REVIEW : The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

REVIEW : The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

   9:49 PM       Elisa

---

The Evolution of Mara Dyer

Author      : Michelle Hodkin
Publisher   : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 544 (Hardback)

Summary from Goodreads :

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Book Trailer :

Review :
After I finished reading this book, I realized I've made the biggest mistake in 2012 (yeah I was successfully procrastinating). Why I didn't wait for any longer to read this book. I think I've should read this book near the release date of the third book so I wouldn't live several months in misery like I feel right now.
Each time I saw this book, I felt like torturing myself =(

OH. MY. GOD.
WHAT AN ENDING.
MICHELLE HODKIN IS A WICKED WOMAN. AN AMAZING WICKED WOMAN.
Okay, AMAZING is the main point. BUT STILL.

*sigh*
Okay, maybe I was a bit biased and over-reacting, but it was what I really felt.

After I finished The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, a lot of questions was popping inside my head, about who was Mara Dyer, was Jude really still alive, what was exactly Noah's role in Mara's life beside as her BF, etc. Well, actually I was questioning what the hell was this story all about, what was exactly the main problem in this series. I really hoped I would get at least some answers in The Evolution of Mara Dyer. I did get some answers, yes, but it didn't make my mind any better.

I really loved this series because it's absolutely unpredictable, Hodkin could turn the story to the unexpected direction that made my jaw literally dropped. The more I got into the story, the more I got confused about many things. I felt Hodkin deliberately created such a storyline to make us keep guessing about what Mara is, the change term from 'who' to 'what' is a bad sign, I presumed. I did make some guessing from 'simply mentally sick', 'possessed' to 'reincarnation' and I even did type 'Mara' at wikipedia which was kind of helping me a bit. But then I found that my wicked mind was not as brilliant as Ms. Hodkin. I EVEN STILL CONFUSED (AND DEVASTATED) AT THE VERY TWISTED-MAJOR CLIFFHANGER END PAGE. Yet I still found this book very, very fantastic. Lord help me.

However, everything in this book seems intensified to the mind-blowing level; the mysteries, Mara's hallucinations (which were scared the hell out of me, beside Barbie I never like human-form dolls, never), the relationship between Mara and Noah (which was quite heating up *fanning myself*), even the characters themselves. Mara grows stronger and stronger until I couldn't imagine to stand on her shoes. She manages very well to control her fears and restlessly tries to find answers about herself. Noah *insert tons of hearts here* surprisingly shows his dark side here which is making him sexier and hotter than ever. Apparently he's not just happen to be Mara's boyfriend. I think he's more than that. Just an abrupt guess though.

Because of THAT shocking ending, now I absolutely can't wait for the next book, The Retribution of Mara Dyer. I really want to know how this series might end, what would happen to Mara and the rest characters and importantly, who Mara actually is. I really can't imagine nor predict what would happen on the next book! UGH!
So Mara Dyer series fans, definitely stop procrastinating and hurry grab your copy ASAP! Or probably the best advice is, like I said, read it near the release date of the last book. I also recommend this series to everybody who seek for a different, dark, mysterious, haunting, unpredictable and confusing story that would left so much question inside your head and would blow you mind with its sexiness as well!
Happy reading! =D

Read More

REVIEW : Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

REVIEW : Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

   1:54 PM       Elisa

---

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! ;)

Read More

REVIEW : My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsessions by Becca Wilhite

REVIEW : My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsessions by Becca Wilhite

   11:26 AM       Elisa

---

My Ridiculous, Romatic Obsessions

Author     : Becca Wilhite
Publisher  : Indonesia - Atria
                   U.S - Shadow Mountain
Source     : Bought
Pages       : 270

Summary from Goodreads :

Sarah Howard's first year at the university is everything and nothing she expected especially when a very cute boy named Ben in her Art History class starts to show interest in her.

Sarah feels like she's an average, normal, everyday girl. So, when Ben (to whom she secretly refers as Adonis because she thinks he could be a Greek god) begins to take interest in her, Sarah is in denial. For one thing, last year she was deeply crushed and humiliated by Jesse James a guy who she thought liked her.

She's determined not to get burned again. But in her heart of hearts, what she really wants is a Jane Austen kind of romance. Ridiculous, right? That kind of romance doesn t exist anymore . . . or does it? Sarah is smart and fun to be around and even pretty, despite her Medusa-like red curls. She even plays the guitar. (So does Ben!) Yes, Sarah is everything Ben has wanted. He's crazy for her, but Sarah is just not getting it. She's playing hard to get, and if she s not careful, she s going to lose a real hot gentleman -- her 21st-century Mr. Darcy.

This novel was a refreshment after loads of paranormal and dystopia novels I've read. I really enjoyed reading this; fast-reading, heartwarming and sweet like candies =9. The story has a plain and cliche plot, but it's incridibly real and I instantly related to the main character condition very well.

I was very moved with the story and the characters. I could imagine if I stand there as Sarah, our main character here. She has very low self esteem, because her parents unconciously always remind her about how unattractive she is and a bad memory, badly being rejected by a boy she thought liking her, and the reason was her appearance. Those things make her becoming quite a loner and ridiculously obsessed with romance story and it's prince charming, while in reality she sure herself no one like her. However, although she sees negatively upon herself (reading her pitiful voices was a bit tiring and annoying, no matter how real they were), she's a sweet and smart girl, sometimes sarcastic and innocent. I quickly connected to her, knew very well how to feel what she feels and liked her true personality, not pictured as a dashing girl, but a down to earth one, with common girlish problems about insecurities. Thankfully, she also has a real good friend who always help her dealing with her situation.

When a hot guy like Ben shows interest on Sarah, she's really confuse and hesitate whether react the same or not because she's afraid this is a one side feeling. Again, I really understand that feeling, something like "I'm not good enough for him, how come he likes me. He could find someone better". It's annoying, yes, but some girls can't avoid to feel that way. Yeah, I've been getting that feeling too. But I really glad she could ease her insecurities and gain her confidence, thanks to that wonderful Ben.

Sarah and Ben relationship is a type of insta-love but after read more farther, hey, who won't fall in love with him? =D Ben is a veeeeeeeeeeeeeery sweet and kind, a very rare type for hotties these days. I was glad he's not built all round perfect but has a hidden flaw too. More amazing that he doesn't hide it to remain him look perfect and he can deal with it. I loved almost everything about him, his sincerity love toward Sarah, as he could see beneath the surface, and how he can deal with Sarah temporary insecurities and hesitancy. Such a dreamy guy!

Maybe I'm too biased, giving such a high rating for simple teenlit. But this sure delighted me, and I already want to read it all over again =D
This is a good read if you need a sweet and heartwarming teenlit story to, at least, help you gaining your confidence ;).
Happy reading!

Read More

REVIEW : Just The Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

REVIEW : Just The Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

   5:33 PM       Elisa

---

Just The Sexiest Man Alive
Author     : Julie James
Publisher  : Elexmedia
Source     : Bought
Pages       : 440 pages

Blurb :

A fabulously fun, romantic comedy from a dynamic new talent.

Nothing fazes Taylor Donovan not in the courtroom and not in her personal life. So when she's assigned to coach People's Sexiest Man Alive for his role in the next big legal drama, she refuses to fall for the Hollywood heartthrob's charms. Even if he is the Jason Andrews

'Just The Sexiest Man Alive'
Yum.
Definitely my favorite chicklit this year because I can re-read it for couple times and never bored of it.

Because read too many paranormal books is not healthy (lol), I searched for contemporary novel to neutralized my mind, and I found this title. At first when I saw this on the Upcoming Release on Elexmedia I was like "Ow, tempting title" but I didn't buy it because I was like "Meh, maybe just another 'meh' adult novel". I just feel tired with some chicklits, sometimes they have more sex scenes than the story itself, sometimes the story is beyond my acceptation, sometimes they're too corny, well, doesn't mean that they're bad, just....a little tired =p. Then, I use Goodreads search engine to take a peek what this book about. And I got fab blurb, good reviews, pretty original cover, they were enough to made me gave a try and.... I LOVE IT!

This novel has everything I love at chicklit kind : light, funny, witty, sarcastic, but also serious and romantic=D. Julie James did an awesome job and I totally fall in love with her writing style. She knows what kind of characters that make us swoon (uh yeah, Jason. I even love his name only). The story flows nicely and at the right pace. James does have a deep knowledge about Law and Hollywood, and how to mixing it into a fabulous love story, since she has worked at those worlds before. One thing, I can enjoy this story more because it almost doesn't have any explicit sex nor kissing scenes (well, only slightly at the end part), and indeed, still very romantic and sweet =D

Taylor Donovan is my favorite heroine type, I just really like how Julie James built her. I love her for being a pretty, confident, smart and strong woman with cool job as a lawyer. Her fail engagement maybe doesn't distract her from her work life but it does traumatize her. It's hard for her to trusts any other man and hesitates to starts a new relationship again. Then one day she's forced to holds a project with Jason Andrews, a Hollywood actor. Jason is not just a Hollywood actor, he's the biggest, hottest, and scandalous actor at his era.
And Jason...oh Jason xD
Because all qualities he has, Jason is friggin' arrogant. But surprisingly he's also very funny, caring and childish at his thirties, he just shows it to everyone he trusts and cares, like Jeremy his BFF and of course, Taylor. I enjoyed and cracked a lot while read his parts and I really-really love him. I always attracted to arrogant and childish heroes, I find them cute. I know something wrong with me, lol.
Their relationship grows slowly but very cutely anf nicely. Taylor doesn't fall easily to Jason and his Hollywood charms. At first she thought she hated him, she kept saying no, even slammed her office door in front of Jason's nose. But then she realizes Jason is more than his actor facade. Jason too at first he thinks Taylor is just the same as every woman he dated or dumped. He's wrong and totally falls for her unique personalities he never find before. You can say although he's the best actor in this world, he tries really hard to get Taylor.

I like the friends too : Jeremy, Kate and Valerie. They're lovable, funny, supportive, really good friends, especially Jeremy. I was once hoped that Jer hooked to Kate or Val, but no further story about it. Hm..too bad :)

This is my first book of Julie James and I NEED MOAR! I have to find some more of her works. Soon I'll get "Something About You", an FBI series. Whoohoo!
So... you like chicklit? You dream to date any Hollywood guy?
Try to read this one =D

Read More

REVIEW : Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

REVIEW : Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead

   3:54 PM       Elisa

---

Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid Series #1)

Author     : Richelle Mead
Publisher  : Dastan (Indonesia)
Pages      :
Source    : Bought

Blurb :
Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.
When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants. The wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid’s life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven’t stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess get-up complete with whip and wings. And she can’t have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy’s life. At least there’s her day job at a local bookstore—free books, all the white chocolate mochas she can drink, and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can’t.

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle’s demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won’t help because Georgina’s about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny…

I bought this book because I'm Richelle Mead's fans. I love Vampire Academy so much, and heard many good reviews about this series too so I give it a try. And yeah, quite good, although not as good as vampire academy =p.

Georgina Kincaid once was a mortal, until someday she made a big mistake and to fixed all damages she has done, she sold her soul to hell and she became a succubus, a demon who allures men and suck their soul.
But Georgina is different from other succubus. She still holds her humanity and can't forget her past. She doesn't seduce any men, just those who have low life like drug users, cheaters, or even helpless single geeks (lol). She doesn't date good guys because she cannot let their soul sucked and destroyed. She enjoys her 'normal' attractive appearance and more over she's a nerd, loves books and works normally like other woman on a bookstore. She also loves her friends, so when someone or something seems hunting downloaders around her, she strives to finds out who or what it is. This is made Georgina likeable and the most kind succubus in this world =p.

When finally she meets Seth Mortensen, a geeky-cute-but-sexy writer she admires for a long time, who also seems interest at her, she also meets another mesmerizing guy named Roman. She is torn apart between Seth and Roman because although she like Seth, Roman shows more attention and admiration to her and she herself feels she's unworthy for someone like Seth. And yeah... for a moment she dates Roman even sleep with him.
This do disturb a bit. Despite of her profession as a succubus, she seems easily fall for any guy who adores her, which makes her a bit...cheap (oh wow so harsh xD). Even her past showed it too.
I don't really enjoy her 'side love story', I even don't feel sympathy for her pitiful love life because it's her own fault. Somehow I feel Seth is too good for her, and he is so awesome to still love her no matter what she is and her doing.

Sooooooo.... 3 stars. Overall this book is enjoyable, a well mixture of paranormal-adult-love-action, although Georgina still isn't my favorite but Seth and Jerome absolutely my favorite. Can't wait to see him more at next books.

Warning : This book contains some religion issues. You may find some things are not appropriate with what you believe. But if you could put it aside and take it just as a fiction, you may enjoy this like I do =) And of course because it's adult novel, you may find a lot steamy scenes =). Me? Oh, I already reach ages to read this kind of things. LOL

Read More

REVIEW : Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy

REVIEW : Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy

   2:11 PM       Elisa

---

Cherry Crush (The Chocolate Box Girls Book 1)
Author              : Cathy Cassidy
Publisher           : UFUK Publishing (Indonesia)
Page                 : 328

Source              : Bought

Blurb (from Cathy Cassidy's Official Website) :

The Chocolate Box Girls
Each sister has a different story to tell, which one will be your favourite?
Cherry Costello’s life is about to change forever. She and Dad are moving to Somerset where a new mum and a bunch of brand-new sisters await.
And on Cherry’s first day there her head is turned by the gorgeous Shay Fletcher.
But Shay already has a girlfriend, Cherry’s new stepsister, Honey. Cherry knows her friendship with Shay is dangerous – it could destroy everything. But that doesn’t mean she’s going to stay away from him . .

I am not familiar with the author, but the cover was very cute and tempted (pink, heart shape, chocolates, cute title etc, just see it yourself =9) so i tried this.
After stayed at my book pile for about 5 months, finally i decided to read this when i needed a light reading. And yes, this is totally light and fast reading (I read this about 4-5 hours at night =p).

The story mainly is about love and family, and full with lovable characters.

Cherry Costello is a cute, dreamer,and good girl (and wow she is half Scottish half Japanese), and she seems living her simple live with her father quite happily, but the main problem is she keeps lying to make herself looks good in front of others and she knows it. Although it doesn't make any harm to anybody, that personality flawed her cuteness and makes her looks pitiful. Thankfully the author didn't make Cherry's lying problem as the main issue for the entire story.

What is nice also how her new family happily accept Cherry and her father, well, almost all her new family, not Honey. I didn't like her at the first, she was a typical of popular-blonde-girl, often mad for no reason, egoist, and rude. But after read some chapters i knew her more and even sympathized her when Shay was 'snatched away'. Not Cherry nor Shay's fault though, because Shay couldn't take Honey's rudeness and Cherry was a nice and cute girl who was always there to heard Shay.

Shay had a player image and every girl in town liked him. I like how Shay slowly approached Cherry in many sweet ways *amused*.

I can't wait for the next book after saw the ending part. Very thrilling! If you like light, cute and sweet like chocolate's story, this book is fit for you.
I give this 4 star, despite of the simple story, i couldn't put it down and finished it in short time ;D

Read More