Book Review #682 - Grey (Fifty Shades of Grey #4) by E.L. James

Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.  

Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him?

My Rating: 3.5/5

I read the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy in early 2016 and even though they were completely outside my comfort zone reads, I found that I surprisingly rather enjoyed them and so it was a no brainer that I would now delve into the story told from the perspective of the enigmatic Christian Grey. 

I loved the glimpses given into Christian's traumatic childhood as this really solidified some things that were hinted at throughout the previous books. 

I loved being inside Christian's mind but ultimately I preferred Ana as the narrator. I find Ana less irritating when she is the one narrating and also I think I prefer there being a filter between Christian and the reader as he comes across as more uptight and serious on his own. 

I don't think this book could really sustain itself on its own - it definitely is more of a companion to Fifty Shades of Grey in that it was written more to answer questions like 'I wonder what Christian was thinking at that moment?' and the insight into his childhood because other than that it is just basically Fifty Shades of Grey.

Book Review #681 - Day 21 (The 100 #2) by Kass Morgan

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.

It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries...or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.

My Rating: 4/5

Like with the first book, the number of narrators bothered me, however this time I struggled to get over that annoyance as I felt like it continually disrupted the rhythm of the story. 

There are definitely stronger narrators than others which disrupted the flow even more. Clarke is definitely my favourite character and either Wells or Glass are my least favourite. 

Plotwise, not much really happened that developed the plot to any great extent. There were quite a few shocking revelations revealed that will make me read book 3 but at this stage I think I definitely prefer the TV show adaptation. 

Book Review #680 - Chasing Alliecat by Rebecca Fjelland Davis

Dumped with relatives in a small Minnesota town for the summer, Sadie Lester is relying on her mountain bike to save her from total boredom. Then she meets Allie, a spiky-haired off-road mountain biker who's training for a major race. Allie leads Sadie and Joe, a cute fellow cyclist, up and down Mount Kato, and the three become close friends. But the exhilarating rush comes to a halt when they find a priest in the woods, badly beaten and near death. After calling for help, Allie disappears from their lives.

As they search for Allie and try to find out why she left so suddenly, Sadie and Joe discover more about Allie's past, including her connection to the priest. Only on the day of the big race does Sadie finally learn the complete, startling truth about Allie--and the terrible secret that forced her into hiding.

My Rating: 3/5

I decided to pick up this book because I felt like reading a contemporary novel, and the synopsis of this one intrigued me. 

The synopsis to me eluded to an entirely different plot, but I found I still enjoyed the one that was actually presented. 

I loved the setting in this novel. The woods that Sadie, Joe and Allie explore on an almost daily basis throughout almost seemed like a character itself at times, it was that well described. 

The only issue I had with this book is that to me Sadie and Joe seemed much younger than what they were supposed to be and I think this was largely due to their dialogue. It was for this reason that I didn't see the plot twist coming at all because of how dark it was. 

Mountain biking plays a huge role in this book and whilst I am usually a fan of sporting novels, mountain biking is not really a sport that interests me. I did enjoy the amount I learnt about it though. 

Overall, this was a really enthralling read. I was rather disappointed there was no real mystery element that the synopsis eluded to but the story was interesting enough anyway. 

Book Review #679 - The Dark Divine (The Dark Divine #1) by Bree Despain

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

My Rating: 4/5

I went into this book knowing it was a paranormal romance book, but I did not know what the paranormal aspect was. 

Werewolves were the very last paranormal creatures that I had been expecting. The book felt very much almost like a contemporary novel at first and then the fantasy very slowly took over. 

I loved that the werewolves weren't just suddenly thrown at us. There was a whole story of the history of this unique breed of werewolf before it was completely revealed. 

The romance felt rather 'insta-love' in that I didn't feel like enough of their past was revealed to get the feeling that they were reconnecting rather than meeting for the first time. 

I loved the family dynamics in this book and how close they were all with one another. The father being a pastor who simply wanted to please not only his family the entire town added a whole other dynamic to this.

The twist at the end was completely unexpected and really sealed the book for me and persuaded me to pick up the sequel. 

Book Review #678 - Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

"Dead girl walking”, the boys say in the halls.

"Tell us your secret”, the girls whisper, one toilet to another.

I am that girl.

I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.

I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.

Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia’s descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

My Rating: 3.5/5

This is my second Laurie Halse Anderson book with the first being Speak. 

Both books are similar in that they deal with mental illness. With Speak it was selective mutism whereas Wintergirls dealt with anorexia and bulimia. 

I found the protagonist Lia very frustrating at times. I felt like she was full of excuses of why she is the way she is, when really she just needed to be honest with herself.

 

Anorexia is a subject I know nothing about and after reading this book I still don't feel like I know that much about it. 

I didn't like how this book always seemed to go off into different tangents. The hallucinations, although probably realistic due to Lia starving herself and her 'brain shrinking' but I thought they were a little over the top. 

Lia's sister Emma was my favourite character. She was the only character in the ENTIRE book who was seemingly not damaged in some way. 

I feel like I didn't really have the emotional understanding to completely love this book. I felt sorry for Lia but mostly I felt frustrated that she would do that to herself.

Book Review #676 - The Walking Dead, Book 2 (#13-#24)

My Rating: 3/5

I didn't like this book as much as the first one. This book contained way too much personal drama especially for a post-apocalyptic book. 

There was way too much focus on romantic relationships, some because of the portrayal of them on the TV show I couldn't get my head around like Carol and Tyreese. 

I loved that Michonne was finally introduced as she is one of my favourite characters. 

Overall I was a little disappointed with this one and am not sure I am going to continue on with this series. 

Book Review # 674 - Witch's Canyon (Supernatural #2) by Jeff Mariotte

Twenty-two years ago, Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a mysterious and demonic supernatural force. In the years after, their father, John, taught them about the paranormal evil that lives in the dark corners and on the back roads of America...and he taught them how to kill it.

Sam and Dean have set out on a road trip to the Grand Canyon, but this is no vacation for the brothers. On a stretch of deserted ranchland just beyond the canyon's stunning vistas, mysterious murder sprees have occurred every forty years. The area's inhabitants have been few and far between in years past, but a nearby mega-mall is about to celebrate its grand opening and attract thousands of fresh victims.

The Winchester boys are determined to protect locals and shoppers alike, but they never anticipated they'd be fighting a group of killers this vicious, this vindictive, this . . . dead. A deadly horde of animal spirits and human ghosts has arisen to terrorize this tiny corner of the Arizona desert. If Sam and Dean can't figure out why, the wide-open spaces of the West will once again become a desolate frontier . . . and the witch's canyon will be the brothers' final resting place.

My Rating: 3/5

The death count in this book is so much higher than I remember there being in any average Supernatural episode. 

Because of the amount of characters this book had, there was very little of Sam and Dean - or less than one would expect in a Supernatural book. 

The supernatural element in this book was interesting although it took WAY too long to develop. All the action was in the last 50 or so pages. The first 300 pages were mainly deaths and out of character dialogue. 

I felt like the author was restricted by the fact this was a novelisation of Supernatural. If he had been able to branch out and develop the characters and the story the way he wanted then the book would have been 100% better. 

Book Review #673 - The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

My Rating: 4/5

I hated America's indecisiveness in the second book and so I loved that not only does she finally come to a decision in this book but her love life is not a dominant part of the plot like in the previous books. 

I loved the amount of plot development there was in this book. I felt like more was discovered in this book than the first two combined. 

In my review of The Elite I actually accurately predicated a fair amount of the plot twists and so I was more shocked by my accuracy than what was actually happening. 

Book Review #672 - Welcome to Dead House (Goosebumps #1) by R.L. Stine

11-year-old Josh and 12-year-old Amanda just moved into the oldest and weirdest house on the block--the two siblings think it might even be haunted! But of course, their parents don't believe them. You'll get used to it, they say. Go out and make some new friends. 

But the creepy kids are not like anyone Josh and Amanda have ever met before. And when they take a shortcut through the cemetery one night, Josh and Amanda learn why.

My Rating: 3.5/5

My brother and I used to love the Goosebumps series when we were growing up. A few weeks ago I was clearing out my childhood shelves and found our collection. I remembered how much I loved them, and so though why not read them now as an adult.

Like most Goosebumps books (the ones I remember anyway), the book starts off with a family moving into a new home. Neither of the children Amanda and Josh were too happy about the move, but it's the family pet Petey that takes the move the hardest. 

One difference I noticed reading this now is just how predictable it was. 

The house they are moving to is in a town called Dark Falls, oh and the house was given to them for free in a will of an uncle that no one has actually heard of. 

Anyway, I really did enjoy the 20 or so minutes it took me to read this book. Each chapter ended with a mini cliffhanger which used to keep me reading way past my bedtime as a child but definitely helps the pacing of the story as you simply don't want to put the book down. 

There were a few things that I thought were a little morbid for a children's book that probably wouldn't have been in the 1990's. 

The ending was open ended and I know there are a few Goosebumps books that have sequels, but this doesn't seem to be one of them which is odd considering how it ended. 

Book Review #671 - Nightmares! (Nightmares #1) by Jason Segal and Kirsten Miller

Eleven-year-old Charlie Laird is desperate for a good night’s sleep - or even just a nap. Ever since he moved into his stepmother’s mysterious purple mansion, Charlie’s life has become a living nightmare.

A terrifying witch haunts every second of his sleep and now the dread that fills his dreams is creeping into the waking world. As President Fear and his fellow Nightmares feed off the unease that is spreading rapidly across the town, the Nightmare world threatens to take over.

Only by finding the courage to face their deepest, darkest fears can Charlie and his friends conquer the creatures of the night and save the day.

My Rating: 3/5

I haven't read a fiction book written by a celebrity before and so I was a little skeptical of the writing quality. I would say that the writing was rather patchy but it was better than what I had been expecting. 

Charlie, the protagonist is going through a hard time. His father has remarried and both his father and younger brother seem quite happy to have his new step-mother replace his real mother. 

Charlie is also not happy that his father decided to move them into the step-mother's house as not only does it not hold any memories of his mother but the new, creepy house starts giving him nightmares. 

Because of the lack of sleep and resentment towards his family, Charlie is quite mean to them through the first portion of the book. The authors did a good job at not making Charlie too unreasonable whilst expressing his feelings. I found that I didn't hate Charlie here like most readers seem to have. 

When Charlie's nightmares begin, this is where the story really picks up. When Charlie has a nightmare, his soul goes to the Netherworld. When Charlie's nightmares escalate and seem very real, Charlie opens the portal between the Netherworld and the waking world. 

This portal leads Charlie on an adventure that enables him to face his fears and conquer them. He meets many different types of creatures along the way including the son of Medusa. 

This book conveys strong messages of confronting your fears and the importance of family. 

Book Review #670 - Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for every possibility life has to offer. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. 

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.

Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.

My Rating: 5/5

Given how much I enjoyed All the Bright Places, I picked up this book before even reading the synopsis.

The book has duel narration shared between two outcasts.

Jack who can't recognise faces (even his family) and keeps this fact secret from everyone. 

I found his condition really interesting and it was obvious how much research was done on it to convey it so strongly. 

The other narrator was Libby. While Jack has become good at hiding his problems, Libby cannot as she carries it around with her as Libby turned to food when her mother died and subsequently put on so much weight she was bedridden.

Whilst I loved Jack and Libby's individual stories and struggles I didn't care much for them as a couple. I thought they were both perhaps too strong for a split narrated book. 

There were a lot of pop culture references throughout which is not something that I usually like but I found that I liked the Supernatural references throughout.

Jack's condition was interesting but I never really understood why he didn't tell anyone about it. I know he didn't exactly have the best relationship with his father but his mother seemed approachable.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, just not as much as All the Bright Places. 

Book Review #669 - The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

The Selection began with thirty-five girls.

Now with the group narrowed down to the six Elite, the competition to win Prince Maxon's heart is fiercer than ever—and America is still struggling to decide where her heart truly lies. Is it with Maxon, who could make her life a fairy tale? Or with her first love, Aspen?

America is desperate for more time. But the rest of the Elite know exactly what they want—and America's chance to choose is about to slip away.

My Rating: 3.5/5

America was a fun, witty character in the first book however her indecisiveness in this book made her lose most of her charm. 

She took her time choosing between Maxon and Aspen and now it appears that the love triangle has developed to a square. 

The only thing that happens in this book that advanced the overall plot at all was that there was a hint at political unrest in the country and the corrupt nature of the caste system. 

America's family made an appearance, but her father was rather suspicious and I think he is likely hiding something. 

The amount of attacks the rebels made on the palace increased so much in this book that I feel like it's building to something major - like with the first book I was hoping that Aspen would get killed as that would solve so many issues. 

It seemed like America had only just now worked out that the other girls in The Selection are there for the same reason she is and the other girls were were given some attention accordingly. 

The Selection part of the story is moving slower than I thought it would. I mean only 2 more girls were eliminated in this book - as much of an antagonist Celeste is, I hope she stays around longer as she causes all the drama. 

The king is building to be the major villain of the story, which might mean that America potentially could end up on the rebels side of the impending conflict. 

Overall, whilst America annoyed me endlessly, I developed so many theories of where the story is going that I desperately need book 3 as soon as possible. 

Book Review #668 - Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined (Twilight #1.75) by Stephenie Meyer

My Rating: 3.5/5

I went into this book really, really skeptical. I was a huge Twilight fan back in the day and it is the book series I 100% accredit to reestablishing my love for reading and introducing me to the YA genre, however, it has been years since I have last picked up a Twilight book. I actually tried to reread Twilight a few months ago and couldn't get myself to read more than a few chapters. 

First of all, I found it difficult to take this book seriously. I felt like it was hastily written to be a part of the 10th anniversary edition of Twilight. The names of the characters did not help at all with this as it was very hard to take the name Beaufort or the spelling of Edythe seriously at all. 

Plot wise, I was a little surprised how much of the original story and dialogue stayed the same. This made Beau sound very feminine and I had to keep reminding myself that he wasn't Bella. 

Once I realised I shouldn't take the book as seriously as I was I actually really started to enjoy it and even though there were some plot holes in the way it finished, I was surprised with the alternate ending and it was obvious the ending was a what if scenario that the author had been thinking for a while.  

Book Review #667 - Library of Souls (Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children #3) by Ransom Riggs

The adventures that began with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and continued with Hollow City comes to a thrilling conclusion with Library of Souls.

As the story opens, sixteen-year-old Jacob discovers a powerful new ability, and soon he’s diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress. Accompanying Jacob on his journey are Emma Bloom, a girl with fire at her fingertips, and Addison MacHenry, a dog with a nose for sniffing out lost children.

They’ll travel from modern-day London to the labyrinthine alleys of Devil’s Acre, the most wretched slum in all of Victorian England. It’s a place where the fate of peculiar children everywhere will be decided once and for all. 

Like its predecessors, Library of Souls blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography.

My Rating: 4/5

Given the way Hollow City ended, I can't believe I managed to wait a week before picking up the third and final book in this exhilarating trilogy. 

This book wasn't as action packed as Hollow City nor did it have the tone I loved so much in the first book, but I think that this book is probably my favourite in the series just because of the serious plot developments. 

Addison the talking dog plays a bigger role in this book which I loved because who doesn't want an incredibly brave, talking dog constantly saving the day? (better than a cat anyway). 

I still had issues with the romance in that I still don't feel the connection between Jacob and Emma. I think that maybe this is because Emma used to be Jacob's grandfathers girlfriend and that creeps me out a little. 

I loved the way all the peculiar children worked together in Hollow City and so I was a little disappointed that they were all separated for the large majority of this installment.

The ending was completely unexpected (in a good way) and I think this series could not possibly have ended in a better way. The only question that I have now is what really happened to Fiona?    

Book Review #666 - This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl

This is a collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late Esther Grace Earl, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16. Photographs and essays by family and friends help to tell Esther's story, along with an introduction by award-winning author John Green who dedicated his number 1 bestselling novel The Fault in Our Stars to her.

My Rating: 3.5/5

This is a very hard book to review as it is so much more than just a book - it is a life, a life that is very much alive in every single page. 

The book is told through Esther's own personal journal entries, her long detailed letters to family members which helped portray not only what an awesome person Esther was but also how talented she was with her writing. 

The love and support that Ether had with her family and that her family had for her was evident in every page. 

Because of the amount of photos and the glossy pages used in the book, it made the pages quite thick and in turn made the book really heavy. I found because of this I couldn't really read this book for long periods of time as it hurt my wrists. 

Through her father's words and the Earl family's work through their foundation they have ensured that Esther will live on and her star won't go out. 

Book Review #665 - The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Rating: 4/5

I had been putting off reading this book ever since it was first released because, I admit, I judged it by its cover. A girl in a fancy dress is not really my thing. 

I'm not sure what ultimately made me decide to give it a try, but I am glad I did as not only did I enjoy it, I completely devoured it. 

I loved all the unique names used throughout the book and how the surname ties in with with the occupation they are destined to have. 

When I first discovered the plot was basically The Bachelor, I seriously considered not finishing it as I absolutely despise all form of reality television. 

I loved the idea of ranking society and the fact that America went from a 5 to a 3 gave great insight into how both ends of the spectrum work. 

I loved the rivalry and camaraderie between the girls although it was a little overwhelming as most of them only existed in the background. I'm looking forward to The Elite as now there are fewer girls it will be easier for them to develop.

The only issue I had with this book was the world building. The explanation given for how Illea came to exist left me rather confused and there were numerous holes in the explanation. 

The romance in this book was a lot tamer than I thought it would be considering the plot which I loved and it enabled America and Maxon to develop a strong friendship. 

As for Aspen, I found myself hoping that he would have died in one of the rebels raids as I am not that fond of him or love triangles which I can see developing if Aspen doesn't disappear. 

I loved America's family especially May who reminded me of Primrose Everdeen and I really hope we get to see more of them in future books. 

The whole aspect with the rebels was interesting but I just wished there was more depth in this area.   

Book Review #664 - The Storm (The Rain #2) by Virginia Bergin

"I'll tell you a weird thing about apocalypses - a thing I didn't even know until I was in one: they seem pretty bad, don't they? Well, take it from me: they can always get worse."

Three months after the killer rain first fell, Ruby is beginning to realise her father might be dead . . . and that she cannot survive alone. When a chance encounter lands her back in the army camp, Ruby thinks she is safe - at a price. Being forced to live with Darius Spratt is bad enough, but if Ruby wants to stay she must keep her eyes - and her mouth - shut. It's not going to happen. When she realizes what is going on - the army is trying to find a cure by experimenting on human subjects - Ruby flips out . . . and makes an even more shocking discovery: she's not useless at all. The Storm begins . . . 

My Rating: 3.5/5

Given the way The Rain ended I was really interested to see where the story would go from there. 

The huge buildup in the first book was Ruby being reunited with her father and half-brother Dan. This happened late in the book and was a MASSIVE disappointment for both Ruby and the reader for reasons I can't mention for the sake of spoilers. 

Ruby's behaviour in this book was even more reckless than in the first book. 

In The Rain, Ruby cared about her appearance way too much whereas in this book she didn't care about her appearance at all. It was an interesting way to show Ruby's mental stability. 

The book is made up of largely Ruby's inner monologue and as she doesn't have a filter she is very honest. She can get rather annoying at times, usually when she goes off on useless tangents. 

The romance between Ruby and Darius again felt rather out of place as it did in the first book so thankfully it was not that big of an issue in this book. 

When Ruby went to the army base about half way through the book, I found this portion rather boring and this was largely because Ruby's inner monologue stalls and she is is not at her witty and humerous self. 

There were also numerous plot twists around this time that were never fully answered or developed.

The book ended rather open ended, possibly leaving the door open for a sequel.  

Book Review #663 - Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades of Grey #3) by E.L. James

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.

Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.

Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.

My Rating: 3/5

I didn't find this book as captivating as the first two, maybe because I read them all back to back and was growing tired of them or simply because it was the last book and I was reluctant to finish the series. 

Christian Grey is such an intriguing, complex character and I loved how much he started opening up throughout the book, especially towards his family. 

There were parts of the plot that I thought were a little over the top but it didn't seem out of place in this series considering what has previously happened. 

The ending tied up all loose ends and gave the characters the ending they deserved. 

Overall, I went into this series with really low expectations and I honestly did not think I would finish the first book let alone the whole trilogy in 3 days. 

Whilst the sex scenes got rather tedious towards the end, it was more so my fascination with Christian and my need to know why he is the way he is that ultimately enabled me to devour this series like I did. 

Book Review #662 - The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

It's the accident season, the same time every year. Bones break, skin tears, bruises bloom.

The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara's life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara's family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items - but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.

But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?

My Rating: 3/5

From the very first sentence of this book I was compelled to find out why Cara (the protagonist) and her family are cursed with accidents around the same time each year. The mystery surrounding this wasn't revealed until the end though which made the rest of the story rather confusing. 

There was too much magical realism aspects to this story like constant mentions of mermaids, werewolves, witches, ghosts and even changellings. For the book to take such a serious, realism twist at the conclusion just didn't fit in with the overall tone of the book. 

Sam was a very enigmatic character and I wish he had more character development. 

This book had a We Were Liars vibe about it in that you have no idea what is going on until the last few pages. 

The book is set in Ireland which as far as I know is the first book I have read that has been set there. In that aspect I would have liked there to have been more of a stronger cultural depth to it as apart from a few casual Irish city name droppings, the book really could have been set anywhere. 

Overall, this is one of those books that I have confused mixed feelings about.  

Book Review #661 - Hollow City (Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children #2) by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was the surprise best seller of 2011—an unprecedented mix of YA fantasy and vintage photography that enthralled readers and critics alike. Publishers Weekly called it “an enjoyable, eccentric read, distinguished by well-developed characters, a believable Welsh setting, and some very creepy monsters.”

This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerizing) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

My Rating: 4.5/5

This book follows on straight from where the first book ended and wastes no time before setting forth with Jacob and the peculiars on the next exciting adventure. 

I loved the idea of a book within a book - The Tales of the Peculiar and the stories within.

The character development in this book was substantial with not only the the characters themselves but their peculiar abilities. 

The pictures in this book were always included in the most perfect moments and really complimented the story. I didn't like the pictures as much as the ones in the first book though. 

There were also numerous plot twists late in the book that I never saw coming and now I can't wait to read book 3.