Paper Princess Review WITH SPOILERS

Paper Princess by Erin Watt

Review WITH SPOILERS
3 out of 5 Stars

First things first- this is not a young adult novel, so do not read this if you are not old enough. :)
I had heard this title floating around before with great things being said about it, so I decided to pick it up. Paper Princess was good, but I'm not sure if it lived up to the hype that was surrounding it for me. I still enjoyed it! But at the same time, I would not recommend it to all my friends and I don't think it would be one of the top books I would recommend. It was a very interesting and the writing was so easy to read. There were just one too many really uncomfortable moments for me, and I think part of the reason that they were so uncomfortable is because we suddenly meet these Royals and they aren't developed so well...... There's definitely lots of room for them to grow and develop, which I am really hoping happens in the next book. Which, by the way, I will be reading. This book may have just not been my thing, so if you are looking for a new adult romance, then this will definitely fit the bill.



SPOILERS AHEAD

CHARACTERS:

Ella: While I love how her character is so independent and strong, but she's also rash. A part of me actually appreciates this aspect of her character because it is a reminder that she is still only 17 and does not have the maturity of an adult, nor should she, even though she has had to take care of herself for the past two years.

Reed: When I said earlier that there is room for these characters to be developed, I was thinking especially about Reed. The thing is, he is developed really well in book 1, but I feel like there is still more to him that could be developed in the next book. He is like the dad of the family. That is my current hypothesis at this moment. His own dad is always gone and he cares so much about his brothers that I think he has taken over the responsibility of looking out for them in whatever way he needs to. *cough the ending cough*. I don't think (I hope) that he ended up sleeping with Brooke at the end because of some ulterior motive. I really hope so, and I think that goes with his character too.

PLOT:

I'm trying to figure out right now what the major plot line was. Ella gets taken to rich neighborhood. She meets creepy bratty family. Earns their trust. Trust broken. There were no really compelling plot lines in the book. The entire thing was about Ella and Reed. Huh.

WRITING:

The writing was easy to read, and I think the only spots where I wasn't necessarily enjoying the book weren't out of the words so much as the character development and lack of knowing the Royals. If the family is developed more, I think I would enjoy this book a lot better because then I think a lot of the creepy factor would be taken out. They would seem more human to me? And by that I mean that they would seem more humane and less inconsiderate.

I'm pretty sure I have said stuff like this in other reviews, but just because I did not love this book does not mean other people won't too. Who knows- maybe I'll love the next two books. I personally found the character development to be lacking, and as a result of that, there were times that I was really feeling a creepy factor and I did not enjoy that. I will continue on with the next book though, because I really am hoping that the characters will be developed more and we get to know them better.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Paper Princess

 Paper Princess by Erin Watt

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First things first- this is not a young adult novel, so do not read this if you are not old enough. :)

I had heard this title floating around before with great things being said about it, so I decided to pick it up. Paper Princess was good, but I'm not sure if it lived up to the hype that was surrounding it for me. I still enjoyed it! But at the same time, I would not recommend it to all my friends and I don't think it would be one of the top books I would recommend. It was a very interesting and the writing was so easy to read. There were just one too many really uncomfortable moments for me, and I think part of the reason that they were so uncomfortable is because we suddenly meet these Royals and they aren't developed so well...... There's definitely lots of room for them to grow and develop, which I am really hoping happens in the next book. Which, by the way, I will be reading. This book may have just not been my thing, so if you are looking for a new adult romance, then this will definitely fit the bill. 
[
CHARACTERS:
Ella: While I love how her character is so independent and strong, but she's also rash. A part of me actually appreciates this aspect of her character because it is a reminder that she is still only 17 and does not have the maturity of an adult, nor should she, even though she has had to take care of herself for the past two years.
Reed: When I said earlier that there is room for these characters to be developed, I was thinking especially about Reed. The thing is, he is developed really well in book 1, but I feel like there is still more to him that could be developed in the next book. He is like the dad of the family. That is my current hypothesis at this moment. His own dad is always gone and he cares so much about his brothers that I think he has taken over the responsibility of looking out for them in whatever way he needs to. *cough the ending cough*. I don't think (I hope) that he ended up sleeping with Brooke at the end because of some ulterior motive. I really hope so, and I think that goes with his character too.
PLOT:
I'm trying to figure out right now what the major plot line was. Ella gets taken to rich neighborhood. She meets creepy bratty family. Earns their trust. Trust broken. There were no really compelling plot lines in the book. The entire thing was about Ella and Reed. Huh. WRITING:
The writing was easy to read, and I think the only spots where I wasn't necessarily enjoying the book weren't out of the words so much as the character development and lack of knowing the Royals. If the family is developed more, I think I would enjoy this book a lot better because then I think a lot of the creepy factor would be taken out. They would seem more human to me? And by that I mean that they would seem more humane and less inconsiderate.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm pretty sure I have said stuff like this in other reviews, but just because I did not love this book does not mean other people won't too. Who knows- maybe I'll love the next two books. I personally found the character development to be lacking, and as a result of that, there were times that I was really feeling a creepy factor and I did not enjoy that. I will continue on with the next book though, because I really am hoping that the characters will be developed more and we get to know them better.

Thanks for reading!

View all my reviews

Review of A Torch Against the Night

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Review WITH SPOILERS
5 out of 5 Stars

HOLY BOOK FEELS!!!!! ***screaming internally for eternity*** I am definitely going to consider this as one of my favorite books of 2016. Sabaaa Tahir wrote such an intense story, but it was shrouded in beautiful words that brought all of the scenes, happy and sad, to a point of distinct reality within the minds of the readers. Not only were the emotional moments written spectacularly, but the politics of the world were expanded even more, if that is possible. A Torch Against the Night is the perfect mix of fantastical, political, suspenseful, and romantic. 

 SPOILERS AHEAD

CHARACTERS:


Laia: I am really curious about those power things that show up in this book. They're mentioned a bit, but I really want to learn more about them and I would love if they are used more in the next books. OH! She actually annoyed the hell out of me with her flipping between Elias and the-other-guy-whose-name-I-can't-remember-at-this-moment-but-I-know-it-begins-with-a-K (I remember now, his name is Keenan) but is secretly the Nightbringer. Grrrr...... oh well. Besides that one little snag that bothered me, I thought that Laia was, again, an incredibly strong character. When shit gets real, she is the kind of person to stand up, take charge, and clean up said shit.

Elias: ELIAS. Elias. Elias, ELIAS. I think this was one of the more painful things in the book (and there were many): he dies withing the first quarter of the book! True, he is not completely dead yet, but he is dying. And it is confirmed that he is dying. And then THERE WAS NO LOOP HOLE. Seriously! All of the crap that he has had to deal with, and he still dies in the end. And not only does he die, but his work STILL isn't finished and he STILL can't have his happy ending with Laia because the spirits are bitter and jealous!!!! I JUST WANT HIM AND LAIA TO BE HAPPY WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT??!?!!!?!?!

Helene: This poor child. She's only trying to serve the country she loves and she is dealt an absolutely miserable hand of cards for it. NOT. FAIR. I didn't appreciate her character as much in the first book, but now all I want is for her to be happy and in charge and get complete and total revenge and compensation for everything bad that has happened to her. Helene for the next Emperor.

PLOT:

I swear, this is the year that defies the sophomore slump phenomenon in the book world. There is so much jammed packed into this one book that you didn't have the option of taking a break from reading. The book and the plot and how things moved demanded that you keep turning the pages. And what is really interesting, is that this is a set up book. Yes, there are major plot development within this book itself that gets resolved in this book alone, but there was still so many other aspects and elements that are just lying there now. As a reader, I really appreciate this because not only was ATATN fantastic alone, but now I REALLY can't wait for the other books in the series! The thing that is going to kill me is that WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 2018 FOR THE NEXT ONE!!!! HOW DO I SURVIVE THE WAIT!?!?!?!?

lol this is the German edition but I love the cover!

WRITING:

Sabaa Tahir's writing is captivating. This is one of the books where you can easily forget that you are reading a book because the writing is so seemless and engaging. It is gritty and somehow beautiful at the same time. I have to say, one of the things that Sabaa is superb at is her description. Gory scenes are gory x10. Romance scenes are x10. Creepy scenes are creepy x10. People.... the creepy scenes....... *shudders*



This is one of those books where people are either in complete love with it or they were bored entirely. Personally, I don't understand the second option is a thing, but I also totally respect the difference of opinion. For all of us that loved the first book, you will love this second book!! If for some reason you are looking ahead even though you have read neither of the books, now would be a really good time to catch up on them because there are going to be two more!!! I love them. I think they're amazing. I highly recommend them. And I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Thanks for reading!

Review: A Torch Against the Night

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

HOLY BOOK FEELS!!!!! ***screaming internally for eternity*** I am definitely going to consider this as one of my favorite books of 2016. Sabaaa Tahir wrote such an intense story, but it was shrouded in beautiful words that brought all of the scenes, happy and sad, to a point of distinct reality within the minds of the readers. Not only were the emotional moments written spectacularly, but the politics of the world were expanded even more, if that is possible. A Torch Against the Night is the perfect mix of fantastical, political, suspenseful, and romantic.

[
CHARACTERS:
This is one of those books where people are either in complete love with it or they were bored entirely. Personally, I don't understand the second option is a thing, but I also totally respect the difference of opinion. For all of us that loved the first book, you will love this second book!! If for some reason you are looking ahead even though you have read neither of the books, now would be a really good time to catch up on them because there are going to be two more!!! I love them. I think they're amazing. I highly recommend them. And I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Thanks for reading!

View all my reviews

Excitement for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!!!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!!!!

IT IS ALMOST HERE

PEOPLE THERE ARE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS UNTIL FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM COMES OUT!!!!!! 13 DAYS!!! 13 DAYS!!!!!

For those of you who do not yet know what this movie is about, it is set in Manhattan before Harry Potter and Voldemort got onto the scene. Newt Scamander, author of one of the Hogwarts textbooks, travels to America in 1926 and causes a bunch of trouble along the way. Manhattan. Jo's writing. Magic. Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander. 1920's. Guys, I'm going to be crying before I even get into the theatre. I'm listening to the movie score as I write this, and everything looks amazing right now, and it all sounds amazing, and I'm getting so many new feels while also be reminded of all the fabulous old feels.


To add to this excitement of a new movie set in J.K. Rowling's absolutely stunning world of wizardry and witchcraft, I also just found out today that there are going to be five movies. We don't just get one more movie and then wait for eternity for more news. We already know that there will be FIVE!!! Although, I guess we will also be waiting on the edges of our seats for upcoming movie news. (Here is where I found out about the five movies: http://www.polygon.com/2016/10/13/13276092/fantastic-beasts-series-five-films-harry-potter). On top of that- Johnny Depp is going to be in the second one!!!!! I'm extremely interested to see what the running plot line throughout the movies is going to be. Or if they're just individual movies that lead up to the Harry Potter plot-line? I think I'll be fine with either scenario. I'm just so excited to have more material set in this world!!


I hope everyone is really excited and can't wait for these movies too... Unfortunately, I have also seen quite a few negative things online about this upcoming movie as well, and that is really sad. Obviously, I can't speak for everyone, but I know that for me, Jo's writing has changed my life and the things that she has been a part of have always been incredible for me. All I can say to her is thank you, because I'm 99.99% positive that she does not need to do a single thing anymore for the rest of her life. And she doesn't seem greedy, so all of this work that she is continuing must be coming from a good place. So, again, all I can say is thank you.

Thanks for reading!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE!!!!

Throne of Glass Ships! AKA: My second Review of Empire of Storms

ToG Ships in Their Natural Habitat of Empire of Storms

Hello!

So earlier this week, I posted a review for Sarah J Maas's latest book in the Throne of Glass series, Empire of Storms (if you would like to read it, 'tis here: http://allbooksandtea.blogspot.com/2016/10/empire-of-storms-review-with-spoilers.html). In a summary, it was so freaking fantastic!!! In my review though, there were many things that I did not touch on because I felt like there was too much to discuss in one post. Especially about the ships. I'm not even kidding you guys, there are enough ships in this series at this point that I care about so much that they fill up quite a good chunk of my fleet.

There are 4: Rowaelin, Elorcan (or Lorild, whichever one you use), Lysaedion, and Manorian. Right now, I'm just going to talk about the ships in their context in Empire of Storms. So if you haven't read this book yet, DO NOT read this post- there will be spoilers. (PSA: Shoutout to Chaolryn, because I ship them too, they just aren't in this book).

ROWAELIN:
As I just stated, this is only going to be about EoS, but if you want to read all the thoughts on Rowaelin, you may go here: http://allbooksandtea.blogspot.com/2016/08/rowaelin-throne-of-glass-ship-in-my.html

SO MANY THINGS I WAS CRYING SEVERAL TIMES AND OH MY GOD I SIMPLY CAN'T!!!

I FREAKING CALLED IT

 Please excuse the chaos above. But I did. freaking. call. it! They're mates. It is official. Other shippers, sorry (?). Lol I am not sorry at all.

This ship.... will be the death of me. I do wish there were more Rowaelin moments in the book, but the ones that were there were f***ing amazing.
***coughbeachscenecough***
***coughnighttimecough***
***coughmiladycough***

The single greatest thing that absolutely wrecked me from the inside out was when Aelin was already taken by Meave, and Rowan is holding a knife to Lorcan's throat, and he says, "Where is my wife?". Goodbye world. I have died by the words of Rowan Whitethorn and the actions of Rowaelin. It was quite a pleasant death though as I know the my ship is endgame and I was right. :)

ELORCAN:
This was the ship that caught me off guard. In the beginning of their story, I liked it, but then over the course of the book they just kept becoming more and more important. Of all of the ships, I think this one is the "cutest". I use that term loosely, because it is Lorcan and Elide and both of these characters are so incredibly strong in their own ways. 

One of the best scenes for this ship was when they were in the marshy area and Aelin was about to be a boss-ass bitch. Lorcan just, with a one track mind, tackles Elide to the ground and shields them, nearly draining is magic. And then he gets attacked. But Elide stops Fenrys And she gets hurt. And Lorcan freaks the fuck out. And I freaked the fuck out. And Fenrys is freaking the fuck out. SO. MANY. FEELS. And of course, this whole scenario takes place after Elide offers Lorcan to live in Perrnath. Kill me. It'd be less painful. That whole scene. I died. Several times.
 
LYSAEDION:
I was already kinda shipping these guys based on the almost-absolutely-nothing-canons in the other books. And, bless everything, there were so many moments and places of development for this ship! I was so excited when things started to outright happen between the two of them and they were no longer dancing around each other.

THE PART WHERE AEDION SAYS HE'S GOING TO MARRY HER! Of all the things this was, again, one of the best. I love how he says it so casually, like it's a known fact. Like, "Who else would I marry? Isn't it obvious?" And it was heart wrenching when at the end he calls her nasty names because she knew Aelin's plans. My heart may have actually splintered and shattered in my chest. Of all my ships in this series, I think this one is the rockiest. Yes, Aelin is being help captive and tortured by Meave, one of the most powerful beings on the planet. But Aedion cares so deeply for his cousin and trusted Lysandra so much that I'm worried that he will not be able to recover from this betrayal. :( I'm still hoping though.

MANORIAN: 
This was another one that I saw coming as soon as Celorian went down. It only makes snese that the only guy that could ever keep up with Manon is the guy that is hella powerful, hella sassy, and has literally been through demonic possession. It just makes sense. I was NOT expecting the suddenness of the intensity in their relationship. I totally approve- I just wasn't expecting it.

And of all the characters to be kinky??? DORIAN???!?!?!! What happened to my little child that was super sweet and gave Aelin books and chocolates??? DORIAN??!??!?!?! I did not see that coming. At. All. It also kinda surprised me that Manon let him. Like I said earlier, who else would be able to keep up with Manon and be able to be with her, other than Dorian freaking Havilliard.

There were so many more moments that each of these ships had in the book!!!! Hopefully, I will be able to add other posts about the other ships and add them to my fleet of ships formally. Guys and gals, Empire of Storms is a prime example of why I am the fangirl that I am. From the beginning, it is all amazing, and I hope that you guys will enjoy it just as much. :)

Thanks for reading!

Review: The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily

 The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

SO FREAKING ADORABLE!!!! This is the sequel to Dash and Lily's Book of Dares and I couldn't have asked for anything better. I'm also completely and totally in love with Christmas, so it is even more amazing as it's a Christmas story!!!

Really interesting fact, this book was written by both Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, and apparently (I read this in an interview online) they wrote by sending chapters back and forth. So Rachel would write one, David would read it, then he'd write the next one, and send it over to Rachel, and so on and so forth. This book and the one that came before it, are the definition of adorable holiday stories.

Even if you aren't in the Christmas mood, you should read this book. If you are in the Christmas mood, this will reaffirm all of those lovely feelings. If you need to get into the Christmas mood, consider your problem solved after reading this book. Essentially, EVERYONE should read this book. (And Dash and Lily's Book of Dares :) because it is super adorable and Christmas-y too)

Thanks for reading!

View all my reviews