BOOK REVIEW : RED QUEEN BY VICTORIA AVEYARD!

Hello wonderful and amazing readers!

I am here once again (I know for the 5th time this month, crazy right?) to bring up my thoughts and feelings and to discuss Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard which I happen to finish hours ago today. This is kinda a fresh review because a day has not passed by after I finished the book.

Let's begin!

Details:

Title: Red Queen (Red Queen #1)

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Number of Pages: 388

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-fi

Publisher: HarperTeen

Published on: February 10, 2015

Format: Paperback

Price: $11.91 (BD), Php 432.00 (FB), Php 435.00 (NBS)

*Prices may change due to different sales/offers.

Purchase the book at:

NBS * Fully Booked * Book Depository

*I am NOT getting any profit for endorsing these sites

Synopsis:

Graceling meets The Selection in debut novelist Victoria Aveyard's sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king's palace. Will her power save her or condemn her? 

Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood—those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.

To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard—a growing Red rebellion—even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.

About the Author:

I’m a writer repped by Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. I split my time between my hometown East Longmeadow, Massachusetts and Los Angeles. After graduating with a BFA in Screenwriting from the University of Southern California, I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. My debut RED QUEEN came out of the terrifying, unemployed year after college.

Currently I’m revising the second book in the RED QUEEN series, along with pursuing other projects in literature and film. My proudest achievements are riding a horse in the mountains of Montana and navigating from London to Edinburgh without GPS.

Reach the author at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Goodreads

BOOK TAG : TIS THE SEASON!

Hello wonderful readers!

I am here today to bring you something very festive and fun! As you all know (well you probably have noticed), book tags are something that I enjoy recently and I am a big lover of everything Christmas. I have found the perfect solution to enjoy the best of both worlds. I went across Regan's PeruseProject and she recently uploaded a tag video doing Tis the Season book tag. What better thing to do, as it is 7 days left before Christmas, than to do it as well, right?

Let's begin!

Tis the Season Book Tag is created by RichardDenney. It's basically answering 7 questions about the Winter Season (or the cold/wet season here in my country, the Philippines) and everything about it. This is a very fun and festive tag and I am excited to do it!


1. Do you have a favorite Winter read?

• I don't have much of an annual rereading thing going on with my life, so my complete answer to this question is very complex. I'm just gonna go with the first thing that came into my mind. When I think of a cozy, cold, tucked-up-in-bed kind of weather the first thing that comes to my mind is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. What better book right? To let your tears drop (well, I never experienced this before, haha!) while the rain pours outside while drinking a cup of hot chocolate. It's just to comfy to read (and a little heartbreaking). It's fun to read while giggling and Amsterdam! It's a great book to read in this season. Do I need to explain this book? You probably know it already. For me, I want to read this while it's freezing cold and I have a thick blanket on my bed with hot chocolate by my side.

2. Find a book with blue on the cover!

• I don't just want to choose a book that has a blue cover, I wanted to choose a book with a blue cover that I loved the story and the cover. I choose The Young Elites by Marie Lu which I absolutely loved! I actually made a book review about it, here. So, you can read it to know more about it.  I just love the mysterious effect of the cover that doesn't show off. I also like this shade of blue. And at some point these dark clouds remind me of the Winter (Cold/Wet) Season here in the Philippines. Maybe because of the frequent typhoons happening here. I absolutely adored this cover and I choose this one for this questions.

3. Find a book you’d use as the star on a Christmas tree? 

• I honestly have no doubts on my answer to this one. I chose the hardcover edition (very particular about the format because the paperback's quite small) of Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan, illustrated by John Rocco. Is there any doubt about this? It's just so elegant from the inside and out. It's enormously huge and amazing. The outside is breath-taking and the inside is even more amazing than that. The illustrations on this one is wonderfully made. I just love it so much. Who would not? I mean, no one would disagree that this is a great choice for a star (but quite heavy). 

BOOK TAG : WOULD YOU RATHER 2.O!

Hello wonderful readers!

As I've mentioned on my previous post here, I'll be doing Would You Rather Book Tag versions 1 and 2. I already have done the first one, here. So, I'll be doing the 2nd one! I am very much excited to answer the set of questions below!

Let's begin!

This version was created by steakuccino with a bunch of new questions different from the first one. And also, because we're technically in a book blog, I'm gonna pretend that the questions about booktube are questions about book blogs. Yeah?


Would you rather...


1. Would you rather do only review videos or only tag videos?

• Hmm. I am having doubts on this one. I love making both. But, if I had to choose, I'd probably choose to only do tag videos. Tag videos are just like compilations of books that I've read. So on another way, I'm kinda reviewing books too. I am also a very on and off reader. There are times when I read five books in a month and there are times when I read a book in three months so, I don't know what I'm gonna do when the reader in me is off. Also, as I've said, I can still talk about how I loved a book in a tag, right? So a book tag is something I would enjoy more.

2. Would you rather always see the film first or never see the film version of books?

• I am a movie person as much as I am a book person. So, I would rather always see the film first than to never see it again. Although it would probably annoy me because I've been spoiled, I would still want to see the film. In the film, I would also know if I wanted to read the book. But, I never base my desire to read the book based on the movie's plot, I decide base on If I want the topic in the movie. This is what happened in my Percy Jackson experience. I've watched the film first, and we all know that it sucks, but because I am really interested in Greek mythology, I still read the books. So, I would prefer to see the film first.

3. Would you rather have a list of every book you've ever read (like Goodreads from birth) or still have the physical copy of your first favorite book?

• I am a very sentimental person but I think I would prefer to have a list of every book I've ever read. I really liked a lot of books when I was young but I can't remember their title. It would be fun if I can reread and search for those books. Also, if I have the physical copy of my first favorite book, I would probably crave for more. So I need that list. I really need it. I also like to know what I've been reading because I've read a lot of stories with the same plot. So, I'll go with the goodreads since birth.

4. Would you rather have an active in-person book club of non-book bloggers or have lunch with your best book blog buddy once a year?

• I don't really know. I am an ambivert. I tend to become introvert to people who've seen me extrovert in the internet. And I tend to become extrovert to people I get to bond with, like physically. So, I think I'd rather have an active in-person book club of non-book bloggers. I'd like to meet them like for the first time so we can bond and talk about books. Unlike my best book blog buddy, they probably have seen me in my worst form. Haha! And, I am more of an internet person, so having an in-person book club will develop my social and physical skills.

5. Would you rather have the time to read everything you want to read or the money to buy everything you want to read?

• I believe that time is priceless. It can never be paid for. You can never pay to have time to read. But money can be earned, you can work for it. So, I'd obviously pick time to read everything than the money to buy everything. And for a student like me? A couple of hours of leisure is a blessing!

BOOK REVIEW: THE YOUNG ELITES BY MARIE LU!

Hi Readers! I've finished The Young Elites by Marie Lu a way back. So here's a book review for y'all! 

Details:

Title: The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1)

Author: Marie Lu

Number of Pages: 355

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Dystopia, Young Adult

Publisher:  G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers 

Published on: October 7, 2014

Format: Hardcover

Price: $23.16 (BD), Php 760.00 (FB), Php 745.00 (NBS)
*Prices may change due to different sales/offers.

Purchase the book at:

NBS * Fully Booked * Book Depository

*I am NOT getting any profit for endorse these sites

Synopsis:

"I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside. 

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt."

 About the Author:

Marie Lu is the art director at Online Alchemy, a video game company, and also owns the children’s brand Fuzz Academy. She was first inspired to write Legend while watching Les Miserables one afternoon, and wondered how the relationship between a famous criminal vs. a prodigious detective might translate into a more modern story. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 and lives in Los Angeles, California. 

Reach the author at:

Website * Facebook * Instgram * Twitter * Goodreads

BOOK TAG : INSIDE OUT!

Hello wonderful Readers!

So I am here today with another tag. It originated in youtube and has been done by a lot of awesome booktubers like jessethereader, maureenkeavy, etc! It was created by Kristina Horner (click here to see her video) and I absolutely love the concept of the tag, so I am here to bring it (or bring it back) to the book blogger community and enjoy it with you guys!

So basically, it's all about the previous Inside Out movie from Disney and Pixar which I absolutely loved and watched for like a ton of times. There will be five different questions surrounding the main characters in the story -- Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear and you'll just have to answer that honestly and tell which book fits on the question. Simple isn't? I bet this is fun!

Let's begin!

P.S. Please excuse my handwriting and my editing and lighting and all. I am trying my best. XD

1. JOY - Which book brings you the most Joy?

• What else to pick than my most favorite book by my most favorite fantasy author and the book that became the reason of me reading today, right? You got it right, Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is the book that brings me most joy. Actually, the whole series does, but this book is extra special. It's about a boy named Percy Jackson which apparently is a demigod. After spending almost all his childhood as a regular dyslexic human being, he now's wanders off to Camp Half Blood, the only safe place for demigods like him. After entering camp, he then gets the accusation of stealing the Lightning Bolt, which is the weapon of the god of thunder, Zeus. Then the story revolves around that with so much sassy-ness, fun, adventures, and all of that. This book is the most amazing book ever. Just hearing the word "Percy Jackson" quickly makes me happy, It's literally the best book for me. When you associate the word "Joy" with "Books", this instantly comes to mind. It's so light yet fun and filled with lessons and all. It's just so so good and funny. If you haven't read it, you're missing a lot. So just read it and join me, admiring the powers of Rick Riordan.

2. DISGUST - Which book grossed you out the most?

• Now, this question is quite hard. I picked the book that grossed me, not because I hate the story, but because of some things in it. I chose, Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart. It's about a girl named Gretchen Kaufman Yee who is an art student and a love of anything Spider Man. He always observes a group of guys, the Art Rats who is kind of loud, sweet, and all of those things. Titus, is the apple of her eye, she finds Titus attractive and smart. She then wishes to be a fly on the wall on the boy's locker room, just to get to know the boys more and their secrets. Suddenly, she becomes a fly on the wall on the boy's locker room. And then she sees everything. Don't get me wrong, I love this book! Rated it like 4 out of 5 stars. It was a good read. It shows a girl's perspective of boy's secret and all of that. But it kind of gets a little gross at the locker part because she sees everything that boys like me hides. From stinky things to unpractical hygiene, you'll shortly find it there. This book also has romance, by the way. It's a fast paced read and is a light, cute one. Grab this book if you can.

3. FEAR - The book that scared you more than anything.

• This was hard because I don't read much of horror or thriller books, I am more to the dystopia - fantasy side. So, I decided to pick a book that scared me because I was shocked of some of the events and afraid on what might happen next. I picked The Young Elites by Marie Lu. It's about three main character, namely Adelina Amouteru, Teren Santoro, and Enzo Valenciano and their lives after the Blood fever. The blood fever is kind of a deadly illness that swept through their land. Adelina is a malfetto, an abomination--her father believes. A malfetto is those left with marks after the blood fever. Some of the malfettos is believed to have supernatural powers and Enzo leads the Dagger Society, a group of young elites or those with abilities against the inquisition. Teren works for the king, he seeks out the young elites and destroys them. Their lives unfold as Adelina discovers her powers on an encounter with his father. Their lives collide as Adelina avenges herself. Isn't that cool? My explanation quite sucks so better watch out for my book review coming very soon! I really liked this book. It kept my heart beating from the very first page up to the last. It scared me more than I expected. This book is something to watch out! Marie Lu is the queen. You should go read this, now!

4. SADNESS - Which book made you cry the hardest?

• I probably have the most cliche answer here, but I'll be super honest. The Fault in Our Stars by the one and only John Green. I mean yes, there are other books but I had to say the first book that made me almost cry. I haven't actually cried (like literally) in a book but this one came close. Do I have to tell you what's it about? Well, it'a about Hazel Grace Lancaster and the poetic Augustus Waters as they go on a journey of love and life. With their sickness and all, they find happiness. And the story pretty much revolves their and the support group. This book is amazing. It's cute and fun and heartbreaking and all. It's just wonderful and poetic and filled with cute majestic metaphors.

5. ANGER - Which book pissed you off?

• Now this didn't piss me off because it was bad. It just made me like "just do it" and all. It's Looking for Alaska by John Green. It follows Miles "Pudge" Halter as he journeys through life and all. Miles is an admirer of people's last words. He's fascinated about that. He meets the ever mysterious Alaska and slowly falls in love with it. That was before and after? Everything is never the same. This book is about life and about how everyone affects everyone. I really liked this book, it'll make you wonder. But, there were just moments when I was like, "just do it, Miles", "why won't you do it?", and all. It started out as disgust but developed into anger. There was also a part in the ending where I was so pissed off at a certain character but I quit understand him. This book is great, don't get me wrong. Read it and you'll understand me.

--

And that is it for today's post! As a book tag tradition, I should tag other bloggers as well! I tag:

Erika over at The Nocturnal Fey

Raffy over at Eccentric Everything

Rafael over at The Royal Polar Bear Reads

JM from Book Freak Revelations

Rexy over at Reading Rexy

and Everyone reading this! (because I am too lazy to tag every blogger that I know)

Thank you so much for staying up to this far! I hope you had lots of fun, because I did! *hugs*

I hope you guys liked and enjoyed the colors and all the efforts! Haha. It may look easy but I've put a lot of effort to be able to put that up together. I hope you guys have a cool and wonderful December filled with Joy! New posts will be up very soon, so, let's begin again then?