Review: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

This book is not classified as YA. It is an adult novel.

Sharp Objects

by Gillian Flynn 

WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart

Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.

NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg 

Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.

HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle 

As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

With its taut, crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable.

In short: Interesting read. A bit more predictable than Gone Girl for me. I would be in shock otherwise. An interesting thriller that keeps you interested till the end.Not as good as Gone Girl.

My Thoughts :
Gillian Flynn writes real characters. These characters are unlikeable and flawed. These characters make your skin crawl and you never love any of them. You might have a favourite depending on your taste.

Sharp Objects is disturbing not because it is a bad book but because it's characters are just so real and need therapy. I read this book after Gone Girl so I will be comparing it to that book. You have been suitably warned.

So far I have come to realize that I enjoy Gillian's books because of their plot. The more unpredictable the plot is the better. I never especially like any of her characters but that is after all not her aim.

Sharp Objects starts off well. The murder mystery pulls you in.If you love your family,the characters of this book will make you want to hug your loved ones in gratitude.The book explores family life. Especially the relationship between a mother and her daughters.It also explores the various other familial relationships and shows the dark side of domestic life (like Gone Girl but different as it explores domestic familial and not married life)

The climax of the murder mystery and the big reveal was disappointing. There was no major twist(in my opinion). I managed to predict almost everything but that might be because I was very good at picking up all of the various clues put forward by the author.

I just didn't enjoy this book as much as Gone Girl. The only character we get a real insight into is the protagonist.The pacing was not that good but the author manages to keep you hooked till the end.

Overall, Try reading Gone Girl first. If you really like twisted realistic stories try this one.It's got interesting flawed characters and a decent mystery.

My Rating: 

Toss up between 2.5 and 3 

Review: Death Sworn

Death Sworn (Death Sworn #1)

by Leah Cypess

 When Ileni lost her magic, she lost everything: her place in society, her purpose in life, and the man she had expected to spend her life with. So when the Elders sent her to be magic tutor to a secret sect of assassins, she went willingly, even though the last two tutors had died under mysterious circumstances.

But beneath the assassins’ caves, Ileni will discover a new place and a new purpose… and a new and dangerous love. She will struggle to keep her lost magic a secret while teaching it to her deadly students, and to find out what happened to the two tutors who preceded her. But what she discovers will change not only her future, but the future of her people, the assassins… and possibly the entire world.

Source: Edelweiss( Thanks HarperCollins!)

My Thoughts:
This review has been sitting there in my draft pile for a very long time. I have a hard time writing reviews for books that I find unremarkable for no good reason,and this is one of those books.

The premise of this book really drew me in. A cave in which only assassin's live in which a magician who has lost her magic is forced to go.Sounds pretty interesting and full of win,right? Unfortunately I wasn't impressed.There's nothing particularly wrong with this book but it was hard for me to finish it.

I think my main problem with this book was that most of it was cliched and I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters.I liked the main character Ileni because she was so strong and smart but I didn't care about her enough to want to read about how her life was sad and full of so many problems.I wasn't impressed with the male 'hero' of the story as well. Sorin seemed to like Ileni for some reasons that are still not very clear to me.(It might have something to do with the fact that I'm not a huge fan of hers)

The saving grace of the novel is the assassins and their world.I really enjoyed the boss of the assassin world(my words not the authors) and the whole world building and society structure.The murder mystery made me a little curious but I wasn't dying to figure it out.This story had so much potential. I think my expectations were too high.

Overall, If you're really interested in reading about assassins I guess you could give this book a shot but I think I would just enjoy reading Poison Study again instead.At first, I was thinking of giving it a higher rating but I didn't love it and I'm not even that interested in reading the sequel, so ...

My Rating:

2.5/5 

Unremarkable

Review: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer Armentrout

White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1)

by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

One kiss could be the last. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Source: Publisher (Thanks HarlequinTEEN!)

My Thoughts:

I was really looking forward to this book as I'm a Jennifer Armentrout fan. I've read a lot of her books and I follow her releases so I was DYING to get my hands on this. Unfortunately this book did not live upto my expectations and left me disappointed. 

As stated above this is not the first Jennifer Armentrout book I've read. I've read both the Lux series and Half Blood series, and this book's situations and characters reminded me of both. I understand that this book was written before both series but published later. It was almost like I was reading a hybrid of both the Lux series and the Half Blood series and not in a good way. It was very hard for me to form a connection with characters that were shadows of characters that I already loved.I was very close to not finishing this one because I just didn't feel like reading a book that wasn't even a patch on her other series. 

The gargoyles angle was interesting but there wasn't a lot of focus on it.This is also not the first gargoyle novel I've read so the idea of gargoyles wasn't as novel to me as it might be for others. Maybe they will focus on the gargoyles more in the sequel but the focus wasn't on gargoyles on  this one.

This book focuses on Layla , a teenage girl adopted by the gargoyles who is restless and wants to be "helpful" by kicking ass and putting herself in danger.Instead of focusing on the gargoyles and their history the author chooses to focus on Layla's adventures with demons and her romantic feelings. Which may sound good but I think it would have been better if there would have been more focus on gargoyles. There are already so many books that are on demons that there's nothing that really interests you about them in this book. Layla is also a character that is not easy to like .

Zayne, Layla's crush is also someone that I for one did not like. He's CLEARLY either REALLY dumb or he's leading her on.Both of which are not traits that make you as a reader like or swoon over him. 

Roth is the only saving grace of the novel and he is a LOT like Daemon in ways. I like how he riles up everyone and is pretty clear about what he wants, though he is a demon. I also like how he's unpredictable.I really wanted to know more about his back story. Armentrout gives us a nice glimpse into this character. 

The plot could have been much better. It had so much potential but the story drags in some places and doesn't manage to hold my attention. Good thing is that once you really get into the story , you hang in there till the end. The problem is getting into the story.The ending was unpredictable and in a way shocking. 

The problem is that even when I reached the end I didn't really care much for the characters.

Overall, you might enjoy this novel a lot if this is your first Armentrout novel but if it isn't you might feel a sense of deja-vu while reading the novel.The plot is interesting and the ending shocking. The pacing could do with some work. I might check out the sequel but right now I'm not too sure. I might just snuggle with the last Lux book instead. 

My Rating:

2.5 stars 

Mini Reviews: Cinderella Screwed Me Over, Switched and Searching For Someday

These books are not classified as young adult novels.All except Switched are classified as adult novels. Switched is classified as New Adult.

Cinderella Screwed Me Over

by Cindi Madsen 

 Darby Quinn has a bone to pick with Cinderella. Burned one too many times by ex-boyfriends, Darby has lost all belief in the happily-ever-after that the fairy-tale princess promised her. She's sworn off love, Prince Charmings, and happy endings and she's happy about it. Really. Or at least she was…until she met Jake, her gorgeous neighbor and the manager of her favorite restaurant. But Darby has rules about dating, ones she's culled from her years spent with so-called “princes,” and starting something with Jake would break all of them.

Charming, fun, and unwilling to give up on her, Jake doesn’t fit any of the profiles Darby has created from her case studies of ex-princes-gone-bad. Finally presented with her own Prince Charming, can Darby take a chance on a happily-ever-after?

Full of wit and sarcastic humor, Cinderella Screwed Me Over proves that sometimes the perfect love, like a perfect pair of shoes, is just within your grasp.

Source:Netgalley (Thanks Entangled Publishing!)

My Thoughts:

Interesting and fun but the main character was a little too much sometimes and I didn't get why the guy didn't just dump her @$$ . 

The case studies of her previous relationships were interesting especially how she drew parallels between her ex and a fairy tale prince!

I'm was a huge fan of Cindi Madsen's book Falling for her Fiance but this book is not a patch on that one.

The female protagonist is too cynical.I understand that she's mature and has been jilted one time too many but I REALLY don't understand why a nice guy like our lovely male protagonist would deal with all her baggage. The only plausible explanation I can come up with is that she's really pretty.

My Rating:

2.5/5

Switched

by Cassie Mae 

 Ever since high school, Kayla has been crazy for gorgeous football player Talon. But before she could muster the courage to tell him, he became a hot item with her beautiful BFF, Reagan. The only person who knows Kayla’s secret is Wesley, Talon’s best bud—and he’s got it bad for Reagan. Now they’re all in college together, hanging out 24/7. For Kayla, seeing the two lovebirds together is absolutely unbearable. So Kayla and Wesley hatch a plot to drive them apart before Talon has a chance to give Reagan the Christmas gift she’s been waiting for.

Soon enough, the once happy couple is fighting. Reagan suddenly can’t get enough of Wesley’s goofy sense of humor, and Talon seems to be paying more attention to Kayla than a guy who’s “only a friend” ever should. But just when everything seems to be falling into place, Kayla and Wesley accidentally spend a night together and discover a hitch in their plan they never considered: that switching partners may not lead to a perfect ending after all.

Source: Netgalley( Thanks Random House!)

My Thoughts:

This book had such an interesting premise and blurb! I immediately requested it as soon as I had a look at this one.It started off quite well actually but around midway through things got a little muddled. 

I think my main problem with this book was that I wasn't a huge fan of the female protagonist. I think I might have enjoyed this book more if there had been some chapters from the male's point of view as well. 

The friendship between Kayla and Reagan also didn't sit well with me and the fault for this doesn't lie with Kayla. 

The plot is interesting and managed to keep my interest but some parts of it are just plain weird .The end of the novel is just PLAIN WEIRD. I would have actually given it a 3 star if the end would have been different but the ending just didn't sit well with me. Thank god there wasn't a cliffhanger though.

My Rating:

2.5/5

Searching for Someday (Searching For #1)

by Jennifer Probst 

 Kate has given up on love—at least for herself. She is both blessed and cursed with the ability to sense a romantic connection between two people—a gift that her family passed down for generations. When Kate launches her own matchmaking company, Kinnection, with her two best friends in a cozy New York town, she has to put aside her own romantic disasters to make her business a success.

But when a furious man stalks into her office and accuses her business of being a scam, Kate is given the ultimate challenge to prove herself. Slade puts himself in her hands and asks Kate to find him love. Enraged at his arrogance but stubbornly eager to prove herself, Kate agrees, dedicating herself to the journey of finding him love...only to find herself falling for him along the way.

Source: Edelweiss ( Thanks Gallery Books!)

My Thoughts:

I was looking forward to this book because the Marriage series by this author has been pretty entertaining and I was interested in reading something new from the same author. 

I'm not sure if it was deliberate but there is a plot point that is there in the marriage series which is there in this as well . Which disappointed me because I thought it was a new series . After doing some internet research I found out that it is actually a NEW series like I thought it was. I'm surprised that the author has basically used a concept she used in her other series as well , I think it wasn't really necessary in this book. Maybe it will be needed in the next one but I guess I'm just disappointed. 

This book was ok . I would suggest the marriage series to people more than this book it's more fun and a little more believable. The mother of the main character was an interesting character. I actually liked the scenes in which she was there a lot. Some parts of this book were quite hilarious and the there was chemistry between the main characters. The opposites attract thing was also nice.

If you want to read a nice time pass romance with some paranormal elements and a crazy wacky mom egging on her daughter to follow her daughter , Try this one. 

Overall, Interesting enough but not as good as marriage series . More intrigued by characters in this novel which will obviously be a part of the sequel.

My Thoughts:

Toss up between 2.5 and 3.

Leaning more towards 2.5 though.

Review: Beautiful Disaster

This book is classified as ADULT.

It is not suitable for younger readers.

Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful #1)

by Jamie McGuire

 The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand. 

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

Source:Netgalley (Thanks Simon and Schuster!)

My Thoughts:

I read this book a LONG time before. I thought I had already posted a review but it looks like I hadn't.

Anyways, Here it is FINALLY....

So this review is going to be a little different.
Basically I think this book can easily be split up into two parts . THE GOOD and THE UGLY. 

THE GOOD (A.K.A The first half of the book )

We're introduced to the main characters. There's some mystery regarding the past of Abby . 

There's chemistry between Travis and Abby and I loved their banter. It was great fun to see Travis being uncomfortable and being constantly surprised by Abby.Overall, it was a fun,romantic and light novel .

The first half of the book is like a cute but predictable romance that I couldn't put down. If the book would have ended then itself I would have definitely given it more than 3 stars BUT it didn't.

Halfway through the book I thought it was over . Turns out it wasn't even close to being over.

THE UGLY (A.K.A the second half of the book)

*SPOILERS*

WTF just happened? Um.. I thought it would end here. 

So Travis turns into a REALLY creepy stalker after Abby says no to his proposal for marriage.

When people start stalking you it is NOT CUTE.

It is NOT ROMANTIC and it is definitely not SWOON WORTHY.

Someone needs to tell Travis that 

"No means NO!"

Travis was such a great guy in the first half. Why did he have to turn into a totally dysfunctional personality? WHY?

I BLAME ABBY

Abby was even WORSE than  Travis. SHE JUST COULDN'T MAKE UP HER MIND!

She just kept getting with Travis and then leaving him.She's like "I love him" but "I can't be with him because of a EXTREMELY LAME reason . So I'll just keep breaking his heart by leaving him again and AGAIN and drive him insane."

I HAVE NEVER HATED A FEMALE CHARACTER MORE. 

I actually felt sorry for Travis and wanted him to dump her ass. I don't even blame him for having a mental breakdown and turning into a person who doesn't understand social protocol. SHAME ON YOU ABBY.

The story kept on dragging on and on after the first half. 

STORY STRUCTURE in 2nd Half:

Abby leaves Travis.

Travis tries to win Abby back in RIDICULOUS ways.

Abby gets back with Travis for some reason.

Abby leaves Travis ..... and so on.

The first half was fresh and engaging. It was predictable but atleast it didn't make me want to bang my head on the wall and KILL SOMEBODY.

Overall, The author did manage to keep me hooked till the end. So I'm definitely going to give more of her books a shot. I might even read the sequel because it's not from (horrible) Abby's Point of view.I just wish this book would have ended at a different point. A point before Travis went insane due to Abby's twisted mind. (Ok that was a tad exaggerated )

My Rating:

2.5

Read for the first half! 

Review: Confessions of An Angry Girl

Confessions of an Angry Girl (Confessions #1)

by Louise Rozett

 Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some confessions to make…

1. I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

2. I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who might be dating a cheerleader. She is nowenraged and out for blood. Mine.

3. High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry—get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.)

(Sorry. That was rude.)

Source: Publisher for an honest review (THANKS MiraINK! You rock!)

My Thoughts:

Confessions Of An Angry Girl is addictive and unputdownable but leaves a nasty aftertaste. 

First of all I find the title a little misleading. I didn't think Rose was angry for the majority of the book. She was rude and snarky YES but not angry in my opinion. Just saw the definition of anger

Having a strong feeling of or showing annoyance, displeasure, or hostility; full of anger.
(source: Google) 
Well, Rose was experiencing these emotions so she was an angry girl. I guess I just associate anger with violence and lots of screaming at people at all times and Rose did those things but not for the majority of the novel.

I liked Rose. She was snarky and sarcastic and I just liked being in her head. I loved the fact that she was a wordsmith and how every chapter starts with a new word and then she relates it to her situation.[I know WORD NERD ALERT is going through your head right now! I know :P]These are the best parts of this story and if I read the sequel it will be because of this.

What I didn't like was Rose's obsession with Jamie. WHAT is so great about this guy? I thought he was a jerk. 

Rose is also pretty mean to her friends. Especially a guy who has a crush on her. 

You don't like him but you don't let him off the hook either and you're obsessed with a guy who you haven't had a conversation with? 

I was really frustrated with Rose in loads of specific situations.Her friendship with Tracy is also weird. 

The weirdest part is the fact that I couldn't stop reading this book. I guess I expected Rose to rise above and come to her senses or maybe the fact that Rose was a trainwreck was weirdly fascinating for me and thus I couldn't put it down. I give props to the author for keeping me hooked though.

Overall, I might read the sequel but I'm not going to be dying to read it. Rose is an interesting character that fascinates and irritates me at the same time.

My Rating:

2.5/5