Top Ten Memorable Secondary Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

This list can be a mile long if I let it, so I'll do my best to curve my enthusiasm :) Here are some memorable secondary characters:

1. Phin from Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore - Phin reminds me of Dr. Brennan of the series Bones, she takes everything literally and likes to apply science to everything.  She is also loyal and good to the core (see my review here).

2.  Storm from the Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson - He is an enemy prince that swears fealty to Elisa and helps here a lot, he really grew on me by the end (see my review here).

3.  Too many to count (Lord Akeldman, Biffy, Ivy Hisselpenny, Professor Lyall, Floote, etc) from the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger - What an amazingly good series, I just adore these books and all the characters in it!

4.  Cecily from the Chemical Garden series by Lauren DeStefano - At the end I think I liked Cecily better than any other character in the series because she was not afraid to fight for what she wanted, play dirty and do what needed to be done (see my review here).

5.  Puck and Grimalkin from the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa - Puck I hope that you find your happy ending someday!  You are so funny, loyal and such a good friend. Well, Grim is a cat... you get it right? (see my review here).

6.  Dr. Barlow from the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld -  I sure would like to work for Darwin's descendant, wouldn't you?  In a time were men are in control of everything, she's not afraid to fight for what she wants (see my review here).

7.  James from the Goddess Test series by Aimée Carter - I also wish you a happy ending James!  He is a god with a lot of confidence and his share of bad luck too, but at the end he proved to be a great friend to Kate and Harry (see my review here).

8.  Sam from the Deadly Cool series by Gemma Halliday - Sam is one of the greatest friends ever! She would do anything for Heartley, even if it means lying and bending the truth a little bit (see my review here). 

9.  Isaac from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Just because I cry everything that I see his eulogy for Gus *sniff* (see my review here)

10. Jules from the Revenants series by Amy Plum - Poor Jules had the misfortune to fall for his best friend's girl, how I wish for your happy ending too.  Jules is a true best friend, he is protective, sexy and funny(see my review here).

As I said, I can go on and on... So, what's in your Top Ten this week?

Top Ten Books I Wish Had Sequels

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

This one should be easy because this happens to me all the time!  What do I mean by this?  Well, I read a book and then keep wishing for more.  Even if the ending was entirely satisfying  it seems like I always want to know more. It's a curse I must bear!  

1.  The Distance Between Us by Kasie West - There were too many open questions at the end.  I want to know what happens with Caymen's grandparents and how she adjusts to her new life.

2.  Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - I want for Dash and Lily!

3.  The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - This includes probably all her books anyway!  I always want to know more about the wonderful characters she creates.

Top Ten Series I'd Like to Start but I Haven't Yet

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

These are the series that I haven't started and that I wish I had, I even have some of these books (at least book #1), and I hope I get to them soon!

1. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi 

2.  Everneath by Brodi Ashton 

3.  Delirium by Lauren Oliver

4.  The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare 

5.  Matched by Ally Condie

6.  Lux by Jennifer Armentrout 

7.  The Grisha by Leigh Bardugo 

8.  Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

9.  Jessica Darling by Megan McCafferty

10. Slammed by Colleen Hoover

What series do you wish you'd start soon?  Which series should I start first? 

Top Ten Settings I'd Like to See More Of

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

Although books are filled with amazing worlds, there are some that I wouldn't want to actually be (or see more of).  For instance, the Nevernever from Julia Kagawa's Iron Fey series is quite dangerous.  Any dystopian world from books like The Hunger Games, Blood Red Road, Divergent, Wither, and Insurgent are not places that I particularly care to learn more of, if you know what I mean. In this category would also fall some fantasy worlds, like the one from Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and other paranormal worlds filled with vampires, werewolves and the like.  Anyway, here's my list :) 

1.  Paris - I went to Paris many years ago, but I went with a tour. You know, the one that stops at the Louvre and Versailles and the important touristy spots.  However, we had one free day to do whatever we wanted, that day we went on the metro, to the Eiffel Tower, eat crepes... I loved that day.  Anyway, I love the Paris in Anna and the French Kiss and Die for Me and I would love to see more.  

2.  The Beach - I know there is a ton of summer reads about the beach and I really enjoy them.  My favorites are Jenny Han's Summer series and Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen.

3.  Joya d'Arena - This is the setting of the Girl of Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson which I'm a big fan off, I love how diverse it is. 

4.  Hogwarts - No explanation needed, right? 

5.  Abalon - This is the setting of the Wings series by Aprilynne Pike, this fairy world seems like the safest one to visit (others are quite dangerous!)

6.  Regency England - I love historical romances and I would love to see England back then (or around Austen's time).  Favorites are Edenbrooke and the Bridgerton's series by Julia Quinn.

7.  The World of Leviathan - This is not a real world, but Europe as imagined by Scott Westerfeld in his steampunk Leviathan series. What I wouldn't do to seen the message lizards, the walkers, and Bovril.  

8.  New York City - I've been to New York before, but I always feel like I don't get to know it as it's portrait in so many awesome books, like Dash & Lily's Book of Dares or the Blue Blood series by Melissa de la Cruz.

9.  Olympus - It doesn't matter what book about Greek mythology I read, Olympus looks like a great place to explore. Favorites are the Goddess Test series by Aimée Carter and the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. 


That's it, I can't think of any more.  What's in your Top Ten this week?

Short Reviews: The Shadow Cats and Stupid Perfect World

These are two short novellas that I’ve read recently that were pretty good.  Enjoy!

Title: The Shadow Cats by Rae Carson (Fire and Thorns #0.5)

Published: July 17^th, 2012 by Greewillow Books

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

Challenge(s): 2012 eBook

Grade rate: A

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. And it was not Alodia.
Alodia is the crown princess of the realm. The sister who knows how to rule, and the one who is constantly reminded that she has not been marked for a grand destiny. But Alodia has plans, and she will be the greatest queen her people have ever known. So she travels--with her hopeless, naïve, chosen sister--to a distant part of their land, to begin to secure her supporters. This region needs its princesses, for it is plagued with a curse. The crops don't grow, the spring doesn't arrive, and a fierce jaguar stalks the shadows, leaving only empty homes splashed with blood behind. If Alodia can save them, no one will be able to deny her strength and her sovereignty.
But what she discovers could change the fate of her kingdom, if not her world. And it will most certainly change her opinion of her younger sister.

My Review

It is no secret that I love Girl of Fire and Thorns, and as an normal fan would, I proceeded to find anything I could related to it.  This is a short novella, but it packs a punch :)

The story is narrated by Alodia and let me tell you, she is a force to be reckon with!  She is very calculating, smart, brave, and a person of action (as opposed to Elisa, who is more of a strategist).  In the story, the Invernos have allied themselves to the Perditos to cause trouble and prevent an advantageous wedding.   More than anything, it made me want to learn more about Alodia, and I hope we get the chance in book #3 or, even better, that Alodia gets her own story (*hint*)

The plot and the writing, as expected, are amazing.  I can’t say enough good things about this series, seriously, go and read it, like now. 

Title: Stupid Perfect World by Scott Westerfeld

Published: December 4^th, 2013 by HarperTeen

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

Challenge(s): 2012 eBook

Grade rate: B

In this future-set novella by bestselling author Scott Westerfeld, Kieran Black lives in a "perfect" world. Disease and starvation have been eradicated, sleep is unnecessary, and it takes no time at all to go from the Bahamas to the moon. But now Kieran has to take Scarcity, a class about how people lived in the bad old days. And as if sitting through an hour of Scarcity every day wasn't depressing enough, it's final projects time. Each student must choose some form of ancient hardship to experience for two whole weeks. Kieran chooses having to sleep eight hours a night, which doesn't seem too annoying. Maria Borsotti has never thought much of Kieran, but she decides to take pity on him and help him out with his project. Soon, Kieran is sleeping and having vivid dreams, while Maria, whose Scarcity project is to give up all teenage hormone regulation, is experiencing emotions she never knew she had. As their assignments draw them closer together, they begin to wonder if the olden days weren't so bad. Maybe something has been missing from their perfect lives after all?

My Review

It is nice to read a book in which the future is not a hot mess!  I can’t even imagine how Westerfeld come up with these things; he is such an amazing writer.

As you can tell from the synopsis, the future is an ideal world. There is not disease, no need to eat or sleep; it really boggles the mind, right?  Well, due to Scarcity class, Kieran decides to start sleeping a few hours a day, this turns out to be problematic, as he isn’t sleepy and he doesn’t own a bed.  When he finally sleeps, he starts dreaming and really likes it.  In the meantime Maria decides to let her hormones run free (for her project) and as any female can attest to, that is quite the trial :)

This is a short, fun story.  It is hard to identify with characters in such a short time, but I think overall this is a great read.

 Have you read these?  Do you like novellas?

Enter my Favorites of 2012 Giveaway here!

Top 10 of 2012: Best Couples of 2012

Top 10 of 2012 is a meme hosted by these wonderful blogs: Fiktshun, A Life Bound by Books, Confessions of a Bookaholic, Two Chicks of Books, andMagical Urban Fantasy Reads

Today's Top Ten is a 'fill-in-the-blank' from several choices and I selected couples (the romantic in me was begging me to!).  These are from books that I read this year. Here they are:

1.  Marianne and Phillip from Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - I raved about this book in my post on Monday, I just adore the Austen-like story and its amazing characters.  

2.  Echo and Noah from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - What I love most about this couple is that together they become whole, a better version of themselves.  They get each other at a deeper level that it's had to understand.

3.  Elder and Amy from A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Although I wasn't sure that these two were ever going to become a couple, they went through a lot and managed to get to the other side together.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

4.  Lyla and Tripp from Guitar Notes by Mary Amato - Lyla and Tripp are not a romantic couple (although I can wish and use my imagination, right?), but they are so attuned to each other and it reflects on the music they write together. 

5.  Deryn and Alek from Behemoth by Scott Westerfield - How I waited for this moment!  Behemoth is the culmination of the Leviathan series and it was an amazing ride.  I wish with all my heart that we could continue with the adventures of Deryn and Alek now that they are a couple (even if they are undercover :)

6.  Meghan and Ash from Iron's Prophesy by Julie Kagawa - I may have cheated a little with this one, as Iron's Prophesy is a novella, but Ash and Meghan are one of my favorite couples of all time.  Love them!

7.  Ismae and Gavriel from Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers - What I like the most about this couple, is that Ismae deserved love after the type of life that she had before she met Gavriel.  He is so patient, tender, and considerate with Ismae, that it's a pleasure to see read.

8.  Kate and Henry from Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter - Poor Henry deserves his happy ending!  Although, this one was not my favorite in the series (The Goddess Legacy was better), I can't help but wish that this couple makes it at the end. *fingers crossed*

9.  Augustus and Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - What can I say? I don't want to give anything away for those of you who haven't read it yet (btw, where have you been?), but I do have to say that I adore this couple's innate understanding of each other and their ability on finding the positive while still dealing with a devastating disease. 

10. Carmella and Howie from Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye by Shari A. Brady - Howie came to Carmella's life in the moment that she needed him the most and brought light to her darkness.  Even if she made some terrible mistakes, I am positive that they can make it at the end. 

What is in your Top Ten of 2012 today? 

Top 10 of 2012: Best Books I've Read in 2012

Top 10 of 2012 is a meme hosted by these wonderful blogs: Fiktshun, A Life Bound by Books, Confessions of a Bookaholic, Two Chicks of Books, and Magical Urban Fantasy Reads

Today's topic is my Top Ten Favorite books that I've read this year.  Here they are:

1.  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - This books is, without a doubt, one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.  (See my review here)

2.  Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - This book reminded me of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, which is one of my favorite as well (but alas, I read that one a few years ago).  I love the alternating points of view, the mystery, and the fact that two people that are so different and so broken, can become whole where they are together. (See my review here)

3.  Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins - I believe that I fell in love with the characters in this book first and with the story second.  Never mind the reason, this is a favorite for sure. (See my review here)

4.  Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas - This is a fantasy world filled with incredible difficult situations and amazing people.  Celaena is one of my favorite characters of all time, she has been through so much and still has the ability to see the good in others.  (See my review here)

5.  Goliath by Scott Westerfeld - Goliath is book three in the Leviathan series.  Although I read book one years ago, this year I read the last two books and I adore this series.  This is steampunk as its best!  (See my review here)

6.  Easy by Tammara Webber - This was the first book I read in the New Adult category and I absolutely feel in love with it.  Easy felt raw and real, and even though some parts were difficult to read, this book stayed in my mind for a long while after I read the last word.  (See my review here)

7.  The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey - If you ask anyone that knows me they will be able to tell you that I'm a certified 'scary cat'.  I don't like horror movies, but this series cannot be described as anything other than horror.  Regardless of that fact, the writing alone is a masterpiece, never mind the amazing characterization and plot.  (See my review here) 

8.  Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson - I am a hopeless romantic and an avid fanatic of chick flicks.  It is no wonder then that I'm also an avid fan of Jane Austen's books (and any movies based on them!).  Edenbrooke is a treasure of a book reminiscent of Austen's work.  Love it! (See my review here)

9.  Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers - This is historical fiction as its best, of course it is also mixed in with a bit of mystery and kick-ass-girl-assassins, and that is what makes is awesome. (See my review here) 

10.  Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - Another great fantasy that had me hooked from the beginning.  I loved to see how Elisa grew so much as she tried to fulfill her destiny (that sounded cliche, but it's true :)  (See my review here) 

I can't wait to see what your favorites were this year!

Top Ten Books I Read in 2012

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish

This past Sunday I posted: 2012 End of the Year Book Survey (see it here) which is a hop from Jamie at the Perpetual Page Turner.  This post has a lot more information, so here I'm just displaying by Top Ten Books Read in 2012:

One of the best books EVER!

I read books 2-3 this year.  Love it!

Read this one NOW!

Read books 1-3 of this series, awesome!

I read books 2-3. The Merrick brothers are dreamy!

If you like Jane Austen, this one is for you :)

Enter my Favorites of 2012 Giveaway here!