We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Genre: Contemporary

Source: Library

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Synopsis: “A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies. True love. The truth.”

Review: There’s so many things I want to say about this book, but I can’t because it would completely ruin the ending and the magic of the book, so know that I am very limited on what I can talk about.

Man, this book was great. While, I was reading it, I didn’t think that it was  that great because the plot dragged on and on (despite the book not even being that long). That was until the end. The end changes everything. It changed how I viewed the book and how I saw the plot progression.

Yes, the plot was utterly slow at points (hence the 4 Stars, not 5). I got rather bored with the plot because it felt like same similar things, some of which weren’t even exciting, kept happening. For most of the book ( I read it in one sitting), I was highly annoyed by the slow plot. Not annoyed enough to stop reading, though. I wanted to see what was with the suspense. I wanted to see why so many people were praising this book to no end. I wanted to see what the “accident” was. The plot, although slow, actually did drop hints to what happened, it just took finally knowing what happened to realize this. That is some serious writing skills you have there, Ms. Lockhart. I too want to praise this book to the heavens and back.

I absolutely ADORE the writing style. It’s romantic, flowy, descriptive, suspenseful, and enchanting. Basically, its magic.

The characters in We Were Liars are UTTERLY despicable. I HATED them with a fierce passion. And then the ending happened. I can’t say much else, but bravo Lockhart. Bravo.

To be 100% honest, by the end (because the shock is revealed about 10 or so pages from the end), I was crying so hard that it was very difficult to read. The event made me seriously reconsider the WHOLE book and EVERY LITTLE THING that ever happened in the book. I felt many emotions (I had three very distinct ones, which I cannot disclose). This book is so magical and great and fantastic. Please go read it right now so I can talk to someone about it (side-eyeing you Aneeqah)

I’m very sorry I can’t say much else in fear of spoiling the ending. I’M SORRY FOR THIS VERY BRIEF REVIEW. JUST GO READ THE BOOK AND BE AMAZED.

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme where you share what books you're excited about. It's hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This Week I am waiting on: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Synopsis: “The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers. To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.
Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.
But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?”

First of all, the cover looks so good! Also, I’ve read AMAZING things about this book. It has dystopian and it looks like a little bit of fantasy with the “god-like powers” line. I’m just really pumped to read it!!

Expected Publication Date: February 10th, 2015

What are you waiting on?

Top Ten Tuesday (3): Favorite Quotes

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish where you share your top ten books on a certain topic.

 

Top Ten Favorite Quotes

1. “There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater. But sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life.
   That is the sort of bravery I must have now.” –Veronica Roth, Allegiant
2. “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” – John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
3. “So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be.” – Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
4. “You can't live your life for other people. You've got to do what's right for you, even if it hurts some people you love.” – Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
5. “I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in life. And I am horribly limited.” – Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath
6. “It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.” – Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay
7. “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
8. “What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person.” – John Green, Paper Towns
9. “I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.” – Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games
10. “Atque in pepetuum, frater, ave atque vale,” he whispered. The words of the poem had never seemed so fitting: Forever and ever, my brother, hail and farewell.” – Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Princess

Bonus!!

“You cannot pick and choose what parts of her to love.” – Sarah J. Maas, Heir Of Fire

To be painfully honest, compiling this list was close to impossible! I LOVE so many quotes. I kept wanting to add more and more at the end and to include authors that I didn’t think of at first!

What is your top ten favorite quotes?

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme where you share what books you're excited about. It's hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm waiting on: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

  

Synopsis: 

"When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever."

I think it's safe to say that I'm obsessed with Sarah J. Maas and her amazing stories. I'm so so so freaking excited to read this. It has more of the lovely magic that Sarah J. Maas can describe so well and forbidden romance(really looking forward to this)! I think I'll LOVE it.

Expected Publication Date: May 5th, 2015

What are you waiting on?

Top Ten Tuesday (2): 2014 Releases I Meant to Read, but didn't get to

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish where you share your top ten books on a certain topic.

My Top Ten 2014 Releases I Meant to Read, but didn't get to

• Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey: So, I read The Fifth Wave like ages ago and I had been so pumped to read this when it first came out...and then I probably got busy and didn't have time to read it. Anyways, it looks awesome so I hope I get a chance to read it sometime soon.
• Falling into Place by Amy Zhang: I've only heard good things about this. Also, the Goodreads blurb says that it's told in nonlinear pieces and I always love that when it's done right.
• Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo: I'm so sad that I didn't read this when it first came out. Now I have to find the time to go back and read the first two before I can read this one because I've forgotten a lot of what happens. I love the Grisha world and I really really love Leigh Bardugo's writing style. I can't wait to read it this year.

 

   

• All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: This just sounds so good! Also, its a Goodreads winner and on the front shelves at Barnes and Noble, so people must be liking it. I love novels about this time period and I think I'll really enjoy it once I get around to it.
• Landline by Rainbow Rowell: This book, also a Goodreads winner, looks lovely. Of course, it'll be typical Rainbow Rowell style, which is marvelous. Plus, it has a little sy-fy twist with the whole time-travel concept thrown into the mix. I can't wait to finally read it.
• Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi: I feel so bad that I didn't get the chance to read this one or the second one last year. I loved the first one, so I will get around to them one day!

 

• The Young Elites by Marie Lu: I'll read anything by Marie Lu. Also, there's now three main characters instead of the two that were in her other series, so I'm interested in seeing what she did to distinguish the characters this time around. Plus, the cover looks amazing. I will definitely read it this year. (hopefully)
• Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes: Anatomy of a Misfit seems like it would be a great contemporary/ romance-y book, but with a little grittiness thrown in there! I've heard a bunch of good things about it and am excited to hopefully read it this year!
• Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor: This is another one of those cases where I'm going to have to go back and reread the first two (berating myself right now). Gosh, it just looks so good...why didn't I find the time to read this last year?
• I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson: I can't even express how pumped I am to read this book now. I was excited before it came out, but now I'm beyond excited; I'm so dang enthusiastic. Also the cover's very pretty.

What are some of your 2014 books that you planned to read, but didn't?

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Barnes and Noble

Rating: 4/5 Stars
 Synopsis: "After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined."




Review: 
 Throne of Glass was much more than I expected it to be. It was much more exciting; much more fantasy centered; much more everything. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to experience because of some of the complaints my friends were expressing over this book, but I think that this book was a fantastic start to a series.

Celaena Sardothien was such a relatable character. Not in the sense that she was an assassin who was punished to a harsh life in a salt mine; or how she had two guys like her(I mean who has that problem in real life?). The really amazing thing about Celaena was how real her emotions were. She wasn't a robot and she wasn't too incredibly sappy or emotional. She felt and acted like a person. I want to send a letter to Sarah J. Maas thanking her for achieving this incredible feat.

The fantasy and magic that had a role in the novel actually really surprised me in a good way. I wasn't expecting magic to have such an integral part in the book. Plus, the magic was actually good and was explained enough that I understood it. For me, the magic really added an exciting element to the book.

Even with all the amazingness that was Celaena and the really cool magic, two things bothered me: the plot and the romance.

Momentum-wise, Throne of Glass, was exceptional. The action was always continuing (with the exception of the beginning). What irked me was the writing style at points. For me, the events that were supposed to be plot twists were pretty easy to guess. There was just too much showing and telling, instead of withholding (or even showing just a little bit less) for suspense. This ended up taking a lot of the fun out of reading this book. I felt like the bad guy was so (INCREDIBLY) obvious and this really annoyed me. It would've been better with a little more suspense, but overall the plot was okay.

Romance. Do I even need to say more? I was thinking of this marvelous love triangle (maybe even done right?) and the love in this book was just too...empty. It felt fake and really rushed. I was so frustrated with the pacing of the romance and how much it dictated the plot at points. Some of the romance was really sweet, but for much of the book, it seemed so artificial and phony. 

Overall, I'm really happy that this book exceeded my expectations. I'm definitely reading the rest of the series and am really excited for the potential of the sequels.





  **I'm still trying to figure out layout and formatting (because windows live writer hates me) so please deal with the weird formatting 

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme where you share what books you're excited about. It's hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

So, I kind of already did a similar sort of thing because I did my Top Ten Tuesday on books I'm excited for in 2015, so I'll just have some more fun gushing some more about upcoming books!

This week I'm waiting for: Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

 

(I wish I had an actual cover...) 

Synopsis: 

"Los Angeles. It’s been five years since the events of the Mortal Instruments when Nephilim stood poised on the brink of oblivion and Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs lost her parents. After the blood and violence she witnessed as a child, Emma has dedicated her life to to discovering exactly what it was that killed her parents and getting her revenge.
Raised in the Los Angeles Institute with the Blackthorn family, Emma is paired as a parabatai with her best friend, Julian Blackthorn. A series of murders in the city catch her attention — they seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of her parents. Could the murderer be the same person? And her attention isn’t the only one caught: someone has been murdering Downworlders as well. The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute: if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they’ll return Mark Blackthorn to his home. The catch: they have only two weeks to find the killers. Otherwise it’s open war between faeries and Nephilim.
The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race against time to catch the killers, even as they begin to suspect the involvement of those closest to them. At the same time, Emma is falling in love with the one person in the world she’s absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love. Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica."

I love Cassandra Clare and all of her books (TID series is my favorite). I'm so ready for another one of her series with brilliant writing in the fascinating world that she's created. We already got a little taste of the characters and I'm so so pumped! Knowing Cassandra Clare, I will be put through the feels wringer and I must say that I am looking forward to it.

Expected Publication Date: September 2015 

What are you waiting on? 

Top Ten Tuesday (1): Most Anticipated 2015 Books!

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish where you share your top ten books on a certain topic.

 My Top Ten Most Anticipated Books in 2015

• End of Days by Susan Ee: Although I haven't read the second book in this trilogy, I have no doubt that it will be good and so after I read it, I'll be dying to read the third and final book in the trilogy. Angelfall was such a fantastic start to the trilogy, I can't wait to see how amazing the conclusion is! (I'm experiencing butterflies from the excitement already!) Expected Publication Date: May 12th, 2015

• The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness: There's not that much information about this book yet, BUT OMG it looks AMAZING. Expected Publication Date: August 28th, 2015

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass: I've heard so so so many great things about this author! I haven't read her other series yet, but I'm planning on it! Also, faeries and forbidden romance? Sounds like my cup of tea. Expected Publication Date: May 5th, 2015

• Passenger by Alexandra Bracken: I will most definitely read ANYTHING Alexandra Bracken writes, as she is a goddess. Also, time travel? Heck yes. Expected Publication Date: Fall 2015

• Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: Magic? Danger? Superhuman abilities? Love? I think it's safe to say that I'M PUMPED. Expected Publication Date: February 1st, 2015

•  Tonight the Streets are Ours by Leila Sales: This book sounds really funny! A girl is trying to track down a guy blogger? That slightly sounds like something I would do... Expected Publication Date: September 15th, 2015

• The Heir by Kiera Cass: I thought her last book (that was supposed to wrap up the trilogy) did so quite nicely. Although, to be completely honest, I squealed when I saw her video where she announced that she was writing two more books for the series. I'm excited to see what she does. Expected Publication Date: May 5th, 2015

• Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley: Okay, this book sounds great. It's sci-fi, which is a genre I haven't really read much of, but I really want to delve into. Also, it seems as if conflict is imminent, which is always exciting (insert mischievous face). Plus, it has romance, yay! ALSO, HAVE YOU SEEN THE COVER? Expected Publication Date: April 28th, 2015

What 2015 are you excited for?

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Genre: Dystopian
Source: Library

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Synopsis: “While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice. When Rachel’s father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city’s brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father’s apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.”

Review: 
To be completely honest, I fully believe that this book was a victim of over hype. I have been wanting to read this book for so long (complete with long discussions with myself in my head while standing in a barnes and noble on why I really wanted it, but couldn’t get it for whatever reason) and have heard such good things about it, that I was so enamored and had too high of expectations. I went into reading Defiance expecting angsty romance, a daring plot, and fantastic characters. What I experienced was more along the lines of confusing attraction (perhaps insta-love), a somewhat exciting(yet predictable at points) plot, and infuriating characters. 

Let me just start off this rant about the irritating romance by stating that I love the romance in most books, even if it is insta-love. However, in Defiance, the love was so…lacking. From the beginning of the book, it was quite obvious to me that Rachel was still in love with Logan. What wasn’t fully developed was why Logan didn’t feel like he could love her back when she confessed her love for him the first time. Yes, his status in society prevented him and his want to drag himself out of that staus prevented him. BUT, this wasn’t fully explained or developed. I don’t know I just felt that the whole romance was a problem throughout the whole book. Coupled with the fact that the characters were in such great denial of this love did nothing to help, while they did incredibly stupid things because of the love. Overall, the romance felt like an obstacle to the plot at points and bothered me throughout the book.
The plot was good, even great at parts. The action was exciting and pulled the storyline forward instead of stalling it. However, the middle was somewhat boring and dull. They traveled through a forest where it kept being repeated that they felt like they were being followed. They found a sign and kept going. Repeat. Repeat after others join the group. Repeat until arrival at town. Also, some parts were predictable, like so predictable that I wanted to punch the book after an event happened that I easily guessed. Overall, the plot was one of the best parts of the book.

For the love of all that is holy, please help these characters. There was hardly any character development besides the realization of love and Rachel turning more and more lifeless inside ( which I don’t think counts as development, maybe more like character decline?). Logan himself was irritating; he was just so analytical that it pretty much took away all suspense. Also, their actions are more and more annoying to me until the end where Logan and Rachel basically toss of the guilt of what they’ve done( this is the most irritating thing to me!!) I like how driven Rachel was by all the bad things that happened to her, but it really made it hard to relate and connect with her when she didn’t allow herself to feel at all and focused solely on revenge. Overall, the characters were underdeveloped and irritating.

I feel really let down by Defiance, but I have some hope for its sequel. I’m particularly looking forward to the plot and how the characters proceed from that disastrous ending. I liked the plot of Defiance, but the characters and romance didn’t allow me to fully enjoy this book.

First Post!

Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by! This is my new blog, A Bookish Tragedy! I'm going to use it to review YA books.

A little bit about myself:

• I'm a teenager 
• I'm from the great state of Texas
• I love to read(why else would I be starting a blog about it?)
• I'm very sarcastic and sassy
• my good friend, Aneeqah (My Not So Real Life) and my mother have been encouraging me to make a blog about books because I talk about them all the time
• I'm working on the layout (p.s. blogger hates me already)
• I love animals
• I'm taking a bunch of hard courses at school so reading is really a way for me to destress and not have to think about school 24/7

Thanks for visiting!