Review on Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Haven't done this in awhile, but this book definitely deserves to be written and raved about!

It's the most perfect end to a trilogy that I've come across in a long while.  And I really can't type more without spoilers, so here goes.  The book ended the best possible way it could.  Was bringing back Mal a long shot?  Of course, but no one knew what to expect.  At first, it was like his sacrifice wasn't even going to work.  I was heartbroken for Alina at that moment.  I'm glad it was Alina who killed the Darkling, and without her power -- such a poetic ending to that whole situation.  He was convinced until the last that he would have her and win her eventually.  The whole concept of Mal being descended from Morozova's "regular" daughter is awesome, but poor Baghra....Poor Nikolai, too, though of course it does work out for him.  I don't think he was ever in love with Alina, definitely not as much as Mal.  I thought for sure she wouldn't end up with Mal because that's what I wanted from the beginning.  I always knew there was something special about him, and that moment with the firebird totally made sense.  I loved that they were both left to lead normal lives at the end, raising orphans at Keramzin.  When the whole adventure started in the first book, they came to realize that's all they had ever wanted and thought they'd never have.  (And Misha stayed with them, awww.)  I am curious as to who Nikolai ended up with, but it was enough to know that he visits them and sends the children presents at Christmas.

I devoured over half this book in one sitting, with many tears toward the end.  So many had to die, but their deaths weren't in vain.  No more Darkling or Unsea, and Nikolai on the throne.  Equal rights and choice for Grisha....just beautiful.

Some thoughts on Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

This book definitely lived up to the hype.  I loved the omniscient storytelling.  You really would have been clueless had the book only been one-sided.  Even though you pretty much know what's going to happen from the beginning, everything is so beautifully described that you melt and remember the first time you fell in love and did all the same things.  Really, this book feels too magical to actually review.  It has found a place close to my heart.

I love that Eleanor reached out to Park in the end.  I hate that it took her so long, but I'm glad she finally did.  I just would have liked to know what happened to her family.  I hope that when Park saw Richie toward the end, he was by himself because Eleanor's mom and the kids are living somewhere else...

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=e7591d0d8ffeb979aea95e39f&id=e91ac7b500

Short Review on The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Amazing, amazing book.  It will absolutely break your heart, and mend it too.  I loved how real it was.  I fell in love with Finn way before Hayley did.  What an awesome character.  He's got his problems too, but they're not really much when compared to Hayley's.  It's so sad to think about so many veterans like Andy who are trapped in their memories and can't function.  Anderson tackles extremely tough issues in this book unflinchingly.  Kudos to her for not shying away from anything.

new giveaway :)

http://www.thenocturnallibrary.com/2014/02/guest-post-by-mercedes-m-yardley-author.html

Cress giveaway

http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2281695265&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=4448867&link=aHR0cDovL2ZpY3Rpb25mYXJlLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8yMDE0LzAxL2NyZXNzLWJ5LW1hcmlzc2EtbWV5ZXItZ3Vlc3QtcG9zdC5odG1s&frame=1&click=0&user=0

another awesome one from Knox Diver

http://knoxdiver.blogspot.com/2014/01/ignite-me-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FYKBOh+%28Mary+Had+a+Little+Blog%29

another great giveaway

http://knoxdiver.blogspot.com/2014/01/cress-giveaway.html?showComment=1390264994327#c1834958155779499852

giveaway

INCIDENTAL COMICS: The National Department of Poetry

INCIDENTAL COMICS: The National Department of Poetry: Imagine a nation controlled by a vast, multibillion-dollar poetry bureaucracy. That's a country I'd like to be a part of. Y...

This says it all...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/12/31/i-would-love-to-teach-but/

Best of 2013 adult fiction....awesome giveaway:

http://www.thenocturnallibrary.com/2014/01/best-of-2013-adult-fiction-giveaway.html?showComment=1388877523427#c4181762348087110061

Review on Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I've been avoiding this book for a long time. For some reason, I didn't think I'd like it, but I was so, so wrong. There are so many unexpected events that happen in this book, along with wonderful characterization and of course the connection to the Cinderella fairy tale. I thought it was obvious for awhile who Cinder really was, but the way she figured it out was believable and realistic. I love that she went to the ball as she was. I love that the doctor wasn't who everyone thought he was, and he ultimately left the choice of what to do to Cinder in the end. She had to accept who she was rather quickly, but I'm glad she embraced it. I'm sad that it seems the next book will move away from Kai, as I want to know what happens to him. Ironic to think he was looking for someone the whole time who he met by chance. I also loved that you get a glimpse of Cress in this book, and that she helped push Cinder to the ball.

I can't wait to read Scarlet. Maybe I waited so long because I knew deep down how good the series would be. Now I can read the second one, and the third one in February and only have to wait for the last one to come out in early 2015.

Review on Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)

I'm not a reader of detective or mystery stories, but let me tell you, this was awesome!  I loved Casual Vacancy, so I knew I wanted to read this book eventually.  Rowling did not disappoint.  I enjoyed the 3rd person omniscient point of view, and of course, the motley cast of characters she assembled. Strike was a guy you could root for, and you knew from the beginning he would, however unlikely, find the solution no matter what.  His one indiscretion (if you can call it that) shocked me at first, until I remembered he had just learned his former fiancee (together off and on for about 15 years) had gotten engaged to someone else just 3 weeks after they broke up.  I loved that Strike wasn't afraid even after he was fairly certain who the killer was.  It drove me a bit crazy not figuring things out, but like I said, I'm a new-comer to the genre.  I took pages of notes after I was done reading just to make sure I had it all straight!  Everything was so complicated, beautifully so.  If you enjoyed Casual Vacancy, you'll love this book too.

Review on Splintered by A.G. Howard

I fell head over heels in love with this book!  I found it at the library and was intrigued by the cover. I was so happy to see it was an Alice in Wonderland spin-off.  The writing in this book is so vivid, and the characters are amazing -- flawed, yet perfect in their own ways.  I dare anyone to read this and not fall in love with Jeb.  Morpheus is intriguing, but ultimately too untrustworthy and selfish for my tastes.  I'm glad Alyssa ended up back in our world, but I wonder for how long?  I can't wait for Unhinged in January!

awesome Hunger Games giveaway

Beautiful bowl you can win.  Check it out:  http://blog.asseeninhungergames.com/as-seen-in-the-hunger-games-giveaway/  

Review on Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Though I read most of the book at one time, I'm only giving it 3 stars.  It was building toward something, and I feel like that something never really came.  Did Raven really have to die?  What happened to everyone after the end?  What happened to Portland, and the whole country?  What if all the Invalids ended up dead anyway, even if they managed to kill Fred?

Alex and Lena's "reunion", if you can even call it that, is short-lived.  I have yet to read Oliver's character short stories, but I hope Alex's talks about his time in the Crypts and his feelings.

I enjoyed the writing as I've enjoyed Oliver's 3 other books, but I didn't feel like this was a strong finish for the trilogy after everything that had happened.

Review of Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

I liked the time jumps in this book, then to now.  It was so much better than just telling Lena's story in a linear fashion.  And while it was predictable what happened with Julian and a certain other character at the end, that doesn't mean I don't want to run out and get the last book now!

There are a lot of loose ends that will hopefully get tied up in Requiem.  I'm still on the fence as to how I feel about Raven and Tack, after knowing they put Lena through that on purpose.  Did they really not trust her??  And what will happen with Julian if his cancer returns?

Once I saw the last chapter encompassed 60+ pages, I couldn't stop reading.  I think Oliver's writing is beautiful and poetic yet again.  She can capture a moment with the best authors.  In this world, the fleeting moments are all these characters have...

Review on Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

I liked this book.  It certainly had its good moments, and Franny is a wonderful protagonist.  However, it felt a little forced at times, like it was trying too hard.  Franny's "relationships" were questionable.  She, like a lot of us, couldn't see what was right in front of her.  I'm kind of glad everything didn't end too neatly, but I was very happy that she finally seemed to get her big break.  I love the title, and Franny's quirks.  I didn't feel that the other characters were very developed, even her best friend.  I liked spending time in Franny's world, but I'm not aching that I'm finished.

I read it because it was by Lauren Graham, and I'm guessing a lot of people would say the same.