W.W.W. Wednesdays (26)

To play along just answer the following three (3) questions and leave your link at Should Be Reading:

1. What are you currently reading?

2. What did you recently finish reading?

3. What do you think you'll read next?

Review: The Key of Amatahns by Elisabeth Wheatley

Goodreads description:
Janir had the misfortune of being born with one of the hated Argetallams for a father. But unlike other Argetallam children, she was mostly granted a normal childhood, away from the rest of her family. It looked as if she would live a relatively normal life as the foster-daughter of a powerful lord. Until one critical day Janir’s powers awakened and she became entangled in a young enchanter’s quest for a long-lost treasure called the Key of Amatahns...

This is gonna be a mini review because 1. I plan on writing a more detailed review for the second book, and 2. I finished this book a few days ago and it's not as easy to write a lengthened review unless it's right after reading the book.

• First of all, I really liked the story line of this book. It's a lot different than other books I read, in that it isn't really set in a realistic world. Sure, there are humans. But it's more like something you read in an epic poem or something, where the hero goes on some crazy quest with the elves and wizards along for help; the maiden who has potential dominion over the entire village. Speaking of her, I loved Janir. She wasn't some girly-girl princess. She actually worked her butt off to help others.

• The detail in this book was exquisite. I could really picture the scenes, which, in my opinion, is hard to accomplish when writing. Elisabeth Wheatley has mastered the art of detail :)

• Lastly, I need to point out that the author is just 17! I'm 17 myself, and to have not only 1, but 2 books published with a third on the way at this early of an age? I think Elisabeth deserves some huge recognition for her talent. I'm jealous! I wish I could write as well as her. Lol

• Conclusively, I realize I sort of wrote this in essay format with all the transitions. Sorry! Haha. But seriously, go read this book. I hope to have book #2 read and reviewed soon!

Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Goodreads description:
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen.
The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.
And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

I really loved this story. Very creative, original, and so amazingly written. I don’t think Victoria Schwab understands how talented she really is. I follow Victoria on twitter (@veschwab) and so I know that pretty much all she does is write write write, and then edit edit edit. Her hard work has paid off in this 5-star novel.

Yeah. Five stars. On my goodreads starred reviews, I try not to give out 5 stars often, simply because giving the highest score is like saying there’s nothing wrong with the story. But The Near Witch? This book deserves the highest honor.

I’m still trying to figure out what my favorite part about the story is. The characters? Maybe. I really loved Lexi. She was strong and fought for what she knew was right. And Cole. *sigh* I definitely loved him. The cast of characters was small in this book compared to others, and I enjoyed that.

Was it the actual story itself that I was drawn to? Could be. The Near Witch is an old scary story told to the children of the village of Near (is that a real place? I’m too lazy to Google it..) But wait! The witch is a real person out for vengeance?? Scary!

OR! Possibly the writing was the absolute best part of the story. Anyone can come up with a story to tell. Some can manage to put the story on paper. Victoria Schwab was able to create the story, put it on paper, and then make it come alive in the reader’s mind. Miss Schwab, never stop weaving magic with words.

What on earth are you waiting for? Go read this book!

Review: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Goodreads description:
The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.



Wow. Just wow.

You know, I’m not usually into love stories. What I mean is.. love stories where the entire book revolves around the relationship of these two characters. And that’s basically what the Fallen series is. The tragic love story of Luce and Daniel. Sure there’s that whole battle of choosing Heaven or Hell. Still…it all comes down to the relationship. And really? I was totally okay with that. Lauren Kate’s writing is so beautiful that I didn’t mind a 4-book series (plus a novella) about a teenage love story (that has continued for, ya know, centuries, lifetimes, etc…).

I think everyone had/has that one kid at their school who they saw every day until summer. During summer you rarely thought about them, but when graduation came around, you suddenly realized what you would be missing. That is how I felt about this series. Seriously, I cried when I realized I was reading the final pages that will ever be written about Lucinda and Daniel. I’m already missing them, along with the other characters. So sad :(

But OMG! The ending! Well, the last few chapters… I did not see a lot of that coming. This is one of the rare series where I hadn’t the slightest idea how it would end. We find out the true identity of many characters, events that led up to the Fall, and then we get a glimpse of the future. Perfect ending to an incredible story. And let me just say… The Throne? Did not expect it to be who it is…. And LUCE!! Ahhhh! I wish I could share all the details, but spoilers… *sigh*

Seriously, you guys, go read this. No, seriously. Do it. Now. Well, read the first three books in the series beforehand. And I’d suggest reading the novella, Fallen in Love. I’m not kidding. Go.. go read this entire series. Drop everything you’re doing and READ IT! O_O

Review: Solid by Shelley Workinger

Goodreads description:
Clio Kaid may be 17 and just beginning the last summer before her senior year, but her life is anything but typical.

She's just discovered she was genetically altered before birth and is now headed to a top-secret Army campus to explore the surprising results of the experiment.

Follow Clio and the other teens as they develop fantastic super-abilities, forge new friendships, find love, and uncover a conspiracy along the way.

Solid was so fluent and easy to read. I couldn’t put it down because it just holds your attention so well. The characters are great, each bringing something “to the table”. I honestly can’t even pick a favorite character because they are all so amazing. (Maybe Jack…. Hm..)

I really loved the whole setting, which is at an army base of sorts. Well, an army base that has been redesigned to house 100 teens. It was like… a boarding school but the kids got a lot more freedom. And free food. Can’t pass up free food. Especially the Starbucks.

Ooooh and the whole chromosome change thing? So cool. Is it even possible to alter chromosomes? Okay, not like “possibility” matters in fiction, I’m just curious…. You get a glimpse of the entire ordeal in the prologue, but with rats, so you’re not totally confused when the real story begins. I liked that.

One thing I want to point out, though, is I noticed some plot holes. Nothing major. Ex: one character changed their name before enlisting in the army to avoid conflict because of who they are related to. Doesn’t the army do a huge background check on everyone? No? I don’t know.. Still, this could be excused as “it didn’t matter at the time they were enlisting and no one thought to check years later”.

Anyways, I really really loved this book and the whole direction the story is going. The relationships between characters are extraordinary. I’m kind of kicking myself right now for reading the sneak peek to book #2. If I had an e-reader, I would totally buy the rest of the series. BUT for those of you who do have an e-reader, go download this book. You’ll enjoy it as much as I did, *pinky promise* ;)