The Turning Point: The Trials of Apollo: The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan Review

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

I had a lot of speculations and theories on what could possibly happen in The Burning Maze from the moment I read the last line of The Dark Prophecy. But I won't go into detail about those speculations and theories. Instead, I'll tell you what I did not expect from The Burning Maze: that.

I've been following Rick Riordan and his books since I was merely eleven years old. I've been through all the joys and heartbreak since the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series. I honestly thought that I can predict and prepare for everything Riordan has to offer. Especially now that I am older and have a wider scope and experience in the world of books. However, I'll admit that the Burning Maze took me by surprise in all the right ways and is quite arguably one of the best books he has ever written.

As all Rick Riordan books have done before, The Burning Maze mainly centers around a major problem that our heroes have to work to solve in order to prevent catastrophic consequences to the world. In this story we follow the god-turned-mortal Apollo, his master and companion, Meg McCaffrey, and Grover Underwood as they struggle to retrieve and free another oracle suppressed by the three Roman emperors from the Burning Maze, a section of the magical Labyrinth that has also been causing fiery disasters to happen in Southern California. This review will be SPOILER-FREE but I will also be including some spoiler-filled thoughts on some controversial subjects below (There will be a spoiler warning before that section). 

The premise I wrote above is pretty much the entire book. It's a simple quest which makes for a simple plot to follow complete with sharp and witty writing. This gives the book clear and solid direction. It prevents it from being too convoluted in its own mythology and set of characters. The presence of every plot line, characters, and their arcs made sense because they were necessary for the story to move forward. It stayed true to the prophecies that were given in the prior books and even exceeded expectations on how those elements would play out. The solid direction naturally gives way to an evenly paced story that provided enough time for our characters to evolve more.

As always, Apollo continues to be a great character. Out of all of Riordan's lead protagonists, I would say Apollo's character development is the most drastic and interesting. From being an arrogant and indifferent god, we've been seeing him gain more bravery, wisdom, and most crucial of all, empathy - more so in this book than the last two. His journey has been nothing but action-packed, hilarious, and  compelling up to this point and I am very excited to see where he goes from here. Meg McCaffrey's character has also come a long way since meeting her for the first time in The Hidden Oracle. In the Burning Maze, Riordan provided more back story for her, adding more depth and connection to the readers. Slowly, she is becoming less of an enigma to the readers and is turning into a character that can be relatable and much more likeable. Moreover, apart from Apollo and Meg, the returning characters from the previous books added so much more life and personality to the book. As I said before, it felt like all the characters were necessary and had a significant effect on the overall story. These characters', primarily Grover Underwood, Piper McLean, and Jason Grace, presence in the novel were so much more than nostalgia tricks. 

We are also introduced to the third and final emperor in this novel and he was just great. He was distinct from the two other emperors we have met so far in the series. He is the most unpredictable which makes him all the more frightening and an excellent antagonist for Apollo to combat. The triumvirate are surprisingly the most entralling and nicely written villains in the Percy Jackson universe since Kronos and have the potential of being the greatest ones yet if they continue to become even better as the series progresses.

The Burning Maze has been marketed as the "turning point" of the Trials of Apollo series and after reading it cover-to-cover, I would have to agree. What made it earn this title? Well, this is what also generated most of my surprise. Apart from how great the pace, writing, plot, and characters are, the shining elements this book produced were serious stakes and consequences. I remember writing in my Heroes of Olympus review that one of my major complaints were the lack of consequences that would match the stakes it has been building up since The Lost Hero. This made the ending of the series, frankly, lose impact with its audience. The Burning Maze seemed to have learned from this because now it has painful repercussions to match its ever growing stakes. This creates an emotional weight that I have not seen in Riordan's books in quite some time. This is a change The Trials of Apollo truly needs in order to masterfully deliver on what it's trying to do. As a fan of exciting and character-driven story-telling, I am eager for more.

Overall, The Burning Maze is, dare I say, the best book Rick Riordan has ever written since The House of Hades. It flawlessly continues the story of Apollo and elevates it in becoming a narrative filled with smart writing, fleshed out characters, and stakes and consequences that his stories have been desperately lacking for quite a few years now. It really was a refreshing turning point. I cannot wait to see what the fourth book has in its sleeve that will leave the readers reeling.

9/10

SPOILER DISCUSSION

DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BURNING MAZE!

New (and more defined) Ratings!

If you have been following this blog, then you know I do reviews quite a lot. I always have a score at the bottom of each review post depending on how much I liked or disliked a certain book, film, or episode in a series. However, I've never actually expressed how I rate them. I just give out a number and that's it. A few weeks ago, Lyka Cali and I over at Wander Reads decided it was time to clearly define our ratings when we do reviews. A new way of rating would clearly describe our thoughts on a certain material and would cause less confusion for us and our readers. This new rating will take effect after this post. I won't be changing my ratings in my previous reviews anymore. I sincerely hope this clears out any confusion any of you might have when reading our posts from now on!

Special shout out to Lyka Cali for creating this cute illustration! 

Breaking Glass Ceilings: The Captive Prince Trilogy

Arguably, "glass breaking" has become more frequent in this day and age than ever before. Men and women from around the world have been sharing and promoting genuinely ground-breaking and important ideologies and beliefs in various mediums. This can be especially felt in media platforms where it is easiest to connect with an audience. I think sometimes we underestimate the effectiveness of media and its capability to propagate messages especially when its something that's been long overdue. I can go on for a million years about the films, television shows, comic books, and songs that I feel deserve to be acknowledged for exceeding expectations, but for this collaboration with Lyka Cali, we agreed to focus on literature only. After thinking long and hard as to what to feature, I finally settled on a series: The Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat.

(Photo from: www.sbs.com.au)

Now to be fair, there are literally thousands of books that can be hailed as a glass breaker and be featured in this post. However at this point in time Captive Prince sticks out among the rest for me, not only with it's fantastic story and characters but as how it got made in the first place. 

The story of Captive Prince's rise to popularity is actually pretty incredible. It all started with C.S. Pacat yearning to write books that she wanted to read. Books with love, fantasy, escapism, sex, and sexuality that's not exclusive to heterosexuality as a queer woman herself. I, as well as all of you, know books with those themes are extremely difficult to find, and is usually depicted with many contemporary social biases and discriminations that the LGBTQ community face. She did away with that trope and focused instead on crafting a story focused on the characters and personal stakes. She published first on her blog for free in a serialized manner, which encouraged interaction among her readers on the internet. Good word of mouth from across the online community made it possible for Captive Prince to have over 15 million hits. Towards the end of writing Prince's Gambit, she thought about publishing her books after overwhelming support from her online following and requests for physical copies. At first it was a challenge, no company wanted to publish Captive Prince with the belief that there is no existing market it. Eventually, she decided to self-publish on Amazon using her 10,000 dollar loan. Captive Prince proved to be a worthy investment because it shot to the top of Amazon's charts and in the end, Pacat was able to get a three-book deal from one of the biggest publishing houses in the world, Penguin.

There is no question that the odds were stacked against C. S. Pacat. As she said herself, what she wanted to write "did not exist" and publishers tend to really consider the popularity of a genre before contemplating about making a deal with the author. She had to deal with the stigma that comes with online publishing where there are actual people who believe it is not legitimate and finally, her characters and the world they live in are very open-minded and loose in regards to sexuality. Normally, you would expect this kind of project to fail considering the world we live in is very prejudiced and unfair place but it did not. It rose to the occasion, blew everyone's minds away for how good it was, and gave readers great joy to finally see a fantasy series that was thrilling, mind-blowing, and filled with representation. 

This book series broke so many glass ceilings in one go and it deserves to be recognized for it. I feel fortunate that I managed to stumble upon the title of the first book while scrolling down my Tumblr dashboard on an ordinary Thursday night and decided it was a worth a look. I feel grateful for this series' early fan base for ensuring it's success and, of course, C.S. Pacat for writing the trilogy and for being an inspiration for readers and aspiring writers everywhere. 

(Read Lyka Cali's version of books that broke glass ceilings here )

Down The Rabbit Hole: The Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan Review

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

When I saw the flying griffins and the armored ostriches on the cover of The Dark Prophecy, I knew I would be in for one hell of a ride.

But then again, when have I not been taken for a ride in any Rick Riordan book? From the first Percy Jackson novel, The Lightning Thief, to his most recent books, he has continuously delivered in making his readers laugh, cry, and care extensively for characters they sometimes forget were fictional. The Dark Prophecy was no different.

The plot was simple and had one major goal for the characters to achieve. There are times wherein adventure novels do not know how to properly give enough time to individual scenarios in their stories so much so it either tends to drag or end too quickly. The Dark Prophecy certainly did not commit this mistake. Its simplicity and consistent storytelling made things straightforward and very easy to follow. Of course there were other obstacles to overcome but it was all balanced and connected well enough that it was not messy at all. The writing was superb as always and absolutely hilarious. I would argue that this was the funniest book Rick Riordan has written yet. No book has left we laughing quite like The Dark Prophecy.

If the Hidden Oracle felt most like the other books set in the Percy Jackson world, The Dark Prophecy felt the most different. It introduced us to new settings and tons of new characters that were all so interesting and good in their own right. Frankly, I was surprised by the number of additions but I did not once feel bored or indifferent towards them. They left me eager to see more. In a way, the readers needed this to prove that Riordan was not merely creating another Percy Jackson or Heroes of Olympus book. Although it had references to characters and events from the previous books, it did not take away from what was happening inside the book itself. Old and new were joined so nicely and efficiently it's hard not to praise Riordan's skill.

The best part were the characters. Leo and Calypso were good independently and as companions to Apollo. I especially enjoyed them each having their own quests with Apollo where they shined the most. I cannot stress how much I missed Leo Valdez, his sense of humor, and the way he immediately lightens a situation whenever he's in the room. Emmie and Josephine, the heads of the Waystation, were great as well. They were down-to-earth, calm, and warm. Their personalities balance the often reckless, exuberant, and relentless personalities of Apollo and Leo. I also appreciate how Riordan made them a lesbian couple, adding representation to the LGBT community. I will not spoil the other characters who appear in the novel but let me assure you that they were all excellent. But without question the best character and the best thing about this entire series remains to be Apollo.

A large reason as to why these books work so well is because of Apollo. The books are narrated in the first person point of view by him. Being a (former) god, he thinks way different from the other characters we have read from before. He is extremely arrogant, vain, naive, and hysterical. Apollo makes the world refreshing even after we have been reading books about it for years now. In addition to this, knowing that he is a former god who now needs to learn how to survive as a human, the character development was sure to be part of the story but I did not expect how much it was going to be and it was astounding. I thought that the first book was bursting with it but I was clearly wrong. The Dark Prophecy has surpassed it by a mile. It was so captivating to see Apollo grow and to see him realize and understand what it means to live and to have something to die for; to finally see a god with humanity. I cannot wait to see more of his journey in the coming books and if this book was any indication, it's just going to get better and better.

Antagonists are a big part in making a protagonist strong and the emperors of the triumvirate are indeed magnificent. We get to meet the second emperor in this book and it totally makes sense why he part of the triumvirate considering his connection to Apollo. He was a very entertaining villain to have and more importantly, he was distinct from Nero. His appearance proves that we will not be getting one villain and his two exact copies. This proves that the three of them will each bring something to the plate. I am anxious to see what comes next for them especially considering how the third emperor and the triumvirate's schemes are mainly still mysteries.

Overall, The Dark Prophecy could be counted as another success under Rick Riordan's belt. Aside from the moments of predictability and too easy solutions in some circumstances, the book was still heartfelt, enjoyable, and solid. It was simply delightful and definitely worth the read. I am pretty sure everyone, including me, who has already read the ending is barely holding in their elation and excitement for the next book. So many important things are going to happen in the third book and no doubt it will get harder, darker, and more intense. And no matter how much theories I have up my sleeve for what would happen next, I could only guess at the moment. There's only one way to truly find out... and that's to wait, the hardest thing readers endure.

8.7/10

Half-Blood: Frostblood (Frostblood Saga # 1) by Elly Blake Review

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

Inevitable. Reading Frostblood was inevitable.

Anyone who has seen my blog would know that I love and adore both the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas and the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard.  As a huge fan, anything that would remind me of any of them, much less both of them, would automatically be on my radar. Frostblood was advertised as a hybrid of both these series and as soon as I heard about it, I went to my nearest bookstore and grabbed a copy.So how did it hold up? Does it deserved to be likened to arguably two of the best and most successful YA fantasy books out today?

First of all, the marketing team weren't kidding when they said this would be a mash-up of Throne of Glass and Red Queen. There are numerous elements found in Frostblood that reminded me of elements found in both series. That would be one of the reasons why I chose to name this review as "Half-blood" for it really was a combination. I wouldn't say it was necessarily a bad thing because one way or another books can be easily inspired by other works or authors unintentionally create a story that is similar to others but overtime this created an almost expectant feeling. There were moments in the book that you expected to happen not because you were spoiled on what was going to happen but because you've read it another set of books. I don't know what Blake has in store for her sequels but I hope she would veer away from the generic components that flood the YA fantasy genre these days.

Another thing I noticed is that there were some sequences that needed to be stretched out more. These scenes felt like they were cut off suddenly and so, the emotion that was intended for the readers to feel did not hit as intensely as it should have. Not only that but when these scenes involve action and high stakes, it made it seem too easy because they were over so quickly.

Speaking of being easy, there were some solutions to the characters' problems that felt effortless. It either needed more build up or there needed to be other factors in the given solution to make it more effective and feel rewarding to read. You want your readers to feel a sense of satisfaction and elation whenever the characters succeed. I won't deny that I still felt those emotions but it wasn't as potent as I would have wanted it to be and I knew it could have been done better.

The writing was mostly good but when it came to action sequences it became a tad bit messy. This was most prevalent during the climax of the entire book. The way it was written and described felt unclear and vague in some places. It had me rereading some of the passages just to make sense what was happening in that moment and how the surroundings looked like in the scene. Without another reading of particular parts, I would have been confused as to how everything ended.

It sounds like I hate this book but I don't. I actually enjoyed Frostblood. I just wanted to get my critiques out of the way before I started talking about the positives. The thing I loved about this book the most was its world and its mythology. The stories about their gods and the ancient legends and prophecies about the Frostbloods and Firebloods intrigued me to no end. I also really liked the characters. The had specific roles to play to keep the story moving forward as well as making it interesting. The protagonists were likable with a hint of mystery that will carry on to the sequel which I personally like. The main characters are sufficiently relatable to have me invested in their respective arcs. It is clear their arcs are not complete yet. I care enough to want to know what happens next and what their ends would be. The story itself, although (like I mentioned above) rather generic, was still high entertaining. There were moments of good story telling and I wish it could have been more consistent but it was still there. 

Overall, Frostblood had its ups and downs. That's the other reason why this review is entitled "Half-Blood". Its triumphs and flaws switches throughout the book. Although it wasn't the most original and outstanding piece of literature in the YA fantasy genre, it had its glorious moments that make me hopeful for the upcoming sequels. This series still has potential. It can improve itself as we get deeper into the story. Frostblood may not be on top of the pyramid just yet but we have a long way to go. Who knows what could happen? Fireblood, the second book of the Frostblood Saga, is to be released on September this year (INCREDIBLY FAST I KNOW) and I will be getting it to continue on with this series. I just hope my faith in Elly Blake's books would be worthwhile.

6/10

Red Queen Book Tag

"POWER IS A DANGEROUS GAME"

It all started with that tag line. In case you guys don't remember, that was the very first tagline of the Red Queen series. It was attached to the it's first book, Red Queen. It was a very powerful one too. It drew me in immediately and, no doubt, drew in thousands around the world as well. It certainly deserved my intrigue and love. Why else would I be following these books so closely if it were any other way? 

There are four books in this series and three has already been released to us very eager readers. All of them unique and lovable in their own way. And since it has been exactly two months since the third book, King's Cage, came out, Lyka Cali and I decided that celebrating it's second monthsary would be the perfect way to show our love and appreciation in the form of a book tag! A book tag wherein we could discuss everything from the things we despised to the things we absolutely enjoyed in Red Queen, Glass Sword, and King's Cage. That said, this book tag would obviously contain some spoilers from the first three books so if you have not read these books, you should definitely not read this post. Do yourself a favor and do so because it'll be a fun time, I promise you. So without further ado, let's get on with the book tag.

1. Favorite Book

King's Cage is without a doubt my favorite book in the Red Queen series so far. If you thought Red Queen and Glass Sword were tense, emotional, and thrilling then you have definitely seen nothing yet. King's Cage gave deeper levels to every component in the book's world. From the politics of both Silvers and rebels to the characters. Victoria Aveyard was able to elevate them, making them more interesting which in turn made the audience care and invest more. I was certainly itching for the fourth book after I finished King's Cage. What Aveyard did in this book exceeded all of my expectations and in my opinion, is her best yet.

2. Favorite Character

From the very first scene we saw Cal Calore, I knew he was going to be my favorite character in the entire series. I am usually drawn to kind and compassionate characters which is why I was particularly fond with Cal. But as the books went on and we got to see more of the character, I loved and appreciated him more. He is a deeply flawed character and that, for me, makes him interesting. On the surface, he is merely a gentle, nice, and dutiful prince but really he is so much more than that. He has a dark and dirty side too which actually makes sense to his character. There are reasons for his actions and decisions no matter if it's good or bad. Characters with minor and insignificant flaws are boring because no one can be that pure in real life. Cal Calore is really flawed and there's no denying that but that's what makes him captivating.

3. Least Favorite Character

Before King's Cage, I would have put Kilorn Warren in this number. Throughout Red Queen and Glass Sword, he was mostly whiny and irritable and just weighing down the atmosphere because he was feeling jealous or left out. But I have grown to appreciate and admire Kilorn in King's Cage. He really evolved in that book and I am happy he did. But that left me with a much difficult time thinking of my new least favorite character and ultimately it has to be Gisa Barrow. Why Gisa? The only reason I picked her was because she was the most boring out of all. When thinking of a least favorite character, it has got to be the one that was the least riveting and least impactful. Gisa was always the nice and obedient daughter of the Barrows and nothing more. She barely did anything for the story and was simply not an interesting character for me personally. I needed more from her so alas, she is the one that I would consider my least favorite.

4. Favorite Power

If I had the choice, I would definitely choose to be a Magnetron out of every power in the series. It is not only a really cool power but a really useful one too. Being a Magnetron enables you to create structures out of pieces of metal. It allows you to create weapons for offense and defense in a single thought and even some fashionable clothes like in Evangeline Samos' case. Metals can be found in some shape or form everywhere you go. You don't need to search for it or keep it stored close to you to be able to use your power. It is simply badass. It looks awesome and it is extremely practical. Plus, it also helps that Magneto from the X-Men comics is one of my favorite comic book characters ever.

5. Favorite Silver Family

For me, there is no other Silver family that exudes power, confidence, and most importantly, loyalty than the Samos family. They are a force to be reckoned with. Their power of controlling metal already make them formidable but add their unbreakable bond and faithfulness with one another then going up against them is practically suicide. They are very smart and cunning too. Their plans are carefully crafted and thought out so most of the time it goes in their favor. They are absolutely ruthless and I just love every moment we get with them. This just goes to show how family is such an important asset in a world full on conniving and power-hungry elite.

6. Favorite Ship

No other ship in the Red Queen series will ever surpass Mare Barrow and Cal Calore's. NOTHING WILL. There is just something so engaging and charismatic about their relationship. They compliment each other as well as challenge each other. They are never constantly mellow and happy nor fighting and angry. Personally, it's just enough of both sides to make their relationship still entralling and fresh. And of course, their really sweet scenes with each other just make me feel like I'm melting. Of course, after King's Cage they are in a very difficult position with one another but I have complete faith that they will pull through and be the series' endgame (PLEASE DON'T LET ME DOWN, VICTORIA)

7. Favorite Scene

It was really hard to choose a favorite moment from all three books because I have a lot that I absolutely loved and enjoyed. But at the end of the day, it's got to be the Queenstrial scene from Red Queen. Why? It was the first scene where we got a look at all the powers of the Silver elite. Their powers all distinct and glorious in their own way. I felt as entranced as Mare while reading that particular scene. It made you realize how powerful the Silvers are compared to the Reds. And of course, the revelation of Mare's lightning powers was in that scene which left me shocked and extremely excited. The scene closed with Mare running from the king's guards and being rescued by Cal before they did much damage. My God was that a hell of a cliffhanger ending to a really great scene. Definitely a scene I will remember for a long time.

8. Least Favorite Scene

In terms of least favorite scene, I would say the training montage in Glass Sword would be mine. That's where I got the most bored in the entire series. Although we were seeing more and more Newblood recruits, the scene didn't have much impact for me. It was simply brief mentions of every new Newblood they found and were beginning to train. The story and characters didn't progress much in that section. It was the most stagnant out of all the others especially compared to the intense and action-packed scenes in the rest of the book and the entire series.

9. Maven or Cal

Cal Calore no questions asked. Although I do love Maven Calore's character in all his complexity, he is not exactly a character I will root for. King's Cage shed a lot of light on him, revealing why he is the way he is. I love how complicated he is and how tough it is to pin him down but at the end of the day, he is still an antagonist and in order for our heroes to win he has to be defeated. Also, Cal's character arc is at it's peak at the end of King's Cage. It will all come down in the fourth and final book which makes me look forward to him the most out of all the characters including Maven. And of course, as said above, Cal is simply my favorite character. 

10. Favorite Quote 

"The war never leaves."

The quote was taken from Glass Sword and I found it to be the most profound and truthful statement out of all. A battle will end no matter what but the memories will always remain with the people involved. This is the kind of statement that's universal. It not only contained in fiction or in a certain place but it is for anyone who has experienced something horrible. Fiction reflects reality and I am glad that true and important statements like this is included in books for everyone to be reminded by.

So that is all for our Red Queen book tag! Obviously these are just my personal thoughts and opinions on these questions and you are more than welcome to share your own insights. But I think all us fans of the Red Queen books can agree that this series is a roller coaster ride filled with ups and downs. It's a ride that you want to end to see how it holds up as a whole but at the same time cannot get enough of. It seems like only yesterday I was picking up a copy of Red Queen and carrying it to the cash register, without any idea what I'm in for. But all what's left to do is wait, wait for the final book to arrive. I am sure that Victoria Aveyard will deliver because she has certainly proved herself before. But in the mean time here are all my favorites (and least favorites). Will it change when the fourth book comes out? Let's just see.

(NOTE: Make sure to check out Lyka Cali's Red Queen book tag after reading mine!)

Fuck 2016 Episode 5: My Most Anticipated Releases of 2017

It's only fitting to publish the last post of Fuck 2016 on the very last day of the year and what better way to end this bookish marathon than to talk about the books we are most looking forward to in 2017?

I must confess that I don't really know much about the upcoming books being released in 2017. I only know about the sequels of the books I really enjoyed reading in 2016 and the new books/series some of my favorite authors are putting out in the coming year. Given this, my list won't be much. No doubt as the new year goes on, I will be able to learn more about the 2017 book releases as their publication date draws nearer and I can't wait to be able to know them and read those that catch my interest. Until then however, these are the books that I am terribly excited about and would absolutely get the first day they are on sale.

1. A Court of Wings and Ruin ( A Court of Thorns and Roses # 3) by Sarah J. Maas

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

You guys have no idea how anxious and excited I am for A Court of Wings and Ruin. A Court of Mist and Fury was simply a phenomenal book and it's ending just left all of us hanging, desperate to know what happens next. So of course I am looking forward to the third and final book of this amazing series and there is absolutely no world wherein I don't know how Feyre's story ends.

2. Untitled (Throne of Glass # 6) by Sarah J. Maas

I can't share any photo right now on the final installment of the Throne of Glass series because Bloomsbury hasn't released any teaser photos of it but nonetheless it's still on the list.

I, along with millions of fans around the world, am desperate to know the title of this book, how much more desperate can we be with the actual book? Empire of Storms ended very grimly and I just really want to know how our heroes will be able to overcome the millions of problems they have to face.....if they even succeed. IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT ALL THE POSSIBILITIES. I'm just praying Sarah J. Maas will have mercy on us and won't cause THAT much damage.

3. The Dark Prophecy (Trials of Apollo # 2) by Rick Riordan

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

I absolutely love anything Percy Jackson and if you read my The Hidden Oracle Review, then you would know that I viewed it as a great and refreshing introduction to the Trials of Apollo series. I am itching to continue reading more about Apollo's journey back to godhood with the help of characters we have grown to know and love from the previous books. The stakes are high, and they're running out of time. I need to see how they all deal with this and of course how Apollo's character will develop even more compared to the last one. No doubt, this will be another enjoyable ride.

4. The Ship of The Dead (Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard # 3) by Rick Riordan

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

It seems only yesterday we were getting the announcement that Rick Riordan was writing a new series inspired by Norse Mythology....now it's coming to a close. 

I really enjoyed myself reading both Sword of Summer and Hammer of Thor (the latter being the best out of the two in my opinion) and I have no doubt I will enjoy myself just as much, if not more, with The Ship of The Dead. Those first two books have been leading up to the events of this final novel and I can't wait to see how everything plays out. The problem of Ragnarok starting feels much more real going in to this book because of the events of Hammer of Thor. How our heroes will get out of this one, I don't know but I have so much faith in this book that it will deliver. It's Rick Riordan after all.

5. Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

I love superheroes. I love DC Comics. I love Wonder Woman. I love Leigh Bardugo.

When I heard that DC hired Leigh Bardugo to write a YA novel about Wonder Woman, one of my favorite superheroes of all time, I was ecstatic. Leigh Bardugo is one of the best YA authors living and if you don't believe me, just read Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom (SPOILER ALERT: They are absolutely incredible). The woman has got some serious skill in writing and world-building. What better way to introduce Wonder Woman, the most famous and revered female superhero, to the YA audience than through here? I am absolutely confident that she will bring us a bad-ass, heartfelt, and awesome coming-of-age story about Diana that I and a lot of readers will enjoy.

6. King's Cage (Red Queen # 3) by Victoria Aveyard

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

If that image of a crown made out of bones and that ominous tag line doesn't make you nervous for what will happen in King's Cage I don't know what will.

Glass Sword's ending pretty much ripped the rug from under my feet. It's another shocking and painful ending from Victoria Aveyard that left readers everywhere reeling. I desperately want to know what happens to Mare now that she is in this horrible situation. I need to see her sane and safe. SOMEBODY SAVE HER! Cal? Kilorn? Farley? ANYONE? I honestly don't know what will happen in the third installment of the Red Queen series. I just hope we won't be left standing in shock by the end of it although I'm quite sure we will....let's just prepare ourselves, shall we?

7. History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

The interesting and captivating premise and cover as well as Adam Silvera's credibility are the reasons why History Is All You Left Me is in this list. I was completely hooked once I read the premise. I immediately wanted to read it. I have yet to read Silvera's debut novel, More Happy Than Not but I do have a copy of it already and I have heard numerous people say it was incredible. I honestly can't wait to see and experience Adam Silvera's work myself. I have the utmost confidence that I will enjoy and love it. Thankfully I won't have to wait much longer to get my hands on History Is All You Left Me. It will be published in a few weeks. I am curious to see how his second novel will play out.

Like I said, this was a very short list but I do hope it will expand soon. I am not a very picky reader. I don't keep to specific genres and standards when I buy and read books. I like to keep my options open because in that way, I get to discover spectacular books. There are numerous books coming out in 2017 with great potential just waiting for readers to give them a chance and I intend to seek them out. 

And on that note, Lyka Cali and I's Fuck 2016 bookish marathon is now officially over.

Thank you so much for letting us end 2016 with a bang with posts about books. It was a really fun and thrilling thing for me to do and I am sure Lyka feels the same way. Feel free to let us know if you'd like us to do more collaborations in the future in the comments below!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow, 2017 will officially start. The previous new year doesn't feel too long ago and yet it has and it's time to start over. I don't know what will happen in 2017, no one does. All we really can do is hope for the best and try to succeed. If books taught me anything, it's that anything is possible. The unexpected can always happen. We don't what's going to go down, yes, but we can at least be prepared. Plot twists are exciting to read about but when it happens to you, it's less than pleasant. Let's start the year right. Let's make 2017 worthwhile. God knows we don't need another 2016.

Fuck 2016 Episode 4: The Best Books I Have Read In 2016

2016 has been a good year for me when it comes to reading

Sure I have read some bad books on the side but that is totally outweighed by the amount of good ones. This year, I have discovered numerous books that I now hold close to my heart and will always be treated as favorites. I'm not saying all of these books are the shining examples of literature but they are the ones that, personally, I really enjoyed and loved. You may not agree with my list and that's totally fine but nonetheless I thought these books are pretty sweet and I definitely recommend them to anyone who's looking for new books to enjoy.

Unlike my previous lists, this one will be arranged by date I read them simply because it's easier and because it doesn't give me a migraine over choosing which one is the absolute best.

1. Six of Crows (Six of Crows # 1) by Leigh Bardugo

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

Six of Crows is part of the list because of a technicality. I started reading this book a few days before 2015 ended and finished it January of 2016 so technically it's still a book I read in 2016. But technicalities aside, this is without a doubt one of the best books I have read, not only in 2016, but in my entire life.

I was pleasantly surprised at how good this book was. Reading it felt like an actual blessing from God. Everything about it is just amazing. The plot was interesting, action-packed, and flawless. It had some cunning and mind-blowing twist and turns that I mostly did not see coming. The pacing and transition were great as well but the thing I loved the most were the characters. All six of them, Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthias, Jesper, and Wylan, are all great characters. You invest in them and root for them and they all have distinct personalities that you will never mix up or forget. The crew elevated the story even higher up when it was already on a high platform from the plot and writing alone. This book left me speechless and in awe. A warm round of applause is in order for Miss Bardugo. She has written a masterpiece.

Side Note: For my list, I am only considering the books I have read and really thought about. I am currently making my way through Crooked Kingdom which means I cannot include it on my list yet. I'll let you guys know by way of review here on my blog if it deserves to be on my list (I'm pretty sure it does since I am loving it so far).

2. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock is another book I did not expect to like as much as I did. What I can really say for sure about this book is that it was effective. It was effective on telling a story revolving around this suicidal and depressed boy that feels real. You really feel bad for Leonard and you start to hate the situation he's in as much as he does. You understand why he is being this way and the gravity of his situation. Sometimes in books like this one, they end up being too over-the-top and slow but with Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, that's not the case which I really appreciated. It even had some comedic moments. Although it's the cynical kind of comedy which I personally like. What makes this novel so effective and genuine is because of the way it was written so kudos to Matthew Quick for his outstanding skill. Overall just a good book that truly made me feel.

3. Glass Sword (Red Queen # 2) by Victoria Aveyard

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

Glass Sword is a great continuation to the Red Queen series. The plot was good. It had twists and turns like the previous book, it raised the stakes to great heights, it was action-packed, and the characters continued their journeys in compelling ways. I guess from now on this series will have a reputation for having excruciating and mind-blowing endings. The ending of Red Queen had me falling off my seat and so did Glass Sword's. As much as it pained me to read the ending, I loved it and it gave us a promise of exciting adventures to look forward to in the next book. You can definitely bet that this series is now one of my favorites and that I will be getting my hands on King's Cage when it's released.

Side Note: To view my INITIAL review of Glass Sword, click here

4. Anna and The French Kiss Series by Stephanie Perkins

(Photo from: www.whatsarahread.com)

I read the three books in the Anna and The French Kiss series in three different times but I thought it was better to talk about them in one go than separate them because the qualities that I loved in the first one show up in the other two. These three books are consistent with one another. They were all amazingly fun to read. The plots may be simple but it was done in a way that elevates it to something greater. The characters were all worth investing in and were quirky, charming, and charismatic. This series would be nothing without its leads. The writing was as quirky, charming, and charismatic as it's characters. Stephanie Perkins truly has a gift in writing these kinds of stories. Yes, there are some really cliche moments but the difference between this and the other romance books out there is that it was executed well so you end up forgiving it. Personally, I liked Anna and the French Kiss the best mainly because of Anna and Etienne, their separate characters and their relationship, but you can definitely have the others as favorites. It's totally understandable since they are all great.

5. The Hidden Oracle (Trials of Apollo # 1) by Rick Riordan

(Photo from: www.riordan.wikia.com)

The Hidden Oracle was everything I wanted from a Rick Riordan book. It was refreshing, entertaining, and captivating. You think after ten books and a thousand companion books Riordan won't be able to find anything to make the Percy Jackson world feel new again but he did by telling the story from the eyes of the god-turned-mortal, Apollo. The great writing is the number one reason why this novel worked as well as it did. I shouldn't be surprised at how well-written this was considering Rick Riordan wrote it but I am. The writing benefited the execution of the fast-paced plot and it benefited the amazing characters in the book. Apollo is as lovable as his old self in the other Percy Jackson books but this time we get to see his character deepen and develop which is such a pleasure. I can't wait to see more of him. The other characters such as Meg, Will, Nico and many more all added to the story in their own way. It was a joy to read them. The Hidden Oracle made me smile, laugh, cry, and rage. It was so good! I can't wait to get my hands on The Dark Prophecy and continue reading Apollo's journey to godhood.

Side Note: To view my FULL review of Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle, click here

6. What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

(Photo from: www.harpercollins.com)

What We Saw is one of those books that tells a compelling story but at the same time is telling an important message that absolutely everyone should heed. It revolves around a rape case in a small town and the corrupt way it's being handled. This book doesn't hold back. It tells the story as it is even the graphic parts. I appreciated Hartzler not shying away from this because this is something that needs to be seen in the way it really is in reality. The book's mysterious and tense atmosphere doesn't let up until the very end which adds to the gravity of the situation. All characters in the book were written well. They also played their parts successfully. They depict what really happens in a community and the different sides people take whenever there is a rape case; even the ugly side. The story played out excellently and I was blown away at how good it was when I turned the final page. I just absolutely loved it. It's not only a fantastic book but it was a well-needed lesson. I definitely recommend it.

Side Note: To view my FULL review of What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler, click here

7. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

This book was incredibly hyped for me because some of my friends read it first and told me how good it was. Of course, their good remarks raised my expectations and I am glad to say that this book met them. All The Bright Places was a simple story elevated by it's two main characters, Violet and Finch. Their two different yet interconnected lives are incredibly painful and sweet. Most of the emotion really comes from Theodore Finch and his story and it's just profoundly sad. I remember crying my eyes out by the last act of the novel. Theodore and Violet are the furthest things from one-dimensional and they are just so easy to latch on to. It never felt too slow and before you know it I was done. The whole thing was worth the time it took me to read it. Truly a genuine and lovely book.

Side Note: To view my INITIAL review of All The Bright Places, click here

8. Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

U.S. Editions of the Throne of Glass series
(Photo from: www.playbuzz.com)

I can't believe I only discovered and read this series this year because how can I miss something truly incredible? The Throne of Glass series is simply spectacular. This is how a fantasy series should be written. The world is captivating yet simple enough to grasp. The different plots of the different books are all very good and well written. The good writing extends to the amazing characters within the series. All of them, from the characters we met from the first book until the characters we met in the fifth book, are entralling and fun to read. They all have their personal journeys that contribute nicely to the overall story. The twists that the books took are mind-blowing, the kind that makes me scream my lungs out. You have no idea how much I felt like throwing the books as hard as I can while I was binge-reading the series because I was so overcome with emotion. As for favorites, Heir of Fire is my favorite so far. It was where Maas really peaked with how she wrote her story and how it played out as a whole. Let's see how the final book turns out when it comes out next year then I'll give you a definite answer for my favorite book. But nonetheless you can absolutely have any one of them as your favorite because they're all stunning. This series is just so good I don't know how I can express my love for it without taking up a lot of your time..... and discussing some serious spoilers. Bottom line is it's glorious and you if you haven't read it yet, THEN YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD.

Side Note: My official and full review of the Throne of Glass series will be up soon. But if you want to view my INITIAL reviews of Throne of Glass up until Queen of Shadows, here are the links:

- Throne of Glass

-Crown of Midnight

-Heir of Fire

-Queen of Shadows

9. A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas

(Photo from: a-vigilant-muse.blogspot.com

It looks like Sarah J. Maas can't write a bad book, can she? The first two books are absolutely phenomenal especially A Court of Mist and Fury. It was an enjoyable and beautiful retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale but it does have it's own mythology and rules around it that makes it entirely it's own. Both books are page turners. You can't stop reading once you start it. You immediately want to know what happens next after every chapter because of the different incredible scenes with its spectacular characters. Feyre is a great protagonist to follow. The writing really makes me understand and feel her joy, pain, loss, and grief. I don't know how much details I can give about the other characters without spoiling the surprise because there are so much stuff that happens to each and everyone of them. It feels like a whiplash. But rest assured, they are all very good and very easy to invest in. And of course, since this is Sarah J. Maas we're talking about, it has some twists that left me shocked out of my mind. 

As much as I loved A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury was the one that really made me love the series. It made my entire year. OH GOD HOW I MUCH I LOVED THAT BOOK. I can only hope that the third one will be as good, if not better, as A Court of Mist and Fury but knowing how Maas writes, I have complete faith in her. I am so excited and scared for A Court of Wings and Ruin but you can all bet I'll enjoy every minute of it.

10. The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare

(Photo from: www.twirlingpages.com)

I absolutely regret not reading this the first time I heard about this a few years back. WHY DID I TURN MY BACK ON THIS INCREDIBLE SERIES? But I guess the important thing is that I indeed read them and loved them. 

If I had to choose the top series that made me feel all kinds of emotions, especially pain and sorrow, it's got to be The Infernal Devices. This will also be my prime example of characters elevating the story. I know I say this a lot with other books but with this series, without the characters, it would suffer a sever downgrade. I'm not saying the plot is terrible, it's nice actually with surprising and action-packed moments but the characters were just wonderful and made the story into something worth remembering. Tessa, Will, and Jem are untouchable. They will forever be precious and lovely and part of my favorite characters list. The other supporting characters such as Henry, Charlotte, and Jessamine are all good as well but nothing will surpass the three. Everything that was set up in Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince came together in Clockwork Princess and it was simply splendid. The time it took to put every piece together was worth it since it all played out so well. Clockwork Princess is without a doubt the most emotional I have been in my life reading a book. UNTIL NOW I CRY OVER IT and I am not even exaggerating. Ask Lyka Cali for confirmation if you want to. This series was such a great reading experience. It reawakened my interest in the Shadowhunter Chronicles and as a separate entity, will definitely be loved for a very long time.

Side Note: To view my FULL review of The Infernal Devices series, click here

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

(Photo from: www.simonandschuster.com)

Aristotle and Dante is probably my favorite contemporary novel of all time. There's just something about it that I absolutely love. It has a sort of purity, innocence, and authenticity that I never felt from other books before. It was simply beautiful. It doesn't necessarily follow a specific plot but follows Aristotle's life throughout the year starting from the summer he met his best friend, Dante. It follows his quest to understand himself, his family, Dante, his surroundings and many more. On paper, this may seem boring but it's not. His thoughts, theories, and beliefs are intriguing and relatable. Aristotle as a whole is totally relatable and so is Dante. Both of them distinct, understandable, and real. They're easy to invest it. This is a book that genuinely made me smile because of joy and peace. Aristotle and Dante is definitely a high bar to top. It's just that good. All the hype around it is well-deserved.

12. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

(Photo from: www.rainbowrowell.com)

The award for the most moments that I squealed in because of a ship goes to.... CARRY ON! But seriously this book gave me ALL the magnificent feels. I bought this book around the time it officially came out last year yet it took me a year later to actually read it.... what the fuck is wrong with me? Seriously? 

Carry On was just great and, no, I am not only talking about the main couple. Reading it felt like a treat. As a long time Potter fan, it's obvious from the first chapter that Carry On is inspired by Harry Potter so seeing all the parallels was really exciting. The plot was executed well enough and it was fast-paced too. It didn't feel like it was more than five hundred pages. I just flew right through it, excited to more. Another thing I really liked about this book were the spells. On paper and without context, it would be too silly to take seriously but Rowell explained it enough to actually make sense in the world the story is taking place. The characters are once again taking the center stage here because they were all so good and entertaining to read about. What can I say about Simon and Baz that would encompass my love for them? Either separate or together, they are both so thrilling to read about yet real in terms of being believable characters, not caricatures. Penelope, Agatha, The Mage, and Lucy were also interesting in their own right and essential to how things went along. The book won't be as strong as it is without them. In the end, Carry On was simply delightful to read and I love it with all my heart. I frequently find myself rereading some chapters when I need something to cheer me up or simply because I miss my magicians. It's definitely worth checking out.

13. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

(Photo from: www.madelinemiller.com)

If you have read my The Song of Achilles review, then you would know how much I love this book but since I have no problem gushing about one of the best books I have ever read in my life, I'm going to rave about it some more. 

To put it simply, The Song of Achilles was spectacular. If you know what happens in the Iliad (which I am assuming most of you do because it's the Iliad), then you essentially know what's going to happen in this book because it does follow the classic tale's events. So why bother reading it you ask? Because even though you know what will eventually happen, the way Miller wrote her novel was just breathtaking. It was heartwarming and heart-breaking. Tragic and hopeful. Fearful and joyful. The magical and mystical world of the Greek gods was made more intimate and human through Patroclus' eyes. He grounded the story to make it more understandable, relatable, and worth reading. You root for him from the very first chapter. You feel his loneliness, pain, and happiness as he grows older. You just invest in him right off the bat which is important if you're going to see through him the entire book. Achilles was also grounded. In the Iliad, he was this arrogant and angry character that you most probably disliked. In this, you see his formation, his years growing up, and his motivations for being what he is when the Trojan War actually starts so you get him. You don't just understand him, you like him as well. The two of them together is just lovely to read. All kinds of emotions can be felt when you read a scene between the two of them. The other supporting characters were all good and played their part for the story in impressive ways namely Odysseus, Briseis, Agamemnon, and Thetis. If Madeline Miller ever published novellas concerning the four them, I will definitely pay to read it. I will pay for anything Madeline Miller because she has proven her talent and skill in writing with The Song of Achilles. I just love this book to pieces. Everything about it is a gift from the gods.

Side Note: To view my FULL review of The Song of Achilles, click here 

I am actually surprised at how many books I thoroughly loved in 2016. No matter how much crap I give 2016 for being pretty bad, I can't deny that it was a good reading year for me. Earlier this year, I aimed to read around fifty books for my Goodreads reading challenge. And although I won't be able to reach fifty by the time 2016 ends, I can't make myself be totally upset since I mostly read good books. After all, its better to have been able to read in small amounts and for all of them to turn out great rather than have a heaping pile of terrible books. I hope to God that 2017 will again be a good reading year. I'm not sure how much I will be able to read since 2017 will probably be the busiest year of my life yet but I'm still looking forward to the new year...if only for the books. With so many books I am personally anticipating in 2017, it's practically impossible not to feel hope.

Side Note: Once you're done reading my list, check out Lyka Cali's over at her page!

Fuck 2016 Episode 3: The Best YA Book Covers Ever

We're done talking about the worst. It's time for the best.

If you have been following our blogs lately you would know that Lyka Cali and I have been doing a little bookish marathon. So far we have talked about stuff we, to put it kindly, did not necessarily like. But now it is time to flip the coin and talk about the things we really enjoyed and liked starting with this "episode", THE BEST YA BOOK COVERS EVER.

Back in Episode 1, we talked about some of the most atrocious book covers out there and we felt like it was only fair to write about the best ones too. There are some pretty amazing book covers out there and we have got to give credit to the artists for their work. It attracts readers when they go visit book stores therefore giving them good first impressions when they pick them up. I am not saying a book is automatically good just because it has a great cover but it does give the buyers some optimism when starting it. That has certainly been the case for me in numerous occasions. This is why it is essential to not take book covers for granted because they truly do have an influence on the reader. My list below covers some of the books that I felt did a great job at capturing the readers' interest because of their aesthetic and because it goes hand-in-hand with the story inside.

As always, this list is in no particular order.

1. Red Queen (Red Queen # 1) by Victoria Aveyard

(Photo from: victoriaaveyard.blogspot.com)

Red Queen's cover is just beautiful there is no doubt about that. It is simple, yes, but it still gives off a strong and elegant aura that is quite hard to find sometimes especially if the book focuses on royalty. Usually they crowd the cover with symbols and pictures that mean power but Red Queen proves that  a minimalist approach is enough. The crown and the red blood dripping from it conveys enough of the premise that it intrigues you. The tag line at the bottom adds a lot of impact too. The whole thing together is just a formidable and pleasing sight which is good since the book itself deserves it.

2. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

(Photo from: www.rainbowrowell.com)

Carry On is a good example of covers that give you a feel of the book. The two silhouettes that take up most of the cover let you know immediately that their relationship will be important in the novel which is indeed true since those two are Simon and Baz. The silhouette of the castle is of course indicating where the book will be mostly based at. It doesn't only give you a good feel of the story but it also is quite simple and good-looking as a whole. The colors don't clash and the font looks good with the other elements. Basically it's another good cover for a deserving story.

3. The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

(Photo from: www.freeiz.com)

Say what you want about Twilight and how it's a blemish to literature and all that bullshit but it's got some damn good covers. It's another set of simple covers (I think you guys can guess that I love simple covers) with a specific image in the middle. The images are all metaphorically significant to the story, more specifically to Bella. The font compliments the design and the colors are lovely, more potent because of the contrast. It was awesome when I first saw it, it's awesome 'til now and I'll probably think it's awesome until the day I die.

4. Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo

(Photo from: pentatwine.blogspot.com)

God these covers are absolutely gorgeous! I am pretty sure no one can disagree with this statement. The majestic crow, the wonderful font, the splendid colors and the way it contrasts with each other, and the background all come together to make extraordinary covers. Six of Crows drew me in the first time I saw it and the same can be said with Crooked Kingdom. The vivid colors of the pages also adds to the stunning aesthetic of the books. No disagreements here when I see this duology in others' best covers list.

5. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

The All The Bright Places cover is composed of things that have a significant role in the story itself arranged in a way to make the product look really pleasing. It's really clever and simple and just beautiful. There's something about the cover that gives off an aura of authenticity and purity that I think really conveys the book as a whole. The cover is elegant, and lovely, and a "bright place" for every fan of the sweet book.

6. What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

(Photo from: www.harpercollins.com)

The cover of What We Saw is composed of a simple picture of a slightly opened door but the way it was edited elevated it to the next level. The lighting as well as the blurred background immediately adds a mysterious and tense atmosphere which is appropriate since the book itself has this all throughout. This plus the powerful tagline produces a strong cover that captivates you immediately. Truly an effective cover for an important book.

The "Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover" is very easy to abide if the covers are as gorgeous and as full of impact as the books above. They all did their duty of being aesthetically great and being closely related to the story. There are many more out there but these six really are the top books I think about when I think of the best. There are thousands more out there and I am glad when I see them because not only do I see investment in the books themselves but I see that they know the importance a cover has because whether we like it or not, it does have a effect. A surprisingly big and essential effect. Lord knows I never want to see another cover wherein a teenage girl is staring blankly ahead with her hair blowing in the background. Do you?

Fuck 2016 Episode 2: The Worst Books I Have Read In My Entire Life

Previously on Fuck 2016...

Last December 21, Lyka Cali and I published our first posts in the Fuck 2016 marathon featuring what we think are the worst young adult covers ever made. Now it's the day before Christmas and it's time to bring you guys the second "episode" to this bookish marathon, THE WORST BOOKS I HAVE READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

I consider myself pretty generous when rating books, I try my best to really look at their good points. But there are just those particular few which barely have good in them that I couldn't deny anymore how truly BAD they were. I know when a book just didn't hit it for me whenever I feel like it was a waste of my time to read it also when I am very frustrated with it. The kind of frustration wherein you question that book's very existence and meaning. Disappointment is also a key indicator. It's when I expect a particular book to be good because it has a good premise or had a huge amount of hype around it only for it to not meet my standards.

I am sure that the authors who wrote these books are very lovely people and I have nothing against them. I am only rating their books and nothing more. If any of you liked or even loved the books on my list, feel free to like them. I wish I had your experience but I simply did not.

Also, like my last list in Episode 1, this list is in no particular order.

1. If I Stay (If I Stay # 1) by Gayle Forman

(Photo from: www. amazon.com)

If you have read my If I Stay Review, then you know I absolutely did not like this book. It was boring, underwhelming, and pointless. The pacing was all wrong. It was mostly very slow until the last few chapters wherein it rushed to tie everything up. The characters were also minimally interesting. Those who managed to capture some my interest aren't even the main characters! They were just side characters! What was more frustrating was that it had a pretty interesting premise but the interest I had in it quickly diminished after the fist few chapters where nothing remotely exciting was happening. I read the last word of the entire book feeling very irritated and unsatisfied which should never be if you just read a great book.

2. Playlist For The Dead by Michelle Falkoff

(Photo from: www.goodreads,com)

Oh God I was so so so disappointed after reading this book.

Playlist for the Dead has a very cool premise. It's the type I am definitely drawn to so when I heard about it for the first time earlier this year, I bought it the first chance I got. I even bought the hardbound copy of it. After reading the book, I regret spending so much money on it. It was just really bad. Like If I Stay, it was pointless. Everything that was set up didn't have a pay-off that was worth the time and energy spent on making it seem essential. I'm telling you guys it set up so much stuff but in the end nothing really happened. The playlist wasn't even much of a player in the book! The book was named after the something that didn't even matter much until the very end! The disappointment I felt after reading this book was unlike any other.... at least unlike any other but one. But that's later on in the list. The point is I expected so much more from this book but it just let me down.

(To view my initial review on Playlist for the Dead, click here)

3. Save Me, Kurt Cobain by Jenny Manzer

(Photo from: www.goodreads.com)

Another book I regret spending so much money on because I bought the hardbound version of it.

Save Me, Kurt Cobain took me TWO weeks to finish and it's not even that long. If that's not an indicator at how boring this book was I don't even know what is. This book tried I can give it that. It tried to be thrilling and mysterious but it just didn't work. I guess that time spent trying to be thrilling and mysterious added to how boring this book turned out. It took too long setting things up that I found myself losing interest in it. It ended up being a real job just to finish this book and that should never be the case. The main character, Nico, was really rash and glum that it made it really hard to invest and root for her. Also, the million Kurt Cobain facts did nothing but distract me from the story. It would have been fine if kept at a minimum instead of it popping out every two paragraphs. Like Playlist for the Dead, I expected so much more from this book but I ended up disappointed and frustrated. 

(To view my initial review on Save Me, Kurt Cobain, click here)

4. Soulmates by Holly Bourne

(Photo from: neverjudgeabookbyitscovers.blogspot.com)

This book definitely did not need to be as long as it was.

I don't mind reading thick books don't get me wrong but as long as it was necessary for that book to be long. The length of this book was not necessarily. I bought this book because I wanted to read a twisted version of soulmates, not to read a girl's life with her friends and crush. I have read millions of books with that premise, I don't need another one. The big difference was I knew those books were about a girl's life with her friends and crush. I signed up to read those books. This book failed to mention that it was mostly going to be a normal contemporary novel. I feel like I bought something different from what I expected. If it was going to focus more on the life of the girl rather than the supernatural aspect of soulmates, at least make it worthwhile and interesting but it was not. It was cliche. In the end, it made me feel nothing major. It left no impact. I just turned the last page and set it back on my shelf.

(To view my initial review of Soulmates, click here)

5. Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Harry Potter # 8) by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne

(Photo from: www.hypable.com)

I said above that Playlist of the Dead disappointed me like no other book did except for one. Cursed Child was that book.

I am not sure I can express my disappointment enough. I LOVED the Harry Potter series. There was not one book that I did not love. The story, the characters, the action, and everything in between were amazing and unforgettable and I will always be thankful to Rowling for creating the magical world of Harry Potter. So of course, I was super excited when I heard about Cursed Child and how it was going to be the "eighth" story of the Harry Potter franchise. After actually reading it, I tried my best not to think about how it was canon.

Where do I even begin? The characterization of most of the original characters were inconsistent with the other seven books, especially Harry fucking Potter. The stuff he did in this book/script were stuff his character would never do. It tried to tell a mind-blowing and massive story but in the end, it just created more confusing plot holes in a world where there are already more than enough plot holes. There were also things in Cursed Child that were clearly just convenient plot devices. If you think about it really carefully, it does not make sense. The Malfoys were the only bright spots from this story and nothing more. You would be crazy if you were a Potter fan and you didn't have expectations going in to this book. My expectations were missed by a long shot to say the least but not only that. I was disappointed out of my mind.

If you read my initial reviews of Playlist for the Dead, Save Me, Kurt Cobain, and Soulmates, you would notice that I liked them better there as compared to here. I guess the more time away from them has given me perspective on how bad they really were as stories so I don't regret putting them in this list. That said, I am actually quite surprised on how this list turned out. I thought there would be more. I have come across blogs and vlogs alike with numerous books on their most hated list. But then again, shouldn't I be thankful that there are only a handful of books that left a bad taste on my mouth? It's inevitable that I will encounter much more terrible books eventually but I guess I can look at it this way. Without them I wouldn't be able to gage terrific ones as well as separate and value the books I really love. You guys can look at it that way too if you keep on feeling overwhelming hatred towards those specific books you have read that really got on your nerves. It's better than them being the banes of your existence and paperweight after all.