BOOK REVIEW: THE UNIVERSE OF US BY: LANG LEAV

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Published: 2016

Pages: 240

Genre: Poetry

Thoughts

As much as I love Lang Leav, this did not hit a home run for me. It may possibly be after reading the first two books from her that the writing is somewhat predictable in a way. Or the more appropriate term I shall use is, repetitive? 

By all means, Lang Leav has such a skilled way of crafting words together into a piece of work. There were poems in the Universe of Us that made my heart ache but in a sense it felt like a similar heartache, if that made sense. I engulfed this book entirely but I had to re-read a couple of the poems. 

Highlights for me would be the poems that had a theme of self discovery and loss. Here is one of my favorite pieces;

Salve

"You won't hear from me again after today, and I don't want you to worry. I'll be okay. Because I have to be."

But overall, although it was relatable it unfortunately felt like I was drinking the same cup of tea. 

20 THINGS BOOKWORMS WILL UNDERSTAND

1. When your favorite character dies.

2. When someone spoils the end of a book.

3. When you walk into a bookstore or a book is available for pre-order.

4. The moment you realize you're about to fall into a reading slump.

5. When someone interrupts you while you're reading.

6. When someone constantly asks you what happened in the book but won't read it themselves.

7. When you finish an amazing book or if the ending is a cliffhanger.

8. Accidentally folding a page of your book.

9. When you open a new book and get a rush of excitement.

10. When people tell you that you read too much.

11. When there's a plot twist.

12. When the story has potential but the writing is terrible.

13. When you're reading in public and you get emotional.

14. Waiting for your favorite author to write their next book

15. Trying to stay awake at work after staying up all night finishing the "one last chapter".

16. When people tell you that you have too many books.

17. When you smell books.

18. When there's an intense moment in the novel that makes you question your existence.

19. When you can't decide what to read next.

20. When the movie is nothing like the book.

BOOK REVIEW: TIGER'S CURSE BY: COLLEEN HOUCK

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First Published: 2011

Pages: 403

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synposis

Tiger's Curse follows 18 year old Kelsey Hayes - an ordinary girl trenching through her summer. She teams up with a mysterious white tiger named Ren heading face to face with dark forces in a mystical world to piece together a prophecy in order to break an ancient curse forever.

Thoughts

If you own the physical book then you'll know how gorgeous this cover. It has a beautiful metallic sheen to it. I honestly want all of the books in the series because of how beautiful they are lined up together. But any who, back to the story.

When you read the beginning the pacing is good. It did have the cliche introduction of characters. You have the heroine who is "chosen" to fulfill a prophecy/find their destiny. And you have the hot shot handsome love interest that is the finest of the land. When it comes to the dynamic and dialogue between the characters specifically Kelsey and Ren - just .. what. Pure awkwardness. I don't know if the aim was supposed to be quirky and adorable but the vibe I got was awkwardness:

“But it won’t work out.” I finished. There, it was out.

Ren looked confused. “Why not?”

“Because I’m too attracted to you.”

“I don’t understand what you are saying. How can your being attracted to me be a problem? I would think that’s a good thing.”

“For normal people… it is,” I stated.

“So I’m not normal?”

“No. Let me explain it this way. It’s like this… a starving man would gladly eat a radish, right? In fact, a radish would be a feast if that’s all he had. But if he had a buffet in front of him, the radish would never be chosen.”

Ren paused for a moment. “I don’t get it. What are you saying?”

“I’m saying…I’m the radish.”

“And what am I? The buffet?”

I tried to explain it further. “No…you’re the man. Now…I don’t really want to be the radish. I mean, who does? But I’m grounded enough to know what I am, and I am not a buffet. I mean, you could be having chocolate éclairs for heaven’s sake.”

“But not radishes.”

“No.” 

____________________

What initially drew my attention was the unique background - Indian folklore entwined with fantasy. As the story progressed the story itself started to go downhill. The story really had potential and I have to admit I had moments where I was like:

But that slowly dissipated halfway through the book. It seemed like there were just too many unnecessary details that weighed down the story, which I ended up pulling myself through the book to finish it.

I really wanted to love this book but it fell short. I may give the second book a chance, but I have a feeling I might not be able to pick it up anytime soon.

Overall,  If you don't mind a story with very many details and cheesy eye-rolling scenes  but also an unique concept involving indian culture, a mystical world, and adventure then this is a read for you.

“I wrapped the unyielding woman I loved in my arms & kissed her slowly, hoping that some part of her would sense my absolute devotion.

BOOK REVIEW: THE LITTLE PRINCE BY: ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY

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First Published: 1943

Pages: 83

Genre: Classic

Synopsis

The Little Prince tells the tale of a little boy who travels away from his planet to travel the wonders of the universe. His journey through the cosmos leads him to meet "adult-such" characters, leads him to the fascination of the adulthood demeanor.

Thoughts

Just like I've mentioned before with my other review on Love and & Misadventures by: Lang Leav this is another novella you just have to engulf yourself in and really judge it upon yourself whether it's worth the read or not.

Of course, along with the rating I gave - I fell in love this book. I heard the hype about The Little Prince and I always saw people at the bookstore pick this book up but never bothered reading it myself - until my freshman year in high school. After I read it, I thought this was the perfect time to read such a influential book. This book really makes you stop and just listen. To really take a look at the world and think, "Am I happy with what i'm doing with my life? What do I want to accomplish when i'm all grown up?".

I honestly believe that The Little Prince is a classic must read.

“Of course I’ll hurt you. Of course you’ll hurt me. Of course we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring, means accepting the risk of winter. To become presence, means accepting the risk of absence.”

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EXCITING NEWS! The Little Prince will be adapted into a film which has not been given a release date. The feels are are unreal. The artwork is simply outstanding.

BOOK REVIEW: ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS BY: STEPHANIE PERKINS

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Published: 2010

Pages: 372

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Synposis

This YA contemporary piece of work starts off with a girl in her Senior year named Anna who is completely happy with where she is. Until she is set off to a boarding school in Paris, where she meets the humorous charming Étienne St. Clair. Étienne has it all - including a serious girlfriend. 

Anna and the French Kiss will leave you laughing, smiling, and aching. 

Thoughts

First of all, there was a HUGE hype when this book debut. As per usual, whenever there is a huge hype on a book. I tend to avoid to read the novel until eventually i'll pick it up. But because I heard a bunch of amazing reviews on Anna and the French Kiss - I thought why not?

Every contemporary book i've read is completely cheesy, but when it comes to Anna and the French Kiss ... oh my goodness - I couldn't help but swoon over Étienne St. Clair. What I love about this novel is despite it being a contemporary read, Anna and the French Kiss wasn't completely revolved around the romance. There were interesting, humorous, unforgettable characters. This book was a mash up of everything. There are certain moments in the book between Anna and St. Clair that just make you think about yourself. Things happen, whirlwind of drama, tension outbreaks, adventures of discovery and then ... well you'll have to read to find out.

Overall, I believe that this is a perfect spring/summer read. I felt like I was in a movie!

“For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.”