Book Review - "The Goddess Test" trilogy

Welcome to Ancient Greece in modern times!! This trilogy is interesting in the way it presents the Greek gods/goddesses and how they actually behave.

So we start off with Kate Winters and her very sick mother. They are moving to her mother's home of Eden, Michigan so she can spend her final days there. Kate is finishing high school and has been preparing for this day for a long time, but her mother is all she has in the world. She meets some interesting people at school, like the friendly James, the popular/bitchy Ava, the rude playboy/Ava's boyfriend Dylan, and a secretary named Irene who knows all about Kate's mom. Ava invites Kate to a party at a mysterious manor that is surrounded by greenery and fences. Kate is reluctant to go, but follows Ava. After a terrible accident, Kate's life changes forever. She meets Hades, the god of the Underworld, who now goes by Henry. He heals Ava and asks Kate to participate in the goddess test. Kate must stay with him for half of the year and pass a series of test administered by the Council (aka the other gods/goddesses) and if she does not pass she will either die or be sent away with no memory of what has happened for the last 6 months. Every woman that has participated in these tests so far has died, and Henry is ready to give up. If this happens, then Henry will fade or cease to exist.

Kate refuses to join this until Henry offers to help her mother. He tells her that he cannot heal her, but he can keep her alive. Kate readily agrees, against James many warnings. Kate moves into Eden manor where she is taken care of by the sweet Calliope and the brash Ella. They dress her, test her food for her, and make sure she has everything she needs. Ava follows her to Eden manor as a ghost as she died when Kate refused Henry the 1st time. Kate also runs into Irene from the school who is her mythology or history teacher. Kate tries to adjust to her new life and get to know Henry, but it's hard when he keeps up a constant wall. How do you get to know someone who won't let you in? Kate eventually makes her way into his heart and learns that he is still hurt and in love with his former wife Persephone. She was the daughter of Demeter and she had an arranged marriage with Hades. He was madly in love with her and she did not return his affections. Eventually she fell in love with a human named Adonis and Hades/Henry granted her mortality so that she could grow old and die with the man she truly loved. Obviously this destroyed Henry's heart and this creates a big obstacle for Kate. She meets with her mother every night in her dreams and discusses it with her. Kate falls for Henry, and it's hard to tell, but he does fall for her to. It's a sweet read. Until Kate is murdered. Yup. You read that part right. Things go horribly wrong with a major plot twist and that is all I'm going to tell you.

However, this is a trilogy so I'm sure you can guess that either Kate doesn't really die, she's brought back to life, or it was some crazy dream or something. Otherwise, this would have been a 1 book and done kind of thing.

The following books are good, but I do think the first was the best. The 2nd book had a part or 2 that infuriated me to no end, and I'm still angry when I think about it, so that obviously skews my view of it. Read it and you'll understand. The 3rd book brings a very interesting view of the Titan Cronus and is a heartbreaking and interesting read.

I definitely recommend these books (especially if you like Greek mythology).

Book Review - "The Glittering Court"

I have very mixed feeling about this book to be honest...at first I was intrigued, then I was bored, then I was annoyed, and then I wanted to know what was going to happen.

The story starts with the Countess of Rothford whose name is Elizabeth. Her family is having money troubles and she is supposed to marry her 2nd cousin, but she refuses. She wants to be free. A man named Cedric comes to her home to recruit one of her maids, Ada, to The Glittering Court. Cedric's father started a company where they train young women of low stature and auction them off in the new world, Adoria, to be the new royalty. Ada gets very upset and Elizabeth comforts her. She's very drawn to Cedric, but has no idea why. After he leaves, Elizabeth pays off Ada and sends her home. Elizabeth assumes her identity- Adelaide Bailey, and runs away to join the Court. On her way to the manor house she is joined by 2 other women in the carriage. We meet Tamsin, a laundress daughter, and Mira, a Sirminican refugee who will become Adelaide's closest friends. On their way to the manor, Cedric and his father join them in the carriage. Cedric cannot believe what he is seeing and immediately recognizes Adelaide/Elizabeth, but says nothing.

At the manor, Adelaide tries to blend in and pretend that she is clueless per Cedric's request. She becomes close with Tamsin and Mira. Tamsin is extremely driven and wants to be the top girl in their class. She wants to be the diamond. Around Christmas time, Adelaide discovers that Cedric has a dangerous secret so they come up with a plan to make the best for everyone involved. Adelaide does a complete 180 in her classes and wins the top spot (as she should, since she has learned these things her entire life). With Adelaide as the Diamond girl and the most coveted woman of The Glittering Court, new complications arise.

The trip to Adoria proves to be dangerous and once they arrive, Adelaide catches the eye of the Governor's son. Out of everything that is going on in her life, the most dangerous complication will be the growing attraction between Adelaide and Cedric. Will she marry the Governor's son and help Cedric with his secret, or will she and Cedric be together in the dangers of the New World with targets on their backs?

Book Review - "Autumn's Kiss" by Bella Thorne

I don't even know what to say about this book. I'm so disappointed in it.

***SPOILERS AHEAD***


Ok so it starts off and everyone is suddenly friends and everything has been swept under the rug. I guess that's nice, but there is no resolution from the previous book for the reader. It ends and everyone Renzie is mad at Autumn and Sean is mad at both of them, but now they're all best friends. It's just ridiculous. I'm sorry, but that's not how high school works. It'd be great if it did, but it's not.

Now Autumn has a map that can take her wherever she wants to go. That's cool. It's random, but you get used to it. Autumn finally meets Kyler Leeds and he ends up being a weird character...he's part douche bag but also part sweet guy.

Sean and Autumn finally go out, and it's nice until he cheats on her with Renzie. How does Autumn know this? She appears in his closet on their vacation and witnesses them hooking up. Of course she's devastated, and JJ is there to pick up the pieces. They start going out before Sean even gets back and when he does come back he is pissed at Autumn for breaking up with him via text message and blocking him. Autumn ends up feeling guilty for it and doesn't really feel the same about JJ as he feels about her. What. the. F. I don't think so. She's made to feel bad for breaking up with her boyfriend for cheating on her? Hell no! He says that he felt so guilty that he threw up the next morning and the only reason it happened was because they had been drinking. I'm sorry, but that's crap. He and Renzie end up dating later on. I think Autumn had every right to break up with him. He never would have told her what happened if she hadn't of found out. He really didn't care about her.

With that being said, Autumn is a bitch for jumping into a relationship with JJ so quickly and leading him on. How terrible. He has been nothing but good to her and that is how she is going to repay him? I just can't believe the author made Autumn become such an all over the place character. I also can't believe how guilty she makes Autumn feel about Sean. I think that makes me angrier than any of it. She has no reason to feel guilty. It's ridiculous.

This whole disaster ends with a party at Autumn's where everyone shows up except JJ. The only reason they show up is because Kyler Leeds sends each of her friends a personalized video inviting them there. Sean and Renzie are there as a couple which is a douche move. I thought they were all friends? That doesn't seem very friendly to me. Then Autumn sneaks away and decides to poof off to where Kyler Leeds is. The f?

I just don't even know. The first book was so cute....and this one started off ok I guess, but it ended horribly. I think I'm done with Autumn Falls and her friends.

Book Review - "The Siren" by Kiera Cass

I'm not really sure where to start with this book. The premise is very interesting and unusual. It took me a little while to adjust to it, but once I did I liked it. I liked the bond between the Sirens, I thought it was realistic and yet something that everyone wants. I guess I liked everything but the end. I like HOW it ended (for the most part), but I don't like the WAY it ended. That still makes no sense, but I can't explain without spoilers.

This book is about a Siren named Kahlen. She was saved by the Ocean (who is basically a spirit) when she was drowning after hearing the Siren song. She agreed to spend the next century as a Siren and lure humans to the depths of the Ocean with their song. The Ocean became like a mother figure for her since she lost hers. The girls live on land in together in cities but are forbidden to speak. If they do, whatever human hears their voice will go straight to the Ocean and kill themselves. Kahlen has always been very careful not to speak or bond with anyone that isn't her Siren sisters. She's the oldest one living in the house with the others in Florida. She's unlike her sisters in the fact that she feels immense guilt after each Song and she actually keeps scrapbooks of each shipwreck because of her guilt.

Kahlen meets a boy named Akinli at the library and he is unlike anyone she has ever met. He realizes she can't speak, and he's ok with that. He still talks to her and even gets her a pen/notepad to write with. Kahlen is taken aback by his kindness and she starts to fall for him. They have a date and afterwards, Kahlen freaks out and is afraid of falling in love with him so she forces the girls to move to another state. This basically begins a long journey of Kahlen being depressed and the others being annoyed/worried with her. Once the Ocean realizes what is happening, it/she becomes furious with Kahlen. Kahlen runs away and runs into Akinli who offers her a place to stay with him and his cousins.

Things look great for a little while, until Kahlen makes a major mistake and bargains with the Ocean who adds even more time to her "sentence." Kahlen is devastated about it and her sisters try to help her. Then Kahlen begins to get sick and no one can explain why. She is a Siren and supposed to be inhuman so she should never get sick or need sleep. The girls work over time to find out how they can save Kahlen and what Akinli has to do with it.


***SPOILERS*** IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK THEN SCROLL PAST THIS PART!!!

So basically the fact that Akinli heard her voice and without hearing his voice anymore they're both dying. Like seriously?! He's dying without her voice and she's dying without his. The only solution was to turn her back into a human which was really sad because the girls lost their sister. Akinli's family finds her and once he sees her he starts feeling better which is all fine and dandy, except she doesn't remember him. It's sweet that she feels like she loves him without remembering, but the fact that she doesn't remember anything of what they went through makes me feel cheated. Honestly, this whole ending makes me feel cheated and like I wasted my time. I wanted Akinli and Kahlen together, but I also wanted her to be able to remember her Siren life. I realize that was probably too much to ask of Kiera Cass, but still...I feel like the ending was lame and uncreative. I was expecting more.

***NO MORE SPOILERS***








Overall, I like the idea but I am disappointed with the ending...I was expecting more and wanted a little more razzle dazzle.

I give this book 3 stars.

Book Review - "The Elite" by Kiera Cass

Wowwww. That's all I can say after reading this book. Never have I been so elated, nervous, excited, and embarrassed by a book before. I think that's one of my favorite things about Cass' writing is she has the ability to make you feel exactly what America feels, including being embarrassed for her.

In this book things start of going well between Maxon and America. So well in fact that he throws a Halloween ball for her. He plans on proposing to her and ending the Selection, but things never go quite so easily. Marlee has a major secret revealed which comes between America and Maxon. Maxon is driven to another one of the Elite which only drives the wedge further between our estranged couple. Of course America turns to Aspen in secret which drives me crazy. Things with the rebels only worsen as does the stress of the competition.

The girls are assigned a project which they will present to all of Illea on the Report and in anger, America chooses abolishing the caste system. Needless to say this does not sit well with the King and Maxon ends up taking a beating for her. It is made very clear that the King does not approve of America and she is nearly sent home for her choice.


I love this book and this series for that matter. I can't wait to keep reading to find out what happens between Maxon and America.



Overall, I give this book 5 stars and say it is a MUST READ!

Book Review - "The Selection" by Kiera Cass

This book was so crazy. I mean nothing too crazy happens, but the love story is just-ah! It gave me so much anxiety and so many knots in my stomach (the good kind). I love America Singer and I would love to be her best friend. I also love her relationship with her younger sister May and how much she cares for her family (even when they're annoying).

I feel like America is kind of awkward. She's also blunt and wears her heart on her sleeve, but she's still a spitfire. She's so relatable. Another thing I love about her is how close she is with her maids. They are there to serve her but she is always looking out for them and when the palace is under attack, she is concerned for their safety. It's something both Maxon and I love about her.

I am team Maxon and not team Aspen. America deserves better. She deserves to be treated like a lady and taken care of. Plus, Maxon was willing to implement a system of getting food to the lower castes simply because America shared her opinion about their struggles. They are so cute together. The fact that he tells her he'd send everyone home if he knew she loved him, I just- I can't. I was squealing like a 13 year old girl. 

Overall, I love this book and can't wait to continue along with the series. I hope to see America's relationship with Prince Maxon grow and I want him to pick her. 

5 stars for America Singer!! (and May, Marlee, Prince Maxon, Lucy, Anne, and Mary)

Book Review - "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard

Red blooded thief, Mare Barrow, is a 17 year old girl living amongst the other red blooded people in a destitute village called The Stilts while the silver blooded people live a life of luxury. A person with red blood is ordinary and boring, but a person with silver blood is like a god. Silver blooded people have powers and ability like manipulating water, great strength, multiplying...etc. It is with these powers that they can keep the Reds in line, and everyone knows it. 

As a result the Reds are forced to fight the Silvers war for absolutely nothing. Mare's 3 older brothers are all off in the war and she and her best friend Kilorn are next. In a desperate attempt to escape conscription, Mare is involved in accident that ruins her family's future plans. She ends up getting a job working at the King's summer palace and during a twist of fate Mare's entire world changes. She is a Red with Silver powers. How is this possible?! 

To save face, the King and Queen announce that Mare is actually a long lost Silver from a noble house and she is Lady Mareena Titanos. She is betrothed to the King's second son, Prince Maven. She is a sheep thrown into a wolves world and she must act like she is one of them- her life and her family's lives depend on it. Her only allies in this new life are the Princes, Cal and Maven. 

This book is full of little twists leading up to one big one. It's crazy. The book is we written and flows well. The characters are both intriguing and confusing,but I love it. After all, can you really trust a Silver?

I really liked this book a lot. Once I started reading it, it was hard to put it down. Between the romance aspect, the secrets aspect, and the fact that Mare is kind of a tough cookie- it has a little bit of everything.

I give it 4.5 stars and look forward to more from Victoria Aveyard.

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Book Review - "Autumn Falls" by Bella Thorne

This book was kind of a surprise to me. I saw it in Books-A-Million and I was drawn to the cover (it sparkles) so I bought it on a whim. After I bought it, I regretted it and almost took it back. My laziness, however, made sure that didn't happen and I figured I should at least give it a chance.

**SPOILER ALERT** Skip to the end if you don't want the book to be spoiled for you ;)

The book starts off with a twist. Autumn is cooking a meal for her father who is returning home from a business trip. She is attempting to make up with him after a big fight they've had about him moving the family to Florida to be closer to his mother. As the Falls family gets ready to leave for the airport, Mrs. F. gets a phone call and finds out her husband has been in an accident.

Flash foward and we find out that Autumn's father died in a car accident and her mother forced them to go through with the move anyways. Autumn is less than pleased about living in Florida and having to switch schools. She makes a friend, JJ on the way to school on her first day which is of course a relief for her. She embarrasses herself in homeroom by being a klutz and I strangely liked this. Clearly Autumn is not perfect. She's not some flawless girl who glides through life and let's everyone else fight for her. She's realistic. A cute guy in her homeroom, Sean, is kind enough to help her and is the only one there who is nice to her. Autumn makes friends with JJ's friends and things are looking up.

Unfortunately for Autumn, the attention she is getting from Sean makes her the number 1 enemy of the school's queen bee who was now determined to ruin her life. Autumn goes to visit her "crazy" grandma who gives her a "magical" journal which was a gift from her late father. Supposedly anything she wished for in it would come true- unless it just couldn't (like bringing someone back from the dead). She realizes soon enough that there is purpose for using the journal.

Personally I was nervous about the aspect of a magical journal, but it wasn't insane. Unicorns weren't running around town and crazy stuff wasn't happening. Autumn wasn't even sure for most of the book that the journal was magic. Almost everything it did could be explained as coincidence. I just like that it wasn't overly used. I like that there was a little bit of romance but it was completely believable for high schoolers. It's not like "oh I've found the love of my life who I'll be with forever," like in a lot of books. I also like that her love life is a mess. I mean what high school girls' isn't? I think some of the bullying was exaggerated and the fact that the queen bee would go through all of the trouble to make that website seems a little far fetched, but what do I know? But boy were these kids so mean to this girl when they just met her. Who does that?! It was kind of infuriating.

Also, I know Bella Thorne is dyslexic and I am really glad that Autumn is too. I think this is such a good forum for being open about dyslexia and encouraging those who have it and informing those who don't. I was really happy about that.

Overall, I think this book was a good read. It kept me interested and it was fairly fast paced. It ends in a way where there is closure, but there is also an opening for it to continue (which I hope it does). I'd really like to hear more from Autumn and her crazy group of friends.


I give it 4 stars and look forward to more from Bella Thorne.

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