford for being homeless? [...] But I had to know if I was meant to be a musician. Otherwise I'd spend the rest of my life regretting it. Asking myself... what if?" [image] Sean is heartbroken and he holds it against the whole world. I wanted to shake some senses into his cold heart, but I figured that it was quite numb to even feel it. He wasn't what I would call a jerk, but he was a bit rude at times, mostly with Jasmine whom caught him on the wrong foot. Still it felt like they both had this unspoken understanding and they could make fun of each other without getting mad. They were so cute I could have kissed them, I loved their moments, loved their friendship, loved them both. Back to Sean I cared for him all through the story - I understand that it is hard to get over past loves. I wanted him to be stronger and get over it for once, but this kind of healing takes time, and this book makes it pretty clear. What I loved the most was the interaction between him and Jasmine. From the very beginning they kept teasing each other, but you could see them enjoying it - a smile would appear on their lips or some shining in their eyes. They fell one for the other slowly, even though the attraction was there from the very beginning. I like this kind of rocky relationships that start with them pretending that they don't give a rat's ass about the other, but even they don't believe it. "Do yourself a favor princess. Work it out with Mom and Dad." The band [image] Bryn - was at times a bit of a perfect jerk, but I understand him. He has a lot to deal with regarding the band, he needs to make the best decisions and to have an escape route for every failure. He needs to keep them all together and look for the good of the band as an unit, so even though he seemed to have it agains Jasmine, he was only trying to do what was the best for the C-Side. Felix - was a bit reserved on some ways but he kept speaking his mind in a cute, innocent king of way. He didn't pamper anyone - if he had something to say he just let it go. Veta - was nice and honest and a good friend and sister. She was beautiful, had a great voice and she knew it. She lived her mother and sister and she right-away considered Jasmine a friend of hers. Their bond was quick but strong, and it was great to see their friendship grow, even in the hard moments they went through with the band. Also she got a bit involved in the relationship between her brother and Jasmine, but that only because she didn't want any of them to get hurt, not after what happened between Sean and her old best friend (Amy). More characters: Even Zoe was a great addition to this book. Her first boy-crush was so damn cute, and her comments were priceless. I wish there had been more scenes with her. Tina was one hell of a mother.. in the best possible way. She rocked. She was open minded and caring, and even though I didn’t' buy the mind-reading I really loved her and her part. Jason, Jasmine's best friend, was was really nice too. I liked their phone conversations and I caught myself laughing too many times to count. They've been friends since the beginning of time, and distance was not getting between them which was really great. We should all have some great friends to make us feel better at our worst and/or to enjoy with them our happy moments. CONCLUSION: This story was cute, cute, cute! It's more around 4.5 stars (the ending was a bit..not sure, it gave me hope, but I wanted more), still I'll make it 5 because this book made me laugh like crazy ;)) Enjoy it! LATER EDIT: Check my book boyfriend here: [image] And my Book Girlfriend here: [image] (because I've been asked for this feature for a while, and I just managed to keep my promise) [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
Feb 28, 2012
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Apr 08, 2019
Feb 28, 2012
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Feb 07, 2012
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Hardcover
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006210375X
| 9780062103758
| 006210375X
| 3.83
| 18,434
| Apr 24, 2012
| Apr 24, 2012
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it was amazing
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Elizabeth Norris, I fucking love you! [image] If I had to describe this book in only one word I would say “incredible”, but if I had more words to p Elizabeth Norris, I fucking love you! [image] If I had to describe this book in only one word I would say “incredible”, but if I had more words to play around I would say something along this lines: “Mind-blowing, heartbreaking with a pinch of humor and an action/suspense overdose... all in the best possible way. Keep both eyes on it when it comes out! And be assured - this is a hell of a great book!“ And if I had even more words to use.. well, you should sit down as I have many things to say about this book. My Thoughts: Define love: An intense feeling of deep affection; Define adoration: A feeling of profound love & admiration; …Close, but these words are simply not enough. Unraveling is probably one of the best books in 2012, and yes, I realize it’s only April. It's funny because I read Elizabeth’s blog and I noticed that her favorite book is "Jellicoe Road", and (…take a guess, you have one chance!) that's mine too. Next to it I put “Graffiti Moon” last year and, in 2012 I’m adding, “Unraveling” to the list as well. I don't remember the last time I’ve been so lost into a story. I simply couldn't put it down and I was turning pages like crazy wanting to see what happens next, but in the same time not wanting to reach the ending. [image] There is this mixture of feelings this book gave me. There were happy moments and really heartbreaking ones, there were moments when my heart was speeding dangerously, and there were moments when I didn’t realize that I was holding my breath until Janelle realized just the same thing: "I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding" This book will probably make you too want to write in italics, bold, caps lock, using way too many exclamation points and filling the review with tons of animated gifs showing your excitement (and I don't even like gifs (view spoiler)[because they are the reason why images appear no longer in our homepage feed on Goodreads (hide spoiler)]). But don't worry, I’ll keep this urge in check for your sake and I’ll let my feeling flow without hurting your eyes. I'll have to hold back a lot in order not to spoil this story, but at the ending all I could think was how amazing this book really was. It seemed like the author snooped into my entire ‘favorites’ shelf, took all the best things from the books I loved and put them into this wonderful story. More than that, all the things I don't usually like in YA were transformed in such way that they worked wonders in this book. What I liked: The main character [image] Janelle is independent, sarcastic, confident, she can always rely on her best friend but she can handle it all by her herself too. She is the kind of character you like to read about. Yes, she makes mistakes and her snooping around gets her in trouble more than once, but at the end of the day you will always be proud of her. The thing is that she knows she died in the car accident and that somehow a boy brought her back to life - she doesn't know why or how, but she will get to the bottom of it, and when that happens maybe she will find out more about her dad's new case that seems somehow related to her death. She has questions, she doesn’t understand some things, she doesn’t know whom to trust, but she doesn’t give up. The countdown is not stopping, and she has only one chance to find the truth and maybe try to change some things in the way. The love story [image] Oh, it is sweet - but it doesn't take over the action. There are more important things that both Janelle and Ben have to do. Still they share some cute moments and I like how their story is portrayed: it happens to know someone for a very long time but not pay attention to that person until one day when you see everything with other eyes. Sometimes you never know when in the world did you fall in love but sometimes you know the exact moment when everything changed, the moment when you two locked eyes and it felt like for the very first time. "My goal is always going to be to get home." Home. For him, it's a place I don't belong. The action All those melting bodies (and I am not saying more about them), and all those turnarounds, all the suspense with the clock dangerously counting down to 0 - all those will make you feel like you are watching a movie unfold in front of your eyes. There are paranormal and science-fiction elements, there is drama, there is a lot of action to keep you more than entertained, there is a cute love story that will trap your heart from the very beginning... Everything fits so perfectly together, every character has a purpose, and you will mourn every single loss until the very last page and long after that. The Friendship I liked so much the friendship between Janelle and Alex. And if you are wondering - no, this time there is no love-triangle, there is nothing to make your eyes roll in this department. There is trust, and devotion, and love but in a different way, a non-romantic type. That kind of love that would make you do anything for your friends (you’ll bail them from everything, you will go to the end of the world for them, you will keep their secrets and help them out no matter how mad you are at each other). True friendship, that is. More: I could never fit into this review all the things the book is about and I won't even try - but it felt 'real' in a way most books never do. There were family issues, and social issues, there were friendships forming and breaking, there were murder investigations and paranormal activities, but also subjects close to our day-by-day life (as school and grief)... Also there are so many other things I would like to talk about, but I have to hold them back. Maybe after you read this book, we'll talk more about it, maybe then we will share our thoughts about all that happened in this book, all the mysteries, all the turnarounds and how much that ending killed us a bit and made us want to live in a world where the next book is already out. So what I am saying with all this babbling is that I loved this story, and I think that most of you will do as well. I think that Elizabeth is a great writer, and I am holding my breath for the next book to come out. And I think that I've said enough..too much talking and less reading - not good, not good. Happy midnight reading! Book source: Thanks to one of my great book friends for allowing me to read an Advanced Copy [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ Re-read in 2013. I still enjoyed deeply this story - even though now the turnarounds didn't take me by surprise and I didn't feel like holding my breath all the time (because I knew what was coming my way). I wished for the romance to feel less like rushed, but now that I know Ben better and I remember Janelle seeing herself through his eyes it kind of make sense. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Mar 31, 2012
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Feb 04, 2012
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Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
1841499005
| 9781841499000
| 1841499005
| 4.08
| 22,934
| May 22, 2012
| May 22, 2012
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really liked it
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[SAFE TO READ] And so the story ends.. [image] I've never missed some characters the way I miss these guys, and yeah - I already miss them like cra [SAFE TO READ] And so the story ends.. [image] I've never missed some characters the way I miss these guys, and yeah - I already miss them like crazy. You know what?... If you want to know how this all ends you’ll just have to read the story and find on your own. What you’re reading now is my heart bleeding all over my keyboard, because this is how it feels letting this story go. Damn you Mira Grant, for making me love your world as much as I do, for making me cry for a fictional story and some freaking amazing characters that don’t even exist, for making me read a zombie book when I don’t even like zombies. Damn you for being such an amazing writer! I wish I’d know how to say goodbye, how to close the book with a smile on my lips and not to feel this ache in my heart, I wish there was more to this story .. I find it so hard to get closer to writing the last line about the Masons, so hard to think that I will never again enjoy new adventures with them, so hard not to wait for another book in the series to come out.. It’s all simply too hard even though I understand that at some point we had to get to an ending. [image] "Anyone coming within a hundred yards of my happy ending had better pray that they’re immune to bullets" In terms of concept and world building, this story doesn’t add much to the awesomeness of the series. I think that all the mind-blowing details about this world have been squeezed into Deadline and Feed. This is just how the story ends. This is how all the pieces are put together and the characters get to the point of really knowing the truth and deciding what to do with it. It is not a perfect ending, it is not a happily ever after for everyone, it still holds some questions and uncertainty, but it is as close to perfect as it can get to be. I don't know if I am sad that it is really over, or if I am sad because of the way it all ended. I wanted more time with them, one more chapter, one more scene, one more joke, one more zombie to poke with a stick. [image] I am not sure if you've ever been in love with the characters in a story.. Like really loving them all, like never getting enough of them and wanting at least one more scene with them and missing them like crazy after you've turned the last page of the book. I don't know if you usually cry when a dear character dies, or if you do it on special occasions like I do, but damn, how I hated every time one of my beloved book-character-friends had passed away, how I wanted to turn back the page and rewrite their ending, how they still haunt my memory and I remember them being so awesome and so funny, and brave, and (oh!) how I’ll miss them every time I’ll thing about this story. My heart aches.. I am sitting here with my iPad on my lap, trying to say all the things that have been left unspoken, but I can't seem to find the right words. This review was supposed to be full of spoilers, because I tried so much to hold back so many things about our character in the first 2 books that I deserved to let it all out at the very ending.. But I won’t because there's nothing I could possibly say that could match the awesomeness of this story, and telling you about how great these characters are won’t ever be enough. Don't be fooled by the star (half star) missing from my rating though.. This story is as amazing as the whole series is; only Blackout is my least favorite of the 3 of them (a bit less funny, with not as much action, but tying nicely all the loose ends and giving these characters what they deserve). I started reading it late in the evening, I didn't stop all night and I finished it after only 3 hours of sleep in the morning.. Maybe that's why my review notes didn't make much sense when I read them. So, this is my goodbye for them.. And there’s nothing else I could say, other than the fact that I will really, really.. really miss them all. I will miss the crazy cute Shaun, who used to think only about another stupid way to poke the dead with a stick for the ratings and who could make me laugh like crazy. I will miss his craziness and the way he could love with all his heart. [image] I will miss Georgia and her devotion for unraveling the truth, I will miss her black-or-white point of view, I will miss the way she was so sure that she will be the one burying her brother. I will, miss Becks and her sarcasm, the way she enjoyed being an Irwin, the way she wanted a solid proof before believing something. (and I’ll always think of her when I’ll drink a beer with her name on it) I will miss Mahir, Maggie, and Alaric, how supportive they’ve been, how devoted to the Masons and their mission, how they’ve risked their lives so many times for the truth to come out, for being there for Shaun when he was going crazy, for supporting him even when he did stupid things, for missing Georgia and for being (together) the best bloggers in the zombie world. And I will miss Buffy and Dave and (view spoiler)[all the other people that have died protecting the truth or trying to get it out, (hide spoiler)] I will miss every single character in the story, even some unrealistic evil characters with their annoying way of telling their 'master plan' before dying. Goodbye, my dears! CONCLUSION: I will probably get to read other books by Mira Grant/ Seanan McGuire, but I will always miss this story in a way I’d never missed another one before. One favorite quote from the many: Because we chose to tell the truth (The cool of age, the rage of youth) And stand against the lies of old (The whispers soft, the tales untold) We find ourselves the walking dead (The loves unkept, the words unsaid) And in the crypt of all we've known (The broken blade, the breaking stone) We know that we were in the right (The coming dawn, the ending night). So here is when we stop the lies. The time is come. We have to Rise. ~From Dandelion Mine, the blog of Magdalene Grace Garcia, August 7, 2041. [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ Pre-reading thoughts: Well if this didn't make an impression on you, I might need to try plan B: [image] Come on!.. I could be turned into a zombie in a year, we don't want that to happen, right? :D ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 22, 2012
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May 23, 2012
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Oct 25, 2011
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Paperback
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031608106X
| 9780316081061
| 031608106X
| 4.10
| 26,507
| Jun 01, 2011
| Jun 01, 2011
|
it was amazing
|
Last Page Impression: Oh.My.God! Wow... I mean: WOW!!!!!!! [image] “I guess in the end, it doesn’t matter what we wanted. What matters is what weLast Page Impression: Oh.My.God! Wow... I mean: WOW!!!!!!! [image] “I guess in the end, it doesn’t matter what we wanted. What matters is what we chose to do with the things we had.” Damn, this book was insane! I need a whole constellation lined up to rate it properly, because only 5 stars doesn't seem to make it justice.. I loved every single word of it. Deadline is one of those books that you want to read slowly, to savor every phrase, every discovery, every nuance, every little moment. Deadline is one of those books that you will carry with you long after you've closed the cover. Mira Grant has described a world so unique and so close to my heart that I won't ever forget - it's a special place where people live among zombies, it's a dangerous world where death is one step behind you. “I just find it interesting that kids apparently used to cry when Bambi's mother died. George and I both held our breaths, and then cheered when she didn't reanimate and try to eat her son.” ♥ If you loved the first book as much as I did, you will have this world kind of figured out. You will feel like you're part of it, and you will enjoy every new discovery the characters make, and every twist into the story. ♥ If you loved the first book as much as i did, you will miss some characters with your whole heart, you will feel Shaun's pain, you will cheer for him when he gets better, you will want to kiss him when he is so sweet that he melts your heart, you will want to hug him and keep him safe when he needs it. ♥ If you love this series as much as I do, you will enjoy every shocking scene, you will hold your breath with every danger approaching, you will get to the end wanting more, you will laugh, you will cry, you will hope, you will die a bit with every loss, you will feel like you've been reborn reading the last words.. There are things that you need to know, there are things that will break your heart, but also there are things that will fill your heart with joy - if the first book was a carousel of emotions, with this one you will get tickets for the entire amusement park. [image] CHARACTERS: Shaun is the perfect (male) main character - sarcastic, charming, lovely, and just a bit crazy. Truth being told, he is aware of his situation, so I don't know if he really qualifies, but still I loved every bit of his 'craziness' because it got me close to someone that I really, really missed. “I feel the closest to crazy when I'm disagreeing with the voice in my head” I don't remember caring so much about a fictional character, but Shaun felt so real, his emotions raw and powerful, his sarcasm making me smile, his pain making me sad. At the end of Feed he had to make some radical decisions that left him being only a shadow of his old self, with his craziness as his only anchor keeping him somehow sane. He has only one purpose in life: avenge, and he is willing to give his last breath for it to become true. Kelly - I cared about her because she was prisoner in a world that didn't need her, in a group that didn't want her.. She knew that the truth has many faces, she showed them that the truth is not enough. It was sad because all that she had was this group of journalists, and there was no room for affection between them and her. "There are truths the world isn't ready to hear. There are truths that are just too big" I liked Maggie - she was different than the others. She was used to staying at home, with her pack of tiny dogs, spending her family's money in whatever felt right for her, writing poetry, watching horror post-apocalyptic movies, and the most important is that she was able to offer refugee for everybody in times of great need. "And if there's somebody you love, tell them. The world always needs more love." Becks was one of my favorites too (how many favorites can I have?). She doesn't mind speaking her mind and she enjoys poking the dead with a stick. She would have made a good match for the old Shaun, wouldn't she? “Why is it you assholes always feel the need to tell the media your evil plans before you kill us?” asked Becks. “Is it a union requirement or something?” [image] Mahir - Georgia's best friend from England. We only met him 'personally' at the end of part one, but now we got to know more about him, and to see him in action too. "He was the only one who never questioned the fact that she still talked to me. Frankly, I think he was jealous that she never spoke to him." Alaric was the smart one, the one that was always one step forward, the one that knew the meaning of all those complicated things that me and Shaun never understood. He was there to explain to 'us' (theoretically just to Shaun, but I was almost always as clueless as he was), to show us the obvious, to make us see the truth when we had it in front of us and we couldn't cope with it. "Ask her what would have happened if you hadn't pulled the trigger" Want to know more? This book series is simply AMAZING, what you're waiting for?.. Read it! [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
Oct 17, 2011
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Mar 19, 2019
Oct 26, 2011
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Oct 16, 2011
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Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
0316081051
| 9780316081054
| 0316081051
| 3.85
| 58,982
| Apr 10, 2010
| May 01, 2010
|
it was amazing
|
[image]
4.5 stars - I am used by now to read books that are 4.5 stars - I am used by now to read books that are Feed is that kind of book and even more. I loved how it started (with such a great adventure), and I loved that feeling I got through the story, like I was part of it, finding more and more information about the world, the virus, the people involved. Yes, at some point it got to be a bit slow, but it was still full of useful information and there was still way too much to enjoy so I never got bored. What did I expect? Ahh.. zombies?! Duh! I mean I am not a zombie fan, not at all, but this book was highly recommended to me so I said "What the hell, I am reading it, and I'm sure I'm gonna love it!" [image] What did I get? A lot more than that. Because this story is not really about zombies, you know? It's like saying that a book is about trees only because some scenes involve the main characters having fun in the park.. The trees are there, right, but the story is not really about them (ok, so maybe this is not such a good comparison because you don't see many trees trying to kill you in any story whatsoever, but you get my point). Same here.. There are zombies, and there is this virus transforming people into zombies when they die or get bitten/infected, but the story is more about these 3 characters - Georgia, Shaun, Buffy - and their blogging passion and their need to find the truth (all kind of truths). The 3 of them were friends, working together in a blog network, and they were so happy to get involved in the greatest adventure of their life, being selected in the position of "pet bloggers" for Senator Ryman's presidential campaign. What they never knew was how many dangers awaited for them. Georgia Mason - smart, and honest with herself and the world. She lived for the truth, she lived for the news, and she was pretty good at it. I like how she cared about her brother, Shaun, how she was always there to 'rescue' him when he was playing with the dead, and their adventures were awesome starting with the very first one. "Our story opens where countless stories have ended in the last 26 years: with an idiot, in this case my brother Shaun, deciding it would be a good idea to go out and poke a zombie with a stick to see what happens" Shaun Mason on the other hand was a bit childish, but he was also so damn cute, smart and caring, with a passion for danger and for 'poking zombies with a stick '. I loved his relation with his sister because they knew each other so well, and their conversations were refreshing and funny as they kept joking around even in the hardest of the times. Their close relationship was all they both had, being raised by their adoptive parents that only cared about ratings and numbers, it always have been them vs. the world.. but then the world really turned against them, didn't it? [image] This was by far the best duo I've read about in a while and they also made me want to cry (oh, don't you EVER make me cry again, do you hear me?!!!). There was this carousel of emotions (with the highs heavenly high and the lows so damn low) that left me feeling like I've been spinning around, and around, and around and.. I didn't see it coming, no I didn't. And you know how you feel when you stop spinning around? You feel lost and confused, you need something to hold on to, and the only thing I know I can hold on to is the sequel, and I need to read it, because I simply need to know what happens next. Buffy well, it's hard to talk about her because she was mostly kept into the shadow. She was the one handling all the technological part - image, sound, servers, security - it was all Buffy's work. I understood when she needed someone next to her, and I cared for her when she was afraid, but I wish I could have known her better. I don't want to spoil her relationship with the other 2 and her role into the story, so I'll leave it at this: she did surprise me.. a lot. "She listened to all kinds of music, even the stuff that sounds like static and church bells. She played guitar really badly, but she meant every note." Now, the part that I didn't like that much, was the one involving politics.. that part was so hard to get through. Of course, it was there to deliver more information about the settling, about the world, about how things worked.. not to mention that it was crucial into the story, with the 3 bloggers following the senator in his campaign, but at some point there was just too much settling and too little action and it made me yawn a bit and I put the book down a few times. There would be some more things I loved or hated, but no, I can't talk about them because they are all spoilers. But I loved the characters, the story, the writing is great too, so if you want to try it I don't think you could possibly be disappointed. Really, you'll like it (even love it) :) [image] ... Oh, I've almost forgot to tell you how much I HATE needles. Oh yes I do! And I think that if you were a journalist and you were suppose to take those damn test every time you entered/exited a room, your hand would look like a sieve, just saying o_O Later Edit: Check My Book Boyfriend - Shaun [image] PS: Great, great cover.. Love it! PSS: I love(d) all the blog posts inserted into the book.. where's the follow button when you need one? [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com - Feed ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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not set
Sep 28, 2011
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Mar 17, 2019
Oct 16, 2011
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Sep 20, 2011
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Mass Market Paperback
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0375983651
| 9780375983658
| 0375983651
| 3.88
| 20,008
| Aug 01, 2010
| Feb 29, 2012
|
it was amazing
| "I was nothing inside but light and color"[image] Can you be in love with a book? I know that I can fall in love with a character, I had a few "I was nothing inside but light and color"[image] Can you be in love with a book? I know that I can fall in love with a character, I had a few crushes here and there, but if I were to want to get married with a book, I would propose to this one in a heartbeat. Dear Graffiti Moon, will you please marry me?.. For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live, until my kindle do us part.. *waiting for the answer* You want to know more about our story? It was love at first sight, yes I am shallow like that, I fell in love with the Australian cover. It's simple, just a yellow can of spray that could paint you the whole world, that can take all the beautiful words in the world and put them together in the most perfect story I've ever read. I've seen it a few times on a website or too, it looked a little bit shy, hiding between all those amazing Australian writings, and when it looked at me - in that perfect moment - I knew this would be the one. I took it on a date on NetGalley's and all I can say it's that it was perfect, I couldn't wait for the next time I saw it.. We had 3 amazing dates and every time I wished I had more time to spend with it, I wished to stay there, holding it in my arms and reading it all my life. *still waiting for the answer* Ok.. so this sounds pretty awkward ( I think I made a fool of myself by proposing in front of everyone - I told you it was shy) but the truth is that yes, I am in love with this book, I'm in love with the writing style, and if it wasn't awkward at all and the author would be at least a guy, I would say that I fell in love with Cath Crowley too. No, dear Cath, you don't have to hide from me, I won't stalk you, I am just a big fan of yours and I want to thank you for all those beautiful words that sometimes almost made me tear of emotion. Thank you! I am no good at words but I wish I could say this in a matching perfect way, as you did in this book. [image] I have a dream now, I want to visit Australia, I want to see Melbourne at night, I want to get lost watching beautiful graffiti art on the walls, and I pray to God that Shadow really exists, not for me to fall in love with him (if this book accepts my proposal I will be 2 times happily married by next Sunday and it will be too much already) but to have the honor to see such wonderful paintings as described in the book. If you could spray feelings on the walls it will be exactly what this book is, if you could hold dreams in your hands it would feel exactly like reading this book, and maybe you don't understand a word of what I am saying, but I think you will after reading it. Yes, it's perfect, believe me. I've been waiting for this book for a while and I was more than happy when I got the chance to finally read it. The story is simple and beautiful. It's about friendship, and love, and struggle. It's about decisions and moments that are lost between the words. It's about art and beauty, it's full of life and emotion, it will make you happy and sad, and at the end it will win your heart. Forever. Dear Graffiti Moon, please say yes, please say yes! [image] "I took a can and my brain clicked off and my hands clicked on and I escaped onto the wall, a painted ghost trapped in a jar. I stood back to look at it and I knew the sad thing wasn't that the ghost was running out of air. The sad thing was that he had enough air in that small space to last him a lifetime. What were you thinking, little ghost? Letting yourself get trapped like that?" [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com Book Source: ARC from HarperCollins via NetGalley ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ Re-read May, 20 2013: I am happy to say that the cuteness of this book has made my heart melt once more. Cath Crowley paints with words over my heart, she paints emotions on my teary eyes, she makes even my soul smile but also ache for the beauty of the art described in this book. I love to see the world through her eyes, I love to fall in love with her characters, I love to get lost in her beautiful writing.. I LOVE this book! I am usually not much of a re-reader, but lately I couldn't make myself start another book and some that I did read have left me quite disappointed, so I decided to re-visit some of the books I loved to pieces over the years. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 03, 2011
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Aug 05, 2011
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Jun 06, 2011
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
0399254129
| 9780399254123
| 0399254129
| 4.37
| 243,336
| Mar 22, 2011
| Mar 22, 2011
|
it was amazing
|
'Now my heart sank into my stomach where the bile began to chew it.' [image] Step on my heart, cut it wide open, rub it with salt and feed it to th 'Now my heart sank into my stomach where the bile began to chew it.' [image] Step on my heart, cut it wide open, rub it with salt and feed it to the sharks.. Or just make me read this book, because this is how it feels like reading this story. How can I call “wonderful” a book full of so many horrors? ...But I will, because it really is, and what pains me the most is that it's all true, that this is a really tiny part of the darkest piece of our history as human beings. You thought this was repugnant?! Well, think again because this was only the beginning. What was left unspoken is what repugnance is really about. I will confess that I was bracing myself for worse and even though for many of you some scenes were horrifying, I know that this was nothing compared with the horrors that have happened in that period of time. We learn about it in school, we know about it from books, there are movies and documentaries that will break your heart, because (I repeat) nothing hurts more than knowing that these things happened, it's not fiction - it's history, one written in blood and suffering... and death. [image] This story touched me in a way I could barely explain. I felt so much disgust and anger that I could tear the book apart. It gave me so many goose bumps that I didn't remember for a quite while how smooth skin felt like. Yes, you were all right; this is a powerful story, full of emotion, that will make your soul bleed and your eyes tear. It's strange how can you find love and hope in such a hopeless place... The story was not as brutal as I thought it would be, but it broke my heart in many other ways: It was their hope that broke me down, their smiles, their jokes, and Lina's memories from long gone happy times (As a side note I should mention how much I loved the transition from present to past, how one scene melted into another, how the past faded right in front of my eyes). It was the love that killed me softly, it was seeing that those broken hearts could still find inside them the force to care when there wasn't almost any good left for them in the world. And it was their force to keep going that made me love this book, because they were stronger when their body was weak, when their life was fading away, when they still held tightly to their dreams - even though they knew those were never to come true again. The cover is absolutely perfect - It shows all the hope that filled their hearts, even when some of them were giving up their last breath. It reveals a piece of the settling, but also it shows that in all that coldness with which they were treated very few people showed them (just a bit of) mercy. [image] The characters are so complex and they bring so much into this story - from the bald man with his pessimistic thoughts, to the little children so full of life and hope (too young, too innocent to know the cruelty of this world). It moved me how dramatically all those people changed through the story: kids had to grow up and help the others in order to survive, old people had to hold on to their memories to keep going, parents had to sacrifice everything for their children. They had to keep inside their fury, their hate and their shame. They had to keep their head down even though they were the ones deserving respect, because even when they had nothing at all, they still had hope and they fought for their life at all costs. I need to mention Lina an Andrius, as their love was sparkling like a tiny star thought the darkest, clouded night sky. It gave hope and strength and made my heart ache just a little bit less. "Andrius, I'm ... scared" [image] Through the story, Lina saw the world and she described it in her sketches. Drawing was a way to express her fear, the injustice, the pain and the ache. That was her way of coping; gathering strength through her hope that some day her father will be able to reach them. I'll leave you now with some of my favorite quotes as I don't have the force to describe this book any longer. This is not a story that you can talk about; you can only read it between tears and maybe find some colors between so many shades of gray. “I’ll see you” Reviewer notes: I loved the author notes as they gave so much depth to the story and now I feel the need to leave my owns notes here, because even though I can't really conceive so much suffering, I can at least somehow understand it (though probably on a lower level that I might even think). “How could Stalin simply take something that didn’t belong to him, something that a farmer and his family had worked their whole life for?” [image] Living in a country placed between Germany and Russia, our history has been marked (with dark ink) by those two as well. I know what communism means and I even know a bit how it 'felt'. I was too young to understand what was happening but old enough to keep memories of my grandparents working the field each day, but only being allowed to keep some (very few) fruitage for themselves. But if for me it is sad to think about those times when we were only allowed to buy rations of food (like half of a bread a day), I can't even conceive how hard it might have been for those people that were 'unlucky' enough to be thrown in the middle of that madness described in this book, forced to work in such horrible conditions, humiliated and treated like animals, and even die horrible deaths while nobody cared. As the author says, there is nothing that we can do now to change the past, but we can learn from it, and we can prevent such horrors from ever happening again. PS: While reading the book I listened to the soundtrack, which is as amazing as the story itself and I recommend it with all my heart. [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ Later Edit: Movie? Really?! Oh.. I don't know if to be happy or scared. I LOVED the book, hopefully I will enjoy it on the big screen too ^_^ [image] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
|
Apr 07, 2012
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Apr 14, 2012
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Mar 30, 2011
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
0670076082
| 9780670076086
| 0670076082
| 4.29
| 17,061
| Oct 03, 2011
| Oct 03, 2011
|
it was amazing
|
—————2019 I bow to you, Melina Marchetta! I've read hundreds of books, but none quite as impressive as yours. [image] When I first heard that Froi w —————2019 I bow to you, Melina Marchetta! I've read hundreds of books, but none quite as impressive as yours. [image] When I first heard that Froi was going to be the lead character in the sequel to “Finnikin of the Rock” I think I might have given a silent cry inside, as I despised that pitiful young man in (most of) the first book. Little did I know of the tremendous growth he would go through, the strenghts of his heart and the smarts of his mind, or the power of the song sleeping in his blood. Little did I know indeed... Froi did not end up holding only the future of Lumatere in his hands, but also my heart. I thought I couldn’t endure more heartbreak after Finnikin’s story ended, but there was so much more anguish to be had in the following book(s). Take one assassin with a past lost in time, one cursed kingdom with a bloodied history, an unwanted princess with a broken mind, a group of people that you can love to hate and love some more. Place them all on a path that will both break and mend their spirits, twist their beliefs and open their deepest wounds. And when it all ends don’t hide your tears - when you love so much a story that it makes you shout to the stars, it’s only fair to be overwhealmed by the intensity of your emotions (all that love, too much hate, so much rage, such bittersweet happiness).. “You keep safe, Froi. Keep safe and come home to us” It's strange how the turnarounds and the revelations still give me the chills even after re-reading it all these many times, but my love for this story can only grow... If you didn’t pick it up yet, I advise you to get your hands on this series and fast. ————— 2012 Dear Melina, Keep breaking my heart, because you definitely know the best way to do it. [image] Pre-reading thoughts: "If I won't die of happiness, when I'll read this I'll be the happiest person alive :) " Well.. I am the happiest person alive! MY THOUGHTS: The first story I’ve been told was a fairytale. I don’t remember which one was it, but that shouldn’t be a problem, as they all begin with “once upon a time”, get to the point where the handsome white-horse-riding prince must rescue the princes (falling in love with her beauty at first sigh), and then it ends with a “happily ever after”. All fairytales are about joy, and beauty, and happiness, and the good that conquers it all. Too bad this is not a fairytale. Too bad we don’t have a beautiful princess, or a charming prince, too bad this is not a story about happiness or happy endings, too bad this is not that kind of story where all the dreams come true. [image] “Is it because we are not beautiful?” she asked. This story is about another curse, probably worse than the first one, it’s a story about suffering, and death, and trying too much and losing it all - it will break your heart into pieces, then it will put it back in place only to break it all over again. This is a story about a cursed princess and a thief, about wars between kingdoms and assassins, about trust and betrayal, about secrets buried in time and forbidden feelings… This is the story of Froi of the Exiles. Let me tell you this: if you loved the first book in the series, you will think that this one is completely insane – but you will love all its madness. To be honest, I didn't think a continuation of the story was needed, but damn, now I feel that the story would never be complete without it. Also I must confess that it really blew my mind. There was so much happening, so many new characters to meet, to understand, to distrust, to love, to fear for their safety and to feel the need to cry for their tragic destiny... There was too much pain in this book, too much sadness, to many horrifying memories, too many human monsters, too many heartbreaking scenes, and now there is that need to find what happens next, there is that damned ending that left me hanging, counting the moments until I get the chance to read the next and final book. [image] “If we forget who we lost then we forget who we once were, and if we forget who we once were, we lose sight of who we are now.” THE CHARACTERS: [image] Froi He is an interesting character, changed from the first book. He is more mature and takes his responsibilities more seriously. His bond with the queen of Lumatere is as strong as before, but his mission is a really difficult one. First because he is all alone, second because he doesn’t know whom to trust, third because he finds new people and he gets attached to them, and this makes his life and his decisions even more difficult. It is hard to love Froi, but it is as harder not to like him. I wanted to punch Froi for holding too much inside his head and heart and for not putting into words all that he really felt, for hurting Quintana so deeply in the beginning, and even after falling for her, for not being able to fight more for her and their feelings, for being weak at times and cruel as well, for knowing how to easily kill the enemy, but even more easily how to break a heart. Still, I cared so much for him and his past, and his deep need to be loved. I wanted to hug him, to take care of him, to change his destiny, to sing for him such that he couldn’t listen to his blood song anymore – maybe, just maybe I could change something in his life, I could bring some joy on his face, I could unbreak a bit his heart. I want him to be happy, I want him to have everything that has been taken away from him since his childhood – I want him next to Quintana, where he belongs. [image]I’ll come and find you wherever you are. I’ll not stop breathing until I do. Quintana [image]Will Quintana of Charyn be beautiful in your play? ..At least in my review she will: [image] Oh, dear Quintana, how much did she suffer for all those people that have never deserved it. All that sacrifice, all that pain, all that shame, all her frustrations and fears – how could someone live with so much pain inside, how could she not lose her mind in such a crazy world? But she didn’t. I wanted to hug Quintana, to take her home with me, to keep her safe, to erase all her bad memories and show her how beautiful the world could be. But in the same time I wanted to cheer for her because she had so much courage and she'd endured so much; because she took the pain of all those last born girls and kept it all inside her; because she suffered for all those people that were supposed to love her; because she has received only coldness and hatred from them all her life and she deserved to be happy. [image]I heard your song the moment we were born. Gargarin and Arjuro These two were such a pair. I loved them as strange as their actions were. I cared for them, for all those horrors they've faced, for all the suffering, for a life full of regrets and no-going-back’s, for a childhood that no one should bear, and for so much more. [image]If those frescoes could talk they would blush from what they’ve seen the brothers of Abroi get up to in that cave Lirah We know by now that we shouldn’t judge someone at first sight. We know by now that Marchetta never creates a character that doesn’t have enough depth. We know by now that all the important characters in Lumatere series have been through Hell and back… this time, literally. Her story was a horrifying as Quintana’s. There are no words to describe her suffering and her loss - for the treatment from her king and his guests, for her baby, for all those years in prison. [image]Poor Lirah. She’s been imprisoned for at least twelve years, you know. Yes, yes, poor Lirah. [image] Isaboe and Finnikin I liked how strong and confident Finnikin has become, and (still) how wise and caring Isaboe showed to be (as much as the situations allowed her). I liked how they fought for the safety of their home and kingdom, but how they wanted nothing more but peace, how they cared about Froi, how they struggled to keep a happy family in all this madness. [image]'Don't ever ask me again if I hate living anywhere with you and Jasmina. This Rock reminds me of the boy I was and being with you in the palace reminds me of the man I want to be.' 'Not just any man,' she whispered. 'A King. Mine.' Beatrice and Trevanion I didn't think her story could be more heartbreaking, but it was. I thought her romance with Trevanion would have a quick resolution and a happy ending, but the was more to her story, more hearts to break, more tears to shed for her and her past. [image]I still wake with your name on my lips every morning Lucian and Phaedra. I didn't pay much attention to them at the beginning, but I got to care so much for Phaedra. It broke my heart, it really did. She got from being some minor character to a quite important one, and I got attached to her suffering. She tried too much to be part of a community that resented her, part of a family that didn’t want her, and she had so much to give. I wanted so badly to see them both happy, as they deserved it so much. [image]If your people mean no offense, they should not speak their thoughts out loud in front of their children, Tesadora. Because it will be their children who come to slaughter us one day, all because of the careless words passed down by their elders who meant no harm. Rafuel I am still wondering about this one. I think there is more to him that we could find in this book and I can’t wait to see his part in the next one. All you need to know for now is that he's the reason Froi went to Charyn, somehow he is the key to the past. [image]“Do you expect me to have regrets?” he asked. “When it’s you Lumaterans who speak an unwritten law that makes the most sense to me.” “And what is that, Charynite?”Tesadora asked. “What needs to be done” The last-born boys All I can say about them is that they were really cute and innocent. Protected as they were, they didn’t know much about fights and war, but they meant good – some times that helped, some times it didn’t. [image]Grijo looked shamefaced. Oliver pretended to. Froi’s head was spinning too hard for anything to make sense. CONCLUSION: I am conflicted now, because I couldn't believe those horrors, I couldn't bear them.. There was too much pain, too many cries in the wind, to many broken hearts and lives destroyed in an instant. It was horrible and beautiful in the same time - I wanted to scream of frustration, I wanted to take care of those lost souls, I wanted to give them something to hold on to, because without a purpose I don't know how could they survive all that carnage, all those horrors through all those years. ....Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the best writer of them all? Melina Marchetta, off course :) Book source: ARC from the publisher via NetGalley - Thank you so very much!!! Later edit: Check out my Book Boyfriend #8 - Froi [image] [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com -- Later edit: Re-read May 2013 - I might write soon a new review for the series, as it blew my mind once more and I still love it to pieces. Just know that this is a heartbreaking story that I will always hold close to my heart. Absolutely fabulous!!! ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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9
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Jun 08, 2020
not set
Feb 26, 2020
May 22, 2019
not set
not set
not set
not set
Jun 08, 2020
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Jun 15, 2020
Feb 26, 2020
Feb 26, 2020
May 24, 2019
Sep 06, 2018
Apr 07, 2017
Jul 03, 2016
Feb 18, 2012
not set
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Mar 18, 2011
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Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
0061996181
| 9780061996184
| 0061996181
| 4.09
| 75,105
| Jan 17, 2012
| Jan 17, 2012
|
it was amazing
|
Oh boy, what a ride. [image] Reading this book felt like flying with the wings wide open (not that I know how does that feel, but I can only imagine Oh boy, what a ride. [image] Reading this book felt like flying with the wings wide open (not that I know how does that feel, but I can only imagine): I’ve been falling in love again with these characters, I’ve gasped at every surprise, I’ve smiled and I’ve even cried, I’ve felt Clara’s insecurities and frustrations, and her need to be happy, to find her purpose and make it all right again, also her need to find her own path, to make her own decisions. How much of it is just purpose and how much of it is her own life? This book is really amazing, for me it was better than the first one, and I enjoyed every single bit of it – the dreams, the purposes, the teenage drama, the family involvement, the friendships, the decisions and all those emotions radiating from my kindle like heatwaves from hot pavement.. it was all so beautiful I can barely describe it. It was a mix of happy moments and dramatic turnarounds, and more background for the angel theory that not only answered so many questions I had at the end of the first book, but it had also raised so many more, and now I definitely can’t wait for the next book to come out and answer them all. SO, our redhead angel is back – well not so red anymore (not so carrots-alike) but with the same amount of sarcasm, curiosity and passion in all that she does (even the mistakes she makes). And also our boys are back to make Clara’s life a bit more complicated (not that it was simple to begin with). I bet you all want(ed) to know more about Clara’s parents, and some things that you didn’t really get about the night with the fire, I bet you all want(ed) to know how Clara’s life will change now that she has a human boyfriend (Tucker) and she knows more about the boy from her dream (Christian), and if you are like me you want(ed) to know more about her brother as well (I always had this feeling that there is more to him that meets the eye, and as far as I’ve seen there is even more) .. So yes, you will get some answers – some of them will surprise you, some of them won’t, but for every answer you get another question pops into your mind, so don’t worry too much if you get a bid angsty at some point. This is what I liked about this book – it makes you think .. I never think about angels, I don’t believe in them so I’m usually not interested, but this story caught my attention, and I like how this world is described, and I want to know more about it, and it all feels like a puzzle – there are all these pieces I already have, but there are so many more to uncover. For example, finding about her mother’s story only made me think about Clara’s (let’s call it) ‘destiny‘; finding about her Dad, only made me think about the Tucker/Christian situation. At the end I felt like I knew her destination in all this mess, and no matter what Clara will decide I think that she’ll get there, just like her mother did, but still, will she? The most important item in the story is (again) Clara’s vision, a dream brought to her from the future, and this dream is the key to so many secrets that will make you happy, but will also make you cry. It will change the course of things, it will make Clara stronger in a way, it will prepare you for what’s next to come, because we are only at the beginning, and the best is yet to come. [image] Now, there is something that i should mention that bothered me a bit (again!!). Get this people: Secrets are supposed to be secret by definition! It goes both ways: - when you keep a secret for so long, you don’t go afterwards telling everyone about it; - when someone (for example your parents) tells you that there’s something you must NOT tell anyone, you just keep it for yourself (this is not about trusting someone with your secret, this is about being able to keep one); All in one this is a great, amazing, wonderful book. There are so many things I would like to tell you, but I’m trying hard to keep this review spoiler-free. Enjoy it! Book Source: ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. (thank you!) [image] This review can also be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com One more thing.. but this is only for the people that have already read the book: (view spoiler)[ Don't you dare blame me if you don't like what you see 'cuz I told you this is a spoiler! SO... Tucker vs Christian? Some think this is a love-triangle, I don't really see it that way. You probably know how I felt about the whole 'boy obsession' from Unearthly, and how happy I was to see it changed from something cliché to some sweet romance between and angel and an earthly boy... Now I have some doubts. I've seen the struggle in the relationship with Tucker, they both trying to make it work but her angel-side and his human-side always interfering with their love, and I've seen Christian get close to Clara (and even closer), but there's a wall between them as wide as the Chinese one - you can see it from the Moon. Some of you seem to like both boys for Clara, but I feel that there's something off about both of them - I like them, they are cute, and sweet and all, but in this particular moment I wouldn't be able to choose, because there are so many 'BUTs' when I think about them and Clara.. For me this story is about something more, something bigger. I know there will be a moment when Clara will really have to choose but for now I'm Ok with only finding more about her world, her growing powers, her purpose as a whole and not just pieces. (hide spoiler)] Later Edit: Check My Book Boyfriend - Tucker [image] ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 09, 2011
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Nov 15, 2011
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Jan 16, 2011
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Hardcover
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0061996165
| 9780061996160
| 0061996165
| 4.01
| 126,923
| Jan 04, 2011
| Jan 04, 2011
|
really liked it
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[image]
This is a great book and I really enjoyed it. Clara has a beautiful voice and a strong personality, and I loved to see her change through t [image] This is a great book and I really enjoyed it. Clara has a beautiful voice and a strong personality, and I loved to see her change through the story – from the moment she found out about her identity, until the last page when she was as confused as I was about her life and purpose, waiting to see what’s coming next … And so I am, because I just can’t wait for the next book in this series. Minor Spoilers ahead: Now, I usually have some things bugging me about the paranormal stories: #1 the love obsession – why in the world is it supposed to be like this I don’t understand, but in ALL these stories we have the main character obsessing about some guy/girl. They keep saying that they are in love but from my point of view is just some strange obsession because they don’t even really know each other to be honest. Love involves more things than just good looks and great smiles and electrifying touches, you know. Where do you let the trust, and friendship, and being there one for another, and having things in common or completing each other perfectly. You see, there is more to love than meets the eyes and I like it when the authors develop the love part of the story in a better way. “I won’t be that girl who lets the guy treat her like crap and still fawns all over him.” #2 the revelation of the “powers” or real identity – oh, I must confess that in some books I found this a bit sweet for a moment or two, but generally this is kind of embarrassing no matter how we look at it. And what annoys me most is the reaction of the characters. Let me tell you something, if I saw someone showing me how deadly strong or shiny or whatever he is I would definitely not fall more in love with that person (probably less ... and scared at least). I don’t say that I would definitely run away (even though this might cross my mind) but I wouldn’t declare my undying love to a person that might easily kill me just because I think I am in love (but here we go again – these characters are obsessed one with the other so it might feel normal to them to act as they do – who am I to say that they are wrong, huh?) #3 the secret – if you have a secret that it’s way beyond you, and you parents tell you every 5 minutes not to say a single word to a human about that secret EVER, you don’t tell it to the first boy you find on your way!!! … It’s not even your secret to tell anyways – if for thousands and thousands of years the people like you kept that secret, maybe you should at least think again about it and simply shut your mouth. Arh! I could punch these kids for being so silly and so willing to confess something just because they can’t handle their hormones. “Tucker: Why would you tell me now if it’s against the rules? Coming back to “Unearthly” I must say that I had some nice surprises to enjoy.. we have some of the above in a way or another, but some things are different - and those changes made me happy. This is a two-in-one kind of story – “paranormal meeting real life” or something. We have some elements from the paranormal stories and we have some more realistic elements too. The result, a great reading that made me smile a lot. I like Clara and the way this story was told, and after starting reading this book I just couldn’t put it down... The more I got into the story the more attached I felt to the characters and what happened with them. There are these few friends Carla has and I really liked (Angela is one of them and can’t wait to see her in the sequel), and there is Carla’s mother who was so concerned about Carla and her brother and did everything to keep them safe even if they didn’t like it (and I can’t wait to find out more about her purpose and her history – was Sam the ‘Christian’ in her life?). There was Christian and his story – when it came to him it really was a bit confusing because Carla was kind of naive sometimes and she couldn’t think strait about him, but his story is as interesting as hers. I was annoyed as hell about her obsession with him (that's way I gave this book ★★★★☆ and not more), but after all it was not his fault so I can’t even blame him for it, and now I really want to know what happens next because he is just a little piece from a huge puzzle in this story. While reading I had like a million scenarios in my mind about the visions and some were close enough to the truth and at the end of the story I only got to care more about him and to ask myself more questions. And there was Tucker – I knew he was up to something good, and I was satisfied with him in the story. For once I had a nice love story developing in the right way (even with some awkward moments), with a smart character that could react somehow in a more realistic way… and I was glad to see that he was more than a good-looking guy, and I liked all the moments with him from the very beginning (he was so sweet and funny – I found myself laughing so many times about something that he said/did), and he really worked his way to Clara’s heart so he gets more point from me. Now, if you want to know more about angels, or ‘good vs. bad’ battles, or some angel theories and other interesting things - you just have to grab this book and read it :) All in one I really liked this book - I still don’t understand how the wings are attached to your body (because they didn’t seem to rip your clothes or something while appearing and disappearing), and I still have a million of questions about some characters (almost all of them) and btw I don’t get why on earth God would be interested in love stories anyways (even though I have some ideas crossing my mind), but I was so glad to see the turnarounds in the story and I can’t wait to read the next installment and see the real purpose of the angels, the new adventures of the characters and to find all the answers I didn’t get so far. [image] This review can be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Jan 15, 2011
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Jan 14, 2011
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
0670070297
| 9780670070299
| 0670070297
| 4.12
| 50,494
| Aug 28, 2006
| Aug 28, 2006
|
it was amazing
|
Update 2020: No words are enough to express my love for this author! I bow to you, Melina Marchetta! When I grow up, I want to be you! (Ok, I might ha
Update 2020: No words are enough to express my love for this author! I bow to you, Melina Marchetta! When I grow up, I want to be you! (Ok, I might have lost that chance, maybe in a new life then, lol) __________________ Full (former) review: It took me 113 days to write a full review.. I counted. [image] Reading one of Marchetta’s stories should be one of the “10 things to do in your lifetime”. Seriously, this woman is one of the most creative people alive, one of the most amazing writers I came across and I wish I could put into words the awesomeness of this book, but I feel at a loss for words once more. In fact, I should invent a new language with a dictionary full of ways to praise her talent. Because Melina Marchetta doesn’t only write books, she creates entire worlds full of fleshed-out characters and shattering emotions, and after you read about them you feel like you’re the luckiest person in the known Universe and beyond. Because not many people in this world are able to feel what she makes you feel, and not many authors get to create such strong connections between the characters and the reader. I feel like her stories have a soul. Like her characters are living beings trappend into a fantasy world, waiting for us to come and listen to their stories. They seem to breathe through our emotions, and I don’t remember a moment when I didn’t feel something (deep) towards this story and these wonderful characters. Her words sing to me, they reach into the deep core of my own soul, they make me laugh through tears, they break my heart into thousand pieces but they also put it back in together, making it beat in a whole new rhythm, making it love and ache on a different level. Once again, the complexity of the plot left me lightheaded, in awe, even though I knew what was coming my way. It’s been a while since the last time I read this book and I felt it all all over again: the confusion, the despair, the hope, the heartbreak, the happiness. My teary eyes could barely read and I was left breathless too many times to count. I loved EVERYTHING about this book, after all this time it is still my favorite story and I really hope that when (and if) you read this book you will be able to feel just a tiny-tiny part off all these blissful emotions flowing through my heart right now. [image] THE STORY: How much heartbreak can a heart take? Jellicoe road is a roller coaster, a story meant to break hearts – one about true friendship and love, about forgiveness and salvation, about hope and disappointment, about life and death and everything in between. It simply left me in awe again because there is no tiny detail, there is nothing less important in this story. Everything has value, all words have power – to make you laugh or cry, to dream and hope.. and the real beauty of it is connecting all the threads in this fabulous piece of art. But as heartbreaking and intense as it might be, it is also fun, and I found myself smiling more than once. So don’t go thinking that this is a depressing book, it is not; it has the perfect balance between joy and sadness, between delight and heartbreak – but don’t believe me, see it for yourself! THE CHARACTERS: I can’t put into words how much compassion I felt towards the characters in this story. I don’t think there’s one that didn’t leave an impression on me. Some times they made me laugh (even through tears), some other I just wanted to hold them close to my heart and protect them from all the hurt in their lives. [image] CONCLUSION: Every time I read “On the Jellicoe Road” it simply takes my breath away. I fall in love with this book all over again, it hits me full strength no matter how well I think I know the story, it makes me smile and cry and sometimes both in the same time, all while I get drunk on the beauty of Marchetta’s words. Pure talent, pure Aussie awesomeness! [image] The full review can be found at: ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ Favourite quote (one of the many): [image] -- PS: And now allow me to express my joy: [image] PSS: Is this Jonah coming to life? :D [image] ...more |
Notes are private!
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3
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Mar 18, 2020
Jul 28, 2018
not set
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Mar 19, 2020
Jul 28, 2018
May 05, 2013
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Jan 07, 2011
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Paperback
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B003EINO58
| 3.90
| 43,589
| Sep 29, 2008
| Apr 06, 2010
|
it was amazing
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------- 2019 8 years ago I was enjoying for the first time one of the most astonishing stories I've come across so far and the best fantasy series in t ------- 2019 8 years ago I was enjoying for the first time one of the most astonishing stories I've come across so far and the best fantasy series in the bookish world... if I say so myself. [image] A story of great loss, of curses and anguish, but also hope. A story with the strongest characters in front and the brightest author behind. A story that takes my breath away each time I re-read it, one that sings to my heart and fills me with such ineffable emotion. Finnikin of the Rock is the beginning of a journey, but it's so perfectly defined and refined, it's hard to believe that all that development takes just one book. And as fascinating and intricately woven the magical plot is, just to wait for the next 2 books to see how much more magnificent Marchetta's mind can be... It might break your heart, it might chill you to the bone, it might fill you with despair, but also glee... and I assure you that it will all be well worth it - because Lumatere Chronicles is one story of a kind!
-------2011 Wonderful, amazing, beautiful, absolutely brilliant... I need more stars! ★★★★★★★★★★ [image] [image] "Because without our language, we have lost ourselves. Who are we without our words?" This was such a powerful story that got straight to my heart. After finishing it I was left speechless - Melina Marchetta has this effect on people. The characters are so well defined, the story is so complex... All that I've felt while reading Jellicoe Road I felt again while reading this book, and these 2 stories are nothing alike. What I liked It is hard to tell because there are so many things on this list, I would never finish - I liked the storyline, the characters, their evolution, the description, the twists in the story, and the ending (that precious ending - it was perfect). To keep it short: it was an emotional roller-coaster and it felt so good. What I liked, but it was not really to like The world described in this story - all that suffering of the people in exile and the ones trapped in the kingdom - it was heartbreaking. It hurt to know what happened (during those "5 days of the unspeakable" and after that), it was absolutely cruel, (view spoiler)[ and knowing what Evanjalin felt that each time she walked through those people's sleep was unbearable. (hide spoiler)] What I didn't like Scratch this ... what was not to like? Judging by the other books from this author I had one fear - I thought that the beginning was supposed to be slow, but that was not the case.. I found it rather interesting and full of events from the very first page and this was a very pleasant surprise. This is definitely one of my favorite books and I can't wait for the sequel (even though it was so beautiful and perfect that I didn't feel the need to see what happens next ) [image] Characters & favorite quotes: - Finnikin I am starting with him because he is the main character and the reason for all 416 pages of "the story, as told to those not born to see such days, recorded in the book of Lumatere so they will never forget." [image]Balthazar pledged to die defending his royal house of Lumatere. Finnikin swore to be their protector and guide for as long as he lived. Lucian vowed he would be the light whom they traveled toward in times of need. - Evanjalin A young novice that in the beginning does not tell as much, but as the story unfolds there are no words enough to express all that she holds inside, all that she had lived in those 10 years since the "five days of the unspeakable". Also she is the best female character I've read about in a while. [image]- "It takes great character to handle Evanjalin and Froi," Finnikin went on. "You would have much to fear." - "What is the worst that can happen?" Aldron scoffed. - "She could have you imprisoned in the mines. Or sell you to the slave traders of Sorel," Finnikin said with a shrug. - Sir Topher [image]Let's accept our path, Finnikin, and hold our tongue, as the novice does so beautifully. - Froi Looking back, I didn't know what to make of him in the first book, but just wait for the next ones, there's so much to him that doesn't meet the eye. [image]"You never do anything stupid like that again," she whispered with fury. "You could have been killed, you idiot boy. It's part of your bond that I give instructions, not you." Froi mumbled, and Perri leaned closer to listen. "That's very rude, Froi. And quite impossible for her to do with a bond." - Trevanion [image]"Finn, listen!" Trevanion said, his voice raw. "I prayed to see you one more time. It's all I prayed for. Nothing more. And my prayers were answered. Go east, I'll lead them west." "We have a dilemma, then," Finnikin said fiercely. "Because I prayed that you would grow old and hold my children in your arms as you held me. My prayers have not been answered yet, Trevanion. So whose prayer is more worthy? Yours or mine?" ------------ My favorite moment in the book: (view spoiler)[ [image] " Do you think you should warn him that I'm going to kiss you?" He loved the flush that appeared on her face, and there was an intake of breath from the girls. "Aldron," she said, clearing her throat, "if he agrees to become king, I'm going to let him kiss me. Please don't stop him." Aldron thought for a moment and sighed, holding up his hand. "Wait there and do not move," he ordered Finnikin, before calling out to one of the other guards who stood on the platform. "Ask Perri if he's allowed to touch her if he's agreed to be king." (hide spoiler)] [image] This review can be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ Later Edit: Re-read in May 2013 I might write soon a new review for the series, as it blew my mind once more and I still love it to pieces. Just know that this is a heartbreaking story that I will always hold close to my heart. Absolutely fabulous!!! ----- Re-read, Jan 2016 Lumatere Chronicles is my top favorite fantasy - one of the best series I have ever read; and it's so complex and twisted, it breaks my heart and it puts it back together again and again. And so I've made my husband read it (he only reads technical stuff). And it doesn't matter that he was with this terrible cold and nothing else to do, he enjoyed it, we talked about it, and for some reason this makes me so damn happy and giddy. ...more |
Notes are private!
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8
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Jun 06, 2020
Jun 06, 2020
not set
May 19, 2019
not set
not set
not set
Mar 16, 2011
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Jun 08, 2020
Jun 08, 2020
Feb 23, 2020
May 21, 2019
Sep 04, 2018
Mar 06, 2017
Jul 2016
Mar 17, 2011
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Jan 06, 2011
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Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||||
4.12
| 50,494
| Aug 28, 2006
| Apr 06, 2010
|
it was amazing
|
Oh, this is a hard book to review and I know that I won't make it justice so I won't even try that much. One word: awesome! [image] Why? Because it i Oh, this is a hard book to review and I know that I won't make it justice so I won't even try that much. One word: awesome! [image] Why? Because it is so complex and beautiful, and the characters are amazing and smart and funny, and the drama is not overwhelming, and the story makes you laugh and shudder (and some say that they even cried), and you say 'wow' a lot of times, and when you think that you have it all figured out something changes drastically, and your head is spinning around from so much information but you just enjoy it more and keep reading until the end and then you say 'wow' again. I was told that the beginning was hard and they were right about it. For many, many pages I didn't know about the 3 perspective thing (dream/present/past) and there were so many characters and I felt so lost, but the writing was so good and kept me reading so I don't regret even that part. Then I understood and there were things that I even knew before the character found about them, but there were plenty of other surprises too so it didn't feel that predicable at all. Some say that this book changed their world, I won't lie, it didn't, not for me, but it was a really good book and it deserves even more than 5 stars. [image] There is drama on so many levels: "My father took one hundred and thirty-two minutes to die. I counted." But there is also love: "If you weren't driving, I'd kiss you senseless," I tell him. He swerves to the side of the road and stops the car abruptly. "Not driving anymore." There are some funny moments: "Great to know that I'm in love with a girl with a cool name." "It's Taylor's middle name" And there are some thoughtful ones: "And life goes on, which seems kind of strange and cruel when you're watching someone die." Sometimes it's all heartbreaking : "Do you think I don't want him to be gone more than you do? I do. Because I need to know that I can still breathe properly when he's not around. If something happens to him, I have to know that I won't fall apart [...]" And sometimes it all feels as casual as your own story: "Girls under the age of fourteen are the most frightening creatures I have ever come across" And at the end it makes you think about it all over again: "Is a person worth more because they have someone to grieve for them?" Wow... just wow.. [image] This review can be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com ____________________________________________ Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO) ____________________________________________ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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Jan 07, 2011
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Jan 06, 2011
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Kindle Edition
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my rating |
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3.84
|
it was amazing
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May 17, 2014
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Apr 22, 2014
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4.24
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it was amazing
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May 10, 2020
Nov 10, 2018
May 24, 2014
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Mar 14, 2014
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||||||
4.02
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it was amazing
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Mar 06, 2017
Feb 08, 2014
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Oct 17, 2013
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||||||
3.98
|
it was amazing
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Nov 22, 2014
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Apr 12, 2013
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4.12
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it was amazing
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Apr 10, 2014
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Nov 20, 2012
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||||||
4.14
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it was amazing
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Nov 09, 2012
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Mar 31, 2012
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4.32
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it was amazing
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Jan 06, 2021
Jun 18, 2020
Mar 02, 2020
May 26, 2019
Sep 08, 2018
Mar 08, 2017
Jul 06, 2016
Sep 30, 2012
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Feb 18, 2012
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||||||
3.71
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it was amazing
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Apr 08, 2019
Feb 28, 2012
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Feb 07, 2012
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||||||
3.83
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it was amazing
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Mar 31, 2012
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Feb 04, 2012
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4.08
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really liked it
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May 23, 2012
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Oct 25, 2011
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4.10
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it was amazing
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Mar 19, 2019
Oct 26, 2011
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Oct 16, 2011
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||||||
3.85
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it was amazing
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Mar 17, 2019
Oct 16, 2011
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Sep 20, 2011
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||||||
3.88
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it was amazing
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Aug 05, 2011
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Jun 06, 2011
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||||||
4.37
|
it was amazing
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Apr 14, 2012
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Mar 30, 2011
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||||||
4.29
|
it was amazing
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Jun 15, 2020
Feb 26, 2020
Feb 26, 2020
May 24, 2019
Sep 06, 2018
Apr 07, 2017
Jul 03, 2016
Feb 18, 2012
not set
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Mar 18, 2011
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||||||
4.09
|
it was amazing
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Nov 15, 2011
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Jan 16, 2011
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||||||
4.01
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really liked it
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Jan 15, 2011
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Jan 14, 2011
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||||||
4.12
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it was amazing
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Mar 19, 2020
Jul 28, 2018
May 05, 2013
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Jan 07, 2011
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||||||
3.90
|
it was amazing
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Jun 08, 2020
Jun 08, 2020
Feb 23, 2020
May 21, 2019
Sep 04, 2018
Mar 06, 2017
Jul 2016
Mar 17, 2011
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Jan 06, 2011
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||||||
4.12
|
it was amazing
|
Jan 07, 2011
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Jan 06, 2011
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