Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard

Began reading: 22.8.2015
Completed reading: 26.8.2015
Overall rating: 4.6 stars

Mare Barrow is a Red — the inferior commoners to the superior Silver elite. These Silvers have their abilities, or unique superpowers. Plucked from obscurity, Mare is taken into the palace to work for the Silvers and their monarchy. Unfortunate actions caused during a display of superpowers, Mare discovers that she is no just a common Red, but holds powers that could destroy Silvers and their discrimination. Hiding in plain view as a long-lost noble Silver heiress, Mare is forced to play the part flawlessly, but must use this sudden power to her advantage — and for her fellow Reds.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a young adult, science fiction novel that contains fantasy and romance to create a dystopian masterpiece. I have been waiting to complete a review on this novel for a VERY long time, and I was not disappointed. I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!

                  

The novel was well-written with amazing quotes. Here are some of my favourites:

We are not their equals, though you wouldn’t know it from looking at us. The only thing that serves to distinguish us, outwardly at least, is that Silvers stand tall. Our bodies are bent by work and unanswered hope and the inevitable disappointment with our lot in life (p. 8).

No one notices, no one even cares, when I fade away again. I’m a shadow, and no one remembers shadows (p. 43).

My mom flinches at my harsh voice, like she’s forgotten what I sound like after only three weeks. Strangely, her eyes swim with tears. She’s forgetting you. That’s why she wants you to stay. So she doesn’t forget (p. 155).

Even I’m surprised at how easily the lie comes. One day I might even be able to lie to myself, to trick my mind into thinking I’m happy (p. 166).

I can see him remembering their life together. Flame and shadow. One cannot exist without the other (p. 335).

*WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* ‘…One day your lies will strangle you, King Maven. My only regret is that I won’t be alive to see it’ (p. 352).

They trained me for this. It’s their own fault. They helped make their own doom (p. 371).

                                                 

The plot is just so good — I’m a massive fan of dystopian novels, such as this one. I love reading about the hierarchies and how one individual can make so much change. It also had juicy plot twists, was action-packed and fast-paced.

Literary techniques were regularly used throughout the book is always great! It gave the situation a deeper understanding and meaning, which I loved. For example, “the fridge crackles in the corner, its old, bleeding battery pulsing like a dying heart” (p. 157).

It was emotional and dramatic, which added depth and kept me turning the page. For example:

*WARNING: SPOILER* *Cal being forced to kill his father* Tears course down his face, steaming against burning-hot skin.

‘It’s not you,’ Tiberias says, his eyes on Cal’s wretched face. He doesn’t bother pleading for his life. ‘I know it’s not you, son. This is not your fault’ (p. 342).

                  

The characters were also very interesting. I loved learning about the different High Houses (noble families) and their different abilities. Each ability had a major influence on each individual’s personality and career, which I really enjoyed.

My favourite character was Mare Barrow, as she is a good role model. She’s responsible, empathetic, and true to herself and those around her. It just really bothered me that Mare placed so much trust in a specific character, despite the numerous times she mentioned how she didn’t trust them. After doubting this character for so long, then being betrayed, she says: “I should’ve known, deep down, not to trust [him] (p. 340). She should’ve seen it coming. Anyway, she’s a kick-ass character, and I love that.

                 

My second favourite character was Cal, aka Prince Tiberias the Seventh. He was so dramatic, protective, caring and responsible:

‘A king should know his people. That’s why I sneak out,’ he murmurs… ‘I like to see how things really are in the kingdom, instead of being told by advisers and diplomats. That’s what a good king should do’ (p. 151).

My favourite parts of the novel would be the arena battles and training sessions, where the Silvers displayed their abilities. I also loved the tensions between Mare and Evangeline. My favourite part from these two:

‘Who has the advantage?’ Instructor Arven asks. ‘Mareena or Evangeline?’

No one raises a hand. Not even Evangeline’s friends. Instead, they stare between us, watching our abilities grow.

Evangeline’s smile fades into a sneer. She’s used to being favoured, to being the one everyone’s afraid of. And now she’s angrier than ever (p. 204).

Recommendation time! If you like The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury, or Naughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes the X-Men and Snow White and the Huntsman.

Happy reading!

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Prince of Shadows - Rachel Caine

Began reading: 13.8.2015
Completed reading: 20.8.2015
Overall rating: 4.5 stars

The age-old rivalry between the Houses of Montague and Capulet continues through Benvolio Montague’s perspective — Romeo’s dear cousin. In order to release tension caused by his family’s troubles, Benvolio transforms into the Prince of Shadows to steal from the filthy rich to give to the desperate poor. Risking his life and family’s reputation, Benvolio steals from House Capulet, and stumbles across Juliet’s cousin and Romeo’s obsession, Rosaline Capulet. From the moment they set eyes on each other, the well-known curse that is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, as well as many others, commences.

Prince of Shadows by Rachel Caine is a re-telling of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet. It is a combination of young adult, romance and historical fiction that provides an insightful perspective into the classic through another’s eyes.

                     

Firstly, the re-telling of Romeo and Juliet through Benvolio’s eyes is very refreshing. This re-telling begins with Romeo’s infatuation with Rosaline Capulet, and ends with the coming together of both Houses. It was incredibly insightful, and provides an interesting lead-up to the tragic events that we all know from the classic.

From the very first sentence in the novel, I was hooked. “I stood in the dark corner of my enemy’s house, and thought of murder” (p. 9). It’s dark and mysterious nature foreshadows the events that occur throughout the book.

                                          

There was great use of literary techniques throughout the story, which is always great! It gave the situation a deeper understanding and meaning, which I loved. Some examples:

She looked as wrinkled as an apple left too long in a dark corner of the cellar (p. 22).

Her lips were as soft and warm as the petals of a sun-heated rose,  and something rose within me, a thing of fire and feathers, spreading wide wings (p. 401).

        

The characters were described in depth, no matter how insubstantial the character was in the plot. For example, Benvolio’s description of the witch:

…I’d expected some broken old woman, with moles and an evil cast to her eye. As the woman pushed back her hood, I saw before me a lovely, pointed face, clever and calm, framed by thick brown curls only barely managed by carved wooden combs. She looked a little older than I, but not by more than a thin handful of years, and she might have been a modestly placed merchant’s wife or daughter. Her clothing was not fine, but it was well fitted, and clean (p. 273).

There were a few mistakes, where I think Caine mixed up the characters. For example, a family dinner at the House of Montague mentioned Lady Capulet, rather than Lady Montague. Aside from these minor mistakes, the novel was well-written and included many great quotes. For example:

*Benvolio talking to his sister, Veronica* ‘Honest women don’t hide in shadows, Veronica’ (p. 30).

I was the peacemaker, the reasonable calm in the storm (p. 64).

Dead men did not haunt me so much as Rosaline’s smile (p. 127).

Was this love, to betray one’s family, and to defy certain death? To risk the life of the one you adored? It seemed less love to me than a fever, a sickness burning away caution and good sense.

But perhaps I’d never really loved at all (p. 307).

He died this day. All that is good in me died with him (p. 363).

This book was just bursting with emotions! I felt pleasure, anticipation, sadness, grief, fury and love. There were so many feelings!

                  

My favourite character was Rosaline Capulet, as she was responsible, brave, and loved books. Benvolio was definitely my second favourite.

My favourite moments were anything that had Rosaline and Benvolio together because they were just so adorable. If I had to pick one, it would be when the curse settled on Benvolio and Rosaline, following the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. I really adored Benvolio’s first impression of Rosaline: “No one had warned me she was beautiful” (p. 13). Forget Romeo, give me some Benvolio!

                    

I also enjoyed any scenes that involved Benvolio with his family, especially with his mother. These scenes just showed how respectful he was, and how he honoured his family, despite their faults.

The saddest moments for me would be the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, as well as the disintegration of Mercutio’s relationship and how his personality changed after he lost his love.

Recommendation time! If you like Still Star-Crossed by Melinda Taub, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Romeo + Juliet, and The Borgias. Also, check out the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine.

Happy reading!

Buy the book: http://www.bookdepository.com/Prince-Shadows-Rachel-Caine/9780451414427

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How to Convince a Boy to Kiss You - Tara Eglington

Began reading: 18.7.2015
Completed reading: 2.8.2015
Overall rating: 4.1 stars

After finding her Prince in Hayden Paris, Aurora has been feeling the pressure to ensure that her next kiss will be mind-blowing. Unfortunately, disaster always seems to follow Aurora, especially when Hayden is admitted to the local hospital with a significant lip injury. Meanwhile, Jelena has begun campaigning for school captain, and uses Aurora’s Find a Prince/Princess Program as a campaign policy. With unexpected situations and interesting matchmaking results, Aurora must learn to decipher between true love and deception, while attempting to keep her love life and family life functioning positively.

How to Convince a Boy to Kiss You by Tara Eglington is a young adult fiction that deals with realistic struggles that occur in high school, as well as concepts including romance and humour. There were so many reasons why I enjoyed this novel.

Firstly, this plot was consistent with the first novel, How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You. The plot picked up three days after the first novel finished, so there weren’t any major differences. Overall, the characters had stayed the same; only a few other characters have been included in the second novel.

The novel was well-written, and had many great quotes. Here is an example:

When your heart was in turmoil, silence was the only way to make sure you still had room to breathe (p. 390).

There were also a few plot twists, which kept me interested. All I can really say is: Hunter, HOW COULD YOU?!

                    

There was also good use of literary techniques. Imagery played a big part in this story; I could imagine the characters in their various situations. For example:

‘I haven’t stopped thinking about you all day,’ Hayden said to me later that afternoon. We were both lying on our backs on a picnic blanket in the park. It was the most beautiful autumn day and we were watching the clouds sail by, their whiteness startling against the crisp blue sky’ (p. 354).

I can just see Aurora and Hayden sitting in the park, chatting like the adorable couple they are.

In comparison to the first book, this novel was full of humour. There were a few times where I had to choke back laughter to avoid people giving me judging looks. Some examples of humour in the text include:

My hair was on fire!

The thought screamed through my brain, shocking me out of my kissing reverie completely. Forget the notion of ‘the heat of the moment’ — I was literally going up in flames! (pp. 10-11)

Another example:

Blood. My kiss had actually drawn blood. And not in a sexy Twilight way (p. 11).

Aurora remains my favourite character. Since the first novel, Aurora has grown more mature and trusting, especially with her mother. However, she is still a bit naïve and has become far more dramatic. I mean, announcing that she was breaking up with Hayden because ‘her heart was breaking.’

                    

Jeffrey was my second favourite in this novel; closely followed by Hayden. In this book, I was shown a different side of Jeffrey — one that didn’t appear in the first book. In the text, he was sweeter, sensitive and considerate, yet he was still funny when he wanted to be.

Ms DeForest was still sticking her nose in Aurora’s and her dad’s business. After being invited to stay at Aurora’s place, she gives Aurora a warning about her mother, despite the fact that it’s none of her business.

‘Your loyalty should be to him [Aurora’s dad], not to a woman who didn’t ever want to be a mother,’ Ms DeForest went on.

That was enough. She might be living here, but that didn’t give her the right to judge my personal relationships. She’d crossed the line… (p. 381).

Just like in the first book, Aurora’s dad did not defend her, which disappointed me.

‘Dad, I know she’s our guest, but I’m not sitting here listening to this. She wasn’t even part of the picture until a couple of months ago and she’s got no right to make comments about the situation between me and Mum…’

‘…Dana just doesn’t want to see you get hurt again. She knows about loss firsthand’ (p. 381).

      

I really didn’t like Aurora’s mum after the first book, and my opinion didn’t change in this novel. She’s still negligent and cold.

‘I thought you came back for me, because you wanted to re-establish a relationship with me? Because you you loved me—‘

‘Of course I love you,’ Mum replied. ‘Have I told you how proud I am about how self-sufficient you are?’

‘Self-sufficient?’ I hated the word. Basically it meant she felt she had a guilt-free ticket to exit whenever she pleased (p. 427).

My favourite part of the novel was Jelena’s election launch party — it was just so unique. I wished I was at the party, haha! Likewise, the excursion seemed pretty cool, despite the camping situation, especially when the matchmakees were interacting with each other.

Don’t forget to check out my review for the first novel in the series, How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You. You can see my review by clicking on the title. Also, check out Aurora’s Facebook page!

Recommendation time! If you like “Eleanor and Park” and “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell, you will love this book. Also I recommend this book to anyone who likes “The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend” by Kody Keplinger, and “A Match Made in High School” by Kristin Walker.

Happy reading!

Buy the book: http://www.bookdepository.com/How-Convince-Boy-Kiss-You-Tara-Eglington/9780732295189

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