Review: The Wolf Road

The Wolf Road by Beth Lewis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"We live in a world a' men and there ain't no good come out of telling' them they monsters. Makes 'em think they ain't done nothin' wrong, that it's their nature and they can't do nothin' to change that. Calling' 'em a monster makes 'em somethin' different from the rest of us, but they ain't. They just men, flesh and bone and blood. Bad'uns, truth, but men all the same."


This book is one hella ride on survival. It's red riding hood meets hannibal in the revenant. To be honest, it's not something up in my alley but I like the thrilling sensation of it. I find it a little difficult to read from a non-literate narration but that's what makes it so real. I can't say I enjoy reading it but I'm just feeling meh. I find that I refused to go back to the story every time I paused reading and I just wanted it to end. Thus, the 3-stars rating.

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Review: American Gods

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

American Gods tells a story about a man being hired as a chauffeur and eventually got stirred up in a war between the old gods and new gods. The premise of the story is crazily interesting and superficial in a good way. Add a sprinkle of magical realism and it exploded the whole dynamic of storytelling.

I love reading dialogues with deep, gripping double-meaning and Neil Gaiman did it so well in American Gods. Maybe most of the time I ain't very sure what's going on because there are too much going on but every line I read, I cherish so dearly. The story is without a doubt hard to digest, with many alienated glossaries and many unexplained myths of Gods.

"Fiction allows us to slide into these other heads, these other places, and look out through other eyes. And then in the tale we stop before we die, or we die vicariously and unharmed, and in the world beyond the tale we turn the page or close the book, and we resume our lives.

A life that is, like any other, unlike any other."


Reading this is a little difficult but I do every reading the conversations, especially between Shadow and Wednesday.


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Review: Dark Matter

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the many reviews I read pointed out that reading Dark Matter was like watching a thrilling science fiction movie. That description was so much on point. This book was so messy yet mind-blowing yet convincing yet out of the world. The journey was insane and I abso-fucking-lutely enjoy this book.

Fast-paced. I ain't sure about the finish copy but the ARC ebook copy was written in very short sentence. Story was told in many one-sentence-paragraphs instead of one long-winded paragraph. It sure was a lot easier to read. Informations are more likely to be read and understood. It also shows the pacing of the book. The shorter the sentence, the quicker the pace.

"That everything which has a probability of happening is happening. Everything that might have occurred in our past did occur, only in another universe."


I guess that one sentence is enough to explain the whole plot. Yes, crazy it is.

"Every moment, every breath, contains a choice. But life is imperfect. We make the wrong choices. So we end up living in a state of perpetual regret, and is there anything worse?"

"Life doesn't work the way. You live with your choices and learn. You don't cheat the systems."


I love the conversations revolving about making life choices and the hidden message about life the book trying to insinuate. Everyone make their choice on their life, and they should face the own consequences of that choice.

Insane story but great book!


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Review: It Ends with Us

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"It's easy when we're on the outside to believe that we would walk away without a second thought if a person mistreated us. It's easy to say we couldn't continue to love someone who mistreats us when we aren't the ones feeling the love of that person. When you experience it firsthand, it isn't so easy to hate the person who mistreats you when most of the time they're your godsend. "


So much thoughts going on in my mind right now I fear I might not give an organised review to this book. First thing first, CoHo has certainly outdone herself. She wrote something so impactful I don't think I can get over it at least for a few days. Damn her when all I asked for was a happy-tearjerking romance novel and she gave me a domestic abuse handbook. Not until the last page of this book I felt the urge to hug CoHo and tell her I'm so proud of her of every words she's written and inspired.

This is an important book for all women especially. I feel the need to tell everyone to read it. No, I am not under any circumstances experience any kind of abuse but I felt into the trap. I was in truth madly in love with Ryle and hence, I'd fallen into the massive trap. The moment when my subconscious quietly whispering behind my mind, telling Lily that she should forgive Ryle was the point when I knew I'd fallen into this goddamn deception. I couldn't deny how wrong this idea could be. I knew somewhere in the back of my mind, Lily shouldn't EVER go back to Ryle. But love can do you wrong. Crazy as it seems, I should put a stop on Ryle in the first casserole incident but I chose to forgive as Lily did. At this point, I don't think I'm making any sense because I'm speaking as if I'm Lily. But, I guess at various different points, many women are in Lily's shoes - they're Lily or worst, Lily's mum.

That's why I think this is an important book. It sure as hell isn't like one of CoHo's usuals. For the first time ever, I didn't like her books for her romance but the message she's bringing.

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Review: The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"I found myself on Gatsby's side, and alone."


Reading The Great Gatsby was a lonely journey. Mr Gatsby was a lonely, very lonely man. I could help but feel incredibly heartache for him. Nobody's there for him when companionship is needed the most. His love for Daisy was nothing but a speckle of dust which was easily blown away by her. Daisy, the despicable whore, has eyes on money and anything with monetary value. "Her voice is full of money." Gatsby, for once, was on point.

If I'd say one thing I learnt from The Great Gatsby, it'd be 'people come to you when you're at your best hour but they aren't necessary your best companions'.

Something about classics which throw readers off with pretentious vocabularies and high-end wordings. Sometimes it's impossible to see why this piece of literature was labeled 'classics' when the story was as plain as my breakfast white toast. The Great Gatsby, as much as the powerful descriptions and narrative go, the story was too flat. As some point, I was put off by the out-of-topic narrations and strong double-shots-caffeine is needed to put me back into the story.

Asides, it was an eye-opening read. The powerful narration brought Gatsby to justice.

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Bout of Books 17 TBR

So whatdup, Internet? Back here to announce that I'm officially joining the 17th Bout of Books read-a-thon! I think I've been doing so for a few years since but I always fail to finish my TBR. (no shame) So what exactly is the Bout of Books?

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 28th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 17 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Without further ado, here is my TBR pile.

1. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (major excitement!)

2. Winter by Marissa Meyer (mentally and emotionally prepared for this finale)

3. Red Dragon by Thomas Harris (the famous Hannibal series, I might continue the series if I like it)

4. Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz (2nd book of the Blue Blood series)

5. Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz (3rd book ^)

6. and some current reads: (depends on how much I read this weekend)

    - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 

    - The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

    - The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

It looks like I have a lot of reading to do!

S/

Review: The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Handmaid's Tales is like a nightmare I'd gone through and glad that it doesn't happen in reality. Sometimes, I think dystopian should be sub-labeled under horror. The whole idea of a non-existing world can be intriguing to read about but it sure creeps you out if you were to place yourself in the characters' shoes.

"In your hands, she said, looking down at her own hands as if they had given her the idea. But there was nothing in them. They were empty. It was our hands that were supposed to be full, of the future; which could be held but not seen."


The Handmaid's Tale shows a world where women (the handmaids) are treated as nothing but "childbearing automates". The handmaids only have one duty - to bear child for the Commanders. They could go out to shop once per day, but under deep surveillance of the Eyes. They are, under no circumstances, to speak ill of the systems or disobey. The world of Gilead is sickening, demoralised and horrifying.

As intense as Orwell's 1984, Atwood's incredible world-building and words-building won my heart. As terrifying as the coup in Gilead goes, I could not help to be immersed in the powerful narratives by the main character, Offred. Offred's narratives help to bring readers in her shoes - walking the same paths, thinking the same thoughts. Plus, the intended word-play which proper terms can only be found in Mark Forsyth's The Elements of Eloquence all but blew my mind away.

"Myself, my obverse."


The scariest thing about this novel is not the plot which supposed to bring you to the different stages of fright but just the knowledge of being in that world - the world of Gilead. At this point, I'm awfully turning this statement fiction to a horror of Stephen King but fret not, it's not (at least not in the same way). The crazy revelations of this novel will make you realise what the world will become without the freedom of varies.

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Review: Killing Sarai

Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

HOLY CRAP. Can I give this a 6-stars instead?

I do not know how to begin review about this book (or series). IT'S (in this occasion, FUCKING) AMAZING. I couldn't put this down, I clenched my fist the whole time reading every pages, every lines. The story was so incredibly fucked-up in a way, but you just can't help reading it.

Warning: It contains very serious social issues and adult contents.

I ran out of words describing how well written this is and I have yet to finish till the latest series. (I'm should be ashamed.) The plot is well crafted, every pages keeps you on the edge. The character's survivor instinct drags your soul out. You couldn't help to feel for her, worried endlessly for her, knowing in every turning page danger would fall on her.

It has been a while since I ever read something so incredible and satisfying. Definitely recommend to any readers who enjoy thriller, dark romance and assassination topics.

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Review: The Martian

The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After reading this, I know that science fiction ain't my thing. Most of the time, I couldn't imagine what the author was talking about. I was that bad in science, I even feel stupid saying out loud.

Well, this is for sure one hell of a ride book. I can't bring myself to read this book after putting it off so many times. The science terms and theories bored me, only Mark's wittiness kept me reading. I find myself drifting off whenever some theories are being explained (no matter how easy it seem).

I picked this book up hoping that I would shed some light on science fiction genre but I guess I would never go back there again. Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. The writings were supposingly easy to read but the science/space terms made it so complicating.

I would definitely pick this up again in the future when I'm more in mood to learn more.

For any space, astronomy geeks out there, this is a book for you.

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Review: Women Who Think Too Much: How To Break Free Of Overthinking And Reclaim Your Life

Women Who Think Too Much: How To Break Free Of Overthinking And Reclaim Your Life by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ignoring the overly sexist title, the tips provided by this book were pretty insightful. I hardly ever read any self-help books but I picked this up because of the problem I'm facing myself. It's embarrassing to admit but I think it's more important to find out the problem and face it than lying to yourself. Well, I could get a little over-sensitive sometimes and I prone to overthink (says in the title).

Coming back to the book, it wasn't an overly theory-fied book. The author provided stories along with her theories to make it more applicable and readable. I like that the author wrote would jot down her points in chart form at the end of the section, making refer-back more easier.

Well, since it's a self-help book, it wouldn't help if you didn't follow the guides or tips given. I would say some of the tips given were already tried by myself before I even found out this book. It's pretty legit. :)

Guess, this is not really a recommendation unless you're facing this problem or just wanting to expand your knowledge regarding "overthinking".

Summer

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Review: Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It'd been a fun ride reading this book. Always been a pleasure reading Asian fiction. I like to constantly check on whether the facts written were truth or not and knowing more about my roots. There isn't a huge difference in both Singapore's and Malaysia's culture. Reading about it just made me feel so much "at home".

First off, I would like to congratulate Kevin Kwan for bringing such accurate informations about the culture side of Singapore (or even Malaysia). As I have mentioned there isn't a big difference on both countries' culture, either on food or language. I find myself laughing out loud when stumbled upon those swear words. They are basically what we always use. But I would not dare comment on the accuracy of the rich level of Asians.

I love how ridiculously fun to read about Asians, how insanely rich they are. It's almost impossible to imagine how crazy some Asians can be. It's also incredibly annoying to agree with the fact that some adult Asians are prone to be that stubborn and single-minded about their traditions.

I definitely want to give a shoutout to Charlie for he is the sweetest in the book. The plot was well thought off and some parts did surprised me.

Overall, the story is so much of a fun and easy read regarding Asian facts and fiction. Recommend to readers who like to know more about Singapore or ready to commit to a crazy mind-blowing roller coaster ride to the insane rich world.


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Review: What Lies Within

What Lies Within by James Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh boy did I take a long time to finish this book. I kept putting it off and on because I couldn't get into the story in the beginning. I would like to apologise for taking this long to finish this book.

"What Lies Within" is a thriller-science-fiction-ish book. It was suspenseful and fast-paced. The suspenseful plot would keep you reading until you have finished the story. The plot was refreshing and new; many occasions where I find myself in awe with what happened.

However, I had some slight problems with the first quarter of the book as it was pretty plain and I felt the story was being dragged for no reason. That was partly the reason why I couldn't get into the book as well as I should have. After that, I practically flew through (with occasions of assignments and heavy workload) it.

I also had problem with Shelly (the protagonist) because I don't feel attached to her. I constantly find myself questioning why did she do what she's doing and why would she even think that way? Maybe that's the perks of (usually) a female protagonist.

Overall it was an interesting and compelling read. Recommend to any thriller or even crime&investigation readers out there.

I've been sent a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: City of Heavenly Fire

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful conclusion to the Mortal Instruments series. Despite the awfully thickness of this book, it was a swift read. The storyline flows much better than the four middle books in the series, perhaps I was in the mood to read it. (I take back my words, City of Fallen Angels is still my favourite of all.)

-below are spoilers to the series and The Infernal Devices series-

As usual, this book is written in multi-perspectives narrations and some bits in third person view. This book introduces new characters, such as Emma Castairs and her "institute family". I feel that her POV was not serving any purpose, whatsoever, other than Cassandra's effort to introduce readers to her incoming new series, "The Dark Artifices". The other most complained POV was Maia's. Despite all the dislikes, I find her stories do serve more purposes that Emma's.

After 6 books, I still do not feel any attachments to Clary & Jace and I think this is the main reason that this series isn't one of my favourite. However, I do enjoy reading them and my favourite is still Simon. Oh, Simon, my dearest. Yes and the special appearance of Tessa and Jem. *in tears of joy* I can't help myself to squeal in excitement whenever their names were mentioned and find myself sharing a inner joke with the character 'yep, I know what ya talking about'.

I do feel that Jem deserves a paragraph of me thanking him due to his contribution to me liking this book. So, thanks Jem.

Every series deserves a beautiful ending and I would say this book does its justice. However, I do think that it's a bit too long and I would do whatever for some of its length given to The Ruby Circle.

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Review: Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted so badly to rate this 5-stars but I couldn't deal with Abby's bitchy-ness. But I would've to agree that this is too addictive. I could pull up an all-nighter just to finish it, if I do not have work during the weekdays.

[spoilers]
Travis is a crazily possessive boyfriend. Omg. Boy, you need to chill. And Abby is extremely annoyingly bitchy and slutty. I got annoyed with her keep going on and off with Parker when she knew that she didn't like him. She's also doing the same to the other random guys. However, I do enjoy her badassery moments during the poker game.

Not only that, I love the other characters in the book too: Shep and America, Finch and the Maddox family. Can't wait to read about the Maddox brothers in the other series by Jamie McGuire.

I think Beautiful Disaster is one of the pioneer New Adult books out there and I enjoy reading about this kind of classic bitchy-college-romance of New Adult. Their age almost match mine and the narrators (the main characters) are often not having childish dialogue and thoughts. I appreciate that.

If you're looking for a light read (but this isn't really one) or wanting to try out New Adult (mature contents alert), definitely pick this up. Consider this as a New Adult Classics.

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Review: Searching for Someday

Searching for Someday by Jennifer Probst
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"...if he had a heart left to give, it would've broken right there."

I never thought I would love this book as much as now. Clearly, I didn't have a very high expectations due to the previous few romance I've read these past few weeks. This came too much as a surprise and it caught my heart, wrenching in an unspeakable way.

Jennifer Probst writes generously, giving away too much informations yet didn't fail to bore me in reading. This book speaks a lot for not only the main couple of the story but draws attention to the other side characters. I felt drawn to Kate's girl friends as much as I love Kate and Slade. It's not just a book about romance, but friendship and other qualities. I love how every aspects seem to be well balance.

The romance was, to me, very believable . Even those sex scenes didn't make me cringe in disgust. The relationship between Kate and Slade was built up slowly and Jennifer Probst has done a wonderful job in both hero and heroine's character development. The little magic "touch" effect was pretty dainty too.

I would say I'm pretty impressed with this book and definitely worth the read, if you're looking into romance genre. I've read my fair share of this genre so I'm confident in my recommendation.

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Review: A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Too many things happening at the same time. Too many to comprehend. But once you've grasped it, the story flows perfectly.

First of all, I'm no Fantasy reader. This goes back to when I first picked up The Hobbits and swore that I ain't a fantasy/high fantasy reader. It's just not my genre. But being surrounded by all the hypes around this series and TV show, I was tempted to try reading high fantasy again.

I did and I did not regret it at all. It was utterly amazing. The world (the medieval world I hate) and the characters were so real and the story was so intense. The plot went absurdly well, killing the people I wish not to. It's a psycho-read to see the characters you adore killed by the writer.

The book is written from multiple perspectives. The thing I really like is that the story won't overlap each other. The story goes on switching from one character's view to another. It was annoying to read about the same thing from another's head so this book does justice.

The female characters. I do not know where to begin. Lady Stark was the most badass mother ever. I do not know where to start about my admiration towards her courage and ultimate badass-ness. The feminist in this book, game strong.

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Review: The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman

The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman by Denis Thériault
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was told of this book by CutiePieMarzia's YouTube channel (a very odd way).

Initially, the story itself was what made me read this book. I like the idea about the postman reading others' letters and prying others' privacy. It's unethical yet I find it interesting to read about how the story would go.

Honestly, I didn't expect a mind-fuck ending. Throughout the story, I wasn't expecting the story to end that way. It was literally mind-blowing and captivating.

Of course, the writings were phenomenal. I always have a hard time reading poetry so to be able to write both a good novel and with bits of poetry within would be extraordinary.

Seriously, I didn't know this small book would give me such a gasp.

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Review: Fairest: Levana's Story

Fairest: Levana's Story by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Novella of the Lunar Chronicles series - a story about Queen Levana (of how she became who she is). I have high hopes for this series because of how Marissa Meyer twists and turns the common knowledge of fairytales. I always do enjoy a good fairytale retelling.

It hurts to read about Levana. If she's evil, then her sister would be far worst. Levana is a victim, a broken doll since the miserable fire incident in her childhood time. I couldn't but to sympathise Levana, for her past. Looks is by far one of the most important aspects for a female. Yes, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but everybody judges, it's the truth. Because of she was too concerned of it, she has lost confidence with herself, turning into who she is now.

I enjoy being in the Lunar world again, after so long. (and still anticipating Winter) Fairest was an unexpected published. It was totally unnecessary because the series has not yet ended. (and because I always do think novellas are quite unnecessarry) It was a bonus but also a disappointment as the last book was delayed even further. I would want the ending more than this piece of novella.



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Review: Me Before You

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I understand how this book can turn out to be an emotional-romance (something terms I came up with). It reminds me so much of TFIOS but with a more strong issue.

First and foremost, I have to declare that I'm not a big fan of medically-depressed books (another terms I came up with) and this topic is the main idea of the book. I don't want to sound offending but clearly, I'm not emotionally prepared for topics like these. I get how topics like these could spark up the romance effect of the fiction but it just doesn't appeal to me.

However, I'm very satisfied with the character development by Lou. She grew stronger and stronger throughout the book and eventually be able to live out of her circle of comfort. In a way, I'm immensely proud of her.

I couldn't say more as my current emotional state has been filled by the main issue of the book. But all I want to say is some readers might be able to accept books like these and people who do would regard this as a beautifully written literature. I can't.

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Review: The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair

The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"People think they love each other, so they get married. And then one day they discover real love, without meaning to or even realising it. It hits them right between the eyes. It's like hydrogen coming into contact with air: There's a huge explosion, and everything gets destroyed."


About 200 pages left and the story exploded. I did not see the plot twist coming. It grasped my attention back to the murder case, my eyes fleeing through the pages, wanting to know the story. Not to lie that at some point of the story, it was draggy and really dry. But my advice is read through it, it'll be worth it.

The way the author portrayed his story was wicked. You know that that person was not the murderer because there are still 200 pages left, but how? How can the story change? What is the truth? You know that the murderer is just in front of your eyes, but who?

Amazing, amazing suspenseful thriller written. A wonderful journey with the narrator, as he writes his story, you discover the truth. Twisted characters. Lies within lies; a book within a book.

Stunning read.


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