this is not a test review

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

***

This is the first book that I've read by Courtney Summers, and I'm really glad that I decided to pick it up. She weaves the intense story of Sloane Price, her desire for death and her life when the dead began to roam. 

The character of Sloane is very well written. It's easy to slip into her skin, and experience what she's feeling as well as what she has been through. She's detached but raw, and she so desperately feels that there is no reason for her to keep going on.

It's really interesting to visualize how people change when the world is in chaos, and how they react to one another.

This isn't your typical zombie novel. It's very thoughtful and really plays on your emotions. It isn't as hard, crass, or gory as some novels of the same genre I've read. The book tells a genuinely great story without making it cheesy.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads. 

halloween

At first I wanted to dress as Anne Boleyn or Amy Winehouse (would that even be appropriate now?), but instead I decided to do something simple.

Sugar skull makeup, black lace top, skirt, and sky high heels (I actually managed to walk in them without any issues). 

***

Since Halloween is so near, I've been reading "This is Not a Test" by Courtney Summers. Zombies have taken over the world, and Sloane Price and a group of teenagers have holed themselves up inside of a high school. I'm about 65% in, and I'm really enjoying it.

Happy Halloween!

the book of lost things review

High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a world that is a strange reflection of his own -- populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.

***

The Book of Lost Things was very promising, but I found that I didn't like it very much.
The struggle that David faces when his mother dies was heartbreaking, but I didn't find the rest of the book held my attention for very long. 

The characters lack the depth and feeling that normally draw me into a story. However, I did enjoy how the book incorporated fairy tales and folklore into the plot. 


I gave this book 2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

book haul (again)

I'm a new book fanatic, and absolutely love adding them to my to-read list.
Picked up the following today:

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (Unearthly #1)

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

divergent review

 

 

 

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

***

 

In a distant, dystopian future sat in Chicago the world has been ravaged by greed, ignorance, lies, and aggression. A society forms to rid themselves of these problems. Five factions are created: Candor (those who believed lies destroyed society, and tell only the truth), Amity (who thrive on peacefulness), Abnegation (the selfless who serve others before themselves), Erudite (the intelligent), and Dauntless (the brave who are trained to battle and protect). Each faction was created to alleviate the problems which ultimately had destroyed society. However, each faction tends to keep to themselves, and there are feuds between them.

 

Beatrice was born into the Abnegation faction, and leads a very simple life. She watches as her father, mother, and brother are completely selfless and attend to others needs before their own. She doesn't feel as if she quite belongs with them, because she doesn't always feel selfless.When she turns sixteen and the appointed day arrives she must choose which faction she will devote the rest of her life to serving. For Beatrice it isn't an easy choice, and she will have to deal with the consequences that occur.

 

Beatrice or Tris is an excellent character who I quickly fell in love with. It was great to be able to follow along with her as she grew and changed. There's so much conflict within her, but she manages to continue on her journey. She's brave, witty, and sometimes she's ruthless but I think those things are what make her so likable.

I loved the idea of the factions that arose from the destruction of society, but also it's obvious that such factions can't work if they're separate. You cannot have someone who is wholly peaceful or wholly selfless without the other attributes.

 

Divergent is Veronica Roth's first novel and she has written such a spectacular book. It's a generally quick read, but very thought provoking. It forces you to take a closer look at society and yourself. It's a really fun read.

 

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

 

book haul

Recently picked up the following books:

Divergent by Veronica Roth: I've wanted to read this for a while. I decided to read it first.

 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth: I was sure that I would love Divergent, so I picked up the next book also. 

 

 

 

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: I had wanted to get this book before, but hadn't. I think it will be an interesting read.

 

 

 

The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler: I honestly haven't read very much about this book, and got it because I thought that it looked interesting.

 

 

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly: Again this is a book that I haven't really heard very much about, but thought it may be a good read.

 

 

 

 

That wraps up the book haul. As I mentioned, I am reading Divergent first. After that I think I will try The Book of Lost Things. Pretty excited to add new books to the collection!



a clash of kings review

 

 

A Song of Ice and Fire #2

A Clash of Kings transports us into a magnificent, forgotten land of revelry and revenge, wizardry and wartime. It is a tale in which maidens cavort with madmen, brother plots against brother, and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside.
Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory may be measured in blood. And the spoils of victory may just go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when rulers clash, all of the land feels the tremors.

***

 

George R.R. Martin has created a world that I've completely fallen in love with. He writes such wonderful high fantasy. A Clash of Kings picks up where A Game of Thrones leaves off, and it doesn't disappoint. It is a rather large book at over 1,000 pages. However, the story is so seamless and enticing that you'll find yourself flying through it.

 

In this book we encounter our old favorites with the story moving steadily on. I must admit that Daenerys Targaryen and Tyrion Lannister are my favorites. I fell in love with them in the first book, and I think that their stories are progressing wonderfully. Daenerys or Dany, is known as 'The Mother of Dragons'. She is so appealing to a female reader, because she has amazing strength and determination. Tyrion is a favorite because he is extremely witty, and most can't look past his physical deformities to the incredible mind. The other characters: Bran, Jon Snow, Arya, Sansa, Cersei, etc. aren't lacking in the least. Each as a really strong story.

 

Thus far (I can't really speak about the others until I read them) this series is full of adventure, passion, suspense, and truly amazing characters. I never felt as if it were tedious or boring to read. In fact, I can't wait to pick up A Storm of Swords. This is definitely a must read for anyone who loves fantasy!

 

I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

currently

I'm making a boat load of things for Etsy.

(unfinished)

 

I'm also reading A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin. It's the second book in the Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones). I'm approximately 80% into it, and it's spectacular. It really is such a wonderful series. I may do a review after I'm finished.



acrylic

Good news, I can actually feel textures with my thumb now. The numbness is almost completely gone.
To celebrate I bought some acrylic paints (I hadn't used it in quite a while), paper, canvases, and brushes.
I played around today & this was the result:

 

 

I'm really looking forward to getting back into painting. It's pretty exciting.

I also purchased quite a bit of crafting materials for my Etsy store.

 



the fault in our stars review

 

 

 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

*** 

 

To say this book was a profound read is such an understatement. It is magic. John Green created such a beautiful, heart wrenching, and raw world. It is easily in my top three favorite books ever. I'm so glad that I dusted it off of my to-read list. I haven't cried so much while reading a book in a very long time.

The story centers around terminally ill Hazel Grace and a boy that she meets named Augustus Waters. Both are extraordinary characters with incredible depth, feeling, and wit. Despite having cancer that has ravaged her body, Hazel is amazing. Just amazing. Throughout the book we see inside of her head, how she grows, and how she becomes her own person. Augustus Waters was my favorite character. He was incredible, and so philosophically beautiful.

I think that when you read something that has such a profound effect on you it's difficult to put into words, so I've had this review sitting in my drafts for a few weeks. I had absolutely no idea how I wanted to write it without giving spoilers. Just trust me when I say that if you haven't read it, you must!

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.