Title: Ashes to Ashes
Author (s): Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Synopsis (from Goodreads): New Year's Eve ended with a bang and Mary, Kat and Lillia may not be prepared for what is to come.
After Rennie's death, Kat and Lillia try to put the pieces together of what happened to her. They both blame themselves. If Lillia hadn't left with Reeve... If Kat had only stayed with Rennie... Things could have been different. Now they will never be the same.
Only Mary knows the truth about that night. About what she is. She also knows the truth about Lillia and Reeve falling in love, about Reeve being happy when all he deserves is misery, just like the misery he caused her. Now their childish attempts at revenge are a thing of the past and Mary is out for blood. Will she leave anything in her wake or will all that remain be ashes?
Part of a series? The concluding book in the Burn for Burn trilogy.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
This was just as tense and exciting as the other two books in the trilogy. Ashes to Ashes was also pretty heart-breaking, the epilogue especially! It rounded everything up and didn't leave any loose ends, so the trilogy truly feels finished, however much I didn't want it to end!
*SPOILER FROM THIS POINT ON!*
For those of you who have read my review for Fire with Fire (and my review of Burn for Burn, which is lurking somewhere on my Tumblr...I don't know how to use Tumblr, ok?), you'll know that I love Reeve and Lillia. Like, I REALLY love them together. In Fire with Fire, this was hard, as it was kind of a forbidden love and a part of me knew that I shouldn't want them to be with each other. Happily, however, in Ashes to Ashes I could fully ship them with no guilt! They were adorable, and when he bought her the rose I had a large fangirl moment.
Which was why the ending was painful. I think a lot of people like Alex and Lillia together, but I'm not one of them. I don't like Alex as a character; he just feels too perfect. Reeve and Lillia not ending up together hurt, but at least they were moderately happy after Mary.
Mary was quite terrifying at times! I wasn't expecting her to become a proper, revenge-seeking ghost after she's been so kind and timid throughout the first two books, but she certainly did it well! I think the scariest moment was when she ruined Lillia's room and made her leave Reeve; the fact that Han and Vivian put that scene after a happy one made it much more effective. I liked how we still had chapters from Mary's point of view, even though she's a ghost, as it was interesting to read from the 'vengeful spirit's' perspective.
Kat remained my favourite character, staying strong and adding humour to an otherwise quite angst-y book. She helpfully provided us with a life lesson or two, such as 'reading and driving is some dangerous shit' and 'quitting smoking during a freaking ghost exorcism was a dumb-ass move'. Her loyalty towards Mary at the beginning was touching and showed how true she believed her friendship with her to be.
Ashes to Ashes didn't feel slow or boring at all, and while there were a few moments that occasionally didn't flow as well as usual, it was a strong conclusion to a strong trilogy. I liked how Han and Vivian took elements of a typical ghost story- the vengeful ghost, the abandoned house - and weaved them into a relatable, refreshingly new plot. I was not expecting for the Burn for Burn trilogy to go in the direction it did, but I love it!
Tuesday 26 May 2015
Wednesday 13 May 2015
Fire With Fire - Review
Title: Fire With Fire
Author (s): Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han
Synopsis (from Goodreads): Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.
Not even close.
For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.
And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.
It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...
Part of a Series? Yes, the Burn for Burn Trilogy.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
It's been a while since I read Burn for Burn, but I loved it when I did. People getting revenge and cover up their tracks are my kind of books, so I don't know why I wasn't expecting Fire with Fire to not be as good as Burn for Burn, because it definitely was! I highly recommend picking this series up, so go read them and come back!
*SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON - SERIOUSLY, GO READ FIRE WITH FIRE FIRST!*
*SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY. DO NOT RUIN THIS BOOK FOR YOURSELF!*
The characterisation was strong, like in the first book; everyone's personality is clearly defined. Out of our main three characters, I have to say Kat is my favourite, as I love how she has a no-nonsense attitude towards most things, but is still vulnerable at times. Their - Lillia, Kat, and Mary - relationship was another thing I really loved. I was kind of expecting them to drift away from each other a la Pretty Little Liars (books, not TV show), so I was really happy to see them all sticking together! The way Kat supported Mary was especially sweet.
The writing styles of the two authors blended together well, and while there was the occasional paragraph which didn't flow with the rest of the story, but it never felt disjointed. Han and Vivian have also perfected the knack of reminding people about what happened in the first book. Sometimes authors just info-dump in the first chapter of a second book, which is really annoying, but they definitely didn't do that. I haven't read Burn for Burn for months, but I felt like I knew the important facts about it without feeling like the story was paused while we had a recap.
Can we just talk about Reeve and Lillia for a second? Like, I completely did not expect to like them together when Lillia first started trying to get him to love her, but by the end of the book I was starting to ship them (I'm about halfway through Ashes to Ashes and the shipping is still going strong). The way they left Rennie's party together and Rennie was screaming at them and...oh, it was emotional.
I don't think I can do a review on Fire with Fire without talking about THAT ending. Two bombshells in the space of a few chapters...I needed to find out what was happening so badly I almost forsook revision (but didn't...kind of...). Now, I never liked Rennie, not even when she arrived at Kat's house. I was sure she was just getting close to Kat to get back at Lillia. But at the party I did feel sorry for her; that scene was so intense I couldn't stop reading it! And even though I didn't like her, it was such a shock when she died and what had happened just before she died that I really did pity her.
Which leads onto the next bombshell nicely. Mary. Throughout the entire book I was sure that the paranormal aspects of the book were fake. I mean, SURE. I thought Mary zoned out or something
and did the things that she thought of, but that clearly didn't happen (I'm so good at guessing plots). And then we get this:
'I'm dead.'
Me: Wut
'Elizabeth Mary Donovan Zane. Sleep, my little one, sleep.'
Biggest. Plot twist. Ever. EVER.
(well, that I've read anyway).
I still can't believe it! Characters dying in the middle of series, characters dying at the end of series, narrators dying (we all know which one I'm talking about) - those I've read. But one where one of the three main characters HAS BEEN DEAD SINCE BEFORE THE BOOKS BEGAN is new. Well done to Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian for creating such a mind-boggling plot twist - and well done to Burn for Burn fans, because I was never spoiled for it once! I was too shocked to even cry. It was more surprising than Rennie's death (but that's because I was spoiled for that one, thank you blurb of Ashes to Ashes!).
I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 because, as I've said, there were a few points that didn't flow well, but everything else was very strong. I've carried straight onto Ashes to Ashes, and it's just as good, so I might do another review of that book when I'm done (or I could revise...that would be wiser). What did you think of Fire with Fire? Favourite moments, lines, characters? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading, and I'll leave you with a quote from Kat that I loved and found helpful for exams:
'It doesn't make sense to feel sad about something you can't do s*** about.'
Author (s): Siobhan Vivian and Jenny Han
Synopsis (from Goodreads): Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.
Not even close.
For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.
And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.
It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...
Part of a Series? Yes, the Burn for Burn Trilogy.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
It's been a while since I read Burn for Burn, but I loved it when I did. People getting revenge and cover up their tracks are my kind of books, so I don't know why I wasn't expecting Fire with Fire to not be as good as Burn for Burn, because it definitely was! I highly recommend picking this series up, so go read them and come back!
*SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON - SERIOUSLY, GO READ FIRE WITH FIRE FIRST!*
*SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY. DO NOT RUIN THIS BOOK FOR YOURSELF!*
The characterisation was strong, like in the first book; everyone's personality is clearly defined. Out of our main three characters, I have to say Kat is my favourite, as I love how she has a no-nonsense attitude towards most things, but is still vulnerable at times. Their - Lillia, Kat, and Mary - relationship was another thing I really loved. I was kind of expecting them to drift away from each other a la Pretty Little Liars (books, not TV show), so I was really happy to see them all sticking together! The way Kat supported Mary was especially sweet.
The writing styles of the two authors blended together well, and while there was the occasional paragraph which didn't flow with the rest of the story, but it never felt disjointed. Han and Vivian have also perfected the knack of reminding people about what happened in the first book. Sometimes authors just info-dump in the first chapter of a second book, which is really annoying, but they definitely didn't do that. I haven't read Burn for Burn for months, but I felt like I knew the important facts about it without feeling like the story was paused while we had a recap.
Can we just talk about Reeve and Lillia for a second? Like, I completely did not expect to like them together when Lillia first started trying to get him to love her, but by the end of the book I was starting to ship them (I'm about halfway through Ashes to Ashes and the shipping is still going strong). The way they left Rennie's party together and Rennie was screaming at them and...oh, it was emotional.
I don't think I can do a review on Fire with Fire without talking about THAT ending. Two bombshells in the space of a few chapters...I needed to find out what was happening so badly I almost forsook revision (but didn't...kind of...). Now, I never liked Rennie, not even when she arrived at Kat's house. I was sure she was just getting close to Kat to get back at Lillia. But at the party I did feel sorry for her; that scene was so intense I couldn't stop reading it! And even though I didn't like her, it was such a shock when she died and what had happened just before she died that I really did pity her.
Which leads onto the next bombshell nicely. Mary. Throughout the entire book I was sure that the paranormal aspects of the book were fake. I mean, SURE. I thought Mary zoned out or something
and did the things that she thought of, but that clearly didn't happen (I'm so good at guessing plots). And then we get this:
'I'm dead.'
Me: Wut
'Elizabeth Mary Donovan Zane. Sleep, my little one, sleep.'
Biggest. Plot twist. Ever. EVER.
(well, that I've read anyway).
I still can't believe it! Characters dying in the middle of series, characters dying at the end of series, narrators dying (we all know which one I'm talking about) - those I've read. But one where one of the three main characters HAS BEEN DEAD SINCE BEFORE THE BOOKS BEGAN is new. Well done to Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian for creating such a mind-boggling plot twist - and well done to Burn for Burn fans, because I was never spoiled for it once! I was too shocked to even cry. It was more surprising than Rennie's death (but that's because I was spoiled for that one, thank you blurb of Ashes to Ashes!).
I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 because, as I've said, there were a few points that didn't flow well, but everything else was very strong. I've carried straight onto Ashes to Ashes, and it's just as good, so I might do another review of that book when I'm done (or I could revise...that would be wiser). What did you think of Fire with Fire? Favourite moments, lines, characters? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading, and I'll leave you with a quote from Kat that I loved and found helpful for exams:
'It doesn't make sense to feel sad about something you can't do s*** about.'
Sunday 3 May 2015
Cinder - Review
Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Part of a Series? Yes, The Lunar Chronicles
Synopsis (from Goodreads): Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her step,other and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.
Rating: 5 stars
Wow. I finally get what all of the hype over the Lunar Chronicles is about! If they're all as strong as Cinder, I cannot wait to read them! Cinder has got to be one of my favourite protagonists ever; she was so likeable and relatable and just so REAL. It feels like it's been a while since I've read a book where I could picture meeting a person with the protagonist's personality. Kai is adorable and, once again, felt real. The plot was convincing and made sense, not predictable at all and not boring at any part (although I kind of suspected towards the end that Cinder was...Cinder, if you get what I mean*coughs* ending *coughs*). I would have liked to know that there's a MASSIVE cliff of a cliffhanger at the end before I had read it, because now I'm desperate to read Scarlett! Also, don't look at the cast on Goodreads because there's kind of a spoiler about the identity of someone in it (which I did NOT know about. Thanks Goodreads).
*SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON SO GO READ CINDER AND COME BACK*
Peony. Iko.
*runs to friend and cries*
But seriously, I couldn't believe it when Peony died. I genuinely thought that they would find a cure throughout the novel, and when Levana gave Kai the cure I immediately thought GIVE IT TO PEONY! I was reading this in public, so I didn't cry, but that's what I felt like doing. And Iko's kind-of death was heartbreaking, because I love that android!
Pearl was confusing: she would be horrible to Cinder's face, and then have moments of kindness which would leave me puzzled. I think she'll be a bigger part of the plot in Scarlett and Cress, which is good because we didn't really find out much about her in Cinder.
I was so sure Dr. Erland was the bad guy when we first met him, but that theory clearly wasn't right! I thought something weird was happening at the beginning when he convinced Cinder to not attack him with a wrench, but I never made the link between that and the powers of the Lunars (which are quite scary, but not as scary as Queen Levana).
The political tensions between the Lunars and the Earthens was surprisingly fun to read about! I loved the way Meyer didn't tell us everything about the world, but rather slipped things in like the Fourth World War and the fact that Lunars live ON THE MOON, and everyone is fine with it because it's normal to them. I hope we get to go onto the Lunar planet in the other books, as I think it would be really interesting to read about. I also hope that Cinder finds a way to defeat Levana and become Queen!
My favourite scene had to be the ballroom scene. I loved the image of Cinder walking through the crowds even though she's terrified, even though her dress is ruined and she's wearing her old foot, just to warn Kai. Levana was terrifying in this scene, especially when she almost confined Cinder to shoot herself. I almost cried when Kai didn't kiss Cinder, and when he said he was going to marry Levana, and...well, for most of that chapter, really.
The writing was superb. Everything flowed well, and it was an easy world to get sucked into. I was a little apprehensive at first, having never really read much sci-fi, but I understood everything and didn't feel daunted by the world. Also, did anyone else's picture the androids like Eva in Wall-e?
I wish I had read this book sooner! And I wish I could say that I'm now onto Scarlett, but I won't be buying that until July, after exams:(
Have you read Cinder? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading(:
Author: Marissa Meyer
Part of a Series? Yes, The Lunar Chronicles
Synopsis (from Goodreads): Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her step,other and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.
Rating: 5 stars
Wow. I finally get what all of the hype over the Lunar Chronicles is about! If they're all as strong as Cinder, I cannot wait to read them! Cinder has got to be one of my favourite protagonists ever; she was so likeable and relatable and just so REAL. It feels like it's been a while since I've read a book where I could picture meeting a person with the protagonist's personality. Kai is adorable and, once again, felt real. The plot was convincing and made sense, not predictable at all and not boring at any part (although I kind of suspected towards the end that Cinder was...Cinder, if you get what I mean*coughs* ending *coughs*). I would have liked to know that there's a MASSIVE cliff of a cliffhanger at the end before I had read it, because now I'm desperate to read Scarlett! Also, don't look at the cast on Goodreads because there's kind of a spoiler about the identity of someone in it (which I did NOT know about. Thanks Goodreads).
*SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON SO GO READ CINDER AND COME BACK*
Peony. Iko.
*runs to friend and cries*
But seriously, I couldn't believe it when Peony died. I genuinely thought that they would find a cure throughout the novel, and when Levana gave Kai the cure I immediately thought GIVE IT TO PEONY! I was reading this in public, so I didn't cry, but that's what I felt like doing. And Iko's kind-of death was heartbreaking, because I love that android!
Pearl was confusing: she would be horrible to Cinder's face, and then have moments of kindness which would leave me puzzled. I think she'll be a bigger part of the plot in Scarlett and Cress, which is good because we didn't really find out much about her in Cinder.
I was so sure Dr. Erland was the bad guy when we first met him, but that theory clearly wasn't right! I thought something weird was happening at the beginning when he convinced Cinder to not attack him with a wrench, but I never made the link between that and the powers of the Lunars (which are quite scary, but not as scary as Queen Levana).
The political tensions between the Lunars and the Earthens was surprisingly fun to read about! I loved the way Meyer didn't tell us everything about the world, but rather slipped things in like the Fourth World War and the fact that Lunars live ON THE MOON, and everyone is fine with it because it's normal to them. I hope we get to go onto the Lunar planet in the other books, as I think it would be really interesting to read about. I also hope that Cinder finds a way to defeat Levana and become Queen!
My favourite scene had to be the ballroom scene. I loved the image of Cinder walking through the crowds even though she's terrified, even though her dress is ruined and she's wearing her old foot, just to warn Kai. Levana was terrifying in this scene, especially when she almost confined Cinder to shoot herself. I almost cried when Kai didn't kiss Cinder, and when he said he was going to marry Levana, and...well, for most of that chapter, really.
The writing was superb. Everything flowed well, and it was an easy world to get sucked into. I was a little apprehensive at first, having never really read much sci-fi, but I understood everything and didn't feel daunted by the world. Also, did anyone else's picture the androids like Eva in Wall-e?
I wish I had read this book sooner! And I wish I could say that I'm now onto Scarlett, but I won't be buying that until July, after exams:(
Have you read Cinder? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading(:
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