Book Review | Dark Horses by Cecily von Ziegesar

When I heard that the author of Gossip Girl was releasing a new novel, I was so excited! Gossip Girl is such a fun and cool series, so I knew that Cecily von Ziegesar would bring another awesome book to the public: Dark Horses.

Summary:
Ever since her grandmother died, Merritt has not been the same. She feels like she doesn't really want to live anymore. Her parents decide to put her in Good Fences, a rehabilitation facility for girls, in hopes that Merritt will get better. At Good Fences, girls are assigned horses, and they must bond with their horses as part of therapy.
Merritt is assigned Red, a menace and terror in the barn. Surprisingly, Red takes well to Merritt and the two become an unstoppable force in hunter/jumper circuit. However, Merritt begins to feel attracted to Beatrice, Red's groom, and Carvin, her competition. Despite Merritt's unsure attraction, Red won't let anyone or anything come between Merritt and him.

What I didn't know was that this book is told in dual perspectives: Merritt's and Red's. Right from the start, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about reading from the perspective of a horse. At first, it was definitely weird and slightly uncomfortable. Yet, it grew on me (although I'm still unsure how I feel about it).

As far as characters go, I felt that the characters were inconsistent. I didn't really have a problem with Merritt's character. I understood her sort of pain and sadness; however, as the book progressed, the middle part felt like she was a slightly different character. She felt slightly distant as a character, and I felt that I didn't really know her well. The side characters such as Carvin and Beatrice felt very flat and somewhat unreal, like every time they were mentioned they were slightly different from the last time they appeared in the story. The only character that I felt was the same was Red.

I pretty much hated the parents. I felt like they were "fake" parents. They were basically never there for Merritt, and they practically abandoned her at Good Fences without any discussion or anything.

I did like Merritt and Red's relationship, but I was slightly weirded out. I suppose it was Red's possessiveness and the fact that I had to keep reminding myself that he was an animal. Yet, their bond was quite heartwarming.

I was not the biggest fan of Merritt's love life. I found it somewhat rushed. I also did not understand the unexpected and unlikely relationship aspect. In the end, the love aspect was okay, but I still thought it was rushed.

The ending, I think, was a really great one. I thought the ending brought everything together very nicely. It was bittersweet, but partially hopeful.

I rate this book a 3.25/5 stars. Overall, I found Dark Horses okay and somewhat enjoyable. I didn't really hate it, nor did I really like it.


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☞Dark Horses by Cecily von Ziegesar
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Book Review | Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

As usual, Rainbow Rowell never fails to impress me. I can't believe this book took me so long to read, but I finally did it! I finished Carry On by Rainbow Rowell.

Summary (from Goodreads):
Simon Snow just wants to relax and savor his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, but no one will let him. His girlfriend broke up with him, his best friend is a pest, and his mentor keeps trying to hide him away in the mountains where maybe he’ll be safe. Simon can’t even enjoy the fact that his roommate and longtime nemesis is missing, because he can’t stop worrying about the evil git. Plus there are ghosts. And vampires. And actual evil things trying to shut Simon down. When you’re the most powerful magician the world has ever known, you never get to relax and savor anything.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story — but far, far more monsters.

Honestly, I was not expecting to connect with the characters as much. I also was not expecting to find this story as appealing as much since it is technically a fanfiction. However, I did really like this book. It took me awhile to get through this book, especially since the magic system took some getting used to. The fact that Rainbow Rowell is a contemporary author who was writing a fantasy novel was also quite apparent. The book did not have the same magical feel, but rather a contemporary novel with some magicky (I know that's not a real word I apologize but my vocabulary is lacking) vibes.

Prior to reading this, I was a little scared that the story would resemble Harry Potter too much, a rational fear of course. But I was pleasantly surprised that the story had striking differences. For example, the Humdrum was such a cool concept.

I found the characters really fun. Penelope was such a great character. And then of course, Simon and Baz were fantastic. I liked Simon okay, but Baz is probably my favorite character. He was witty, snarky, and clever.

Unsurprisingly, the romance was my favorite part. Rainbow Rowell writes a wonderful romance story. I adored every second of the Simon/Baz romance.

I rated this book a 4.5/5 stars. I absolutely loved Carry On, and the fact that this is technically a fanfaction always messed with my mind. Like so in the actual (fictional) Simon Snow books, Simon and Baz don't get together? I refuse to accept that!

Book Review | Nora & Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

I received Nora & Kettle for review, and by the synopsis, I thought I would enjoy it. A Peter Pan retelling during World War II? Heck yes! But I was not expecting to love this book so much.
(You can watch my video version of this review as well as learn more information about a giveaway for this book!)

Summary:
A loosely-based Peter Pan retelling, Nora & Kettle tells the story of two teenagers who face

endless hardships during 1953 in America. Nora belongs to a wealthy family, yet she lives under constant abuse. Her home is filled with violence that worsens when her mother dies. Kettle is Japanese-American orphan who struggles with life on the street and simply surviving. These two are unexpectedly brought together when Kettle pulls Nora from her window one night. Alone, these two are merely trying to survive. But together, they might just live.

I absolutely adored this book. The writing was spectacularly lyrical and moving. I found that nearly every line was a work of poetry. The style flowed and moved effortlessly. Since the book is told in dual perspectives, I found that the voices were distinct from one another.

The characters were wonderful. I sympathized with both of their hardships. Their stories truly moved me, and I couldn't help but root for their happiness right from the start.

Since Nora & Kettle is a Peter Pan retelling, there were some Peter Pan references such as the "Lost Boys" and the urge to fly.

Lauren Nicolle Taylor did an amazing job exposing the prejudices that Japanese Americans faced during World War II. Additionally, she exposed the horrors of domestic violence. Reading about Nora's abuse was absolutely heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed the interactions between Nora and Kettle. The interactions were somewhat awkward at times, but they were also extremely sweet. I loved the unsaid understanding between the two characters.

Overall, the book was well-paced. I never found myself bored with the story or indifferent towards the characters. The ending was ultimately hopeful, and I loved that. I gave this book a 4.5/5 stars.

Anime Review | Say "I Love You"

I'm still beaming from this anime. Say "I Love You" is probably the cutest anime I've watched in awhile. I mean, apart from Maid-Sama but still.

Summary:
Mei Tachibana is an extremely shy and introverted girl. She's never really made friends

I do not own this!

because she believes that people will ultimately betray her in the end. But then she meets Yamato Kurosawa, and he ends up making her believe in the goodness of people again.

Wow, this anime is just so cute! I really sympathized and related Mei's character. I found Mei's character growth and development to be great and such a wonderful thing to watch unfold. I absolutely loved Yamato. He was an all-around great guy, and he gets Mei to trust and to befriend other people again. Not to mention that their relationship was the cutest.

Mei's whole new group of friends were fantastic characters as well. I loved Asami and Nakanishi. At first, I wasn't the biggest fan of Aiko, but as the anime continued, I've grown to love her. She's a great addition to the group and a wonderful friend to Mei.

Although the anime had some weak points (*cough cough* the last episode...), I still really enjoyed Say "I Love You."

Anime Review | Tokyo Ghoul

More anime yay! I actually started this show a long time ago; however, I never found the time to finish it until now. And man, after the last episode of Tokyo Ghoul, I am so sad.

I do not own this picture!

Summary:
Kaneki Ken is a regular college student. One day, he goes on a date with Rize Kamishiro. The date goes well enough, but that's until Rize reveals to Kaneki that she's a ghoul: an individual with superhuman powers that can only survive off of human flesh. After Kaneki barely survives his deadly encounter with Rize, he wakes up the next morning only to find that he has undergone an operation and that some of his organs are from Rize, making him half-ghoul. Constantly torn between his ghoul side and his human side, Kaneki can barely cope. After being taken in by a group of ghouls from a coffee shop called Anteiku, Kaneki learns how to be a ghoul while simultaneously trying to be human.

First of all, I absolutely loved the art and design of this anime. The animation was beautiful, and I loved how real everything seemed.

Honestly, my heart broke for poor Kaneki. He was just a kid who did his schoolwork and went to school. Then he has to go through so much hardship! Aw, I sympathized with Kaneki so much. However, he went through a complete metamorphosis and I'm proud of the kid.

The soundtrack was fantastic too. The music fit perfectly with the show.

Hide! Hide was such a wonderful character. I loved his friendship with Kaneki. He was so sacrificial towards Kaneki, and I absolutely loved his character. Although he was a light-hearted jokester in the beginning, he really showed what a wonderful friend he was.

All of the ghouls at Anteiku were great. They were like a wonderful family. They embraced each other's eccentricities and helped each other until the very end. I really loved Toka as well. She was a strong character who had such a hopeful ending.

I really enjoyed the CCG investigators, especially Arima. He had a great backstory, and I admired his strength. Juzo was also such a fun character.

Tokyo Ghoul was an incredibly enjoyable anime. Although it was heartbreaking, I loved every second of it.

CAMP NANOWRIMO 2016

Whoa! Guess who's participating in Camp NaNoWriMo for the very first time ever? Me! I've always wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November; however, I'm never prepared. This time, I'm finally prepared and ready to write my novel.

I've always been a big writer (although not the greatest writer... whoops). I always loved creating stories and making up an entirely different world. Like reading, writing allows me to travel to new places. Yet, as much as I love writing, I've never been able to create a story that I'm wholeheartedly proud of. Now, I believe that 2016 will be my writing year.

I decided to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo in hopes that I will be able to complete the first draft of my novel. Along the way, I decided to weekly vlog my experience. The vlogs will be up on my channel, unlisted, but I will embed them here or link them or something.

I truly hope I will be able to win Camp NaNoWriMo and complete my first book!

My NaNoWriMo profile if you'd like to friend me. (:

Book Review | Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Since the movie is coming out soon (or has it already come out?), I decided I would read the book.

Summary:
Louisa Clark is a woman in her late twenties who's life has always been the same. However, that is until she loses her long-time job at the Buttered Bun tea shop. Now, Lou is forced to

interview as a caretaker of a quadriplegic to make ends meet for her family. Inexperienced, Lou doesn't believe that she'll land the job. Unexpectedly, Lou gets the job and becomes the caretaker of Will Traynor, a man who had a full life ahead of him until his accident. Lou tries to do her best to bring color back into Will's gray life. What Lou doesn't expect is that Will might do the same to hers.

I did enjoy Me Before You; however, I felt emotionally detached from the characters. I felt as if I didn't really know them; therefore, I didn't really care for them. Although I did like Will and Louisa, I didn't absolutely love them. I simply didn't have the connection I wanted with the characters.

I also wished that I could have read more interactions between Will and Louisa instead of a summary of what had happened.

However, I did really like the setting. The setting was a quaint little town in Britain, and I loved it.

I rated Me Before You about a 3/5 stars, sadly. In a way, I was somewhat disappointed by this book. But I do hope that maybe I'll feel more sympathy for the characters in the movie adaptation.