Audiobook Review: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

*There will be spoilers for the entirety of The Lunar Chronicles*
Reviews for the other books:
Cinder | Scarlet | Cress | Winter

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“The first time, he had wondered why she liked books so much, and if it had anything to do with why he liked spaceships. Because they could take you somewhere far, far away”

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Synopsis:
The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.

Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch….

The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.

Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.

After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.

The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a young Winter and Jacin playing a game called the Princess and the Guard…

The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.

The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.

Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century…

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My Thoughts:

The Keeper – Rating: 3.5 Stars
This centred around Scarlett and her grandmere Michelle Benoit.
It was nice to see how Michelle was, after briefly seeing her in TLC. I loved her relationship with Scarlet. It was a cute story! I also liked seeing how Michelle cared for Selene.

Glitches – Rating: 4 Stars
Cinder’s backstory and how she joined the Linh family.
The best part was Cinder and Peony! We get a glimpse of their relationship in TLC but this is so adorable!
I still despise Audrey. She can choke!

The Queen’s Army – Rating: 2.5 Stars
One of my least favourites. Sorry but I just don’t care about Wolf that much. I didn’t find his backstory particularly interesting either. I don’t mind him in TLC but he’s not a fave.

Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky – Rating: 3.75 Stars
THORNE!! I love Thorne. This was one of the stories I enjoyed the most, purely because Thorne is so entertaining. Adorable!!

After Sunshine Passes By – Rating 3.5 Stars
This backstory for Cress BROKE MY HEART. This is the story of how she ended up all alone on the satellite. I love Cress, she’s so sweet and adorable and this story was so sad! Poor little Cress. *cry emoji*

The Princess and the Guard – Rating 3 Stars
Winter has always been a bit of an oddball. I’m not sure if I like her or not. She’s fairly entertaining and I did admire her in this story. I cannot stand Jacin, however. He has annoyed me every time he was in TLC and I still can’t warm to him.

The Little Android – Rating: 2 Stars
I’m going to be honest: I had no idea what the hell was going on in this one. I was confused AF. I found the ending especially confusing?? No idea what to think of this one, to be honest.

The Mechanic – Rating: 3.5 Stars
When Cinder met Kai… But from his perspective!
I always loved Cinder and Kai’s first meeting. It was cool to see it from Kai’s perspective instead of Cinder’s. I love Kai as a character so I liked this one!

Something Old, Something New – Rating: 4.5 Stars
My FAVOURITE!
Set after the events of Winter, a kinda sequel to TLC. I loved seeing the gang back together. This was by far the superior story in the collection!

Overall: I’m not the biggest fan of short story collections, so maybe that’s why I didn’t love this. I enjoyed it but it’s my least favourite in the series. I’m not sure it was necessary to give a backstory for everyone but it’s a nice read. Would’ve loved a full sequel novel/novella that was set after Winter but Something Old, Something New was great!

 

Overall Rating: 3/3.5Stars

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Popular Books I’ll (probably) NEVER Read

Hey guys!
Welcome back or if you’re new welcome to my blog!
Today I’m going to tell you some books I literally do not give a damn about what so ever, therefore, won’t be reading them.

*Warning: Unpopular opinions ahead*

1) ANYTHING Cassandra Clare

None of her books sound interesting to me. I’ve heard her stuff and she, in general, are problematic. So, I really don’t care enough to read her stuff.

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2) ANYTHING John Green

I am no contemporary lover but there are a few I like and I am willing to reading it. However, John Green’s books have no appeal to me. From everything I’ve heard about them, they’re overhyped and just not my thing at all.

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3) Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

I have zero desire to read the Harry Potter books. They literally have no appeal to me. I didn’t read them as a child, they have no nostalgia for me. It’s too late for me. I don’t even like the films, I barely made it through the first film. I was bored to tears. I thought it was really crap. So it’s safe to say I will never be reading these books.

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4) The Book Thief by Markus Zusack

I’m really not a fan of historical fiction in general but WW2 especially. It’s quite possibly my least favourite time period ever. I have no idea why I dislike it so much. I learnt so much about WW1+2 in school that I don’t want to keep hearing about it. Don’t get me wrong; I know it’s a really important time but I find it so boring. Everyone loves this book but I just can’t bring myself to suffer through it.

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5) Caraval by Stephanie Garber

I realised I really hate anything circus related. I hated The Night Circus and other books with circusy things. From reviews from bloggers/booktubers I trust it just doesn’t sound good to me. I’ll give it a pass.

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What’s a popular book you’ll never read?

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Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid // Overhyped?!

Synopsis:
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

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My Thoughts:
Gripping and intriguing from the beginning to the end.
I like the layout of the novel, the interview taking you back in time and tell Evelyn’s story from her perspective – that was good.
The best part for me was the setting: The golden age of film. Old Hollywood. It was glamorous, interesting and cool to read about/ kinda experience.

For some reason, there isn’t much to fault in this novel, yet I don’t think it’s worthy of 5 stars? It’s an odd one for me. I found it interesting and I was hooked but I wasn’t blown away. I wouldn’t consider this a favourite and I’m not sure I’d ever reread it.
I will say: the writing isn’t all that special. It’s pretty bland/plain writing.

What I actually HATED: Celia. I could not warm to her character at all. I thought she was very toxic and immature and problematic. I honestly could not ship them or want them to be together in the slightest.

Characters:

Monique: We don’t see a ton of Monique because as the title would suggest, it’s all about Evelyn. I did like the glimpses of Monique we got but I wish there was a bit more of her. I felt her side of the story was lost because of Evelyn’s story and therefore, didn’t really add anything to the story.

Evelyn Hugo: I wouldn’t say I loved Evelyn as a character but she was very interesting. I was instantly invested in her story. The author did a good job of making her story interesting but I didn’t like her as much as the author tries to force you to do.
Evelyn had great character development and growth, which you can see as the novel goes on, that was done really well. She was realistic and flawed character – which made her a lot more relatable.

Overall: It’s not a bad read. If you love Chick-Lit and the 50s/Old Hollywood this would be perfect for you. Do I think it’s overhyped? Definitely. Unpopular opinion in the book community but it’s not *quite* as good as everyone makes out.

Rating: 3.5 Stars
(I originally gave this 4 stars but the more I think about it the less I think it is, so I’ve knocked 0.5 off)

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Have you read Evelyn Hugo? Did it live up to the hype for you?
Let me know your thoughts!

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Favourite Sci-fi/Fantasy BFFs! | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly meme, GoodReads group here with all the topics + discussion!
This week’s topic is: SFF BFFS

5) Scott and Stiles
(Teen Wolf)

I hardly ever mention TV shows on here, so I thought I’d throw in one of my fave friendships from a TV. Teen Wolf!! One of my favourite shows. I’m currently rewatching the whole show, which is why this sprang to mind instantly.
The best part of the show: Scott and Stiles. I bloody adore their friendship that is so close they’re basically brothers. It’s such a lovely genuine friendship, they bounce off each other and always look out for each other. I miss this show!!

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4) Dorian, Chaol + Celaena/Aelin
(Throne of Glass)

I love the ToG series, one of the best parts of the beginning of the series is Dorian, Chaol and Celaena. I love the OG ToG gang. It’s what I missed most in the later books was their interaction. The reunion in KoA is beautiful though. That book made me full on sob so many times!

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3) Kelsier and his crew
(Mistborn)

I love the friendships in Mistborn.
I love Kelsier and his crew! I love it when Kelsier takes Vin in and makes her part of his crew. Their friendship is so lovely! I really want to reread the books so I can see the gang again. (And have my heart ripped out again, evidently)

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2) Cinder + The gang
(The Lunar Chronicles)

A recent favourite of mine, after reading The Lunar Chronicles this year I just had include the whole gang! I love their friendship and interactions. I particularly love Thorne and Cinder, I love their banter. Basically, Thorne with anyone, he’s hilarious and my fave!

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1) Hiccup and Toothless
(How To Train Your Dragon)

Is there anything more beautiful than friendship between human/pet?! Especially dragons! I bloody adore this film series, so sad it ended. I will forever love Hiccup and Toothless, what a beautiful friendship. *sheds a tear*

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Who are some of your favourite SFF best friends?

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Quick Fire Fantasy Book Tag!

Hey Guys!
I wanted to post something quick as I am studying for an exam! What better than the Quick Fire Fantasy Tag! I recently saw this over on The Elven Warrior and thought I’d do it too!

This tag was originally created by thebookwormdreamer

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5-star book

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

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Always going to recommend

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

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Own it but haven’t read it yet

Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence

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Would read again

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas

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In another world

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks

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Back on earth

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

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Favourite Mother Figures | Top 5 Wednesday

Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly meme, GoodReads group here with all the topics + discussion!
This week’s topic is: Mother Figures
(Apparently, it’s Mother’s Day in the US this week?)

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1) Maura Sargent (+ basically all the ladies at 300 Fox Way)
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

These ladies are AWESOME.
Psychic trio. Weird and cool.
Imagine growing up in this household?! It’d be so much fun!

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2) Sally Jackson
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

I love Sally! What a babe. She seems like such a cool, chill mum!

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3) Cersei Lannister
ASOIAF/GoT

A complete bitch Cersei maybe, but she loves her children. I admire that about her, at least. (She’s also a super interesting character)

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4) Ferius Parfax
Spellslinger by Sebastien De Castell

She’s more of a mentor to Kellen but I’m going to include her anyway. They definitely become like family and she cares for Kellen like a parent. It’s such a lovely relationship!

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5) Issa
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I love Issa and Karou’s relationship! It’s so adorable. I love how all the Chimaera raised Karou and they have a weird but lovely family!
Issa is a great mother figure to Karou. So adorable!

*None of the art belongs to me. Credit to the rightful owners*

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Who are your favourite mother figures?

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Monthly Wrap Up | April 2019

Hey Guys!
This has been quite a busy month for me. It has been the last few weeks of the semester and now it’s time for finals! Oh, the joys. That means essay writing and exam revision! Such fun. Which leaves less time for reading for pleasure.

I only managed three books this month but I enjoyed all of them! So that’s the main thing.

Firstly, I finished off the audiobook of Red Sister by Mark Lawrence.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

 

 

 

 

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Another Mark Lawrence book, this time; One Word Kill.
[Gifted] This one  I went into 100% blind, I had no idea what it was going to be about, I knew it was sci-fi, that’s it. It was pretty surprising! I liked, great start to a trilogy. I will definitely pick up the next book!

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review here!

 

 

 

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Next, I picked up my first ebook in a long time, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I enjoyed this but to me, it wasn’t mindblowing. It was still a solid read but not worthy of 5 stars, in my opinion. (Will discuss in detail in my review)

Rating: 4 Stars
Review coming soon!

 

 

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 What was your favourite book read in April?

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