Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Title: Hopeless

Series: Hopeless #1

Author: Colleen Hoover

Publisher: Atria Books

Date Published: May 7, 2013

Genre: NA fiction, romance, contemporary, drama, realistic fiction

Pages: 408 (paperback)

Age Range: 17+ (sexual content, abuse, suicide, language)




Summary

Would you rather know a truth that makes you feel hopeless, or keep believing the lies?

Beloved and bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with the spellbinding story of two young people with devastating pasts who embark on a passionate, intriguing journey to discover the lessons of life, love, trust—and above all, the healing power that only truth can bring.

Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she’s tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth.

Only by courageously facing the stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries. Hopeless is a novel that will leave you breathless, entranced, and remembering your own first love.

Review


I was in a reading slump before I read this book. After about 15 pages in, I became hooked. This book is funny, intense, romantic, tragic and gripping. I couldn't put it down! The description is right; this book really leave you breathless and entranced. I couldn't put this book down!

The writing is good, the story is gripping and the characters are fantastic! The story is so sad....It's so tragic. But it is displayed perfectly. The main character, Sky, really struggled with her past, making it believable in the sense of how her situation should be displayed.

Now, let's talk about Holder a little...Sky's smoldering, hot tempered, passionate, and caring boyfriend. He's so protective and caring for Sky, but also secretive. I loved how he was there for her throughout the whole thing (even though he kept a big part of it from her before the whole thing blew over).

I also loved Breckin, and wished he was mentioned in the book more because he was very comical. My favorite quote from him is, "If you haven't deduced from my impeccable fashion sense, I think it's safe to sat that I'm . . . Mormon." (He whispers the last word).

I was really happy about how everything was displayed, planned out, and set up. It was all perfect. I could really feel what the characters were feeling. The whole book was very personal and emotional. The struggles with suicide, depression, and sexual abuse was emphasized to the point that it should be.

I hate giving too much away because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I'm going to leave this review as it is.

If you or someone you know needs assistance/information regarding sexual abuse, please contact www.rainn.org or call 1-800-656-HOPE

If you, or someone you know struggles with depression, please visit: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.com or call 800-273-TALK

If I Stay Movie Review

   Well, I finally went to go see the movie I've been waiting for....if i stay. Though the movie was good, I think it could have been better. It is worth seeing, I just think that they could have done a slightly better job.

Here are a few problems I had:

SPOILERS!!!! (obviously)

Teddy. When Mia finds out her brother, Teddy, is dead she is devastated. But theeeen a second later she's fine. All devastation, all emotional shock and grief and tears, gone!

Adam. He could have been cutter, no? Maybe just a little? I was expecting some eye-candy during this movie to lower the sadness scale lol. Also, his acting could have been better.

Acting. I thought the acting could have been better. The scene with Mia's grandfather wasn't as gripping as it was in the book. In the book he was sobbing, barely able to get a single word out as he talked to his unconscious, dying granddaughter, but in the movie, he only sheds a couple of tears.

Kim. I would have liked to see more of Mia's best friend, Kim, through the movie to show how close they were. The girls were like sisters in the book, always attached at the hip; in the movie Kim is pretty much on the sidelines.

Willow. Also would've liked to have seen more of Willow (who was also a big part in the book).

Here's what I liked about the movie (STILL ON SPOILER ALERT!)

Grief. Though the shock from Teddy's death was brief, when Mia finds out both her parents are dead there was a little more of a heart wrenching moment there. The grandparents' seemed almost indifferent to the whole thing compared to the book.

Mia. She played the hell out of her cello, just like in the book! It was amazing to see it (even though Chloe Moretz wasn't actually playing it) and her passion for the instrument.

Clips. I liked all the short and quick clips they showed as Mia processed her parents', and then brother's death. It was heartwarming and sad at the same time.

Ending. The movie ended just like the book. Mia opens her eyes to see Adam towering over her and he says her name before the scene goes white. Hahaha! Someone behind me in the theater (who obviously hadn't read the book) went, "What?!" a second after the movie ended. It was a perfect ending. Now they just need the sequel ;)

Tell me what you thought about the book or movie in the comments,

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Title: The Madman's Daughter

Series: The Madman's Daughter #1

Author: Megan Shepherd

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Date Published: January 29, 2013

Genre: YA fiction, romance, goth, gothic romance, supernatural

Pages: 420 (hardback)

Age Range: 13+



Summary


Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London--working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward--both of whom she is deeply drawn to--Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals to they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must tend her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius--and madness--in her own blood.


Review


So, I picked up this book at the library to help get me out of my reading slump and HOLY COW it did the trick. First off, Juliet is a very decent female lead. She does annoy me with her determination to be strong and then turning around and going all weak around Montgomery and Edward, but she's still fairly decent. Her prose is not particularly funny, or witty, so it doesn't stand out very much, but it is still powerful.   

Montgomery and Edward were your run of the mill love interests. The love triangle in this book felt forced, however. It is clear from the get-go that Juliet does not have romantic feelings for one of these boys no matter how hard he pushes. Her father getting very involved in her love life was kind of creepy to me which just added to the over-all feeling of the book.  

The plot of this story was fascinating. The whole the science vs. nature plot was captivating and was a main part of the entire story. The love interests were played up far too much since I knew who Juliet was going to chose from the beginning. That being said, it was still a good, solid story.  Juliet's father. Let's talk about him for a minute. He was the perfect mad scientist. Juliet's father was such an amazing character even though I find of hated his guts.  

So basically, if you like creepy, sciency book with mentally unstable people, this book should do the trick. Also, if you need a book to get you out of a reading slump, this book should do the trick. A fair warning though, the cliffhanger at the end of this book will rip your heart out and smash it to bits. Literally.

If I Stay Movie Clips!

   AAAAAAHHHH!! New If I Stay movie clips!!! 

   I'll do anything if you stay
 

   It's an audition

   I watched your audition

   We're moving in different directions

   You're Mia

   Do you like me better like this?

   Are you going to come with us?

   Why me?

   I CAN'T WAIT for this movie!!! Only 13 days left! Eeeep!!!! :D

Cover of Amanda Hocking's New Novel FROSTFIRE

   Cover reveal for Amanda Hocking's upcoming novel, Frostfire!

 
   Can't wait to read this book! I love Amanda Hocking's books! It is to be released in the beginning of 2015. Who's excited?

New If I Stay Movie Poster

   New If I Stay movie poster!!! 

    Can't wait for this movie!!!! 2 weeks left! If you haven't read the book you NEED to!!!! Link to the book review, here.

The Maze Runner Movie

   The Maze Runner move trailers!!

   Teaser

   Trailer #1

   Trailer #2

   The Maze Runner: "Let Me Show You" movie clip

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Title: Ruby Red (original title: Rubinrot) (written in Germany)

Series: Ruby Red Trilogy (or Gem Trilogy) #1--#3

Author: Kerstin Gier

Publisher: Arena Verlag (German), Henry Holt and Co. (English)

Genre: YA fiction, fantasy, romance, supernatural

Age Range: 14+


Summary

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon—the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Review

I read these three books in a week. I couldn't put them down. The flap was interesting without giving much of the story away, the covers were absolutely beautiful, and the writing was easy to read.

I loved Gideon DeVilliers. First of all, his name is French and it sounds so amazing. Secondly, he was one of those sarcastic bad boys that you're supposed to hate. Over all three books he becomes more real and more human. He starts of being a huge jerk to Gwyneth, and that really makes you want to hate him, but hen he starts acting really nice to her at sometimes. He becomes sort of bipolar--kissing her one minute and then hating her then next. By the middle of Emerald Green though, you fell free to love him entirely, and he stops being a jerk, revealing himself to muscly sweetheart.

Gwyneth got on my nerves. Her prose was incredibly girly and more importantly, teenage girly. Hormones shone brightly in her prose, but most of the time, she was straight-forward. She was a normal girl and I loved that about her. She had regrets, dreams, hopes, she made mistakes, and she was very human. I don't like how quickly she fell for Gideon though. Sure, he was an incredibly attractive guy, but he was jerk to her, and she fell in love with him in the time span of about two days. She was just rather naïve.

Leslie was Gwyneth's best friend, and I loved her. She embodied everything that a best friend should be, and executed it all to perfection. Raphael, Gideon's brother, also was pretty perfect. He was sweet, and slight puppy dog-ish falling for Leslie and trying to impress her without being obvious. I loved the sub-plot romance of these two and let me just say, I ship it.

Count Saint-German was a creepy villain. He was aloof, elusive, tricky, cold, and just evil. He was rather scary. I loved the plot line behind him and who he really was. I never guessed who he really was and when I found out I was incredibly surprised. He was a perfect villain, however, I do wish that we had learned more about him and his story.

Each book takes the time span of about three days. In normal books a year can pass, but in these books, realistic time passed making it only a couple of days, I really liked that. If the book shad taken place over a longer time span, I think that we might have been able to answer some unanswered questions however.

The ending was very satisfactory. It was answered mostly all of the questions that we had and left very few loose ends. I feel like Emerald Green, the final book, could've been longer though, to help us tie it all in. However, it answered everything for the most part, and still left a little for our imagination.

Mockingjay Trailers

   Mockingjay trailers!

   Mockingjay teaser trailer #1

   Mockingjay teaser trailer #2

   Mockingjay teaser trailer

   Can't wait!!