[Books] Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Goodreads | Booklikes
Oct 14 - 30, 2013

Synopsis

Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her-and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

Review

Tempest Rising revolves around a teenager, Tempest, who would have the ability to transform into a mermaid when she turns 17. Ever since her mother; who is also a mermaid, left her beloved family to return to ocean, Tempest has hated and dreaded the idea of becoming a mermaid, until she feels a powerful temptation to go into the water and welcome the life under the sea.

Tempest Rising is a great young adult novel, and it's been a while, or at least it felt like a while, since I've read an actual paranormal YA novel. And I have to admit there were times when I would go "Oh come on! You're only 17!"

I was super excited to read this book. I always love reading about mermaids, the sea and the ocean. I literally picked up the book and jumped around for a couple of seconds, squealing. I'm so weird.

I started it off really well, I couldn't put it down for days. Until I reached the middle of the book. I am unsure whether it was because I got busy with reality that it ruined my comfortable ideal reading hours that made reading the book feel like a drag, or whether it was the book itself. I'll go with the busy statement. xD

One of the things that drew me into the book was the writing; it was funny as well as very creative, and of course Kona. That's apparently hot and sexy mysterious man with long hair...hmm..

Though the action-packed scene in the book didn't seem very action-y. I didn't feel the excitement that these scenes were supposed to give you when you read them. But it was all still very entertaining to read and enjoy.

All in all, Tempest Rising is a great book! There were tragic deaths, happy times and mixed-feeling endings. These are all you need to enjoy a great book! 

If you enjoy the words of the waves and the land under that sea along with a splash of teenage romance, this is the book for you! 

I can't wait to get the rest of the series! 

[Books] W.W.W Wednesday: Oct 30 2013

Hello Hello!

I haven't been participating in any memes lately, so I'm not trying to get back into it just cause they're so much fun and it gives me an excuse to post an entry! xD

This meme is of course hosted by none other than MizB @ Should Be Reading

~~~

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

My Answers 

What are you currently reading?

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

I'm currently on page 300

I couldn't put it down during the first half, but the second half just feels like a drag to me now. 

What did you recently finish reading?

The Golden Compass (Northern Lights) by Philip Pullman

I really enjoyed this book, it was very mystical and adventurous. It really keeps you reading!
Here is my review of the book - Armored Bears & Witches!! 

What do you think you'll read next? 

BOUNDARIES by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

Yes, a self-help book. I haven't read a self help book in a while. I recently bought this with the hopes of boosting up my confidence and taking some productive action in my life. 

Well, that was good while it lasted.

Until next time fellow bloggers!

[Books] His Dark Materials #1: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Goodreads | Booklikes
Finished on: Oct 27 2013

Synopsis 
Here lives an orphaned ward named Lyra Belacqua, whose carefree life among the scholars at Oxford's Jordan College is shattered by the arrival of two powerful visitors. First, her fearsome uncle, Lord Asriel, appears with evidence of mystery and danger in the far North, including photographs of a mysterious celestial phenomenon called Dust and the dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora Borealis that he suspects is part of an alternate universe. He leaves Lyra in the care of Mrs. Coulter, an enigmatic scholar and explorer who offers to give Lyra the attention her uncle has long refused her. In this multilayered narrative, however,nothing is as it seems. Lyra sets out for the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate, Roger, bearing a rare truth-telling instrument, the compass of the title. All around her children are disappearing—victims of so-called "Gobblers"—and being used as subjects in terrible experiments that separate humans from their daemons, creatures that reflect each person's inner being. And somehow, both Lord Asriel and Mrs. Coulter are involved

Review

In a world where each person has their very own dæmon, and where there are witches, armored bears and a great amusement for "dust". The book revolves around it's protagonist; an 11 year old girl, Lyra. She sets out to find her friend Roger who has mysteriously gone missing. In the process, she meets new people and discovers that children everywhere are getting taken away from their families to be used for experiments. Lyra sets out to find out more about these "experiments" and tries to find a way to stop them.

Now that I read the summary for the first time, I don't think I would've read this book if it wasn't for the movie and how awesome it looked. The idea of having your very own dæmon that is connected to your and will always be by your side is what drew me into this series.

I really enjoyed this book from the very beginning, until I started to get a little uninterested. I wasn't bored, it was very exciting, but it just suddenly felt uninteresting to me, until the pace went back up again and my interest grew back up towards the ending of the book.

The characters were alright, but favorite was Serafina Pekkala and most of the witches. My least favorite after Ms Coulter was Lord Asreal. I honestly didn't expect him to act that way towards his own daughter. Okay I won't say more.

The story line was fantastic, it was a whole new world that I think everyone should experience with an open mind. I recommend this trilogy to those who enjoy reading about different worlds that is filled with loads of action. I'm looking forward to starting the next book.

[Books] Fifty Shades Freed by E.L James

Goodreads | Booklikes
Sept 19 - Oct 12, 2013

Synopsis

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees. 

Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past. 

Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality. 

This book is intended for mature audiences 

Review

I cannot believe I took almost a month to finish this book! O.O
I've long decided not to write a review for this last edition to the Fifty Shades trilogy but as I read through the ending, emotions started to swirl up and go all over the place that I just had to express it into a review.

I read the first book (Grey) mid last year and the second book (Darker) earlier this year on April, and I was dreading reading the last book. I did enjoy the first two books but it seemed like a drag to pick up this third book and start reading. I'm guessing that's the reason why I took almost a month to finish it.

Okay, so the book started off with the depressing past of Christian Grey, but then it lightened up a little as it went back to the present time. Christian and Ana are married and are on their honeymoon, things move forward they both go back to work; but of course Christian protests against Ana returning to her job and Ana being stubborn fights for her right to work.Women Rights!. Then we find out that Jack Hyde; the evil villain of this series, is back from wherever he came from, and tries to attack the Grey's; including Ana. Christian retaliates and orders double security for his entire family as they all go about their day. And that's how the book basically goes. It goes in a cycle in my opinion.

The story line is pretty good, as well as the writing, it keeps the reader reading. But as I said, it seemed like it was going in a cycle and there were times when I would sigh with frustration and impatience because it was just going on and on and on and never ending.

And of course, the ending was what really engrosses the reading into the book, with all that excitement and emotions that went on plus it was this moment when I literally couldn't put the book down. I spent hours reading and eager to know what would happen next, how will everything turn out. There were multiple conclusions piling up in my head, will this happen? will that happen? what happens is she does this? and multiple others.

The ending and epilogue gathered up so many of my mixed emotions that I didn't know what to do with it. I felt happy, confused, disappointed, a little blank and at the same time I just really wanted the book to end. Though as I was reading the epilogue, I had a little bit of deja vu, like I've heard this ending before, it seemed oddly familiar to me. But all in all, I am very happy that this trilogy has ended! Now we have to wait for the movies to come out! Woot!

Concluding this hopefully not so long and confusing review, I enjoyed this book it wasn't too extravagant, it didn't make me go OMG, I was okay. Although I enjoyed this one much more than the past two books, because Mr. Fifty Shades has been freed! Literally.

As for the entire trilogy, it's a great series that can gather up all your emotions and make you either love it or hate it. If you're into heavy adult romance with broken men who need to be healed by their true love and are not afraid of the voices of the main characters subconscious, I highly recommend this book. If not, then just give the first book a go, it doesn't hurt to try it out! xD

[Books] Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Synopsis

Orphaned, penniless, Jacob Jankowski jumps a freight train in the dark, and in that instant, transforms his future.
By morning, he's landed a job with the Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. By nightfall, he's in love.
In an America made colourless by prohibition and the Depression, the circus is a refuge of sequins and sensuality. But behind the glamour lies a darker world, where both animals and men are dispensable. Where falling in love is the most dangerous act of all... 

Goodreads 

Review

I bought this book a couple of years back, and it's been on my shelf for ages. I recently found the audiobook I thought might as well read and listen at the same time to make things faster.

This was the kind of book that I thought would bored me bu I was surprised that I really enjoyed it. It was the same feeling I had when I read The Help, it sucked me in from the very first words. Though it did take me quite a while to finish the book, I just wasn't in the reading/listening mood for the past few weeks. 

I've grown to love these kind of book that not only focuses on the romance part but focuses on everything and has meaning behind it all. 

The book focuses on Jacob Jankowski and his life when he runs away from his home town and joins a circus. 

I immensely enjoyed this book. It was intriguing, adventurous and a slightly easy read. The characters were very diverse and fun; hence circus. 

As for the narrators of the audio version, they were fantastic and did a great job. They kept the listener listening. And the production was delightful, with all the soothing music that I swayed along to for that couple of seconds

Water for Elephants is a great novel, I would read it again in time. And I definitely recommend this novel to anyone, absolutely anyone who enjoys reading something outside their genre. Though I have to warn those who want to let younger readers read this, it has explicit sexual content.