-
Review: NEVER FADE // a whirlwind of emotions
Title: Never Fade Series: The Darkest Minds book #2 Author: Alexandra Bracken Page count: 560 Date published: 15 October 2013 Genre: YA Urban fantasy & dystopian Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for sending this my way! Rating: (5 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster. When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flash drive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her. As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that…
-
MARCH RECAP // studying, holidays & binge reading
Where did March go? This year is going too fast! This month has been good. As you can see by the title, I did lots of studying and my grades were wayyyyy better than I expected. Like REALLY good and I’m proud of myself. We’re also on Easter break and I’ve been reading a heck load and bombarding ya’ll with reviews. Okay, I read 5 books and 3 novellas (!!). And Goodreads tells me I’m 5 books ahead of schedule. Don’t ask me how I read more in one month when I also had to study how I read more than Jan & Feb combined. None of the books I read have a rating lower than 4 stars so I consider this a very successful month. – Opal by Maggie Stiefvater {★★★★★}: SO. GOOD. I am starved of this world and I need more. A novella isn’t enough!! (review here) – City of Bones by Cassandra Clare {★★★★★}: Of course it was amazing and I will forever gush and be nostalgic about this series. I read it with Lu which was also really fun (review here) – Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi {★★★★☆}: As you can see I binged these…
-
Review: THE DARKEST MINDS // smushed brain and kickass-ness
Title: The Darkest Minds Series: The Darkest Minds book #1 Author: Alexandra Bracken Page count: 528 Date published: 18 December 2012 Genre: YA Urban fantasy & dystopian Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for sending this my way Rating: (5 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control. Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they…
-
Review: IGNITE ME // epic and all you could want
Title: Ignite Me Series: Shatter Me book #3 Author: Tahereh Mafi Page count: 408 Date published: 4 February 2014 Genre: YA Urban fantasy & dystopian Rating: (5 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her. I am shook right now. I just marathoned these books and now the “trilogy” (I know there is one more book) and have NO idea what to do with my life now. I, of course, loved it as you can see by my rating. It was so good and fast-paced. Everything that needed to happen did and it was a great conclusion. The development in this book and the truths we learn are phenomenal and I loved it so much! Kenji has become…
-
Review: UNRAVEL ME // many emotions + another novella
Title: Unravel Me Series: Shatter Me book #2 Author: Tahereh Mafi Page count: 461 Date published: 5 February 2013 Genre: YA Urban fantasy & dystopian Rating: (5 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: Juliette is still haunted by her deadly touch. But now that she has teamed up with other rebels with powers of their own, she’ll be able to fight back against The Reestablishment to save her broken world. With the help of these new allies, she’ll also finally learn the secret behind Adam’s—and Warner’s—immunity to her killer skin. Did I just gobble this entire book in one sitting? Why yes I did. I may have been in my pyjamas all day (no joke ALL DAY) but it was sooooo worth it. I have emotions right now and I cannot contain them. The plot had so much more action. The characters ripped my heart and left in on the floor. I have a new favourite character. Argghhhh such a good sequel!! I really enjoy Kenji. He’s kinda annoying but he’s become a really great character to read. I can see he’s going to be a really important character in the upcoming books. I also snorted a couple times. I…
-
Review: SHATTER ME // awesome plot + novella
Title: Shatter Me Series: Shatter Me book #1 Author: Tahereh Mafi Page count: 338 Date published: 2 October 2012 Genre: Young Adult Urban fantasy & dystopian Rating: (4 out of 5 stars) GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong colour. The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. Shatter Me has been on my radar for a while but since…
-
IF YOU LIKE THIS, THEN READ THIS // collab with Lia from Lost In A Story
Hi! So today Lia (links below) are teaming up to give you a book recommendations post based on our likes in books, movies and tv shows. So if you spot anything you really enjoyed then definitely check out the recommendation. Basically Lia gave me a whole bunch of her faves and I chose a few that were similar to something I’ve read. Hope you like! PLEASE GO FOLLOW LIA OMG!! *insert heart eye emoji* Lia’s post – https://lostinastory.blog/2018/03/23/collab-ruby-rae-reads Lia’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/lost_in_a_story Lia’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lost_in_a_story/ Lia’s Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11966043-lia If you enjoyed Illuminae by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kauffman which is a sci-novel set in the future with rebel ships (and it sounds super cool) then I highly recommend Warcross by Marie Lu! It’s another book set in the future with games and virtual reality and a (nerdy) awesome cast of characters. The sequel is coming out sometime this year so definitely pick it up. Goodreads links: Illuminae Warcross The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed sounds very similar to Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu, neither of which I have read yet but these girl power books are on my radar. I do have a copy of Moxie…
-
THE "I NEED TO READ ALL OF THESE" BOOK HAUL
I always seem to keep my hauls so far apart but it’s probably because I have no money so never really buy books unless I’m in book stories and I always need that free shipping so don’t online shop. *cue nervous laughter* Anyways here I am so I hope you enjoy! Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody. I bought this because Ilsa keeps screaming at everyone to read it plus I’m into freak shows now after I watched a movie with one in it so Everless by Sara Holland (sent to me by Pan Macmillan) which I have already read. I was in a little bit of a slump when I read this and it’s not the most amazing book but it was reallu entertaining and it got me right of the slump. Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian (also sent by Pan Macmillan) which I’d never heard about and when I heard the synopsis it sounded pretty awesome People Like Us by Dana Mele which I got from Diverse Book Bridge and actually from the author?! WHAT?! I didn’t know this but the ARC is signed to me and I’m still lowkey freaking out. Harry Potter: A Journey…
-
MINI MOVIE REVIEWS // Greatest Showman, Paddington & more
Why is the ratio been movies and reading so drastic? This is my cry for help to pick up a book. I went into a mini crisis and didn’t feel like reading anything for week one of March and then when I did want to read I couldn’t because of I had to study… it’s a hard life. Anyways, I’ve seen a couple movies recently and really want to talk about them so here we are. Paddington 2 I was so excited for this omg. Loads were saying how cute it was and I couldn’t wait. I love Paddington so much, especially the audiobooks we had and this movie was so sweet. Paddington is so precious and I really loved it. It was so heartwarming yet sad at the same time? Basically, if you don’t know what these are about, well it’s about a little marmalade-loving bear named Paddington who comes to London and moves in with this family and is very clumsy. It was honestly so sweet and I highly recommend these movies! Pitch Perfect 3 I’m a huge Pitch Perfect fan. I love the first movie and thought the second was good and I waited forever to watch…
-
KICKASS FEMALES IN BOOKS // all-time faves ft. me hardcore fangirling
I am a day late, but I had some studying to do and I’m here now… anyways Happy International Women’s Day! This post is going to be dedicated to some awesome women characters that inspire me and just kick ass in general Hermione Granger I mean how could I not mention my QUEEN. She’s like my role model. But honestly, she is one of the most iconic female heroines and for a good reason. Hermione stands up for her friends, she’s strong and very intelligent. She loves reading #relateable. She even started an organisation to help house elves, I mean… Isobelle Lightwood Izzy just slays everyone, okay! Honestly, she’s amazing. I just read City of Bones again and I have this newfound love for her. She’s such a strong and confident character and I love her so much! Katniss Everdeen I mean, come on…Katniss is such a brave person omg! I honestly cannot fathom how she did it honestly. She’s such a brave person and I applaud her. She stood up for what she believed in and she’s such an important YA character Nina Zenik A recent fave but also such an inspirational character omg. She’s just such a strong…
