The Wrath and the Dawn

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Genre: Historical Retelling, Romance, Fantasy

Source: Library

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend. She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

The Wrath and the Dawn was slightly underwhelming. I’ve been to panels and heard sooo many fantastic things about this book and then I read it and I was left wondering what all the hype was about. Yes, the Shazi was powerful and sassy. Yes, Khalid was mysterious and enigmatic. Yes, its part of the beginning of a bubbling of diverse books. Yet, the magical element was off-putting and the plot dragged. 

The characters are what made this novel stand out. Shazi is a firecracker. Her wit and her secret skills are so fascinating to discover and each time she revealed that she was awesome at yet another thing, I giggled. She’s similar to many other YA characters, but yet different. The voice behind the character seems genuine and life-like. It was refreshing in a YA world overrun by sassy, strong female leads. Khalid was another strong point. His past defines his present and his future, and at first he lets that happen. Then, he lets someone in finally and things actually happen (I’m tryin’ to keep this spoiler-free people). It sounds a little cliche, and maybe it is, but in this book, it felt right. The handmaiden was kickass and veritable in her own way. She was similar to Shazi with her quickfire comebacks and loud opinions,  but Ahdieh managed to make them different. Their inner voices are different. And its amazing.

“Some things exist in our lives for but a brief moment. And we must let them go on to light another sky.” ~ Renee Ahdieh

The romance was the typical YA romance. Boy meets Girl. Girl irrevocably changes Boy. Boy becomes a better person. And I’m usually not bothered by this or even annoyed by its prevalence. Remaining true in The Wrath and the Dawn, this trope didn’t necessarily annoy me, but it slightly ruffled my feathers. But, it fit the characters so stinkin’ well that it complemented the book quite nicely.

However, I was not a fan of the magic. I know, I know. This is a retelling. But the magical element just didn’t sit well with me. I did not like the way it was introduced into the story. I understand that it was a mystery and Khalid’s deepest secret, but the delivery was lacking. It wasn’t the magic itself; the magic was fine and dandy. My main problem with the magic was its existence in this story, as the introduction did not allow it to fit.

Also, the plot could get a little draggy at points. This is understandable as we have to experience what Shazi does everyday to continue to win her spot in the palace. Yet, I found this to be boring at times and wished it would’ve been spiced up a little.

The Wrath and the Dawn was a character-based novel that was pleasantly enjoyable, with a few dings along the way.

 

Dirt Daughter by Michele Shaw

Dirt Daughter by Michele Shaw

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Synopsis: “In Dirt Daughter, seventeen-year-old Elena Black has concealed the secret to her childhood friend’s murder for eight years. With the possibility of a college scholarship looming, she plans to keep that secret and flee her dysfunctional home; one with a drug-addicted mother, a stepsister she just met, and a bitter, abusive uncle. But, when a detective reopens the cold case and a friend sets her up on a date with the new boy at school, the past and present collide, threatening Elena’s future plans…and her life.”

Review: I haven’t read a true mystery novel for a while. I don’t know if this is because I’m not into the genre anymore or they don’t appeal to me as much as I always seem to think that they will. I’m not sure. However, Dirt Daughter was a pleasant surprise and a sort of gentle re-entering into the mystery genre.

Shaw’s writing style was a tad too straight-forward and at points felt like she used words that the main character wouldn’t. Yet, it was overall good for the suspense and confusion of the main character.

One of the defining characteristics of this book was the extreme unreliability of the main character. I love this aspect. Shaw pulls it off marvelously. Elena herself is keeping everything confusing and secretive for the reader and its one of my favorite parts of this book. It creates so much more suspense. I think that this book would be a completely different, flat book if Elena wasn’t written the way she was.

From the beginning, I was very intrigued about what happened. The mystery part was meh. I was ticked that the secret was revealed before the end. It made the part that was supposed to be wow omg can’t believe it was that person! moment not as big as I would’ve liked. Basically, the mystery itself was interesting, but the actual reality wasn’t as exciting.

The relationships in Dirt Daughter were also a good point. I enjoyed the continual effort on Chayton’s part. It didn’t feel like he made her better; it felt like his presence was encouraging her to be better. That’s definitely more picturesque than it is in reality, but that’s the goal for real life relationships (in my opinion anyways).

Dirt Daughter was a suspenseful and satisfying book, but it wasn’t a Wow! caliber book. The plot, characters, and relationships were enjoyable aspects of the book, while the style and the reveal itself were lacking.

Top Tuesday (4) : Books I’d Love to See as Movies

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

Top Ten Books I’d Love to See as Movies/ TV Shows:

 

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell: This would totally be a fantastic movie! I can just imagine the cuteness, fluffiness, and awesomeness that would ensue if this book was made into a movie!

2. The Infernal Devices Series by Cassandra Clare: This fantastic series should be made into a TV show. I adore the characters, story, and ships. Honestly, I would love but also be very nervous if this was made into a show because they haven’t had a good track record with The Moral Instruments Series (hopefully the show will be better!), but I would probably still be excited!

3. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins: I would be happy if any of Stephanie Perkins’s books were turned into movies, but since this one is my favorite of the three, I would most love it if it was adapted into a movie. I mean, the cast would have to be absolute perfection (as with all the others), but I think I would suffer from cuteness overload if Isla was made into a movie.

4. Tiger’s Curse Series by Colleen Houck: I really like where the series is heading and I feel like the plot is stimulating enough to be a show. Each book can be a season and everything would be grand!

5. Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson: These books are a part of my childhood and seeing them being made into either a movie or a TV show would probably bring me great joy! As far as I know, there isn’t a TV show about a semi- d0ystopian world with mutant teens who can fly, so that alone would be highly fascinating!

6. Looking For Alaska by John Green: Okay, sorry to be cliche, but this is my favorite John Green novel. I was very moved by the end and I seriously believe it would make a perfect movie.

7. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass: This series would make the PERFECT TV show! Seriously. Think about it. There’s plenty of intrigue and mystery and suspense. The characters are good enough. It would be reminiscent of the Bachelorette and Bachelor, but would have its own quirks and nuances that would make it completely original and gorgeous.

8. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas: OKAY SORRY I LOVE THIS SERIES IT HAD TO BE INCLUDED. Obviously, I would have to cast the movies, but ya know it would be perfect. Perfect.

9. Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: This novel would make a beautiful movie. In a perfect world, where book adaptation movies are absolutely perfect, a movie version of this book would be poignant and moving. I would love it.

10. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson: This book has great characters, is imbibed with history and yet is original, and has a intense plot. Fantastic movie right there.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black 

Genre: Dystopian Fantasy

Source: Library

Rating: 4/ 5 Stars

Synopsis: “Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave.
One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.”

Review: So I read this book for Battle of the Books since I’m on my school’s team. I previously had wanted to read it, but it wasn’t at the top of my TBR list (honestly, I have no order to it really). Also, I went into this book thinking that it had zombies in it, which I’m not really into. Obviously, I discovered that there wasn’t zombies, but there was vampires.

I have a love-hate relationship with vampires. On one hand, I love fantasy and those sorts of creatures. On the other hand, the whole vampire thing has been so overdone that I kind of don’t want to read anymore of it at this point. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown was similar to other vampire reads, but also very refreshing.

“We all wind up drawn to what we're afraid of, drawn to try to find a way to make ourselves safe from a thing by crawling inside of it, by loving it, by becoming it.”

I really enjoyed the characters. I think Tana is extremely life-like. She has conflicting emotions and makes a lot of dumb mistakes (but not too many that I want to slap her) that makes me feel like Tana reflects a real person. That’s an incredible feat. I know a lot of people dislike Tana because she makes mistakes and is stupid, but I think that her emotions and conflicts were life-like.

Dudes, don’t get me started on Gavriel. Yeah I know, he’s the typical YA love interest. But I can’t resist. I really can’t. Also, its made perfectly clear that he has bad intentions and isn’t a good guy. Obviously, I can’t stay away. Their romance is not a focal point in the book and only exists occasionally, but the slow-burning tension. I felt it building throughout the book.

The relationships were great. The love and dedication within Tana and her sister’s relationship was so sweet and so awesome. Also, I loved Tana and her ex-boyfriend’s interactions.

Plot-wise, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown was good. Plot twists happened, but I felt little to no suspense. Action happened. Some dull parts happened. Overall, plot was average.

The world building was incredible. It was well-crafted and went hand-in-hand with Black’s marvelous descriptive style. I would say that I would want to live in that world, but that would be really frightening. The concept, although not new, is revamped (<- pun intended) to have a fantasy element.

Overall, I enjoyed The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. The characters really made the book for me and I liked the dark and gritty undertones. I’m extremely sad and disappointed that this is a stand alone. I thought the ending perfectly set up the book for a sequel or even a full-fledged series, but ITS NOT. :(

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy

Source:Library

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Synopsis: “Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.
While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?”

Review: Gosh. This. Book. Was. So. Amazing.

Heir of Fire has solidified Maas as one of my favorite authors. Honestly, I loved it from start to finish.

***BEWARE SPOILERS AHEAD***

I know that a lot of people had the complaint that the middle was boring, but to me the relationship building between Rowan and Celaena made up for it. Plus, the whole middle built suspense for the FANTASTIC ending. I was in tears. I screeched. I furiously texted Aneeqah and begged her to hurry up and read the second one and this one so I could talk to her about my feels. The end was one giant plot twist. Every time I thought I had recovered (who am I kidding, I will never recover) from one twist, I was hit with another! My feelings were all over the place. Thank goodness I was home alone when I read this because I’m sure my family would’ve been really concerned about my mental state. The plot alone guaranteed at least a 4 Star rating.

You know what got the 5th and final star? The bad*** characters. I LOVED Celaena’s development. I LOVED Rowan. I LOVED Chaol (okay… more on Chaol later). I LOVED Dorian. I absolutely adore Celaena and she and Tris Prior are tied as my favorite characters of all time. Her development was phenomenal. She finally stepped up to the plate and I might have shed a tear (or ten). Rowan was hilarious. He tried to act like he didn’t care, but I saw through his little facade and enjoyed every second of Celaena’s and his dialogue. It was pure gold. I want to applaud Dorian for moving on. He deserved better than the Celaena in book two. I can’t wait to see the truly magnificent things that Dorian accomplishes (although I don’t know how he’s going to deal with the ending because man).

Chaol. Oh Chaol. I feel such pity for you. I don’t feel like you aren’t good enough for Celaena, but you have such an imaginary image of Celaena. Do you love her or do you love the image of her that you’ve created in your mind?

The relationships in this book were so profound and so good. Also, I felt EXACTLY what the characters were feeling. There are no words except to say that while I was reading Heir of Fire, I was fully immersed in the book. I was there.

Now that I’ve fangirled about the marvelous characters, let’s talk business. I know I’ve said this in the first two books’ reviews, but I need to reiterate it. Maas is a fantastic story teller and world builder. I LOVE the fantasy and how it developed in this book now that we’ve met actual faeries.

The love I have for this book is astronomical. The ending blew me away and I cannot wait for the rest of the series.

How many times did I type the word ‘love’? 9

All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry

All the Truth That’s in Me by Julie Berry

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Source: Library

Rating: 2/5 Stars

Synopsis: “Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever.”

Review: I’m so incensed by this book. For me, All the Truth That’s in Me was a victim of over-hype. I expected an experience extremely different than the one that I experienced.

For starters, I didn’t understand the time period. Was it historical, like Puritan society? Was it some other universe? I could not figure it out the ENTIRE book. I ended up settling with a Puritan-like time period because that society was so crazy.

Also, I really really disliked most of the characters. Judith has this weirdly stalkerish crush on Lucas. Before reading, I thought that this would be cute, but when I read it I was highly disturbed. I found her obsessive infatuation with Lucas to be really creepy. Also, I felt like Lucas had no personality, like he was the good guy trope. At points I would think Oh there’s a real human emotion! But the majority of the time I thought Could this character be any more dull? The only character I tolerated was Maria because she was just really nice and cheery in that awful oppressive society.

The plot was highly confusing for me. The experiment in telling the story in Judith’s voice when she couldn’t talk to others to find out what was really going on failed. A lot. I was confused a lot during the book. I didn’t even particularly like Judith’s voice.

The only good thing I experienced in All the Truth That’s in Me was the mystery. The mystery of what really happened intrigued me. I wanted to learn the real truth.

Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have finished All the Truth That’s in Me if I didn’t have to read it for Battle of the Books. The plot was utterly confusing, the characters were dreary and the town and setting were truly terrible.

North Texas Teen Book Festival!!

This past Saturday, I  was so lucky to be able to go to the First Annual North Texas Teen Book Festival. I had an AMAZING time!! I went with my friend Jackie and we got so lost on the way that there that we ended up in DFW Airport at one point! Once we got there, we met up with our friends Emma and Shannon and rushed to get armbands for speed dating.

Speed dating rocked! I got The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston for…FREE! Getting a free book was just the beginning of the awesomeness that soon commenced.

After Speed Dating, we went to the bookshop and while everyone else bought two books, I bought four.

The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle,

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han,

The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr,

and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.

 

 

 

Then, we headed over to some panels. Honestly, these panels were the BEST part of NTTBF. The ones I saw were so funny!!!

Then, we got in line for author signings and I somehow managed to get ALL of my books signed! The authors were really awesome. Overall, I had a GRAND and FANTASTIC time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

p.s. I’ve already read two of the books I got and I’m PUMPED to read the rest!