Beautiful Creatures Review!

Hello readers!!

I know I have been a terrible blogger lately and for that I am so sorry. I am working on being better :)
To get back into the swing of things I bring you my thoughts on Beautiful Creatures.

On Goodreads this book has gotten a lot of mixed reviews and I understand why. Going into this book I had high expectations about it. All of the book bloggers I watch on YouTube loved it, it seemed like my type of book and I couldn't wait to start reading it. However, around page 200 or so I realized the pace of the book was not going to pick up. It just drugggggg on and on. The ending, however, was so unexpected and AMAZING! it just took for everrrr to get there.

If you are not familiar with Beautiful Creatures then here is a brief synopsis:

Nothing new ever happens in the small southern town of Gatlin, South Carolina. At least until the Boo Radley of Gatlin comes into town. Lena Duchannes is mysterious, troubled, and the worst thing you can possibly be in Gatlin, different. Everyone in town automatically hates her. Everyone except Ethan Wate. Ethan has been longing to get out of Gatlin for years. When he meets Lena she is like a breath of fresh air. Her mystery and secrets introduce Ethan to a side of Gatlin he never dreamed could exist. But as Lena nears her 16th birthday, the secrets of Gatlin, the Duchannes', and the Wates are exposed leaving Lena and Ethan changed forever.

Sounds good right? Well it is. The plot line is fantastic! It's mysterious, unique, and the ending will have you at the edge of your seat. The southern setting is rich and full of interesting characters. Our protagonist, Ethan, is so funny and lovable. I just want to be friends with him. He is adorable and slowly turning into one of my favorite literary male characters.

The problem I had with the book was the pacing. Right when the plot should speed up, it continues to creep along. If the plot wasn't so interesting I wouldn't have made it through. I also think I would have enjoyed this book more if I was around 15-17. Some parts are written in a more juvenile way, but it may be the age of the main characters (15-16). However, I am still excited to continue the series. Fingers crossed that the pacing improves with the series.

Summary:

Stars: 3.5 out of 5
Pacing: Horrible
Plot: Amazing!

Michelle Reviews: The Grimm Diaries Prequels volumes 1-6

Oh my gosh you guys! I have stumbled onto the best little series! If you follow me on Goodreads  (link here) then you already know what it is. Drum roll please…. It's the Grimm Diaries Prequels by Cameron Jace!

The series is sort of like a peek into a fairytale character's (or as Jace refers to them in the book Immortals) world and in some cases mind. Each prequel focuses solely on one character (or one group of characters) plot line. Yet, all the books tie in with each other and begin to create a spiderweb of interwoven connections that you would never see coming. These prequels are darker and have more of a Coraline or a Snow White and the Huntsman feel to them. I like that they aren't the typical nice and pretty kind of stories that end in nice and pretty ways. They feel real and deal a powerful blow to any preconceived notions you had about your favorite fairytale characters. A vampire or two may even pop up *wink wink*

As the title "The Grimm Diaries Prequels" suggest there is a series of books yet to come. I believe Jace is going to add more prequels first in a separate bundle, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.

As I said on my Amazon review of the set: "[If] you like your fairytales with a side of blood and evil? Then The Grimm Diary Prequels are for you!"

If you are interested in purchasing the prequels they are all currently sold as an ebook bundle on Amazon for $0.99. The link is right here.

Oh and be sure to keep your eye on this blog because a certain author may have let me interview him and just might have something to give one of you. :)

Bye guys!

xoxo,

Michelle

Michelle Review's: Dash and Lily's book of Dares

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares
by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

If I were 12-14 I think I would have enjoyed this more. It was just too… fluffy for me. Everything was sweet and nothing was all that interesting. 

While the beginning and the overall concept were very cute, I grew extremely bored toward the end. I didn't feel like the characters devolved much throughout the story. Instead, every chapter was like a new version of the previous chapter.

The writing itself had a hint of John Green too it. Like how Dash used word play and there were dictionary definitions and such. But the depth that John Green adds to his books was lacking. But, to be fair, this book wasn't trying to be deep. It was meant to be cute and light, which it did accomplish.

Happy reading everyone!

xoxo,

Michelle

Michelle Review's: Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief

When I picked up this book, I wasn't expecting to love it. I thought it would be one of those fun reads that you can complete in a night; nothing more, nothing less. Well It was a fun, quick read, but it is also one of those books that contain characters that will live in your heart forever.

The story is about young demigods. Demigods are created when a God and a mortal have a child. The Demigod that narrates this book is of course Percy Jackson.

Percy is a 12-year old boy that is just trying to get through middle school in one piece. He lives with his mom and his awful stepdad "smelly Gabe". Percy narrates with humor and sarcasm throughout the book. When Percy finds out his true heritage he goes to Camp Half-blood where he meets Grover the satyr and Annabeth daughter of Athena. Together they go on an epic journey to find Zeus's lighting bolt. On their quest, they meet Ares, Medusa, Poisiden, Hades, The Furies, and more than enough greek monsters.

Not only is this book good for a laugh, but it is also a really fun way to learn Greek mythology. As you read, you feel as if you are personally in the presence of all of the Gods and creatures.

I cannot wait to continue the journey with Percy and his friends!

This is definitely not a book to judge by its cover. It is so much more than a children's book and certainly deserves a prime space on my book shelf.

So what did you think about The Lighting Thief? Do you want to read it now? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,

Michelle

Michelle Reviews: Life of Pi

I have had this book on my shelf for so many years and could never bring myself to read it. I think this is partly due to the cover (I am an art major after all), but also due to what the cover portrays. A boy on a boat with a tiger. So boring right? WRONG! Well sort of wrong. Allow me to explain. 

The style of the book is an easy-to-read first person narrative. It goes quickly (up to the last 200 pages) and while it doesn't require much attention, will stimulate a great deal of thought. The voice of the book is Piscine Patel, or simply Pi.

Piscine Patel is a boy living in India with his mother, father and brother Ravi. Their family owns a zoo. From a young age, the boys father has taught the boys to fear animals. But when the family decides to relocate to Canada this important lesson is challenged by fate itself. Yann Martel expertly intertwines religion and zoology into one intricately simply philosophy. At some points, Life of Pi is like watching Animal Planet at others it's like reading the Bible. While Pi is young he has no lack of wisdom. He is fascinated by religion and becomes a practicing Muslim, Christian and Hindu to the chagrin of his parents and three religious leaders. When the religious leaders say he must chose only one religion to practice, Piscine sensibly says "Bapu Gandhi said 'All religions are true.' I just want to love God." Throughout the text many wise and thought-provoking quotes are written. The religions Pi explores merge in his mind with the zoo and the lives of the animals. To Pi both religion and animals are ways to know God more deeply.

While the book does get boring towards the last 200 pages, it is worth your while.

Life of Pi takes what you believe and forces you to defend it, as well as introduces the reader to new concepts that you will want to further explore. I implore you to journey with Pi as he discovers himself and the many forms of God.

So that is my take! 
Leave your opinions in a comment below! 

xoxo,
Michelle