Broken City by D.D. Chant

Valerie is going to do this review in third person. She doesn't exactly have a legitimate reason for doing so, but her excuse is that Broken City is too awesome to do a regular review for. Not that Valerie ever did regular reviews....
 3.5 out of 5 stars

Broken City by D.D. Chant
3.5 out of 5 stars
Out. Happiness!
Summary from Goodreads: Deeta Richards has never seen the outside world. Before she was born a banking crisis brought civilization to an end and now no one leaves the safety of the compounds unless they need to, but Deeta still dreams of seeing more than the building she was born in. Tom is in the guard, this group are the only people that the tribal elders allow to leave the compound and Tom knows only too well that Deeta could never survive the harshness that exists outside. Then tragedy strikes and Deeta and her sister Jan find themselves captured by a hostile tribe. Why does Tom know so much about these people? And why do they know so much about him? As this mystery draws to a climax, they discover that their friend Tom is not quite what he seems...

Valerie really enjoys the character Tom. In her opinion, he is smart, complicated, calm and definitely a hero. He was always there for Deeta, no matter what the circumstances were. Valerie loves how hard it was to figure him out; she loves characters with that characteristic. Not only that, but she also loves Tom's story. He has a whole back story that is surprising and unexpected, but it also explains his character and his reason for being in the same building with Deeta. Valerie greatly favors Tom; according to her he is probably her favorite character in the book.

That's not to detract from Deeta, of course. Valerie liked reading from Deeta's point of view. She liked reading about her life and all of her moments with Tom (obviously!). Valerie enjoys the fact that Deeta is a curious, strong heroine, even considering her sheltered background. Valerie thinks that Deeta is pretty epic! Valerie also thinks that Deeta is realistic character; she's believable and likable as well. Deeta is just plain cool.

The supporting characters, in Valerie's opinion, are well-developed. All of the actions made by them are believable. Valerie was not dumbfounded at any point at how absurd a character ended up being or how odd they were acting. Why? Well, they didn't break character, so they weren't absurd. Valerie loved the variety in ages in the supporting characters. There were children, but there were also older characters as well. Yay!

Valerie loves the plot. She loves how unpredictable it is. She loves how she did not see the ending coming. She's obsessed with the fact that the twists, however unseen, also made sense. Valerie likes how it's unique from most dystopian novels. She likes how there are tribes, which makes it seem a bit more realistic and less unbelievable. As you can see, Valerie really likes this plot. She can tell you might be tired of reading about it, so she will now move on.

The only problem that Valerie has with the story is the amount of typos. It was sometimes hard for Valerie to focus on the story when the missing punctuation marks and spelling errors made it hard to understand the writing. She just wishes that they wouldn't detract from the story. However, at times the typos really annoyed Valerie. At times Valerie got really....

There's a lot of Valerie's in this review... don't you think?

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

I just wanted to say that Cracked Up to Be is perfectly sad and sadly perfect. (Although I'm not sure why being perfect would be sad. Parker Fadley knows though.) 5 out of 5 stars.

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers
5 out of 5 stars
Out. Buy it. Change your life.
Summary from Goodreads: When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace? Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her conselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there's a nice guy falling in love with her and he's making her feel things again when she'd really rather not be feeling anything at all. Nobody would have guessed she'd turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth. Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.

Cracked Up To Be was the exact opposite of what I expected. It's about a girl with issues, and the girl is just trying push everyone away. She's trying to remember this huge mistake she made, even when everyone else has forgotten about it or gotten over it. She's sinking into herself, into this huge hole that replays that one night over and over again. This girl, Parker, just wants to be alone, but no one will let her be.

I didn't hate Parker like some people did. In the beginning, I just couldn't understand why she acted the way she did. I was a little confused by why she was so cold, but as the story kept on going, I started to understand. Parker Fadley is not easy to like, but you can't help loving her. I wanted to scream at her at times, but I couldn't. It was like she was this fragile thing underneath her facade. I felt like she was far away and I couldn't reach her, just like everyone else she knew did.

When I finally figured out why Parker is so broken, I started crying. I normally don't cry when I read books, but I couldn't help it. Parker's mermory is so horrible; I can't imagine having to live through it. Parker gives you the memory in bits and pieces, but that doesn't stop the force of it. I couldn't believe how terrible it was. Well, actually, I could, but it was still really shocking. I mean, from the way Parker acted after, it wasn't hard to believe the truth.

I really hated the ending. I hated how unhappy it was. I guess that's the way it was supposed to be. Parker made this huge mistake. She kept on pushing people away. She has to pay the consequences after. I hated how it ended up that way, with all the happiness a little too far away from her grasp. It made me sad how a sad book ended in a sad ending. But it makes you cry. I haven't written a review in a long time, but Cracked Up to Be made me start writing one. It also made me want to be a little nicer and a little better. It changes you. That's the true beauty of Cracked Up to Be. No matter how much you want to stop thinking about it and just try to stay the same, you can't. You have to change.

I guess that's the way Courtney Summers meant it to be.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

I guess I'm probably the only person I know who has not felt passion to this book to the point where love is in the air. I mean, sure I admired it and all, but I didn't love it. I don't understand what went wrong because I should love The Immortal Rules. There's great character development, tons of bloody action and just enough romance. It's either me or the vampire aspect. It's probably just me....
3.75 out of 5 stars.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
3.75 out of 5 stars
Published 4.24.12
Recieved from Netgalley
Summary from Goodreads: In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity. Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters. Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad. Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike. But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

The Immortal Rules starts off with Allie in the Fringe, barely surviving with her friends, including a boy named Stick. She's the only one who cares for Stick, who happens to depend on her. He can't survive; he literally has a bare mind and survives only by the kindness of Allie. Until the day Allie is attacked by rabids.

Then a vampire offers her a choice: die or stay forever dead as an immortal vampire. Of course, Allie chooses to become a vampire. During that process, she learns so many skills. She learns that vampires cry blood, they can only drink human blood, and that some are incredibly evil and will do anything for an exotic looking girl. She learns to fight with a katana- an epic Samurai sword, which is so cool! She also develops a ton of skills, including being super fast and silent and having the ability to naturally attract people. She starts getting used to being a vampire!

Fate brings her to join a group of humans who don't know she's a vampire.... yet. There's Caleb, this really cute little boy who has yet to learn about the evils in the world and Caleb's older sister, Ruth, who is a very jealous girl with relatively well intentions. And of course there's Zeke. He's the love interest, and surprisingly, not a bad boy. I thought he would be like Ash, but Zeke's this really nice boy. He's a golden boy... literally. He's got blonde hair and blue eyes which are to die for! Of course, Allie doesn't want to fall in love with him. After all, it puts him in trouble. As time passes, however, she can't help it! I mean, who can resist Zeke? He's just so nice and so good and so angelic and so kind! He's the type of boy that you can always love and always count on. He would never try to put you in trouble or forget you.... as long as you're a human.

Of course, that brings an epic plot twist! Actually there are tons of plot twists! You see, Julie Kagawa is the master of plots. At first I thought I could predict what would happen, but I was wrong. You can't tell who is the traitor and who is the good guy until the end. That brings me to the cliffhanger! There is this huge cliffhanger! I can't believe it! It was crazily great! It's not a cliffhanger that's boring; it's a cliffhanger that makes you want to go to Julie Kagawa's house and kidnap her and force her to write you the next book quickly! Yes, it's that crazy!

However, there were also some other parts that I did not like. I guess it's the whole vampire aspect. There's something about vampires that is just so old, no matter how you try to revamp them. (Bad pun!) I guess even if your vampires are like Allie, you still can't help but get sick of them. It's just a natural reaction. I think everyone will love it though! It's just that I'm a little different.... not always in a good way. Another thing is Allie. I don't like how she's so rude and rash and mean, especially to Ruth and Zeke. I know that Ruth is not the most admirable character, but Allie should have treated her more nicely. I think that Allie's behavior really stopped me from liking her as much as I should have. It's just so unsettling how mean she is. She should have a nicer heart... no offense. As for Zeke, sometimes Allie treated him like trash. He honestly should have been treated more nicely. At times, I was awestruck by how she treated him. So yes, Allie isn't exactly the most lovable character, even after you find out about her life.

BUT I'M STILL GONNA READ THE SEQUEL! It's a love-hate relationship!

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

I love, love, love Enna Burning, to the point where I'm fired up and about to burn! (Bad pun!) I fell for The Goose Girl, but I've fallen even harder for Enna Burning. Maybe it's the word burning, but I have no idea. All that I know is that it's a definite 5 out of 5 stars!

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale
5 out of 5 stars
Published!
Summary from Goodreads: Enna and Princess Isi became fast friends in The Goose Girl, but after Isi married Prince Geric, Enna returned to the forest. Enna's simple life changes forever when she learns to wield fire and burn anything at will. Enna is convinced that she can use her ability for good--to fight Tira, the kingdom threatening the Bayern borders--and goes on secret raids to set fire to the Tiran camps and villages. But as the power of the fire grows stronger, she is less able to control her need to burn. In her recklessness she is captured by the Tiran army and held captive by a handsome, manipulative young captain who drugs her to keep her under his influence. Can Isi and her old friends Finn and Razo rescue her without sacrificing themselves? And with the fire still consuming her, will Enna find a way to manage the gift that threatens to destroy her?
In The Goose Girl, I didn't exactly like Enna. She was just too bubbly to the point of annoying. However, in Enna Burning, I got to know Enna Burning and understand her a little more. I can't say that she's my favorite character, but I can say that I like her a little more and I don't think she is annoying. Enna definitely is flawed. She has good intentions, but she is a bit rash and bold at times. That gets her in a lot of sticky situations, which causes more trouble than she expected. The main issue is that she does everything independently, even though she needs the help of her friends. It's hard for her to change, but by the end of the book, she develops like crazy. I love character development!

I also love twisted, messed up villains. I fall in love with them, which is pretty unfortunate for my friends. In this book, the twisted guy really takes advantage of Enna. He does mean well, but he also has high wants. He wants Enna to betray and kill against her will, but I still can't help but fall in love with him! I think he's so broken, even though he is also incredibly selfish and mean and cruel. It's so sad how messed up he is. If he had a better heart, maybe Enna would seriously consider him. Finn was cute and loyal and all, but I just couldn't really connect with him. He's just so nice to a point where you think he's too nice. He's perfectly quiet, which is definitely a little boring. Sure, he may be the best guy for Enna, but he's totally not the best guy for the reader. I want a guy with issues, not a guy who is a block. No offense to anyone who loves Finn, of course. It's just that I want a guy with attitude!

I totally missed Ani and Geric! Ani is still your wise character who can definitely help Enna, especially when Enna discovers the gift of fire. Fire is a blessing and a curse. It gets you wanting to burn more and more, to the point where the people you love are in danger. You end up falling victim to its addiction, and there's no going back. Unless, of course, you have a great friend who has the power of the wind. Friendship is a topic that is greatly stressed, and I love how Shannon Hale intertwines it with a bit of fantasy! Isn't it so amazing how fairy tales are so interesting now? Yes, I now love them.

P.S. The Goose Girl is actually a real fairy tale, one of many compiled by the Grimm brothers! I just read it last night, and I have to say, I love Shannon Hale's version a whole lot more! It's so much more detailed, although I greatly enjoyed the shorter version as well!

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. DON'T READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK. IT WILL RUIN YOU. (And yes, I'm posting!) 5 out of 5 stars!

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
Published in 2012
5 out of 5 stars
Summary from Goodreads: The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan--an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.


This is going to be a rant on Zach. He's mysterious and cool, yes, but he also has that stalker angle too. I don't like how he can be such good friends with Bex and than have the nerve to kiss Cammie. I don't like how he was so secretive before. Yes, now he has developed more, but I still don't like him. (I think that that's just me though.) I'm just more Team Hale than Team Zach. Zach just isn't goode (bad pun!) enough for Cammie.

As for Cammie, let's just say I'm glad she goes crazy. That was a huge risk taken by Ally Carter! It totally paid off! I like how Cammie is vulnerable at the beginning and how she ends up buddying with her friends. I am so glad she goes crazy. It just makes it all seem a little more realistic, a little closer to the truth. Plus, she is so much stronger and independent than what she was like in Only the Good Spy Young. This Cammie is new and improved. She's a hardcore version of her passed self! I love how she ends up being not crazy in the end; it's kind of the comforting event we readers need.

This plot is totally unique, in a great way! You have Solomon, who wakes up and graces us with his amazing presence. Then Dr. Steve, who totally is a traitor and a liar and needs to be locked up. I hate him and how he used Cammie and Zach. I hate how he got away with it. But kudos to Ally for the epic twist! I did not see it! That was amazing! Of course, I love how there's Sublevel 3 and even more gadgets and events! I missed reading this series! I missed the suspense and all the twists made. I missed not knowing what would happen next!

I'm going to miss reading a GG book, as GG6 is not going to come out for a long time. And it's kind of ironic that I'm reviewing it exactly a month after the release date.....

Yes, I'm going crazy. And no, I don't need Cammie to help me remember. (Although, I'd love to meet Preston. I actually love Preston! Preston>Zach.)



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Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
5 out of 5 stars
Published
Summary from Goodreads: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

13 Reasons Why I Loved This Book

1. It's so beautiful and heartwrenchingly sad.
I guess that goes with books about suicide, but it's just that it's so fragile as well. This book seems like it could break and fall apart and waver in the wind. Of course that isn't the most important thing. It's just that it can make you cry like a maniac and more. In other words, bring some tissues!

2. It's not cheesy.
I hate cheesiness. I hate all cliche and annoyingly predictable plots with mushiness. Luckily, Thirteen Reasons Why is not one of those books. Instead, it's realistic and real and actually sad and a portrait of what can happen. I'm still amazed by how much I didn't rant over the cheesiness because there's NOTHING to rant over. This book, people, is something for the people in life who love to find realistic books. (Which means everyone!)

3. It affects people.
This book makes people want to change themselves for the better and stop acting petty. It makes them want to pay attention to the world and help make it happier. It makes people want to avoid Hannah's situation and actually do something. It's inspiring; need I say more?

4. It's narrated by two people.
At the same time. Side by side. The only way to tell that Hannah is talking is by the italics. That's crazily hard to do, and guess who pulled it off? Jay Asher. Yup, that's right. He pulled it off flawlessly without getting the reader confused or wasting the reader's brain. He actually pulled it off! Congratulations!

5. It's short.
I finished it in a day without spending too much time. For readers who don't really like reading, this book is a must! Thirteen Reasons Why is a sucker-punch people! It is a masterpiece because it manages to fit a ton of punch in less than 300 pages! That is called genius!

6. It has a great writing style.
I love first-person! It's so easy to understand and all, but that's not the main point. I feel like I can bond more with the main character than in third-person. Furthermore, Jay Asher's writing made you feel sad, happy, worn out, whatever he wanted you to feel! It's kind of beautiful, kind of brief and straight to the point. It's epically amazing.

7. It has an epic title!
I don't need to expand on this, do I?

8. The characters really are something rare.
Hannah is a gem. She's clever and morbid and depressed and truly messed up. That's why I like her. She is a truly flawed character with issues. That's life, and she wants you to know it. I don't approve of her actions, but I love her character.
So many characters are flawed and haved individual personalities. Mr. Porter, Bryce, Clay, Courtney. All these people are truly not just characters, but real, animated spirits.

9. The cover is perfect.
Something about a girl on a swing just totally pops. It's not normal. It's not done. It's unique, just like this book.

10. It's unique.
No one writes about the reasons why a girl killed herself. Period. Except Jay Asher. That's why I loved it.

11. These names are incredible!
I love how the names seem modern and brief and contemporary. They pop with the story and make you remember them. They are totally epic and amazing!

12. It happens so quickly.
Thirteen Reasons Why spans over a period of less than 4 days. It's so brief and quick and just what I call an "overnighter." It's focused mainly on one night, yet there's so much to read about! It's totally not normally done, which is another reason why I love it!

13. It's crazily popular!
I love how popular this book is. Now I can talk to people who've actually read this book and bond with them! Okay, so maybe that's not a valid reason, but not like I care! Popularity can be a reason, as long as you let it!

Goodbye!

I guess you might have noticed that I've recently started blogging less and less and that I haven't really done anything but post reviews. It's true. Nowadays blogging seems more like a burden than something fun to me, so I've decided to kind of drop it.

Yes, I just wrote that.

My blog will still stay here, it's just that I probably won't be posting very much if at all. I'll still be reviewing but just on Goodreads! I'll miss you all, and I'm grateful for all the fun I had!
Peeps, I miss you already!

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Love ya forever!