[Books] House of Cards by Ilana Waters

Goodreads | Amazon

Started on: March 25, 2013

Finished on: March 30, 2013

Synopsis

Eighteen-year-old Sherry has just begun her newly independent life in Paris when she is kidnapped by a group of vampires. They hold her hostage in the House of Cadamon, their catacomb lair beneath the city, ruled with an iron fist by a leader known as “the Master.” The only thing keeping Sherry alive is her ability to tell vampire fortunes through tarot cards, a task she is forced to perform night after night. She finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a four-hundred-year-old reluctant blood drinker who is as much a prisoner of Cadamon as she is.

Things get even more complicated when Sherry and Lucas begin falling for each other—hard. Will they be able to keep Sherry alive long enough for them both to escape the House of Cadamon? Or will the Master and his band of evil minions succeed in controlling the lives of the young lovers—by whatever means necessary?

With its breathtaking Parisian setting, fast-moving plot, and strong-willed heroine, this paranormal romance will keep you spellbound!

Review

Sherry is an 18 year woman who recently resided in Paris and happened to get kidnapped by a group of vampires who decide to hold her hostage because she has the ability of telling the vampire's fortunes through tarot cards.

To me, at first, I found House of Cards like a typical YA Paranormal Romance novel. Girl falls for paranormal guy, there is a conflict but they end up together anyway. Or the other way around. I can say that it does in a way resemble a typical YA paranormal romance, but it has its own fling to it.

It has an interesting and original dialogue. But it's something that you wouldn't expect from a coven of vampres; whom half of them seemed to have lost their humanity. This book is filled with surprises.

I really like what Sherry thinks of Lucas, its hilarious, she made the book a lot more enjoyable to read. Plus it's accurate to what an 18 year old would think if she was living with a smexy vampire! xD

These days, you'd think most vampires in books have gained their humanity and are soft and passionate. But these vamps are intense, they somewhat reflect the description of vampires in the old books. They really don't care of human life, they kill and/or feed on whomever they please, and play with them before and/or after they feed on them. Most of the vampires in this book is sick. Warning: slight sexual harassment

The Master, oh this character is a real mystery. I cannot figure him out. What's his real name? Who was he? Why is everyone scared of him?

In conclusion, I found House of Cards an enjoyable short easy read, that is funny and filled with surprises. If you enjoy reading YA paranormal romance novels, this is definitely the book for you!

[Books, Review] The Hunger Games: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Goodreads

Started on: February 21, 2013

Finished on: March 11, 2013

Synopsis

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. Distric 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Captiol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans - except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this,s he must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.

Review

It took me quite a while to finish this book. The reason? is unknown. These things just happen. xD

Mockingjay, the last edition to The Hunger Games trilogy. And I can say that from all the books that I've read so far. This is right next to one of the best. "Harry Potter". I'm not saying that it's as good as HP but I'm saying that it's good enough to be on my top 5 favorite books.

This edition surrounds the whole rebellion, and how they will over through the capital. So many things happen at the same time in this book that adds to the excitement but it's hard to keep track of what's going on.

The entire series is written in Katniss's point of view and what happens around her. I honestly sometimes find Katniss annoying. First she's with Gale, then she's with Peeta, when Peeta's gone she goes to Gale, then he comes back and she goes back to Peeta. I swear, if there was another man interested in her, she would add him to their list of men and alternate them every week or every time she has a breakdown. Towards the good side of Katniss, she's pretty awesome. How she's handling everything that's happen to her in the past two books, shows that she's a strong woman, and I can just imagine her giving inspiration to her readers to be strong along with her. (great message Suzanne!)

The rest of the book, I found great and with so many events occurring at the same time or right after each other keeps the reader going. It can be very engrossing and a page turner when the battle actually begins.

In conclusion, The Hunger Games in general is a dystopian adventure novel, with a lot of death of characters your grow attached to, and a splash or pinch of comedy and romance.

If you're into slight details of killing and all the adventure and excitement, with a dash of comedy and romance to put it all together, I highly recommend The Hunger Games trilogy.

[Fashion] My love at first sight

That's right. My love at first sight was with a pair of shoes. 

I was walking around the shoe section at New Look on Sunday and my heart literally stopped when I saw these up on the rack. The best part of them was that it was on SALE! 

Maroon Oxford Heels

I honestly didn't care if I had anything to pair them with, I just had to have them! 

Maroon Oxford Heels

Bought at: New Look

For: BD9.500 ($25)

These heels come in black too, if anyone is interested! xD 

I will probably do a "What to wear with this..." blog post with these heels soon. Or maybe in a few weeks? xD