Cinder by Marissa Meyer - non-spoiler review.

Hi booklovers

*Hides in shame* I reread this book in 2015 in preperation of the release of Winter - which I still haven't read, btw :-s - but I never got around to posting my review. (Luckily, I wrote most of my thoughts down after finishing the book.)

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Genre: YA, dystopia
Format: paperback

*Story:
This is a Cinderella retelling. Cinder is a cyborg mechanic in New Bejing. She has a stall at the marketplace and there she meets Prince Kai. They get to know each other, but unfortunately Kai can't make decisions about his own future because the Lunar queen, Queen Levana wants to marry him. There's also a plague, called Letumosis. Scientists are working around the clock to find a antidote and cyborgs are being drafted to help find it. After Cinder's stepsister Peony becomes a victim of the plague her wicked stepmother sends Cinder off to be tested for an antidote. From this point on, the story really takes off.

*Characters:
-Cinder: She finds herself in a typical cinderella-like situation, which made me really feel for her. She has two stepsisters, one who's nice, one who's a total bitch and a stepmother who can't stand her. Cinder is an interesting character because as a reader you find out about her past at the same time she does. On the other hand, she is also a typical teenager, trying to find her place in the world - which is made even more difficult because she is part cyborg.

-Iko: Cinder's robot. Well, actually she belongs to Adri (Cinder's stepmom), but she constantly accompanies Cinder. I love Iko, she is such a fun and emphatic character. She acts more like a teenager than a robot and she is a total drama queen, but that's part of the fun.

-Prince Kai: the handsome future emperor of New Bejing. He has a lot to deal with: the plague, the death of his father, the eminent threat of Queen Levana and her explicit wish to marry him. You really feel his struggle when all he wants is to be a normal young man, able to choose his own destiny.

-Adri: Cinder's wicked stepmom. Urgh, the number of times I've wanted to strangle that wretched woman... Like the typical fairytale Cinderella stepmom, she never wanted to take care of Cinder, especially after her husband died, so she never lets an opportunity pass to make this known to Cinder.

-Queen Levana: the ultimate villain, oh how I hate this woman! She's manipulative and deceiving, usually gets what she wants and she is so unbelievably cruel!! This character was so well executed, she is such a complex character and that's what makes her a 'good' villain.

-Dr Erland: He's the doctor leading the research for the letumosis antidote. He's such an intriguing character and there is definitely more to him than meets the eye!

*Plot / world building:
I really liked the world building, you get a clear view of how the 'new' world is constructed. You have the different countries, ruled by different people and then you have Luna, the inhabited moon.. We don't really get to know that much about Luna, only that the Lunars believe they are better than the Earthlings. There are Lunars who possess the gift of manipulating people and there are those without this gift, called Shells. Several Lunars live hidden on Earth, even though Queen Levana has put a sentence on those helping Lunars hiding on earth.

*Overall rating:
Reading this for the second time made the story even better. I remember it took me some time to get into the story the first time around, but not this time. I was immediately drawn into the action. You get a great insight into the character's emotions and the growth they go through. The book contains some major plot twists which I didn't always see coming. This was the first fairytale retelling I read and it set the standards high.

Also, the esthetics of these books are stunning: the cover and font are beautiful. The title page for each new 'book' is done beautifully.

Have you read Cinder or the other books in the Lunar Chronicles? Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies

Friday Reads #10 - Jan. 6.

Hi booklovers

The first week of January is almost over, so it's time for another Friday Reads.

This week I read about 320 pages of Some Kind of Perfect by Becca and Krista Ritchie. I did the right thing by picking this one up after finishing Crooked Kingdom. This was the diversion I needed. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it this weekend. These books give me some serious sleep depravation, because I don't seem to be able to put them down and I'm going back to school next week.

Yesterday, I got invited to join the Of Wonderland book club on Goodreads. In this book club you don't have to read a specific book each month, you just read a book from a certain genre. (Just click on the name of the book club to go to the Goodreads group.) This month the genre is fantasy, so next week I'm probably going to pick up Heartless by Marissa Meyer.

Since I'll be commuting again starting Monday I'll probably continue listening to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

A while ago a colleague of mine lent me some graphic novels and I might pick one up to read on the train. I don't want to bring my copy of Heartless with me on the train, it's so beautiful I would be scared to damage it in my bag.

What will you be reading this weekend / next week? Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now and happy reading!

Annelies

2017 anticipated releases.

Hi booklovers

After taking a look at my 2016 anticipated releases and seeing I didn't even get half of the books I anticipated, I decided to really limit the number of books I'm putting on this year's list.

I'm going to divide the books into separate groups again:

A) The next book in a series:

*Long Way Home by Katie McGarry.

This is the third book in the Thunder Road series and it comes out on the 31st of January. I'm really looking forward to reading Chevy and Violet's story.

*King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard.

I really enjoyed the first and the second book, so I'm looking forward to reading the third one since book two ended on a major cliffhanger. The release date is the 7th of February.

*A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.

This is not the final cover!

This is the third book in the ACOTAR series and the last one from Feyre's and Rhys' POV's. This is set to be released on the 2nd of May.

*The Crown's Fate by Evelyn Skye.

I know I haven't read the Crown's Game, but I have it on my TBR, so I should be able to get to it before book two releases on the 16th of May.

*The sixth book in the Falling Kingdoms series by Morgan Rhodes.

We don't have an exact release date yet, but it will probably be December, so I have ample time to catch up with the series since I still need to read books four and five.

*The third book in the Illuminae Files trilogy by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman.

Again, this book doesn't have a release date yet.

B) I have the first book on my TBR, I just haven't gotten around to reading it:

*Infini by Becca and Krista Ritchie.

This is the second book from the Aerial Ethereal universe. I want to pick up Amour Amour really soon, so I might read them back to back. This will be released in January of 2017.

*Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken.

This is the second book in the duology and it comes out on the 3rd of January.

C) I have the first book on my wishlist:

*Windwitch by Susan Dennard.

Release date: the 10th of January.

*The Dark Days Pact by Alisson Goodman.

Release date: the 31st of January.

*The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine.

Release date: the 14th of February.

D) Authors I've read books from:

*RoseBlood by A.G. Howard.

I liked Splintered - I haven't continued with the trilogy, though - and this one is a Phantom of the Opera retelling, so I'm quite intrigued.

Release date: the 10th of January.

*Roar by Cora Carmack.

This is the first book in a new YA-series by Cora Carmack.

Release date: the 13th of June. I'm also hoping both her other announced NA-books - Inflict and All Closed Off - will be released this year.

*Damaged Like Us by Becca and Krista Ritchie.

This is also a new series from these two genius sisters I'm really looking forward to. There is no exact release date yet, their site just states: Spring 2017.

E) Books by new to me authors:

*Hunted by Meagan Spooner.

Since I still haven't read These Broken Stars she is still a new to me author :-). This is said to be a Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Release date: the 14th of March.

*Frostblood by Elly Blake.

Although this sounds a lot like the Red Queen storyline, I'm still quite looking forward to it.

Release date: the 10th of January.

Which 2017 releases are you excited for? Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies

2016 anticipated releases - in review.

Hi booklovers

First of all, let me wish you all the best for 2017 and a very good reading year!

Before sharing my 2017 anticipated releases, I thought I'd take a look at my anticipated releases of 2016: which ones did I buy, which ones have I read, which ones haven't I bought (yet)?

A) Bought and read:
*Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry. I really enjoyed this second book in the Thunder Road trilogy and I can't wait for book three to come out.

*A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. I absolutely loved this book. It even made it to my top 10 books of 2016, even though I know there are some flaws to the story - and no, I'm not talking about the cast of characters not being diverse enough! I'm talking about some exaggerations in some character's attitude and behaviour!

*Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard. I have mixed feelings about this one. I really liked Queen's Song, the story about Cal's mom, but I didn't enjoy Steel Scars all that much.

*Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. I liked this one a lot better than Cruel Crown and I'm curious to see how the story will continue after the major cliffhanger. (I have to admit I might need to reread Glass Sword before reading King's Cage :-$ )

These three authors have the next book in the trilogy / series coming out in 2017, so expect them to appear in my 2017 anticipated releases.

*Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. This is my most recent read and my feelings are still all over the place.

B) Bought but still unread:
*Stars Above and Heartless by Marissa Meyer.
*The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson.
*The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johanssen.
*Frost Like Night by Sarah Raasch.
*Passenger by Alexandra Bracken.
*The Crown's Game by Evelyne Skye.

C) Not bought:

*Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas. I haven't even read Queen of Shadows, so I thought it was a bit useless to already get Empire of Storms.

*Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes. Same story as with EoS. I only recently bought Frozen Tides so I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, so no point in already getting Crystal Storm.

*The Dark Days Club by Allison Goodman.

*Thief of Lies by Brenda Drake.

*Truthwitch by Susan Dennard.
*The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine.
*Nevernight by Jay Kristoff.
*A Million Worlds Without You (Firebird #3) by Claudia Gray. I haven't even read A Thousand Pieces of You or bought Ten Thousands Skies Above you, so I won't be getting this one any time soon.

*The Glittering Court by Michelle Read. I'm not sure I'm even going to get this one anymore. I kind of lost my interest in it.

D) These publications were pushed back:
*Damaged Like Us by Krista and Becca Ritchie.
*All Closed Off and Inflict by Cora Carmack.
*The Star Maiden by M.J. Melrose.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed these books will be released in 2017.

I didn't include any of the books I don't even have the first book in the series of.

What's the conclusion of my 2016 anticipated releases list? I had way too many books on it. This time I'm not going to include books from series of which I don't even own the first book.

Did you get/read all of your 2016 anticipated releases? Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies

Friday Reads #9 - December 30.

Hi booklovers

I can't believe 2016 is coming to an end. It's been a weird year at times, but luckily one thing has been a constant for me: reading.

So, why not end the year with a Friday reads post?

This week I finished Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo and oh my, that last but one chapter really got under my skin.

Because I was suffering from a mild book hangover, I decided to pick up a book in a totally different genre, because I was afraid I was going to compare every other fantasy book to CK. I was also scared I might get into a reading slump, so I picked up Some Kind of Perfect by Krista and Becca Ritchie.

Now I know these aren't the easiest, lovey dovy kind of books either and I might suffer from an even bigger book hangover, but I felt like it was time to dive into this book. It's good to visit Lo, Lilly, Connor, Rose, Daisy and Ryke again, but it's also bittersweet because it's the last book about them. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish it before my Christmas break is over.

If so, I might pick up Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

or Amour Amour by K. & B. Ritchie, the first book in a new series(?).

I also started listening to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but I probably won't finish that before the end of the week.

I hope you had a great reading year and that 2017 may bring you much joy and a lot of reading pleasure.

Bye for now and Happy New Year

Annelies

Winter Wonderland Book Tag.

Hi booklovers

Since it's winter - and this is my favourite season - I felt like doing the 'Winter Wonderland book tag'. I found this tag on thriceread.

1. What book is so happy and sweet that it warms your heart?

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. Even though it has some heavy themes, I thought this was such a sweet and cute book, which is why I've read it twice already :-)

2. What is your favourite book with a white cover?
Even though I have a few white books on my shelves, the only white(ish) book on my shelves that I've actually read is Champion by Marie Lu. I really enjoyed this book, it was a nice conclusion to the trilogy.

3. You're sitting in a nice comfy chair, wearing a onesie, with a lovely warm hot chocolate, but what MONSTER read are you reading?
There are quite a few monster size books on my TBR, but Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is the one I'm most likely to pick up next.

4. It started snowing, so you decided to have a snowball fight! What fictional character would you love to have the snowball fight with?
I'm going with a character from one of the most recent contemporary NA novels I read: Chris from Fractures in Ink by Helena Hunting.

5. Sadly, your fire is beginning to go out. So what book would you tear the last few chapters out to throw into the fire?

Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han. I really enjoyed the first two books in the trilogy, but I didn't like the direction the third one went in and I certainly did not like the ending!

6. What book is so close to your heart that you would gift to someone this Christmas who hasn't read before but wants to get into reading?
Although my preferred genre is fantasy and I could go with the Harry Potter books I would still recommend two contemporary books: Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson and Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. I know the last one doesn't really have a happy ending, but it still such a good book. And I think these books would be ideal to get someone into reading.

What would your answers be to (some of) these questions? Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies

My top 10 favourite books of 2016.

Hi booklovers

2016 is coming to an end, so it's time to take a look at my favourite books of 2016. Before we move on to the list, here is an overview of my reading year according to Goodreads:

I actually just finished book 59 literally 30 mins. ago.

Note: the books on this list weren't necessarily published in 2016.

#10. ACOMAF by Sarah J. Maas.

After finishing this book I would have put it in my top 3, because I suffered from a very serious bookhangover. But as time went by and I read / listened to some more reviews I started to see the flaws of this book. I still really love this book, but I've read 9 books that were even better (even if they didn't all give me bookhangovers).

#9. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo.

Last year, my number one favourite book was Shadow and Bone and this year I finally continued and finished the trilogy. You might wonder why I didn't include Ruin and Rising, but even though I loved the conclusion to the trilogy and I did give it 5 stars, I was a bit disappointed with the ending, it was a bit anti-climatic. Siege and Storm, in my opinion, was better than Ruin and Rising and it didn't suffer from second-book-syndrome.

#8 and 7. Clipped Wings and Inked Armor both by Helena Hunting.

These were the first books I read by this author and they blew my mind. Some might say that these NA stories have a cliché storyline, but I disagree. To me, they were very gripping and raw and they really got under my skin.

#6. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

I read (listened to) this book for the anti-bully-readathon and I loved it. It was so touching and honest.

#5. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.

It took me about 100 pages to get into the format of this book but after that I loved it. It was the first sci-fi book I read and it totally blew me away. Fun fact: the whole time I was reading the book I thought of the AI Aiden as being a 'she', but most other people think of it as a 'he'.

I can't wait to pick up Gemina very soon and hopefully that will make it to my top 10 of 2017 list.

#4. Long Way Down by Becca and Krista Ritchie.

Putting these books in my favourites list is becoming a tradition. This is the conclusion to the Addicted and Calloway Sisters companion series (not including the epilogue book Some Kind of Perfect - which I still need to read) and I don't even know how to begin to describe how much I love these books. I'm glad this final book was about my favourite couple Ryke and Daisy and it's a bit bittersweet that there will be no more books in this series. But luckily I can visit their stories one more time with Some Kind of Perfect.

And now for my top 3:

#3 and 2. Crooked Kingdom and Six of Crows both by Leigh Bardugo.

And no, I didn't put them in the wrong order, I enjoyed SoC a little more than I did Crooked Kingdom (I gave both of them 5 stars). Two more books that have me lost for words. Where do I begin to describe how much I love the Grisha world and the characters in these books. I loved all of them, but Matthias and Nina were my favourite, followed by Jesper and Wylan. And let me say that the last but one chapter of CK completely tore me apart! (Can you tell this was the book I literally just finished?!)

And now, my number 1 favourite book of 2016:

#1. Fractures in Ink by Helena Hunting.

This is the conclusion to the Clipped Wings trilogy and what a conclusion it was. Like the first two books this one was raw, realistic, heart wrenching, filled with both despair and hope and I loved it to bits.

I have to admit that the books in my top 3 could easily switch places, so maybe I should've put all three books in a shared number 1 spot.

All in all, I've had a very good reading year with very few disappointing reads. Let's hope 2017 will be equally as good.

What are some of your favourite reads of 2016? Let me know in the comments.

Bye for now

Annelies