Sunday, July 31, 2016

The Looking Glass Wars Book Review

The Looking Glass Wars (The Looking Glass Wars #1) by Frank Beddor

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Synopsis

Alyss of Wonderland?
When Alyss Heart, newly orphaned heir to the Wonderland throne, flees through the Pool of Tears to escape her murderous Aunt Redd, she finds herself lost and alone in Victorian London. Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carroll, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home. But he gets the story all wrong. He even spells her name incorrectly!

Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth of Alyss' story - and he's searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland, to battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

The Looking Glass Wars unabashedly challenges our Wonderland assumptions of mad tea parties, grinning Cheshire cats, and a curious little blond girl to reveal an epic battle in the endless war for Imagination.

Opinion

I feel like this is a book you either love or hate. Personally, I'm on the fence. On one hand I really enjoyed the more unique take on the original Alice story, on the other hand, it wasn't executed very well.
“You can't spend so much time in a place and not carry a bit of it inside you.”
I was totally into the whole twist on the original Alice story and how Carroll got the story all wrong, at first. But Beddor kind of lost me at the whole imagination thing as being a 'power', I just couldn't get into it now matter how hard I tried. Also, the time line was awful. One paragraph she is 10 than a sentence later she's 16 than all of a sudden she's 20. There was a lot that was basically skipped over with that and then there were so many times that were dragged on to the point I wanted to just skip them (I didn't).
“For most of the universe's life is not all gummy wads and tarty tarts; is a struggle against hardship, unfairness, corruption, abuse, and adversity in all its guises, where even to survive - let alone survive with dignity - is heroic. To soldier through the days in the wake of failure is the courageous act of many.” 
The story did have some cool factors in it though. I really enjoyed the foot soldiers and the looking glass continuum (or whatever it was called). The way that the card soldiers actually acted like cards and soldiers, folding into themselves but then becoming really tall was incredibly cool to them, and bonus points to the author for the drawings to go along with it. Also I was sort of captivated by the world, *SPOILERS* both before and after the whole takeover. Oddly though, I thought it was kind of great how Beddor added in the whole drug problem with the imagination stuff (sorry, I'm honestly drawing a blank), I mean, that is incredibly realistic and such a fun small detail.
All in all, the book may not be executed in the best way and some of the dialogue made me want to cringe, but the story itself was fun and new. I was into the story and I wanted to know what would happen next the whole time. If you're a retelling buff, like myself, though, I would say to read this book with caution because you will either really like it or want to throw it across a room. (4/5)
“I've finished running from you, Redd. It's time for you to run."--Alyss”  

Thursday, July 28, 2016

T5W: Most Unlikable Characters

Ah! So I obviously forgot to put this up yesterday. Sorry about that...

As always Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at gingerreadslainey and is hosted by Sam at thoughtsontomes. All past topics and the rest of this months topics can be found on the Goodreads group page.
I dislike a lot of character, but this list was kind of difficult because I tend to not read the books that I know the characters suck in. However, sometimes, I just can't help myself...


Winter from the Lunar Chronicles was by far the most annoying character in the whole book. I'm not going to go to much into it because I got really ranty in my Winter book review, but damn, I was not a fan. 


Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy was a character had such an okay-hate relationship with. I understand why he was the way he was, but he did not have to be THAT difficult and he did not have to act like he thought he was such a martyr. UGH. My least favorite hobbit. 


Bella Swan in the Twilight series...that's all I have to say. If you've read the series (even if you liked her) you will understand why some people find her very unlikable. 


America Singer from the Selection series is another character that I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who disliked her in the series. She was kind of a pain and incredibly indecisive. Sometimes I wish I could just slap her and tell her to figure herself out. 


Every character in Gone Girl made me so mad. I don't even have a good explanation why, they just did. They were all incredibly self absorbed, complained way to much, and thought they were the victim of the world. Like c'mon, we all know you aren't as innocent as you say you are. 

So, what popular characters do you find unlikable? 

Monday, July 25, 2016

Pokémon Go Book Tag

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So I've been a little absent lately, I know. But today in an attempt to get back on track with my blogging, which I do really enjoy, I thought I would start up again with a book tag and since Pokemon GO is EVERYWHERE (yes, I do play it...no shame) I figured this would be a great tag to jump back in on! This tag was created by readatmidnight, Enjoy! 
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Reading has always had a special place in my heart, but I would be lying if I said I've always been an avid reader, I mean, my childhood was full of running through fields and forests, creating triangle bridges and the likes. But I have to say that the earliest book I can remember being totally wrapped up in was one of the MaryKate and Ashley books... I know...Yet, the book that really got into the reading phase I am in now would probably be Wings by Aprilyn Pike
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I would have to say that this would have to be a tie between Pride and Prejudice and Hamlet. Austen stories are always interesting and it's the closest I ever really come to reading a contemporary book. However, I oddly find Hamlet to be pretty funny and the story is kind of ridiculous so that obviously makes it a love of mine...Hmmm...the more I talk about this the more I would have to say that I also really love Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and so many more. 
Pokemon-Tag-03-Zubat
Like many others, I would have to say that Truthwitch is starting to become less and less appealing to me. At first I thought it sounded interesting but now I can;t go anywhere without seeing it (that's only a bit of an exaggeration, right?) 
Pokemon-Tag-04-Ditto
This is really hard for me to answer. I feel like a majority of books now are not novel in any way really, but that doesn't make me enjoy them any less, most of the time. However, I feel like this especially applies to dystopia books, eg. Red Rising, Divergent, Hunger Games, etc, 
Pokemon-Tag-05-Snorlax
So many. Though if I had to choose one the main one would have to say the Outlander series. I hear they are so good and I absolutely love historical fiction, but the size of the ever growing series is becoming incredibly intimidating to me. I am, however, determined to, at the very least, read the first book in the series so I can determine for sure if the size is worth it. 
Pokemon-Tag06-Gengar
I am in no way a night person. However, I have gotten out of bed early so I could get back to certain books ASAP. One of course being, Winter, the book had me captured all day every day until I finished it. No lie. Oddly though, it wasn't even that it was necessarily good, but because I just had to know how the story ended! PS. Winter was my least favorite book out of all of them, it's only saving grace being that Cress and Thorne's relationship was just too damn cute. 
Pokemon-Tag07-NidokingQueen
Speak of too damn cute couples, Cress and Thorne killed me. I won't go into it because everyone whose read the series knows exactly what I am talking about. But there are so many adorable and amazing ones out there that it's hard to just choose one. 
Pokemon-Tag08-Rapidash
I could almost say that most stand-alone books are kind of fast-paced. However, some obviously stand out in this field. For one, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl started off pretty quick and had thing after thing happen very quickly. Yes, I will have to say that it definitely sizzled towards the end, but that was mainly the fact that it started to loose its creepy factor, not necessarily that things slowed down. 
Pokemon-Tag09-Eevee
All I have to say about this one is that I am super pumped for the Red Rising spin-off to come out. Pierce Brown know what he's doing and I already feel like I am going to absolutely love the spin-off as well!
Pokemon-Tag14-Magikarp
No lie, my expectations for the Relentless series was pretty non existent when I was going into the first book, but it oddly had my entranced the entire time, I just had to know what was going to happen next. Which is why the second book is on my TBR for next month. 
Pokemon-Tag12-Legendary
The Raven Cycle has been on my wishlist for too damn long. The series has been crazy hyped and I have even read the first book but I just haven't gotten around to reading the other three (mainly because I don;t have them). But seriously, this needs to happen as soon as possible. 
Pokemon-Tag15Mew-MewTwo
The MinaLima illustrated edition of Peter Pan is one of the most beautiful and amazing book editions I have ever seen. I am in love. It's got pull out maps, wings, and beautiful chapter illustrations, I can't get enough of it. 
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Not only is How To Hang a Witch one of the most additions to my wishlist, but it also comes out really soon and is the debut novel I'm most excited for! It's got witches and has to do with Salem, plus it apparently has a bit of a Mean Girls aspect. I have a feeling I am definitely going to like this. 
Pokemon-Tag11-Lure-Module
So many! But I would have to say Pierce Brown and Marissa Meyer are definitely at the top of the list. I have loved ever book I have read by both of them. Neither of them can do any wrong. 
Pokemon-Tag13-Server-Down
Oh my goodness, the true struggle am I right? Okay, I acknowledge that this is basically a first world problem. Regardless when they go down it sucks, almost as much as waiting for books that seem to be 'coming out soon' for ever! I mean, Winds of Winter has been a true life form of torture to many fans for YEARS. Also I am ridiculously excited for Heartless and Gemina to come out. I mean, the first is an Alice and Wonderland retelling, which are my favorite, and the latter just need to be in my hand right now. No joke, if I got my hands on any of these books I would probably drop everything to read them.  

On another note, who likes Pokemon? I used to be really into it when I was younger and I doubt I;m the only one. 

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

T5W: Most Recent Additions To My Wishlist

As always Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at gingerreadslainey and is hosted by Sam at thoughtsontomes. All past topics and the rest of this months topics can be found on the Goodreads group page.
Another week of T5W! I realize other than T5W I've been kind of absent, but I swear, I'll be back soon. I've been crazy busy lately but I'm excited to get back into the swing of things soon. Anywho, this weeks topic is all about books recently added to my wishlist (which is unfathomably long), mind you, this list is probably expanding as you read this, but I mean, if your wishlist isn't crazy long, than your'e probably lying to yourself...just saying.

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Glitter by Aprilynne Pike
Described as Breaking Bad meets Marie Antoinette....I mean, what else matters? I honestly couldn't tell you what exactly this book is about but I can't wait to get my hands on it. I really enjoyed Pike's Wings series so I'm sure this book will be a great read as well.

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How to Talk to Girls at Parties (Neil Gaiman's Fragile Things) by Neil Gaiman, Fabio Moon, and Gabriel Ba
I don't even know what to say about this...it looks funny? There synopsis on goodreads just has me really intrigued, besides Neil Gaiman never disappoints.

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A Crown of Wishes (The Star-Touched Queen #2) by Roshani Chokshi
No lie, when I first saw that she was making this a series I was so confused, I mean, considering where the first one left off I had no idea where she planned on going with it. BUT now that I've read the synopsis I'm actually kind of excited. I was a little let down with the first one but this has definitely got me interested. Plus, the cover matches :)

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How To Hang a Witch (How To Hang a Witch #1) by Adriana Mather
I am a sucker for all things witch related. Plus this had to do with people who are descendants and curses and such? I am totally sold. Actually it kind of reminds me of the book Crane, which I loved, so I'm sure this book will be pretty great.

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Project Cain (Project Cain) by Geoffrey Girard
The synopsis had me at "serial killer" DNA. Have I mentioned that I really like serial killer stories? Well I think they are hella' awesome ( I realize that sounds bad, but I swear I'm not a real life Dexter ) Anyways, a whole book about people who are practically clones of old serial killers is right up my ally.

What about all y'all? Add any great book to your wishlist recently? 

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

T5W: Books I Wish Had Sequels

As always Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at gingerreadslainey and is hosted by Sam at thoughtsontomes. All past topics and the rest of this months topics can be found on the Goodreads group page.

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1. The Sleeper and The Spindle by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell 
As I have said before, I believe this had the potential to be a badass princess-save-princess kind of series. A short one yes, but they could have made more than one book and I totally would have read them. 

2. The Host by Stephenie Meyer 
As I am sure many people are aware, this was supposed to be a series but considering The Host came out like 8 years ago and they haven't said anything about the other books, I wouldn't hold my breath. Again though, this could have been a pretty action packed series with some serious potential. Oh well. 

3. The Martian by Andy Weir 
For those who haven't heard they are going to make a second movie. Though I'm not completely crazy as to where it is going, I can't say no to Mark Watney and I wish he was writing another book as well. 

4. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black 
I don't know if sequel is the right word, I want more of a prequel. I want more on the story of how he got to be in the coffin and such. I'd even be fine with a short story or something, I just want more. 

5. he Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Again, I don't know if sequel is the right word for what I want. I just wish that Tolkien had spread this story out a bit more, you know, made it two books instead of one or something. Don't get me wrong, this book is freaking great....but still.

Any books you wish had a sequel, or at the very least a short story to go with it? 

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

T5W: Books Outside My Comfort Zone

As always Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at gingerreadslainey and is hosted by Sam at thoughtsontomes. All past topics and the rest of this months topics can be found on the Goodreads group page.
No lie, this was difficult for me. I mean, it's called a "comfort zone" for a reason, and I VERY rarely stray from what I'm comfortable with when it comes to books. But there have been some times in which that really payed off.

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Yes Please by Amy Poehler
I am so happy I picked this book up. I'm not one fore reading biographies, in fact this is the first one I've read outside of school and it was so good! Amy shares so much of her life, as well as some series life lessons and funny stories along the way. 

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The Man In The Picture (Ghost Stories) by Susan Hill
I'm not completely sure what genre this book falls under, mostly Gothic or horror I would suppose. Written by the same author as The Woman in Black this book is so interesting and strange and a hell of a journey. I wouldn't even know where to begin in describing it but it's a book I would definitely recommend. 

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Broken Silence (Silence #2) by Natasha Preston
I had no idea this wasn't a standalone until after I had read this book. Anyways, I'm not usually one for reading stories with hard topics and such, but this story was definitely so moving. She wen't through so much but tried so hard to stay strong. I'm happy I read it.

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The Fault In Out Stars by John Green 
Again, I'm not one for reading book with hard topics but this became so popular and sounded interesting enough that I just had to read it. And though it was sad and kind of messed me up there was something incredibly beautiful about it. Feels...so many feels. 

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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 
Thrillers have never really been my thing when it came to reading (Which is weird because I love thriller movies) but something about this book intrigued me. and though I was not a big fan of her writing style, I don't regret reading this book, and I am happy I branched into the genre at the very least.

Sunday, July 3, 2016

June Wrap-Up

Currently Reading


  1. The Looking Glass Wars - I've really been in a mood for fairy tales lately and since this is retelling I figured it could be fun. I'm only like 10 pages in so far though so I don't have much of an opinion yet. 
  2. Angels and Demons - I've kind of been indecisive with books lately and since my friend has been begging me to read this for a while now I figured why not? Probably not the best way to choose a book but it's better than nothing. 

Books Read

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  1. Beauty and the Beast by Unknown (3.5/5)
  2. The Star-Touched Queen (The Star-Touched Queen #1) by Roshani Chokshi (4/5) - Review
  3. Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Dexter #1) by Jeff Lindsay (4/5) - Review
  4. The Sculptor by Scott McCloud (4/5) 

Other

  1. Netflix original series, Marco Polo - (4/5) Holy crap. This show is good. Like, really good. Good job Netflix. And for those who watch this too, yes, I did binge watch the whole second season when it came out on the 1st.
  2. Started Netflix original series, Peaky Blinders. - I obviously haven't finished what on Netflix yet but so far its pretty damn good too. I mean, it's a little confusing, especially if you know nothing about history in the 20th century. But wow, this show really pulls you in. 
  3. Started Netflix original series, The Fall - Not as good as the other two so far but I haven't finished this one either. There is definitely something intriguing about it, I just haven't completely figured out what that is yet. Haha, maybe it's because I like British shows and this one takes place in Europe as well. 
  4. On a non-Netflix related note, I've been keeping up with Houdini & Doyle which is pretty great so far. June 27th's episode kind of dropped a bomb though. We'll just have to see what the writers have planned next. Definitely recommend it. 
  5. Also watched the first season of Barely Famous obviously trying to mix it up and add some comedy to the mix of shows I watch. 
  6. Don't shoot me but...I've also been watching The Bachelorette and Are You The One? I have no shame admitting to watching these shows, sometimes you just need to watch something explosively dramatic to remind yourself that your life could be crazier. Plus, the Bachelorette has some fine looking guys on it and the other shows is kind of funny. People can be so stupid.