REVIEW : Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

REVIEW : Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

   10:43 PM       Elisa

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Glitch

Author      : Heather Anastasiu
Publisher   : St. Martin's Griffin
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 308 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

Review :
I believe if you are into Dystopia or Sci-fi reading, you would be immediately drawn to what Glitch might offer you from its blurb above. It was what I felt at the first I knew this book. It seemed offering something cool and fantastic about dystopia world set in a futuristic society with absolute control through a mind-controlling chip implanted inside people's head and when they get 'glitching', they start to have certain supernatural power in sudden. Kind of reminded me with X-men, and I love X-men, so I was having high expectation that this book would be kind of mind-blowing. Sadly, after I finished this book, it was less than I've expected. However I still enjoyed it and still want to look more at the next book because I think this series still have potential to be more exciting.

I really loved the dystopia world Anastasiu built in this book. It's incredibly cool, like what I've imagine about a futuristic, high-tech society and seeing the world from Zoe's side makes it feels more real. I also loved some details like arm-panel with keyboard function, something I assume like USB / microchip slot implanted at the back of neck that can erase or control your mind, and the others, which are both really cool and eerie! But it's also ironic and pitiful that despite how high the technology has been developed, men lost the humanity and live like lifeless cyborg. The story moves in a fast pace and full with cool yet heart-pounding action scenes, shocking twist that make you want to read more and more. But yet, there are some flaws that actually quite bugging me I could not ignore them. Though the story moved in fast pace, somehow I felt it was kind of strange. There was a moment when the story reach an interesting point (I was kind of excited) ,then suddenly it was like, 'pof', everything was like starting all over again. Seriously I felt like being cheated =_=;. Maybe some of you who already read this book would understand what it is and probably feel the same way as I did.

I had a mixed feeling about the characters as well, and what the author has decided on building the relationship between them. At one side, I really liked Zoel, or Zoe. I really understand her anxiety and fear being glitched because for all her life before she was told it was wrong and she's overwhelmed with several new emotions she has never felt before. Her background as a part of the Community made it more believable. I really liked to watch her growing stronger, with Adrien's help, determined and willing to trust her own thoughts and feeling about right and wrong. But at the other side, as far as I want to understand Zoe's process of transforming, I have to agree with some reviewers that she's a bit unstable and inconsistent. Many times I got annoyed and frustrated by her wavering and keep-changing thoughts. There's also Adrien (loved his name because it uses 'e' instead 'a', btw ;p) Zoe's love interest. Compare to heroes from the other Dystopia series, he's not really stand out, except his aquamarine eyes and special ability can have glimpses of the future. He has a tender heart and quite smart, but he also seems weak comparing to Zoe even. Somehow I was disappointed of what the author has decided to be happened on him. I knew the author wanted to make it as a shocking element, but instead it was upsetting me.

The chemistry between Zoe and Adrien is happened too fast, it's obviously insta-love. Zoe's first feeling toward Adrien seemed absurd, she felt this 'connection' between them at the first she saw him, didn't really make sense to me because there was no explanation Zoe have known about this boy before. Not only insta-love, there's a love-triangle as well as Max suddenly declares himself. But at least we don't have to be confused to choose who's the best because I didn't like Max, at all. He's absurdly obsessed with Zoe, such an immature, selfish and arrogant boy I didn't really understand why bother making him as the third person between Zoe and Adrien. Zoe's naive reaction toward Max's temptation, although I clearly understand why, drove me crazy too sometimes, really strange to find a boy with those attitude attractive.

I'm not highly recommend this series but I think it's still worth a try for Dystopia fans. If insta-love doesn't really bug you, probably you could fully enjoy this book. Now it's time for me to grab Override, because, yeah, I need to know more about this series, what will happen to Zoe, Adrien and the rest of glitchers.
Happy reading! =)

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MINI REVIEWS : Demonglass, Silence, The Reckoning

MINI REVIEWS : Demonglass, Silence, The Reckoning

   3:49 PM       Elisa

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MINI INTRODUCTION:
From now on I'll add 'Mini Review' which contain short reviews of several books I've read long ago but still haven't made reviews of them. I have busy and procrastinator life so yeah I think this feature is necessary for this blog of mine =)

Demonglass

Author : Rachel Hawkins
Publisher :
U.S : Hyperion Book CH
Indonesia : UFUK Publishing (paperback)
Source : Bought Indonesia version
Pages : 449
Rating : 4 glasses

Review :
Like Hex Hall, I enjoyed this book very much. Sophie's voice is as crazily funny, entertaining and sarcastic as before, one factor that can make me falling for a story very easily. I love how the story is nicely developed here, with Sophie's journey and her encounter with new people, including her father (btw, I like him, what a cool father =p), with unexpected identity and facts, things getting darker and more complicated about who's the real good people and who's the real bad people. It's really shocking and gosh, what an ending! It makes me really want to get Spellbound right away! ><; One thing I like in this series is that the love story somehow doesn't really dominate the whole story, instead it focuses more about Sophie's adventure finding the truth about her identity and the other things. But I can't deny that I also want to know how Hawkins will do about love triangle between Sophie-Archer-Cal at the final book. Secretly I ship Sophie and Cal more because I feel I know about Cal more than Archer. Archer is still a blurry image even after I read two books. Well, just patiently wait until I get a chance purchasing Spellbound one day =p.

Silence

Author : Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher :
U.S : Simon and Schuster
Indonesia : UFUK Publishing (paperback)
Source : Bought Indonesia version
Pages : 592
Rating : 3.5 glasses

Review :
Thankfully my curiosity won over my soul and I didn't drop this series earlier, because somehow for some reason I couldn't really get into the story, mostly getting confused here and there and I got a hard time with the previous book, Crescendo. That book was just really frustrating for me and made me disliking almost everything (read : Nora), even Patch. Well, I never really liked him though, somehow he's not really stand out among other book boyfriends out there and especially I just couldn't understand his strange behavior. But I was glad I was still willing to read this book.
Everything seems getting better, somehow Nora is like being 'renewed', she's like other person comparing to her in previous book, probably amnesia is good for her, lol. She's maturer and willing to take a risk and surprising responsibility that appears at the twisted end of the story. Wow, truthfully I've never seen it coming, quite surprised me!
And I was more surprised because this series has the forth book. Well, just hope this series would have satisfying ending.

The Reckoning (The Darkest Power #3)

Author : Kelley Armstrong
Publisher :
U.S : HarperCollins
Indonesia : UFUK Publishing
Source : Bought Indonesia version
Pages : 366 (Paperback)
Rating : 4 glasses

Review :
I've never expected I would enjoy this series very much! It's getting better and better on each volume and The Reckoning probably is the best sequel of all. What a pleasant ending! Though most of the story of all three books is about Chloe's and her friend's attempt to runaway from an evil organization (means lack of action, actually), it's still very exciting to read, especially when their power are revealed one by one (Chloe's is the scariest, with those zombies with any unbelievable form, seriously can't read this at night!). I loved to see how Chloe becomes maturer in here. She's no longer a spoiled whiny girl and finally she can accept her destiny and her power and also willing to control it. I also love to see the relationship development between Chloe and her friends, especially with Derek. Awww, they're just really sweet together! Their relationship grows naturally, because they want to protect each other. Just sweet! I always enjoyed every parts where both of them involved in and I was beyond satisfied with the ending =D. Such a wonderful series!

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REVIEW : Matched by Ally Condie

REVIEW : Matched by Ally Condie

   12:10 PM       Elisa

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Matched

Author      : Ally Condie
Publisher   : Dutton Juvenile
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 366 (Hardback)

Summary from Goodreads :

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Book trailer :

Cover Glimpse :
I really really adore the cover. It's simple but pretty, also like want to tell something about what the story is about. After I read the whole story, I even love the cover more because it's perfectly related and could pictured the 366 pages with a simple image; a girl with pretty green silk dress inside a small bubble and her hands somewhat tries to push out the surface from inside.

Review :
After I finished this book, I got this guilty feeling that probably I should have read this book first before any Dystopia books I've actually read first like Divergent or Delirium. I really want to love this book because my expectation to this series was pretty high since Dystopia is my favorite genre and I hoped Matched would offer something as fascinating as they did. In the end, hm... I don't all judge the story is bad, but I feel the story is lacking of something and yes, a bit dragged and slow. This book is put-down-able for me. I think the story has a big potential to be more developed, more intriguing. But well, Condie gave us as it is, like she wants to present Matched as the beginning only. Thankfully, Condie has interesting plot and writing style from the start that could pin me. To be honest, ironically this big question mark I got about where Condie want to drag the story to that made me faithfully reading this book and yeah I still managed to enjoy it.

The story is told from Cassia's side, who has been living in The Society for 17 years of her life. Society is built perfectly but absolutely restrictive. Every aspect of citizens' life is ruled and controlled, even if they'll get matched or not (which is the main cause of everything in this book, apparently) and when they'll die, everything is already decided. Society keeps them save, live healthy and only know what they should know. Things that considered provoking rebellion are prohibited and banished (I even cringed when I read they tear down all 'provoking' books and poetry as well and dump them to the fire. Oh my!).

From Cassia's voices and thoughts we see her discovery and observation about Society and her transformation process as the conclusion of what she finds about it later. Though Cassia isn't quite my favorite for some reason (I don't know, probably because the story moves very slow and I got bored sometimes, I can't really enjoy her character), I do admire her because she's not fully asleep under the artificial safety The Society made. She dares to questioning the reliability of The Society after the malfunction on her Matched system, 'cleverly' and cautiously break the rules to know more, then have her own thoughts and fight the right things she has in mind.

There's obvious love triangle happen in this book, but dang I can't choose to whom I should root. They both are very awesome, Xander and Ky. Ky's mysterious-ness and his complicated background draw more curiousity and Cassia attracts to him at the first time because of this. I found myself waiting for scenes where Cassia interacts with Ky and I love that their relationship grows slowly but sweetly, not all fall-in-the-first-sight or teeny-flowery type but still beautiful and heart-wrenching. They both protect each other and Ky is also one reason of Cassia's transformation.
Xander, meanwhile, is barely appeared but I already grow fonding him. He's a best friend and always supportive, disappointed but not all mad while Cassia chooses Ky over him. I sincerely felt sorry for him. And yet he's mysterious as well. He seems hiding something and really eager to know it at the next book.

Here comes something bugging me. Somehow I feel there are some holes here and there. As far as I read this book, there's no clear explanation or background why The Society is being all restrictive. I considered it as the first little hole and then as I read more, about what's behind Cassia's Matched malfunction system, facts about Ky's origin and the war outside the Society, that hole was getting bigger. I kept sticking my eyes to the story and tried to ignore the hole with a faith there would be more explanation about this mysterious Society but maybe I need to wait until I read the next book.

Though Matched is not as satisfying as I predicted, it's still a good story with interesting premise. Probably it's not all fast pace and full of actions like other Dystopia story (and it's a bit unwise to compare one to another, although I can't help it /=) but I still managed to enjoy it although at some moment I put it down. If you can enjoy slow and detailed story progress, you probably would love this book.
Happy reading! =D

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REVIEW : Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

REVIEW : Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

   1:54 PM       Elisa

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Beautiful Disaster

Author      : Jamie McGuire
Publisher   : Jamie McGuire, LLC
Pages        : 283 (e-book)

Summary from Goodreads :

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he lust remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

I've heard various opinions about this book before I devoured it myself. Some said that this was phenomenal, some said this was not good, some said this was like a 'younger' version of Fifty Shades of Gray. Uh oh, the last one made me quite hesitate because FSoG is not my favorite. Oh well, but I was still really curious and got plenty free time at the officem, so I decided to read this to fill the boredom (yeah I'm a bad worker). And... sigh, this book is my guilty pleasure. I was surprised, really surprised that I enjoyed this book. Jamie McGuire's writing is really good and addictive, the chemistry between the characters are extremely hot and intense. I even re-read some favorite scenes of mine for several times after I finished this book. Does it mean I'm addicted? *sigh*

If I like this book enough, even addicted to it then why I only rate it 3,5 stars? Because somehow I felt things are really wrong here, no matter how it fascinating me. I can say that this book only fulfills our pleasure and fantasy to be so much adored and worshipped by our beloved one, yet in reality it could turn bad and much scary, kind of impossible and could be a bad influence for youngsters. Beautiful Disaster is an exact title for this story. It exposes a pretty example of unhealthy relationship, how a term 'friend' goes off the boundaries, how if the boy, even before he claims the girl as his girlfriend, is extremely obssessed and possesive to her yet at the other side they deny their feelings and date or even have sex with somebody elses. Uh oh, really disastrous. But really I don't know what spell McGuire casted upon this book. Probably because of her exceptional and addictive writing style, or her speciality on making hot and dangerous guys? I dunno. Like I said I liked it, enjoyed it and even wondering somehow girls love to be possessively loved by their boyfriends, at least it's a visible proof that he loves her. Yes? Haha, something is really off from my mind!

Talking about characters, strange that most of the characters are both good and bad in the same time. One moment you like them, but then you getting angry on them. If you ask which character I constantly like from the beginning till the end, it's definitely Shepley, because he's the only character with normal human sense, and I adore his devotion, love and support toward both America although she often trashes him, and toward Travis, his wild cousin. As for Abby, I have to say there were some times I really wished I could reach through the words and strangle her. So wobbly and uncertain about love and friendship and I had this feeling she's kind of using Travis's kindness for her own comfort. But I also liked her enough because she's tough, holding firm her principal and decisions, and at least can use her very logic about it, even willing to break her own heart. There's also America who also has a love-hate relationship with me. I do dislike her because she acts like a bitch and trashes Shepley some times, but she's an amazing bestfriend you can get.
The masochist side of me can't help but adores Travis very much. McGuire has this impressive skill creating intriguing characters, especially bad boys. Travis is the baddest of the baddest, womanizer and really dangerous. But once Travis shows his attention to a girl (the good one) and his unknown soft and sweet side, he could be totally irresistible even for girls as innocent as the saints. So that's why I understand why Abby, who is determined and tough, is strongly attracted to him no matter how she guides her heart and denies her feeling.

So, uh, not sure if I should recommend Beautiful Disaster to everyone. Okay this is a highly entertaining book, the writing is awesome and addictive (I've said it like three times already), a highly guilty pleasure for several [tend-to-be-masochist] people. LOL. It's like you know it's bad, but you can't help liking it. This novel is not for you who prefer to read clean, straight and healthy contemporary romance. You most probably despise this one. But if you still curious and quite open-minded about higher brutality level of life-love story and old enough for some explicit profanities and sex scenes (this novel is categorized as 'New Adult', older than YA, so you'll get those stuffs ;p), then you should try to read this one. Maybe you'll like, or even love it.
Happy reading! ;)

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REVIEW : Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

REVIEW : Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

   9:41 PM       Elisa

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Obsidian (Lux #1)

Author      : Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher   : Entangled Teen
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 361 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

Book Trailer :

Cover Glimpse :
I'm not a fan of the cover. Somehow it's still raw and dull. But aside of it. Pepe is a perfect portrait for Daemon. So hot and handsome! =D

2cents :
Obsidian receives such a hype and glowing reviews everywhere. Wow, everyone and bloggers I follow seem loving it so much it made me super curious about what those hypes about. After I devoured this book myself, well, I was parted between like and upset. Generally the story is quite good and it has interesting characters, but there were also some details that really, really bugging me. There were multiple times I felt like "I think I've seen this before" and I have to say the story and situation is lack of originality. Before I read this book, I've read some negative reviews on Goodreads about this author's series and how they're mostly like a copycat of famous series. And... I don't mean to offend the author and the fans but I think I have to agree with those. However, although I lost the excitement, thankfully I still could manage to enjoy the story.

The 'lack of originality' I said before is that the situation of the story is strongly remind me of Twilight. Katy moves to the small city and she accidentally has a hot neighbor, a twin, who the girl one, Dee, is very eager to be friend with her, and the boy one, Daemon, acts like an arrogant douchebag and treats her very bad, and he calls Katy 'kitten'. That simple thing also happened to bug me a lot, since I've read The Night Huntress series (which I REALLY love!) where Bones also gives Cat (another similarity) a nickname 'kitten'. I know it's not a limited edition nickname for certain series only but still... *pout*. Okay, back to the topic. As I wanted to believe that the similarity was 'just' that which is very general as a background story of most YA story, I was more than surprised that there were even more similarities my mind couldn't deny, the moment and the time are very exact. Remember the Edward-stops-the-car-with-a-bare-hand moment and the I-know-what-you-are-say-it-out-loud moment from Twilight? This book has that moments, exactly the same. I was completely speechless. Even I had this thought that somehow Armentrout is like, I dunno, insulting Stephenie Meyer. Eeeep! I hope this is not right ><;;;;. I decided to read this book mostly to proof that maybe all those negativities are not really right and I hoped I could enjoy this book like others did. I did enjoy it, but disappointment displaced most of my excitement =(

However, aside of 'copycat' issue I got, I think this book is still quite good and entertaining. I enjoy the bickering and tension between Katy and Daemon. Katy is a fun and tough girl. She doesn't let others make fun of her, even that person also happens to touch her heart. I love that part of her specifically. Wow, Daemon is really hot and intriguing! He's arrogant douchebag, like I said, but somehow they make him charming and special. I totally jealous of Katy, if only I have a boy next door as HOT as him, probably I would take a lot of my time peeking through my window and pray to watch him shirtless, LOL. Not only bickering and chemistry, the alien concept in this story is very interesting and left some mysteries that make me super curious. The action scenes are really cool, quite tensing and nerve-wrecking, I was like watching science-fiction movie with a bit romance touch in it. Those things are enough for me to keep following this series (well, I already have Onyx, the second book though, just look for a right moment to read it =p), hopefully Armentrout could smartly develop the story and bring back my excitement over this series.

Don't let my review affect you. Maybe because Twilight is very remarkable for me so I was kind of upset with a lot similarities in this and that. If you have a chance to read this book, read it. Maybe you'd love it since the first page =D.
Happy reading!

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REVIEW : Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

REVIEW : Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

   10:23 AM       Elisa

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Goddess Boot Camp

Author     : Tera Lynn Childs
Publisher  : Elexmedia
Source     : Bought
Pages       : 386

Summary from Goodreads :

Phoebe, who recently discovered she's a descendant of Nike (the goddess, not the shoe), is finding that supernatural powers come with a crazy learning curve. Her stepfather, headmaster of the Academy for descendants of the Greek gods, has enrolled her at Dynamotheos Development Camp - aka Goddess Boot Camp - with a bunch of ten-year-olds for the summer. Embarrassing as that is, hopefully it'll help her gain control over her powers in time to pass the test of the gods, continue training hard enough to qualify for the Pythian Games, and enjoy her godly boyfriend, Griffin, all while avoiding the ultimate mistake of accidentally misusing powers.

It's another fast-paced myth-inspired heroine's quest that's sure to bring out the goddess in anyone.

Before you read this review, I suggest to read OMG first, because I might write spoilers from it here.

I read Goddess Boot Camp almost right after Oh. My. Gods, so I could relate both of these books. I really enjoyed reading O.M.G, its witty dialogue and Phoebe sarcasm were really amusing and made me giggled alot. Because of that I had high expectation over GBC and really glad it was published while I haven't read O.M.G so I could read them straight. After I finished it, I have to say the first book is still my favorite than this book, although it did quite enjoyable and I still laughed at Phoebe's witty and follish POV.

Phoebe is really busy at this book. She's enrolled to a special camp to help her controlling her overflowing power because she's a close descendant of Nike, the goddess of triumph and gods already kept an eye on her, afraid she would use her power accidentally for her own glory. Moreover what more give her pain is the fact that she would spend her days on that camp with 2 person she dislike the most, Stella and Adara, as her mentors. While Phoebe also has to prepare for Phytian Games with Griffin her boyfriend, she finds out that Griffin lies to her many times and secretly meets Adara without telling her. Like she can't be more busy anymore, someone unknown tells her there's a documentation about her father's execution and she wants to find out more about it, although it's not easy and definitely dangerous.

I did understand that she's absolutely mad, ashamed (because she has to attend the camp for 10 years old young girls), and jealous, but she also slightly becomes irritating, well, like a mad and jealous girl in her age, whines and misjudges everything. At this book too we find that Stella and Adara aren't that bad, especially Stella. She seems sincerely helping Phoebe with her but Phoebe threat her bad at first.
Thankfully, Griffin quite grew on me at this book. He's very good boyfriend for Phoebe (or being a good guy since he dates her), loves and cares about her even when Phoebe ignores him.
We also introduce to some new characters like Xander and Tansy and some campers but I didn't really know them well, except Xander is another mentor, and Tansy is a young girl who also interest on running. When I read Xander name appearing, I was hoping he'd be the third person between Phoebe and Griffin but yeah it didn't happen.

This book is just okay, a really light reading. There's no twisted plots, doesn't force you to think, and I have to say, nothing special in it. I thought once the story would develop and grow more interesting after Phoebe got her power but hm... nothing. Personal matters do develop here, but no for the plot. I just curious does this series only consist 2 books? Because I felt it hasn't ended yet and the mysteries from OMG are still unanswered.
Gonna wait for further information about this series =)

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REVIEW : Evermore

REVIEW : Evermore

   4:33 PM       Elisa

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Evermore (Immortals Series #1)

Author     : Alyson Noel
Publisher  : Mizan
Source     : Bought
Pages       : 390

Blurb from Goodreads :

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste . . .

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

I had Evermore like a long time ago but read it just now because, well, the cover disturbed me too much. Call me cover nazy and I don't care. LOL. I know I have to not judge a book by it's cover, but for me a cover; beside story, author, blurb, etc; is important too to make someone at least want to peek what exactly inside the book is. I bought this because I saw the English version of Immortal series on my friend's shelf, and she said it looked good, so when I saw the Indonesia version release here, with a bit hesitation (yeah that cover thing) I bought it.

Evermore has a different theme from any paranormal books I've read which mostly about vampire, shape-shifter, faery and angels. So the story theme about 'Immortal' is new for me. It has, I call, 'heavy paranormal atmosphere'; magical, angst, emotional and gloomy, but I was glad I still could enjoy this book.

We are introduced to Ever Bloom. She used to be popular girl, but then an accident happened and it wasn't only took her family, it also changes her perfect life. Suddenly she has odd abilities that make her shut herself and stay away from others, except from her 2 friends, Haven and Miles. She can hear people mind, she can see auras, which show people's emotion through its color. Moreover, she can see her death sister who keeps visiting her. And then one day a new student, a hot and gorgeous guy comes to her school, Damen. His looks and myteriousness attracts Ever, the fact that she feels like she knew him before and she couldn't see Damen's aura which means he's 'something' distract her so much and make her want to know more about him. But something surprising and unimaginable waiting for her about Damen's identity

Until this part you may see a slight of similarity with 'Twilight' like I (and almost all reviewer) did. You have to admit that Twilight makes a prototype, an indifferent and loner girl meets gorgeous mysterious guy, and sure it's predictable that the boy is definitely 'something'. I don't mean to compare them because with the same background each story has its own charm. Evermore does. It's very complicated and twisted. It's like a new world and it's not that predictable for me.
Ever is a realistic character with strong voice. Alyson Noel did very great job at describing her through her inner thoughts and I understood her negativities and felt what she feels after everthing bad happen to her. Her sister, Riley is cute. At some ways she's brighten this story with her eccentric appearances. I'll really miss her at the next book. Damen is still mysterious for me. I don't really know him beside his fond over Ever and his sweet ways to shows it with gives a bunch of red tulips. He bears a lot of mysterious past and I hope I can know him well at the next book. And for Ever friends, too bad they're not quite a good friend. Maybe just Miles does, he's a gay male friend type, usually they're even better than girl friends. I don't like Haven. She's selfish and egoist, and only care about herself. She almost the same as other female villains who are really a b*tch type.

This is very good and enthralling story, but I can't give 5 stars, because of the characters are not good enough to make me love them, even Ever nor Damen. They're just so-so for me. I'm now reading the second book, "Blue Moon" after hesitation because a lot bad reviews about it.
This is not a story that can be generally liked, so if you love twist paranormal story like Twilight, you may try this one. You'll either love it, or leave it =)

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REVIEW : Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

REVIEW : Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

   4:30 PM       Elisa

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Ballad, A Gathering of Faeries

Author     : Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher  : UFUK
Pages      :
Source    : Bought

Blurb :
In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception, music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James' musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.

Book that introduced me to Maggie Stiefvater is Shiver, and instantly I added her as my favorite author because her flowing, beautiful, and poetic writing style. So when I found Lament which has unattractive cover without second thought I bought it and I awed with her deep knowledge about Faery world and terms, and of course with the characters she built.

Ballad, like Lament, is beautiful, poetic and wicked. Don't ever imagine faeries here are like cute Tinker Bell with her sparkle dust. They're mostly bloody vicious and some have awful appearance. They attract human to be their prey, and kill them with no hesitation. But still... Stiefvater draws their wicked world beautifully.

This story is told alternately from James and Nuala POV. We know more about James, a prodigy bag pipe player and Deirdre's best friend who has been falling in love with her for his entire life. Sarcastic male character always win my heart, so I really enjoy his chapters, his witty voices and never-ending sarcasm cracks me alot. But behind all of James's follish acts, he hurts too much. I don't really like Deirdre here because of her selfishness. She seems using James to covered up her own heartache without concerns his feeling.
And then there's Nuala, a fierce faery girl who her first intention is making James as her prey. The relationship between James and Nuala grows in unique way, at one time they hate each other, and slowly but sure they realized that they need each other.
Another unique feature is there are Deirdre's unsent message to James inserted between chapters. I think it's the way to explain how's Deirdre conditions since Ballad concentrates more to James and Nuala. The messages are also heartbreaking... well I forgave Deirdre because of that. A bit.

Overall, I think Ballad is better and more enjoyable than Lament for me. The characters are deeper and stonger (James and Nuala), the story is unpredictable till the end with beautiful and heartbreaking story.
Seriously, how many I said 'beautiful' and 'heartbreaking'???

And the cover comparisson :

I love both version. The english version is simple but describe the story well, related to Nuala. With black background, the burn maple leave looks stand out more. Indonesia version is pretty, but the girl on the cover doesn't match with Nuala appearance (well I roughly assumed the girl at the cover is Nuala =p) which is platina blonde and un-human face. And it doesn't go together with old Lament cover I owned =x But well, it's not a big deal though.

Stiefvater fans have to read this. The same beautiful as Shiver, with different emotion. And for those haven't read any of her novels... hm... maybe you have to read Lament first before this one =). 4 stars for this novel

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