A Great And Terrible Beauty- Libba Bray

Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.
Sixteen-year-old Gemma has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order

I was not excepting to enjoy this as much as I did, this was also the first book I completed for Peruse Project's read a thon. This book takes place in the Victorian age which I personally have not read to  much about. So back in the Victorian age girls were groomed for the lives as rich men's wives, but Gemma Doyle is a girl who say it a different way. Libba Bray really is a talented author, the book came alive inside my head, I also found it really interesting how she used a place that is not usually a setting for novels, India is rarely a setting in the books I read.
Gemma she let peer pressure get to her a lot and she didn't listen to the warnings. She was a really interesting character, but she wasn't my favorite one. She didn't have any courage until the end, she spent precious time dreaming about a boy who should be the enemy. But that being said I still liked her, that's what irritates me about this book, the character are so lovable but they have flaws.  It makes them more realistic. This book fits into a lot of genres so it will appeal to a lot of people for example its young adult, supernatural, paranormal, fantasy, romance and historical fiction. Lately I've really been enjoying historical fiction, actually since I read The diviners by Libba Bray, I've been obsessed with the genre and Libba Bray's work. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5.
-Jordyn

The One- Kiera Cass SPOLIERS TO FIRST AND SECOND BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was scared to read this, I didn't want the series to end, I didn't want to know who she chose, but I have to say i'm so happy finished it.

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end 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.

 

Most of this book I was pissed at America, she had two guys and she didn't really listen or try to understand how harmful that was. Sure America rose to the occasion and did some pretty spectacular stuff, but she acted like she could have ether guy she made them both feel important.

Aspen well he was trying so hard to make a life for himself, and America never listened., The person I was the most proud of was Maxon, how could I not be! he is in the process of making a big change. I  was heartbroken at the end before the epilogue I was like  NO WAY NO WAY, REALLY REALLY KIERA THIS IS HOW YOUR GONNA END IT. But then I kept reading and BAM life was good.There was a lot of heartbreaks in this book, for America, and Maxon and well everyone. This book was an amazing conclusion to the series and I don't think it could have been ended any better. You find out a lot about America's family, I have to say I hate KOTA he was heartless and cruel. He didn't care about anything ever, he was terrible. The whole series I was like America he is your brother he can't be that bad, but nope he is terrible and I would have been ok with it if he had died.  This was probably the best book I read all month, it is one of the only books I gave a 5 out of 5 this month. Please read it.

The Edge Of Always- J.A Redmerski

THIS WILL HAVE SPOILERS ON THE EDGE OF NEVER SO DO NOT PROCEED READING IF YOU HAVE NOT READ IT!!!!!!!
Five months ago, Camryn and Andrew, both dealing with personal hardships, met on a Greyhound bus. They fell in love and proved that when two people are meant to be together, fate will find a way to make it happen.

Now, in the highly anticipated sequel to The Edge of Never, Camryn and Andrew are pursuing their love for music and living life to the fullest as they always swore to do. But when tragedy befalls them, their relationship is put to the ultimate test. As Camryn tries to numb her pain, Andrew makes a bold decision: To get their life back on track, they'll set out on another cross-country road trip. Together they find excitement, passion, adventure-and challenges they never could have anticipated.

I love Andrew and Camryn's life motto or philosophy, and I hope one day i'll make every second count like they did. Young adult novels seldom change our views on the earth were living on, but this one made me realize how it's true, were told to be like everyone else and have a mortage, a family and a steady job but that's bullshit. There's so much out in the world and I hope that one day i'll see it for myself. But wow they had to deal with a lot of shit in this book, the tragedy was terrible and I was dying on the inside reading it, because I've been cheering for them for 2 whole books. The book itself was interesting it jumps in time it goes from day after day to months later to years later. Which I think was the only way to give us a good concrete ending. I don't know how to write this review because theres only so many ways to express how I felt about it, so i'll say something READ IT, it changed my view on the world so who knows maybe it'll change yours! a 4.5 out of 5
-Jordyn

The Diviners- Libba Bray

Genre- Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.

Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

This was probably the first historical fiction novel I have ever read outside of school books. I really enjoyed, the plot made sense and the book is real horror. I was terrified at some points. This book takes place in the 20's but the book doesn't overdo the 20's if that makes sense. The supernatural elements in this story were on point, I heard that the murderer is hard to predict, but I honestly saw it coming. Evie she was out of control she didn't understand the word no and she didn't understand safety. But I loved her, she had that sweet girl gone bad essence to her. Jericho well I didn't see THAT coming, but he was kinda awkward which you find out why later on. But I really liked the ghost parts and I wish the museum actually exstited because I would so visit it, like all the time. I really enjoyed this, and I look forward to reading more of Libba Bray's work in the future. 4 out of 5 stars.
-Jordyn

Into The Still Blue- Veronica Rossi

THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOKS IN THE SERIES, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do--and they are just as determined to stay together.

Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival--he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

ROAR made me so sad in this book, he was so hurt and was trying to grief but Perry was busy, and Perry was the only person who understood what he lost. And I loved Roar since the moment he appeared in Under The Never Sky, and I felt my heart bleed for him when he lost Liv, I wasn't even concerned about Perry I was like ' WTF is Roar supposed to do" anyways I loved in this book you got to see him heal and become more him, than he was after Liv died, you also saw him and Perrry fix up their relationship.  Perry was so sweet in this book he and Aria they are so perfect for each other, but my heart broke for Aria near the end ( If you have read this you will understand) but then it healed and I was shouting THANK YOU LORD. I wanted to kill Sable, I wanted them to kill him and make him suffer, my heart broke for so many people in this book it was crazy examples Loran, Aria, Williow, Molly, Talon, Roar, Sorren.  The feels were intense. Aria had a lot to deal with in this book, she grew as a person and her relationship with Perry grew, but her friendship with Roar faced a lot of obstacles but they grew even closer. The world that Veronica has created is amazing, so unique and well thought out. The series couldn't have ended any better, at first I was worried because there was 30 pages left and I felt like there was still a lot left to happen, but it unfolded amazingly and I loved every second of this book. I was scared to finish it because I didn't want to leave this world. I am giving this book a 5 out of 5
-Jordyn

Roar And Liv- Veronica Rossi

We all knew this was coming, I love Roar, even more after reading this Novella!!!!!!!!!!!

Before Perry and Aria, there was Roar and Liv.

After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital—and more brutal—than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever.

So I wish this book showed more Roar and Liv before Vales decision I wanted to understand them even more, I also wish it had shown parts of when Perry met Aria. But I had to remind myself this isn't a book, this is a novella meant to show me more detail into the trouble times for Roar. My heart broke over and over (I have a strong attachment towards Roar). But I LOVED this novella, I would recommend reading this is you loved the Under The Never Sky series it gives you a deeper look into the tribe and you get to know Liv. Who only makes a brief appearance in the series. I give this novella a 4.5 out of 5.
-Jordyn

Looking For Alaska-JOhn Green

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. He heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same

I went into this book not having a clue what it was about, all I knew is a lot of people refer to this as John Greens best work of art. One piece of the story that I think made me love it more was the fact that it involved boarding school, which I am most likely attending next year, I hope that my school is different and the same as this. That's an odd statement but it's true. I finished this book in 48 hours, I found that I was in love with miles roommate, but I loved Alaska she had SO MANY BOOKS, and they weren't popular heard of books. They were books she bought for like twenty five cents and she just liked to read so she read whatever. HOW AWESOME IS THAT. This school also had an interesting religions course, I actually found myself enjoying the parts of the book where they were in class.  It's difficult to review this and not spoil it, so i'll say please read it it deals with, death and grief and aspects we don't always see. I go to seek a great perhaps, how will I ever make it out of this labyrinth. I give it 4.5 out of 5, it didn't make me cry but I have a cold heart so nothing really does
-jordyn