'Here is how my unlife falls apart - one high-heeled step at a time.'

The statement above cannot be more true than right now when Zera's immortal life is a huge entwined net of a mess from which she can hardly flee. As every minute of the first novel (Bring Me Their Hearts) ) cut out a well-designed path into the sequel of the trilogy I desperately returned to the first book for a joyful re-read (and re-drooling). To my utter amazement or dismay? Zera hasn't let me down pertaining to her absolute self-centeredness. I am in two minds about it though. During the fight for the retrieval of her heart, she has confronted and betrayed every possible living being. That's why I cannot wrap my mind around how Lucien still longs for her. I mean she wanted to kill him and make him a monster daa! Busted. He must suffer in some serious anti-self-sustaining state of a fatal disease. I am such a doctor when talking about books haha.

However, I kinda look up to her. She is all-time ready to trample on anybody who comes between her and her heart. It sort of disgusts me that we literally talk about the organ itself btw but I can take it as long as I don't lay my eyes on the actual venal thingy on the screen. What is more, she 'asumes' she doesn't need a man to be whole again and I admire her approach of life. That is the talking girl! Hereby I introduce you a modern Into the woods Snowhite aka Lady Zera Y'shennria. She is a feisty upbeat little heartless, isn't she?

Another thing worth mentioning is where her loyalty lies. She is determined to set out on a mortal journey in order to find Y'shennria and Nightsinger who (by the way) took advantage of her first all the way until their diabolical plan turned to ashes and they needed to flee. Soo I am a little worried about Zera's clear judgment. Or at this point, I call her right mind into question. (Doctor again. See?)

That is also a subtle way to show how difficult relationships are and there is sometimes pink between the black and white. At this point, I need to clarify that pink is the new grey, Soo fancy... ;)

And special thanks for the foul, sordid dub actor - the hunger itself behind Zera's thoughts not being loud this time. I tended to skip those parts in the first book and I was relieved I didn't have to in the sequel. Amen.

P.S.: Who on earth falls in love with someone after two weeks? Only 13-year-old Justin Bieber fan. I love you Justin <3

Rating

5 out of 5. I expected to be blown away. The moment didn't arrive so I am still waiting for my Prince Charm on a strutting stallion to snatch me far away in some wondrous epic YA story. Until then it is a solid yet flickering 5.

Pre-thoughts of Peril

    I was expecting a bunch of Savant-like supercool guys kicking someone in the ass, as usual, Joss Stirling style. What did I get instead? Some bloated Teans and even more bumptious Perilous fighting their little games of war based on a lifetime old abomination due to a mutation in their DNA differing them between glowing people and a species possessing heightened UV vision…so original.
Not quite aware of her own origins, Meri can’t quite get a grip on her never-ending pursuit by some tattooed guys flaring out in a flagrant colour of UV when being provoked or overwhelmed by tender emotions. ;)

    Kel on the other side has been training to protect the Crown of his people all of his life from the vengeful Teans devoted to wipe the Perilous from existence until a sudden change of heart. Yes, obviously Meredith has that effect on people subjugating their free will to her any desire of heart. What makes of the safeguard of a millennium old civilization dated way back to the beginning of time having ruled the long-lost kingdom of Atlantis compared to the new all-sweeping sensation of first love? Much more were lost in the great battles of antiquity than a whole supporting family and a playboy way of life that are about to confront Kel out of the blue, I suppose.
He must have cheek to give up on all the privileges his way of living offers him including a loving family and friends for a girl he hardly knows. It is pretty much everything a guy of his age languish for especially in this bleak hailstormy era of Britain. Living is not easy let alone now in this manhandled world of floods and climatic monstrosities without any days of respite.

    So the thing is he has an inclination to light up like a lighthouse with peculiar spiral patterns on his skin and what namely she has is the ability of burning him out with a mere stroke of her backhand. That’s what makes them eternal foes, doesn’t it? And that is where all goes wrong. Meri is running for her life while he attempts to put some reasonable sense in his allegedly Perilous people. But no can do. The Perilous are convinced they are right, justified even. Yup, this infatuated way of approach always turned out well in the last centuries. I am totally put out at the blindfolded stance of this cult calling themselves the Perilous. The name does not quite fit the image, I guess. They may make do at rave parties or graduation celebrations but not in the sector of intimidation until they fetch Meri and propose her a secure teenager life under their personal watch, as the slogan goes “never let a full-blood Tean let lose blowing the entire neighborhood a fuse.”
Becoming estranged from his family, Kel is determined to follow Meri in her elopement with other Teans. Not the best move budy jumping from one mess to another havoc, but I can not put the blame on him. Every girl needs an inferior sidekick, don’t they? ;)

    By and large, the story made me stick to it but I am less impressed. Simply, I don’t find the score of the story original enough as it easily could handle some more supernatural if you ask me. If there is a whole lost kingdom to discover with rather unattractive skills on both sides than why not mix the smoothie a bit? If it is a plain YA so be it, but if we want to build a genuinely spectacular world of supernatural beings, do not extract the excitements and twists from it.

    Rating

    3 out 5 stars  - not impressed :/

    P.S: I would be delighted to make acquaintance with this perilous cupcake Ade until he took a shot at my babe Kel. Naughty boy. Never forgiven.

I'm having a difficult time to put coherent sentences next to each other because I am. Utterly. Otherworldly. One percently. Emotionally. Tousled.
.....
*deep breath*
I can do this.

"You talk about her as if she’s made of spun glass. Know what I see? Steel.”

Kestrel has come a long way since she's adorned her braid with ribbons and her biggest quandary has been what to wear for a traditional Valorian tea party. That Kestrel is gone and a more unsteady version of her filled her old shoes. Broken by the trials of the tundra she has lost her memories that must be too painful to remember anyway. Nevertheless, she has come back like a refracted light irradiating Arin's heart. And she's more than ready to pick up the fight on the dark side.
I must say his father is a Dart Veder, indeed. I could tear him into tids and bits then I'd put them in a matchbox and set on fire. That's what he deserves, really. Nonethelessly, I feel sorry for Kestrel to fall such an asshole to her share. Not to mention Arin who's going to fight his own demons ad infinitum because of his painful past. Afer they suffered so much they well deserve a great amount of happiness, I might add. Luckily they have each other. What else would they possibly need? ;)

"Arin was a boy, a slave, a grown man, free."

I virtually pat Arin's shoulders for Kestrel popped up in his mind. If it wasn't for him in shining armor up to his ears, Kestrel would be long gone. I can't really blame his tardiness because Kestrel deceived him big time. Yet I do. Because by the time he arrived, Kestrel lost her memories and they had to start from zero. Plus I have to keep on gnawing at my nails. Also, I haven't figured that my heart could break so many times. Apparently it has a lot of dangerous potentials due to the spectrum of sentiments Kestrel and Arin go through: Guilt. Happiness. Loss. Hope. This ticket to the emotional rollercoaster was out of my intention because it's bad for my breathing and blood pressure still I'm thrilled to have felt all of them along with my love birds. Thank you for that.

"He murmured that he loved her more than he could say. He promised that he would always choose her first."

There are times (okay: always) when I'm drooling over the male character. For this time (the world turned upside down), I tended to love them as an unbreakable package and I loved the world the author confines me in for hundreds of pages. It is my personal shelter where I can feel whatever I want, whenever I want. Either it is pure wicked PAIN or cristal clear JOY. Jees, I love books!

"You don't need to be gifted with a blade. You are your own best weapon.”

P.S.
The flashing change of perspectives was killing me. When I just immerse in a thrill-packed scene and then bumm!!! it ends in the middle of the sentence driving me to despair and elevated numbers of heartbeats. No need to spend money on bungee jumping and wild water rafting if you hold The Winner's Kiss in your hands.

“Will you come with me?"
"Ah, Kestrel, that's something you never need to ask."

After reading

A few key facts:

This books is fictional.

—Thus perfect-I'd-do-anything-for-you guys don't exist.
—Thus Arin doesn't exist.
—Thus I live in reality.
—Thus my life is meaningless. And I should move on. But I can't. How can I? Can you? Would you? Want to?

Rating

EXCUSE ME WHILE I PICK UP THE PIECES OF MY HEART THAT JUST SHATTERED ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Physical symptoms that prove I'll die in a milli-second

Pounding heart. Contraction of lungs. Shortage of breath. Shuddering. A lump in my throat.

One thing is for sure

Even if I survive, I'm not convinced I want to live in this life void of the magic of the Winner's Trilogy.

My number one trilogy ever...

Not only is the author masterfully pulling the strings (likewise setting my nerves on edge) but she's not afraid to keep the readers in frantic suspense, either. (Or it is just me? Because I'm a frantic mess right now.) Please stop being so cruel to me!

"If you won’t be my friend, you’ll regret being my enemy.”

Kestrel is like I'm looking at a whole new version of her, that's why I eventually got to like her: neither a damsel anymore, nor a badass sword-wielding combatant playing second fiddle in others' child plays, but a smartass strategist going to war on the battlefield of hearts. Even if she doesn't want to be a soldier, Kestrel is more likely to become the trump of the outcome of loyalty-to-Valoria or freedom-to-Herrani game of cards for she's having a bunch of tricks up her sleeve. Needless to say, she's her father's daughter.

Hard times call for difficult measures. She's the type of YA heroines who is not afraid to make tough choices. Even if this time it will cost her happiness. Yet Kestrel wouldn't happen to be my favorite character if she ever backed down or wavers for a second. I am high over heels that the motivation behind her actions is no other than the GORGEOUS-HOT-BODY Arin. This YA couple tower above every other fantasy romances I've ever read and it's quiet an achievement. The energy between Arin and Kestrel is spectacular. Together they act like a piece of iron being forged and molded until it begins sparkling and scintillating in the flames like a firework on the fourth of July. I am struck blind by the light.

"Sometimes you think you want something,when in reality you need to let it go.”

No one would have had the courage to fall in love with the enemy as Arin have. Despite the seemingly cruel attack on the easterners and the outrageous marriage to the emperor's son which seemingly proves (Jeez, everything is fake) Kestrel's hunger for power, Arin still loves her. For this I love him. But he leaves her behind, he does not put too much faith in the two of them. For this I hate him. Yet I still keep on having a crush on him because of his pure masculinity, his good heart and his undying love for Kestrel. How can I not care while he's being hurt over and over again and pushed far away by Kestrel? Good luck to leap over the ocean that separates the two of them now. I'd like to shake Kestrel a thousand times to snap out of the pretend-game because even if it seems she won she lost. I don't agree with her whatever-it-costs play for fear that Arin is slowly sinking out of sight...

A game of chess

It also feels like Kestrel is the queen protecting the king from an army of pawns knights and cavalrymen to checkmate. Every step brings new dangers and different outcomes until it turns out she's rather the looser than the winner of this battle.

Warning: This book has the ability to make you succumb to non-stop daydreams and hopeless romanticism while reading. It will invade your dreams, your waking thoughts, until you find yourself drawing little hearts encircling the name, Arin.
Word of advice? Don't start reading it in public. You wouldn't like people call the nuthouse because you startle them by ear-splitting No!s and Why? and What the hell are you doing? Stupidstupidstupid!s on the bus.

I feel...

Breathless. Shattered. Heart-broken. Dizzy. Empty. Gutted. Beaten. Agonized. Afflicted. Smashed. Trampled. Trapped. Shocked. Crazed.
Blissful. Overjoyed. Hopeful. Rejoiced. Exuberant. Alive.

After reading

This book has been playing an underhand game with me the whole time! Incredible! I have never been on edge for 300 or so pages before. Every time Arin felt heart-broken and betrayed I fell over the cliff right into the tempestuous waves of the ocean drowning along with him. Technically, I am dead by now.
Suffice it to say that it was insufferable to see my baby being in pain.

After-after reading

Personally I believe the gorgeousness of a book could be measured by the number of crying over a scene. I think I over-accomplished this mission. I only stopped for being unable to continue reading though the veil of my tears.

Days after reading

I want to jump into the Winner's Kiss immediately. Wait, no. I don't want to. If I do then how can I go on with my life without the Winner's Trilogy??? *blank face*

Rating

.....

Song

London Grammar - Strong

"Let us go then, you and I,When the evening is spread out against the sky…”

First impression

Another Marie Rutkoski book! Hurray! I can't even express how grateful I am for her stories. I don't mind reading an awful book if I can take one of her perfect-genious-impeccable-flawless masterpieces in my hands when I need it the most.

Who can tell about herself she's named after a black cat? The odds are not in the girls' favour, save for Darcy Johnson. She can be described as: lonely, lost, confused, and all the three at the same time when a mysterious new guy comes to the picture. I couldn't visualize what's going to happen at all so you can imagine my bulging eyes and little squeak when her love interest cuffs Darcy. Not very chivalrous.

A whole new world is being built up brick by brick in front of my eyes and I like what I see. I don't need much of convincing for I am hooked on other dimensions and all the other sci-fi stuff. I just miss the elaboration of a good idea and resent a rushed story-telling. Where are the other volumes, let's say, of a well-diserved trilogy?

I'd like to present the five stages of my journey throughout the wonderland of The Shadow Society.

Brace yourself.

Stage One

Sheer excitement. Hitting the first page head-on.

And we—we’re … friends, right?”
“Yes.” His voice was husky. He reached back for my hand and drew it around his waist. “Ready?”

Stage Two—Conn and Darcy on the motorbike

Is it appropriate to say I was slobbering on my eBook? A bit of luck it can be wiped clean in a second.

"It’s rare when you see your life is changing. Usually it simply changes and you’re left blinking at the aftermath, wondering how you got there."

Stage Three—Conn is an IBI officer

WHAT??? IS. GOING. ON.
Like a giant fist crushed my rib bones then a herd of cattles was trampling over my hollow body.

Stage Four

Waiting. I hate waiting.

"I thought about how the truth can sometimes sound like a lie because we’re too afraid to believe it."

Stage Five—Conn and Darcy together

Ah, guys. You are adorable!

“There are second chances. But maybe it’s also true that things can never be the same, and that you have to decide whether the second chance lives up to the first.”

After reading

Cross my heart and hope not to die.

Rating

Head in the clouds. I'm not coming down soon so I can not give you stars right now.

"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me."

How I put my hands on Forget Tomorrow

I can't resist the beauty of book covers. It isn't such a massive crime, is it?

"But if there’s anything I’ve learned in the past couple days, it’s that we can’t live our lives in fear of the future. We have to make the right decision, for today, and trust that tomorrow will work itself out."

What if you discover some life altering fact in the future and you do your best endeavors to make it never happen but what's always meant to be?

a) run as far as you can, never looking back
b) go against the will of the universe
c) embrace your tomorrow

It never enters Callie's mind to sit tight and resign herself to Fate. Why would she? Everyone has free will and that's the one thing she's not willing to let go.
Having received the first memory from her future self, she chooses version b) that's why she happens to find herself locked up in a prison for aggressive delinquents just like her. It's okay as long as she's inhibited from killing her little sister. Oh yeah. Somewhere in the immediate future she'll murder her own flesh and blood. Her prospects are not reassuring.

“If you can fight the future, then I can let go of the past.”

Although time manipulation and looking-in-the-future thingy have always given me to do the math, I don't feel tangled this time. The story weaves its threads further and further but the whole picture is never messy. Thanks Heaven I haven't got lost in the maze of what-ifs and what-nots of future possibilities and scientific explanations. That would have been the point where I'd have waved goodbye to this book.

“If I had someone like you in my life, I would never leave to begin with."

The insta-involvement of a guy is implicit and there is no better match than a supposed-to-be-long-forgotten-yet-a-very-important childhood crush: Logan Russell. Her fortunes are on the rise when he rushes to the dungeon, snatches the girl and breaks out of the iron gates. It doesn't hurt he's the appointed leader of the resistance against the big ugly future-seeking dragon-agency.
I've missed the delicate foreplay of a blossoming all-powerful-love on their part but it's not my place to complain. I'd lie if I claimed I didn't enjoy every nano-second of their relationship. It's so simple between them. Simple is predictable. They haven't talked for five years. Today they do more than that. Simple doesn't break your heart. Duty calls to take them on different paths. Nonetheless they stick together. So yeah. Simple delights me. ;)

“I’m not your sister. I’m just a girl you haven’t spoken to for five years.”
He touches my cheek, briefly. “You’ve never been just a girl to me, Calla Lily.”

P.S.
I love PD's stark honest-to-goodness sentences. She explains the truths of the world in one phrase while others cram them in books filling shelves from bottom to ceiling.

“We’re in this together,” he says. “Whatever happens, I want you to remember that.”

After reading

Out of breath.

Rating

4 out of 5

“Best to recognize the things you can’t change, child.”

Part of the world has split into two groups. Valorian and Herrani. I'd like to ask at the beginning what on earth do people keep humans as slaves unless we have a time machine and traveled back in time? A bit out-of-fashion, don't you think? I hope we're better than that.
The same goes for the ladies' good reputation and need-of-escort. Guys are such cavemen. I am not surprised Kestrel throws her cap over the windmills and doesn't give a damn about conventions hanging over her head like a watery cloud. The fact of being the general's daughter inadvertently makes her number one target of malicious gossips. Especially after she takes a slave beside her as an around-the-clock escort for the pleasure of blabbering crones.

Note

I have read  Kestrel and Arin's chit-chat indifferently at first. I simply haven't felt the compulsory heat surrounding them. But as the story unfolds they are certainly warming up gradually to my great pleasure. ;)

"Always identify your opponent’s assets and weaknesses."

I slightly disdain Kestrel for being such a damsel-in-distress when it comes to hand-to-hand combat given the fact that she has learned fighting skills for her entire life. She didn't read the reference book of war before bedtime as a child, that's for sure. But.
She's more cunning and calculating than I have given credit for. Evidence speaks for itself as the duel till death went pretty well if not smoothly. Thanks to her ability of seeing through lies and making a good thing out of it practically she talked herself out of the hot mess she got into willingly. I'd like to think it was pure instinct to protect Arin who's become more than just her slave. She's prone to meddle in other people's business anyway...
But she have the wits to get out of trouble without lifting a hand. She must have got through life by the policy of more brain than brawn. So true. Smart girl.

Then, quietly, he said, “I could do it.”
“What?”
“I could braid your hair.”
“You?”
“Yes.”

When fate turns on its heels and smashes into Kestrel head-on, I must say she doesn't take it very well. I am wondering whether she's really a hothouse plant peaking out of her father's ironed slacks never once getting her hands dirty. It's okay making slaves work and their lives miserable. But the other way around? 'Good heavens no! I'm the moving spirit of society. Hands off!'
And that's the point when I had a change of heart. It's about life and death now and about changing the faulty system of hierarchy.

Naturally Kestrel is hurt and betrayed but she's yet denying the fact she would have done the same the other way round. As for Arin, it is out of his intention to fall in love with the enemy but he has after all (inevitably). Now it's his turn to save her from the vicious claws of the Herrani. He has left nothing but to do everything in his power to protect Kestrel and come to terms with her. He doesn't have an easy job, to say the least. It's like making a raging hurricane to stop wiping whole islands off the map. He put a quart into a pint pot.

My hear has broken into Peace's when Arin lets Kestrel go. Even if it means he's bringing an entire army on his head. I love about this guy that he always put Kestrel first. It's impossible not to fall for this guy. And I fell hard.

Then I'm being so overwhelmingly mad. Not only because did she sentence him to death but there's something wrong in the system obviously that she wants to restore. Does she not see that?

"Happiness depends on being free and freedom depends on being courageous."

P.S.
I love the conception of music-bringing-people-together. It also has a role of intensifying their attraction. And I would give anything if I could hear Arin singing...*daydreaming alert: star-gazing*

“My soul is yours,” he said. “You know that it is.”

After reading

I put on the warpaint. I braced myself for The Winner's Crime.
It's coming soon!

Rating

4 out of 5

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Mary E. Pearson - The Kiss of Deception

Angel of Vengeance aka Wrath of God

"Then, a darker silhouette appears against the sky.
Menacing demon wings.
Broad shoulders.
The shape of a Greek god gliding through the sky.
Raffe."
—So this is how Raffe could look like. Holy crap on a cracker! *mental swooning then full black-out*

No surprise, though. If he's a hell on wheels archangel, he should live up to the perfect-guys-exist-only-in-books expectations. Or would I be wrong? Don't think so.
Despite his physical absence — which is enough to make the angels weep—the memories speak for themselves and keep up the tension. I love peeking into his nuances of being a fierce warrior and moments of fond emotions behind the mask of a hell-bent I-am-in-charge-of-a-batch-of-angel-mercenaries macho guy. Succinctly, Raffe managed to wrap me around his little finger. Not many has pulled that off so far thus he successfully worked his way up to the top of my booklover-list. Such a petite cherub.

"How bad are things when your clinically insane mother is more rational than you are?"

Penryn is true to her hard-ass, kicking-God's-most-gruesome-creatures-in-the-butt self. I'm doing cartwheels everytime she gets a blow in the effing angels' exquisitely-carved jaws. If it was up to me to choose between humans and angels, my momentous answer would be 'how about Penryn and Raffe fly away in the sunset?' They have been through way too much than the remnants of humanity. No wonder she thrusts her unsettling doubts in the vault at the back of her head. Until they burst through the walls...God forbid!

I'd love to start a petition titled as Angels have all their right to love the chosen Daughters of Man. Everybody lives happily ever after. Till the Judgment Day shall arrive. Make the best of the golden age of post apocalypse, right?

"I wonder if the satisfaction of a major punch to her perfect jaw would be worth dying a horrible death."

I'd better befriend her ASAP since she does hand to hand combat, wields a mighty angel sword—notorious Pokey Bear— let alone she handles her freak-out crackpot mother and razor-teeth killing machine sister 24/7. It is a lot to ask from anyone. Yet, that's what makes her the number one female heroine who doesn't need a Greek god to watch her back for she's good on her own.
Well, for a while at least.

The locusts creep me out! The combination of darkness, war and romance makes such a spectacular firework that you need to blink several times to enjoy it's beauty. Despite the fact that I'm not for horror, it has every right to be present just to feel the weight of the oncoming human extinction and of battling with savage survival instincts.

My only wish left is to bask in Raffe's immortal glory in the next volume. Amen.

How I feel now

I went through a washing machine and was shaken out to dry.

P.S.

I'm most likely acting as the angel's advocate when I say the End of Days will be epic!!!

Rating

I'd be out of my right mind not giving it a high sparkling five. Aren't we ridiculous! *winks*

Oh...no, nononono....what is that!? It can't be happening to me. It cannot be the end. *hysterical flailing*

And still it is. Till I get down to the final installment. In the meantime, I stop crying so I can make a decent review. *takes a deep breath*. *I can do this.*

"Your heart knows. Your soul remembers."

I happen to be in the front seat of all the non-stop emotion roller-coaster and there's no way out. Not that if I would ever want to get out. I've bought my season ticket :D

I feel the urging need to produce Team Ren shirts ASAP since the boundaries are starting to wearing off between the brother's. Kishan *swooning alert* is so upfront when it comes to his feelings for Kelsey. I'm not blaming him for falling for the same girl like Ren because it's in their DNA apparently. But it doesn't exactly foster family bond, does it? Bro's Code is out of the question obviously. Though we don't read much about their rivalry (I can take some men-in-action scrum;) For what is worth, I'm not siding the opposite seducing-bad-boy side, no matter how alluring Kishan is.

"I was destined to love you and I will belong to you forever."

The plot never leave me laid-back for one second and when I miss Ren at one point bumm! there he goes in the next chapter. Colleen Houck masterfully balances the romance with action, interweaving mythical creatures—the dragons are so cool—plus Indian cuisine and culture. She definitely made me sated. Job well done!

Ren, if I haven't said it enough times, here it is one more time. I love you. *embarrassing beetroot-cheek*

Their love is so good, just pure that is the pinnacle of affection that a girl can imagine...that's how you can tell it exists only in books.

Officially now, Ren is my Number 1 book boyfriend. Lucky him. <3 I have this strong urge to grab him at his collars, pull him out of the pages and drag him home with me. Who needs Kelsey anyway if I am there for him, right? ;)

I get to the point where I can only think about that I need an Indian-tiger-to-be-prince and if I hit a streak of good luck, I may start working in the zoo so as to find a white tiger accidentally needing me to break a hundred-year-old curse having put on him. That would be amaze-balls!

Kishan, I send you a big hug and a big kiss on your delicate lips.

What beats me, that everyone hates love triangles. How super-boring huge vacant hole of space would be the earth without extra amount of skirmish for a girl. Seriously!! What's more, we wouldn't have the privilege of admiring two super-hot virile masterpieces of mundane existence. Snatch at the possibility of being in the company of such adorable cupcakes for hundreds of pages, I suggest!

How I feel now

It left me breathless and yearning for more...more, more.

Rating

5 out of 5

"One day, if you make the most of it, can be moe satisfactory than a lifetime squandered."

One word that describes the final book

???

Cannot describe in one word. But I could list 100 different kind of exaggerated expressions right now and it still wouldn't be enough to declare how I feel.

Before you read it

Sleeping is a big no-no. Get ready for reading it untill your eyes get sore and lock yourself up in your chamber and make sure that the dragon would chase away anybody who gets close enough to speak to you because that special one would not make the light of day after busting your pink-love-Ren-bubble.

How I feel at the start

I. Can't. Bear. It. Anymore. Save me...

Someone should diminish the pain right away because I'm not sure how much of Kelsey's stubborness I can tolerate any longer, which is enough to make the angels weep.
Shoot me.

"Why aren't you with the man you love?"

It's one thing Kelsey and Kishan are together, that I can't get enough of Ren and Kelsey together makes my life truly miserable. But Kelsey having agreed to marry Kishan is another thing entirely. She always needs a guy who pulls her bacon out of the fire. Although she's said to be the choosen one supposedly altering the destiny of entire India, no day rolls by during which at least one of the boys is saving her ass. What if she chooses to be single for this time? Not wishing to spend her lifetime 4ever alone is a crappy excuse. The worst part is that all the boys are always there like little puppies nipping at her heel because she's Miss Perfect. Urgghh...

“Each step that you’ve taken, each foe that you’ve overcome, each hardship that you’ve endured, has led you here, now, to this moment. It is the eve of your destiny, Kahl-see. It is meant to be, because it has always been so."

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

After the series of battles fought after battles, trials of love, the hope for a new lease of life, Kelsey is ready to embrace her destiny and not to waste a moment on mourning those she left behind. She'd better do so because I was ready to reach for her through the pages and shake her until I beat some sense into her. I was wondering if she was also fed up with the obvious that she's capable of bringing mature adult to their knees and making them to fight her battles. Is it even possible to love two boys at the same time? It sounds like it's even a challinge to have a crash on just one. But how would I know? If love is knocking at the door, then it's knocking at the door. Only if she let it in! Good heavens. I'm watching a pot that never boils...

"Not a moment has gone by in the last two years when I wasn’t overwhelmed by my feelings for you."

Match made in heaven—Till death do as apart

I've been watching a pot that never boils since it felt like forever to see them getting married. On the other hand, it's been a crazy-head-spinning-train that I never wanted to get off. I'll need another novel of their after-marriage even if there wouldn't be parallel universes, magical creatures and I would definitely not be crying after the nutcracker boogey Lokesh man. Their relationship single-handedly is outstanding, heartwarming, mind-blowing and a twenty different kinds of awesome!

Observation: Oddly enough, I was deeply hurt when Kishan had said goodbye to Kelsey. Such a sweet guy, yet unfortunately they were never meant to be. Poor thing.

At least it was a clean break.

How I feel after

I died a few times and couldn't see through the veil of my tears. Don't you dare miss such a staggering-turn-the-whole-world-inside-out love story that sets the world on Fire.

Rating

I can't confine it into a spectrum of five friggin' numbers. You. Cannot. Make. Me.

“You are everything to me, Kelsey Hayes. Every moment with you shines brighter than the last.”

P.S.

Dear Ren,

I would like to thank you for being with me during this entire four book journey which has raised me in cloud nine and I dreamed rainbow and unicorn because of you. That I loved you since your first “Hello, Kelsey. It’s me, Ren.” till your last “You can’t escape my clutches, Mrs. Rajaram". That you invaded my waking thoughts and made me myself scribble your name in red hearts and just being a shot of pure good straight into the heart. I'll remember you. Always. <3

Xoxo

Hardcore fangirl

By the angel...

By the magical influence of the series I dove into the mesmerizing world of the Shadowhunters and can't stop being a total freak-out, actor-chasing, bonkers fangirl ever since. Something never changes...

“It will bring you light even among the darkest shadows of this world and others.”

I would be pretty much dead nuts if the universe decided I'm gonna rock it as a shadowhunter killing demons and all for the greater good. I mean all the sword-wielding, arrow-shooting, whip-lashing-badassness would stand me in good stead one day really. Especially next to a thick-set daredavil like Jace. We would make an awsome two-member avengers-group purging the world from evil and darkness. Sounds good.

“You know,” Clary said, “most psychologists agree that hostility is really just sublimated sexual attraction.”

“Ah,” said Jace blithely, “that might explain why I so often run into people who seem to dislike me.”

Jace is not the beau ideal of modesty exactly but master of mocking and showing off. But that's why I like him anyway. He and tinder-box Clary make up an explosive combination. I feel like I need a bullet-proof awning above my head every single time they talk. I wonder how they end up making out eventually. Normally they wouldn't stand a chance unless we consider the thin line seperating hate and love. Then I totally get it.

Blood calls for blood

The bomb of this whole damn-it-I-was-attracted-to-you-badly-but-it-turned-out-you're-my-sister/brother thing is thrown in my face and I cannot really do anything about it. Neither do Jace and Clary, I guess. I wish they just did a DNA test. Life is though people. Don't complicate it more in vain. Jees.

That's how it is

You may expect another vampire-werewolf storyline being dead as a dodo, but it's quite the opposite. It's cool when all the mysterious blood-sucking, furry creatures throw a party in a world within the world. Except for the fact that I wouldn't like to become a rat like Simon did...

Rating

4 out of 5

Shadowhunters on Freeform

"Heaven turned out to be pretty damn disappointing."

Land of the Living

"Life as it was now: a weird intersection of normal and crazy, of life and beyond-life, afterlife, undead, whatever."

When I thought the story could not be better I was badly mistaken. It's nothing like I've encountered before keeping me constantly on the edge of a heart attack or something. It. Is. Outstanding. Period.

"A girl who would kick serious ass if anyone threatened the people she cared about."

The portal from hell opens up in Rhode Island and spits out Ms. Spitfire becoming the Captain of the newly assaigned mundane mission and Malachi falling behind the top-notch. Obviously they arrive only in a not-taking-a-step-without-the-other package but no blame because they Rock in a kind of Tris-Four hell-bent, kicking-ass, smoldering-emotions version.

The odds do not exactly work out in their favour as Mazakins seem to have the buldge on the crew. Which means they're having the worse end of stuff during their attempts of fighting the greatest war of history so as they can save humanity. They do what has to be done without batting an eyelid. What a badass crew.

“I’m sorry I’m so inept. Most of me wants to protect you. From everything. I hope you know that.”

Malachi (my boy) feels a fish out of water discovering and adapting to the new technology of the 21st century which is adorable. After seven decades he's able to have a decent blow-out. While working out his feelings for Lela is an other question entirely.

“The human capacity for self-delusion is truly limitless.”

His most dreadful dreams come true when he kills an innocent in protection of Lela blinded by the fear for her safety. And events take a turnaround as Malachi decides to play the guilt-striken-vampire. I can't even express how miserable I am when he cuts their relationship short. He "can't make another mistake like that" and he "has to focus on the mission". Shoot.

While poor devil Edward takes action in order to protect his frigging-pale mundane girlfriend, Malachi needs to tend his own god-damn cheesey soul. Not really selfless if you ask me. So now that they're not an item anymore she feels free for dating another guy which is just fine. Except for the little fact that he's not Malachi. Who could ever possibly replace him anyway? Not an option.

I feel like I've been thorough a thrilling emotion-roller-coaster : love, jealousy, life-threatening danger (I keep gritting my teeth all the way)–all in one package. What else could I wish for?

"My point was my original question. A lie. Has it ever made you stronger, Malachi?”
"I lover her. That is the truth."

How I feel now

I. Can't. Breath.

Rating

5 out of 5

Song

Imagine Dragons - Demons

https://youtu.be/mWRsgZuwf_8

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Cassandra Claire - City of Bones

There are books which are Okay but you're able to let go and live on your miserable mundane life. Then there are some stories which capture your attention, snap you out of your comfy bubble and make you feel rather dizzy for a couple of few more days.

Then there're worlds in which you're completely lost being unable to tell the difference between reality and a whole new universe coming to life in your head. You're there with the characters feeling the exact same emotions they live through. As if you had dozens of hot true love and your heart was broken more than in real life. One time you scream, the other time you weep–an endless circle. Then you wail for the reason that it's all over. The pages have run out and there's nothing left but an endless void that cannot be filled. Well, that's this book for me...

Life isn't taken for granted

Lela and Nadia are inseparable since Lela moved to another faster parent of many in Rhode Island. Lela has learnt some tough lessons during the juvie (kick-ass girl) which explains how impossible it is for someone getting through the concrete wall she built around her. Except for Nadia. She has faith in Lela that she could do better in life and she's worth the effort to make her a decent citizen of society. They have a pretty strong bond. On the other hand, Nadia isn't all smiles and fun, either. Deep down she has sorrow feelings hidden even from her bestie. Once she decided to take control and end her life by her own hands. Who could blame her? Life could be shitty sometimes. But Lela takes the blame and follows her best friend into death even though inadvertently. We all know there are no such a thing like a coincidence, don't we?

The Suicide City–Heaven turned out to be pretty damn disappointing

Lela knows exactly where she ended up—the beautiful Countryside of peace and eternal happiness. But how could she live happily ever after if she was the one letting Nadia down? After she cared about her when no one did spare a second thought? Lela has the guts to head the suicide city 'where the only things that grew were the festering wishes of the dead, sorrowful people trapped there.'

I wonder her courage (or stupidity?) to go through hell for her. I doubt my own blood would do that for me, so she has certainly big shoes to fill in. Here comes a strong female lead who can take care of herself finally and helly yeah no need for man action. I give my thumb up!

"This was the shining moment, the one where I proved I was worth the time she’d spent on me."

Off the beaten track

She gets into hot water by messing with the Guards. She's definitely made as welcome as a dog on a putting-green. No point in stirring up trouble if she'd like to get off with a whole skin. Her chances of finding Nadia and dragging her to the Countryside are running pretty low since Malachi (hurray!) is intended to get her out of the hapless city of sorrow to which she doesn't belong. He’d spent the last several decades in a walled city of cement and steel and slime (without any feminine charms to comfort him–poor thing), so he's obviously not in the mood of coming to silly selfless girls' aid who don't give a damn for their own safety but he makes a lenient exception. The guy hasn't had a wide range of fun so I can't blame him falling for the first pretty eyes he's encountered in the last seventy years. I keep my eyes on him though.

Battle array

Malachi Captin of the Dark City is in charge of eliminating the Mazakins—evil spirits arriving straight from hell and in the meantime they're busy occupying the bodies of the wretched citizens. By wielding staff and a lethal scimitar he certainly makes a pretty terrifying first impression. It explains why she can't take her eyes of the smoking hot body of his. In my mind at least...

"I am here. I will do what they ask me to do, and I will do it well."

Despite the waste land where nothing good grow there, something is growing between them which makes both of them vulnerable and willing to make mistakes which they cannot afford. Or else they have to pay a high price. Kind of woozy since they're already dead. I should tell it's not fair suffering more after death, is it? Wasn't the first time enough? What about the jumping-on-fluffy-clouds and angle-kissed-cherub bullshit? I put in a claim for damages.

Second chances

They don't seem to have the ball at their feet. Even though they have a bright future to live out in the Countryside Lela's rather willing to sacrifice her soul in exchange of Nadia's well-being. Craaaazy...What a selfless busy-bee.

In return she's appointed a Guard with Malachi sticking to her like glue. He won't go anywhere without her which doesn't hurt really. Even if he's missed his chance of living happily ever after outside the Suicide City's wall. (If only someone did that for me!) How nice that they have found each other in hell. Maybe the miserable folks like us stand a chance after all....

"I cannot help but fear that I lose a piece of myself every single time. Still, I will do what I can, perhaps until there is nothing left of me."

After reading

Hampered respiration

Songs

Hurts - Some Kind of Heaven

Movie

I wish it was made into a movie! I've recently come across Matthew Daddario whose dark presence matches that of Malachi. Lela should be someone who is badass enough for this role. Any touch-me-not is below the line.

Rating

5 out of 5

Crossing paths

There's no way I'd miss Meg Cabot's books. I just love her style and stories. It's as simple as that.

My booklove

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Mythology

It's based on a time-worn Greek mythology which gives both mysticism and obscurity to the core of the plot loaded with sugar-sweet love story, etarnal battle against dark forces, the author's peculiar I-tell-you-what sort of style added to the seasoning. All in all, everything you need to get as far as possible from dull reality, which is the point of reading I guess.

According to the Greeks, Hades god of the Underworld snatched Persephone and made her live with him for the end of time in a damp, shadowy, desolate nether world. It wasn't very nice of him as far as I can tell. It's not in the air whether Persephone was fond of the idea or she considered it repulsive. At the same time her mother, the goddess of Spring and Harvest, Demeter was a bit on the edge. She didn't like the gimmick of off-world forces assuming that her daughter was involved. As a concequence, her wrath descended upon humans and chastised them with drought and femine. It's quite ponderous to worship someone specifically while you're starving. For this reason Hades had no choice but release his unworldly princess. Too bad.

'Anything can happen in the blink of an eye.'
One.
Two.
Three.
Blink.'

What is like being dead?

Pierce Oliviera is definitely an NDE. But what the heck does it mean?

NDE : expression, near-death experience. Statistics say NDEs could suffer from profound personality changes and difficulties readjusting to life after death.

It would be nice to know what ahpens to us after entering the Pearly Gates. Valhalla? Heaven? Or our next - hopefully less horrible - life?

Well, Pierce certainly has some ideas concerning he topic since two years ago she fall into a pool of water in the freezing winter. Then the defibrillators, along with a massive dose of epinephrine, brought her back to life. Science is amaizing. Though she explains the conditions of her death otherwise.
And it has nothing to do with science. Yet when she clarifies certain events that occured to her while she was unconscious, the big-brains of erudition refuse to believe her fantasies of being captured in a somber cave by a twenty-some boy who seems to be in charge of the Underworld.

Welcome to Isla Huesos

She moves to Island of Bones (the name itself doesn't bode well) with her mother to make a fresh start and get away from her haunting memories of I-almost-died not to mention him who always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most. But if she depends upon a restart, she couldn't be more wrong. In spite of making her best efforts to avoid him, they still tend to come across in the cemetery (a passage to the other realm) which is apparently ranked first in their Best Dating Venues Top List.

She did meet him first when she was seven and she was brought to her grand-father's funeral in Isla Huesos. She happened to find an injured dove while wandering among the graves. Well, not exactly a Disneyland for kids, I should say. She stepped forward as an animal protectonist but the more she tried to help the more it tried to escape and finally ended up dead. Then a tall, storm-gray eyed stranger walked up to her and recalled the dove to life in an instant. Naturally the seven-year old Pierce had faith in Santa and Toothfairy so what would have prevented her from believing in the birds-reviving (Hot) Guy? That decisive moment determined both of their future lifes.

Hayden - god of the dead (sort of)

'And in what fairy tale would John ever be any sane person's idea of Prince Charming anyway? He was the opposite of charming. More like Prince Terrifying.'

Their next get-together passed off less fruitful when Pierce bit the dust. She didn't foresee it coming. If you think she got immediately to Heaven, Valhalla or her next life, you're damn wrong. Death sucks.

She emerged in an awful damp, shadowy, desolate place where people aren't particularly being very nice to her. You may as well think after death you could be at ease at least for a little while but it's abviously not carved in stone. The superpowers must handle the what-now-with-the-dead? situaton better. Not only did you tragically die but godforsaken foul souls find you even there? Not a sympathetic clap on your shoulders or the appreciation of having been able to live so many years in the wickedness society. Better get use to disappointment guys.

Well, thanks but I don't think I want to deal with Earth after I'm dead! I prefer the-riding-on-rainbow-unicorns version. ;)

Having recognized the disconcerted Pierce, Hayden appearing on his formidable black stallion offered her sanctuary in the Underworld. It's a nicer way to put it because he rather played her out to stay with him there for eternity. Not very chivalrous. Damn right she escaped from him at the age of fifteen!

Being locked up in Nowhereland with flat-out manhood freaked her out. Underworld was not a priority destination of her college application at that time, however it solved a bunch of troubles. Lodgement? Medieval castle with a soft four-poster bed. Majors? Major of selecting the dead to boats leading either to future happiness or eternal suffering. Flatmate? Hot, dark-haired, six Abs. Future goals?...well, not dying again would help.

'And eternity is a long time. So if you have to spend it with someone I could see wanting to spend it with someone impossible...but interesting....'

Despite the fact that Hayden saved her life several times (even if he was a stalker while appearing out of the blue from time to time) Pierce is afraid of him. He's a wild thing. No wonder, though. His job is made up of sheperding a herd of souls towards their well-deserved peace or rightful punishment of purgatory. If it came to me, I wouldn't kick up my heels either. Unless it'd pay well.

Nontheless her life is in constant danger since the Furies (souls who are not a bit satisfied with their equitable destination of afterlife and are able to occupy any human bodies of feeble character) are determined to hurt John through her. Obviously Pierce is his achilles tendon and Hayden iss the most vulnarable when it comes to her.

Mythology comes to the house

'He let his mouth linger on mine, neither possessively nor sweetly... like his mouth just belonged there on mine. And he was right. It did. It always had.'

Basically we get mixed up in the Hades-Persephone-love-affair. John claims his empress who is reluctant to oblige....for a while. But it's hard to resist for a lonely sulky cat who only needs some caress to purr. I bet any of you would love to take this homeless catty to your place just for snuggling ;)

While Pierce struggling with the school and Coffin Night Hayden does his best to eliminate the immediate threat of the Furies who are becoming more and more aggressive lately. He has no other choice left but took Pierce to the last place she'd like to be. The Underworld.

Rating

5 out of 5

How I came across my book lover

It's the second book of The tiger's curse series. Of course, I had to read it! Letting it go was out of question.

Regrets

I'd only have regrets if I would have missed it reading. That'd have been a huge mistake. Believe me.

The show keeps rolling

Kelsey returns her plain life. And everything seems gray without Ren. I can only imagine. How obstinate that woman is! Calling him is a non-starter and denying her feelings makes it worse.

So what's her next step? Dating with other guys yep! They must be superheros to uproot the memory of Ren. Lee, however, is quite a gentleman and I'd give everything if I could see their sweaty fight scene on the mat of his wushu studio...
But don't lie to ourselves his only problem is that he's not Ren. End of the story.

Though she still longs for him she doesn't let her stubborn heart to waver. What a self-destructive human being. It costs her happiness. Silly girl...

The perfecr Christmas gift

"I was restless, a wild animal without . . . without his mate."

But ladies and ladies, the day has come when Ren's got back! I can't be mad at him despite the fact that it took too long he made up his mind and set out to fly after Kelsey, not to mention that I needed to wait tens of pages until he got back in the games. I wouldn't wish this kind of consuming suffering for my worst enemies.

In the next chapter of their scorching affair Ren is expected to fight for the girl he loves just because Kelsey refuses to jump on him and beg him to stay with her forever. Nice.

Kelsey is a hell of a double agent because even if she plays the unapproachable, she can't hide the obvious that she'd rather escape to Las Vegas to secretly marry him. The wall built around her is effectively pulled down by hús charm once and for all. Cheers!

The recipe of Ren's charm (how he makes girls fall to his feet)

Look like a bronze-skinned blue-eyed semi-god descending directly from heaven.

Step 1

Say things like:

"You were on the other side of the world, but I often woke with the scent of you surrounding me. I ached for you, Kells."

"I’d dream of you and reach out to
touch you, but you were always just out of reach."

Step 2

Hide written notes at your place to convince you're in live with him:

"You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back."

Step 3

Make the girl beg for a kiss. Deities don't give it free, you see.

The mix of aching-craving ingredients and voilà! Triple chocolate meltdown à la Ren.

Duty calls

Just as my head feels a complete buzz of pinky wing-fluttering butterflies then Bumm! The Eye has found them and I'm sorry to announce...Ren has been kidnapped. Parallel to Kell's emotions, I feel as devastated as she must be. But! The other golden-eyed kit-cat steps into his brother's shoes. What he hasn't suspected is that they're too big to full in. Mission impossible.

Frenzy with fear for Ren, she's resolute to find the other gift of Durga and in the meantime, she doesn't try hard to keep Kishan's impetuous endeavors at bay for my taste. No offense but Kishan falls behind Ren by a long shot even if he's a really good guy.

May I represent you myself as the Captain of Team Ren boat. Feel free to join the booklong cruise of heart-warming Ren-poems and Ren-flowers-of-speech and dedicated-to-Kelsey songs composed by Ren. Buck up since we're already pretty crowded on the deck.

Observation: I love to jump back into Indian traditions. A real culture shock and I don't even need to leave the country's borders. How convenient.

We are wandering among fairies and mythological creatures. My wildest dreams come to true as I can day-dream all day. Even if I actually miss sleep at night because I can't put my new BFF down ;)

Rating

11 out of 5