The Perfectionists - Sara Shepard

Began reading: 18.6.2016
Completed reading: 21.6.2016
Overall rating: 4.5 stars

Perfect test scores, perfect friends, perfect lives... perfect murderers?

High school senior Nolan Hotchkiss is one of those lucky kids - handsome, rich, living a charmed life - despite the fact that he's a self-centred bully who treats everyone around him like dirt. Still, no one can touch Nolan, no one would try...

Until now.

There are five girls at school with Nolan who each have a very good reason to end his reign of terror, and now they're going to put words into actions and play this player at his own game.

But when you mess with fire you risk getting burnt. For these five fearless girls, revenge comes at a very high price and secrets have a habit of coming out... even when there is nothing to hide...

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard is a contemporary young adult fiction novel that contains genres including mystery, thriller, romance and suspense. I accidentally purchased the second book first, so I had to search the bookstores for this one. Luckily, I found it at Dymocks not long after, and I’ve been waiting to get into this series! Overall, I thoroughly loved this book! It kept me intrigued throughout. I had to choose my classes for next semester at university, and this book influenced my choice to study crime in literature. I’M SO EXCITED! Anyway, I would definitely recommend this book to all readers who enjoy young adult novels!

The novel was well-written, with the use of literary techniques such as imagery and juxtaposition to enhance readers’ understanding of the plot. There were also some really good quotes in the book that I had to jot down, including:

With perfection comes pressure (p. 3).

Everyone was striving for something or clawing their way to the top… and for what? A better chance at the perfect scholarship? A better opportunity to score that perfect internship? Perfect, perfect, perfect, brag, brag, brag (pp. 15-16).

‘Secrets are meant to be shared. Especially dirty ones’ (p. 201).

Memory was a tricky thing, but reality was even trickier. Once you made up your mind about something, it was hard to comprehend that the truth could be something else (p. 267).

The plot was well-structured, which assisted with the flow of the novel. I could identify all of the structural aspects of the novel, which helped greatly. I really enjoyed the introduction, as it began with the party that set the whole plot into motion. I could easily imagine a lot of teenagers arriving at a massive house party, dancing and drinking. It was relatable! Towards the conclusion, I believed that there would be a resolution; however, I was surprised by a slightly expected plot twist. I can understand why some readers wouldn’t be too happy with this book’s conclusion, but I liked how it set up the plot for the next book.

Speaking of plots, there were some REALLY GOOD plot twists in this novel! Although I haven’t seen Pretty Little Liars, nor have I read the series, I found that I could sometimes see the plot twists coming. I did not see Granger’s attraction to young girls coming, nor did I expect some of the betrayals to happen. These twists improved the book’s quality, and kept me turning the page. Of course, it was the final plot twist that left me reeling.

    

I loved all five of the girls, as well as all of the secondary characters. Each of the girls had to deal with their personal problems, as well as the mystery surrounding Nolan’s death. They each had someone bothering/bullying them, which made their stories increasingly interesting. I also liked that each girl had a chapter for their perspective. There were a couple of times where two girls’ perspectives would be in one chapter, which bothered me, but I read past it.

The plot was was so dramatic and suspenseful, and this kept me glued to the book. There were times when my parents or siblings would try to interact with me and I had to give them a “do you mind?” look, haha! Sorry guys! But seriously, it was so intense that I was pulled into the plot almost instantly. This is just one of the reasons why I’m super excited to begin the next book!

The only negative thing I have to say about this book is the Caitlin-Jeremy relationship. I’m so confused – did she really fall for her dead brother’s friend? I thought it was weird, and the last part with him and her together left me puzzled. How will both families react? What will Josh do? I’m interested in seeing how this is resolved.

                                     

My favourite character is Ava Jalali, even though I liked all five of the girls. I guess she’s relatable, as she used to slack off in class, then pulled herself together and applied herself. This is definitely something I experienced – slacking off in high school, only to reapply myself at university. Aside from that, Ava is loyal, courageous, and intelligent. Although she didn’t have a close bond with the other girls, she decided to put herself in danger for their safety. I also adored her relationship with Alex – they were SO CUTE!

*WARNING: SPOILER* I didn’t understand Elliot’s character. He was a counsellor, but he was super creepy towards the end. I thought that he was misunderstood, but I guess I was mistaken. I wonder if he’ll be in the next book… I also have mixed feelings about Alex – is he misunderstanding Ava? I hope he’s not the type of guy that Shepard hinted at in the conclusion. He was so sweet to Ava! I completely felt for Mackenzie towards the conclusion too! Poor thing! Claire doesn’t deserve to go to Julliard! Similarly, I believe that Julie didn’t deserve Carson – the fact that he betrayed her emphasises this. Don’t get me started on Ashley! She is so weird – copying Julie. What. The. Hell.

                   

It was difficult to choose a specific part of the book to call my favourite. I loved the entire novel! But if I had to choose, I’d pick the party in the prologue and when the girls worked together. I liked the party scene because it was a great introduction to the rest of the novel, and demonstrated how well these girls collaborated. The way they carried out their plan showed competence, which interested me. I liked the other parts when the girls interacted and worked together, especially at Lucas’ house. They weren’t close, but the fact that they would sacrifice themselves for the safety of the others was sweet.

Recommendation time! If you like the Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard, Pretty Girl by J. C. Burke, Fake by Beck Nichols, They All Fall Down by Roxanne St. Claire, and Kiss of Broken Glass by Madeleine Kuderick, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, Scream Queens and How to Get Away with Murder.

I will also be reviewing the second book of The Perfectionists series: The Good Girls. Keep an eye out for that!

Happy reading!

Buy the book

Like and follow!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Basic-Bookworm/659139380862740

Instagram: @thebasicbookworm

Twitter: @BasicBookworm

Queen of Hearts - Colleen Oakes

Began reading: 13.6.2016
Completed reading: 18.6.2016
Overall rating: 4 stars

Only queens with hearts can bleed.

This is not a story of happily ever after.

Beneath each smile lies a secret, each tart comes with a demand and Alice has not tumbled down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. Not yet...

Princess Dinah will one day become the Queen of Hearts. She longs for her father's approval and a future with the boy she loves. But when a betrayal breaks her heart and threatens her throne, she is launched into danger. Dinah must stay one step ahead of her enemies or she'll lose not just the crown - it will be off with her head.

Evil is brewing in Wonderland and maybe, most frighteningly, in Dinah herself.

Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes is a fictional young adult retelling of the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland, containing fantasy, romance and mystery. I saw this book on Epic Reads, and I fell in love with the cover. IT’S SO PRETTY! Anyway, it was a retelling of a classic tale, which always excites me. It’s told from the perspective of a young Princess of Hearts (soon to be Queen of Hearts), and occurs before Alice enters Wonderland. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and I’m excited for the sequel!

The novel was decently written, with a few spelling and grammatical errors. I also took down some great quotes that I thought were pretty notable, including:

‘War is bloody and brutal, a thing that can rip through the very heart of men. War can make a man question everything he believes in, every truth that he holds dear’ (pp. 14-15).

‘A true man never needs to take by force’ (p. 183).

She was learning quickly that what was right and what must happen weren’t always the same thing (p. 193).

It’s so peaceful in here, she thought. A lovely bed for such a pretty liar (p. 224).

I did not die today, so I will not fear death tomorrow (p. 304).

‘How fine you look when dressed in rage’ (p. 306).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

As I mentioned earlier, I really liked this retelling – especially as the plot was interesting. I loved that this perspective was someone else’s, rather than Alice’s. Unfortunately, I was confused at some points. I found the plot to flow at particular points, and then become disjointed at other times. The fact that sometimes it flowed, and sometimes didn’t, left me a little puzzled. For example, I thought that the plot against her (put into place by a certain asshole) was completely different from the rest of the book. I understand that this would make the novel more dramatic and intense, but it came out of nowhere. Because of this, I was left wondering:

                     

I loved the diversity of the secondary characters! Although the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat weren’t in their well-known forms, I knew immediately who they were in this book. Everyone had individual personalities, which made them more interesting. I also loved how some of the secondary characters had a significant impact on the protagonist, despite their minor roles.

It was very emotional, especially towards the end. I felt the pain and humiliation that Dinah experienced with her father, and I had so much sympathy for her. I can’t wait to see her destroy her father! Anyway, the lead up to the conclusion was very emotional with the death of a character. HE WAS SO INNOCENT! I’m not gonna deny it, I cried.

I found the love interest thing to be a bit confusing. One moment, Wardley would do something really sweet (almost romantic?) for Dinah, and the next he’d be pushing her away or rejecting her. MAKE UP YOUR MIND! Does he like her or not?! With all these mixed messages, I think that Dinah deserves someone better. I feel bad for Dinah but Wardley doesn’t seem to like her that much. I’m looking forward to seeing how this progresses in the sequel.

To be honest, I felt that this book was better suited as a novella or prequel. It felt like an introduction to what will be happening in the next book, as nothing significant really happened until towards the end. Because it took a while to understand Dinah’s situation, it affected her likeability. She was introduced as a bratty, whiny, spoilt princess but this changed towards the conclusion. It just seemed that it took a while to develop her character and I know that this bothered some readers.

My favourite character in this novel was Dinah, as she was loyal, strong, compassionate and feisty, yet she was flawed. I can’t wait to see how she’s portrayed and develops in the sequel. She needs to come back to rain terror on her back-stabbing traitor (and he was against treason, HAHAHA)!

                  

Other noteworthy characters are Vittiore and Charles. I enjoyed reading about Dinah’s jealousy towards Vittiore, but I think they will become close friends in the next book or so. I just loved a feisty Dinah snapping at the innocent Vittiore. I also loved Charles! Despite being seen as a weakling, he was extremely talented and loving of Dinah. I wonder, did he get along with Vittiore? Did he know who she was? Did he wonder about his father? I just wanna give Charles a huge hug and protect him.

                 

I have a deep hate burning for a particular character for EVERYTHING he did in this book! He was the cause of so much heartache and destruction, so I think I have a right to rage. He was so abusive, that I feared for Dinah’s wellbeing. How could he be SO cruel? I wonder if he’s the cause of the queen’s death… What will Dinah do to him? I can’t stress enough how excited I am to see his downfall!

My favourite parts of this book include Dinah’s time at the Wonderland Palace, and her interactions with Vittiore. I liked reading about Dinah in the Wonderland Palace because I got an insight into how she fulfilled her role and responsibilities, as well as how she interacted with other characters. I was able to see more than one side of Dinah, and each side intrigued me. I also enjoyed seeing how Dinah interacted with Vittiore because her father treasured her more. Seeing Dinah jealous and humiliated was rather emotional, but it was interesting to see how she changed – deciding to have tea with her. I hope they become close friends in the upcoming novels!

Recommendation time! If you like the White Rabbit Chronicles by Gena Showalter, and The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Alice in Wonderland, Once Upon a Time, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass.

I will also be reviewing the upcoming novels in the Queen of Hearts saga. Keep an eye out for that!

Happy reading!

Buy the book

Like and follow!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Basic-Bookworm/659139380862740

Instagram: @thebasicbookworm

Twitter: @BasicBookworm

Ruined - Amy Tintera

Began reading: 8.6.2016
Completed reading: 13.6.2016
Overall rating: 4.6 stars

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war, her parents killed and her sister kidnapped. Even though Em is only a useless Ruined - completely lacking any magic - she is determined to get revenge.

Her plan is simple. She will infiltrate the enemy's kingdom, posing as the crown prince's betrothed. She will lead an ambush. She will kill the king and everyone he holds dear, including his son.

The closer Em gets to the prince, though, the more she questions her mission. Her rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life - and her family - on the line, love could be Em's deadliest mistake.

Ruined by Amy Tintera is a fictional young adult novel that contains fantasy and romance. I’ve been looking forward to reading this book ever since it was introduced on Epic Reads, and I purchased it as soon as it appeared on the shelves of bookshops here. I just have one word: YES!

                        

First of all, there were ZERO errors, such as spelling and grammatical, in the book. I can’t stress how happy that made me feel! The novel was well-written, with the use of literary techniques. Every character and situation was described in great detail, which made me enjoy the plot a lot more. There were some really good quotes, including:

Her mother had always said that the only way to find peace was to kill everyone who threatened it (p. 7).

Make people fear you, Emelina. Her mother’s words echoed in her head. Stop worrying about what you don’t have and start focusing on what you do. Make people tremble when they hear your name. Fear is your power (p. 10).

He looked down at her to find her lips slowly curving up. It was the first genuine smile he’d seen from her, and by far his favorite. That smile held secrets he desperately wanted to know (p. 54).

‘Sympathy doesn’t mean much if you don’t take action’ (p. 71).

‘Always assume everyone is lying. Don’t trust anyone, except those closest to you. You have tendency to see the good in people, and I admire that, but it will destroy you. I promise you it will’ (p. 124).

His skin sparked and sizzled beneath her fingers. He was fire she could touch (p. 145).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

Usually, I prefer a plot that is not fast-paced, but moves at a reasonable speed. However, this plot was fast-paced, but it worked really well. It kept the novel interesting, and I felt thoroughly immersed. There were a few times when I was so intrigued by the book that I forgot I was even reading – before I knew it, I had read 100+ pages. This was one of the main reasons why I liked this book so much!

I found the plot to be really interesting, which links to the previous paragraph. It was similar to other novels, such as Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series, but I much rather this single novel over the other series’. It contained a lot of elements that interested me more than the other books, which was why I adore this novel.

It was emotional at times, which were successful in making me teary and hitting me right in the feels. The death of a particular character was pretty damn close in bringing me to tears, so I must commend Tintera. I like a book that can tug at the readers’ heartstrings. I was just so attached to all of the characters that I ended up catching all the feels!

                       

From the book’s blurb, I assumed that there would be quite a bit of romance, but I was pleasantly surprised. There was a good amount of romance, which is always a great thing. I’m not a fan of all that mushy, fluffy stuff but this book had none of it. There were moments that made me say ‘awww’, but none of the romantic moments were over the top. I really, really, really liked that!

There were some really good plot twists scattered throughout the novel that kept me on my toes. For example, the very first chapter was full of dramatic twists and turns that started the plot with a bang. After that, the twists just got better and better! Even towards the end of the book, the plot twists kept coming and I had to hold my breath so many times! It was incredible!

My favourite character was Emelina Flores, as she was a badass, sassy, talented and deadly. I just couldn’t get enough of her character! It helped that she played a vengeful assassin – I just really like female protagonists that are sassy and dangerous. Cas is a notable character, as he turns out to be the perfect prince (and possible boyfriend…?). I don’t blame Em for falling for him – in my mind, he’s gorgeous!

                                 

I really loved the way Fabiana and Olivia were portrayed, which was interesting to see. I loved how Fabiana was outspoken and was protective of her son. *WARNING: SPOILER* It was a shame that she abandoned him towards the end, but it made the plot a lot juicier. As for Olivia, I expected her to be a quiet girl, especially since she had been tortured by the king. When she escaped, she turned out to be an outraged, hard-hearted, bloodthirsty queen who was very protective of Em. It made the characters a lot more fascinating. I LOVED IT!

To be honest, I loved the entire book: from start to finish, but if I had to pick a particular part as the standout, I’d choose Em’s time in the palace. It was where she was able to undertake espionage, and get close to the royal family. I loved how she could play Princess Mary and deceive the entire royal family. It was also where she developed feelings for Cas, and it was great to see how she fulfilled her role while trying to ignore these feelings.

Recommendation time! if you like the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard, and The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Kill Bill, Kill Bill 2, The Assassin and Hanna.

I will be reviewing the rest of the series when the books become available. Keep an eye out for that!

Happy reading!

Buy the book

Like and follow!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Basic-Bookworm/659139380862740

Instagram: @thebasicbookworm

Twitter: @BasicBookworm

Yellow Brick War - Danielle Paige

Began reading: 17.5.2016
Completed reading: 8.6.2016
Overall rating: 3 stars

Once upon a time, there was a girl from Kansas named Dorothy.

You might know her as the Girl Who Rode the Cyclone. She ended up in Oz, where the temptation of magic was too much for her. She let it change her. She turned evil.

The land of Oz is now a dark and menacing place.

My name is Amy Gumm. Tornadoes must have a thing about girls from Kansas, because I got swept away on one, too. I landed in Oz, where Good is Wicked, Wicked is Good, and the Wicked Witches clued me in to my true calling: 

Assassin.

The way to stop Dorothy from destroying Oz - and Kansas - is to kill her. And I'm the only one who can do it. But I failed. Others died for my mistakes. Because of me, the portal between the worlds has been opened. And if I don't find a way to close it?

Dorothy will make sure I never get to go home again. Now I have to:

Join the witches.

Fight for Oz.

Kill Dorothy.

Stop a Yellow Brick War.

Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige is the third instalment in the Dorothy Must Die series. This novel is a fictional young adult retelling of the classic Wizard of Oz, containing hints of fantasy, adventure and romance. It took me so long to read because I had way too many assignments and a maths exam. But now that they are done, I was able to finish the book! I’m not too impressed by this novel — I feel like this series is being dragged along, and it’s beginning to annoy me.

I thought this novel was well-written, in regards to literary techniques. Everything was described in detail, and made it easier for me to imagine. There were a couple of notable quotes that I thought I might share:

So much had happened to me, so much time had passed. I didn’t even feel like the same person anymore. The Amy Gumm who’d lived here was a total stranger. I didn’t belong here anymore. I wasn’t sure I ever had (p. 20).

Caring too much only meant you were that much easier to hurt (p. 56).

I knew the safety was an illusion. I’d learned in Oz that safety always was (p. 108).

Nobody sings you lullabies in the middle of a war (p. 114).

‘…our planet is freaking out. The oceans are rising, people are fighting more and more wars every day, plants and animals are dying out, every other week some kid takes one of his parents’ guns to school and starts shooting….’ I stopped short at the look on Nox’s face. ‘The world I grew up in is gone, too,’ I said quietly. ‘But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up on it. Because if you give up — then what is there left to live for?’ (p. 141).   

More quotes from the book can be found here.

I really enjoyed some of the ideas behind the book. For example, Amy’s return to her high school was interesting. I thought her return would stir up some drama from the first novel, but I’m kinda glad it didn’t happen. Readers gained an insight into how life in Kansas had changed since Amy left, and I like what I saw. I’m especially glad that Amy’s mum is trying to improve her life. These little ideas behind the plot made it interesting, and this largely influenced my rating for this novel.

I liked how Paige made the secondary characters more interesting, in particular Glamora. *WARNING: SPOILER* I think that her split personality will make the next book a whole lot more interesting! I’m really excited about this!

I have a few questions that I wish could be answered: will we ever see Pete again? Did Mombi die? Will Amy choose to stay in Oz or return to Kansas? I NEED TO KNOW!

I felt that the novel didn’t really flow and that let me down. Some parts of the book were rushed, while other parts seemed unnecessary. There were constant obstacles, and it really bothered me. One moment Amy would complete a challenge, then the next she’s facing something entirely new. It’s as though she and the Quadrant never got a break, and this made the plot somewhat unrealistic.

The ending was a cliff-hanger, and it left me with mixed feelings. *WARNING: SPOILER* It was good because it did leave me wanting more. On the other hand, I thought it was anti-climactic, as it was as though someone chopped the book into two. The book just ended so abruptly that I was left wondering, is that it?

As I mentioned previously, I feel as though this series is being dragged on. The last two books should have been combined to create one, and then maybe have a third and final book. I have to admit that I’m beginning to lose interest in this series, especially because nothing seems to be happening. I feel disappointed, because I had high hopes after reading Dorothy Must Die. I just wanna know if Dorothy is ever going die! When will this series end?

                     

My favourite character is still Glamora, despite her split personality. As I mentioned earlier, I think this new twist will be interesting. It’s probably the one thing that’s keeping me from discontinuing the series. I can’t wait to see what happens, but I hope they don’t destroy her.

                     

I’m glad that Ozma is back, but I have mixed feelings about her character. I’m not feeling it with Amy anymore, mainly because she’s lost her badass-ness and replaced it with a whiney, indecisive brat. The fact that I’m losing interest in her (the protagonist) says a lot about the series. I hope one of two things happen: Paige improves Amy’s character, or finishes the series. Either way, I’m pretty sure I’ll be happy.

I like a bit of romance, and up until this point, I’ve enjoyed seeing how Amy’s relationship with Nox has developed. Unfortunately, it’s beginning to irritate me, as I’m constantly wondering if they’ll ever get together. Just get together already, or not. I don’t really care anymore.

                    

My favourite parts of the book include Amy’s return to high school and Glamora’s battle with Glinda. As I mentioned earlier, I liked Amy’s return to Kansas because we got an insight into how her mum and fellow classmates have changed, as well as her little mission to find Dorothy’s shoes. I also liked the battle between Glamora and Glinda because I’ve been anticipating it for so long and I needed to see how the two sisters interacted with each other.

Recommendation time! Recommendation time! If you like the Queen of Hearts saga by Colleen Oakes, Slumber by Christy Sloat, and The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes The Wizard of Oz, Once Upon A Time, Once Upon A Time in Wonderland, Red Riding Hood, Beastly, and Grimm.

I will also be reviewing the rest of the Dorothy Must Die series when the books become available.

My reviews for Dorothy Must Die and The Wicked Will Rise can be found by clicking on the titles.

Happy reading!

Buy the book

Like and follow!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Basic-Bookworm/659139380862740

Instagram: @thebasicbookworm

Twitter: @BasicBookworm