[Review] Teardrop

English Cover

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‚Teardrop‘
by
Lauren Kate

Teardrop # 1
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Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Eureka won’t let anyone close enough to feel her pain. After her mother was killed in a freak accident, the things she used to love hold no meaning. She wants to escape, but one thing holds her back: Ander, the boy who is everywhere she goes, whose turquoise eyes are like the ocean.
And then Eureka uncovers an ancient tale of romance and heartbreak, about a girl who cried an entire continent into the sea. Suddenly her mother’s death and Ander’s appearance seem connected, and her life takes on dark undercurrents that don’t make sense. Can everything you love be washed away? (Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
I really wanted to love the book, at least so far that I may be able to recommend it – I mean, have a look at this wonderful cover and also the synopsis sounded very promising – particularly, because it sounded like a fresh and new story. And also the beginning was really good, has carried me away immediately and I found the writing style nice, even if it was sometimes a little bit too poetic and then at the next moment it was too uncouth again.

At first I could still sympathize with the central character Eureka, understand her thoughts and actions. We accompanied her through the first chapters as she handles the death of her mother and the funereal processing afterwards, with her class-mates, whom now look differently at her or when Eureka visits her psychiatrist. All along her best and cheeky friend Cat is on her side or also her best and the joke-making friend Brooks.
Soon I liked Brooks very much and also up to the end he’s my explained favorite of the story. But unfortunately the author has another love hero in her mind for Eureka and therefore, the mysterious Ander has appeared over and over again. With Ander, only the readers know who he really is, what he wants or why he appears at Eurekas side over and over again. And therefore Eureka asks herself all the time whether he wants to harm her or if he wants to help and besides, she constantly feels drawn to him in a romantic way. Furthermore it also happened, that she kissed Brooks – her best friend – but, actually she thought of Ander at the same time. But no problem in the love-triangle, because Brooks will be turned to the bad person of the story, so then Eureka can snug with Ander without feeling guilty. *jipie*-> YES, this was sarcastic, if you ask yourselves.

Everything was so ridiculously, also the contained love story and how it has developed, or as well the story of the book, which went in a direction I liked less and less. At first old legends were dug out, myths were indicated of the city Atlantis – which I really liked, but then the power of Eureka were for me too much fantasy and also a little absurd. No, maybe that is the wrong saying. It wasn’t due to the fact that there was too much fantasy, but rather how it was described and how Eureka has handled the whole exposures around her person. It was really gross, what she has found out, but she has just swallowed it and has simply used her strength without freaking out. Thereby for me it was, combined with the plot, simply too much and an overkill. So at the end I only could incredulous shake my head. Hence I was disappointed by the initial good book and I will also not continue this series and I’ll also stop my experiment with Lauren Kate. Unfortunately, the book wasn’t meant for me.

Cover:
A wonderful cover, which shows also perfectly the plot of the book and it’s simply charming. *great*

All in all:
Unfortunately, the magnificent cover, which has animated me to read the story, is already the only wonderful thing about the book. The plot, as well as the characters, weren’t understandable for me and everything was too detached for my taste and this, although I usually have no problems with a good fantasy story – but here, everything was too much and too unbelievable.

Rating:
2,5 of 5 points – (it was okay)

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Quotes: (© Kate)

„Love was a dance floor where everyone you loved left a mark behind.“
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„Wisdom holds a candle to experience, but you’ve got to take the candle and walk alone.“.

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Succession:
# 1:  Lauren Kate – Teardrop »»
# 2:  Lauren Kate – Untitled
# 3:  Lauren Kate – Untitled
…

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Lauren Kate:
Lauren Kate grew up in Dallas, went to school in Atlanta, and started writing in New York.
She is the author of Fallen and The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove. She lives in Laurel Canyon with her husband and hopes to work in a restaurant kitchen, get a dog, and learn how to surf.
She is currently at work on the sequel to Fallen.
(Source: goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »»

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A huge Thanks for the reviewer’s copty to:

© Random House UK

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[Review] Obsidian

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German Cover

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‚Obsidian‘
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Lux #1

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Synopsis:
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don’t kill him first, that is.
(Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
Who the fuck is Superman!? If I would choose an alien, then it has to be a Luxen! 😉
Seldom a book has gripped me so much right from the beginning and has presented so many different facets, like this here. I am a critical reader and although, I‘ve found here also two tiny critic points; I can say that the rest of it is simply fantastic and I would love to read on immediately.

The writing manner of the author fits perfectly to this New Adult version (a little ‘more‘ than YA) which plays with teenagers in their last Highschool year. Armentrout used pleasant formulation, but also short, crisp sentences and dialogues, which just fitted to modern teenagers at this age – but not exaggerated, like other authors like to do – but it has felt authentic and very real.
But the best for me were the dialogues and here mainly the bickering/ arguments between Katy and Daemon. With them you never know whether they immediately fall into each other’s arms or start to hit the other… … and here Katy was really a witty, perky antagonist, who never shrank away from the good-looker Daemon. But not only with her stubborn manner, but also with her cheeky answers, which made me smirk more than once. *great*

Also the other characters – beside the courageous, determined, cheeky Katy – were for me a highlight and here I liked mostly Dee, who is the neighbor and soon also the best friend of her. I really liked Dee’s cheerful, open behavior and therefore everyone can use someone like her as a friend. And of course I was also a fan of Daemon – bad if it wouldn’t be like that. But he also irritated me at the end with his moody behavior, so that he sometimes was really sweet to Katy and then again gave her the cold shoulder. This was more than just a little ‘slithery drive’ of emotions, but a huge rollercoaster²! 😉

The plot was okay for me, although a lot has already been spoiled in the synopsis of the book, which has decreased the reading pleasure a little. It would have been more exciting and thrilling if everything would have come unexpected and when it wouldn’t have been clear right from the start, that there are aliens in the story. Hence I’m in excited about the book, because it still could captive me and I didn’t could stop reading and I was through it within only one day. Well, I think, from now on I’m a fan of Armentrout! 😉

What I also found brilliant, were Kats references to her Blog and how she got excited about her new books and her blogging. Oh yeah, babe – I know how it is! *lol*
With that I totally felt connected to her and I think every other blogger, who will read this book, will feel the same.

I liked the idea with the aliens and the light very much and I want to read on with the next book as soon as I can, to find out how it will go on between them. I think in the next part there will be something about his brother Dawson, or at least I hope it and I also wish that are less arguments between Kat and Daemon, because otherwise it would become grueling, because we already know that they actually like each other – much. 😉

Cover:
I can hardly decide which version I like more. I find the older one with background with the flashes great and it’s also good, that you can’t see the girl from the front, because that leaves some space for your own imagination. But in the second cover I love the beaming green eyes of Daemon.

All in all:
Up to now Alien and I were no good combination, but here this book has disabused me and now I’m a fan of it. Actually for me it is rather an Urban Fantasy book than a Sci-Fi – but the separation makes no difference – because the book is just awesome and I recommend it gladly to everyone, although it’s a hyped book (usually they don’t work for me ^^)

Rating:
4,5 of 5 points – (soo aswesome)

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Quotes:

Katy: ‚Beautiful face. Beautiful body. Horrible attitude. It was the holy trinity of hot boys.‘

Daemon: „You look like you got more of a bath than the car. I never
thought washing a car would be so hard, but after watching you for the last fifteen minutes, I’m convinced it should be an Olympic sport.“

Daemon: „I checked out your blog.“
Katy: „Stalking me again, I see. Do I need to get a restraining order?“
D.: In your dreams, Kitten. Oh wait, I’m already starring in those, aren’t I?
K.: „Nightmares, Daemon. Nightmares.“

Katy: ‚Because this was absolutely insane – the craziest thing I’ve ever done. Worse than giving a one-star review, scarier than asking for an interview with an author I’d give my firstborn to eat lunch with.‘ (*lol*).

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Succession:

0,5:   Jennifer L. Armentrout – Shadows (Short Story)
#1:     Jennifer L. Armentrout – Obsidian »»
#2:     Jennifer L. Armentrout – Onyx »»
#3:     Jennifer L. Armentrout – Opal
#4:     Jennifer L. Armentrout – Origin
#5:     Jennifer L. Armentrout – Untitled

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(© goodreads.com)

About the author – Jennifer L. Armentrout:
USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.
She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don’t Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion)
(Source: Goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »»

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[Snapshot] Bonds of Trust (eng.)

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‚Bonds of Trust‘  by Lynda Aicher

Wicked Play #1.

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(© goodreads)

My opinion:
I’ve started this book without any expectations and to be honest, I also have delayed reading the book, but without any reason. I’ve no idea why it took me so long to read this, but maybe I wasn’t in the right mood. But when I finally started it, the book has really fitted perfect.

The entrance was in the middle of the events when the main character Cali wants to be accepted in the most exclusive BDSM club of the town. – After a failed 22-year-old marriage, two adult children and many years of frustration in the bed with her ex-husband, because of unspoken desires, fear and shame.

There she meets Jake, one of three club owners, and in further result she also falls in love. What begins with initial sex turns out to big feelings, of which they both haven’t dared to dream about any more. Of course it is more complicated during the story than this short summary and it includes some interesting twist and up-and downs, but they didn’t appear exaggerated and unrealistically, but they could be totally from the real life, which I’ve liked very much. For example the problems with her children, who though are already grown-ups and out of the house, but can’t concede their mother a new relationship.

What has thrilled me here very much, were not only the erotic scenes – which I found really great and the reader were gently brought close to the subject of BDSM; always just a little more – but I also loved the rest. The figures were well worked out and seamed authentic to me, also real and charming with their pro- and also disadvantages, like everyone of us.. And Jake was simply a dreamlike lover – although he has long, black hair – which I usually don’t really like. 😉

But he was so empathetic and knew exactly what he had to do and where it was important, but he made himself worse than he was – the typical guy whom a woman has to save, so that he can find his true happiness. *sigh*

The only thing I would like to criticize is that it was almost too short for me and I would have liked more background information, and also the end came too fast. Here it would have been better if it had developed more slowly can develop and don’t run out so fast. But at least it goes on with the second part already this year and I’m already very happy about it!

I can recommend this book to everybody, who would like to make a first insight into erotic books with BDSM parts in it, or who loves adult ‘Contemporary Romance’ with erotic scenes. You won‘t regret it!

Succession:
#1: Lynda Aicher – Bonds of Trust »»
#2: Lynda Aicher – Bonds of Need »»
#3: Lynda Aicher – Bonds of Desire »»
#4: Lynda Aicher – Bonds of Hope

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Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

© netgalley.com

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[Snapshot] Dearly Beloved (eng.)

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‚Dearly, Beloved‘  by Lia Habel.

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(© goodreads)

My opinion:
I‘ve really tried to like this book, more than part one, with which I already had my problems, but again it hasn‘t worked. If I had to use two words to describe it, I can only say ‚too long‘ or ‚boring’. Honestly, you just have to read the synopsis of the book to recognize that here is somebody, who has immense problems to be brief – and it’s like this in the whole book. I‘ve read more than 500!! pages, with a slow, tough course, which could also be written in 250-300 pages, and everybody would have been happier with it.

The plot ran incredibly slow without building up a great tension and it was a too much unnecessary gossip in between. As annoying was also the fact, that again with every chapter the narrator view changed from one character to the other. Of course this happened primarily between Nora and Bram, the main characters of the story, but nevertheless, many others figures also got a chance to speak, like the best friend Pamela, or also they ‚bad persons’ in the story, what I found absolutely unnecessary, because it didn’t interested me what they thought or felt. For me it’s enough to get a summary at the end, where I can read why they have done this or that.
Furthermore at the beginning were too many info and characters, so that it was hard to picture every character or to classify them properly.

In the second part, it was positive, that I’ve better got along with Pamela, because she appeared more realistic and authentic and also in spite of her big problems to handle all the things with the zombies, she didn’t duck her head, but instead admitted her weakness. But not in an annoying way, but it felt real, as one could imagine react, in such a situation. Hence her chapters were almost my favorite ones and I found her development with this Lord very interesting and this is also the reason, that I wanted to read on – and that I’ve got the second book on netgalley 😉
Here I was also more thrilled by Nora than in the first book, though I found her sometimes a little too outstanding and too fearless, but then I also liked her cheeky, independent behavior. Whether her character fits in this described background of the story or not, because on the other side everything in the story is presented very strict and prude.

Moreover, I find it – sorry to all fans – disgusting, how Nora could make out with Bram. I mean, this guy is a zombie! Okay, sure – he is one of the zombies, who haven’t rotted yet in a strong way, like the others, and he also still looks rather nice …, however, but he’s still a zombie, damn! He has scars, his body is already patched up several times and he virtually rots away during the story … and Nora smooches with him! *gag*  – Here for example an extract from the story – this just doesn’t work for me at all!:

His lips found my brow, the sensation instantly identifiable due to the bit of thread that stitched his broken lower lip together. I loved his every scar.

After the second part I’ve decided to break up this series. But because I’m still a little curious what will become of the zombies (–I count on a healing, so that Bram don’t has to die), and I would like to know how the relationship of Pamela and this Lord develops in the next book. Therefore I simply plan to read the reviews from the last book. But not more, that’s really enough. 🙂.

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Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

© netgalley.com

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[Review] Air

(© goodreads)

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‚Air‚ by
Terra Harmony

The Akasha Serie # 2

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Synopsis:
She carries more than just elemental powers. In ‘Air’, the sequel to ‘Water’ of the Akasha Series, Kaitlyn has a secret. One she won’t be able to hide much longer. As the strongest Gaia the planet has ever seen, she must face mankind’s greatest enemy as he campaigns for ‘One Less: Depopulation’. Everything depends on Kaitlyn fully embracing her role as Gaia. Her family. The Seven. The Earth. Something has to give, and it won’t be Kaitlyn.
(Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
After the great first part which could persuades and inspire me completely, I just had to read the next part. And I’ve been glad about the continuation, because there was a little cliffhanger at the end of the book ‘Water’. When I finally get my hands on ‘Air’ to start reading the book, I was a little disappointed, because it was different than I had expected.

To one side the plot starts some time after the events from part 1, but without much of important thing happened in the world or with the characters. What I find extremely odd, if one remember which relation Kaitlyn and Micah had almost at the end, before the thing with Shawn happened, and that Micah has saved her afterwards.
After that you think that they would talk about it afterwards, or not? But Kaitlyn didn’t and she still couldn’t tell him or the others, that she is pregnant. And funnily enough she holds particularly to Micah an emotional, as well as a physical distance, which was never so big, as in this time.

Also Micah reveals only too little about him or he didn’t makes obvious steps toward Kaitlyn, what I found a great pity. And then suddenly there came the big revelation and from one second to the other, there also came the big, inexplicable turn in their love relationship; when the action all around Shawn and his bad underground organization tapers to a point and the quick and above all complete turnabout of the relationship of Micah and Kaitlyn takes place, which was for me too quickly and also a little illogical.
For weeks there was no real conversation between the two main characters and suddenly Micah is a completely other person and devote all love to Kaitlyn, with all consequences and relations. And what is Kaitlyn doing? Of course not the right thing! And this happens not only in this situation, but also throughout the whole book and particularly at the end, I wanted to punch or shake her so long till she comes to her senses again. Unfortunately a reader can’t intervene in the events of books and thus I was left watching her decisions silently and despairing.

Of course in this part there aren’t only bad things between Micah and Kaitlyn, but there were also really some good, very romantic and crackling scenes of them, which could also score with eroticism. But nevertheless, I’ve not liked the end at all. I almost wanted to start crying or scream or smash something – which on the other side, however show here, that I was completely taken by the characters and that I’ve felt and suffered with them. And that characters not always act like we readers wishes for, is natural, because people also often don’t act like they should. Therefore you could say that the characters and the plot course were realistic and authentic; with people, which make mistakes, act illogically or aren’t perfect and learn from it – hopefully! 😉

What has disturbed me also, beside these points, was the fact that the middle section was to be read a little tenaciously. For me the part with Alex was too extended and drown-out, and in overall the second part couldn’t hold the same tension and speed, like ‘Water’.

As I’ve already mentioned, I’m not happy with the end of the second book at all, and the only bright spot is, that I hope and know, that the author will give us a positive and reasonable end after the fourth part – so, at least we still have two more books, for which we can looking forward to and I really hope sooo much, that after all the up and downs, we’ll get our deserved happy-ending!

Cover:
The cover is again just beautiful and is limited on what is important in the book and what it is about – the element and the ability of handling it.

All in all:
A must-read for all fans of fantasy books which deal with the strength of the elements and which have already read book 1 – it goes on interesting and we still can be glad about two more parts, which will bring us more tension and sizzle.

Rating:
3 of 5 points (I liked it)

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Succession:

# 1: Terra Harmony – Water »»
# 2: Terra Harmony – Air »»
# 3: Terra Harmony – Fire
# 4: Terra Harmony – Earth

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Terra Harmony:
Terra is a debut author, and currently has her first full length novel, ‚Water‘, published. Water is a contemporary eco-fantasy and the first book of a four book series called ‚The Akasha Series‘. The next book, ‚Air‘ will be released mid-February in 2012.
Terra also has a vampire short story anthology. The first two books of ‚The Kindred Curse Anthology‘, ‚Gleaming White‘ and ‚Streaks of Red‘ are self-published as e-books. Three more short stories will follow to complete the anthology. Terra was born and raised in Colorado but has since lived in California, Texas, Utah, North Carolina and Virginia. Terra has served a 5½ year enlistment in the Marine Corp, has earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree and presently runs the language services division of a small business.
Terra currently lives in a suburb of Washington, DC with her husband of 13 years and three children. (Source: Goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »»

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Snapshot: Never Let Me Go

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‚Never Let Me Go‘
by Kazuo Ishiguro

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(© goodreads)

This book tells about a world in which the people have been able to create complete human clones. With it the humanity caused to cure the most fatal illnesses and to guarantee a long healthy life. Hence the human clones are virtually only ‚produced’ for later, when they are adults, to donor their organs and to let operate on them over and over again for donations, till they are ‘completed’, which means up to death.
But this story isn’t about the people who have got a better life because of this new ‚achievement‘, but about the human clones.

The story is told from the point of view of 31-year-old Kathy, who is after 12 years as a ‘carer’ just before the time when she will also become a donor. The whole book Kathy remembers about her past live: It is starting with her childhood in the boarding school in Hailsham, through her youth time in the cottages and later to her time as an adult, working as a ‘carer’. But not the question of the donation and the inevitable death stands in the centre of the topic, but above all the friendship and love between the three central figures Kathy, Ruth and Tommy, who all grow up together in Hailsham. They already got explained as little children what’s the reason for their existence is, but they never really got to know the whole information, but always only fragments of it and in times when they’re still too young to understand.
It also behaves like this in the whole book. Kathy tells anecdotes, flashbacks over and over again and because of that there’s never a proper central theme in the book, but a constant change to and fro of a time in the next, in the present and again back to 2 years before it or 3 years ago. *totally confusing*

I don’t know how the book has managed to get nominated in 2005 for the highest British book price the ‚Booker Prize‘, or why it was added by the ‚Time’ to their list of the hundred best English-speaking novels from 1923 to 2005. Maybe they haven’t read the complete book, but only the synopsis and liked that. Who knows!? ^^

Unfortunately the book hasn’t worked for me at all, although I’ve found the description and also the circumstances which ruled in the book very interesting. Moreover because of the topic it would be a really exciting book for group discussions or for school classes because it raises many questions as for example: How would we handle an inevitable death if we were the clones? Or the question whether we would also close our eyes on how the clones were treated, if we were the organ recipient and it was about our own survival. Who has more right to live and who decides which methods are justifiable to provide the collective health? Is it tolerable to clone ‘humans’, only to harvest their organs afterward like ripe fruits? What is a defensible progress of science or what is morally wrong?

As I said, it’s a book which is very keen of discussions and the subject really leaves nobody cold and makes everybody think over their own opinion and to ponder the Pros and Cons. Hence the two points for the book, on account of the topic and the given conflict.

BUT now to the things which I haven’t liked in the book and have reduced the rating so drastically: The writing manner was okay and it also was easy and fluently to read, but the narrative perspective was dreadful and these whole flashbacks and time jumps were the pure horror. I didn’t like these whole jumps in the time in the least.

First it was confusing and I couldn’t get into a reading fluently, because it was too chopped off and incoherent. Furthermore the whole tension and the motivation were taken away and it wasn’t like in other books where I want to read on as fast as I can to get to know what happens after some actions, because here Kathy has always told what resulted out of some actions first and then how it came to it. Hence, it was never really thrilling to read on because I always already know before a new memory started how I would end and what happens as a result, because Kathy already told beforehand.

I know this sounds a little bewildering but to be honest, it was like this all the time in the book and in addition also just irritating and unnaturally. If I didn’t have to read this book for my ‘Book2Movie’ Challenge, then I probably would have broken it off several times.
For me the reading was very strenuous and I had to force myself over and over again to continue to read. But at some point I simply wanted to know, after all I have been through, how it would end. Not because I’ve cared so much for the characters, (this wasn’t the case and in my opinion her best friend Ruth was a ruthless, rotten piece who I wouldn’t have told any secret), but finally to know what the whole book actually was about. After the whole exertion I just wanted to get some answers after countless vague indications and these temporal jumps, but even here I got disappointed.

Even if there were also every now and then sensitive passages, which particularly described the special friendship of the three main characters or the perspective on life in general and on which reasons the people react and what results from which actions. But it wasn’t enough and I also never got a connection with the main character Kathy because she never really told how she felt. She didn’t let anybody look behind her facade and she just told her memories and hasn’t given anything from herself as a feeling person.
I’ve thought this book pursued a higher purpose and that at the end a solution or something like that would be presented, or an end that gives an ‘aha’-affect, but I didn’t even get that. It just ended and I as a read was virtually left hanging in the air without anything. It was very disappointing and I’ve still a grudge against that ending.

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I’ve read this book for the ‘Book2Movie – Challenge’ 2012 !

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[Review] Legend

English Cover

German Cover

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‚Legend‘ by Marie Lu

Legend # 1...

Synopsis:
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. (Source: Goodreads.com)

My thougts about the book:
I’ve finished the book ‘Legend’ within two days and usually this is always a good sign, but here, I partially had my problems with it.
In any case positively is to be mentioned, that the writing style is very easy to read and it goes on quick and casual, with a special easiness. This is probably due to the fact to that the story is written in the present and on the other hand that it is used a very simply language, without a lot of frills, descriptions or kitsch, what also fits to the whole elitist system, which is described in the book.

However, to tell the truth, the plot and also the characters here didn’t completely knocked my socks off, but it was also at the same time no disappointment, but rather just quite average.
The plot is thrilling and also dramatically written, so that I wanted to read on fast. But it seemed to me in between that as if I’ve waited for something certain to happen, but unfortunately it never really came. Particularly with the first third of the book I had this feeling, when also the action got on just slowly. But then the last pages have virtually overturned with action and more action and everything happened here too quickly for me till to the end.

What also stroked me considering the plot was, that for me it wasn’t a real dystopia, but it rather appeared like a book about war, like a story, which has happened during the second world war with the Nazis and the totalitarian, pitiless system – only that here some modern elements were inserted, to be able to let it play in the future and to be able to declare it as a dystopia for the right marketing. Also this selection of the children and these researches, sounded very much like something that already happened in those times and hence, I found these points not very original. But only terrifyingly; like it probably also should be appear.

Now to the central figures in the story: Day and June.
The male protagonist Day is quite okay, but I don’t always understand completely his actions or the reason for his past doings, which always were mentioned only briefly or I don’t understand, why he is the most searched criminal of this republic. For me it looks a little too exaggerated, that he should be the ‘#1 enemy of the state’, only because he has committed little things like little raids or smaller sabotages, but up to now he has never made really big damages or killed somebody. So why should this big, strong regime, like this republic here, care for such a prowler and places so much value for his arrest?
Otherwise Day was a nice and also attractive character, of whom I liked to get to know more about and I hope, that we still get more from in the next parts.

Also June was likeable to me, but I couldn’t understand, how she should be one of the best agents, the most intelligent person and already got her degree – at the age of just 15 years? Again it seemed to me too exaggerated and phony.

Moreover I unfortunately couldn’t build up a strong connection to Day or June and for my taste they have fallen in love with each other too fast. I mean – these two were drilled their whole life to hate each other and already after two days they’ve spend time together on the street, they have to kiss each other, because they can’t stop themselves? Ohm, hello – have I missed there something?
Okay, they were sweet and everything and have also suffered and must endure many pains, but nevertheless, I missed the special spark for them.

German Cover:
Concerning the contents the cover fits perfectly to the story and the military construction. But I’m rather a fan of flourishes, charming lines and luminous colors; hence this cover looks a little dumpy for me.

All in all:
But in spite of the hard criticism, the book gets 3 points for the exhilarating action and the liquid, quick writing style. This book appeared like a longer pre-story, but I think, there is still place up and that the second part can inspire my enthusiasm more.

Rating:
3 of 5 points – (I liked it)

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A huge Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

and also to:

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Succession:

# 1: Marie Lu – Legend »»
# 2: Marie Lu – Prodigy
# 3: Marie Lu – Untitled

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Marie Lu:
She writes young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, she was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, she was an Art Director at a video game company. Now she shuffles around at home and talk to herself a lot. 🙂
She graduated from the University of Southern California in ’06 and currently live in LA, where she spend her time stuck on the freeways.  (Source: goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »».

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copyright: Penguin Young Readers

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[Review] Touch of Frost

English Cover

German Cover

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‚Touch of Frost‘ by Jennifer Estep

Mythos Academy # 1
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Synopsis:
My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy; a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody’s head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest. But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I’m determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why; especially since I should have been the one who died…
(Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
What should I say about this book? First of all I’ve to say, that I don’t understand, why so many readers entitle this book as a ‘masterpiece’, or rate it with 5 points?!
Okay, I don’t want to be unfair, the book was quite nice and I could read it very quick because of the easy writing style, but well, it wasn’t really special for me – rather a box full of cliché and without much inventiveness.

Am I now too hard with the book? Maybe a little, because nevertheless I still rated it with 3 points (EDIT: after writing this review I had to reduce it to 2.5 points), which means it’s actually an average book. But now if I think back to it, I’ve to confess that there were a few things in it which have exceptionally disturbed me.

I want to start with the very childish language and go on with the naive, babyish, intolerant main protagonist Gwen. (I just had to look up her name, which I do almost never, so you can see, how much I’ve liked this character or how she got stucked in my memory – ‘almost‘ not at all.)

It begins in the middle of the plot in the Mythos Academy on which Gwen goes recently, and here now it is constantly written, over pages and pages, how attractive and special everybody here are, how swanky, vain and rich and that this school, which is lead like an élite university, as well as the students themselves show off everything.
Of course Gwen isn’t rich, doesn’t come from a snobbish family (*surprise*) and stands totally above those things. It’s only funny, that their wealth and money it’s mentioned in every chapter …

Well, apart from that fact, the plot with the murder cases in the Academy is interesting at first, but the twist and the ways which lead to the end and present the ‘real’ culprit, however were very unimaginative or better said predictable. I don’t know why, but the more I think about it, the more does this book upset me, because I can’t understand, that everybody find it so great?!
For me it seems that Estep has just goggled a little bit, easily put up a quite normal ‘snob’s school’, and added a poor, small girl and a few mythological aspects, which even weren’t used originally, but simply in such a way, as well as every other could come up with.
A white building with ivy here, a few statues of gods there, some swords and weapons over there … and violà – everybody is excited and praise the book! Unfortunately I don’t.

What adds to that is this is arcane, dark, strong, mysterious … *bla bla bla* guy, who can break all girl’s hearts, was even already in the bed with 90% of these snob’s schoolgirls– but of course he falls for the little, naive, dumpy-dressed Gwen. Oh, how cute! Or rather not authentic?

I don’t know how someone can find that so great again. First of all something like that was in books already the 2.000 times! And secondly, the guy isn’t actually nice and with such a reputation, I wouldn’t want at all, that he gets interests in me, regardless how hot he may look. Please, there have to be less superficiality in a book, or at least a guy who isn’t completely ugly, but with humor, intellect and a good heart, who doesn’t only want to have sex but also other things?

Now we come to the question what I’ve liked in the book: As I’ve already mentioned, it was very easy and simple to read. Also I was interested myself in the Greek mythology and god’s stories and was glad to read about that subject. (Even, if it wasn’t used notable creatively…)
Moreover I could like Daphne and her friend quite well and it was nicely to read, with a little tension, even if I’ve foreseen a lot before.

German Cover:
It was a reason for me to read the book. I like this one much better than the English cover and especially the colored eyes are great.

All in all:
The book was a big disappointment after the long anticipation of it. I think that with the basic idea of the Greek mythology and the mix of a Young Adult book and the other creatures, there could have done more of it. *what a pity*

Rating:
2,5 of 5 points – (It was okay)

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Succession:

# 0,5 Jennifer Estep – First Frost (Short Story – ebook)
# 1:    Jennifer Estep – Touch of Frost »»
# 2:    Jennifer Estep – Kiss of Frost »»
# 3:    Jennifer Estep – Dark Frost
# 4:    Jennifer Estep – Crimson Frost
# 5:    Jennifer Estep – Midnight Frost

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Jennifer Estep:
Jennifer Estep is a New York Times bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.
Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin adult urban fantasy series for Pocket. Books in the series are SPIDER’S BITE, WEB OF LIES, VENOM, TANGLED THREADS, SPIDER’S REVENGE, and BY A THREAD.  (Source: goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »».

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