My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh Review

Title: My Year of Rest and Relaxation

Author: Ottessa Moshfegh

Genre: Contemporary

Blurb: Our narrator should be happy, shouldn’t she? She’s young, thin, pretty, a recent Columbia graduate, works an easy job at a hip art gallery, lives in an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan paid for, like the rest of her needs, by her inheritance. But there is a dark and vacuous hole in her heart, and it isn’t just the loss of her parents, or the way her Wall Street boyfriend treats her, or her sadomasochistic relationship with her best friend, Reva. It’s the year 2000 in a city aglitter with wealth and possibility; what could be so terribly wrong?

My Year of Rest and Relaxation is a powerful answer to that question. Through the story of a year spent under the influence of a truly mad combination of drugs designed to heal our heroine from her alienation from this world, Moshfegh shows us how reasonable, even necessary, alienation can be. Both tender and blackly funny, merciless and compassionate, it is a showcase for the gifts of one of our major writers working at the height of her powers.

Me: I've seen this incredible cover everywhere, and finally decided to see what the hype was about. Definitely nothing like I expected, but not too groundbreaking or even really that interesting. 

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Review

Title: The Goldfinch
Author: Donna Tartt
Genre: Fiction
Blurb: It begins with a boy. Theo Decker, a thirteen-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his unbearable longing for his mother, he clings to one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art.

As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love-and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.

Me: I finally did it, y'all. I read the book of 2014 six years later in self-isolation, but as someone who never thought they'd get around to it, I'm pretty happy! I was excited to see some of the hype for myself but unfortunately, I think I might understand why I avoided reading it for so long. 

Let's Get Lost Review

Title: Let's Get Lost
Author: Adi Alsaid
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Blurb: Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost. 

Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named Leila. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most. 

Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth—sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way.

Independent Study (The Testing #2) Review

Title: Independent Study
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Publisher: HMH Books
Genre: Sci-fi, Dystopian 

Spoilers in white. Highlight to read. 

Blurb: (from goodreads) In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the government has tried to erase her memory of the brutal horrors of The Testing, Cia remembers. Her attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government’s murderous programs put her—and her loved ones—in a world of danger. But the future of the Commonwealth depends on her.


Me: Again, same thing. Unoriginal. Unmemorable. Stuff we've already heard before.

The Ups: I really liked the ending. And that was basically it. The idea of a staged rebellion to eliminate troublemakers was really original and I had not seen it coming. I also loved how it cut off right there, but tied it together quite nicely. The ending made me reach for the third one right away.

The Downs: But it ends there. Every other aspect of the book was repetitive and unoriginal. 
First off, I am so sick of perfect heroines. SO DONE. I felt it with Katniss in The Hunger Games, and now I'm feeling the same with this character, Cia. She seems to be able to do no wrong. She cares for all these people dying in The Testing and afterward, even if she didn't know them or didn't care for them. She is way too sympathetic, and is also way too smart. It's impossible for her to be so extraordinary that she passes the tests that were made for the smartest people in the nation so easily. I just wanted to say, "Do you have flaws? Or are you a freaking goddess?" 

Also, why is the University basically identical to the Testing? Why do people still get "Redirected?" Was the author just too lazy to actually creatively think of a different setting and a different society that she just took the easy way out? You would think there would be a bit more interesting way of the school to work after they've gone through so much just to get to the University. 

I also felt like Tomas wasn't too interesting. I couldn't feel the security and the comfort that Cia felt around him. I couldn't really see what was so special about him. I feel like that made the romance less strong, and I didn't feel the trust and the importance between the characters. 

Overall: There just wasn't anything special, and I didn't feel connected to the story. 

Rating: 2 kisses! 

Unwind Review

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Genre: Sci-fi

Blurb: (from goodreads) Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.
Me: Kind of disappointed after all the hype.

The Ups: I think I only really loved one thing in this entire book. The scene where you-know-who is getting you-know-what and I wanted to puke but at the same time it was so intense and awesome and terrifying and I really felt like I kind of got the feeling of the book. It took a lot of bravery, I think, to write that scene and it was just an absolutely amazing piece of writing.
I don't know what it was, but I really like Lev as a character. His struggle to make sense of something he'd kind of been brainwashed into thinking his entire life and the constant struggle of his character was very interesting.

The Downs: I heard so many amazing things about this book and everybody told me it was phenomenal, but to be absolutely honest it wasn't very good. I think the plot kind of dragged on and made me lose interest after a while, and I didn't like the writing style of Neil Schusterman. It was very drab and I couldn't get connected to any of the characters.
Some things that happened in the book seemed very fake and I just couldn't picture this world very well. I found the concept of Unwinding kind of stupid and I didn't get the entire concept of the book. 
The characters were also unbelievable and not very relatable. I didn't feel myself connected to them.
After reading the book, when I discussed it with different people, they all told me that the entire point of the book was that life was viewed differently in this world, but I didn't feel like that message got across to me at all. 

Overall: Alone in my stand that it wasn't worth the hype..?

Rating: 2 kisses! 

The Scorch Trials Review

Title: The Scorch Trials
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Sci-fi
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Blurb: (from goodreads) Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. 
 
Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch. 
 
There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.
 
The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them. 
 
Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off. 
 
There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive.

Me: I just finally read the sequel, and after hearing a lot of good and bad stuff about it, here's what I have to say. 

The Ups: I loved the setting, and the descriptions of the world that the Gladers had to transition into. James Dashner is really good at depicting a place that readers haven't seen in real life, and making it come to life and making sure that we can really picture it in our minds. I thought I could see the Scorch perfectly. I could see the Flat Trans, see the buildings. I was almost building a mini set in my head.

During the entirety of the book, it felt like I was seeing a movie. I saw the characters as the actors who were in The Maze Runner, and the action was very visual and well-described. Sometimes in other books, the place itself and the action just seems chaotic and a jumble of words. But The Scorch Trials made it very easy for me to just read a certain description and see it right away.

The Downs: However, I feel like James Dashner's characters lost their power in this book. In the Maze Runner, I really felt connected to the characters, and I talked about that in my review. In this one however, I felt like they were completely different people, and some of them just tired me out as a reader.
Thomas, for starters, was acting like a lovesick puppy. The fact that there is a love triangle in the story angers me so much. Unnecessary plot much? Every stinking second Thomas was groaning and moaning about Theresa, and then Brenda.
I really didn't like Theresa in this story. I won't spoil anything, but she was all over the place. Her actions and her constant two-faced weirdness confused me, and after a while I was just sick of her. I didn't understand what was going on with her and Wicked, and I still can't figure out if she is good or bad. I feel like Theresa, of all characters, should have a sturdy skeleton of a character but I couldn't see that at all. 

Overall: Worse than The Maze Runner, and really messed-up characters.

Rating: 2 kisses!

Hush, Hush Review

Title: Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Blurb: (from goodreads) A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

Me: First of all, I went on goodreads and was absolutely appalled by the amount of controversy this book has gotten. Literally, the ratings were either 1 star or 5 stars. And I have quite some stuff to say about the book.

The Ups: I thought that the book was rather enjoyable during the actual period I was reading it. It was very fast-paced which I enjoyed, because being so incredibly tired and busy these days, it was nice that I could slip in and out of the world of the book very quickly and I thought that it kept me entertained throughout the story. There was a lot of action, suspense, and I got interested in what was happening. 

The concept of fallen angels, and Nephilim was very fresh and interesting, and I think it was cool to think of good gone wrong, and how even the most holiest or "good" creatures would succumb to desire. I've read a crazy amount of books on fairies, vampires, and werewolves, but angels were a new idea. 

The Downs: This book is a romance novel. Right? I mean, that's what it's supposed to be. And I fell for Patch the first time that he popped up. But as the book went on, I found him to be borderline abusive and not attractive or nice at all. And when I don't like the romantic interest in a romance novel, that kind of defeats the whole purpose of the novel. I think that if the novel had expanded more on the entire angel/Nephilim idea it would have been much more interesting than just trying to make the romance work. 
I also think that the actual action happened too late in the book. I understand that it was building up to a certain climax and that there was a lot of romantic building and information that we needed, but I wish that it would have happened at a bit of a faster pace. I just really think that if the book had been primarily based on the paranormal part of the story and not the romance, it would have been much more enjoyable.
I found the book very predictable. It just seemed like another generic paranormal story for me. I saw a lot of things coming and it just generally didn't excite me very much. 

Overall: Fascinating concept, but wasn't written the way I would've liked it. 

Rating: 2 kisses!

If I Stay Review

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Genre: Contemporary

Blurb: On a day that started like any other, Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, admiring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. In an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left. It is the most important decision she'll ever make.

Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting, and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving.


Me: The movie came out a few days ago and I really wanted to watch it and see what all the reaction was about, so I decided to buy it. Regret it, too.

The Ups: It's a very fresh concept. We human beings, as a race, are constantly questioning what will happen to us when we die, and whether or not we get a say in it. This was a very nice take on that concept, and the idea of having a perfect life helped even more.
The thing is, all characters in books we read these days have deep flaws with their personal, home, or school life. And although this sounds very stupid and snobby, there are people with seemingly perfect lives, and this book shows that anything, even something that seems that strong can shatter in a second.
I really liked the decision that Mia had to make, and how in the end, love saved her. 

The Downs: Setting that aside, this was not sad. At all. I don't now if I'm just a completely insensitive human being or what, but the descriptions were not enough. The emotion was just not there. I feel like there wasn't enough connection between the reader and Mia and Mia and her family for me to feel the immense emotional pain she was enduring, and the difficulty of the decision she was trying to make. 
The romance was confusing, too. I think that the connections between the characters were not built enough. The love for Adam or whatever didn't seem like this beautiful, understanding love, but more like just another high school romance. Nothing worth living for, you know?
The parents were all too perfect. No parents are that perfect. No matter how cool, no matter how understanding, parents are bound to have flaws, and they didn't. 
Overall: Lacked connection and emotion. Hopefully the movie will be better. 

Rating: 2 kisses! 

Unbreakable Review

Title: Unbreakable
Author: Kami Garcia
Publisher: Little, Brown
Genre: Paranormal

Blurb: (from goodreads)I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Me: A brand-spanking-new series by the co-author of the beloved Beautiful Creatures series? Seems worth an attempt! 

The Ups: I really enjoyed how Kami Garcia elaborated on how they'd defend themselves against the demons, the history of the Legion, etc. Rock salt guns, cold iron, the calculator/metal detector...awesome. I think that really contributed to make the story believable and almost imaginable. 

I have to give Kami Garcia credit. her writing is simple yet amazingly descriptive. The book was like an action movie. I could picture every scene and all of the characters, which isn't something I can often do. (the part at the Hearts of Mercy? Imagery was to die for.)

The other members of the Legion were so lovable-my personal favorite was Priest. Not that their demeanor is in anyway cute and lovable. All of them are tough and badass, but all of them have a sweet side, because yeah, they might be demon hunters, but at the end of the day, they're jsut teenagers.

The Downs: Unfortunately, this book let me down quite a bit on plot and depth and such. I read an excerpt in Dangerous Creatures(review here) and I thought it looked very good but I have very high expectations for those two authors. Not a bad read, but it just wasn't very hooking. I feel like it wasn't a complete waste of time, but just not phenomenal. 

I think Kennedy as the main character just lacked a lot. She was very self-doubting, a bit indecisive, not relatable at all, and a little bit of an annoying brat. One of those characters where you're like, "Why does everyone love her??" There was so relation between me and her, nothing I could sympathize about, and since the main character is such a main part of any novel, I think that's what really pushed this book down. 

Overall: Not bad, but could've used more from this recognized author. 

Rating: 2 kisses!

Shiver Review

Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal-ish

Blurb: (from goodreads) For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Me:  Werewolves. Wolf-humans that supposedly turn at the full moon. Oh wait- never mind, they turn at winter!
The Ups: To me, the idea of werewolves turning according to the temperature was fascinating. It was a really fresh look on werewolves and how they can stay human for half of the year and 

 then have to turn into a wolf. The story was very intriguing, especially the idea of only being able to shift back to a human for a certain amount of time. I liked the connection between Grace and the wolves before she found Sam as well. 

The Downs: First off, the different voices. Aargh! They weren't much different, and Sam was too vulnerable. Yes, we all love compassionate, serious guys. If only they existed! Sam was almost unrealistically sensitive and you couldn't tell the difference of the two characters throughout the book. 
      I also felt like the ending (don't worry won't spoil) was not very well thought out and something that was just carelessly thrown in to solve the problem. 

I feel like I am not going to reach for the sequel. 
Rating: 2 kisses out of 5!