The Fault in Our Stars Book and Movie

                Hello everyone.  First I have to say my new job is amazing!  I love it and I have a good chunk of it that allows me to read depending on what is going on that day which is amazing.  I have plenty of time to read and sometimes lose track of time and forget to do the reviewing part ready to dive into the next book.  However, I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green about a week and a half ago and just saw the movie so I think I could put them together for you wonderful readers.

                Normally I try to think of movies based off books as a separate thing so I don’t get too upset when things are changed or left out.  Though this one managed to stay pretty darn close to the book and I feel I can mix them.  The book was one I had heard many things about, more so as the movie got closer to release, but I was unsure knowing it was to be a tear jerker.  But the book club my friends and I are attempting to start picked this for the first book and I wanted to read it before the movie.  It’s the story of Hazel Grace, a 17 year old girl who is living with her terminal cancer diagnosis.  She is witty and pretty straight forward and not into the whole rainbows and unicorns aspect of it.  She pretty much lives for her parents who love her, and that is why she allows them to talk her into a support group.  At the group she meets a handsome Augustus Waters and her story as she pictured it changes.

                I won’t lie it’s a sad story.  I managed to make it through the book without crying.  A feat accomplished only because when it got sad I’d put it down for a few minutes and do something else and come back 10 minutes later and start fresh again.  The movie…not so much you watch that from start to finish no stops and no breaks to compose yourself.  I cried my eyeballs out.  With that said have tissues handy. 

On that note I also have to mention that I’ve heard a handful of people ask why people would see a movie that seems depressing.  Yes it’s sad.  A story about people with terminal diseases, but it’s not depressing.  It’s an uplifting story and something that is all too real in our world.  It has a beautiful story that has romance and the right level of adorableness in it to soften the punch to the face sad stuff.  With that the movie captured the books essence wonderfully.  Yes they left out a few little side things that were inconsequential like a somewhat friend from Hazel’s time in school and the specifics of the machines and such.  Yes the book goes more in depth, as they all do, as the motives behind the characters particular the narrators. 

Basically I really enjoyed the book and the movie and I highly recommend them.  It was a nice contemporary break in my sci-fi/fantasy world.  It was refreshing and full of great moments that make reading such a beautiful release.  I applaud John Green and the actors who brought these characters to life on the big screen so vividly that it made me really feel.  That to me is what makes a great book and movie.  I give this book 5 Unlit Cigarettes.

The Culling by J.C. Andrijeski

                Hello again!  It's a bit later than intended but I had a bit of a power issue before work due to the storm and no power means no internet.  Anyways I'm back today with a review for The Culling by J.C. Andrijeski thanks to NetGalley.  Now this book is not an ARC it is a re-release and the next two books in the series are already out. 

                This is about 19 year old Jet, a skag, a human living free on Earth.  Yes Earth was taken over by an invasion of creatures called Nirreth and they allow humans to live in their cities but they are slaves so to be free you are always on the lookout.  Being outside the cities of the Nirreth is dangerous, not just awaiting capture by the culler ships but the Earth is not the same and resources are hard to find and so many things are toxic.  Jet is out trying to barter supplies when the unthinkable happens, she is taken by the culler ship.  No one knows what happens when you are taken, just that no one ever returns. 

               

                This story was pretty short and was a quick read.  I finished it in one sitting.  It was an interesting concept and let's face it a bad ass looking chick on the cover with a samurai sword looked pretty cool.  I had a flash of Walking Dead for a minute.  Then add in aliens and the makings for a good invasion/fight back story and I'm all for it. 

                You dive right into the world and you see what it has become and honestly it’s a future that is pretty bleak but still you see it from Jet's perspective and despite everything she is free and that is all that matters.  She is a good mix of strong, stubborn, and witty but she also has her moments which may cause more trouble down the line.  She is forced to confront her ideas and really lack of knowledge of the Nirreth and their ways in this new life of hers.  Also it brings up some interesting ideas, if you could be drugged into being compliant/numb would that be better to blindly serve or would you rather be aware of the servitude that you found yourself in?

                 This is a quick sci-fi/dystopian read to lose yourself in for a little while.  I give it a solid 4 swords.  As I mentioned this is a re-release and the next two books in the series, The Royals and The New Order are already on sale and I look forward to reading them and figuring out what happens to Jet next.  How she adapts to being a slave.  As a note I see that the books have two different series titles "Slave Girl Chronicles" and "Alien Apocalypse" but they are all the same, I believe the series name was changing, but rest assured it's the same series. 

Contact by Laurisa White Reyes

                Hello All!  I am on my first day off from my brand new job and I love it.  The new schedule is not set yet as I'll be moving around with trainings and such but yeah the first week I think the pure excitement was too much for me.  I was wide awake at work but then at home between 6pm-7pm I was passed out on the couch trying to watch a show, read, type, whatever until the next morning.  Anyways I think I have managed to get a handle on that, mostly by avoiding the couch at that window lol.  And the week before was running around finishing paperwork and getting parking permits and IDs and letting my old job know and saying goodbye to people there, moving jobs is crazy busy .  But now I'm off and have some reviews to type.

               

                Now I was provided Contact by LaurisaWhite Reyes by NetGalley and Hallowed Ink Press to read and review.  This is an ARC and is set to come out June 23rd.  This is a story about a girl, Mira, who tries to kill herself.  We join her after her second failed attempt.  She isn't depressed and suicidal as you might initially think, no she has a deeper reason.  Every time she comes into contact with someone, skin to skin, for even just a second she can see everything about the person.  Their whole psyche loads into hers and it sucks.  Not only does it hurt physically but she also feels so alone.  And on top of all of that her father is ruining for political office and is being investigated for several deaths during testing for the miracle drug he helped pioneer. 

                 I clicked on this book first because the cover caught my eye.  A beautiful girl with an cracked glass background in cool colors and font clutching an old school record, I was curious to know more.This book was pretty interesting.  It was set in modern day and I'd even say not a fantasy or sci-fi really.  Sure the seeing peoples mind is a bit fantasy but its more a symptom and the rest of the story is about a mystery and a girls struggle to deal with her life and everything in it.  She has family issues including a father who seems somewhat aloof and distant but whom she with her 'stunts' is clearly bringing more bad press to him.  Oh and did I mention this drug also is mandated now because it cures, you guessed it, depression so when your daughter is still suicidal it raises questions. 

                Mira is a solid character for me that has a lot of things going on in her head and heart and doesn't know what she wants anymore.  That's pretty much something everyone can relate to.  Then we have David, a guy she meets in the most interesting way, who seems drawn to her and despite her rationalizations she is drawn to him.  When you can't touch another person being around a boy that makes you want to touch is a conundrum.  As her life starts to spiral David is there to help her search for answers and keep her sane while maybe even bring her through this. 

                The story itself as I mentioned is more of a mystery than a fantasy as Mira and David search for clues about what she is and just what really happened in those trials.  It’s a dangerous game filled with excitement and intrigue so enjoy the ride.  I give Contact 4 Stars.  I enjoyed it and read through it pretty quickly, less than a day really.  It has a little bit of everything in there for you and  keep you going  to the last page.  Now it is currently only listed as a single book with nothing to indicate, that I have found, a start to a series but the book.  It ends but and you are okay with the ending but there was the option to continue so if the story of Mira does continue I look forward to reading it.   So check out Contact when it comes out soon on June 23rd.

                So I'm aiming for Monday to have my review of The Culling by J.C. Andrijeski ready to post.  But in the mean time, I adore all of you who take the time to read my blog and my ramblings about everything but I would love to hear from you as well.  So I ask you all, would you like the ability to read others minds/see their past?  Would you think of it as a curse or a gift?  Share your thoughts below please and stay tuned!

Happy Memorial Day and review of Divided by Elsie Chapman

                First and foremost Happy Memorial Day everyone.  I hope you all enjoy your day and thank those who have fought so hard for us to enjoy our lives and freedoms. 

                It was my great pleasure to receive another sequel to read and review thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's.  It was provided to me for an honest opinion and as I enjoyed the first book I was eager to read book 2 which comes out tomorrow, May 27th. 

               

                Divided by Elsie Chapman is the sequel to the Dualed which I previously reviewed here.  A dystopian series about a world protected from the Surround, the only catch to live in the safety  you must prove yourself and be a killer.  Each person is born with an Alt, an alternate them which upon activation both Alts have 30 days to find one another and kill.  Only one can live if neither finishes both die.  Only the worthy can live and protect the city if the walls should ever fall.  A tough society.  Everyone who completes is considered worthy and accept for few acceptations, a killer.  Now from here there are spoilers for Book 1 so read on at your own risk.     
            In Dualed we left our main character West dealing with her completion and adjusting to what she did by becoming a striker, assassin for hire, to hone her skills and dull out the pain of losing the last of her family.  Some may not agree with her choice.  I personally look at it from an objective angle.  I'm not in that situation, thankfully, and enjoy the ride.  Besides if characters made decisions we wanted every single time there wouldn't be any story and wouldn’t be unique.  Now West is done with that life, only the nightmares and marks to remind her.  She has plans for her future with Chord, as a complete, making plans is more real and solid. 

                That is until a head honcho from the board, those who control everything, approaches West with an offer she can't refuse.  Become a striker again for 3 unworthies for a chance at something much more precious.  Is anything worth going back to that?  And is there really a choice?  What happens when she realizes she's been lied to and in order to secure her future she'll have to dig deeper to get to the bottom of things without endangering everyone she has left.

                Much like Dualed this book is not only about the action and violence as it may seem but more importantly it's about ones struggle of self worth.  West has been through so much and is just starting to get her feet on solid ground when the rug is ripped out from under her yet again.  Life is all about the choices we make and how we live our lives. 

It's not always this clear...

                As a character, West is different and I don't always agree with her train of thought sure but I can see her struggle with it and that back and forth with oneself.  Still I like her and root for her get through it.  See where she saw a choice given to her I didn't.  I saw a threat laid out like a choice which is how I looked at everything that happened and sometimes when she would go through her rationalizations though I might not agree I still enjoyed hearing her ideas.  Then you have the sturdy Chord who is her rock and you had to admit easy to love.  He struggles with the past like West and with everything she does now but he loves her and he wants to be there for her even when he struggles to accept some things. 

                In Divided we get a better understanding of the world itself.  Before it as about the Alts and the program to keep them all strong.  Now we see more into that and how it came about, which was really interesting and have much more dimension.  Seeing behind the curtain of the world and how it ticks and everyone works inside like bees of a hive.  I give Divided 4-4.5 Stars.  It had everything I expected in a sequel and I enjoyed it.  Share your thoughts and comments below, I want to know what you think about this series and/or premise. 

                 

                

Not hard to see why I fell for Love's Paradox by Laura Kreitzer

                So now that I'm not sleeping 19 hours a day, yes I was sick.  I knew it was bad, I love me some sleep like the next person and when I don't sleep well for days it's not unheard of for me to sleep 12-14 hrs once and recharge but that much for multiple days and feeling icky nope.  Two shots in the behind and another day to let the other meds kick in and I was much more me again.  Yes with my days of you'd think I could get so much reading done but sadly when I say I slept it was too hard to hold my eyes open for a good book or even a movie/show.  Serious business that is. 

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N 

                Now I'm catching back up.  I want to say thank you again to all of you who participated in my very first giveaway.  A very good friend and someone who entered herself asked me recently who won as I didn’t make an announcement.  My apologies to anyone who was waiting for a big announcement, I simply put the winner in the little entry contraption and contacted them personally to get the details for the delivery.  So a bit late but yeah the winner was Donna!  Who received her book and cookies and is enjoying them!  This is a learning process and next time I promise to make it clearer for everyone so any and all feedback, thank you. 

*****Update/Announcement type information finished onto Book Love*****

                Now the main reason for my post today is not only to say yes I'm still alive but because I finished two great books and I'm ready to review the first of which, Love's Paradox by Laura Kreitzer.  I received this book NetGalley and Revolution Publishing Inc. for my thoughts and an honest review.  This was originally an ARC but with being sick and all I'm a bit behind but bright side is you don't have to wait Love's Paradox is available now.

               

                Love's Paradox is a New Adult book and as such has more adult material inside as the characters are just past teenagers.  Just a warning for those who don't want any steaming love scenes, stronger violence/action/themes or yes language.  To each their own, I find the New Adult section to be a good progression of all the things I love about YA and just progressing further. 

                With that said I adored this book.  I started it at lunch one day and then accidentally stayed up until 3am to finish it.  Yes accidentally because I only meant to read for an hour before bed but the next thing I knew it was over and it was well past bed time for my early morning ahead.  I couldn’t put it down and had no desire to check my clock, aka phone, I was so immersed.  The book doesn't cover a large span of time really things happen pretty quickly and as a result you think, 'well I have to know what happens next' at every chapter end. 

                The story is about Rae who is getting over her abusive ex-fiancé  who has turned stalker.  She decides to send a clear message one night signing a song about their past and he doesn't take it well.  When he tries to stop her a strong, sexy, and somewhat intimidating hero comes to the rescue in the biker bar.  His violent intervention, while deserved doesn't sit as well with Rae but yet as they talk they have a connection.  Even as she attempts to ignore her attraction to him she can't win and their bond will be tested.  Her ex-fiancé's twisted mind and violent proclivities are not to be easily dismissed. 

                The cover was catchy, the title intriguing, and the summary made me want to learn more about Raw.  As per usual I'm all about characters.  Rae is a strong female character I can get behind but she is also someone who has a lot of issues that come through the tough exterior.  I liked her and I wanted things to work out for her.  Hearing about her past I felt like she was a good friend of mine and I wanted to take care of her.  Then you have Parker.  He is a contradiction to so many things but I fell for him.  He was easy to make into a sexy bad boy with a heart of gold book boyfriend, but he was more than a cliché.  There were some things about him that seemed 'too good to be true' at first but as you dig into the character it really worked.   

               

                It's clear from their first lines that there is something between these characters which I adore.  There is nothing worse than being forced to see how characters should be together because it's intended.  Rae and Parkers connection with all its problems and differences feels natural.  The back and forth banter between them had me giggling like a school girl with her first crush.  At one point I dropped my kindle (thankfully only onto the couch and it was in a case) because I was laughing so hard at some points. 

 

                And of course you have to consider the vindictive ex, who is a trip and very authentic.  There are people like this out there everywhere and he was just the right balance.  Or the best friends.  As someone who has a few friends who I would do pretty much anything for and don't know how I would survive without them just being there to keep me sane sometimes I can love a book friendship almost more than a romance if it feels like friends I would have.   I could easily see myself hanging out with Cherry and Hunter without fail.

                There were pop culture references for readers to enjoy and something that I LOVED the title tie in.  I'm all about a pretty cover and catchy title but if you can make it tie into the story, especially at a critical moment, it really hits home.  Love's Paradox, did it in spades.  Also something I greatly appreciate is valid information.  I know not everyone has my previous job history and might not catch onto some simple legal flaws but to know someone was able to put correct terminology in there is refreshing.   

               

                I easily give Love's Paradox 5 shinning stars.  It will make your day or night fly by.  Pick it up and enjoy the beautifully complex characters and the fight to find ones happiness when your past keeps trying to get in the way.  Tell me in the comments below your thoughts on love and romance.  Any crazy stalker ex's?

                Coming up next I have also just finished Divided by Elsie Chapman which I plan to post on Monday for Memorial Day! 

Scala (Angelbound #2) by Christina Bauer

                As mentioned yesterday, this was my other sequel review that I was excited about and came out on the same day, Scala book 2 in the Angelbound series by Christina Bauer.   Thank you again to NetGalley and Ink Monster for letting me read it almost a week early to review.  Not as early to post, but bright side, it is on sale today so you can click right on over and order it ;) 

               

                Scala takes place a few months after the end of Angelbound, if you don't remember it check out the review here.  Myla is now not only bad ass quasis (half human/half demon) with a wicked dragon tail and years of combat training under her belt, she is now also the Great Scala.  That means she is the only one with the power to move souls out of Purgatory and into their final resting place of Heaven of Hell.  Sounds good right?  Well not so much when Lucifer's Orb is limiting her ability and making it so she can only send souls to Hell.  Yikes! 

                Unwilling to send innocent souls to rot in Hell she does the natural thing and goes on strike until the Orb is found and removed.  Problem is, with so many souls coming into Purgatory every month the storage buildings are filling up like pressure cookers.  Myla wants to stick to her beliefs and not risk the souls of those meant for Heaven but she is running out of time and risking all of Purgatory if the souls break free and overrun the living.  Not the easier job in the world for our 19 year old girl.

                Also keep in mind she is also dealing with politics and her old enemy, the witchy whiney brat, Lady Adair who is bound to make her life more difficult.  She wants what Myla has, what she feels was taken from her, the prestige, the power, and most of all Prince Lincoln.  But with Myla and Lincoln not only are they able to steam up some serious scenes but they are also able to work together and bring out the best of one another and fight back against all of their enemies seen and unseen.   But is that enough this time?

                I really love the covers with these series from Ink Monster, simple and beautiful.  Myla in her Scala robes which also can change to armor, very resourceful when you are part wrath demon and under constant attack.  All the things in the first book, the strong personality of our main character Myla are still there even as she struggles with uncertainty in her new position holding so much power and not wanting to make the wrong choice.  We also have more Lincoln but as much as she wants to spend all her time with the man, Prince, she loves he is busy being a prince and demon hunter and she has her own things to deal with so making things work takes some work too.

                This is a short novella type story and was a quick read.  I finished it in a few hours, sadly broken up as I kept getting interrupted.  I easily rate this book 5 stars and am excited to note that the next book Armageddon is set to come out October 14th so again, not a long wait at all which is beyond appealing.  Anyways as mentioned Scala comes out today so check it out and tell me what you think in the comments below.

Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin

                First I want to thank everyone who participated in my giveaway.  I have my very first winner and will be sending out her prize ASAP!  

                Avoiding Alpha by Aileen Erin is the 2nd book, or technically novella, in The Alpha Girls series.  I reviewed the first story in the series Becoming Alpha, here, some months back and I fell in love with it and couldn’t wait for this one to come out.  I have had it on my Amazon wish list ready to purchase on Tuesday May 13th when it comes out since it was posted on the site.  Then I was doing my daily check on NetGalley for new books to request and there it was!  I clicked request so fast.  Then later in the day while I was at work, on lunch when I was finally able to read my e-mails, I saw I had been approved for this book, 1 week early.  My lunch comrades maybe had some concerns about my mental health that day given my squeal of excitement, happy dance in my chair, and my high pitched and speedy explanation to which they were still clueless but just moved right along. 

                I admit though there was a larger reason for my excitement, not only had I been approved for Avoiding Alpha but the other book set to release the same day which I also was super excited for sent me a pre-approved to read notice.  Score 2 books I was dying to read a week early.  Then my biggest problem was figuring out which to read first, and that I had to wait until I got home as there was no wi-fi at work, and let's be honest I wouldn’t have been too focused on work if I had started during lunch.  So thank you to NetGalley and Ink Monster for letting me read and review this ARC.  Spoilers ahead for book 1, just in case that wasn't clear.

                We left Tessa at St. Ailbe's Academy where she has been through a lot but is adapting to her new life as a werewolf, if she is holding off on the whole going wolf part.  She is still learning and slowly adapting to things.  She went from being a girl who couldn’t touch things or people without seeing their life in her mind to being able to control that, having a powerful alpha mate, who sort of made her a were wolf, which broke a lot of rules.  Yep, just a normal day.  While Tessa and her sexy wolfy mate Dastien prepare for the Tribunal, yeah biting someone to make them a wolf is a big no no.  Made worse by the fact that she is part witch and the coven isn't very happy they took one of theirs, even if she had never met them.  That issue is set aside when Tessa's best friend Meredith starts to get sick, she had been cursed by the coven years ago but now her wolf is awake and its making her sick.  She doesn't have long.  Tessa is determined to find a way to help her best friend, even willing to deal with things she doesn't quite understand and make a deal with the devil. 

                This book had all the things that made me fall in love with the first book.  The connection between Tessa and Dastien is steamy, yowza.  I like all the different characters and the way the pack interacts, it's not based on age or experience but on power which is an interesting dynamic.  Being there as Tessa struggles with the possibility of losing her first real friend was heart breaking.  I read this book start to finish in a couple of hours.  It was shorter than the first book, and now that I type the review I see it listed as a novella on Goodreads, so that probably explains it.  Either way this is a great addition to the series and you won't be able to put it down.  I easily give this book 5 Stars!  Don't forget to check out both books, Avoiding Alpha comes out tomorrow Tuesday May 13th.  Also heads up book 3 Alpha Divided is already available for pre-order on Amazon and comes out October 14th, which as far as most books go that is a short wait period. 

                Now I mentioned above I had 2 books approved to be released the same day.  The other is Scala book 2 in the Angelbound series by Christina Bauer.  That review is coming up tomorrow to check back soon.  In the comments please share your thoughts.  What do you think about this series, or about werewolves in general?