April 2013

Monday, April 29, 2013

REVIEW : Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins


Sweet Evil

Author      : Wendy Higgins
Publisher   : HarperTeen
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 453 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :
Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Review:
I need to confess that at first I decided to buy Sweet Evil because of the cover, look how pretty it is! For the story, actually I didn't expect too much, I even have prepared myself I might not like this book because from the revealed summary, the story could go wrong like some other books about Angels and Demons. But maybe it's a perk of not expect anything on the first place, because this book is surprisingly very AMAZING! I totally fall in love with the story!
The story is well-balance, not too complicated, not too paranormal, even feels a bit more contemporary, but it's still very intriguing and fascinating, thanks to Wendy Higgin's exceptional writing skill! The characters are so wonderful and charming in their own way and talking about the chemistry between them especially the romance between Anna and Kaidan, WOW! Even the 'almost' moments can be so steamy and sexy *fanning myself*. Glad to find another refreshing Angel series which is quite unique and original, evil yet sweet in the same time, the title tells it damn right! =D

Higgins took a different side of Nephilim and mixed it with seven deadly sins concept (and she even added some sins). It's very interesting and I enjoy every detail of it. They are sons and daughters between demons and humans and they have a purpose in this earth, to spread bad influences to humans in this world based on their demon-parents job. This concept was actually the one that make me a bit worried at first. I really love Anna's characters and can easily relate her to myself. I loved and respected her for being such an angel, so genuinely good, and not that sickening kind of good, innocent and sweet, willing to control herself to refuse any bad temptations. But then she meets Kaidan Rowe, a nephilim, a son of Demon of Lust who literally flips her world almost upside-down. While I read this book, I was actually waiting for the moment when Anna would disappoint me, like turned to be a new bad girl since she was mandated to be one, lost all the goodness in her in the name of love to Kaidan. Well, I can't actually blame her though because who won't be in love to a hot, perfect bad boy like him??? Instead, every page made me so excited, I didn't find any single disappointing moment. I even grew to love Anna and Kaidan more on each page! Thanks God! Anna is still the good Anna although she grows stronger and more determined than before and Kaidan totally stole my heart. I found myself rooting for the forbidden love between Anna and Kaidan, I sympathized him so much and felt bad for everything that happened on him and other fellow nephilims.
The support characters are also very wonderful. I really liked Patty and Anna's demon father. He's very cool! I also especially enjoyed fun moments we met other nephilims like Kopano, Blake, Marna and Ginger.

I used to be a bit worry about this, but in reality thankfully I wasn't. One thing you should know, Higgins subtly included some religious (Christianity) aspects in this book. So obvious but yet not too overwhelming so it can be enjoyed by all people. And what made me so grateful is that she did it with a lot of respect. I didn't find it offending at all and the Christian side of me still can enjoy it as a part of fiction's flavoring. Thank you so much, Wendy Higgins! =D

Right now I'm impatiently waiting for my copy of the sequel, Sweet Peril. The ending was very heartbreaking and my heart bled for Kaidan actually, yeah he successfully makes me so cheesy *sobs*. I really can't wait to know what would happen with Anna, Kaidan and the other Nephilims on the next book! =D
Of course I have to highly recommend it to everyone, though considering some steamy scenes in this book (and Kaidan is son of Demon of Lust, you can guess what would you find then) maybe this book is more suitable for older young adults. However, this book is well worth to be read so don't miss this awesome debut series! Oh, and maybe you want to read two special chapters from Kaidan's POV that you can find on here (chapter 1) and here (chapter 26). Trust me they are so swoooooooooon-worthy! ;D
Happy reading! =)


Saturday, April 27, 2013

Stacking the Shelves [03]



Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosting by Tynga from Tynga's Review. It's about sharing all new books, physical or e-book form, you're adding to your shelf. They could be bought, borrowed or given to you.

Actually I planned to make monthly STS, but the pile is getting high so I make another one STS this month. Awesome books I got from last 2 weeks :

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare *I'm already finished this and one word : AMAZING! =D*
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Dark Triumph by Robin LaFever
Perchance of Dream by Lisa Mantchev
Immortal City by Scott Speer
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Revived by Cat Patrick
The Selection by Kiera Cass
Delirium Stories by Lauren Oliver
(I didn't include Social Suicide because it's already at last weeks STS =))

With these, finally I got two complete series :

Aren't they sooooo pretty??? =D
I'm sad they have to end but so happy because they look really good together! I just need a bigger bookshelf so I can exhibit them properly. Yum!

Those are what I got, what do you got this week?
Happy reading, everyone! =D




Cover Reveal #15 : Unhinged by A.G. Howard


I've been so excited since I've heard A.G. Howard would reveal the cover of Unhinged, the next installment of Splintered (which I haven't read yet, by the way). I expected it would be as beautiful and creepy as Splintered, and I was right! Yesterday it revealed like this, drum-roll please~ :












TA-DAH!

WOW! Mad-hatter! =D
Though I'm not sure is it a boy or girl, I love this cover! Dark blue, tattoo around his/her right eyes, the moth tie, they make this awesomely creepy! It would be awesome to be side by side with Splintered.
Totally can't wait to get this one!

How do you think about this cover? Like it or not? =)



Sunday, April 14, 2013

REVIEW : The Host by Stephenie Meyer


The Host

Author      : Stephenie Meyer
Publisher   :
U.S : Little Brown and Company
Indonesia : Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 770 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, The Host is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.

YIPPIE!
I'm soooo happy I could fulfil my very first resolution of this year, to finish this book before the movie comes out! =D
(P.S : ignore the fact that I post this later than the movie, I was procrastinating like usual *poke*)

Before, I was kind of intimidated by the thickness of this book which is over 700 for translation version, wew! I was afraid I could not enjoy this book, because somehow I had a little prejudice of stories about alien and I found the summary was not really interesting for me. But in the end I successfully finished this book and wow, I totally LOVED this! Surprisingly I still could enjoy Stephenie Meyer's writing after I haven't read any from her for a while. The story is really original, moves in slow rhythm but I found it flows very nicely and thoroughly. The thickness is a proof that Meyer put her best effort, passion and totality into this book, both of the setting and the characters she made, and I appreciated it a lot. Beside the light sci-fi elements that I believe could be enjoyed by everyone, I loved that this book explores more about the characters, emotions and relationship between them. Also it brings quite an irony image, how if even a certain alien race behaves more human than human themselves. They even more civilized and have a lot good side that human almost loss these days until we actually think maybe they could fix this world. Very provoking thoughts but really fascinating as well!

I loved that this book is not merely a simple love story about two girls that fight over a guy, I had been really afraid of it. Gladly it is very unique, and more complicated than that and I actually enjoyed it and happy with how it's solved. Every characters in this book are very distinct and unique, even side characters and I really enjoyed to know more about each of them. Melanie probably has strong voices but sometimes I got annoyed with her. Instead, I loved Wanda because she has loads of human goodness inside her. I also loved to read how she inspires her surrounding, grows to love and to be loved by people, humans around her and how she develops a sweet relationship with Ian. And I'm totally team Ian, by the way ;)

Sadly, I think this book is not one of 'everybody must like' type book. We see a lot dystopia with fast-pace or action-packed stories these days and those who expect this book is one of it, they would be (really) disappointed. But this book is worth a try, especially for those who love story with a lot developments, emotional, meaningful and inspiring reading and probably also those who almost lost faith in Stephenie Meyer's because I think this book is quite different from Twilight and it's better, a lot.
From the end scene, this book could be a stand-alone, but I would be really happy if Meyer decides to continue this great series! =)

Happy reading, peeps! ;)




Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Wishlist Wednesday #26


PhotobucketWishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some tile, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.
This blog meme is hosted by Pen to Paper, if you want to join please visit here to find more about this meme.




Shadow and Bone
by Leigh Bardugo

Summary from Goodreads :
The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

The fact that it's a fantasy fiction set in Russia and receives a lot of glowing reviews make me so thrilled to read Shadow and Bone. It sounds really original and intriguing! I can't wait to purchase it once the paperback format comes out!
Have you read this book? What do you think about it?

What's in your WW this week? Share yours so I can check it back ;)




Saturday, April 6, 2013

Stacking the Shelves [02]



Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosting by Tynga from Tynga's Review. It's about sharing all new books, physical or e-book form, you're adding to your shelf. They could be bought, borrowed or given to you.

Hellow there!
This is my second post of Stacking the Shelves, yay!
Before I want to beg you apologize because this blog was lack of post these several weeks. I had pretty tough weeks. My mom suffered of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever which made her had to get a total rest for more than 2 weeks. Because of that I even had to get several days off from work to tend the household matters (that was absolutely tiring, gosh) but she gradually recovers and is fine now,thank God. And then I also a sickening thing just happened to me. I accidentally took a wrong medicine and it made my eyes area BLOATED like I was beaten up really hard, like this emoticon : 3_3. Seriously my body was over-reacting if it gets an allergy

Okay so today everything is fine and let's back to the topic, shall we =)

These are some new pretties I got several weeks ago :

sorry for the messed picture ;) love the second one because somehow it has the same shade

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (just Clockwork Princess left and I'll get this series complete in hardback =D)
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (this means I finally manage to own my TMI series all in hardback! YAY!)
Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons
Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
Requiem by Lauren Oliver
Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke (translation version)
Shadow Falls ~ The Beginning by C.C. Hunter
Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday
Underworld by Meg Cabot

So excited to read them, especially Requiem and Let The Sky Fall. I also plan to read TMI series again before the movie comes out since now I have all books in English.

Have you read some of my new books? What do you think about them?
What do you guys get? You can share it with your comment so I can check it back =D
Thank you for coming and have a nice day! ;)