Forbidden to Love by Debbie Davies

Sunday, March 31, 2013

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Summary

Acacia is the third Erosian. She was created by Prometheus to become Eros' lover. However, Eros' only wanted his true love, Psyche. Allana was created first, but Eros rejected her, then Amora. Acacia was created when Eros rejected Amora as well. But same as her two older sisters, she was rejected as well. But because of Eros' anger form losing his love, she cursed these women to only love him, and was forbidden to love other else.

But when Acacia met Josh, an auraless high school student and found him different from others, Acacia can't help but fall in love with him. But being forbidden to love, loving Josh and Josh loving her could only mean two things -- death for Josh and banishment to Tartarus for Acacia.


My Review

Mythology meets high school drama! An intriguing plot and a very nice cover made this book a hit. During the first words there were confusion on how the story will go, but as soon as I got familiar with the setting, the story consumed me. The characters of Allanna, Amora and Acacia is unique, then add the twist about the love of God who's forbidding everyone to love. The politics and battle between gods were maintained but at the same time, Ms. Davies has perfectly mixed it with modern YA story that made the story really exciting. I totally love how myth and YA harmoniously combined, but it didn't seem cliche even for a second. Every page, a familiar new character would be revealed, but you won't expect their role until the story decides it to be revealed.

The story flows naturally, I already thought it would be plottable but this book took me by surprise midway. I thought it would we a simple forbidden love until they conquered everything, but this is more than that. I couldn't say more! :p

Fragments by Dan Wells

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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Summary from Goodreads


Kira Walker has found the cure for RM, but the battle for the survival of humans and Partials is just beginning. Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues to who she is. That the Partials themselves hold the cure for RM in their blood cannot be a coincidence--it must be part of a larger plan, a plan that involves Kira, a plan that could save both races. Her companions are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them?

Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what's left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns. But Kira's journey will take her deep into the overgrown wasteland of post-apocalyptic America, and Kira and Marcus both will discover that their greatest enemy may be one they didn't even know existed.

The second installment in the pulse-pounding Partials saga is the story of the eleventh hour of humanity's time on Earth, a journey deep into places unknown to discover the means--and even more important, a reason--for our survival. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13170596-fragments


My Review

A lot happened on the first book, but there are still unanswered questions. The second book is all bout these. Kira's journey to find out who she really is and if she would able to make a way to save the world again.

I thought everything would be ok after Kira found out the cure in the first book. But Kira only found how to cure the RM (which I still don't know what means) but no means how to get it. It's weird really, that after finding the cure, Kira seems to forget everything about it and the town forgot everything about her and letting her leave alone without questions asked. 

But now, Kira has different goals for leaving, and also, she's going to do it all alone. She needs to find out how she became a partial, whats Nandita's connection in all of these, and find a way to stop the expiration date of the partials. It just seem like Kira wanted to save everyone. She's a typical hero who wants to save everyone without sacrificing anyone. Hers was an ideal way, there's a problem and she'll find a way that's best for everyone, and she won't stop to get it.

Her journey was long, it came to a point that it got boring because it seems she's going nowhere. It was an endless travel, searching blindly for answers. I know, I'm starting to sound Heron, but who could blame her? Everyone is dying and they're going to something they're not sure of. But what I admired was Kira's faith that she'll find a way.

Though there's a lot of going on, I can't help but think of the love triangle that's happening between Marcus, Kira and Samm. I know the story was not that focused in this issue, but I hoped it did. It could keep the story interesting, especially when all I could read is the endless travel Kira is doing.

The story is quite "technical" with all the medical terms, paragen terms and partial and human. But I honestly had fun reading it. Though there are times that I have no idea what they're talking about, I could easily get the point where the story is going as I continue to read. The story was scattered all over Kira, Marcus, Sato and Ariel was even added to the list. It feels to big for a simple story, but it keeps me expecting how good it would end. If the series will end the same way as it ended on book 1,I don;t care how many rivers or acid rains I would read. :p

a goodbye to a brother

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Goodbye Charlie... you've been with us for so long. You've been part of the family  and we'll forever treasure the memories with you.

Thanks for being the best pet ever! It seems like you always know when to come near me and make lambing... Love you Charlie.. I know you're in good hands now. Happy and Healthy. Hope you're having lots of pandesal there. :)

Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Friday, March 22, 2013

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Summary from Goodreads


Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15745950-walking-disaster

My Review

First of all, I would like to thanks Netgalley and Atria for giving me the opportunity to have the ARC of Walking Disaster. Eversince I have heard about Walking Disaster, I'm already counting the days. I was so excited that it's already March and few more days before it will be released, and guess luck is on my side for this month for having the copy even before it was released :D

I was so excited reading it that I can't take off the smile in my face while reading it. Who wouldn't? I'm about to meet Travis again, and not just hear it from Abby... but to hear Travis' thoughts directly from him. Ever since I have read beautiful disaster, Travis' thoughts have been a mystery. He's the emotional one, the more vocal when it comes to his feelings and emotions are everywhere when he's around, so a book in his POV is not just a bonus, it's like a Christmas gift in March wrapped in the best cover ever! :D

The whole book was entertaining to read. You know you know the story, but hearing it straight from Travis "Mad Dog" Maddox, it's like a whole new story to a different level. Though I believe a reader won't enjoy much of the story without reading Beautiful Disaster first. All the questions I had when I read Beautiful Disaster were answered directly here.

It's nice to hear how was Travis was during the time when Abby was dating Parker and how is he everytime he and Abby broke up! And the jealousy? haha! Exactly the "other" side of the story. Beautiful Disaster has been a perfect story form me, until walking Disaster came along. Though I find the story fast-paced, and there are parts from BD that were skipped that I was looking forward to, it complements the first books perfectly. It made Abby and Travis' more perfect, if that is even possible.

The Practice Proposal by Tracy March

Monday, March 18, 2013

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Summary from Goodreads


Liza Sutherland isn’t looking for love. Not from a charity-auction date she didn’t even bid on and especially not with Nationals first baseman Cole Collins, the guy she obsessed over as an awkward teenager. She won’t get involved with a notorious player, no matter how attractive Cole is. 


Cole Collins is up for contract renegotiation, but after too many late-night parties, he’ll need some positive publicity before he can make the roster. His agent, Frank, pitches Liza as the perfect prop…only Cole didn’t account for Liza no longer being just a teenager with a crush. She’s gorgeous and smart and he’s instantly hooked. 


When Frank makes Liza a deal she can’t refuse—a bet she will fall in love with Cole or a cool half mil goes to charity—the game is on. But neither bet on the real feelings that surface. Could a fake fling turn into an official forever? http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17562073-the-practice-proposal

My Review


I love the combination of this two. Daughter of the owner of one of the baseball team and star of the opposing team. Such a star couple. Cole was Liza's puppy love, she was a fan even before Cole is in the center of the spotlight. And Liza was the only friend Cole has back then. The only person who knows him better than others. 

So when they met again, and Liza is now the hot lady and Cole is the superstar, it's a match made in heaven. Though started for personal gain and lies, I can't help but root for the two. They have the chemistry, that I can't help smiling when I imagine them together. However, it seems like everything is going well in their surroundings. No one's against it that it feels too good to be true. Though it compensates all the lies the couple has, it still lack some excitement. But I'll let it go, the cute couple compensates for everything.

Then when it came near the end, I forgot everything I'm talking about the lack of excitement. The drama is all over, but the love and sweetness just can't get away. The story is so good and easy to read that I'm surprised that I'm almost at the end. It's also enjoyable that I don't actually want it to end, but I'm looking forward to the ending. contradicting huh? 

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Saturday, March 16, 2013

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Summary from Goodreads


In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

Gameboard of the Gods, the first installment of Richelle Mead’s Age of X series, will have all the elements that have made her YA Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series such megasuccesses: sexy, irresistible characters; romantic and mythological intrigue; and relentless action and suspense. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13477883-gameboard-of-the-gods


My Review

Unique and very intriguing story. This is one of the story that won't let you stop until the end. At first, it's confusing where Mae and Justin fits in the story. But as the story goes, I realized that they do not just fit in the story, but it actually revolves around them, being the pieces in the gameboard of the gods.

The story is really big, from the lives in the Runa, to the lives in the province such as in Panama, to Mae's character, to Justin's history and to Tessa's future. This story is everywhere but it definitely did not lose my interest. It started really exciting when the mystery why Justin became exile is starting to be revealed. That's when everything is getting clear and how Mae is connected in all of it. 



It's hard to do something that is against on what you're starting to believe. This is Mae and Justin's problem. How could they stop the religious sects going on in the country, serving gods they know if in truth, there's a hidden god that's making both believe that they should be fighting on their side. Justin's job is to not to believe in any gods, but how could he when there are two ravens in his head talking form hin in years, encouraging him to fulfill his destiny in serving their god. And there's Mae, whom all her life is obligated to not believe in them, but how could she deny the darkness that's controlling her at times and the past she learned about Justin. 

It's hard to imagine a futuristic world, where there are churches with no gods, military with implants to be strong and many others the author have introduced in the story, but in the way the story was written, it became easy to understand and after few pages, you'll be swallowed wholly by the book.

Walking in the Shadows by Cassandra Giovanni

Monday, March 11, 2013

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Summary from Goodreads


Seconds seem like a lifetime when the life you lived is slowly drained out of you by those who care not what you felt, hoped, or dreamed. When the darkness comes it is all-consuming; there is no light and there is no pain. It is the never-ending loss of hope that now consumes me as I die in his arms.

This is Abigail Martin’s nightmare. After her parents become the first victims of a serial killer obsessed with the vampire saga, "Crimson Reign," Abigail does the only thing that she thinks will save her from her parent’s fate–she becomes some one else. As Vera MacIntrye, she falls in love with the very handsome Tad Knightley, and then walks into her first day at her new school to see him standing at the front of the classroom. He’s every teenage girls fantasy, but as he writes “Mr. Knightley: AP British Literature” across the white board Vera realizes the one person who filled the gaping hole in her heart will soon rip it wide open again. 

Vera struggles to adjust to being a ‘normal’ teenager with very adult responsibilities like paying the rent, buying groceries and making sure that lights stay on, while being drawn time and time again back to her off-limits teacher. What’s worse is he is drawn to her too, and their worlds refuse to stay apart when Tad finds Vera screaming in terror in the parking lot after the winter formal. The murderer has struck again and is getting closer to the next target–Vera. Tad will do whatever he can to save her, even if it means losing his dream job, but will it be enough when the murderer is closer than anyone ever thought?


My Review


The story is simple, but very entertaining. Mostly because Vera and Tad's love story is not normal. Imagine falling for your professor?! Well, to be fair with Tad, the two fell inlove right before Tad realize that Vera can be his student. At first I don't get why Vera decided to lie to Tad about this when it's obvious it would surely blow up in her face sooner or later. She's aware Tad is a professor in her school. But as I get to know Vera better, I finally undertand. For someone who experienced what she experienced, it was really hard to open up to anyone. She thought Tad is just someone she could spend time with, but not permanently. But as they grew to know each other, Vera comes to realize her mistake. Too late already, it's the first day of school and Tad is her english professor! dang!


It's not just a love story, there's also the suspense and thrill of the murder suspects on the loose and Vera is most probably their next target. Sadly, I didn't felt much emotions with Vera's parents being murdered and her being the next target. I didn't felt the urgency of Vera's safety nor the sadness Vera felt. Maybe because, the story is written on Vera's POV and Vera's character is closed. She doesn't let her emotions show. Still, with everything that's happening, I was hoping for a roller coaster of a ride. Maybe it would be nicer if I have read Tad's POV as well. He's the emotion of the character, the person who vocally announce how much she loves Vera even if it costs his dream job.

Other than the murder, I find Vera's life in this part fo the story so easy. She has her godparents to take care of her, enough inheritance to buy a very good car, a professor who's in love with her and ready to pursue her no matter what she do, a friend and everything. It's not that I'm against it, it's just I haven't seen much of the bad side of Vera's life to even it out. 

And the murder? From the book/movie series about vampires? At first, I was doubting what is the relation of vampires in the story, and starting to doubt that this isjust a normal story and not paranormal.Good thing, bit by bit everything was explained clearly. Otherwise, I would be expecting Edward Cullen to jump in the next page. haha!


All in all, the story is good. 3.5 stars for this. The story has potential but I want more on the details and emotions. I didn't feel that much attached to the story or the characters, but the story is interesting to keep me going. 

The Bane by Keary Taylor

Friday, March 8, 2013

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Summary from Goodreads


Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.

Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.

Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.

The Bane is The Terminator meets The Walking Dead with a heart-twisting romance.

Previously published as Eden, due to reader demand it has been revamped and rereleased as The Bane: book one in The Eden Trilogy. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17372641-the-bane


My Review


It's like reading right in the middle of the book. No introductions, high emotions without further a do. I like how the story was presented. Simple with very clear writing and very intriguing. At first I have no idea what Eve is talking about. What is Bane? Is it a disease? A the government hunting them to death or is it just a person infected by something incurable, something like a zombie. Bit by bit, everything comes into focus and gets pretty exciting. 

Since it is a dystopian novel, I am expecting to have a hard time understanding and familiarizing the world the characters live in. But it surprises me how easily I was drowned in the book. There are lots of questions at first, but the author have perfectly described everything in the story, giving me little space for my imagination and my questions. 

There are a lot of things that keeps this story exciting and made me sleepless last night. First is the Eden itself, the leader Gabriel, and the whole community moving when needed. Then there's Eve, who's past is a big mystery as well as her character. I just can't wholly grasp her identity, such a mystery. Then there's Avian and West, two hotties pining for Eve's attention. Avian holds everything Eve now knows, while West holds the memories Eve doesn't have. It's a neck to neck competition, I just can't decide which is better for her. I consider this the tightest love triangle I have ever read. But in the end, I was never disappointed on whom Eve ended up with.

What I love most in this story is that Eve is such a likable character. She's not a damsel in distress, not a girl whose life seems to end because of a man, has her priorities, can stand on her own and most specially, she does not do annoyingly stupid decision that endangers everyone she loves. She's a hero herself.