Book Review: Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon.

 Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon.
Book Summary: No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters. 

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined. 

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help. 

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

Liana's Summary: Ai Ling isn't going to wait for her father to return anymore. Because she's going to find him herself. He promised 2 months. He's already been gone for six. And besides, Ai Ling would rather die than marry Master Huang. But when she sets out on her journey, she realizes she can't do it alone. So, with the help of Chen Yong, a young man, and his brother, Li Rong, they set out to their destination to face what they must face, sacrificing a lot on the way. Meanwhile, Ai Ling and Chen Yong find out that their fates are more interwined than they think.

Rate(1-10): 10

This was SO good.  I don't know why l didn't pick it up earlier.

Wow Cindy Pon, wow. That was freaking amazing.

Okay, so, I am Chinese myself. And a fan of Chinese dramas. So whenever I read a Chinese historical fiction, such as Silver Phoenix, I feel like I'm watching a drama. LOL. There, of course, are a lot of historical references and since I know some of them, I often find myself recognizing the tradition. In this book, I not only recognized, but learned a few things about my own culture.

There are a lot of gods and goddesses and dragons and phoenixes and demons and trees of immortality (sounds almost like Greek mythology now, huh?) which just made me enjoy it THAT much more. It reminded me of a Chinese version of Little Sister by Kara Dalkey, honestly. 

The title. Silver Phoenix. There isn't an explanation for it until the almost-end. Which I will not explain out loud because that's spoiling. And I hate spoiling, especially when the book is highly recommended by me. But oh ho, yah. It means so much.

So let me discuss the characters. (The fabulous trio that made me think of Harry Potter)

Ai Ling- She's brave and reckless and persuasive. Persuasive. PERSUASIVE. That's a really big part of her and I can't give any more emphasis. You'll see. Anyways, she seems like she can do fine without Chen Yong but then again he saved her life so much times. And she saved his life so much times as well. What I like about her is that she's not weak. She's not the type to cower, she's the type to approach the bad things.

Chen Yong- This guy. Ok. He's half Xian and half... White, I'll just say broadly. His father was White and his mother was Xian. His life story is so sad. And, he's hot. He's gorgeous. LOL. He's really kind and caring and he's ready to unsheathe his sword any time as long as it means he's protecting Ai Ling. Whenever he's mad or sad he just keeps his emotions to himself, which makes him somewhat introverted, but not really. He's just so lovable. The best part of him is that he went with Ai Ling even if he didn't have to. He risked his life so much times and he remained calm each of those times, never yelling at Ai Ling or blaming her in any way.

Li Rong- He's Chen Yong's brother. Well, not by blood, anyways. Without him, I doubt this story would have humor at all. Without him, Chen Yong and Ai Ling's travel would have been boring, dry, and flat. And 3 fighters are better than 2, right? I'm grateful that Cindy Pon decided to let Li Rong travel with them. Readers will never forget him.

I think it's time for quotes!

"..Hei Po.."

Some of these names bring me great amusement. Hei Po. #BrbDying LOL

"After two years, I implored your father to take a second wife."


"Fei Ming towered over her."



"Somewhere private."



"I've been hungering for a taste of you."



"It was a mistake..."



"I've been waiting for you."



"I counted nearly three hundred strides. I saw no windows or doors, no way of entering the tower."

IT'S TIME TO CALL FOR RAPUNZEL

"I became a eunuch when I was twenty years.."


GOOD NOW HE CAN'T MAKE HER PREGNANT

"I don't doubt your capability to travel the world-- and beyond."


Toooooooo infinity, and beyond!
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Hopefully there's more romance in book 2. I need it NOW. -cries-
The ending was just so sad.
And that's that. What did you think of this review? (;

Book Review: Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton.

 Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton.
Goblin Wars #1
Book Summary: Teagan Wylltson’s best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures—goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty—are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn’t worried. Her life isn’t in danger. In fact, it’s perfect. She’s on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She’s focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn’s a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he’s crazy or he’s been haunting Abby’s dreams, because he’s talking about goblins, too... and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby’s right. The goblins are coming.

Liana's Summary: Teagan's best friend, Abby, thinks she's physic. She's been seeing the goblins in her dreams. She claims the goblins are coming. Teagan doesn't believe her. But when Finn, her cousin, comes to live with them, and he claims there are goblins too, Teagan starts to have her doubts. But when her mother just dies out of nowhere, she's sure that the goblins are coming.

Rate(1-10): 8

This turned out to be better than I thought.

Don't judge a book by its cover Yeah yeah I know. The cover was just so severely creepy. It was actually the synopsis that got me interested in the first place.

The book was actually really thin. So I expected a simple and short story. But instead, Kersten Hamilton created a story that was enjoyable and long-lasting. Somehow. LOL.

Teagan is the main character. She seems brave enough but then I don't know what she would do without Finn.

Finn is her cousin. They're not blood related though, which makes everything not-gross. Finn seems like the guy that came from the military or something. He reminds me a lot of John from Nicholas Sparks's DEAR JOHN. He's way too tough for a kid that escaped a foster home and tried to live on his own for 5 years. He's really tough, oh yeah.

Aiden is Teagan's little brother. Oh my goodness, was I that annoying when I was in 1st grade? Well. This little kid is one of a kind, actually. He's pretty awesome and his skill is pretty cool as well.

Abby is Teagan's best friend. She seems like the girl that would always be there to give comfort or something. She would always cheer someone up when they're down. (Unless she doesn't like that person. LOLOL)

Lennie. Honestly I wouldn't care less if he wasn't in the story or not because he's not such a huge character. But I just wanted to talk about him because he reminds me a lot of Lennie Small from Of Mice and Men because Lennie is autistic. Sort of makes me think the name was borrowed.

Ida. She's Finn's grandma, (I think. omg) and she's such a fabulous old lady. And no, I am not using the word fabulous loosely. Because she is fabulous. FABULOUS. 

So the cat goblins. Ok. This series features goblins a lot and there are cat goblins. CAT GOBLINS. OUT OF ALL THE ANIMALS UGH. I never liked cats in my life. Ever ever ever. And I think this book increased my fear of cats instead of my hate for cats. ohmy. If you're scared of cats do not read this at night. LOL RIDICULOUS

This was based on Irish mythology and I found it really interesting. Even if it was sort of creepy at times. 

The plot was unpredictable at times. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Quotes!
Note: I own an ARC Galley of this book. Therefore the quotes might be different from that of the published version's.

"..about your cousin Finn coming to live with you?"

COUSIN. WHAT.

"He has wrinkled lips!"

Oh ew that's disturbing.

"We're not."

"I'm going to change that plan of yours."

"Strawberry. Girls like strawberry, right?"

That is so stereotypical. omg.

"..expected them to bear him children."

OHMYGOD WTH WHO WOULD BEAR CHILDREN WITH HIM

"She'd slept with her mouth open and slobbered all over him.."

".., Thomas."

"But that cop was totally flirting."
Oh wow just wow and ew
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And that's that! What did you think of this review? (;

Book Review: The Fire by James Patterson.

The Fire by James Patterson.
Witch and Wizard #3
Book Summary: Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the merciless totalitarian regime that governs their world. Its supreme leader, The One Who Is The One, has banned everything they hold dear: books, music, art, and imagination. But the growing strength of the siblings' magic hasn't been enough to stop The One's evil rampage, and now he's executed the only family they had left.

Wisty knows that the time has finally come for her to face The One. But her fight and her fire only channel more power to this already invincible being. How can she and Whit possibly prepare for a showdown with the ruthless villain that devastated their world--before he can truly become all-powerful?

In this stunning third installment of the epic, bestselling Witch & Wizard series, the stakes have never been higher--and the consequences will change everything.

Liana's Summary: Wisty knows it's time to finally face The One. And she can defeat him. But with what? If she uses her Gift on him, it just makes him stronger. He wants her Fire. Whit is prepared to fight. Fight for his parents, for his sister, and for his dead girlfriend, Celia. He must fight The One. And for The One to fall, Whit and Wisty must be the children of the Prophecies and work together to defeat him.

Rate(1-10): 9

I didn't think I would be reading it so soon. Right after reading The Gift, too! Who would have thought I would see this at Walmart. 

Now, this book, was fantabulous. If this series were a trilogy I would say this book was a fantastic conclusion to a wonderful story. Eh. But no, there's a book 4. Come on, James Patterson. Why write more? The antagonist is finally defeated, the ending is a happy one. This just reminds me of City of Glass by Cassandra Clare. Because in Glass, that's where the antagonist fell. That was book 3. There was a happy ending, not another one of Clare's torturing cliffhanger endings. And then she wrote a book 4. (Which I loved btw but other people saw it as extra and unneeded) I feel that a book 4 of this series is SO unneeded. But honestly I can't bear holding a book called The Kiss in public. Just noooo. There's a happy ending, okay. Why can't it be like The Serpent's Shadow, where the characters are not quite done with their business but they end the trilogy anyways because there isn't anything else to write. 

Urgh. Well James Patterson, we shall see how it turns out. Because yes. I am reading The Kiss. Just not in public.

Even if this plot was gorgeously constructed, I can't get over James Patterson's kaljdlskfja;sjda writing. I think I could have wrote like that when I was 10 years old. And then the characters.

Wisty, I'm fine with. She matured over time. She changed. For the better.
BUT WHIT. Just come on. He's so freaking obsessed with Celia. He can't accept the fact that she's dead. I know it must be hard but he keeps digressing from his goal to look for Celia. And I think he was so much more mature in the beginning. He cries too much. Usually people cry from frustration, not sadness. Ok. I could have accepted it if Whit cried once or twice but he cried so much more. He's 18 years old.
As for Byron, I think I finally like him now. But he's still a loser. LOL.

And yeah, quotes.

"To Celia, the love of my life.."

I'm annoyed at his... I can't find a word. His insistence. His stubbornness.

"I can't not help."

Double negatives are my specialty.

"..Byron Swain!"

WHAT

"Janine!"

"I still love Celia, and I don't know exactly what I feel for Janine..."

"Did Byron give me up-- again?"

Someone kill this kid already ugh I can't stand his betrayals

"..he kisses me."

OH GOD EW

"... I can't stop tasting Pearce's gross, papery lips,.."

Lips can be papery? OH GROSS EW

"I guess I just thought we had something, Wisty."

"-- instead he punches him in the face over and over."

"He's the one who murdered me!"

"I spot Whit sobbing further downstream."

WHIT. STOP SOBBING AND DO SOMETHING.

"..leans in for the most tender, electric kiss I could have ever imagined..."

Oh my this is awkward

"Whit gives a low whistle."

This is really awkward now.

"Byron's got his arm around Wisty's waist..."

That's not awkward at all.
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And that's that. What did you think of this review? (;

Book Review: The Gift by James Patterson.

 The Gift by James Patterson.
Witch and Wizard, #2.
Book Summary: When Whit & Wisty were imprisoned by the wicked forces of the totalitarian regime known as the New Order, they were barely able to escape with their lives. Now part of a hidden community of teens like themselves, Whit and Wisty have established themselves as leaders of the Resistance, willing to sacrifice anything to save kids kidnapped and brutally imprisoned by the New Order.

But the One has other plans in store for them: He needs Wisty, for she is "The One Who Has the Gift." While trying to figure out what that means, Whit and Wisty's suspenseful adventures through Overworld and Shadowland lead to a jaw-dropping climax and conclusion: the highly-anticipated fulfillment of the heart-pounding opening prologue of book one... The Execution of the Allgoods.

Liana's Summary: Whit and Wisty are still rebelling. They still need to find their parents. Wisty is apparently the one who is in the most danger, because, well. She's The One Who Has The Gift. Wisty might actually know what to do. But the thing is, Whit refuses to let her do anything. The siblings must differ from friend or foe and do what is right. But, what, exactly, is right? And what is wrong?

Rate(1-10): 9

This book was just so entertaining to read.

Okay, if you haven't read this series yet I recommend you check out my review for book 1 of this series, Witch and Wizard. Just search it up in the NavBar above!

The only reasons I read this book:
-I own it.

-I was curious of the plot especially after reading Witch and Wizard.

So if you read my review for book 1 you probably know I had a huge rant about comparing this series with Harry Potter. This isn't a bad series. The plot is suspenseful and interesting. But the thing was, it was compared to HP. And guess what that did? 1-star ratings all over the place.

But I'm not gonna re-type my whole rant here because I already did it in the review for Witch and Wizard.

The plot was just so gorgeously constructed I thought my jaw was going to fall off from dropping so much. (Okay not really but I'm a fan of overexaggeration.) But. BUT. BUT BUT BUT. Dangit I don't like BUT but I have to use it because, well. James Patterson's writing screwed it all up. So you see that I gave this book a 9/10 rating. The thing that kept it from being a 10 was the WRITING. His writing. Ugh I think I could have wrote in the same style when I was 10 years old.

Anyways.

Whit and Wisty are actually NOT really realistic to me. Not really, anyways. It's just like, Whit is attached to his dead girlfriend and he won't let her go. And he's so clumsy sometimes I just get annoyed like crap. And then all of a sudden he's the wise caring brother every sister wants. And Wisty. She's so rebellious I don't think any normal teenager could be so... badass. She doesn't smoke or have tattoos or do drugs or anything like that but it's just her spirit. I don't know. It's not really realistic.

Let me just discuss the antagonist. HE IS SO FREAKING ANNOYING. Not the most common word for a supposedly-evil antagonist, right? He just reminds me of the dude from Phineas and Ferb, enough said. He's NOTHING compared to Lord Voldemort. Just saying. But he's evil enough to do what he did at the end.

And let me say something about Byron. Oh my lord I don't even know what to think of him anymore. First, I hate his stupid weasel guts, and then I loosen up on him a bit and couldn't care less if he lives or dies. And then I feel gratitude and then I feel hate and then I feel gratitude and then I just want to kick him in the balls and throw him over a cliff. Oh wait I still want to do that. He actually confessed his love. And that was really gross because he's so. freaking. ka;jfklsjkajkj. No words okay I just don't like him and I don't think I ever will

The end. Oh my God. THE ENDING. Can I just cry and crawl into a fetal position now. Never have I seen in a book where all the hard work the protagonists did throughout the whole story COLLAPSE just like that at the end. What an ending, what an ending. I'm done. I'm just gonna go read the next book and see what happens. Although I'm not really sure I want to read book 4 because I can't stand walking around reading a book called The Kiss. But we'll just see.

I'm so mean, all I did was insult. LOL. Omg. Okay, there are really good points about this story. Like, the interesting plot and the suspense and etc. It's pretty much unpredictable sometimes.

Quotes.

"Bald is beautiful, baby!"

Did he just call her baby.


"As much as she hates the guy, they do seem to have a weird connection."

That's not awkward at all. Oh my goodness.
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I apologize for the lack of quotes, lol.
Anyways, that's all. What did you think of this review? (;