Book Review: "Ink and Arrows" by Shruthi Viswanathan

"You can ease your anger with revenge, but you can't ease the emptiness with anything."

Rea is a Suveri, a woman whose powers are granted thanks to the tattoos she has on her skin. She is a "human" that has the ability to handle magic. She looks for revenge for his father's death, which was in the hands of humans who exploited her tribe's magic.

After being arrested for trying to kill her father's murderer, Archduke Sebestyén of Alisia gets her free in exchange for her tattoo knowledge, and she only accepts if he grants her three wishes. As the story passes, both start to save each other, Sebestyén saves a stubborn and famished Rea while bringing her food to her somewhat cottage, and Rea saves him with her peace and companionship.

Sebastyén's royal position changes drastically when the war ends, which makes him realize his relationship with Rea is in jeopardy and that he just can't have it all because of his father and the kingdom. While Rea's feelings are clear, he has to make a choice.

The chemistry with the main characters, their acceptance to their feelings, and the sexual tension are very clear, which makes you root for them even more. Although the pace was pleasant, I would've liked more examples of Rea's powers and the tribe's traditions as well as Sebastyén's intentions to change Suveri lives and its repercussions in the kingdom. This would've been well-developed in a longer book. At the same level, I think it's a shame that we can't see enough of Sebestyén's brother, Arnold.

I felt the ending was written in a lazy way, so this book left me wanting so much more. I still enjoyed it while it lasted.

SHRUTHI VISWANATHAN is a fantasy novelist who is always lost in her head. Her best friends are imaginary characters who sometimes end up on the pages of her books. When she’s not writing, she likes to try out new restaurants, play video games, and read books that will take her on unforgettable journeys.

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Book Review: "Stars Above" by Marissa Meyer

Previously posted on Goodreads!¹

It was a nice touch to gather all these short stories. The thing is, that you have to be familiar with the entire Lunar Chronicles series (well, The Little Android can be read separately, I guess).

All of these are SPOILERS if you haven't read or finished The Lunar Chronicles.

The Keeper: ★★★★☆ Loved to read about Michelle Benoit and the problems she had when Cinder arrived to her farm... and she named Cinder! I almost cried!

Glitches: ★★★★☆ (More of a 4.5) I'm a weak person when it comes to Cinder. This is the story of how she meets the Lihns and Iko! (Reread)

The Queen's Army: ★★★★★ If by any chance you don't like Wolf, this short story will change your mind! I just liked him, now it's different!

Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky: ★★★☆☆ (3.5) You can meet the Thornes and that story about Kate.

After Sunshine Passes By: ★★★★☆ This is the story of how Cress ended up in the satellite. Made me cry a bit because she never stopped being a dreamer.

The Princess and the Guard: ★★★★★ All things about Luna and Lunars are perfect! And Levana's there (I love her because she's a well-written villain). This is a story about Winter's early steps.

The Little Android: ★★★★☆ Another twist with another fairytale, The Little Mermaid, but of course, instead of a mermaid you have an android, because why not! This story doesn't add any relevant backstory of TLC.

The Mechanic: ★★★☆☆ (3.5) Kai's point of view when he meets Cinder.

Something Old, Something New: ★★★★★ (x20!) A perfect epilogue of The Lunar Chronicles, all the beloved characters are there! This story is set two years after the battle in Luna.

MARISSA MEYER is a fangirl at heart, with a closet full of costumes, a Harry Potter wand on her desk, and a Tuxedo Mask doll hanging from her rearview mirror. Han and Leia are still her OTP. She may or may not be a cyborg. Marissa is also the NYT bestselling author of a number of books for teens, including The Lunar Chronicles, the Renegades Trilogy, and Heartless.

¹This review was written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2016. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections but has not changed its intention.

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Book Review: "The Evolution of Mara Dyer" by Michelle Hodkin

Previously posted on Goodreads!¹

Ok, I'll probably change my rating another day, but today, it'll be like 4.5ish. The thing is, I think I loved it because this is the first book in months that made me want to read at 2 a.m. (I missed that), but at the same time it was like "OMG, this entire plot is making me crazy and angry."

I like how everything's written, even though is told in a space of one-two weeks; it's direct and the author makes you feel exactly as Mara, you just simply want to scream at her family and make them understand, but NO :) So, well done, Michelle!

Now, the things I didn't like: I didn't make a review of the first book, but my opinion about Noah hasn't changed, I just like him a little bit maybe because I'm sick of the same stereotype of boys in young adult books: handsome, with the need of feeling pain, and the money that helps with everything.

So I didn't suffer when the possibility of his death came.

Don't take it wrong, I like that he's the catharsis in Mara's life, I even love that is not only a catharsis in a metaphoric way. 

Dr. Kelly was a nice revelation as Jude's accomplice, also there was a special something that made this book even more magical and mysterious, so I want to read the next one immediately.

All I know is that it was a mistake reading it now because I have to wait a lot for the uncountable questions I now have. Dammit!



MICHELLE HODKIN is the author of the Mara Dyer Trilogy, which was a New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling series. The trilogy, which includes The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, The Evolution of Mara Dyer, and The Retribution of Mara Dyer, was described as “haunting and dreamlike” by Cassandra Clare and “darkly funny, deliciously creepy, and genuinely thoughtful” by Veronica Roth. Hodkin grew up in Florida, went to college in New York, and studied law in Michigan, before finally settling in Brooklyn last year.


¹This review was written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2014. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections but has not changed its intention.

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Book Review: "Rising" by Holly Kelly

Previously posted on Goodreads!¹

I really, really, really wanted to like this book, it just wasn't for me.

I wanted to read this book after I read the plot and saw the cover; also I was happy because I found it free on Amazon. I'd never read a book about mermaids/dagonians, I hadn't read about Greek myth actually, and this has a little of it, for instance, you find names like Triton who has an important part in this story and Poseidon.

I was so disappointed, though.

The book starts with the plot that Xanthus wants to avoid a war between humans and Dagonians, but you don't actually see a lot of that. I was really excited when I read that there were several deaths of these creatures because of human behavior with the environment! You don't see that often in a fantasy book, but the story is more focused on the love part, I mean, it was kind of obvious that it was going to happen, but still, I believe it needed to be deeper. But what was more important to me, well, it is with all the books I read, is that the narrative was too simple. There were characters that I believe were unnecessary (but I think it's because there's another book and the characters can be explored then (?)), their development wasn't enough, and something was resolved pretty easily.

Everything about Triton and Sara was just UGH! NO THANK YOU! I realized she was his daughter in seconds, and then he saves the day in a very easy way, a way that destroyed everything that was already destroyed, NO THANK YOU.

Also, I am aware that if I would've read this in my teenage years, I would've loved it, because in that time I had an incorrect idea of what a healthy relationship is, and Xanthus is, for me, a total Edward Cullen. He's overprotective, obsessive, and controller towards her girlfriend... so, the only difference I could find was that he's got a fin. A lot of people believe that this is the perfect relationship... well, I won't go into this!

There was at least a moment where Sara tells Xanthus that it is important for all women to also share their opinions! Maybe that's why I gave another star.


HOLLY KELLY is a mom who writes books in her spare time: translation -she hides in the bathroom with her laptop and locks the door while the kids destroy the house and smear peanut butter on the walls. She was born in Utah but moved around a bit, living in Kansas, Texas, and Hawaii where she studied marine biology. She's now back in Utah. She's married to a wonderful husband, James, and they are currently raising 6 rambunctious children. Her interests are reading, writing (of course), martial arts, visual arts, creating Halloween props, and spending time with family.



¹This review was written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2015. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections but has not changed its intention.

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Book Review: "Ann, Not Annie" by Sage Steadman

Not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves.

Henry David Thoreau

The first thought I had when I finished the book was HELL, YEAH!

This book was awesomely written. The irony, the vocabulary, and the descriptions provided by the characters and the narrator fit perfectly for all situations. Plus, the idea of having a narrator as a very close person to the main character gives you a more personal approach, which makes you feel familiar and sympathetic.

The thing that surprised me the most was the story behind what I read in the synopsis. When I read it, it seemed quite simple, I honestly thought this would be a very basic book about teenage love and I'm very pleased to say I was very wrong.

Ann, Not Annie tells us accurately how it is for a teenager to have an alcoholic parent and the role that sometimes children have to take so they can have some order in their lives; a thing that isn't right, a thing that hurts, and wow, that was incredibly well-described. I can give it credit because I've been in the same situation.

More pros about this book are definitely its characters, they all had something that made them be unique in their own way, the drawings were an interesting addition, and I think adding the use of intertextuality with Walden was quite smart. I've always liked to have more texts to read later, that also gives you an idea of how an author gets their inspiration, which is more than cool!

The thing that gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was the pace at the end. I felt it was faster compared to the first chapters. There are a few typos as well, but I think I shouldn't criticize that because English isn't my mother tongue and I know I don't write it perfectly.

I could read this book thanks to the author and Booktasters ;)

SAGE STEADMAN was awarded a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah. While pursuing her passion for writing, she worked as a licensed mental health therapist. She published her debut novel, Snowflake Obsidian: Memoir of a Cutter, in 2010 under her pen name, The Hippie, and since, re-released the second edition under her real name. The novel has been deemed an “idyllic” read, filled with love, humor, romance, and heart. She is also the co-author of the gritty and inspiring historical fiction novel, Upon Destiny’s Song, alongside classical guitarist, Mike Ericksen. She is also the author of the YA novels, The Waking Dream, and Ann, Not Annie. Sage is heralded as a talented writer who tackles her novels with a witty, raw and honest approach. She currently lives near Salt Lake City, Utah with her family.

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Very Tiny Book Reviews: "Lullabies," "My Beautiful Birds," "Sinful Cinderella," and "A Court of Wings and Ruin"

The following reviews are so small that are rather comments. I still think they deserve to be here.

Previously posted on Goodreads!¹

★★★★★

My Beautiful Birds by Suzanne del Rizzo: A masterpiece. I hadn't read a book so touching and raw in a very long time, and even though it's aimed for children, it almost made me cry. It truly makes you put things into perspective. I have the need for all kids and adults around the world to read and see it, for the illustrations are mesmerizing.

★★★☆☆

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas: This book was kinda disappointing. I think the development of the story and the writing was good in the first part, but it started to lack something in the second half, I couldn't read it right away because I had homework, but I didn't feel the need to finish it. It was nothing compared to the second book... but Rhysand didn't disappoint ;) And... how dare you, Sarah? You know which part I mean!

★★☆☆☆

Lullabies by Lang Leav: I didn't find all of the writing good, compared to The Universe of Us, and the ones that were a bit of my taste are unfortunately forgettable. Sad, because I pretended to read more of her next.

★★☆☆☆

Sinful Cinderella by Anita Valle: It as an interesting idea, like a good idea for a Once Upon a Time episode because of the main character's wickedness. Unfortunately, the writing didn't captivate me, the book and I didn't have chemistry. Also, I felt that it's like an incomplete book, probably because it makes you go right to the next one without a cliffhanger.

¹This reviews were written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2017. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections, but has not changed its intention.

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Book Review: "Children of a Broken Sky" by Adam J. Nicolai

Previously posted on Goodreads!¹

Different kinds of faith. 

Different kinds of heroes. 

Only one enemy in common.

Children of a Broken Sky is a book that exceeded my expectations. I wasn't sure to read it because the main theme is religion (this one reminds me of the Catholic Church -a lot) and I'm not fond of reading something like that... but with Nicolai's book now I'm totally looking forward to the next instance.

I think that what it made it so interesting was the fact that its characters, even that they're friends since childhood, are very different from each other, what makes the situations even more difficult. There's a point that you even think that someone is going to betray the other at some point, that's why I think the book is pretty unpredictable (and more because they actually don't have plans, everything is done according to the situation, you even start to think about what would it happen if... I mean, you start to feel that you are in their situation and you need desperately to help them).

This book is definitely worth reading and I'm sure that I won't be the only one praying to Akir for the next one ;)

ADAM J. NICOLAI lives near Minneapolis, MN with his wife, Joy, and their two children, Isaac and Rydia. He is a life-long nerd, game lover, author, Star Wars fan, Dungeon Master, and amateur game designer, as well as a former project manager and policy debate coach.





¹This review was written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2014. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections but has not changed its intention.

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Book Review: "Lady Midnight" by Cassandra Clare

Previously posted on Goodreads!¹

DAMN, CASSIE! BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH THE ANGSTY BOOKS! Just when I thought that I had read ALL from this woman... AND I can't get over the "Why lie?" line, UGH!

Lady Midnight is the story about Emma Carstairs and the Blackthorn family. We who have read TMI met them in City of Heavenly Fire and already knew about their story in the Dark War. We already had the idea of how their lives were doing but I'm sure we were totally wrong in our assumptions.

It is obvious to think "what else can happen in this world?" "We’ve read enough of this, Cassie should be writing something else or nothing at all", "she wants more money"... (I even though of it when I heard she'd release this), OH GUYS, YOU HAVE NO IDEA! I was talking with my sister the other night about her, I don't understand how she can get all those shiny new ideas for her stories, for her characters, none of them are the same, they may be related but they're definitely not the same. Is the Shadowhunter World exploitable? Yes, if you know how to do it (and I'm still talking about exploiting it as a story). Cassandra has like… spell instructions in her head to make everything work (maybe she's a warlock, I don't know), and I think that she's been kind enough to share her world.

Why 4 stars? Well, I didn't enjoy the pace at the beginning of the book. Unlike TID and TMI, the main character didn't have millions of questions about the Shadow World, she already belonged there, therefore, the questions that the new readers may had, were answered with a lot of things fans we already know, like who Clary and Jace are, and such. But as always, once you reach the high point, you can't go back from reading. Also, one of the things that I've always loved about her books it's the inclusion she's given her characters and Lady Midnight is not the exception. How many authors can do that? 

Thank you, Cassie!

P.S. I ship Mark with everybody. Bye.

CASSANDRA CLARE was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in The Mortal Instruments and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts

¹This review was written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2016. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections, but has not changed its intention.

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Book Review: "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell

Previously posted on Goodreads!¹

I had a lot of unfulfilled expectations, especially after one of my friends started to send me some excerpts BUT ALSO got surprised in some aspects, like FOR REAL!

Apart from being a book that talks about being a fangirl, this book also tell us the part of a life of someone with social anxiety. Maybe, some readers (that don't know the term) just read about a girl being paranoid about everything, so, how did I recognize the term? Because I have it, so I can tell the difference. I felt identified with Cath all the book along, I've also found shelter in my sister and in fandoms, I can count my friends just with my fingers, I find alcohol and drugs repulsive... the list can go on.

Even if you don't feel identified with that, you can also read, and learn, about a MAN with a bipolar disorder, you know that mental disorders are just entitled to women, so this is big; read about early alcoholism... even read about writer's block! (BTW, this is a thing I've been fighting for ages, literally! It was like getting a slap!)

Why 3.5? Its pace and its structure.

For me, it was really slow at the beginning, perfect in the middle, disastrous at the end. Mostly the end. The author was like "oops, I'm gonna reach page 433, I need to finish it now, no matter if it ends with half a statement" (ok, I'm overreacting a bit, but that's how I felt when I read the end). Why include excerpts of Simon Snow's books, and fanfics? I know Simon Snow's are based on Harry Potter's, that made me feel like paying a visit to my childhood-teenage years, but REALLY! It wasn't necessary to read them! Especially the fanfic parts because Cath was supposed to be an AMAZING writer but I didn't believe it.

But I enjoy Rowell's writing in general, I couldn't have read this or Eleanor & Park otherwise. 

RAINBOW ROWELL writes books. Sometimes she writes about adults. Sometimes she writes about teenagers. But she always writes about people who talk a lot. And people who feel like they're screwing up. And people who fall in love. When she's not writing, Rainbow is reading comic books, planning Disney World trips and arguing about things that don't really matter in the big scheme of things. She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.

¹This review was written and originally posted on my Goodreads profile in 2016. It might now present minor changes in structure or corrections but has not changed its intention.

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