Follow Friday #4

The Feature & Follow is hosted by Parajunkee of Parajunkee's and Alison of Alison Can Read.

Question of the week: Have you ever read a book you thought you’d hate but loved? Or vice versa?

Answer: Yes! To mention a few: 

1. In Honor by Jess Kirby -> I thought I was going to love this book because it involves a road trip and romance, but I didn't. Gave it 2/5
2. Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead -> Because of the hype this series got, I was worried I'd not like it, but I LOVED it. I read the first 4 books straight in a week. 
3. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi -> Of course everyone love this book, so I thought I would too. But nope... I disliked this book so much. Gave it 1/5
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zsuak -> The synopsis didn't interest me at all. But everyone seems love it, so I gave it a try. BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ! It's one of my top favorite books of all time. 

Leave me a link of your Follow Friday, and I'll be sure to check it out! 

Happy Reading! 

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby
Published: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Walker Childrens

Synopsis: Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment. 

****

How often do you get to read a book about paparazzi? A 16 years old girl paparazzo? I would say never. After reading the synopsis, my first reaction was this should be interesting. And it was. Very interesting, indeed. I loved it. It was a fun, easy, quick contemporary book--I was able to read it in one day.

Josephine or Jo is a very likable character. I really like her. She’s quirky, fun, and sweet girl with a goal to be a professional portrait photographer. She might not always like what she does, but she needs the money to go to college. Taking celebrities picture isn’t as dirty as her new job, a job that will cover the money she needs to go to the school she wants to go; going to rehab facility for undercover on a teenage celebrity, Ned Hartnett. A celebrity she has a crush on and has met before… even though he doesn’t remember her.

I liked Ned (if you read the book, you know who I’m really talking about). He’s nice. The romance between Jo and Ned is okay. The reason why I gave this book 4.5 instead of 5 was the romance. I didn’t hate but I didn’t love it either. It was okay. I didn’t jump up and down for it.

I thought Shooting Stars would be a typical contemporary book, and after reading a couple of chapters … I thought I figured it all out. Boy was I wrong! Shooting Stars surprised me with a twist I didn’t expect at all. I’m always good at figuring books really quickly, but not with this book. The twist was the icing on the cake. I didn’t know what to expect from it, so I just kept reading in awe.

Overall, Allison Rushby debut novel was amazing. I really liked the plot. It gives readers to a view in the life of a paparazzi; their work seems to take all of their time. The pace was good. I would recommend this book for EVERYONE. 

Rating: 4.5/5 (Recommend it; so buy it, devour it, love it!)

Waiting on Wednesday #3

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Here is the book I'm waiting on this Wednesday:

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Release Date: May 05, 2015

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Synopsis: Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans. 

****

I would read ANYTHING Sarah Dessen writes. Let's just leave it at that. 

Let me know what book(s) you are waiting on this Wednesday! 

Happy Reading!

The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker

The Queen of Kentucky by Alecia Whitaker
Published: January 02, 2012
Publisher: Poppy

Synopsis: Fourteen-year-old Kentucky girl Ricki Jo Winstead, who would prefer to be called Ericka, thank you very much, is eager to shed her farmer's daughter roots and become part of the popular crowd at her small town high school. She trades her Bible for Seventeen magazine, buys new "sophisticated" clothes and somehow manages to secure a tenuous spot at the cool kids table. She's on top of the world, even though her best friend and the boy next door Luke says he misses "plain old Ricki Jo."

Caught between being a country girl and wannabe country club girl, Ricki Jo begins to forget who she truly is: someone who doesn't care what people think and who wouldn't let a good-looking guy walk all over her. It takes a serious incident out on Luke's farm for Ricki Jo to realize that being a true friend is more important than being popular.

****

This book was a disappointment for me. I was SUPER excited when I got it from my library since I was hearing great things about it on Goodreads. I guess I had high expectation, but The Queen of Kentucky was … vapid. It was really hard for me to keep reading it, to finish it.

Rick Jo or Ericka as she wants to be called is a 14 year old who acts like a 3 year old. Yes, she’s a teenager but that’s not an excuse. Luke is 14 too but does he act like Ericka? Nope, and don’t say it’s because he’s a guy. If you say that what about Candace? She’s the same age, same class with Ericka and a teenage. I’ve never met a main character I hated so much ever; I even hated her more than some villains. She’s a snobby brat, stupid, selfish and annoying. This book is filled with her complaints. 

I kept reading this book because of Luke. I liked him more than Ericka. He’s so sweet, fragile and sad. It made my heartache to see him suffer in his own home. And it pissed me off to see Ericka complain because she doesn’t fit in while Luke is going through real life problems.

If it had been normal book size, I might have liked it, but it’s almost 400 pages. 400 pages of, I’m sorry I’m saying this but it was 400 pages of crap. On the bright side, the writing was okay. 

The Queen of Kentucky could have so much potential but it lacked everything I wanted from a contemporary novel. I guess you can say it’s not my cup of tea. I do not recommend this book, but if you want to read this book, more power to you. I hope you enjoy it more than I did. 

Rating: 1.5/5 (Give it a try, but DEFINITELY borrow it!)

Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Balthazar by Claudia Gray
Published: March 06, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen

Synopsis: For hundreds of years, the vampire Balthazar has been alone-without allies, without love.
When Balthazar agrees to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, he has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye's newfound psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel, seductive master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Now Redgrave plans to use Skye's powers for his own evil purposes.
Balthazar will do whatever it takes to stop Redgrave and exact his long-awaited revenge against his killer. As Skye and Balthazar stand together to fight him, they grow closer-first unwillingly, then undeniably. Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by her. . . .

****

I don’t read a lot of vampire books; in fact, I only read 2 vampire books so far. So it was good to add a GREAT vampire book to the other 2 previous books. Balthazar is described as “one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series.” It was a good line to get me started to read this book. I wasn’t even half way through when I found out why EVERYBODY seemed to like him because I ended up liking him too. 

Balthazar is a hottie. Seriously! I loved everything about him. He’s so sweet, respectful, caring, charming, and just PERFECT! He’s doesn’t let himself get attached with anyone, and he’s been alone for over 100 years. He’s been leaving by one rule: no human. Until, of course, Skye waltz in his life. Other than little trouble relating to her, Skye was a great, strong female character; always putting on a brave face, even when there is a danger coming in her way.

Balthazar was a quick read even though it’s close to 400 pages; I was able to get through it easily. The romance in this book was amazing; Balthazar and Skye are perfect for each other. It’s written in third person with two POV: Balthazar’s and Skye’s. It’s a standalone book, and I did love the ending but I can’t stop myself from wishing it could be a series. I wouldn’t mind more of Balthazar and Skye.

If you haven’t read the Evernight series but want to read Balthazar, do so. Because I didn’t read it and I wasn’t confused at all. Gray has a way of describing details amazingly, and the story didn’t even bore me; she did a fabulous job with this book. I highly recommend this novel. And since I loved Balthazar, I can’t wait to start the Evernight series. 

Rating: 4.5/5 (Recommend it; so buy it, devour it, love it)

Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic

Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic
Published: January 17, 2012
Publisher: HMH Children's Books

Synopsis: Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life. Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go. But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.

****

Do you know what you’d do if you have a little amount of time left to live? Austen Parker does. Austen knows he doesn’t have a lot of time left, and he also knows the things he wants to do while he’s still alive. Never Eighteen is a short--204 pages--novel about a boy on a mission to help/mend things with people in his life—or used to be in his life--and do things he never done before. It is a story that I will remember for a long time. The story was heart-wrenching, especially at the very end. I loved the friendship between Austen and Kaylee. It’s believable. Not just their friendship, the characters are believable and realistic. I felt for both of them: Austen because he is dying at a young age and Kaylee for seeing her best friend die. Never Eighteen is funny, heart-breaking, and poignant read. It would make you laugh, cry, and make you think about what life is all about. Megan Bostic did an amazing job for her debut novel; she captured a heavy subject, which was well-written. It’s been a long time since a book made me cry—Bostic’s book made me cry. But, please, don't let this crying drama depress you enough not to pick this book. (In my experience, if it makes me cry, it means the book is really good.) A fair warning though: Just try not to finish it in a public place. P.S. Even thought the age limit for this book said 12 and up, personally, I recommend it for everyone age 14 and up. Rating: 5/5 ( Recommend it; so buy it, devour it, love it!)

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Across The Universe by Beth Revis
Published: January 11, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill

Synopsis: A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder. 

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone - one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship - tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming. 

****

Across the Universe was the first book I bought when I started reading in 2011, and it’s been sitting on my shelf forever. And I just now found time to read it, and I’m still kicking myself for waiting a full year to read it.

I occasionally read sci-fi or dystopian books, but the few ones I read were great. They just weren’t as good as Across the Universe. I loved this book so much: it’s unique, refreshing and fascinating. 

First of all, the plot is unfreakinbelievable. It’s brilliant. There were some parts I found kinda boring/slow - I’m not going to lie - but other than that Across the Universe is fantastic. The characters (Amy and Elder) I didn’t really care for them. Usually if I don’t care about the characters, I won’t end up liking the book, but in case of Across the Universe, the plot balanced it out for me, since I loved it. The secret/mystery in the ship was great, I saw it coming, but overall it was great.

Warning: Don’t get into this book expecting it’ll be action packed and fast paced because it’s not. (When I say it’s not fast paced, I didn’t mean the book is slow - it’s just doesn’t have the pace that most paranormal books have.) However that was the main thing I loved about this novel. Even if it lacks action and fast pace, Across the Universe got everything from mystery to fascinating sci-fi stuff to a little (tiny tiny) romance. 

I’m dying to get the second book. Beth Revis is a brilliant author for coming up with such a refreshing, thrilling debut novel. I don’t think anyone could pull this whole book other than her. I can’t wait to read more from this series and from this author.

Rating: 4/5 (Recommend it!)