Book Review: Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Hey everyone!
Today I will be reviewing Crewel by Gennifer Albin. This book review will be spoiler free! I finally got around to reading this book and I really enjoyed it. I would probably rate it at 4.5/5. "

"Enter a tangled world of secrets and intrigue where a girl is in charge of other’s destinies, but not her own.

Sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has always been special. When her parents discover her gift—the ability to weave the very fabric of reality—they train her to hide it. For good reason, they don’t want her to become a Spinster — one of the elite, beautiful, and deadly women who determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die.

Thrust into the opulent Western Coventry, Adelice will be tried, tested and tempted as she navigates the deadly politics at play behind its walls. Now caught in a web of lies and forbidden romance, she must unravel the sinister truth behind her own unspeakable power. Her world is hanging by a thread, and Adelice, alone, can decide to save it — or destroy it."

I don't normally talk about the presentation of the book, but I absolutely adore this book cover. But also what's inside I really liked too. I thought the world that the main character lived in was so fascinating and very different from all the other dystopian worlds I've read. The idea that the whole world they lived in was weaved and can be manipulated at the touch of the Spinters and Creweler was so intriguing. The characters were also great to read about. I especially loved our main character Adelice. She was strong, but not in a Katniss type way. I feel like she, in some ways, is similar to Cassia from Matched. They both have that secret rebellious touch, and are strong, but like I already said, in a non-Katniss way. The other characters were also very interesting; for instance, Maela, Enora, and Loricel. The whole idea of wiping a strand "clean" or "removing" it really also represents the dystopian aspect into this world. At first I was going to rate it 4 stars, but then at the end I decided to rate it 4.5 stars. I saw the end coming, but I so excited to see where the next book goes. This book, in my opinion, is definitely worth reading! -Kait

What I'm Excited to See in Prodigy by Marie Lu

Hey everyone!
So as some of you may know, Prodigy is coming out soon! This book is due to hit book stores January 29, 2013 for the U.S. I am so excited! If you want to see what I thought of the first book, see my review at my other blog here. I actually read this in June of last year, and adored it. But that's not what this post is about! After waiting, we finally get to see further into the world of June and Day. For those who haven't read Legend, this will probably contain spoilers.



"June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action." (Goodreads)

Well, what am I excited to see?
There's nothing is particular I wanted to mention, but I wanted to generally go over some things. First of all, I am very excited to go see the Patriots! I think this will be very interesting and we can be able to see a whole other perspective on the Republic. Speaking of the Republic, I'm very intrigued to see where Marie Lu decides to take that. Day and June are both wanted now, so I'm curious to see how they're going to make it through. I also feel as though we're going to find a lot more about the history of the Republic as well as the Colonies. And I hope we'll get to go over there, but my odds are against it considering their job is to get the new Elector Primo, and I don't think we'll find him over in the Colonies. I actually read the first chapter which you can read here. (Just scroll down and click "Read and Excerpt" or just scroll down farther. We also can't forget about Day/June! Possible spoiler for Prodigy: I heard rumors that there was a love triangle (which I'm pretty lenient about but NO, NOT FOR THIS BOOK. So I tweeted Marie Lu saying "I heard... things about Prodigy by Marie Lu about Day... and June... not.. together? ..." and she said this back: "Oh dear, are rumors are spreading already? ;) My lips are zipped!" What does that winky face mean?!!!??! But anyways, sorry for a super not great post, school has been crazy! I still hope you enjoyed! -Kait

Inside and Out Tag

Hey everyone!
Today I'm doing the Inside and Out tag which I found from YouTube! This tag is an acronym type of tag as you will see, so it's a little different from others. If there's a tag you would like to see, comment down below and I wil do it!

I Inside flap/Back of the book summaries: Too much info? Or not enough?
Sometimes, I find that there's more to be said, and other times it's the opposite. It really depends on the book. As long as it doesn't spoil about 40 pages in and up.

N New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest: Audiobook, E-Book, Paperback, or Hardcover?
I prefer it in hardcover, however hardcover is normally more expensive, so paperback for my second option. :)

S Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books, taking notes, making comments, or do you keep your books clean clean clean?
No! I don't like to do that. If I have something that I want to mark, normally I just put a sticky note there.

I In your best voice, read for us your favorite 1st sentence from a book.
Again, this came from YouTube, so I can't read it to you aloud, but I will state a line and try to guess where it's from! "But there are much worse games to play." Easy one!

D Does it matter to you whether the author is male of female when you're deciding on a book? What if you're unsure of the author's gender?
Doesn't matter at all!
E Ever read ahead? or have you ever read the last page way before you got there? I used to read the last sentence in a book and then start the book, but after Catching Fire I never did it again. But I will go to the end to see how many pages there are.
&

O Organized bookshelves, or Outrageous bookshelves? I say my bookshelf is pretty organized.

U Under oath: have you ever bought a book based on the cover (alone)? When I was younger I would. But sometimes if I see a book with a cool title and it's really pretty, I'll read the synopsis.

T Take it outside to read, or stay in? I love reading outside, but normally I just stay in.

That was the tag! I hope you all enjoyed, and if you do this tag, link it down below! -Kait

Overview of the Heroes of Olympus (Spoiler Free)

Hey everyone!
So recently, I have been overwhelming you all with book reviews-specifically Rick Riordan books. Therefore, instead of a doing a review, I will be doing an overview. I don't go into a lot of basics, but I still mention what I thought of each book. I read the first three books in the Heroes of Olympus (The Lost Hero, The Son of Neptune, and The Mark of Athena) and decided that it would be a little too much to have 3 book reviews, in the same series, by the same author all come out within two weeks. This way, I mention each book, and my thoughts without annoying anyone! Yay! These will also be spoiler free! But obviously, if you read the part when I talk about Mark of Athena and (just saying) you didn't Piper was still alive or something-like those kids of spoilers.

The Lost Hero | Rick Riordan | Heroes of Olympus #1
For a book starting off a brand new series, I really enjoyed. Rick Riordan continues to bring different characters. My favorite in this book is Leo. Leo is just... well, Leo. I really found his back story fascinating, and it as cool to hear from a child of Hephaestus. It kind of wants me to be a demigod of him, but I still rather be Athena. Piper was also very cool. I liked to hear it from an Aphrodite's point of view because not all of them are stereotypical "omg" kind of people. We also get to see how Aphrodite isn't really about looking pretty and all that stuff, but also about spreading beauty and love. Jason wasn't my favorite, but I still like him. It was exciting when I found out that you-know-who (not Voldemort) was his sibling.

The Son of Neptune | Rick Riordan | Heroes of Olympus #2
I think I liked the second book a little more because we get to see Percy again! Unfortunately, Percy has an issue, so it was a little different. But also, it was in third person. I prefer 1st person, but it was still very enjoyable! Hazel was great in my opinion. I found her back story very interesting as well and the part with her half-brother and Percy, you know, that part, ugh. Hazel's half-brother! Like I said before, Rick Riordan does a wonderful job at creating new, different characters, and Frank definitely falls under that category. I did enjoy his back story and the ability he has, but he was probably my least favorite out of this trio-but I did like him too.

The Mark of Athena | Rick Riordan | Heroes of Olympus #3
Well, well, well... anyone who read this book let me say: Rick Riordan. Cliff hanger. Really?? I actually thought it was going to be a lot worse, just that person by herself, but yay! Someone goes with her to a special scary place! This one was by far my favorite. I read this book (574 pages) in 2 days. It was really good- so much action and I loved seeing the characters together! I also never had a book pull so much emotion out of me in the first 30 pages! Oh my gosh, that was great! Cough* Percabeth *Cough.



Overall, I really can't say enough how much I recommend this series. I do recommend reading the PJO series first, and then read this one. Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts down below! -Kait

Book Review: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Hey everyone!Today, I will be reviewing Rick Riordan's final, and fifth installment to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. My overall thoughts: I LOVED IT.
 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

By Rick Riordan

 

"All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of a victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows.

While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.

In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate."

 

First of all, I thought this was a great ending for the series. Rick Riordan wrapped up this series so well and it was very enjoyable. Percy continues to do crazy things, as well as the plot itself.

 

SPOILERS:

Book Haul/TBR (Rick Riordan Version)

Hey everyone!
I have a book haul today for you! For Christmas, I ended up just getting a gift card which I was so happy about! I actually have to get 2 more of the books tomorrow because one of them is not in, but otherwise the other 3 I used the gift card for. You can also count this as a TBR (To Be Read) pile because I haven't read any of these yet. All these books are by Rick Riordan, just fyi. Enjoy!

1. The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series)

This is the book that hasn't come in yet, and not reading this is killing me a little bit, but I'm getting it tomorrow! I'm so excited to read this, but I'm also sad that the series will be ending.

2. The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus series)
Although this is a new series with new characters, it also has some ones from the PJO series. This I also can't wait to read!

3. The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus series)
This is the second installment and it also has Percy's point of view which, like I've been saying for every book, I am very excited to read.

4. The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus series)
Following The Son of Neptune, I will definitely be continuing this series.

5. The Demigod Diaries
I'm not sure yet if I'm going to be obtaining this or not, but I really want to read it and thought I would include this in case I do get it!

That is it! Talk to you soon! -Kait