Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

Title: Witch Eyes (Witch Eyes, #1)
Author: Scott Tracey
Publisher: Flux
Publication date: September 8th 2011
Pages: 332 (paperback)

Synopsis:

Braden was born with witch eyes: the ability to see the world as it truly is: a blinding explosion of memories, darkness, and magic. The power enables Braden to see through spells and lies, but at the cost of horrible pain. 

After a terrifying vision reveals imminent danger for the uncle who raised and instructed him, Braden retreats to Belle Dam, an old city divided by two feuding witch dynasties. As rival family heads Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe desperately try to use Braden's powers to unlock Belle Dam's secrets, Braden vows never to become their sacrificial pawn. But everything changes when Braden learns that Jason is his father--and Trey, the enigmatic guy he's falling for, is Catherine's son. To stop an insidious dark magic from consuming the town, Braden must master his gift—and risk losing the one he loves.

My thoughts:

I think my expectations for this book were a little bit too high. Don't get me wrong, I really liked this book, but it didn't quite blow me away like I hoped it would. The main reason I bought this book was because I rarely see YA fantasy books in the GLBT category, so I grabbed this one as soon as I heard of it. So yeah, I was a bit disappointed, but it was still a very enjoyable read.

The characters, in my opinion were great. I loved Braden, the main character, a whole lot. I liked how badass and sarcastic he was. I liked how he tried finding out what was really happening in Belle Dam, and didn't let himself be manipulated by any of the two parties involved. I also liked Trey, because although his arrogance did kind of make him look like a jackass sometimes, he does care a whole lot about Braden and tried to protect him the best he could. Together they make a great couple, and I hope everything turns out okay with them, cause the ending of the book left a cliffhanger on their relationship.

I also really liked how the author interpreted magic. I have to admit though, at first it was pretty hard for me to understand how the whole magic thing worked and how did the witches use them and all that stuff, and although I still don't understand some things, I still really liked it nonetheless.

The beginning was pretty slow, and I found myself bored at some points but I kept reading, hoping it would pick up. And it didn't take long for it to do. I liked the mystery side of it and how I couldn't figure out who I should trust and who I shouldn't. The ending did let my unsatisfied and wanting more, so I'm kinda bummed that the second book only comes out in Fall 2012. I'll make sure to grab it as soon as it comes out.

Happy Reading!

Anna

CHALLENGE: 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Details:

• Runs January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012 (books read prior to 1/1/12 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
• The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2012 than you did in 2011. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
• Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
• Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
• Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you could track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

Levels:

     Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
     Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
     Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
     I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

I am going for de 16+ more books challenge (yes i'm on fire !!!) because in 2011 my  challenge was to read only 18 books (i've read 33 so far though) and for 2012 I'm going to try to read at least 50 books.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and the French Kiss

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton

Publication date: December 2nd 2010

Pages: 372 (Hardcover)

Synopsis: 

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

My thoughts: 

Ahh, what an enjoyable read! You know, when I first saw this book on goodreads, I didn't think much of it; I usually don't read novels that are mainly focused on the romance. Yes, I put it in my to-be-read list, but it wasn't like I wanted to read it real bad. But then, I kept seeing reviews of it, saying how great it is and how it's not the usual chick-lit romance novels. So I decided that I'd give it a try and I bought. And I'm glad I did. I just regret not buying it before, because this book is so good! I must say though, it wasn't as amazing as everyone else said, but still very very good.

The first thing that really made me love this book was the setting. I mean it's Paris ! Although I have been to Paris once, it was still like discovering the city for the first time all over again. Perkins is a great author in my opinion, because of the way she describes things and places and everything else. It felt like I was visiting the city alongside with Anna and St. Clair and everyone else. 

Speaking about characters, let's start out by Anna. She was such a likable character! I mean yes, at first I was a little like "huh???" at the beginning when she kept saying how she didn't want to go study in Paris. Because I couldn't relate with that. I'd give anything to go study abroad. But anyways, the more I read the more I liked her. She's such a strong female character. She's funny and sweet and her life doesn't revolves around boys, she actually has interests and hobbies. Her interest for movies was something I really liked reading about. Sadly, while I did like her most of the time, she did get quite on my nerves during the last part of the book. I didn't like how she turned a little dramatic around the end, but hey I guess everyone has flaws.

Let's talk about St. Clair, shall we? The lovely, sweet, charming, funny, beautiful (do you guys want me to continue?) Étienne St. Clair. He was probably my favourite part of this book. He's so adorable and just so.... perfect. + he's got a British accent, what more do you want? Not only is he a great love interest, but he's also a great friend! I honestly can't think of anything negative to say about him.

Overall I think this book was such a joy to read. It gives you that warm, cozy feeling. I'd definitely keep this book in that cheer-you-up-when-you're-feeling-down list.

Happy reading!

Anna

The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Mayer

Title: Twilight Saga
Author: Stephenie Mayer
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Publication date (of the first book): October 16th 2009

My thoughts:

Warning: this review contains spoilers.

First of all, I’d like to say that yes, I did love these books the first time I read them, 3 years ago, I was kind of a fangirl over them, but then a couple of reviews opened my eyes and when I re-read them I finally realized how bad these books actually are. Not only did Stephenie Mayer copy a bunch of other vampire books, but she also succeeded at making everything she copied 10 times worse. 

Also, I don’t know for you guys, but reading these books made me have such bad headaches. I mean the writing. The writing. I don’t know if she didn’t have an editor or something, but I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW CAN BOOKS THIS BADLY WRITTEN BE PUBLISHED. There are so many grammar and syntactical errors that even for me, who doesn’t have English as my first language, noticed them. Not to mention that the dialogues between the characters were atrocious. You know what also surprises me, though? When I read reviews of people who read tons of books and are really good in English and stuff and they say these books are well written. It baffles me. I don’t know what they read, but it can’t be this Saga if they say it’s well written. 

Now let’s talk about what probably is the worse aspect of the Twilight Saga. THE CHARACTERS. Bella Swan is probably the character I hate the most of all the books I read. I hate her with a fury passion. She’s just a mary-sue…. or no, rather it’s just Stephenie Mayer who represented herself as Bella. Bella has absolutely no personality whatsoever AND she’s an idiot. In four books I hardly learned anything about her except what she likes to eat for breakfast and that she “was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with [Edward Cullen]. Oh God, kill me now. And what’s up with all these people loving her like she’s the most amazing human on earth. Everyone loves her; everyone wants to be her friend. BUT WHY? There’s nothing appealing about her at. She’s boring, stupid, arrogant, selfish and the only thing she does is complain ALL THE FUCKING TIME. It’s the only thing she’s good at. “Oh no it’s raining, I hate rain, my life sucks”, “Oh no Edward didn’t look at me today”, “OH NOOO, WHY IS EVERYONE IN LOVE WITH ME? MY LIFE IS SOOO HARD”. Ugh, shut up.

Edward. Ok, I could understand why some people love him so much, but when you really look at him, he’s nothing else than a creepy stalker. And before thinking that you want a boyfriend like him think about this: Would you like a boyfriend that watches you while you sleep, that breaks something in you car so you can’t go see your guy friend, that controls your every movement, won’t let you out of his sight and insults you. NO I DON’T THINK SO. 
So Edward and Bella’s relationship was just a big joke for me. First of all I don’t even understand why he’d fall in love with a silly little girl like her, who's not even a little interesting.

And last but not least, I’d like to mention some of the things these books teach people. 1. How important it is to have a boyfriend, how you CAN’T live without having a boyfriend. Remember in New Moon when Edward left Bella? And then Mayer decided to skip four (I believe it was four, I’m not quite sure) whole months of Bella’s life. What does that tell you? That when your boyfriend leaves you, you don’t have a life anymore. So girls, make sure you have a boyfriend, ok? Cause otherwise, 2. JUST KILL YOURSELF. Now remember when that dumb girl decided to jump off a cliff? Yeah? Wow, what a great message for teens, right? 3. P.E.D.O.P.H.I.L.I.A. I don’t care if Edward looks like a 17-year-old boy, BECAUSE MENTALLY HE’S STILL A 107 YEAR OLD MAN. If he weren’t a vampire he’d be a 107-year-old man in love with a 17-year-old teenage girl. And I don’t think anyone would be interested in reading such a book, I’m sure of it. Also I won’t even talk of Jacob, who in Breaking Dawn, imprints Bella and Edward girl who was born not even 10 minutes ago. Now I won’t go in details of the other messages that these books contain but just to name a few: abuse, anti-feminism, teenage pregnancy, selfishness, don’t get to attached to your friends cause they’re just a backup group of people who you don’t really like, you stand in the way of your mom’s and boyfriend happiness, so go away, if your boyfriend is mean to you, it doesn’t matter, just love him even more, if you fall in love with someone then leave your family for them, AND SO ON.

You know, I find it quite funny when I see some people say “But you don’t have to analyze it too much, it’s just for fun”. No it’s not. I’m not going to pretend that these messages aren’t there, that the characters, the 

writing and everything else aren’t bad. If you want to do that then go ahead, but it’s still there.

Now I’m gonna finish this here because the more a write the more anger I have for Twilight. 

Happy reading !

Anna

Book haul !

These are the books I bought at the end of November. I have received some of my Christmas books already, but I'm waiting till Christmas to make a big book haul.

1. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

I am actually currently reading this book and I am liking it a lot so far ! I think I might even like it a little bit more than Anna and the French Kiss.

1. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

I cannot wait to read this book ! I loved loved loved the first book, The Maze Runner, and I'm so excited to know what happens next.

3. An abundance of Katherines 

This is the only John Green book I haven't read yet (that are out) and since I loved all of John Green's books I've read so far, I have huge expectations for this one. I might not read it for a few more months, but I'm still very excited !

Happy reading !
Anna

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner, #1)

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Delacorte Press Books

Publication date: October 6th 2009

Pages: 375 (Softcover)

Synopsis:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recolection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty. 

But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls. 

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don's know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark. 

The Gladers were expecting Thomas' arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up- the first girl ever to arrive at the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable. 

And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers- if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

My thoughts:

What an incredible book. I absolutely adored it. This book just confirmed even more that dystopia is my favourite genre. I don't know what about dystopia fascinates me so much, maybe it's to read about all these futuristic worlds that each author creates, and to see how the characters live in it. And James Dashner succeeded to grab my attention from the moment I picked this book up. I liked discovering the Glade, finding out how these young teenage boys learned to live in it, but not only live in it but keep an order as well, despite their young age and their terror. 

I read a few reviews, and most of them said how they found the beginning of this book really slow, but in my opinion, it wasn't at all. Yes there wasn't much action at the beginning but I think those chapters were important to introduce us to this world, to the Glade, the Maze and the characters. The characters. I loved almost each and every one of them. I loved how they were strong even in this world of confusion and terror. I could connect with them, feel their frustration and that just made me enjoy this book so much. The only character I didn't feel much for was Teresa. It might be because she appeared so late in the book, but I really didn't feel any connection for her, I even wish she wasn't in the book. I don't think she brought much to the story, but that might be just me.

Overall, I think the world building and the plot were ingenious.  Definitely a well deserved 5 stars !

Happy reading !

Anna

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Publication date: March 27th 2007

Pages: 485 (Hardcover)

Synopsis:

When fiften-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. 

My thoughts: 

Warning: this review contains spoilers.

I'm giving this a 1.5, but honestly, I almost gave it a 1 star. It took me more than two months to finish this book. I started it and read ~100 pages but I just couldn't get into it. But then, a couple of weeks later,  I picked it up again and continued reading and at around 200 pages I started liking it. I was hoping that it would keep being good but not... one hundred pages later it started being as bad as it started out. There were just so many things that bothered me in this book. Let's talk about some of them:

First of all, the main character: Clary. She was one of the most annoying characters I have ever read about. She was almost as bad as Bela Swan, which says a lot. Firstly, I don't know if the author tried to make her courageous, but it seemed like that. Well I have a message for the author: doing something without thinking about it for even a second is. not. courageous. Clary kept doing that the whole time. Like the time where Simon was a rat and they were in the vampire den. Jace was trying to work things out so that they could get out of there safe WITH Simon, but Clary just got tired of waiting around and watching them talk so what does she do? She runs straight to the vampire who's holding Simon (as a rat) and takes it from him. I'm sorry but what? Right, there are hundreds of vampires around you but it doesn't matter, just run to them and make your situation even batter. Ughhhh !!!! Clary = idiot. Other thing that bothered me: she was such a hypocritical character. The whoooole time, when she was seeing someone who didn't seem as interested at finding her mother she would start being all rude to them; ''why don't you help?!!'' and bla bla bla. But THEN, she said at least 3 times ''I felt so happy that I even forgot about my mother and about Simon'' really? And just the fact that she was so rude to some people made me hate her even more.

Next thing that I didn't like: Jace and Clary. Together. So like I said, I really don't like Clary, but I also didn't really like Jace. I mean he wasn't as bad as Clary obviously, but I just didn't get attached to him either. So the fact that the main couple is them just irks me. I don't see anything interesting about them, I was always bored in the chapters when they were only the two of them and I just wished it would finish already so I can read about the few characters that I'm actually interested to read about. I honestly don't understand what Jace can see in that girl. 

Last thing I would like to point out in the things I didn't like is the writing. ugh, the writing. This book was so poorly written that sometimes I just wanted to throw the book across my room. 

Now, I would also like to talks about some things that I did like:


Isabelle, Alec and Magnus. I would like to add Simon to that list, but unfortunately I really liked him at the beginning but then not so much. Anyways, let's talk about them. Those three are the only characters that I actually really enjoyed. And the only chapters that I liked were the ones where they were in them. I couldn't wait for the chapters with Jace and Clary to end so that I could read about Isabelle, Alec and Magnus. They were entertaining and interesting, unlike the other characters. Quite frankly, the only thing that really interests me and makes me want to read the rest of the series is Magnus and Alec's relationship. I can't wait to read more about them, because they're such a perfect couple. And they're the only reason I gave this book 1.5 instead of just 1. I would like to see how they develop and what will happen with them.

Happy reading !

Anna