Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet (Book 2, The Lunar Chronicles

Author: Marissa Meyer
Published: February 2013
Number of Pages: 452 Pages (Hardcover)

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance, Fairy Tale, Retelling, Adventure

Setting: France, New Beijing

Plot: Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner. (Goodreads.com)


Personal Thoughts: This book picked up right where book one ended and it was so great to see how the story continued. I love how Meyer easily relates these stories to the classic ones we love - Scarlet being Little Red Riding Hood. Scarlet's Grandmother disappears, presumed a runaway. Scarlet just knows that can't be the case, and sets out on this journey with e half man/half beast named "Wolf" to find her. Along the way, she meets Cinder face to face, and things get a bit nuts.

This story flows so easily as you read it and I found myself getting lost in the connections between all of these characters that I love so much! We find out more about Princess Selene and what really happened to her and how she got to Earth. Jump in with two feet, you won't be sorry! I really love the world this author created!


Recommended Age Level: 12+
Rating: 4.5

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)

Author: Richelle Mead
Published: August 2007 

Genre: Young Adult, Supernatural, Vampires, Fantasy, Romance 

Setting: Montana (United States)

Plot: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever. (Goodreads.com)

Personal Thoughts: I have to admit, I saw the movie before ever even knowing that this was a book series! I caught it on HBO one day last year, got the first book & then read all 6 of them in a month! It was kind of ridiculous, but I love this series so much! 

“Only a true best friend can protect you from your immortal enemies.” 

Rose and Lissa are what the author deemed as "shadow-kissed" and during this book you find out what happens to make that so. (I won't spoil that for you, it's too good). But Lissa's powers become more of a commodity and people want her for them. You never really know who's behind it all until you get to the end of the book, Mead does a great job telling this story and keeping all the good parts a secret until it's just time for you to know! It does start out kind of slow, world and character building, but once it picks up towards the end - the pace doesn't slow down until the end of book six!

I think my favorite part of the book is Rose and her wit. She has got a mouth on her and she's not afraid to say what's on her mind, especially about Dimitri. I tended to get a little tired of the jumping into Lissa's head parts... but I get that this was the author's way of helping us see the "full picture" and in later books, it's a lot less annoying and becomes way more cool! 

Its also one of the better YA books I've read lately that depicts the female "best friends" in the right way. Rose and Lissa are close, like sisters and I love how their friendship was written. They are both such strong personalities, but they compliment each other so well. 

There is some language and violence in the book, but it's not so bad that it makes it hard to read. Just typical Mead. 


Recommended Age Level: 15+

Rating: 4

Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Title: Side Effects May Vary 

Author: Julie Murphy 
Published: March 2014
Number of Pages: 336, Kindle Edition 

Genre: Young Adult, Illness, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, 

Plot: When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, who she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her archnemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger). But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she's said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she caused irreparable damage to the people around her—and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy's Side Effects May Vary is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality. (Goodreads.com)

Personal Thoughts: This was not a book I entered into lightly, mostly because of TFIOS by John Green and how it ripped my heart out and broke it into a bazillion pieces! That being said... this book didn't do that to me. I did like it, but the main character, Alice, kind of drove me to the looney bin! 

Alice, in this story, learns she has leukemia. She doesn't have long to live and treatments are rough on her. Typical cancer story - she's got a lot of things to tell people and she wants to fix some of the things in her life before she's gone for good. She enlists this guy, Harvey, who's been sweet on her for EVER to help complete this list and then, she goes into remission. The cancer is gone for now, she's not dying. 

She has to face all that she's done over the last few months and deal with Harvey and his feelings too.... let's put it this way. I read the book in just two days. It's a quick read, a stand alone, and quite quirky. 

Alice is a bitch, so prepare yourself for that... but I like reading about mean girls because I am personally not one! Ha! It was a nice change of pace for me between two series that I was reading! 

Recommended Age Level: 16+

Rating: 3

Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Red Queen (Red Queen #1) 

Author: Victoria Aveyard
Published: February 2015
Number of Pages: 320, Hardcover 

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal 

Plot: The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win? (Goodreads.com)

Personal Thoughts: Just remember one thing while reading this book... TRUST NO-ONE! "Anyone can betray anyone" is sort of the tag line for most of the book and just remember that as you read! 

This story was like a young-adult, mostly clean, version of Game of Thrones! Even though I don't really think Mare wants to be Queen at all, she does want change in her society. That's what she sets out to accomplish from the start! 

Mare Barrow is just a petty thief growing up in the ghetto, what this author calls 'the Stilts' because all the houses are actually up on them. Her family, as well as many others also considered "reds" has already sent off 3 sons to a never-ending war with another territory. Mare is the next in line to be conscripted, until a twist of fate arrives, and his name is Cal. 

She then finds herself surrounded by the Royal Family, hidden away under a brand new "silver" identity and betrothed to the youngest Prince, Maven. She uses her new found position to learn as much as she can, and to help our the Scarlet Guard as well in their fight to bring down the King. 

From there, you'll have to read the story for all the juicy details! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the sequel! This one ended with somewhat of a cliffhanger!! 

Ahead... quotes and possible spoilers! Be aware! 

One of my favorite quotes from Mare in this story was, "This world is silver, but it is also gray. There is no black and white". 

Also, one of my favorite characters & Mare's teacher at the castle, Julian says this; "This world is not your own. Learning to curtsy has not changed that. You don't understand the game we're playing... anyone can betray anyone," Then later in the conversation he goes on to add, "You're playing the game as someone's pawn." BOOM! He told her long before she figures out what's really going on! I love Julian, he was so profound and honest with Mare. It was kind of refreshing when everyone else just wanted her to pretend to be a Silver. 

Lots more secrets and twists and turns come out in this story... but just know that "the dawn is coming for you all." Ha! 

Recommended Age Level: 13+

Rating: 4.5

Review: The Treatment (#2) by Suzanne Young

Title: The Treatment (The Program #2)

Author: Suzanne Young
Published: April 2014
Number of Pages: 344, Hardcover 

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance, Mental Health

Setting: Oregon (United States)

Plot: Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”

How do you stop an epidemic?

Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.

Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.
Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? (Goodreads.com)

Personal Thoughts: I really got into book two!! This world that the author created intrigued me - and once I read the title, I knew I needed to know what happened to James and Sloane now that they are on the run!! Realm became a quick favorite to me, and although it seemed like Young was going to force a love triangle, it's not really like that. Sloane only wants James, but Realm only wants Sloane even though there is another rebel girl who wants Realm & James both! It's crazy!! 

This book does a LOT of explaining about the Program and how these kids are literally trying to survive their lives! The second half of this book keep me on my toes and they were answering secrets and creating more questions in my mind in every single chapter! Such a good read and I applaud the author for taking such a heavy subject and putting such a good spin on it - not to make light of the seriousness of depression or suicide, but I'm really glad this series didn't make me want to drink down some QuikDeath myself!! 

Recommended Age Level: 17+

Rating: 4.5

Review: The Program (#1) by Suzanne Young

Title: The Program (The Program #1)

Author: Suzanne Young
Published: April 2013 
Number of Pages: 405, Hardcover 

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance, Mental Health

Setting: Oregon (United States)

Plot: In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.



Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them. (Goodreads.com)

Personal Thoughts: I started this book based on a recommendation from a very dear friend. After hearing the word "suicide" in her description of the book, I had already pre-decided that I would hate it. But I was going to read it anyway, just because she loved it so much. I needed to know what it was about this book that caught her attention.

So I jumped in, with two feet, and read the thing in just days. 

So basically, the plot of this book confused the hell out of me. To start with, depression and suicide are taking over the lives of these teens. It's all over the news, its talked about at school, they have to see counselors and answers these questionnaires every morning before they can even get the day started. I think I would have had issues dealing with my friends killing themselves as well, if no one ever stopped talking about it and worrying about the next kid to take their own life. While the basis of the story is about suicide, they really don't talk about it much. We also get to follow the love story that takes some crazy twists and turns between James and Sloane. 

It's really interesting to see how this "world" works. You can't show true feelings - love, sadness, anger... without someone thinking you are going to kill yourself. It's kind of sad! 

Spoilers ahead; read at your own caution! 

Most of the book is about The Program (or the Solution) that the scientists have dreamed up...they take the kids in (like a mental institution) without their own permission. Typically its a teacher, or loved one that has turned them in for being depressed or showing signs. They are put away in these tiny rooms, allowed to some-what socialize, and also go to these meetings with the therapist who triggers memories from their depressive minds and pulls them to the surface... and then gives them a pill (or if they fight, a shot) to make them forget it. They literally place plot holes in these kids minds, and then send them back to their parents like little perfect zombies and expect things to just be fine. 

Well they aren't fine. Not by a long shot. By the end of the book, you find that Sloane and James don't remember each other and their previous relationship... but that they feel that there is a connection there. We get to follow their love story from where it had already existed, to it being taken away, and then developing again after The Program. It's kind of beautiful, in it's own twisted, weird way! Also, Michael Realm is one of my favorite characters and he's a badass. You find out why and who he REALLY is in book two!! 

Recommended Age Level: 17+

Rating: 4.5

My Complete 2014 Reading List.

In 2014, I read a total of 53 books. I've set my goal for 2015 at just two more... 55. I'm also challenging myself to "Read Harder" by choosing 24 of my books to be a bit more diverse!

Here is my complete 2014 reading list (in no particular order):

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore
Private by James Patterson
Dark Prince by Christine Feehan
Private: #1 Suspect by James Patterson
Origin by Jessica Khoury
Changing Course by Aly Martinez
Balancing It All by Candace Cameron Bure
Rebecca by Daphne De Maurier
Crossed by Ally Condie
Reached by Ally Condie
Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury
Half Bad by Sally Green
Paper Towns by John Green
Vitro by Jessica Khoury
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Blood Bound by Patircia Briggs
Sinner by Maggie Stievfater
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Elite by Kiera Cass
The One by Kiera Cass
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
NYPD Red by James Patterson
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Silver Bourne by Patricia Briggs
Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman
River Marker by Patricia Briggs
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
Wild Dreams by Natalie Wild
The Selection Stories: The Prince and The Guard by Kiera Cass
Dear Mr. Knightly by Catherine Reay
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Conversion by Katherine Howe
We Were Liars by E. Lockheart
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Frost Bite by Richelle Mead
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver