Review: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)

by Marissa Meyer

BLURB:

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series. 

Source: Borrowed 

My Thoughts:

This review should have been up ages ago but don't worry Winter is here!

I remember reading Cinder (the first book in the series) and not being extremely impressed.But Meyer has constantly surprised by improving with each book in the series and Winter was no exception. With each book Meyer introduces more characters and as a reader I'm extremely surprised how the narrative remains coherent despite it's change in voice and constantly shifting focus. 

I love how each story despite focusing on a completely new and novel idea doesn't forget it's fairy tale roots. Cinder focused on Cinderella, Scarlet on Red Riding Hood , Cress on Rapunzel and Winter focuses on Snow White. My only complaint is that it doesn't focus as much as I would have liked on the Snow White tale. 

Winter ties up all the loose ends and it ties them up well. I have no need for a sequel, I am satisfied with how it ends. This doesn't mean it is a happy end but it is an end that doesn't make me want a spin off. Due to the fact that it needs to tie up so many loose ends, Winter is an extremely lengthy novel (especially when compared to other YA novels) but I think it was necessary. To keep the symmetry Meyer would have had to introduce even more characters if the story would have spanned five books and I don't think the narrative would have remained coherent.

Cress is still my favourite novel in the series but Winter is how I would have liked the story to end. I cannot recommend this series enough. It was extremely predictable in the beginning but then it kept taking me by surprise. Just hang in there especially if you love retellings or fairy tales.

My Rating:

4.5/5

Why I've been inactive and apology

Hey everyone!

I know this has been a long time coming and I've been feeling incredibly guilty about it so here it is.

I'm sorry

I've become incredibly inactive on the blog for a while and extremely sporadic. I'm still very active on Goodreads though so it's not that I've not been reading or have been radio silent but for my blog readers it might have looked that way. 

Mostly, I started a website and I didn't realize that I had taken on too much for one single person. Especially considering that it was the year I was graduating.I was planning to become super active when I had graduated but I couldn't. REASON BEING, I had to move. 

Not just move from one city or town , but from one CONTINENT to another. 

So now I'm in a new country and I have to learn my way around. BUT, GOOD NEWS this new city has a LOT of books, bookstores and author events. So if you follow me on Instagram (@writerandtales) you might have seen how I posted an author reading live on my stories and I'm not planning to stop. I have tickets to see Leigh Bardugo (My obsession since Six of Crows!) and Rainbow Rowell (Fangirl anyone?) . So I'm still very much in touch with the book and publishing scene. 

I haven't posted many reviews here but I am going to try to be more organized now. I've not had the time to read much these last few months but I've been posting mini reviews all over my Instagram and Goodreads, I'm going to post them here as soon as I can. I like posting well written reviews here or atleast reviews I have thought over which is why posting here takes longer. 

On the website, Writer and Tales (writerandtales.me), I'm going to be posting a review of the films Girl on The Train and Peculiar Children soon. As I haven't read the books of either they won't be up here.

To my followers, thank you for being so so patient with me and still being with me. I cannot thank you for your support enough. 

LOVE

Krazzyme.

Manga Review: School Judgement Vol 1

School Judgement Volume 1

by Takeshi Obata (Illustrator), Nobuaki Enoki

 As problems continue to plague the elementary school system, a new solution is enacted in the form of the School Judgment System! Now the young students themselves will be responsible for solving the issues that befall them! But are they up to the task?

Source: Publisher (Thanks Viz Media and Edelweiss!)

My Thoughts:

I've been meaning to write this review for a while. I'm well versed in anime and manga (very close to becoming an otaku, dear readers!) . I usually post anime reviews on my website, Writer and Tales.Generally,I try to watch the anime of manga's that are action packed (a.k.a Shōnen) but I prefer reading the source material of other genres. 

School Judgement is the first manga I have received for review which is mostly aimed at middle grade readers. I for one loved it, even though I don't belong to the intended audience so I think it's safe to say that it has universal appeal.

School Judgement is very much like a procedural drama(think Good Wife but with younger lawyers) and is very episodic in nature. Each story starts off as a case following which the protagonist is hired. Despite being a lawyer, he's more of an investigator. I was reminded a little of Case Closed. What really drew me in was the overarching storyline which focuses on the past of the protagonist, Abaku Inugami. It's clear that he had a very traumatic past and was somehow involved with and was the sole survivor of a genocide. I can't wait to find out more about his past and his prowess as a lawyer makes for an interesting read.

Some cases are outlandish and stretch the readers imagination while others deal with discrimination and bullying. They're interesting and the characters are appealing. The art is slightly cluttered but clear and easy to understand. I would love to see it adapted into an anime.I eagerly await the following volumes!

My Rating:

4/5

Review: Winger

Winger (Winger #1)

by Andrew Smith

 Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids in the Pacific Northwest. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.

With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.

Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking. 

Source: Borrowed

My Thoughts: 

I wanted to like this book so much. It came highly recommended, it had a mix of illustrations (comics to be exact) and text , plus it had a very interesting blurb.Despite all the things it had going for it, Winger was a huge disappointment.

Voice 

Now I know this might upset a lot of people who loved the book because they LOVED the voice of the narrator. He sounds just like a real fourteen year old is what a lot of reviewers pointed out. 

I hated it. I liked it in the beginning but oh god the amount of times the guy repeats himself. By the end of the book I just wanted Chas to beat the actual fuck out of him . {I did not say that in my head Winger because in your words I have balls}

The amount of times the guy uses the word "loser" in the novel will drive any sane person nuts.

Story 

I have never read such a weak story. The problem is not the content. I think it's more of a pacing issue. The author is good at keeping the reader's interest but he needs to say what he wants using less words. Nothing happens for long periods of time. It's just a fixed routine. If I wanted to read something so monotonous, Why wouldn't I just read an actual fourteen year old's diary.
I expect more out of the fiction I read. I expect it to hold my attention and not bore me to death.



Inherent and not-so-subtle Sexism 

He finds every girl hot. EVERY SINGLE GIRL. I can understand that as a horny fourteen year old boy he is full of some unrealistic fantasies and I'm OK with it. But, do all of these fantasies need to be described in a novel? 

Do they? 


I'm afraid that this book normalizes sexism to such an extent that I could not ignore it. Girls are othered, girls are used and girls are all hot, young things who are manipulative. Don't believe me, reread the book.

The Gay Issue 

The only likable character and storyline that SAVED this novel was the Joey plotline.*slight spoiler* And all redeemable qualities go down the drain when he is used and thrown away like a stereotypical plot arc needed for the protagonist's character development  *highlight to view spoiler*.I liked the friendship between Joey and Winger, a LOT. What I didn't like, well you'll have to read the spoiler for that.

Overall

So the only reason I am interested in the sequel is because of the cliffhanger ending. The art was beautiful but the content made me cringe. Such a waste. I'd recommend this book to misogynistic horny male teenagers because I for one couldn't relate or enjoy the book at all, maybe they will.

My Rating:

2/5

Review: The Young Elites

The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1)

by Marie Lu

Blurb:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Source: Borrowed

My Thoughts:

I really struggled with this book. The writing was great and so was the plot but I just couldn't get invested in the characters. I've had this book for ages and the only reason I went beyond 50 pages is because I knew I had to return the book to my friend. I'm very glad that I forced myself to go on because this book was surprisingly good.

It's hard to get invested because the protagonist is not likeable but this also gives the protagonist a lot of depth. This layered character development really comes together in the end of the novel. You may not like the characters but you do start feeling a lot for them towards the end.

Another thing working against this book is how we as readers are so used to superhero novels that are fast paced and heavy with action. The Young Elites is a slow build up, it's not action packed throughout but it's pacing is good. It is also very unpredictable. It's been a while since I've been so surprised by the twists and turns in a YA novel. 

In my opinion, the biggest flaw of the book is it's focus on romance in parts. I realize the importance of the romance but I just didn't feel much for the relationship. The depth of Adelina's character and it's darkness used to be sidelined in the scenes that focused on the romance and the best part of the novel is not the romance but it's dark and gritty protagonist.

I feel if I had read more chapters from Enzo's point of view or even Teren's point of view, the romantic relationship would have made more sense. The motivation that drives the male characters was incomplete without their perspectives being showcased in the novel.Teren especially his motivations definitely needed more depth in the novel.

Overall, I am immensely fond of the layered and psychological depth of this novel with especial focus on Adelina. The unpredictable nature of the story makes it definitely worth a read and the way the novel ends makes you curious about the sequels. The book has it's faults but is definitely worth a read.

My Rating:

Toss up between 3.5 and 4

3.75 stars.

Review: Paper Princess

Paper Princess (The Royals #1)

by Erin Watt 

Blurb: From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.

These Royals will ruin you…

Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone. 

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees. 

Content Warning: Not suitable for younger readers. This is classified as New Adult.it discusses sex and prostitution. It is also a pretty steamy book by Young Adult standards.

Source: Publicist. (Thanks Nina!)

Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com (Only $4.99),Amazon.in

My Thoughts:

I had been reading some pretty great reviews of this book on Goodreads and was planning to check it out. Fortunately I saw an email from the publicist of this book right after my interest was piqued otherwise it would have taken ages for me to pick up this book (my reviewing pile is crazy and I'm trying to buy less till it's slightly under control).

Paper Princess was a surprise. It's not a path breaking story but the way it is written just manages to keep you engaged. I'm a sucker for those stories in which people go from rags to riches. I'm also a sucker for books with a lot of male leads (Especially if there is no love triangle or square or octagonal ...etc.). This book combines both to form the best popcorn- churning- blockbuster- romance- movie like goodness ever.

Paper Princess follows Ella Harper as she comes to terms with the fact that she has a new family now and that new family is not very welcoming.What I liked about Ella is how tenacious she is. She has that never-back-down attitude that I love in my heroines. I'd suggest people read this book for it's strong and independent heroine.

The male characters in this story are jerks. Especially Reed, He is super jerk. The fact that I'm willing to overlook his jerkiness just shows how much I enjoyed this novel. I liked the other brothers so much more than Reed though none of them are your golden boys.

I liked the complex adult relationships this novel explored. The adults are very much a part of this story. Callum and Brooke are not minor characters. They are very much present and important to the story.They are also complex and well built. Much more complex than at times the male protagonists. 

I really enjoyed the novel. I know it has a lot of faults and it's not a new story but it just clicked with me. Looking at some of the Goodreads reviews, I see it clicked with a lot of others. I'm dying to get my hands on the sequel (Cliffhanger ending alert!).

Overall, Fans of The Selection and people who expected more from Introductions by C.L. Stone should definitely check out this novel. Others, I begged to read a portion of the sequel, I'm that invested in the story. Do check it out if you love angsty romances.

My Rating:

4/5

Sequel where art thou?

GIVEAWAY: Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence

Orangeboy

by Patrice Lawrence

 Sixteen-year-old Marlon has promised his widowed mum that he'll be good, and nothing like his gang-leader brother Andre. It's easy when you keep yourself to yourself, listening to your dead dad's Earth, Wind and Fire albums and watching sci-fi. But everything changes when Marlon's first date with the beautiful Sonya ends in tragedy; he becomes a hunted man and he has no idea why. With his dad dead and his brother helpless, Marlon has little choice but to enter Andre's old world of guns, knives and drug runs in order to uncover the truth and protect those close to him. It's time to fight to be the last man standing.

The amazing people at Hachette UK have been awesome enough to let me host a giveaway for TWO copies of this book.

UK ONLY

The giveaway ends very close to when the book hits bookstores so do enter UK people. 

Thanks for visiting!

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