[Book Rave] Scarlet

WARNING. There MIGHT be SPOILERS ahead.


Wow, Fantastic Baby!



Definitely the B-E-S-T!



If I am using gifs of my two ultimate favorite KPOP groups, then beware. Extreme spazzing ahead.

Aakjshgyhrtyiruhjhdgagfsrtadurgahgfeiu0uibv!

Lemme breathe in first.




Even without reading what Cinder was all about, the cover itself was enough to captivate me. After reading Cinder, I knew in my heart that I would go through with the whole series until the end.


Scarlet's cover is as beautiful as that of Cinder. Gorgeous, gorgeous covers. See, a good YA series doesn't really need a pretty girl in the cover just to catch people's attention.


New characters. We have been introduced to new characters in this book. The most important were Scarlet and Wolf, and yeah, Thorne. I liked Scarlet, (hey Haf, when did you ever disliked a kick-ass heroine?-t)with her red hood, strong personality, tough determination, and a good heart. Wolf, not much. I think I need to get to know more about him , but I'm warming up on him. It's not like it's his fault that he was like that. Thorne? No confusion on this one. I liked his playful nature. Yeah, I thought he was this happy-go-lucky-kind of guy, which in a way, he was. But let's admit it, without him (and his Rampion, ehem) Cinder wouldn't have survived being a fugitive.

Love angles. Scarlet and Wolf, I felt theirs was too fast. Unlike Cinder and Kai's which is up to now -still- a love story in the making. I wish we could have seen more of Wolf's confusion on his feelings for Scarlet or fulfilling his duties. Or even Scarlet's struggle between her growing feelings for Wolf and her anger for him because of his betrayal. 
Cinder and Kai. Ok, jealous Kai is jealous. One of my favorites from the book. Here's an excerpt:

"Kai neared his desk again, seeing that the fugitive's profile had been transferred to the screen. His frown deepened. Perhaps not dangerous, but young and inarguably good looking. His prison photo showed him flippantly winking at the camera. Kai hated him immediately."

See what I mean? Scenes like this one are to die for. Haha. (says the hopeless romantic in me)

Back to the story. Iko is back too, with a vengeance, if I may say so.
And still, Queen Levana is as hateful as ever, and yeah, Adri made an appearance. What a shame!

Scarlet and Cinder? Honestly, it was love at first sight for me on Cinder, so I really prefer her over Scarlet. But, I love Scarlet as well. Their confrontation on the Rampion was one of the best scenes, EVER. I mean, duh, two kick-ass heroines, arguing, both having a point. Wow-oh-Wow. I don't know which side to choose. Good thing they are both rational human beings and settled it well. 

Yeah, another thing that made me extra-happy. "Manila" was one of the four cities which were attacked during the last few chapters. I don't live in Manila, but hey, it's still part of the Philippines. So nice to read it mentioned in one of my favorite series. It is so easy to make me happy.

Ooh, and BTW, I do have a favorite scene (I have a lot actually, but this one is the most unforgettable):

Thorne coughed. "I'm still confused.
With a sigh, Cinder wilted onto a crate, staring down at her mismatched hands. She scrunched her whole face up, like preparing for a blow, and muttered. "I'm Princess Selene."
Thorne snorted and they all turned to him.
He blinked. "What, really?"
"Really."
The joking smile froze on his lips.
A heavy silence was followed by a vibration beneath their feet and Iko's voice. "I don't compute."
"That makes two of us," said Thorne.

I finished reading it past midnight, but my energy level was so high, like I took 3 cups of coffee. I am so excited for the next book. Aigoo~~~2014, Wae so far? So now I'm....



For 2014. 

On the other hand...

Review: Etiquette & Espionage

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

My rating: 3 of 5 stars





Dear Steampunk, you might become one of my favorite genre. Too close.

I can never resist books about lady spies...or lady intelligencers as they like to call it. I am attracted by the idea of a finishing school where they also teach another type of "finishing". I liked Sophronia, really, with a name like that, who wouldn't like her?! She is as likable (and weird) as her name.

I would've preferred if they also focused more on their lessons, I thought it would've added some sort of entertainment. I am kinda new to the Steampunk genre, and I'm still adjusting, but as far as this book is concerned, I'm liking it so far.

I like it that this book doesn't really take a serious note. Like it was written for pure, unadulterated, fun. Which of course makes you enjoy the book while reading. I like it when a book doesn't stress me that much, especially if it's YA. And though there's a little bit something going on between Sophronia and Soap, I like the fact that romance was kinda toned down. But...I think there will be something in the future in store for the, uhm, Piston boy, which was involved in the end part, the one who have seen Sophronia.

All in all. It was a lightweight read, but FUN nevertheless. Makes me wanna read her other series, the Parasol Protectorate (something like that).

P.S. Wouldn't it be better if their SEDUCTION class were described as well? A little bit knowledge on that part wouldn't hurt, ayt?




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Review: Vaclav & Lena: A Novel

Vaclav & Lena: A Novel by Haley Tanner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars





There is really something about the way a book is written that captivates you. Like this book. I loved the way it was written, it sounded so naive, so innocent to me.

The tone makes you feel like you are reading something epic, something out of this world, something great. It maybe is. Or it may simply be a story of two young people in love, of this great connection that the two young lovers shared. Either way, it was a good story.

I don't know how to explain it, except that I was charmed by the book. By Vaclav. By Lena. By their magic. It makes you feel good after reading. Almost like you've just woken up from a fairy tale dream. (Yay, le hormones. Teh horror of your words Haf. ~t)



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Review: Shug

Shug by Jenny Han

My rating: 3 of 5 stars





Seriously, do 12 year-old girls talk about being a femme fatale? a temptress? or of having a sexual relationship with someone? At that age? Aisht. Jinjja?

And what's with naming her Shug because of Shug Avery? As far as I know, The Color Purple isn't something that I would recommend for teens to read. Not that I've read it, but Ms. Google informed me enough.

As for the story, yeah, something about wanting to belong, figuring out yourself, and some stuff about falling in love, well, falling in love in the eyes of a 12 year old.

Sorry if I can't help repeating about Shug being just 12 year old, because I absolutely cannot accept the fact that a 12 year old is already plotting some seductive tactics. I mean, wow-oh-wow, the generation now is really different from what it used to be.

The writer really tried to tell this story in the tone of a 12 year old, in some ways it was succesful, but there are some things which I don't think can come out of the mind of a 12 year old. Or maybe I'm just a little bit tight and conservative to not consider that the world is changing and young people now know more that what young people before used to.

Anyways, I had fun reading it. It was short. It was young. Definitely not for my 21 year old safe but perfect for my 16 year old self that is lurking somewhere within me.



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Review: Wallbanger

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars





Definitely deserved that Pikachu gif.
Because it's cute, fun, and sexy. Not that Pikachu is sexy, but I think Pikachu is cuddly, the same thing I felt for this book.

Does it really deserve the 5 stars I'm giving it?
In some circumstances, maybe not, I mean, it's not really an important literary product, but I liked the book, I enjoyed reading the characters, it made me laugh, and what's the point of reading a fictional material of you don't get entertained?!

It's February, the love month, and I enjoyed the romance and the witty, and sexy banter between Caroline and Simon. Add in their fun friends in the mix, and you have something that would surely help you last the love month alone. LOL.

At first, I thought this one was erotica, but it wasn't, not really. Mild maybe, but for me it was more of a chicklit-kind-of-book, which are my guilty pleasures, thus the 5 stars. Anyways, I think it has been a long time since I've read this (around 2 weeks ago), and I cannot really recall the exact reactions I had after reading this except that I had fun all throughout the book. I also couldn't left this one out without giving it a piece because I feel I owe as much. Weird me.



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Review: S is for Silence

S is for Silence by Sue Grafton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



There might be SPOILERS ahead.



Can anyone please explain to me what just happened?

It has been a long time since I've read a book from the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet series. It felt so much like meeting with an old friend. I will forever adore Kinsey Millhone for she is an epitome of the woman I'd always wanted to be. She is independent, doesn't really care that much about vanity, loves Big Macs and Peanut butter and pickles, perfectly fine in living alone though get lonely sometimes (Hello? Being alone isn't exactly the best way to spend living in this maddening world). And though I don't really think I'd fall for a guy enough to be my Dad, I understand her "teen-crush-slash-puppy-love" for her landlord Henry. Heck, I even like her freakin' apartment.But the thing that I envy most about her is her smart-ass-ness, and of course she has a freakin' gun.

Technically, this is the first from the Kinsey Millhone series where Grafton used another point of view aside from Kinsey's own. In a way, it was a good thing since we are provided an insight on the other character's personalities. It also tells us stories which are unknown to even Kinsey. But unlike her other books, I noticed that this book has a lot of loopholes. There are a lot of things which needed an explanation but weren't provided by the author in the end.

I am used to Kinsey explaining what exactly happened with the case (usually in the last chapters or the epilogue), but this one provided more questions than answers. I think I get the motive of the killer, but I honestly can't figure out the connection on why that person was the killer just because he bought that dog. Why, Kinsey, why? Was it stated and I just missed it? Or was it really not explained?
Anyways, I'm a sucker for crime novels. Being a crime novel and providing me something that would exercise my brain cells will always deserve at least a 3 for me. Yeah, yeah, it's kinda unfair for other books in other genre, but I genuinely enjoy a good crime novel whether it was cleared up neat and tidy on the end or has left loop holes and loose strings for me to fill in, tie, or cut.






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Review: Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin

Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin by Bob Ong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars





Nakakatawa pa rin ba?

Kung ikukumpara sa mga naunang libro ni Bob, hindi nga gaanong nakakatawa itong "Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin", pero nandoon pa din yung pinakapaborito kong elemento. Yung mga eksenang talagang mapapasabi ka ng "OO nga". Yung mga eksenang nagpapamukha sayo ng mga katotohanang matagal mo ng alam pero di mo lang narerealize, o talagang in-denial ka lang.

Base sa pagkakaintindi ko, ang librong ito ay tungkol sa kalagayan ng "movie industry" at marahil maging ang mga "TV and drama series" dito sa Pilipinas. May punto naman talaga si Ginoong Bob Ong. Lalo na yung patungkol sa mga dekalidad na Pelikulang Pilipino na ipinapalabas tuwing MMFF na walang nanonood. At yung mga pelikulang medjo di naman talaga pang MMFF ang kalidad pero dinadagsa ng mga tao dahil lamang sa aesthetic value nito. Kunsabagay, kaya naman tayo nanonood ng pelikula ay para aliwin ang sarili natin at panandaliang makalimot. Subalit, hindi ba mas maganda kung habang nanonood tayo ng pelikula ay may nakukuha tayong aral, at hindi lamang basta ang kabutihan ay laging nananalo laban sa kasamaan, o mali ang mangabit sa asawa ng me asawa?
Hindi ba magandang may makabuluhan tayong natututunan?

Naaliw din ako dun sa parte kung saan parang ini-isa-isa ng librong ito ang mga elemento ng karaniwang Pinoy Action Movie. Bentang-benta sa'kin yun. Lumaki kasi ako sa henerasyon kung saan uso yung betamax, at madalas, kung betamax lalo na pag nasa probinsya at maraming manonood o parokyano, eh action movie ang ipinapalabas. Kaya nga nung nabasa ko yung unang kuwento, sobrang relate na relate na ako. Para nga namang may formula.

Siguro nga sobrang hibang na hibang ako sa mga pelikula at teleserye dahil karamihan sa mga pasimpleng references at patama ni Bob ay nakakarelate ako. Nakakaaliw. Nakakabaliw. Ganun din yung pakiramdam ko sa librong ito. Gusto ko, OO. Pero parang may kulang pa. Nakakaaliw nga, nakakabaliw din. .



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