The Wide Window A Series of Unfortunate Events #3

The Wide Window:
A Series of Unfortunate Events #3

By: Lemony Snicket

Narrated by: the author

Listening length: 3 hours, 4 minutes 

My review: 4 stars out of  5 

Published September 16, 2004 

Read for my March 2023 Reading challenge, prompt 10: 3rd book in a series. 

Dear Reader,

If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted; but their lives, I am sorry to say, are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched, and this one may be the worst of them all. If you haven't got the stomach for a story that includes a hurricane, a signalling device, hungry leeches, cold cucumber soup, a horrible villain, and a doll named Pretty Penny, then this book will probably fill you with despair. I will continue to record these tragic tales, for that is what I do. You, however, should decide for yourself whether you can possibly endure this miserable story.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

These books are just a quick fun listen. Not that listening to stories about children being hunted down by a money hungry uncle is fun, but just the way that Snicket writes it is just enjoyable to either read or listen to. One thing I really like about this author is that he explains what some of the bigger words mean. This helps the younger readers to expand their vocabularies. Unfortunate events continue to be a series I love reading, both with and without my kids.

Her Last Whisper (Detective Katie Scott Book 2)

Her Last Whisper

By Jennifer Chase

330 pages

Published October 21, 2019

My review: four out of five stars

Katie focuses her mind, trying to keep another anxiety attack at bay. The victim’s long brown hair is slick and wet, her body rigid in the grass. She looks more like a mannequin than the woman Katie had spoken with only yesterday, the woman she had promised to protect…

When a cold, naked body is discovered by a couple on a jog through the lush woodlands of Pine Valley, California, new recruit Detective Katie Scott is stunned to discover the victim is Amanda Payton – a much-loved local nurse and the woman at the heart of an unsolved case she’s been investigating whilst getting a grip on her crippling PTSD.

Weeks earlier, Amanda had run, battered and bruised, out into the headlights of a passing patrol car. She claimed to have just escaped a kidnapping, but with no strong evidence, the case went cold. The Pine Valley police made a fatal mistake…

Katie is certain the marks on Amanda’s wrists complete a pattern of women being taken, held captive and then showing up dead in remote locations around Pine Valley – and she won’t let someone die on her watch again.

But then a beautiful office worker with a link to the hospital where Amanda worked goes missing. With only days before the next body is due to show up, can Katie make amends for her past by saving this innocent life?

Totally gripping crime fiction for fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh. Nothing will prepare you for this nail-biting roller-coaster ride…

This is the second book in the Detective Katie Scott series. This case isn't quite as harrowing for Katie, but it still has some action in there. This story starts out with Katie in her new position as the head of the two-person cold case division in her hometown police force. 

PTSD is a strong force in her struggles in this book, especially when an old friend from her time overseas in the military makes an appearance. I really identified with the panic attacks that Katie had in these books. 

The characters relatable, and the story was a quick enough pace to keep me reading but not so fast that I was left wondering what the heck just happened. Great "who dunnit" book - planning to read the next book for sure.

Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children Series (Part 1)

Book 1: A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. 

As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

I read this book with a group of girls at my work as the first story for our book club. Out of the whole three who came, two of us liked it enough to start the next books. I was one of those two.I thought this book was really good. Riggs takes the concept of time travel to a new level. The loops had me a bit confused for a while but I finally figured it out.

I loved the main character, Jacob. He has such a strong voice in the story. When he is seeking mental health treatments after a family tragedy, he still believes what he saw. He convinces his parents to allow him to visit the place where his grandfather's stories were born.

I also really enjoyed the pictures. Some of them were so strange and to know they were real pictures that were the base for this story was really neat.

One thing I didn't like was the relationship between Jacob and his parents. The entire book they felt like distant characters. There was no personal connection between them and Jacob. It felt like they were just letting him be. Even on the island, the father let him wander all over, all by himself.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. I probably won't read again, but I will read the next in the series because this one ended very abruptly.

September 3, 1940. Ten peculiar children flee an army of deadly monsters. And only one person can help them - but she's trapped in the body of a bird. The extraordinary journey that began in "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. There, they hope to find a cure for their beloved headmistress, Miss Peregrine.

But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. And before Jacob can deliver the peculiar children to safety, he must make an important decision about his love for Emma Bloom.

This book picks up right where book one left off (which is a good thing because book one ended very abruptly!) We follow Jacob and the peculiar children along a difficult journey to try and find and rescue Miss Peregrine. Just when you think they have done it, a twist happens that lands them again trying to rescue her. It is really neat how real-life historical events are woven into this story (like the bombings in England during WWII). I also really loved some of the characters they came across during their journey. Thankfully a few of them stick around but I wish a few more had. They would have been a fun addition to the crew. Overall, this second instillation gets a solid four stars from me. 

A boy with extraordinary powers.
An army of deadly monsters.
An epic battle for the future of peculiardom.

The adventure that began with "Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children" and continued in "Hollow City" comes to a thrilling conclusion with "Library of Souls."

As the story opens, sixteen-year-old Jacob discovers a powerful new ability, and soon he’s diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress. Accompanying Jacob on his journey are Emma Bloom, a girl with fire at her fingertips, and Addison MacHenry, a dog with a nose for sniffing out lost children.

They’ll travel from modern-day London to the labyrinthine alleys of Devil’s Acre, the most wretched slum in all of Victorian England. It’s a place where the fate of peculiar children everywhere will be decided once and for all.

In this final chapter, we get to see what becomes of Miss Peregrine and her peculiar children. Much of the book takes place in the slum of the slums in Victorian England. I enjoyed watching Jacob really come into himself in this book. The battle gets harder, but the children seem to buckle down and really work to win. Is there even a chance against the fortress and force they are against. I couldn't stop listening to this story. I loved every last word. It wrapped this story line quite nicely. There are still three books left in this "series" so I'm interested to see what the children will be up to next. 

The Lunar Chronicles II

This is the second part in my review of the Lunar Chronicles series. IF you want to read my reviews of the first books, they are here. 

Princess Winter is admired for her grace, kindness and beauty, despite the scars on her face. She's said to be even more breath-taking than her stepmother, Queen Levana...

When Winter develops feelings for the handsome palace guard, Jacin, she fears the evil Queen will crush their romance before it has a chance to begin.

But there are stirrings against the Queen across the land. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even find the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter claim their happily ever afters by defeating Levana once and for all?

Winter is book four in the Lunar Chronicles and the ending to this amazing series. 

If you haven't read the first three books, read them! Winter did not disappoint me at all. I finished most of this book in two days. As much as I enjoyed the book (and the series overall) but the ending was bittersweet for me. Don't get me wrong, I loved it. It wrapped things up quite nicely just the way I like them. BUT it's the end. Just makes me sad because throughout this series, you fall in love with these characters. Not sure there is a way that it could have ended that didn't leave me wanting for more. The great news for me is that there is a book full of short stories and graphic novels to look forward to.

The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies? With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

CONTENTS

The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.

This story tells how Scarlet comes to be in her grandmother's care and how she came to care for Princess Selene. I love that you get to know Michelle Benoit a bit, since you didn't get to know her much in the series, you only know how much Scar loved her. 

Glitches: Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. In Glitches, a short prequel story to Cinder, we see the results of that illness play out, and the emotional toll that takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch…

Coming straight from the book about Michelle Benoit, this one comes from young Cinder's perspective, coming to her new home having just awoken from her surgeries. I loved getting to see her first reactions to her life. Having no memories of her previous life, she is basically an alien learning all about her new world. 

The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.

Wolf's origin story. Though this story doesn't name him as such. I love how even as a child, before his changes, he was determined to never become a monster. Seeing how the surgery didn't change his heart. Knowing what comes to him later. My heart kind of broke for this young man. I loved seeing his story from the beginning. 

Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.

Who knew Carswell Thorne was from a well-off family? Who knew that the Rampion wasn't just a ship stolen in an opportunity but one he had dreamed of. I loved seeing the young Thorne move through school, even then scheming to get ahead. The love he shared with others. 

After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.

Then there is the story of how Cress comes to be on the satellite. It is heartbreaking to know the hope that she had for a future, but then it is also good to know that we know her future, that she does get to travel the world, have adventures. 

The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a young Winter and Jacin playing a game called the Princess and the Guard…

You know from Winter that Jacin and Winter have a special bond, in this short story you get to see the beginning of that bond. I love that even as children they were so close. That so many of Jacin's decisions were just for her. I love that he supports her, even if he doesn't agree with her decision, even if he knows that it will hurt her to do what she's doing. 

The Little Android: The Little Android is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles by New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer. When android Mech6.0 saves the life of a handsome hardware engineer, her body is destroyed, and her mechanics discover a glitch in her programming. Androids aren’t meant to develop impractical reasoning or near-emotional responses…let alone fall in love.

This story has nothing to do with the original characters. It is based on the original little mermaid. I loved this retelling. It was just beautiful to see the "glitch" that made this android different. It reminded me of Iko in the series, the glitch that made her what she was. Funny, until now I didn't get the voice-loss thing! 

The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.

To see the same story from a different set of eyes is just fun. I loved seeing the first meeting from the other side of the stall. To know what Kai was thinking, not just Cinder. Now we need to know Iko's story! 

Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century…

This is just a beautiful story of the wedding of (spoiler alert) Scarlet and Wolf. I loved how simple things ended up being, even in the chaos of a former queen and an emperor in attendance. Seeing Scarlet using her grandmother's shotgun to get rid of the press is just perfect. I laughed out loud! 

Five stars! This is a most excellent book of extra stories to be a companion to the Lunar Chronicles. Cannot wait to read about Cinder and Kai's wedding 

The Red Queen Series - Part II

This is a continuation of my review of the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. I read the first two way back in 2017 and then re-read them before continuing with the next two books. You can read my review of the first two books here. 

In this breathless third installment to Victoria Aveyard’s bestselling Red Queen series, allegiances are tested on every side. And when the Lightning Girl's spark is gone, who will light the way for the rebellion? Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother's web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner.

As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continue organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare's heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back.

When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be no one left to put out the fire—leaving Norta as Mare knows it to burn all the way down.

The first half of this book made me feel so sad for Mare, being stuck with Maven, trapped in a gilded cage, powerless and unable to help herself. The attempts are good ones, but will one ever succeed? Or will the silent stone make her crazy first? While the last book had me hoping for some kind of redemption for Maven, this book seemed to erase that possibility completely. I love that you see the real reason for the way that Maven is. 

Victory comes at a price.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive.

Not what I was expecting. I love how this saga wrapped up. The stories of the war and the battles over Norta are quite graphic at times. First, the reds and newbloods work together to get the crown from Maven, then they want to end the monarchy. The battle scenes really painted such vivid pictures, it made me feel like I was really there. Seeing Mare finally get to settle with her family after all is said and done was just beautiful. While there wasn't the "happily ever after" with Cal that I was secretly hoping for, it seems there is still a slightly open door. There is also a new way of life for their entire world to figure out. Luckily, they have someone around who has been through it and can help guide them. 

Look Alive 25

Stephanie Plum faces the toughest puzzle of her career in the twenty-fifth entry in Janet Evanovich's #1 New York Times bestselling series.

There's nothing like a good deli and the Red River Deli in Trenton is one of the best. World famous for its pastrami, cole slaw and for its disappearing managers. Over the last month, three have vanished from the face of the earth, the only clue in each case is one shoe that's been left behind. The police are baffled. Lula is convinced that it's a case of alien abduction. Whatever it is, they'd better figure out what's going on before they lose their new manager, Ms. Stephanie Plum.

My rating: five of five stars

Stephanie and Lula are at it again. This time, in addition to their bounty hunting duties, they are also managing a local deli. 

The only problem is that the managers of this deli seem to be disappearing... leaving behind only a shoe. 

Yet another book that kept me laughing right on through. Just thinking about Lula making sandwiches has me laughing again!

Little Girls Sleeping

He looked down at the little girl, sleeping peacefully, her arms wrapped around a teddy bear. He knew he was the only one who could save her. He could let her sleep forever.

An eight-year-old girl, Chelsea Compton, is missing in Pine Valley, California and for Detective Katie Scott it’s a cruel reminder of the friend who disappeared from summer camp twenty years ago. Unable to shake the memories, Katie vows she won’t rest until she discovers what happened to Chelsea.

But as Katie starts to investigate, the case reveals itself to be much bigger and more shocking than she feared. Hidden deep in the forest she unearths a makeshift cemetery: a row of graves, each with a brightly coloured teddy bear.

Katie links the graves to a stack of missing-persons cases involving young girls—finding a pattern no one else has managed to see. Someone in Pine Valley has been taking the town’s daughters for years, and Katie is the only one who can stop them.

And then another little girl goes missing, snatched from the park near her home.

Katie’s still haunted by the friend she failed to protect, and she’ll do anything to stop the killer striking again—but can she find the little girl before it’s too late?

My rating: four stars out of five 

Katie is fresh home from Afghanistan, trying to settle back into civilian life, unsure what she will be doing. Before she left she was a policewoman, but she isn't sure she wants to go back there. In the meantime, she's working for her uncle, the sheriff of Pine Valley, California.

She somehow breaks wide open the case of two missing girls.

What follows is a twisty turning mystery.

At times it was a bit unbelievable and the ending felt a little unreal, but it was still a really good book. I plan on reading at least the next in this series. I love Katie and her amazing dog Cisco. Watching her rebuild relationships with the people that she grew up with is interesting.

Stand out quotes: 

“Places change all the time. People change. A way of life changes. You can’t freeze time or expect things to stay the same. They never will, no matter how hard you try to hold onto them.”

Relaxing was key at the moment the anxiety struck. You couldn’t fight it. You couldn’t reason with it. And it wouldn’t make you promises that it wouldn’t come back. Anxiety, you’re not welcome here anymore.

Light pushed away darkness. Light would ceaselessly drown the darkness at every opportunity if you knew where to look.

Although military training and police work have made an indelible impact on my life—my own personal defining moments—they still haven’t prepared me for the evil that lurks within the mind of a serial killer.

Flawed

Flawed by Cecelia Ahern

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Celestine North lives a perfect life. She’s a model daughter and sister, she’s well-liked by her classmates and teachers, and she’s dating the impossibly charming Art Crevan.

But then Celestine encounters a situation where she makes an instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be found flawed.

In her breathtaking young adult debut, bestselling author Cecelia Ahern depicts a society where perfection is paramount and flaws lead to punishment. And where one young woman decides to take a stand that could cost her everything.

This book is a difficult one to review. The concept is new and different. Basically, a country is striving to perfect it's gene pool, so anyone who makes a grave error of judgement is literally marked as flawed with a brand on their skin. Where the brand goes depends on what kind of error they made.

From the get go I knew that this Flawed system wasn't going to "last." You could see the ways that this would go wrong in so many ways. What happens isn't' what I was expecting at all. I loved the main character. Watching her learn and grow as she learns more about the system was interesting.

Cannot wait to read the next in this series! 

Firstlife

Firstlife by Gena Showalter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ve been told history is written by survivors. But I know that isn’t always true. My name is Tenley Lockwood, and very soon, I’ll be dead. This is my story—but the end is only the beginning.

Tenley “Ten” Lockwood has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. She’s earned her rep as the craziest of crazies, but that doesn’t stop the torture. Ten can leave, but only if she allows her parents to choose where she’ll live—after she dies.

There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.

In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the boy she’s falling for and the realm she wants to support. Who will she choose? Can she stay alive long enough to make a decision?

I am really torn about this book. On the one hand, I did enjoy most of it. It was a new kind of story for me and I thought it was quite original. The way Showalter described things made them feel really real for me. I didn't love the love triangle that seemed to form, but it got better as I continued listening. I will probably pick up book two, just to see what happens next.

This Shattered World

This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second installment in the epic Starbound trilogy introduces a new pair of star-crossed lovers on two sides of a bloody war.

Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.

Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.

Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. Terraforming corporations make their fortune by recruiting colonists to make the inhospitable planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.

Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape the rebel base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war.

Freaking wow. It isn't often that I find a second book to be as good as the first. This was one of those. I loved These Broken Stars and loved This Shattered World just as much. When I started, I was a little confused that none of the same characters were involved, but later on some familiar names appear.

CHARACTERS- I loved the main characters of this book but the side characters really added to the story. You get the story from alternating viewpoints: between Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac. One a soldier, the other a rebel. I couldn't believe what happened between them. Not going to spoil it for you, read the book. There are also some chapters that have a third random voice (I listened) and whispering in the background. It really added some mystery to that part. Love, love, love the ending though!

PLOT- I thought the story was different then what I've read before. It didn't start right as book one ended, which I found interesting. I didn't even find the tie in until well into the book. The story moved along quickly and kept me going.

ENDING- This book had one, which I appreciate. There are still some unanswered questions, but I see a hope for the end of this series. Loved how book two wrapped. Still questioning but concluded enough to leave me feeling satisfied.


View all my reviews

Malice

While I received a copy of this e-book from Netgalley, all opinions remain my own. 

In the kingdom of Briar, the Grace's are held in high esteem, their golden blood the key to magical charm-granting elixirs.

Then there is Alice, the only Dark Grace in the kingdom. He blood flows an ugly green, and she is called on for the dark-charms, hidden away from the public eye.

The princess Aurora has only one year left to break the curse, find her true love's kiss so that she can continue living...

I thought I knew where this story was going... I so didn't. This is one book you have to read. 

It isn't like the other fairy tales. 

It is a non-fairy tale I think. 

Most defiantly putting this author on my "to follow" list. She has quite the way with words on how to voice this unforgettable character.

I cannot wait until book two comes out!! 

If you want to read it, the book is available at retailers nationwide today (goodreads has all the links here) 

The Selection Series

The Selection

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My review: five out of five stars

Not going to lie, when I first started this book I wondered what ask the hype was all about... I didn't love it at first page or even first chapter. Somehow, page by page, chapter by chapter it sucked me in. I finished the second half off the book in just one evening. I have the second one ready to read and a promise from my husband that book three will be purchased payday. Can't wait to read how this series turns out!

The Elite

The Selection began with thirty-five girls. Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.
The One

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

My review: 5 out of 5 stars  

The Heir

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon - and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

My review: four out of five stars

When I started this book, I kind of wanted to kick Eadlyn, the main character. She acts like such a spoiled brat. I get that she is under a lot of stress trying to learn the details of running the country, but she didn't do it with nearly the grace that her mom and dad did.

Overall this was a great addition to the Selection series. It is interesting that after Maxon's selection he still asks it of his daughter, but the story reveals that there is a reason behind it and an understandable one.

This book did end with a bit of a cliff-hanger. Had I known that, I would have waited until closer to May when the final book is due out. It's worth waiting for!

The Crown

When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illéa to hold her own Selection, she didn’t think she would fall in love with any of her thirty-five suitors. She spent the first few weeks of the competition counting down the days until she could send them all home. But as events at the palace force Eadlyn even further into the spotlight, she realizes that she might not be content remaining alone.

Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairytale ending her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible—and more important—than she ever imagined.

My review: four out of five stars

This book perfectly wrapped up the selection series. I loved the first three most, but this one was close after.

In book 4 I saw Eadlyn as quite the spoiled brat, in book five, she starts to see how she was one. Watching her come to terms with how her country felt about her was an interesting story. I kept hoping for her to find some kind of balance between who she was and what she wanted to be. It was difficult to see how much she let others' opinions of her get to her heart, but totally understandable when you are trying to run a country. This book kept me listening right along. Didn't want to stop listening for anything (hence the reason I finished in less then 24 hours!) I loved seeing Eadlyn learn and grow into queen.

I won't spoil the ending but I loved it. Seriously, if you read the first books, try this one out. Totally redeemed the last two for me. Before reading this book, I thought they should have stopped at three but now I see that the last two really add to the overall story.

I enjoyed hearing this book read to me. Perfect finish to this wonderful series!

Happily Every After

The contents of Happily Ever After are as follows:

-The Prince (with the two bonus chapters), Maxon’s novella
-The Guard, Aspen’s novella
-The Queen, Amberly’s novella
-The Favorite, Marlee’s novella
-Three scenes from Celeste’s POV
-Lucy’s scene (bonus scene from The One)
-The bonus epilogue
-Where are they now?
-A map
-Various illustrations

My review: five out of five stars

This book is simply wonderful. I really enjoyed getting to see the Selection story from different points of view. Another thing this book has that I really enjoyed were some illustrations as well as a map. Being able to see these characters and the places they came from was something you don't get in many "grown up" books.

The hardest one to read was The Queen. This is a prequel novella meaning it comes before The Selection. Knowing the kind of man King Clarkson ends up being is almost heartbreaking. Cass wrote a note at the beginning of the novella about it, and I think that helped me understand a bit but it was still rough.

The Prince gave you Maxon's point of view for the first part of the Selection. It was interesting to read about the things he was stressing about. The first meeting between America and him was pretty funny.

The Guard is Aspen's story. It's all about how he goes from being a part of America's love triangle to becoming the man he becomes. This was probably my least favorite of the novellas, but still gave more of the story and was enjoyable overall.

The Favorite is Marlee's point of view. She is the favorite in the selection before she makes a choice and has to suffer the repercussions. I honestly loved reading about her story. The love that she and the guard share is just beautiful. It's easy to see why Maxon wanted to help them out and why they remain a part of Maxon and America's lives.

You get three scenes from Celeste's point of view. I found them interesting and they definitely gave more depth to her character. However, they didn't help me like her any more.

There is also a bonus chapter from Lucy's point of view. I like seeing how "the help" sees things, gives you more of a real view of people. This just added to my love of America.

This book concluded with After The One, basically a "where are they now." Just a glimpse of the final four and where they are now. I found it interesting to see where the other princess hopefuls ended up.

Happily ever after is a really good companion to The Section series. I felt like it really added to the love I already have for this series. I love that authors are starting to give us more of the other characters stories.

The Red Queen Series (incomplete)

Red Queen 

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a world divided by blood—red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime. But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance—Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

Just wow. I thought this book was so great. It is unique and I loved the characters. Mare is such an interesting character to follow around. Aveyard set such an amazing scene, I could picture things in my head. That is how a book is supposed to be!

Glass Sword 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

Book two of this amazing series didn't disappoint me at all.

Freaking love watching how the revolution is growing. Each of the characters is growing in their own way but Marrow started to make me mad. She allows that voice inside her head to take over and not allow her to connect with the people she loves. Because of how much she has been hurt by the people she thought she loved, she closes herself off. I am hoping in the next book she is able to open her heart again.

Onto the next!

The Young Elites Series

The Young Elites

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Not even going to try explaining what this is about. The description is right here, so you can read that if you want to.

I loved that the main character, Adelina Amouteru, isn't perfect. She isn't traditionally "pretty" because of her marks and she has a bit of darkness in her. I enjoyed the way this book kept me turning the pages. I wanted to see what happened with the young elites. There were a few twists that really surprised me but they weren't so far out there as to be unbelievable.

Not sure there was anything I didn't like about this book. The descriptions were so good that I could imagine that world. The characters that you got to know had some depth to them. They weren't just space holders. You learned to like them or at least respect their character.

Overall I would give this book 5 stars. It was good enough for me to put books two and three on my "to read" list before even finishing book one.

The Rose Society

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she flees Kenettra with her sister to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good when her very existence depends on darkness?

Bestselling author Marie Lu delivers another heart-pounding adventure in this exhilarating sequel to The Young Elites.

I am having a really difficult time figuring out what to write about this story. I hate the person that Adelina is becoming. I would most definitely call her an anti-hero now. The terror she is reigning down on the people who wronged her, I can empathize with it. Loved that her sister is now at her side. Loved how descriptive Lu is with the characters. I can see them in my mind, but there aren't so many details that you get bogged down in it. I have book three ready to go and just have to finish a couple that are due sooner. The suspense is killing me! What's going to happen!?

The Midnight Star

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all she’s gained.

When a new danger appears, Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds, putting not only herself at risk, but every Elite. In order to preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

What a conclusion to this amazing series. 

This takes the previous two and wraps up the entire story into a nice neat package. I love the ending (no worries, I won't spoil it!) 

You see Adelina continue to be tormented by the voices in her head. Will she do what is best for herself, or what is best for the world. I love this quote from Adelina's sister: You cannot harden your heart to the future just because of your past. You cannot use cruelty against yourself to justify cruelty to others. Sums up how I was feeling about her at the end of book two. If you are looking for a new series to read, totally look this one up. Check out all three at once because once you get started, you aren't going to want to stop.

Monsters of Verity Duology

There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

Let me just say, this cover is amazing. I love that they have the picture within the violin. Stunning. Font goes perfectly with the image.

My overall rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Just wow!

Took me awhile to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. This book takes the dystopian genre to a new level.

August was such an amazing character. The fact that he is a monster who didn't want to be one, a new twist. Fighting against what you are.

Then there is Kate. At first, I couldn't stand her. She seemed a spoiled, awful girl. But as you read, the layers come off and you see the person under the rough bad-girl facade. Schwab does an amazing job of going back and forth between the two points of view (August and Kate). I didn't get confused like I sometimes do with books that have alternating viewpoints.

Book one completed, cannot wait for Our Dark Duet, the second book in this saga. This book left me really wanting to know what is going to happen to both August and Kate.

Not only that, but I have more of Schwab's books on my endless TBR pile!

The sequel—and conclusion—to Victoria Schwab’s instant #1 New York Times bestseller, This Savage Song.

Kate Harker is a girl who isn’t afraid of the dark. She’s a girl who hunts monsters. And she’s good at it. August Flynn is a monster who can never be human. No matter how much he once yearned for it. He has a part to play. And he will play it, no matter the cost.

Nearly six months after Kate and August were first thrown together, the war between the monsters and the humans is a terrifying reality. In Verity, August has become the leader he never wished to be, and in Prosperity, Kate has become the ruthless hunter she knew she could be. When a new monster emerges from the shadows—one who feeds on chaos and brings out its victim’s inner demons—it lures Kate home, where she finds more than she bargained for. She’ll face a monster she thought she killed, a boy she thought she knew, and a demon all her own.

A gorgeously written dark fantasy from New York Times-bestselling author Victoria Schwab, and one to hand to fans of Holly Black, Laini Taylor, and Maggie Stiefvater.

Freaking wow. What a duet this was. I am buying this so I have the complete set.

Reflection: The Stranger in the Mirror

An Heiress, an ancient prophecy, and a masquerade...Nerissa, the Heiress of Chiyo, prepares for the masquerade celebrating the twentieth anniversary of a thwarted assassination attempt on her family. Longing to be admired for herself and not her title, she arranges to switch costumes and enjoy the ball in blissful anonymity. But, when the fateful night finally comes, a prophetic warning of a second attack arrives too late, and the evening turns from revelry and romance to violence. After being pulled from the chaos by an enigmatic guardian, Nerissa learns that the Royal Family has been concealing a formidable secret for generations--and it is only one of many that are about to be revealed.

Reflection: The Stranger in the Mirror is Book 1 of 4 in the first story arc of the Records of the Ohanzee series, which is written in a serialized style with a story line that flows continuously between books.

I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This book started out wonderfully. I love the descriptions of the places and the people. I love the characters and genuinely cared about what would happen to them. 

About mid-way through is where it fell apart for me. The story took a quite sudden slowing. It was so frustrating. Not going to say much because I don't want to give away spoilers. I will say that it didn't have much of an ending. You are left with a cliff hanger and oh man do I hate cliffhangers. Overall I enjoyed the book, but not enough to re-read it. I will likely be picking up the next book in this saga, just to see what happens.

The Tempest Trilogy

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he's in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it's not like the movies — nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there's no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors — it's just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he's stuck in 2007 and can't get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it's not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these "Enemies of Time" will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he's willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

My rating: five of five stars

I freaking loved this book.

First of all, loved the concept. A time jumper is something new to me. 

Secondly, I love that this features a main character who is male. Refreshing for this genre. 

One thing I really didn't love was the ending. While it wasn't the ending I would have chosen, it was a good one for this story. I loved this book so much that I immediately reserved the rest in the trilogy. I totally recommend this to lovers of the YA dystopian novels.

Julie Cross's Vortex is the thrilling second installment of the Tempest series, in which the world hangs in the balance as a lovelorn Jackson must choose who to save.

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, after an accidental run in with Holly—the girl he altered history to save—Jackson is once again reminded of what he's lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.

My rating: four of five stars

Vortex picked up right where Tempest left off. This would probably be my least favorite of the Tempest series. I just didn't connect as well with the story line and I hated that the end was so much of a cliffhanger. Definitely recommend getting all three books and reading them back to back. Though slower, this one was still a really good book.

The battle between the Tempest division and Eyewall comes to a shocking conclusion in this final installment of the Tempest trilogy, where the need for survival stretches the boundaries of history, both past and future, and the world Jackson once knew is a place forever marked by the detrimental effects of time travel.

As Jackson recovers from his brush with death, he’s surrounded not only by the people he loves most—his dad, Courtney, and Holly—he’s also amongst a few of the original time travelers. As he learns more about their life and how this world began, it becomes apparent that they need to put a stop to Thomas and Doctor Ludwig’s experimenting at Eyewall Headquarters. What starts out as an escape plan becomes a war between time and humanity, between freewill and peace. It’s the battle Jackson was born to fight and he’s not about to back down. Not for anything. Not for anyone.

My rating: five of five stars

What a fantastic ending to this trilogy. I loved this book! The way that all the loose ends from books 1 and 2 come together, just really fit for me. It worked out in a way that felt right. I can totally see myself reading this series again.

The Lunar Chronicles

Cinder 

photo from amazon.com 

Overall review ☆☆☆☆☆

I just finished an amazing book, Cinder. I love how my bloggy friend Jen put it "When you tell people you are reading a story about Cinderella as a Cyborg... you are going to get strange looks. When you tell them you are becoming rabidly obsessed about a story about Cinderella as a Cyborg... yeah. It doesn't get much better, I'm afraid. But then curiosity might get the better of them, and they might read it, too. And when they become hooked, they will tell you - "I'm sorry I thought you were insane. This book is awesome.

This is the goodreads blurb about it, can't really explain it better then they do:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I loved every single page of this book. It purchased it on a whim while browsing Hastings, on sale for Mother's day. I started it on Saturday, May 9 and finished it Thursday May 14. Yes, it was that good. The funny thing is, my sister loaned me this book and I had it in my home for more then six months and didn't touch it. She finally took it back home. I regret not reading this sooner, but now I can read the next two in the series and not have to wait so long for the next to be published.

The characters and how the relationships were described really well. They were both relate-able and like-able. The book is from Cinder's point of view, but I still felt attached to a few of the other characters. I also really like that it's a spin on the Cinderella story, but not exactly like it. This book was definitely a page turner. I can't tell you the number of times I put off other stuff just to read this book. In fact, I have been reading two others for far longer and finished this one first.

There was one thing I didn't like about this book. It has a "big twist" that is pretty easy to guess. That made the ending a little bit less climatic, but still excellent. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the dystopian/fantasy genre. My husband has already been given the money to go and get me the second book (maybe the third, though he did tell me no. lol) I give this one a five of five stars. It was wonderful and the kind of book I can find myself reaching for to read again.

Scarlet

Overall review ☆☆☆☆☆

Immediately after finishing Cinder, I had to purchase and start on Scarlet, book two of the Lunar Chronicles. This is the summary goodreads provided:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Again, this is book two in the Lunar Chronicles. If you haven't read Cinder, you shouldn't read this review because it contains spoilers. It does not however contain spoilers about Scarlet. Does that make sense? The above summary of the book tells you a great deal about what the book is about. I am not so good at writing summaries of books, so I will just use what the publisher and author thought worked well. ;)

Scarlet is a fantastic book. I finished it in just five days. Probably could have finished faster, but I forced myself to put it down so it would last me until today when I could buy book three, Cress.

This book was another amazing piece of work by Marissa Meyer. She did a fantastic job introducing the new characters (who happen to be the main characters in this book) and still keeping you up to date about the characters you love from Cinder. This book changes points of view from Cinder, Scarlet and Kai's perspectives. I feel like the author did a great job going back and forth between characters without confusing the reader. When I started this book, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't from Cinder's point of view again, but quickly got over that as I dove into Scarlet's story. It was so easy for me to get caught up in this book and not be able to put it down. I finished the final 1/3 of the book in just one sitting.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the sci-fi fantasy type books and I personally give this book five out of five stars. AMAZING! Can't wait to delve into book three.

Cress 

Overall review ☆☆☆☆☆

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

I just finished Cress on Friday. Decided to take a few days before writing this review because I was a little disappointed with the ending, but more on that later.

Cress is the third book in the Lunar Chronicles. It lives up to its predecessors quite nicely. I loved every part of this book, much like the others. 

Please stop reading if you haven't read the first books, this contains some spoilers for those books. 

As a whole, this series takes a great twist on the classic stories that we all know. With Cinder, rather then losing her shoe, she looses  her foot. With Wolf, he is a genetically modified lunar shell. Just love the way the author took the main characters and made them her own. 

I love the way this one jumps view points to the different characters, like it did in Scarlet. There were some times it was beyond frustrating when it changed because I just wanted to know what was going to happen with the person I was reading about. It did all tie together in the end. 

I think Cress is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters. She starts off as this sheltered, very innocent character but quickly develops into an amazing one. My favorite has to be Cinder, but Cress is a very close second. The characters in this novel all had very relate-able qualities. Even though their lives are completely different then mine, I was still able to relate to the way they interacted with each other and even the way their characters developed in the story line. 

This story kept me turning the pages. I totally thought I guessed what was going to happen and was completely wrong. There were a few parts of this story that left me crying, others had me worried for the safety of the people I have grown to love. 

There is one part of the book I dislike, but I'm not going into great detail. I feel like a character who died could have played a bigger part in the future of this series. However disappointing, it did leave me with closure and wasn't something that seemed just tossed into the plot simply for the twist. 

Overall I think this is an excellent addition to the Lunar Chronicles. I very much look forward to the next books. I have Fairest on my kindle and can't wait for Winter to come out in November. 

If you are into the futuristic novels and the dystopian, this is for you. I loved this book and whole-heartedly recommend this series to anyone who will listen to me. 

Fairest

Overall review ☆☆☆☆☆

In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.

Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.

Fairest is book 3.5 in the Lunar Chronicles. It is Queen Levana's story. I admit, she is not a likable character, at all. All the books so far in the series show her in such a way that I don't know that you can help but despise her. Not going to lie, I was a bit worried this would be one of those stories that tries to justify how the antagonist acts but this did not turn out to be that way. 

This book is entirely from Levana's point of view, starting with the assassination of her parents, right through to where book one would begin. 

First thing about this book I love is the cover art. Much like the previous books, she gives you just a tease of what is in the book. Why do you see a queen shrouded in a veil. And why do you see her reflection in a mirror even though in the other books you know that she hates mirrors. Just a very captivating cover.

I loved that the intention of this book wasn't to make you love the character. Not sure that is even possible with this character. The book does however give you some insight to how Queen Levana came to be. It was also nice to have the character you meet at the last of book three. A nice thing to be able to see how she plays into the story. 

Not sure that I really have a favorite character in this book. All the characters seemed real enough to me. Meyer did a wonderful job making them relate-able and real, even though the entire premise of the book is fiction. While reading there were a few questions I kept asking myself, one of them was how did she become the "ugly and disfigured" princess. You don't learn the answer to that until the end, though there are hints scattered to keep you turning the pages. 

The only thing I think I didn't like about this book was how short it was. I finished it in two sittings. A little disappointing when you compare it to the other books. I would call this more of a novella. It was especially frustrating to have purchased it for almost ten bucks only to finish it so quickly. I am a cheap person though!

I think this is an excellent addition to the Lunar Chronicles. You have no idea how much I am looking forward to Winter (due out November!!)