Opposite Ends of the Spectrum

Opposite Ends of the Spectrum
If I Stay vs. Shut Out

(This is probably a once in a bloglife thing, but I thought it'd be fun--reviewing a cute fluff at the same time as an apparent emotional rollercoaster!)

These two were honestly completely different, but I found myself giving them a near-same rating--3 and 4 stars. I know I know, If I Stay, only 4 stars? The scandal! But...I think I just had higher hopes for it. I've read Just One Day (hello! You've seen my review!) and it was simply amazing while, If I Stay...paled in comparison. I'm not saying it was bad. I'm just saying I would have loved it a lot more if I'd read it before Just One Day. On the other hand, for Shut Out, I just didn't like have any expectations so it was surprising, though I think I'd more likely give it a 3. It just wasn't...It just wasn't.

The heroines were completely different to. While Mia (IIS) could understand things easily and was a true character with flaws, one I could understand, Lissa (SO) was completely...ugh.She drove me crazy with her COD and her need to control everything. I wanted to slap her a lot and soon she became practically OBSESSED with winning the "war" Also, I found the school society a bit sex-crazed. I mean, I know it happens, but like...not that severely. I hope. The shallowness of some of these characters really annoyed me while the characters in IIS I loved and wanted to cry for at times. They really did twist my heart at times.

I really loved Mia and Adam's slow romance which I found sweet and warm! I honestly sometimes loved the flashbacks more than I did the present because of Adam. I really really really loved Adam and wanted to smother him in hugs sometimes. When I said there were characters I wanted to cry for, I was really just talking about Adam...I just...sigh. Their's seemed like a true love that had me sighing happily throughout the book...well, until the end. On the other hand, Lissa's and Cash's relationship made me feel like a year after the happenings, they'll start growing apart. Basically, I didn't believe their relationship. It seemed more out of convenience to the story line than something that'd actually happen.So there was an *SPOILER* almost kiss...but...it just left me highly unsatisfied.

If I Stay, I think, was supposed to be a highly emotional read, but honestly I felt disappointed by it. I, mostly, had no emotions at all throughout the book and was actually a bit bored. The only times I felt something was whenever Adam was involved or when Mia was looking for answers. It was just...beautifully sad. But I don't think it was as emotional as people claim, which is why it's just a star less than 5. It wasn't strong enough for me. 

Shut Out was definitely a cute fluff that had me reading despite it's many flaws. It was fun and I was excited to see each new plan the girls and guys had to beat each other and the idea was definitely...interesting. I mean, what other book focuses on a sex strike? Yeah...that sounds weird out loud.

Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson

Goodreads Blurb

A heart-stopping story of love, death, technology, and art set amid the tropics of a futuristic Brazil.

The lush city of Palmares Tres shimmers with tech and tradition, with screaming gossip casters and practiced politicians. In the midst of this vibrant metropolis, June Costa creates art that’s sure to make her legendary. But her dreams of fame become something more when she meets Enki, the bold new Summer King. The whole city falls in love with him (including June’s best friend, Gil). But June sees more to Enki than amber eyes and a lethal samba. She sees a fellow artist.

Together, June and Enki will stage explosive, dramatic projects that Palmares Tres will never forget. They will add fuel to a growing rebellion against the government’s strict limits on new tech. And June will fall deeply, unfortunately in love with Enki. Because like all Summer Kings before him, Enki is destined to die.

Would it be completely horrible of me to say that this is one of the worst books I've ever read? Because it really felt like it. As much as I wanted to love it (I mean, this was one of the first 2013 debut did HEARD of that had such an amazing synopsis) I really couldn't. I just...couldn't.

So I didn't realize until I was 3 chapters in that everyone was homosexual. And, I do mean everyone. Our love interest, the guy best friend, the mom, the ambassador, etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against it, but it would've been nice to get a warning. I could also see how it advanced the plot, but couldn't they just have changed a gender and have it work the same? We never got why everyone suddenly disregarded gender and why everyone was suddenly very...loose. I guess it does play on that "wild side" of Brazil, but...well. 

I also had a giant issue with the characters--they felt so flat to me, especially Gil. And Enki...he would be so mischievous then suddenly very serious and a tad morbid, making his character a very...complicated, changing one. June was definitely one of the worse characters I've run into. She was pretty egoistical. She thought herself as the best artist in Palmares Tres and felt like she deserved the Queen's award (think of it as the Oscars, except only one) when there were others CLEARLY better than her. 

The romance...oh man. Where do I START with this. It was all very insta lovey. Very. Gil and Enki kissed pretty much a few minutes after they saw each other, the 5 minutes in between 

used up for a very...insinuating dance. And then Enki is apparently very in love with Gil, and June very attracted to Enki, at first because of his darker skin color. A bit shallow? I thought so, at least. And then there starts this weird dance in which Enki and June are...weird. They kiss,it doesn't mean anything, the kiss more, and stuff, but they still don't really fall in love. And, using the delicate phrase of the book, Summer Kings screw like mayflies. Oh man, was that true. Weirder still, Gil who was in love with Enki was fine with sharing him with June. Ummmm...

Honestly, I didn't really understand anything happening in Summer Prince. Everything was happening so damn quickly, then we'd have a time skip and never find out what happened between then and now. The writing may have been lush, but it was definitely confusing to me. I got the main gist of it, but other than that...or maybe I was just so bored of this book, I unintentionally skimmed it? I know I definitely skipped the last 75 pages at least. To read about an ending I predicted since the beginning. I hate to say it, but saying I'm disappointed is an understatement.

My ending statement? It may have been a idea with a great potential, but the way it was executed just didn't meet up.

Pages: 304

Genre: Sci-fi/Dystopia

Series: Stand alone

Publisher: Scholastic

Release: March 1, 2013

Rating: 1

Waiting on Wednesday

Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards

Weeks after his crucifixion and rebirth as Phoenix, Ash Fisher believes his troubles are far behind him. He and Natalie are engaged and life seems good. But his happiness is short-lived when he receives a threatening visit from Purian Rose, who gives Ash an ultimatum: vote in favor of Rose’s Law permanently relegating Darklings to the wrong side of the wall or Natalie will be killed.

The decision seems obvious to Ash; he must save Natalie. But when Ash learns about The Tenth, a new and deadly concentration camp where the Darklings would be sent, the choice doesn’t seem so simple. Unable to ignore his conscience, Ash votes against Rose’s Law, signing Natalie’s death warrant and putting a troubled nation back into the throes of bloody battle.

E-excuse me? Did you say I needed to EXPLAIN why I wanted this? I'm sorry, must have heard wrong. I just LOVED Black City last year and hello? This sequel? That synopsis? THERE IS NO QUESTION. Plus apparently there's like, a love square with Elijah, so other slut  woman, Ash, and Natalie. And then this. THINGS ARE GETTING EVEN MORE INTERESTING! SQUEE!

EDIT: Hee. I may have actually gotten this. But like, I needed to tell everyone my feelings beforehand. So, like...yeah

It's Nikki's birthday & SHE'S BEEN HIJACKED!

Yes it is Nikki! It's your AWESOME-SAUCE BIRTHDAY! 

Hey! I'm Inky [also known as the BLOG HIJACK ALIEN] and I'll be your fabtastique blog host for the day. It's Nikki's birthday if you haven't already gathered, and all her Bloggy Buds have it out to get her all happied up on this joyous day. [see HERE & HERE] By the end of the day she's gonna be like this...if she isn't already: 

Now, this post is gonna be short, sweet and to the point. NIKKI IS AWESOME. She protested all the birthday fun she's getting like MAD. But let's face it. She's worth it. Lisseth (the second link above) will tell you why. I'm just here to bring gifs, balloons, cake, and a little letter. :D So....first up, our traditional party decor...BALLOONS! 

And of course it's not a birthday without a cake and lots of candles. Especially if they do this....

and YOU can do this.....

............before giving up and doing this..........

SO. We've have our happy gifs and all our birthday essentials shared with everyone. Now, it's my turn to share a little more blogger love. I wrote this random poem for Nikki's birthday! Hope you all enjoy it.  Believe me it's random.

Hahaha. As I'm re-reading it, I'm amazed I even pulled it off. But Nikki is worth it, and with that, there is only one last thing to say. And I've got GIFS here to help me:

Thanks for being one of the COOLEST BLOGGERS AROUND! Keep being awesome!!! 

XOXOXO, Inky

Book Haul + Weekly Recap

So I made a video. I know. My voice sounds weird. Have fun. And I realized after I filmed that nothing was backwards. IGNORE ME.
Also, I forgot. I got an arc If You Find Me. Also, the poem was NOT by Eileen. O_o Hmmmm

Hannah @ Book Haven Extroadanaire

Montana @ Book Belles

Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain

eARCs
Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar
Stung by Bethany Wiggins
The Prince by Kiera Cass
Undone by Elizabeth Norris

Pub
Money Run by Jack Heath
Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson (2 copies)
That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard
Orleans by Sherri L. Smith
White Lines by Jennifer Banash
If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

Bought
Shards and Ashes
Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Spirit and Dust by Rosemary Moore

Gifted
Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Bake Sale by Sara Varon
The Elite by Kiera Cass
Requiem by Lauren Oliver

EILEEN'S GIFT OF EPIC
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Through To You by Emily Hainsworth
Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
3 epic letters
A giant fluffy teddy bear
A BFF teddy bear
A BR signed poster
Swag


Weekly Recap
Senshi by Cole Gibson
How to Lead a Lifeof Crime by Kirsten Miller
Waiting on Wednesday
Infatuated by Aimee Agresti
Orleans by Sherri L. Smith

Orleans by Sherri. L. Smith

Goodreads Blurb

First came the storms.
Then came the Fever.
And the Wall.
After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct… but in reality, a new primitive society has been born.
Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival.
Sherri L. Smith delivers an expertly crafted story about a fierce heroine whose powerful voice and firm determination will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Orleans was definitely different from the normal things I read and definitely different from…everything.

In the best way of course!

I really did like Orleans, though I wasn’t as into the story as I wanted to be. I think it was the odd-yet-common dual points of view in both first and third person and the…diction, I guess (YAY for Eileen…even if it wasn’t the word I was looking for…) of our main main character (yes, that does make sense). I’ve always had a problem with that kind of thing, though I guess it does make sense for someone living in the conditions she was raised in, but I always hated the “He ain’t” or “He got” instead of “He has”. Yes, I am a Grammar Nazi. If you know me I DNF’d Blood Red Road because of that too.

But ignoring that (or getting used to it), Orleans was definitely a great read, though I can’t exactly say I loved it.

I did like the characters though! Fen was independent and strong and ingenious in her own way! She knew how to survive in the ruins of Orleans and she took her promises seriously, I’ll say that. She wasn’t a character I could connect with, but I found myself cheering for her (silently, of course…maybe) throughout most of the book! She’s an easy character to like and not frustrating at all, which is more than I can say for some!

Daniel…the way it was written and by what happened; I honestly feel as if Daniel wasn’t really a main character or needed in the story. Sure, he made things a bit edgier, but the main plot really could’ve done a bit without him.

And no, you guys, they do not fall in love, I’ll say that now! I dearly wish they would, but maybe in book two! (There is a sequel, right. There has to be! Goodreads HAS to be lying!)

This was definitely one of those adventure-type books I don’t usually read, but absolutely love! The plot honestly was a bit all over the place, but it was still enjoyable and I loved it.

The best thing about Orleans was, without a doubt, the worldbuilding! It was thorough (well, except for the one question of HOW DID THE FEVER START?!) and I loved learning about what had changed, the events that led up to the Wall and to Orleans and all about the fever and how life in Orleans was. There were tribes and hunting and lepers and so much more! It was an absolutely fascinating fantastically created world that definitely shows you what the words national epidemic mean. ;)

Pages: 336

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic

Series: Standalone (?)

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Release Date: March 7, 2013

Rating: 3.5--->4 stars