Book Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.

 The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.
Book Summary: Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one. 

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will. 

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

Liana's Summary: Elisa is one of the chosen. On her sixteenth birthday, she has to marry King Alejandro and rule his land by his side as queen. However, when she's kidnapped, she finds herself among a group of people who think she's their savior. She meets a young man that might have changed her life if events didn't fall the way it did. As war erupts, Elisa not only has to defeat, not cower, from her enemies, but she also has to protect herself.

Rate(1-10): 10

This book was so amazing. I just loved it a lot a lot a lot. 

Honestly, the only thing that led me to read this book was the cover and title. (The cover photo and the title mean so much to me after reading the book you don't even know. I'm not gonna share because, as readers, when curious, it's our duty to read a book and see what other readers are raving about. Yeah; I'm telling you to read this. Definitely a recommendation.) And when I read the synopsis I knew I had to get it. My friend was nice enough to bring my book-shopping list with her to Barnes and Noble and get me a copy of this book. Yays.

So this book is basically about a princess who bears the Godstone. Apparently, she's one of the chosen. And she has to marry a king she doesn't even know so she can rule his land as his queen. Anyways, Elisa, the main character, is super-realistic and she's not perfect at all. She reminds me a lot of Harry Potter because both characters are just in denial. Harry goes "But I can't be a wizard. I'm just Harry." And Elisa goes "Why do I bear the Godstone? I'm not even special." Also she reminds me of Katniss Everdeen a little too, because of all they've been through. But more of Harry.

Elisa is fat. Yeah, I'm not even gonna walk around the fact that she's fat. I've recently read Donna Cooner's SKINNY, and after that, I realize how life must be like when people don't like you because you're fat. And in Elisa's case, people are forced to like her because she's the princess. I just find it SO wrong when people get made fun of or ignored because of their size. Okay, so Elisa lost weight from the beginning to the end, and that's what reminded me of Katniss. Because Katniss has been through a lot too and she lost a lot of weight. 

The author personally said that she worried her readers would get the impression that she was trying to imply Elisa wasn't good or useful or pretty when she was fat and everyone liked her better when she was skinny, so she used a lot of points in the book to point out that Elisa's stronger now after what she's been through and it doesn't matter that she's skinnier at all. She uses the other characters' attitude towards Elisa's weight loss to prove it. Which I think is pretty cool. She writes really well. And it's her debut novel, too. Amazing. 

She writes so well that she wrenched at my heart.

One thing I liked about this book was that there were a lot of exhilarating twists (some unpleasant, I admit) and the plot is SO unpredictable, just like the plot of James Dashner's The Maze Runner.

The romance. Was just perf perf perf perf perf fjaklsjak;ldjaklja;lkja PERFECT OKAY I LOVED IT
IT WAS PERFECT-- UNTIL-- *CRIES* BUT IT WAS STILL PERFECT WHILE IT LASTED
Just let me discuss the characters here; I think they deserve it.

Elisa- Realistic. Love her. I basically talked about her in the paragraphs above, lol.
Ximena- Okay, I LOVE HER. She seems like the one who would give tough-mama love. She's so responsible and wise and KIND. And agile, for that matter.. 

Cosme- I hated her so much in the beginning but she softened up as Elisa became her friend. Looks like she grew on me.

Humberto- I EFFING LOVE HUMBERTO OKAY HE'S HOT HE'S NICE HE'S FUNNY HE'S FAKJFDSKLA;JSDAKLJSAKLJDKLAJKLA;JLKASFJSKLAJKLAJ;DAK;LSJKLA;J I LOVE HIM -CRIES- HE WAS THE ONE CHARACTER IN THE WHOLE BOOK THAT I WAS ATTACHED TO
Alejandro- He was nice at first and I still find him pretty nice but then like I just don't like him. He seems so useless because he's scared a lot.

And really, those are all the characters I feel the need to discuss.

The ending was just so wow. It's one of those that make you smile. Of course I'm ready to read the next book in the series. 

I totally recommend this book. Definitely.

And I have quotes~ ;D

"King Alejandro de Vega is the most beautiful person I've ever seen."

"Nice to meet you, Lucero-Elisa."

Hi, I just married you. And out of all the things I can say I shall say 'Nice to meet you.' I just found this really hilariously ludicrous that I laughed. LOL.

"Ungh," I say.

Oh my lord Elisa out of all the things you can say

"As you wish."

THAT IS THE PRINCESS BRIDE LINE 

"I already know that his first wife died in childbirth.."

I hate it when the guy already had a girl. Dangit.

"No!"

"You're fat."

This is major dejavu omg omg in Donna Cooner's SKINNY there was this little kid telling the main character she was fat and here it is again in this book

LITTLE KIDS JUST KNOW WHAT TO SAY

"Your eyes. They do something to me."

"I lean my head against his shoulder. Strange how the presence of this boy is so much more comforting than my husband's ever was."



"..he waggles his eyebrows at me..."

"It will never work."

HAVE FAITH!

"He's quite handsome, I realize..."

Took you long enough.

"His eyes fall to my breasts."

Oh lord okay

"His arms snake around my waist, and he pulls me toward him until my breasts are smooshed against his chest."
What the heck no one loves you Alejandro go away
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And that's it! This was a wonderful story that reminded me of Graceling. 

Once again, this is definitely a recommendation! Everyone go read it, pls. You won't regret it!
What did you think of this review? (;

Book Review: Hidden by Sophie Jordan.

 Hidden by Sophie Jordan.
Firelight Series #2
Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning....

Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy.

Liana's Summary: Jacinda and Will are going to bust Miram, Cassian's cousin, out of the hands of the enkros. For the sake of the pride. And for the sake of Cassian. And THEN they can run away together. But as secrets get unveiled, Jacinda realizes her work isn't done yet. She has to go back to the pride. And Will is going to have to wait. But will he be patient enough? And what's going to happen after that drastic change of events?

Rate(1-10): 9

I loved this series so much I can't bear to say goodbye to it. I'm done. Wow. I'm done already?

Okay, this is going to be short, since I already said everything I needed to in the reviews for book 1 and 2. And once again, for those of you who haven't read this series I recommend you check out my review for the first book, Firelight. Just search for it in the Navbar above! (:

After reading the first book I wasn't so sure about reading the rest of the series because the first book was only OKAY. But I decided to read the rest in the end because my curiosity overcame me and I really wanted to know what happened. And boy. Was I satisfied? YES. I LOVED IT. OMG. I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS SERIES. <33 KFJDKLFDJ:SLDSJ

I'm glad that this book was here for me when I was dying of curiosity from the cliffhanger in book 2.

The covers are flipping gorgeous, okay. Let me take a moment to say that. They are GORGEOUS. I love the author's sense of imagination. It's so fab fab fab.

I have to admit that this is one of those series in which I like both guys in the love triangle. Ohmahlord. And now I'm just going to stick with Team Will on the sidebar because I can't imagine if she loved Cassian and left Will all alone. But the point is I LOVE CASSIAN A LOT MORE THAN WILL. But it's just that I like Will and Jacinda together. Therefore Team Will on the sidebar.

IT'S OKAY CASSIAN I LOVE YOU

There are like huge twists in this book and to be honest I think that this one was the most emotion-filled, heart wrenching, and gorgeously-written book in the series. A fabulous conclusion, telling the readers where everyone went.

Okay now quotes.

"Go, get out of here!"

NOOOOOO!! NEVER!!

"And that's when Tamra and Deghan emerge..."

Woot! Go Tam..ghan..!!

"You're leaving."

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Yeah, I know it's only a few. I was so caught up in reading it. (x What can I say?
And that's that. What did you think of this review? (;

Book Review: Vanish by Sophie Jordan.

 Vanish by Sophie Jordan.
(Firelight #2)
Book Summary: An impossible romance.
Bitter rivalries.
Deadly choices.

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

Liana's Summary: Cassian has brought her back. Jacinda. After her mother worked so hard to help her escape. If she hadn't met Will, she'd be gladly going back. But she's met him. As fate covers all of them, Jacinda is lost at what she wants. Life in the pride, with Cassian? Or out there, in the human world, with Will? 

Rate(1-10): 9

I just loved this book just as much as I loved the first. It's a really good series, everyone should give it a try!

Okay, so let me briefly explain what this series is about for the benefit of those who haven't heard of it, although I do recommend you search for my review on book 1, Firelight. 

Jacinda, the main character, is a draki. And she's not any other draki. She's a fire-breather, treasured by her people. So, in book 1, she went to the outside world away from her Pride with her mother to escape a horrible fate, and she met Will. And then really important stuff happened, which I'm not gonna mention. And then in this book, she's faced with a lot of consequences. That's brief enough. Now.

So as you all know, judging from my sidebar with all my team stickers, I'm on Team Will. I guess I still am, huh. But then in this book I don't hate Cassian as much anymore. So if you're reading this review and the sticker doesn't say Team Will, then that means that I've already read book 3 and converted to Team Cassian or something like that. Although I'm pretty sure it's gonna stay Team Will and Cassian will hopefully end up with the girl I want him to end up with. He just can't let go of Jacinda though. Ughhh.

There's this huge cliffhanger at the end and I'm just glad I have book 3 to my access. Thank goodness. Omg.  

One more thing before I start the quotes: 

Firelight: http://www.epubbud.com/book.php?g=AN6TJ6XG
Vanish: http://www.epubbud.com/book.php?g=LBTNEG3C
Hidden: http://www.epubbud.com/book.php?g=5KUT36TS

They're the download links for all the books in the trilogy! You're welcome. LOL. Enjoy. They're on Epubbud, and I think I'll make a separate post to explain all that.

Since the download links are in EPUB format,

If you prefer PDF or MOBI format, just go ahead and go to zamzar.com and just convert the files. Boom! Easy.

Anyways I think I should start on the quotes. There are a few.

"You dead... It would break me."

"..thinking about our kiss in the rain."

"And then the crowd shifts and I see Will."


"Run away with me."


"My mouth moves over his, nibbling, sucking.."

OKAY YEAH THAT IS REALLY AWKWARD

"She agrees," Cassian announces,..

"It's you an me, Jacinda. I'm going to own you! You can't run forever!"

GO AWAY CORBIN NO ONE LOVES YOU

"..but Will is tenacious.."

GO WILL!

"Corbin writhes, and soon they're rolling, a speeding blur, until they look like one wild shape..."

I wonder why Will always gets himself into fights with draki LOLOL.
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And that's it, what did you think of this review? (:

Book Review: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

 The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.
Book Summary: When hot-blooded young d'Artagnan comes to Paris to seek his fortune, he finds himself challenged to a duel with not one, but three of the King's Musketeers. But Athos, Porthos and Aramis are to become his greatest friends, and companions in dangerous adventure when he becomes embroiled in the intrigues of the Court and the beautiful, evil Lady de Winter. *This edition has been specially abridged for Puffin Classics.

Liana's Summary: D'Artagnan's dream is to become a musketeer. But when  he actually comes to Paris, he realizes that it's not so easy. He meets Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, immediately upsetting them and setting himself in a position to duel with three of the king's greatest musketeers. What d'Artagnan doesn't expect, though, is to be spared and to make friends with those three and to set out on a dangerous mission and task meanwhile escaping the wrath of the evil Lady de Winter.

Rate(1-10): 9

Ermagerd, yeah. This was such a good book. 

To be honest, the only reason I picked it up was because of my requirement to read classics in my high school years. And I thought I was going to be yawning in boredom, but might as well give it a try anyways. I think that teens, such as myself, aren't really interested in reading Classics but instead like to read YA fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, etc. (If they like to read at all.) Because. Well. Classics aren't exactly the easiest thing in the world to understand, are they? There's a lot of interpretation involved, and don't forget the VOCABULARY. I always find the most vocab in the classical novels to research. 

And when I finally read this I realized that classics aren't half-bad as I thought they were, lol. As I said, I actually liked this book a lot.

The author does a pretty good job with description. I could picture all the people he described. Although it sort of annoyed me that all classics have more narrating than dialogue. And I love dialogue. In my own writing I get excited whenever I get to the dialogue parts. 

Also, the author, like most classical writers, are really good irony writers and so much things are freaking ironic you almost fall out of your chair every single time. 
He's also very good with humor. I found myself cracking up at ridiculous times in which I wasn't really supposed to laugh because of the scene but I laughed anyways because some things in the book aren't really what you see in your everyday YA novel.

So of course there's a barbie movie version of it. (Yeah I watched it, duh) And there are several similarities except the barbie one was altered a little for the sake of little girls. There isn't any killing (there's a lot of killing, and lots of action to go along with it) or really awkward love-scenes (quite a few of those, I'm just glad classical authors don't describe them in depth. Don't want this to be a 50 Shades of Grey here) in the barbie movie. In the movie, there isn't any romance at all. And the main character is a girl. But the similarities, even small, are still there because the main characters both have the same ambitions and they're both pretty insistent on doing what they want to do. (The qualities of a musketeer!)

So, the main character in this novel, d'Artagnan, an ambitious young man in his twenties, is actually pretty likable but his actions are ridiculous and forward and he has to pay dearly for it afterwards. And he's cocky too. LOL. He's often referred to in this book as 'our hero'. He is, pretty much, I guess.

Okay so a note on the romance. It is so freaking sad because, well, first of all, it was love at first sight, which isn't sad, but annoying still, and the lady was already married and then they fall for each other? Then what's the point of marrying her old fart of a husband besides for money. And at the end. I literally screamed out loud because of the flipping tragicness of it. 

This is actually a really good example of the good guys prevailing (not to mention giving a few sacrifices) and the bad guys getting their deserved punishment.

There are a lot of deaths and I'm sad to say that not all of them were bad guys.

Out of the musketeers I like Aramis the best because I just do. LOL.

Honestly, I don't think the ending was a sad/happy one at all but was just a 'as a matter of fact the end'. We went through an adventure with our heroes, the end. 

Yeah, as I have mentioned before, this is a really good book. Give it a try!

Quotes!

"Hi there!"



"He therefore noticed at once that the woman was young and beautiful."

That has to be the first thing he notices?

"Give it back or, by God, I'll run you all through like larks on a spit!"

I LOVE HOW WHENEVER A CHARACTER GETS SOMETHING TAKEN FROM THEM THEY SAY 'GIVE IT BACK' LIKE IT'S GONNA HELP AHAH THAT'S HILARIOUS

"They're afraid of smallpox, Sir," said Porthos. "It would be a shame if it were, because it would quite spoil his looks."

That's not awkward at all how a guy said that

"What a silly, hare-brained ass I am!"


Yah. Glad you noticed.

"..I like my head; I don't think it looks too bad on my shoulders. I mean to kill you all right."



"Don't try to find your wife!"




"I'm going to jump down from the window," cried d'Artagnan. "It's quicker that way."

This so reminds me of the scene in Cinderella III where the prince jumped down from the window when the father was like "I forbid you from going down any of these stairs!"

"He was thinking of Madame Bonacieux."

Love at first sight annoys me so much.

"..she may be pretty, too. How exciting!"




"You're altogether adorable."



"..Monsieur Athos has been arrested."



"Take it and remove your odious presence from my sight."

This is so hilarious #BrbDying

"Are you mad?"

U MAD BRO?

"..You've never been in love!"

That's so mean.

"You're right."



"And he kissed her, at which the poor girl blushed a cherry red."

This is in every way wrong because he's taking advantage of her little crush on him as his key to finding things out.

"..finished her toilet for the night."

Is this really what it sounds like or was the 'toilet' something else back then. LOL ERMAGERD

"The love-making of.."

Oh my goodness whyyyyyyy.

"I'm sure you're very nice, but you'd be even nicer if you went away."


"Oh, Sir, near or far, I shall love you always,"

I can't take this seriously because my sister made up a rhyme about farts and she had to use 'near or far' in it.

"And I'll always love you, Kitty."

LIES! HE SPEAKS LIES!

"Where are you? Why aren't you here to support me?"


"..and abjectedly kissed his rescuer's feet."

Is that what they did back then as a sign of gratitude omg

"Madame Bonacieux mechanically drank down the wine."



"D'Artagnan, d'Artagnan!" she called. "Is it you? I'm here!"
"Constance, Constance!" called the young man in reply. "In Heaven's name, where are you?"


HURRY D'ARTAGNAN UGH



"A single cry of horror rang through the room. All four men had cried out together but Athos' voice rose above the rest."


"You're not a woman! You're not a human at all! You're a fiend escaped from Hell and we're sending you back where you belong."


WELL SAID OKAY


---------------
OH DANG I JUST FOUND OUT THIS IS A SERIES FKDJFK MUST GET NEXT BOOK THEN.
And that's that. What did you think of this review? (: