A Bookish Day: #VTRinPH!

Guess who I met last Saturday? Yep, that's Ransom Riggs, Tahereh Mafi, and Veronica Rossi! *cue freakout* They're three of my favorite authors so you can imagine how ecstatic I was to be in the same room as them. I was lucky enough to be part of the bloggers forum and my question was for Tahereh:

Book Review: Ignite Me - Tahereh Mafi

Title: Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3)

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Release Date: February 4th 2014

Publisher: HarperCollins

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Bought from National Bookstore

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love".

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew - about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam - was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

The final book in the Shatter Me trilogy picks up right after the events in Unravel Me, but I highly suggest that you read Adam's novella, Fracture Me, before you dive into this one. Just so you'd have better perspective of... stuff. More than action and blood and explosions, I love how Tahereh Mafi seemed to focus this book on wrapping up the characters' relationships because they are what I love most in this series. I can seriously read about them hanging out in one room for hours and not get bored - that's how interesting they are. And good lord, just how much they've all changed!

Juliette's transformation is simply something to behold. Far from the scared, timid girl she used to be, she now knows what she wants and is not afraid to unleash her power to get it. I was so surprised when she didn't let a certain douchebag insult her anymore, because she knows she doesn't deserve that kind of treatment. I don't think I've ever seen a character grow this much before and every time I think about her Hulk-smashing her enemies, I just smile like a proud parent.

It's no secret that I love Warner. I've loved him since book one, no matter what that says about me, because he is one of the most complex characters I've ever encountered. He's fine with being viewed as unapologetically ruthless and he doesn't deny his selfish ways, but he also actually cares about the civilians. I love where his relationship with Juliette is at by the end because they push each other to be better. Without Juliette, Warner would have continued believing that it's impossible to redeem himself; without Warner, Juliette would have never thought herself capable of using her power to achieve extraordinary things. Oh, and I just adore that detail about him loving fashion because who doesn't love a well-dressed not-so-villain?

Aside from Warner, this series gave me another one of my favorite fictional characters: Kenji Kishimoto. He takes things very seriously but he's also very jovial. He knows his friends are in desperate need of amusement and he really couldn't have entertained me more. Funny Guy of the Year, yes? And I really appreciated his friendship with Juliette - they're such BFFs, even Warner was jealous - because God knows she needed that purely platonic relationship, and who better to help her with her love problems than her sanest male acquaintance.

I never had much liking for Adam - he really does have as much charisma as the rotting innards of unidentified roadkill - but in this book he single-handedly made himself unlikable in just about every way. And I knew, halfway through, that even if he tried to make up for it towards the end, it wouldn't be enough because you don't tell a girl that you'd much prefer her dead than with another guy, no matter how angry you may be.

The absolutely perfect conclusion to the series, Ignite Me gave me all the answers and revelations I wanted. No stone was left unturned, and it was compelling ultimately because of the dynamics between the characters. (I just about died giggling when James kept peppering Warner with questions ♥) This is, undoubtedly, my favorite in the series, if only because it made me laugh the most, and can anyone blame me if I'm desperate for more?

MY FAVORITE PART would have to be when Warner finally found out about the Adam and James situation. Good God.

RATING:

Mini-Reviews: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children; Fracture Me

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children #1)

Author: Ransom Riggs

Release Date: June 7th 2011

Publisher: Quirk Books

Age Group: Young Adult

Source: Bought

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. 

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Miss Peregrine's caught my eye the moment I spotted it in the bookstore, but it wasn't until Ransom Riggs' book signing last year that I finally picked it up. I didn't know what to expect from this book but because of the weird, creepy photos - I was so creeped out that, at times, I closed my eyes before turning the page, but they really made it easier to immerse into the story - I seriously thought this was a horror story or something. It's not.

Dark yet funny, this book is a slow-building and atmospheric mystery. I really admired how Jacob tried to unravel his grandfather's life so he could move on with his, especially when he first explored the old house in Cairnholm Island because I've watched enough horror movies to know that if I were him, I would have ran away from there, screaming like a banshee.

Until now, though, I'm still not sure why Miss Peregrine's didn't amaze me much. It was highly-original and suspenseful, but for the first half I had a hard time staying focused on it. I also think Jacob and Emma's relationship progressed a bit too fast for my liking. But if you're looking a breath of fresh air in the YA genre, then this is the book you'd want to get your hands on.

MY FAVORITE PART was (this is just a tad bit spoiler-y)

"Millard! Who's the prime minister?"
"Winston Churchill," he said. "Have you gone daft?"
"What's the capital of Burma?"
"Lord, I've no idea. Rangoon."
"Good! When's your birthday?"
"Will you quit shouting and let me bleed in peace!"

:)) 

RATING:

Title: Fracture Me (Shatter Me #2.5)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: December 17th 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Bought
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

In this electrifying sixty-page companion novella to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, discover the fate of the Omega Point rebels as they go up against The Reestablishment. Set during and soon after the final moments of Unravel Me, Fracture Me is told from Adam's perspective.

As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam's focus couldn't be further from the upcoming battle. He's reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend's life, and as concerned as ever for his brother James's safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It's time for war.

On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor—but taking down Warner, Adam's newly discovered half brother, won't be that easy. The Reestablishment can't tolerate a rebellion, and they'll do anything to crush the resistance... including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.

So. In my efforts to put off reading Ignite Me because I just don't want this series to end yet, I've finally read this. I actually bought a Kindle copy when it was first released but I decided to wait because of all the... negative things I've heard.

Who's laughing now? Us who've been in Team Warner all along, of course! ;D

But first I'll focus on the good. Through Adam's eyes - because let's admit it, Warner is about three steps away from Juliette's level of sanity - we see just how unstable yet kind Juliette is. We also see more of Adam's relationship with James. He's the kid's brother but due to the life they've endured, he's actually more like a father. His top priority is James' safety and well-being, and that's nothing short of admirable. I know some people hate that he chose James over Juliette but think of it this way - if he chose to run after Juliette instead, wouldn't you just hate him more? I know I would.

There's actually only one thing I hated in this novella: Adam's view of Juliette. He thinks he's got her - and everyone else, too - figured out, and he thinks of Juliette like she's a scared, weak, little girl who would cower in a corner at the first sight of gore.

She would've been so much safer if she'd stayed behind. Why does no one ever listen to me?

Because unlike you, Mr. I Have A Practically Useless Special Power, Juliette can punch through walls and start earthquakes. Yeah. Definitely someone I'd want on my side of the battlefield.

There's no denying now that Juliette and Adam have no reason to stay together. She loves Warner, and Adam will never be able to give Juliette enough of himself because of James. He thinks so low and weak of her while Warner has so much faith in her strength and kindness. And when Adam actually sees her being strong, it doesn't make him proud or happy - it scares him.

*waves my Team Warner flag*

MY FAVORITE PART was James asking Adam to tell Juliette not to eat his pudding :)) 

RATING:

Book Review: Unravel Me - Tahereh Mafi

 

Title: Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2)

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Release Date: February 5th 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Source: Bought

Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Our lips
touch
and I know I'm going to split at the seams. He kisses me softly then strongly like he's lost me and he's found me and I'm slipping away and he's never going to let me go.

Juliette has escaped from The Reestablishment. Now she's free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch. Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible. Haunted by her past and terrified of her future, Juliette knows that she will have to make some life-changing choices. Choices that may involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

Oh, Unravel Me. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Just kidding. I can't. There are too many.

As a sequel should, Unravel Me kept and expounded the positives of its predecessor, and left the negatives. The writing was still beautiful and lyrical, but it flowed more smoothly—or maybe that's because I'm used to it now. It was also more emotional than the first because Juliette now had more experience in that department. I really felt all of her ups and downs.

Although Juliette disappointed me by pulling an Edward-Cullen-in-New-Moon, I liked her for the most part. Same goes for the other characters. Adam was being too much of a drama queen, but I understood his reasons for acting like that. But Warner? Well, my Warner was his usual flawless self, of course. Like he'd ever be otherwise.

The immediate tension made me fail in my plan to read this slowly and absorb the words. That tension was kept consistent all throughout, but it didn't exhaust me, and that's thanks to the reprieves brought by kissing romance and friendship. And since I'm on the subject of lightness, I think Kenji deserves to be mentioned. Seriously. That dude cracks me up. (Tahereh, please stop messing him up.)

With heart-pumping action, jaw-dropping revelations, and totally unforeseen twists, this climax of a book had me glued until that dreaded last page. That final scene has me dying for more, especially since (I hope this isn't too spoiler-y) Juliette declared that she was done being nice. I don't know what this says about me, but I've always wanted to see her the way Warner did: wild and dangerous. Also, I can't wait to know for sure who she'll end up with because both choices are equally possible.

MY FAVORITE PART WAS CHAPTER SIXTY-FREAKING-TWO. Dude. Dude. My. Heart. Cannot. Handle. Warner. Like. That. 

I want this up. I want these down.

What the fark, Warner. You can't just say things like that! Are you trying to kill me, you glorious bastard?!

RATING:

 

I gave the first book a five, too, but this was better. (I seem to be doing that a lot with sequels—not that I'm getting to read lots of them.)

(cover and blurb from Goodreads.com)

Novella Mini-Review: Roar and Liv; Destroy Me

Title: Roar and Liv (Under the Never Sky #0.5)

Author: Veronica Rossi

Release Date: October 30th 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Goodreads | Amazon

We met Roar and Liv in Under the Never Sky and learned about their saddening backstory. So when I started reading this novella, I thought I was ready for all the feels because I knew where this was headed. Turns out, one can never be ready for heartache. 

Sweet and sad at the same time, Roar and Liv made me tear up starting at chapter three (yes, three), and then in every few chapters after that. It wasn't all sobs though, because in here, we also got a deeper look into Roar and Perry's friendship which brought moments of laughter. 

I guess my only complaint about this one is that it's very short, even for a novella, but that also means the plot was extremely tight and the pace extremely fast.

MY FAVORITE PART was every single one with Roar and Liv together in it. This whole novella, basically.

RATING:

Title: Destroy Me (Shatter Me #1.5)

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Release Date: October 2nd 2012

Publisher: Harper

Goodreads | Amazon

You can't imagine how loud I squealed when I learned about this novella. I loved Warner in Shatter Me, but after reading this, well, as Warner said, "I've fallen. So hard. I've hit the ground. Gone right through it."

Here in Destroy Me, we get to know Warner a whole lot better. We learn the real reasons behind some things he did that made Juliette abhor him - because yes, he's not wicked just because he's the spawn of a futuristic devil.

When I re-read Shatter Me before I reviewed it, I fell for Adam, but now, I am solidly in Team 62 *waves flag*

MY FAVORITE PART was the scene with the dog. I think that revealed so much about Warner's character.

RATING:

(covers from Goodreads.com)

Book Review: Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

Title: Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1)

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Release Date: November 15th 2011

Publisher: Harper

Source: Bought

Goodreads

I have a curse.
I have a gift.

I'm a monster.
I'm more than human.

My touch is lethal.
My touch is power.

I am their weapon.
I will fight back.

No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever.

Imagine living in a bleak future Earth with a touch that can kill, parents who don't want to believe an abomination such as you is their child, and a society that is afraid of you. Yep, that would be Juliette Ferrars' life.

Juliette was an okay protagonist for me. She was half-sane and half-sure most of the time, but considering her harsh childhood, I couldn't really blame her. I admired her, actually, because despite it all, she still retained the good in her, not blaming anyone but herself for having a touch that could harm others. She was fragile, having been isolated in a cell for 264 days, but she matured greatly over the span of 300 pages.

Now let's talk about the boys. Tahereh Mafi's goddamn lickable boys. First there's Adam, Juliette's heavily-inked but totally sweet hero whose character, unfortunately, fell flat. I liked him, sure, but he was too simply written compared to Warner - I think that's the reason why the blond, green-eyed pyscho hottie has earned a lot of fans... including me. If I were Juliette, I'd absolutely hate him too, but Warner was complicated enough to intrigue me and make me fall for him, and I just know (as of this writing, I haven't read Destroy Me yet) there's a lot more behind his bipolar ways. But after my Shatter Me re-read, know that I'm now completely torn between these two guys. (I'll just pretend Kenji doesn't exist to save myself from further division.)

The first time I read Shatter Me, I gave it a 4.5. That was last year so my best guess as to why is because of the unusual writing. It took me a few chapters to get used to the italics, the strikethroughs, the run-on sentences, and especially the heavy use of metaphors - some of which required double takes to make sense - but I soon loved it. It made it very easy for me to relate to Juliette because her voice sounded so real.

Full of questions about hope, love, and humanity, Shatter Me truly is a one-of-a-kind book. There is a lot of action towards the end, which I really enjoyed, and the X-Men-y reveal really got my hopes up for the sequel (which is now sitting right beside me but I can't get to it yet because *sobs*) and also to meeting Tahereh Mafi on March 2! ♥

MY FAVORITE PART was Chapter 26 because it pulled half of my being into being in Team 26 because it was like all the chapters before that was building towards it and then after that everything goes boom. Intense, I tell you.

RATING:

A solid five. Haven't given that in while.

(cover and summary from Goodreads.com)

Waiting on Wednesday {13}: Unravel Me

 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where bloggers post about much-awaited releases!

 

Title: Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2)

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Release Date: February 5th 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Goodreads

Juliette's world is beginning to unravel.
Everything is falling apart changing. 

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point-the headquarters of the rebel resistance. There she discovers other people with abilities. Abilities they have learned to control. And for the first time in her life, Juliette has hope. Hope that she can have a life with Adam. Hope that her touch can be used to save instead of destroy. 

But Juliette is only just beginning to understand the depth of her power, and she's struggling to fight the desire to use it. She's still haunted by her past, terrified by her future, and too tempted by Warner, who still wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible. 

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart-and Adam's life.

I NEED THIS BOOK. I absolutely loved Shatter Me (and Warner)—thank heavens I didn't read it back in 2011 or I would've been mad by now—and I craved for this book the moment the first book ended. GOD. Just a few more weeks now! But Tahereh Mafi's coming to Manila for the Unravel Me tour, so I'm hoping it'll be released here earlier. Fingers crossed!
(cover and summary from Goodreads.com)

Feature and Follow Friday {3}

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. This week's featured blogs are Carmen Jenner and The YA Bookworm Blogger. 

This week's question is:

What writing device or trick most irritates you when reading a book? For example, if an author employs an omnipotent narrator that is sometimes considered bad form.

My answer:

When I read George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones, at first, I had a problem with the multiple POVs. I hadn't read anything like that before, so it took me a while to adjust. Also, there's the abundance of metaphors in Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me. Some of them didn't make sense, but I still loved it. Overall, I think any device would work as long as it's executed well.

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