Review: The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith.

Hardcover: 455 pages

Published:  June 19 2014 by Mulholland Books,

Genre: Mystery.

Private investigator Cormoran Strike returns in a new mystery from Robert Galbraith, author of the #1 international bestseller The Cuckoo's Calling.

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days—as he has done before—and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realizes. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were to be published, it would ruin lives—meaning that there are a lot of people who might want him silenced.

When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before...

  

*CLAPPING* This was the book to get me back into the reading world. Not only was the mystery enticing but I got the privilege to revisit the lives of Strike and Robin. Oh how much I love this series *swoon*.

The last book focused on  a suicide case of a model , and this time it was a case dealing with the world of writers and publications. A frail lady in need to find her husband arrives at strikes office.What began a simply case of a man who ran away, became a large mess of words and deep secrets.

Now the plot is deep and detailed.VERY DETAILED, I mean this book was gory to say the least . I applaud the author for truly showing the world of this author, but wow I wasn't expecting such horror. Let's say if you are weak for gross murders and such , this may be hard to read. But other than that the plot was slow pace but has a climatic end.The pace allowed readers to truly understand each individual involved with the case , which is important in a mystery novel.

The feeling of being in England is there , the description of the setting is done very well.Even the way the characters speak by using word choice to portray their accents is done beautiful. I felt being in the atmosphere of england and that added a lot to the story and something I enjoy about from this series.

Strike and Robin are a power duo I adore . I must admit they remind me a bit of Sherlock and Joan Watson's relationship from Elementary( which if you also love mysteries this show is a masterpiece). I love how the relationship is trying to evolve as robin wants more from her secretary job.Even the ongoing subplot of her fiance , Matthew who I find to be annoying to say the least.Robin is a smart woman and I love that she is trying pursue a life she wants for herself despite some setbacks.I enjoy Strike and Robins relationship and interactions, through the case.       

Now I know people are shipping them , but I feel like the relationship adds more depth by being platonic.I have mixed feelings on it , if done right I totally for it but also can see it go really bad. For me ,the relationship right now is amazing on its own and doesn't need romance to make it better , and Elementary, a show with a platonic relationship shows that wonderfully.

                     The whole world is writing novels, but no one is reading them.

 I rate this book a 4.5/5 adorable kittens , as it is a great mystery novel with detailed and complex characters to match the case.I took .5 off because like I mentioned the unexpected goriness in the book was  a bit much.Other than that it was a phenomenal book and truly recommend to any mystery novel fanatics. 

This books is another compelling novel in the Cormoran Strike series , and I am planning to get the third book out right now, Career of Evil.

PS. I know I mention elementary many times throughout this review and all I can say is that this book reminds me of it sorry, but really you guys should check it out.

If you would like to join the discussion or input some things you thought of the book please do comment down below.

Review : Schizo By Nic Sheff.

                                                   

Hardcover, 272 pages                                                       Published September 30th 2014 by Philomel Books            Genres: Ya , Contemporary

The fascinating, shocking, and ultimately quite hopeful story of one teen’s downward spiral into mental illness by the bestselling author of Tweak.

Miles is the ultimate unreliable narrator—a teen recovering from a schizophrenic breakdown who believes he is getting better . . . when in reality he is growing worse.

Driven to the point of obsession to find his missing younger brother, Teddy, and wrapped up in a romance that may or may not be the real thing, Miles is forever chasing shadows. As Miles feels his world closing around him, he struggles to keep it open, but what you think you know about his world is actually a blur of gray, and the sharp focus of reality proves startling.

Written by the New York Times bestselling author of Tweak, Schizo is the fascinating, and ultimately quite hopeful, story of one teen's downward spiral into mental illness as he chases the clues to a missing brother. 

Lately I have read a large amount of books dealing with mental illness, perhaps starting my degree in psychology is influencing my decision in books.Anyways this is one of the better Ya books dealing the mental illness.This book not only tug my heart strings but also open up to a reality I do not live but many do.The novel not only deals with schizophrenia but the life on must live with it.Nico is able to make Miles a character you care for despite the lack of relatedness.

Miles deals with schizophrenia , but is still an caring brother, son and friend.He cares for his little sister and his two best friends.Miles is character who I rooted for to get better.I really did like him.His family is an awesome addition to this book , because you can how miles disorder affect them.Even through their struggle , they try there best to be supportive for miles, even though it not the easiest thing to do.Miles continues to blame himself for the disappearance of his brother, blaming him for creating stress i his family. Obsessed with finding him and making things right for his mother, father and sister.

As we miles in his epsiodes, those moments of vulnerability are quite sad and emotional. I feel for him , and hate that he see himself his life as over.When everyone was scared of him , I just wanted to give him a hug and let him know it's okay.The author is trying to tell reader that a  disorder should not destroy your life , and to overcome the problems instead of giving up.

I do have to mention that is book opened my eyes to the extent of this disorder, and the major ways it influencing ones life.Before I never understood as that serious but this book opened my perspective on it.

This book was a short , yet an emotional read. I am glad the direction of the book went and enjoyed learning more about schizophrenia and how it affects an whole family together

I was here by Gayle Forman.

                              I was here  by Gayle Forman.                   

  

Published January 27th 2015 by Viking       Juvenile (first published January 1st 2015)

Hardcover, 270 pages

Genres: Ya, Contemporary.

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

 
I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss

What a surprise this book was, a good one actually.I have read Gayle Forman's past books, and really did not enjoy it as much as others did . But this one was truly a wonderful piece of work.The novel follows Cody after losing her best friend to suicide. She feels left in dark , wondering how could she missed the signs and why her friend never approached her about her problems.She agrees to pack Meg things from college for her parents. Through this wild wind adventure the truth starts to float to the surface , one that is hard to fully understand.

  

This book was amazing , the plot had a tragedy in it but yet I was in golfed by this mystery , which moved along the plot gracefully.I love the book for not focusing on the funereal and the after proceeding of one's death but straight went in to the real focus in the book.I applaud Gayle for real showing the sadness in this tragedy instead of glossing it over, suicide as romantic or black and white.It complicated, messy and leaves many forever wounded.That is what makes this book phenomenal.

The writing was okay , nothing whimsical and poetic like If I Stay, but it did not need it.Cody is a very cut and a dry narrator , the topic was hard and the writing also showed that. Reading it, you felt absorbed to the pain and get this eerie feeling, but that feeling is needed to understand how everyone feels.

The characters we pretty amazing. Cody is young adult who has identified what she is supposed after meg has left her, alone and confused.But she is determined, truthful and a layered character.She does not want to become what expected of her , but beyond it.She meets a Megs roommates, who I loved. Stoner dude is hilarious and love the depth Gayle gives him, he is not a flat character at all.Alice is a funny and sweet girl who loves to help Cody and truly be her friend. Harry was the true underdog in the book for me , beside me a computer hacker, he is sweet and lovable. Lastly is the love interest ( because this books dyingly needed one ), He is a rocker dude, who knew meg before she fell to her demise and is the puzzle to the this complicated mystery.

The character development is beautiful, the relationship between Cody and her mother began a broken one but flourished into a supportive relationship which was heartfelt to watch.Both grew from this tragedy and come out stronger as a whole unit, Cody able to call her mother "mom", admitting her pain and receiving undeniable support is beautiful.

This novel truly showed me the reality of suicide and not the YA version of it.Its tough complicated and a sad.This book just thinking about it gives me goosebumps, but well worth it.

I give this book a 3.75, I believe everyone should check this novel out.I do warn that they are some suicide triggers, and if your affected please skip this one out.

Everything,Everything By Nicola Yoon.

                                                          Everything,Everything by Nicola Yoon.

 

Published September 1st 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

 Hardcover, 320 pages
Genres: Ya, Contemporary.

 My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

Wow, this book blew me away.The characters and the unique story line is quite interesting and held my breathe throughout the novel.

The novel focuses on a young woman who is stuck inside as result of her illness, being allergic to almost everything.Seclusion leads her to be intrigued by the boy next door,this story sounds cliche right ? But the characters truly held their own , Mara was a character I could relate to , being immersed by books as result of a lackluster life she lived so far.She is smart and held her own opinion to a high standard, something I admired. Olly is much different from the cliche boy next door, he himself was not a 2d romantic interest, but a layered character with a life much different from Mara but yet felt connected to her.We get to see a piece of his life , through Mara's windows , and yet never fully understand the details of the situations, and I okay with that.Carla is refreshing character who truly understood and cared for Mara , even as her nurse, she was funny and a character who held Mara  together at times throughout the novel.

The writing in this novel is beyond beautiful,creating a nice flow and created some wonderful quotes throughout the book.

The plot was fantastic, however in the middle of the novel was a bit slow, but I personal enjoyed the time the author took to develop not only Mara character by her surroundings and her new found feelings she has for Olly. I love seeing her go through this transition of weird butterfly feelings even though it seem a bit childish.Near the end the action did pick up and I was all over the place, ahh it was amazing.A few plot holes did emerged by the end of this but I did not mind them at all.What I truly admire from Nicola Yoon , is the diversity she included in this book. Mostly contemporary books lacks Poc Characters and to see characters from various backgrounds puts a smile on my face ,finally seeing some changes in books to make it more diverse and relate able for everyone and not a select few.

All in all this book was quite amazing, and enjoyable read with adorable characters with layered lives,this truly is a remarkably novel , a must read for 2015.I recommend picking this book up if you enjoy Rainbow Rowell books with awesome diverse characters who are very relate able.

I give this book a 4.5 cute kittens/ 5, for its mesmerizing writing and an out sounding plot with amazing characters to give this novel some life.I took a .5 off because of the plot holes but nevertheless, this is book everyone should pickup this week. 

     

Book Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.

Red Queen By Victoria Aveyard

Published:  February 10th 2015 by Orion

Hardcover, 383 pages

Genres: Ya Dystopian

Buy on Amazon, Goodreads.

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

Ahh, can we all agree this was one of the most hyped books of 2015? Unfortunately for me, this book did not meet my expectations.

  We began this novel in this dystopian world, where the reds are hard working civilians under the control of the powerful silvers, who hold great power from within themselves.Our protagonist, Mare is a pickpocket-er who has yet found a job which leaves her to be sent to war at the age of 18, much like her older brothers.Through some sticky events, Mare is left with the discovery of her own powers , as she bleeds crimson blood.The book follows the unstable class division and how Mare's powers can change it all.

This book had so much going for it.The synopsis makes this book so intriguing and original , yet less than 100 pages in, I feel hunger games vibes, I did not want to , but I did.Many characters in book felt like recycled from other established novels. Cal is much like Kai from Cinder and Kirlon is  Gale from the Hunger Games.The silvers in general were knockoffs of the Capital.

I did enjoy Mare, she was a strong protagonist, sassy at times and held her own ground.But when she was speaking about cal and their strong and mysterious connection , I couldn't help  but roll my eyes.Queen Elara is one of the few characters I was intrigued by and wanted to know more about her backstory.

The writing was okay but nothing spectacular.The Plot is what made me yank my hair. Multiply plot twists were mediocre, I could see it coming a mile away.The author wants reader to feel shocked but instead I just gave myself a pat on the back for catching it earlier, it didn't brother me that I spoiled the plot twist because I had little care for twists.Only one truly caught me off guard but did not make the book anything epic at all!
The whole love triangle(or square) is getting really old by now, the girl denying her love for one guy so she throws herself at another, no stop it authors please!!The world was confusing, I wished it was more flushed out explaining the world.But I did enjoy Mavens character up until the end, like come on he was a awesome character but he of course much like the rest of the book became a one big cliche.

One of the few things I did enjoy in this book was the betrayal, it was everywhere. This theme of betrayal gives me some hopes for the next book , becoming more than a YA cliche book, a kick ass trilogy. The whole one girl leading a revolution is unoriginal and not being well written in this book.I mean I love revolutions, but a good revolution, one that makes you want to be a part of it

I hated the start and the end , but the middle was pretty good, I wish the author pushed the plot more making it different and exciting because honestly for pages I was on the edge of my seat, but became disinterested by the lack of originality in characters and the plot devices.The foundation of the plot was good, but the characters are not so great.My mind was wishing for different things that could have made this book epic , ugh I really wish it was more unique.

I give it 3/5 Meows because the plot had something going for it , but due to lack of originality and guts , it was mediocre for me.An easy and captivating read , but was annoyed by the overused plot tropes, and was hoping for something more.At this point, I am   unsure if  I plan to continue the series.                           
       

Book Review: We'll Always Have Summer (Summer, #3) by Jenny Han.*SPOILER REVIEW*

We'll Always Have Summer (Summer #3) by Jenny Han 

Published: April 26th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 
Genres: Contemporary.

Buy on Amazon , Goodreads.

It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

  Wow, what a  series, despite being one of the most predictable book I have ever read my whole life , I love it.The third and last book to this summer series, portrays a older belly ,even though she still had her childish moments. The kids are in collage , and for Belly and Jeremiah love is a young and beautiful thing. So much so that they decide to make some rash decision making.I mean , Jeremiah asks for belly to marry him, after she finds out that he cheated on her. Doesn't make sense right??

This plot was more like a excuse to bring the whole family together, and show Belly that Conrad is better that Jeremiah. Which , is very apparent through out the book. Everything Conrad would do Belly would just compare him to Jere.

So  of course most of the family is hesitant about this rush marriage among the Belly and Jere, especially her mother. But of course Belly was negligent against this issues surrounding their relationship. The wedding is decided to be that summer , which is quite outrageous to me. One thing that bothered me was Jeremiah, he was so different in this book than the last two. He wasn't sweet and caring but a rude , obnoxious collage boy. I have no idea why, but through out the book , Jeremiah was portrayed as a horrible person compared to the angel Conrad. Which is sad , Jenny Han did that because Jeremiah was such a strong character in the beginning of the series. 

This book held a duo pov which you get to see from Conrad point of view , and it was great.A few lines in the book were cringe worthy , like when he heard about the engagement , he was all mad and saying how Jeremiah couldn't steal his girl. Excuse me , YOUR GIRL.

Anyways the book was centered around this wedding and Belly once again is met with her desires of being with Conrad, and noticing Jeremiah many flaws.In my head as I flipped through the pages , i was wondering when belly was going to call it off. I mean she wouldn't wait til the wedding day right?

Nope,she waits till the last second.I may say one of the few moments I did feel for Jeremiah is when he received a letter from his late mother, upon reading it he realized, he received the wrong one , the letter for Conrad, stating that she always knew he would end up with belly.

OUCH.....

On his wedding day , about to marry belly , he reads a letter saying that his mother always knew belly and Conrad were soulmates.That must hurt,real bad.

The end of the book was cute , I mean one thing I do wish is that we saw Conrad and Belly relationship flourish with the book.

 Honestly this series was quite a ride.In the first book I quickly grew fond of belly and the cousins house. The whole group of characters were unique and memorable.The setting of the summer house held magic aurora,filled with joyous summer days I craved to have.This last enstallment reminded me of what I loved about the summer house and the importentence it held to the story and unifying the characters during strife.Even though I was angry at the decision characters would make , it was because I cared for them, something really hard to achieve , which I give Jenny Han a thumbs up. 
Besides the setting and the characters ,I must admit the plot was a trope and knew the ending since the start.This can be seen a typical ya love story however I found it to be more than that.The characters truly led the book and made the reader invested in their lives . The predictable ending and the writing not being the best is why I took a star off.

But in the end my heart does gush at this series and will be one of my favorite summer reads.

P.S, I am the only when who felt like Steven is still a kid and not 21. I felt no character growth between books 1 and 3. 

P.S.S If you received the edition with the bonus pages , those letters Conrad sent to Belly were one of the best parts of the book.If you have no read them, you can find them here:

I rate it:  3 adorable cats / 5

      Reasoning: The characters were the book , and made the book an amazing experience.I will miss these guy and their lives.However the plot was lacking in these books, and the portrayal of Jeremiah was horrible, the long list of excuse of why Belly and Conrad are not together.Just a load of teen angst that was not needed in this novel!

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