Weekly Reading Update (WRU, #10)

This week I'm currently still reading The Dream Thieves since my week has been busier than I anticipated. I plan to finish this and possibly either Conversion by Katherine Howe or The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson before they are due back to my library. 

The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle, #2)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Pages: Currently reading on page 186 of 439
Acquired: Library
Published: 2013


Goodreads Blurb:
If you could steal things from dreams, what would you take?

Ronan Lynch has secrets. Some he keeps from others. Some he keeps from himself.

One secret: Ronan can bring things out of his dreams.

And sometimes he's not the only one who wants those things.

Ronan is one of the raven boys—a group of friends, practically brothers, searching for a dead king named Glendower, who they think is hidden somewhere in the hills by their elite private school, Aglionby Academy. The path to Glendower has long lived as an undercurrent beneath town. But now, like Ronan's secrets, it is beginning to rise to the surface—changing everything in its wake.

***** 

Tell me what you're currently reading or what you've read this week!

Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle, #1)

 

Author:Rachel Hawkins
Series: Rebel Belle, #1
Pages: 345
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2015
Genre: Fantasy
Acquired:Library
Rating: ★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Harper Jane Price is the perfect student, friend, and girlfriend. Her life is great right up until she finds out that she is destined to protect the one guy in the world that she hates most, David Stark.

Harper is the picture perfect girl, she gets straight As, is involved in nearly every organization known to Pine Grove, and has the hottest- most sought out guy on her arm. Life should be great, but that was until she got thrust into the world of a centuries old prophecy that deems her sole protector of the one guy she likes least on the planet.

I found Harper to be smart, determined, and extremely stubborn! It was great watching her character understand her responsibility and to make the difficult choice of protecting her nemesis and never having a normal life again.... orrrrr trying to put it all behind her and attempt to act like nothing ever happened to assume her normal life again. I really loved that she reacted to the situation as a normal person would react. I feel that sometimes in books like these you get characters that are all TOO willing and calm to assume certain responsibilities, and Harper was definitely not one of those characters!

I liked that this book surprised me a little, I didn't expect to get the action- packed and interesting storyline that I got! From the cover I was expecting something lighter with maybe a bit of magic or a secret spy/assassin type of book, but what I got was definitely more intriguing and it worked because I really enjoyed the back story and overall setup of this book!

Liked Most: David and Harper's snarkyness and their witty and sarcastic comments to each other
Liked Least: I wasn't a huge fan of the ending actually, I liked the whole set up, but I thought the execution of some of the scenes lacked the punch it could've had. I wanted it to either blow me away with the events of the climax or to be left in more of an interesting cliffhanger, sadly I felt I got neither :( Nonetheless, I was content with what I got.

This was really enjoyable, it was medium-paced throughout... but slower in some parts of the book. Read this in 2 sittings.

I will say that in the beginning I saw a couple of things coming, but near the end, a couple of events surprised me so it was an okay balance in that aspect. The plot was interesting with the historical bits (fiction) thrown in about the Paladins and its connection to the story and the characters. I'm a sucker for good back story, and well thought out "historical" aspects (whether true or fiction)!

Ending: I was content with it. Could it have been better?... yes....but I was satisfied with how it ended. I do plan to continue on with this series/trilogy. :)
Cover: 7/10... I love now that I've read the book, I understand the cover better!
Rating: 4/5.... Overall I really enjoyed this book's plot and characters, it was a really good book!
Recommend: I would recommend to those who like fantasy books not so heavy on the fantasy with elements of magic, prophecies, and light romance

I hope to continue on with Miss Mayhem as I found this to be a very enjoyable read! I also want to try out Rachel Hawkin's Hex Hall series to see her take on witches.

If you have read this book, let me know your thoughts below!!

*****

Prophecy of the Sisters

 

 Author: Michelle Zink
Series: Prophecy of the Sisters, #1
Pages: 343
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014
Genre: Paranormal
Acquired: Bought
Rating: ★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters--one good, one evil.
Who will prevail?
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, they find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Within an ancient prophecy twin sisters, Lia and Alice are pitted on the opposite sides of good and evil. Soon after both sisters and their younger brother are orphaned, Lia finds a strange tattooed marking on her wrist. Soon after they are all launched into a world of secret texts, symbols, witchcraft, and angels and demons. While one sister is tasked with saving the world from evil, the other is destined to destroy it and let evil prevail.

Told in Lia's POV, she is a sweet, young girl who tries to unravel the secrets of her past as well as the mystery of the age old prophecy that she and her sister are now involved in. I really liked Lia's character and personality. She was the more cool, calm, and collected sister; she took everything in stride (which was a bit weird because I would have definitely driven myself mad if a bomb like having to potentially try to save the world had been dropped on me!).

Other characters like Sonia and Luise were very different while being similar at the same time. I like their connection to the prophecy (which I figured out before hand so go me :D) as well as Aunt Virginia. I will say though I am still wary about James and his potential involvement (Lia's boyfriend) I just get the suspicion that there is more to him buuuuuttttt I could be reading way to much into it. Also the vague and mysterious beast demon trying to escape the Void or Plane.... I really want to know more about him too. (Even the bad guys need stories and attention too haha)

Back to Lia..... I liked that she developed throughout the book into a stronger, more capable character to rival her sister. I like that she knew that she had a goal and purpose to accomplish and that she was clever enough to find clues and try to connect the dots with the help of Luisa and Sonia.

I was pleased that this book was different from what I expected. Originally bought the book because I had seen it around and heard about it a while ago, but I didn't have high hopes or expectations in the storyline or being engrossed with the characters and their involvement in the plot.... Let's just say that I am happy I decided to randomly pick it up and give it a try!

My favorite scenes were when Lia understood and discovered more about her mother. Also finding out the significance of the keys was another favorite scene(s). What did I like most? The mystery of everything and the truth about Lia and Alice. What did I like least? The Henry scene. :((((((( the feellllllssss!

I was kept guessing throughout the majority of the book while occasionally being hit with clues to figure out the mystery along with the characters. The plot was cool with the different take on angels and demons and good and evil and how they coexist or are connected to the regular world in the book. Also the traveling the plane aspect was interesting as well. Ending? I was satisfied; it set up the next book with no cliffhanger, but the reader is still left (or at least I was) with an interest to read the next book to see what happens.

Cover: 6/10
Rating: 4/5
Recommend to: Those who like mystery, angels/demons, twin sisters with two different fates and prophecies.

If you have read this book, let me know your thoughts below!!

*****