So overall... I did like it, but I expect for more from this book. Magnus is fabulous and amazing as ever, it's the writing and the story I didn't enjoy. For someone as famous as Cassandra Clare, I think she could do better in terms of stories. But if you could ignore all the other things, and want to read this book solely for Magnus Bane, then definitely go grab it!

The Beast Within is a retelling of beloved Beauty and the Beast, supposedly from the Beast pov. I was really expecting angst and desperation while reading this. I was expecting how the Beast gradually warmed up to Belle, and eventually fall in love.

But this book isn't about that. Yes, it does tell Beauty and the Beast, but it's like only a side story. The main plot is why he was cursed. I find the story both interesting and boring.

I love how it incorporates Greek Mythology, like Circe and the three sisters whom I don't know if they represent Fates or Furies. They play important part in the story. It was interesting seeing how arrogant the prince was, but at the same time, his life is all about girls, hunting, and partying it became boring and tedious. I also loved the slow transition of the Prince into the Beast, and how the servants became furniture.

Overall, I quite liked it, but I find it boring. I rated it 2.5/5 stars. 

The Fairest of All tells us the story of the Evil Queen. How he met Snow's father, and what caused her to became the way she was. I was expecting to find out why she was evil, maybe like Once Upon A Time where Snow made her loved one killed?

This book gives me that expectations. I feel sympatethic toward the Queen. She had terrible past, and grief does change people. It's just unfortunate how she lets her grief destroyed her. But I find the reason a bit cliche. I enjoyed reading her interactions with Snow White, and that epilouge really scares me! What if Snow turned out just like The Queen?

Title: Crazy Rich Asians

Author: Kevin Kwan

Paperback, 572 pages

Published: February 2013

Publisher: Anchor books
3.5/5 stars

When American-born Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to provide a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace. Two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars. Three, that he just happens to be the country's most eligible bachelor. On Nick's arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

Title: A Darker Shade of Magic

Author: V.E Schwab

Hardback edition, 398 pages

Published: February 24th, 2015

Publisher: Tor
4.5/5 stars

Summary: 

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped.

Thoughts:

A Darker Shade of Magic is one of my most anticipated release of 2015. The summary sounds AMAZING. I mean, magic? Alternate Universe London? Princes? Smugglers? Thieves? Sign me up! But unfortunately my local bookstores don't sell this book, which is why it took me so long to read this. 

But anyways! This book really lives up to my expectations! It was fast paced and action packed. It's also a page turner, always made me wanted for more story, more explanation, more action. What happens next? What happens with the characters? I want more story about the characters stories. I WANT MORE!

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! *hyperventilates* I love the writing, the world, Kell, Rhy, Holland, magic, and other characters! If you haven't read it, you should read it soon! It's absolutely awesome! Highly recommended!

Title: Eleanor & Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Published: February 26th 2013

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Paperback edition, 325 pages

4,5/5 stars

Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. 

It took me a while to read this book, because I had bad experience with Fangirl. But this book is really different from Fangirl.

Eleanor & Park are both outsiders in their school in their own way. Park because he's half korean, which is uncommon in that time, and Eleanor because she's different. She wears clothes that's uncommon and just being herself. They almost hate each other when they first met. But as the school year proceed, they learn to opening themselves with each other and eventually fall in love.

I think this book is very beautiful. It's so much better than Fangirl. This sets in the 80's, so it's interesting to read about all the books, songs, and gadget references. The conversation is real, like how real highschool students would talk with each other, instead of using metaphors and cheesy lines. What I love about Park, he really looks more than physical aspects, and she loves Eleanor for who she is.

The thing is, there's too much happening at the end of the book. We have such a cute love story, and suddenly there's this serious family issues, that I can't understand what was actually happening.

For those of you who wants to try Rainbow Rowell books, or want to read a cute love story sets in the 80's, this book is swoon worthy.

Title: A Little Something Different

Author: Sandy Hall

Paperback edition, 272 pages

Published: August 26th 2014

Publisher: Swoon Reads

4/5 stars

The distinctive new crowdsourced publishing imprint Swoon Reads proudly presents its first published novel—an irresistibly sweet romance between two college students told from 14 different viewpoints.

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.

But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship.

Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together....

Exactly what I'm in the mood for: quick, cute and fluffy romance. I love the idea of 14 povs, from the starbucks barista that intially hates Gabe, grumpy Victor, the romance-obsessed Inga, to a squirell and a bench on the campus (Yes, you read that right, a squirell and a bench). The story is light and realistic, about two people who's just too shy to admit that something is happening between them. There isn't any cheesy/typical YA words/scenes in this book. 

The problem is, sometimes I find it hard too connect with the main characters because I don't know what they're thinking. And sometimes I get annoyed with how the romance dragged on and on without any actions until the last few chapters, which potrayed in Victor's povs. Sometimess I just want to reach into the book, shake Gabe or pursue him to talk to Lea already. He's just so shy it's frustrating.

If you're in the mood for a light read and a cute romance, this is the perfect book for you.

Title: The Pretenders

Author: Lisi Harrison

Paperback edition, 304 pages

Published: May 13th, 2014

Publisher: Poppy

2/5 stars

Three girls, two guys, five secret journals.
The five most popular students at Noble High have secrets to hide; secrets they wrote down in their journals. Now one of their own exposes the private entries...
I am leaking these because I'm tired and I know you are too. The success bar is too high and pretending has become the only way to reach it. Instagrams are filtered, Facebook profiles are embellished, photos are shopped, reality TV is scripted, body parts get upgraded like software, and even professional athletes are cheating. The things we believe in aren't real. We are pretenders.

In the Engllish class, everyone is assigned to write a journal. The teacher promised that no one would ever read the journals, not even herself. But then, the journals of the Phoenix Five, the five most popular student at school were leaked. When the most private thoughts of five most popular students is leaked, no one is safe.

I don't see why the Phoenix Five are called the Pretenders, because from what I've read in the journal, they don't pretend to be anything unsual. They just trying to fit in and .survive high school. The characters are immature, when I read this book I imagine them as delusional 10-12 years olds.  

The author has favorites, like Sheridan got many pages, and Jagger barely had 10 pages or so. We got everyone's backstory except for Jagger's. I couldn't care enough for the characters.

The plot is really slow, I almost give up on this book. It's just so boring and immature. But it picked up towards the end, like in the last 50 pages or so. But then... the author suddenly ends the book. And no, this is not a cliffhanger. At least when you get a cliffhanger, some problems had been solved. This book barely solves anything. Basically, nothing happens. You can't end a book in a middle of the story, it gives no closure or whatsoever for the characters.

I haven't read any of Lisi Harrison's book, but based on my experience with this book, I won't read any other books by her.

Title: The One

Author: Kiera Cass

Paperback edition, 336 pages

Published: May 6th, 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

4/5 stars

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown--or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose--and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

"35 girls entered The Selection. Only one can win"

How do I explain my feelings?

I always love the selection covers. But so far this is my favorite. The dress is so beautiful. But the only thing I hate from this series is how the title spoil the story for us. Like the selection, America entered the selection. The Elite, America is still competing as an Elite. The One? Well you guess it yourself.

The selection will be forever on my favorite series list. I really like the unique idea of 35 girls competing to be the queen. I know most kingdom use arranged married to gain more power. But in this book, the prince get to choose the finest girls from the country. 35 girls.

Now, this book. I really like this book. But I kind of hating america in this book. He's using Aspen as a safety net and that's so selfish. But in the end, i'm glad everything work out just fine even after Maxon found out about Aspen.

Celeste. In this book we get to see the real Celeste. And honestly, I feel attached to her. And then, in one short paragraph, as I quote:

Title: The Golden Lily

Author: Richelle Mead

Kindle edition, 418 pages

Published: Juni 12th 2012

Publisher: RazorBill

3/5 stars

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

This book. This freaking book.

This freaking book is an emotional rollercoaster of sydrian.

After exposed the illegal vampire blood distribution by fellow alchemist, Sydney is praised as an exemplary alchemist. But she oftens wonder; who is the real monster? She already seen some humans do bad things, even the alchemist. But the vampires? The group she supposed to hate? Well at least her group of vampire friends never do anything bad. The more she spends time with Jill, Adrian and Eddie, the more she questions her beliefs.

Things get worse when Sonya, former strigoi, was attacked by an unknown group who knows a lot about vampire. Is it possible that the hunters are real? Who is this hunters? Do they want to kill all vampires or strigoi only?

Well Sydney has her own problems. There is new dhampir that assigned to protect Jill, and she's having a hard time adapting with the school rules. Sydney's friend, Trey, try to set her up with his friend, Brayden. Sydney also starts to have some feelings for Adrian. Sydrian starts to develop in this book. Sydney is torn between her beliefs about vampire, her duty to the alchemist, and her feelings for Adrian.

THE ENDING. Well if you love Sydrian this book's ending will burn your heart into pieces and scatters the ashes into the wind.

There are other characters beside Sydney and Adrian of course. Sonya is really determined with the experiment, and sometimes can be a little bit insensitive toward Sydney. Eddie finally (almost) get over Jill, and Jill well... you should read the book yourself. Dimiti Belikov. Can we just talk about Dimitri? How badass he is in a fight? But with Rose, well he seems like entirely a different person. There are still a lot of tension between Adrian and Dimitri, but in the end they managed to work together.

This book is much lighter than the first book. It almost feel... contemporary. I mean this book focuses more in Sydney relationships with the humans and vampires, which include romance and friendship and (almost) normal school life. I'm going to start Indigo Spell right after Esther bc I can't wait any longer for more Sydrian. (especially after that kind of ending)

Title: Lucid

Author: Adrienne Stoltz, Ron Bass

Paperback Edition, 502 pages

Publisher: Mizan

Published: Desember 2013

3/5 stars

What if you could dream your way into a different life? What if you could choose to live that life forever?

Sloane and Maggie have never met. Sloane is a straight-A student with a big and loving family. Maggie lives a glamorously independent life as an up-and-coming actress in New York. The two girls couldn't be more different--except for one thing. They share a secret that they can't tell a soul. At night, they dream that they're each other.

The deeper they're pulled into the promise of their own lives, the more their worlds begin to blur dangerously together. Before long, Sloane and Maggie can no longer tell which life is real and which is just a dream. They realize that eventually they will have to choose one life to wake up to, or risk spiraling into insanity. But that means giving up one world, one love, and one self, forever.

Finally I finished it! It took me 3 weeks to finished it, because, well, school. I saw this book in my local bookstore a couple of times but always ended up buying another book. Then when I was at my friend's house, I saw this book. I took it obviously. She was okay with it, but she gives me a warning, "You'll regret this, this book makes no sense."

She was right in a way.

It started out fine, like a book with 2 povs. Maggie lives in a big city, an actress and lives with her mom and sister. Sloane in country I guess, just lost her bestfriend, have a complicated relationship with her other bestfriend, and normal family. But. Here's the catch. When Maggie falls asleep, she dreams that she is Sloane. When Sloane falls asleep, she dreams that she is Maggie. Both are aware with each other existence, and always coexisted peacefully.

Around the last 100 pages or so, things started to go awry. Maggie started to see people from Sloane's life, and vice versa. Their worlds collide. Both Sloane and Maggie are terrified, they both don't know who's real, and they both don't want to dissapear.

I can't write a proper review about this book. I mean, I'm not exactly sure what's happening in this book. I don't know what is real or not real. Much less about the ending. I feel like I got something, I grasp something about the story, but I'm still struggling. When I'm done I keep re-reading the last 2 chapters and thinking, because I'm not sure I got the ending right. It's the kind of open ending book that freaks you out, because you wanted more explanation, but in a good way. I have to admit though that the authors are really good in writing this book, capturing the reality (or the freakiness of the situation) and make the readers think.

Title: Bloodlines

Author: Richelle Mead

Paperback edition, 

Publisher: Razor Bill

Published: 2012

3.5/5 stars

Blood doesn't lie...

Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...

Another vampire book. It's been a while since I read a book about vampire, the last one being The Vampire Diaries: Midnight.

Bloodlines is a spin-off from Vampire Academy series. I only read the first book, which is Vampire Academy, haven't got the time to continue the series. But, I remember enjoyed it a lot. VA is different from typical vampire books. It's not "vampire vs werewolf" it's "vampire vs vampire". It creates a whole new world of vampire, with races, class, and royals. It wasn't a book where the vampire falls in love with a human and bit her and live (or dead) happily ever after. And even if we haven't read VA, we would still understand Bloodlines series.

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, a group that covers up vampires. She's suspected as sympathizer because she helped Rose escape (escape from what I have no idea it's in VA) She was assigned to protect Jill, the stepsister of the vampire queen from assassins. She didn't want to take this job, but it was her or her sister, and so she chooses herself.

Living in a boarding school, undercover, wasn't as easy as they thought. Highschool drama, romance, bullying, jealousy. I guess it just adds more plot into the story.

It started out really slow, and then it picked up in the middle. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be, since the Goodreads ratings are pretty high, but it wasn't that bad. The characters and story are pretty funny and light, it has actions, and just basically Sydrian. Really love to read the next book!

The Truth About Forever

by Sarah Dessen

Paperback edition, 374 pages

Published by Speak on June 2012

✰✰✰✰

Macy's summer stretches before her, carefully planned and outlined. She will spend her days sitting at the library information desk. She will spend her evenings studying for the SATs. Spare time will be used to help her obsessive mother prepare for the big opening of the townhouse section of her luxury development.

But Macy's plans don't anticipate a surprising and chaotic job with Wish Catering, a motley crew of new friends, or...Wes. Tattooed, artistic, anything-but-expected Wes. He doesn't fit Macy's life at all--so why does she feel so comfortable with him? So...happy? What is it about him that makes her let down her guard and finally talk about how much she misses her father, who died before her eyes the year before?

Macy was really reserved at the beginning. Her father just died, and she was the one that found the body. It was a natural death, but it was still a traumatic experience. Her mother works 24/7 to avoid confronting her grief, and her boyfriend Jason is super smart and has a perfect life. That's why her whole life already carefully planned, to meet her mother's expectations and to fit in with Jason's life. One night, in one of her mother's event, the catering they used had a trouble and Macy decided to help. But in the midst of chaos and dissaray, she found something that she didn't realise she doesn't have.

There's this guy at the catering names Wes. He's perfect to me. He's the kind of guy bestfriend I want to have (guy bestfriend, not boyfriend). He's handsome but doesn't notice it so he doesn't go over the top with his looks, kind, he learned his lesson, he loves his family, and he has amazing personality. They're friends at first, but then while on catering duties, they started to play "Truth". It's like the game of Truth or Dare, but in this case there is no "Dare" options. I think it's a really great game to get to know each other or learn someone's dark secret and it's exactly what happened with them.

The more Mary works at the Wish catering, the more Macy feels like something is wrong with her controlled life. Her mother also started paying attention and worries, not to mention her sister Caroline who deals with the grief face-on and bugs her mom and Macy to do the same.

I think this is a really worth reading book. The romance isn't cheesy. It focused more on family and finding yourself, but the romance doesn't quite take the backseat. It's just the perfect mix for everything. And what I love the most about the romance is how we can actually see the process of Macy and Wes romance, and if you look closely, you could see the exact moment they fell for each other.