Children of Eden

Today I bring a book that has the most stunning cover of all times! And I know I say that a lot but honestly, I fell in love with the book because of the cover. I saw it on a friends bookstagram and I was sold. I wanted that book so badly and I didn't even know what it was about yet! I'm talking about Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa and Laura L. Sullivan! Also, Joey is a Youtuber, something I didn't know! 

 The world is dead. Humankind has destroyed it, even after all the warnings by Aaron Al-Baz. Luckily for the remaining population, Aaron also made a world after: Eden. A world where people are divided by circles and the elite is in the center of it all. A world where second children are not allowed. Rowan is one of those second children and has been hiding inside for 16 years. Sick of her captivity she decides that she should be allowed to going out. Desperately leaving her house, she also leaves with consequences for those actions. And finding a friend leads to a great tragedy with loss and new threats...


Honestly, I don't know how to feel about this book. I went in with high expectations, the subject about a world after, the world being death but there's still something there that awaits the newborn word. It all sounds so good for a book but I've been left with a mixed feeling!

First of all, I found it really hard to connect with the main character, Rowan. She's a second child and her desperation to breath air from outside her house is totally understandable. At times she just seemed really too desperate and that made me back off a bit. What I did love about her is her determination, during the story she'll receive new information about her being the second child from her mother and this will set everything into motion. Although she loves her mother and her twin brother, Ash, she can't be bothered with staying inside anymore. Another thing that shows her determination is that she'll fight for her loved ones, even if it brings herself in danger.

I loved it that the character started deciding things for herself and that she took her life into her own hands, although I would've done it a bit more prepared! Rowan is more the thinking and directly doing which is a nice trait for a character but not something I can really relate with. Rowan hasn't got a clue to how people act, what to do herself and so on, yet she finds a friend of her bother who'll help her out. 

Which brings me to the next character: Lark. Lark is a friend of Ash and I did NOT like this character at all. She's too possessive, she feels like a know-it-all and as if she knows what's best. I just couldn't love this character at all, sure she has a big influence on the story but I just felt like she was a bit insane. Lark also comes into the story at times that I didn't think were very logical with the rest of the story and I just really couldn't appreciate this character. If all, she made things harder. 

There will be a few more characters coming and going and there's one very important one coming but I don't want to go too much into detail because that character was a surprise that I did see coming but still made this book better! 

As for the plot, now here were things that went completely wrong for me personally! The story builds up so rapidly, there was no time for making the events evolve and to make you feel it. I'm not a real fan of stories that go really fast but if you are, then this one is one you'll enjoy. I was just really bothered by how fast everything goes, there was no time to stop and think or feel what might happen next, because the following event was already happening. 

Secondly I like to say that I am left with too many questions to feel satisfied. During the plot we'll meet new characters that each have their own mission, we'll find out secrets about the founder of Eden, we get new details and nobody does anything with it. The ending did not give me answers on how they'll get around to that mission or what they'll do with that new information they have gathered. I know nothing and that really bothered me a lot. Also the end... oh god the ending! We know new information again yet again we will never know an answer! This is what they call an "open end" and I know that, but I hate open endings. And I hate this one most because on top of the open ending, I know nearly nothing about my other questions I thought I'd receive answers for. 

Of course I want to also add the things I did really enjoy and first of all that must be the theme. It's a dystopian about the world in the future, we destroyed and someone saved the last bit of humanity. For me that's a very interesting thing. Especially because also the people are being ranked! The poor live in the outer circles, the rich in the inner circles. I love it when books do that because it immediately sets off a vibe about that world. Also, just the thought of our world destroyed and a new place to wait for the world to be reborn is something I absolutely enjoyed. The nature being affected by us and the results of it will get a personal spot and we'll see consequences and everything put into perspective. How they have resolved everything will also be explained well and I was keen on that part. I know this book is fictitious but I also like to say that what happens to nature and humankind in the book is not something that I don't see in the near future. All is possible. 

Also another great thing is: everybody lies to everybody and nobody is trustworthy! When a book gives off that vibe, I can't do anything but feel happy. Rowan is a second child, she should not trust anybody and she should be aware of being lied to. Yet Rowan also has never been outside her house, she doesn't know the outer world and how people work. This sets off a nice contrast between knowing how everything goes and not knowing. She's a bit on an exploring adventure and makes mistakes everyone in her position would make: trust people. Especially in a world where second children aren't allowed or will be murdered, where the poor don't get anything and the inner circle everything, trust is not a word you should use. Lies will be everywhere in this book and trustworthy people will be so hard find and I really wish the book would have gone further on it and provide more buildup around this but it all stayed fairly superficial. 

What are we missing in this world? Action, but no worries there is going to be so much! First of all, Rowan will have to escape that's the first action we see. Then she comes across greenshirts, these are authority figures, police really and they know she's a second child so she needs to escape once again! Now she's known, her family will be in danger and this makes sure there's going to be a rescue party. That rescue party, ladies and gentlemen, was the best part filled with action because it was so good. There was so much surprise in this part and I was so excited when they went to rescue the family. It was great! For action you'll be good in this book, but as I said before it comes together way too fast in my opinion.

Lastly, what  is a book without a bit of romance. Now this romance was... I don't know. I was ready to pull out all of my hair! I was so frustrated! Probably because I shipped Rowan with one of them and not the other one, but she just kept giving signs to that other person I don't like! Still with me? No? There's a love triangle people and it's amazing that it makes you so frustrated! Especially if you have a ship and disgust the other character! Yet I wonder if it's really about romance. 

Rowan gives us signs throughout the book that she doesn't know how this works. She doesn't know anything about people and she thinks it's normal yet she doesn't know what these feelings she feels mean. It might be pure platonic then, or it might be love. This is something a bit confusing and also nothing we'll get any answers on.

I don't really know what to think about this book. I loved it but at the same time I didn't. It might be the fact that I didn't find it easy to connect with the main character, at the same time I was left with an ending that I didn't really love at all. Many things remain unresolved and that makes me not like the book. I did really enjoy the dystopian world that's created in this book and lies to its population that's been ranked. Everyone lies to everyone and trusting someone can be a mistake and I love it when a book give you that vibe. 

Also the whole concept about the world being destroyed by us is a very interesting subject and also gets a nice light onto it! However the book builds up fairly rapid and leaves me disappointed because I didn't receive the answers I was looking for. To conclude this I just like to say that I don't think it's bad but also don't think it's the best and I am left undecided. I do recommend reading the book because it's possible you'll love it, especially if you're into books that create a dystopian about the future and if you don't mind a rapid buildup.

“But alone is good. Alone is safe.” 

All the Bright Places

Today's review is a book that's been on my "want to read list" for a very, very long time now. I've heard a lot about it, I've heard bad things about it and good ones but I can only say that this is the best book I've read so far in 2017. And I will try to convince each and every one of you to pick up this book because it is... stunning, and that doesn't even do justice! All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. I don't even know if I'll be able to write this review the way I want to, it's just so good and so emotional that I'm at loss for the perfect words. 

Violet and Finch meet on the ledge of the bell tower. Both desperately trying to find a way to live and to feel awake after all that has happened to them. When Finch, the school freak, eventually tries to make Violet feel better, Violet starts to open her eyes to all that's around her and who she really is. She's finally beginning to see what life is about and how to start living again, after that one tragic night, together with the help of Finch. All the while, Finch is slipping further and further away but will anyone notice before it's too late? 

First of all, I want to make this clear: this is so not close to The Fault in Our Stars?! I see everyone rating this book bad because it's like that book but if I can say one thing: it's not. I feel like both this stories cover maybe one thing together: how to live. Other than that I feel like these two don't even come close to each other. I'm not trying to say that TFIOS is a bad book or movie, in fact I really enjoyed the story! However I need to be honest and All the Bright Places really tore at me 5 times more and 5 times better than The Fault in Our Stars ever will, and that's okay. I just wish people could also try not to see this book as a copycat because it really is not. It's different and original, it's breathtaking and heartbreaking and I loved every word, every letter in this book. This is me trying to convince you to not write this book off just by hearing it's all the way TFIOS because it's not. 

Let's start with Theodore Finch, the first thing I noticed is that everyone uses Finch. Finch, I was really satisfied with that because for once they didn't make use of his first name but his last. That is when people call him by his name at all because he's seen as the school freak. It's very clear from the first page he comes in that something is wrong with him, mentally. Even though something is up, he's still there for others as well, mostly for Violet who is on top of the bell tower with him. What surprised me most was the fact that Finch had been written like this. At some points in the books, he felt very closed off from everyone, and he makes it very clear by his thoughts that he feels surrounded but alone. Yet the author still really used this character as a very supporting, nice boy that sometimes loses it but also seems happy and not alone.

I fell in love with this character for his thoughts and his remarks on certain ways to die and on people who have died, but also on the living. If we know one thing for sure it's that Finch has a hard time believing he can live. We don't know what made him think like that, we only see fragments during the book but the readers will never be able to pinpoint the exact thing that made him feel like this. And that's something I absolutely worship in this book: the unknown by Theodore Finch. What surprised me even more was the fact that even though he has a hard time staying awake, that's how he refers to stay by the living, he doesn't have a hard time showing others how to live. That's yet another thing that really surprised me by this character: he pushes people to live and to find something worth in life but he can't do that for himself and he can't find a way for himself. It's as if he doesn't know he has a choice too and that's something I know a lot of readers will be able to relate to.

Finch really opened my eyes during this read about how wrong we can be. He looks fine and happy, he knows how to live or he wouldn't share that knowledge with the other characters... yet he isn't real. He feels so much things that don't even come close to happy and he's suffocated in his own mind and consumed by it. He just doesn't show and that's why people don't know. And even if they did know, people wouldn't help him because he's the freak. The more they see him that way, the more I also felt like the author tried to reflect he starts believing it's his fault and that he shouldn't tell anyone something because it's his own problems. Finch is the character I know a lot of readers will be able to relate to, be it to a little extent or to his whole personality. And knowing that, it's very hard because that means a lot of people are in need of help, just like Theodore Finch is.

I'm also really happy that the author chose to pick a boy for this role, because I feel like some people only see girls capable of these deep emotions and also capable of thinking about suicide in these hard times. The author really showed how boys can feel this too and that they're capable of suicide as well, we don't need to underestimate the fact that they're in need of help too. Finch absolutely showed that very well during the story, he was absolutely well written! 

Next to Finch on the ledge of the bell tower, we find Violet. Violet has put a stop on her life because she doesn't know how to go on after that one tragic night. Whatever that tragic night is, is something for you to find out! It's been a few months now but Violet has been having a very hard time with finding how to live and how to be happy again. It's because of Finch that she starts to explore and starts to find out what that night meant for others and what it meant to her. Violet goes through a very eyeopening phase during this book, where she doesn't only find out how to live again but also finds out who she is and how she's going to be in the future. Seeing what help does to a person has been really well shown on character Violet who finally finds the light in the dark tunnel and that all because of Finch. Violet is a very smart person and she's a very tender one which I absolutely found lovely in this character. But beware because she's not like most people, she can see through the masks people put on sooner or later...

Both of them have issues that really affect their mental state but the author also showed a really big contrast in their problems, in the way it affects them, how much it affects them and what it means to get help or find help. Both will go through such a hard time and some know they have support while others doubt they can stay very long on this earth and I absolutely appreciated that the author used these contrasts because it shows there are various things to take into account and various things, be it little or big things, that can affect someone's happiness and affect the way they look at their lives.

However, this is not a book that only talks about depressing stuff, of course it's important as this will have major effects on the plot and the characters, but there's always a bright side in this story. Here the two characters might have big contrasts, but it's true what they say: opposites attract each other. During the book we will see major differences in their family and private life which will also bring these characters together. Not only that brings them together but also the project they get from US Geography. 

This event was something I really found myself enjoying because I wish I did what the characters did. Their project means they need to wander around Indiana and found beautiful things in it and document it. Finch wants to do the project with Violet to make her see that life is beautiful and that she needs to find a way to live in it and to be happy again. This really brought the characters together in a very stunning friendship about hope, rediscovering, support and love. I absolutely rooted for these two as they were so realistically written but also so relatable and stunning! 

Now the plot, as I mentioned before with the characters everything is very realistic. This book felt so real for me, as if I was a part from it or as if it was really happening. The characters are copy pasted on a school scenery where it is as we all might know it: hard. School, especially high school brings a lot of problems for a lot of teenagers in the real world and Jennifer Niven tried to picture that and give us that on a golden plate. Boy, do I have to say she did a remarkable job? As already mentioned, Finch is called the freak which really shows us once again how much we label during our high school time. Violet is seen as the popular girl that dates with Ryan Cross... the Ryan Cross and so it goes on for every and each character that we come across. It's the labeling that makes it also very hard on one of the characters in All the Bright Places and something some readers will find very relatable once again.

The reaction of the other teenagers when Finch the school freak wants to do the project with Violet will also really be taken under a loop. They'll start teasing Violet about "the freak", they'll be fighting and trying to make Finch go away from Violet by hurting him in any way possible. I don't need to tell you guys that this is reality for some teenagers out there: the labeling, the bullying and the author did a great job on showing us that in the book and also showing how that can affect ones mind and attitude. The school situation will really be taken seriously and will contribute to the story and how it develops.

Another side in the book will be about the home situation in both families, Finch's and Violet's. Also this will really contribute to the development of the events. It also really shows once again how different both characters are and how their families are affected by what's happening or by the signs their kids are giving them. This is yet another thing I really found interesting to see because also here the writer has picked out two contrasts out of the variety of parents that exist. I'm also really pleased to see how big the difference is as we have two complete opposites in it. Both families will also be seen during the read and that only helps the reader more to understand why Finch feels the way he feels.

Next to these two factors we'll be falling into a story about finding love and life and be happy again by wandering around with someone who cares. The characters really make it something beautiful to witness as they go everywhere and anywhere to find something worth breathing for. They'll have so much fun and when they're finally getting used to each other, we'll fall into a routine of happiness and constant laughter which I found amazing to witness and to be a part of. Of course that will be broken by school events and private things that can get in the way but that's also something that makes it realistic. It's what life is about: the constant processing of going to school, going home, doing something with a friend and through it all find out who you are and what you want. Above that it also made sure that the readers stayed interested and focused on what was right in front of their eyes all the time... 

The author doesn't only do smooth sailing, she decided to really give all readers a chill, by changing everything and making it harder and harder to see something good. It's not something I had seen coming and it really took my be surprise. Thinking about it now it was very refreshing to read, something none of my books did before and it also really took me. I felt so much with the characters, with the plot, it was all so raw and unbelievable that it made the story so stunning.

What happened is something for you to find out and all I can say is that it really opened my eyes toward people who felt like our characters did and how hurting fits into our society in the real world. Reactions that will follow by characters were really mind blowing and some even felt wrong and I really loved it that the book made me feel like this and made me think about this. It has a very great moral and really makes you feel what others might be feeling now in this instant, you're only touching the tip of the iceberg but at least we got a better view on it and we know how far it can go. It also showed that you should help when you can and not label or ignore it because that doesn't make it any easier for anyone. This was also shown in the book, through the plot and I really appreciated the thought the author put into this book.

What I also am at loss for words for is the fact that we don't know why Finch is feeling the way he is, I already said it before but I really want to point it out once again. We know why Violet is feeling the way she feels and that's great but I think it's also very relatable for readers not to know what's going on with someone. This someone being Finch in All the Bright Places. I feel like I like that fact, that we don't know everything about why it made him feel this way because either way he didn't know himself or he didn't know how to explain and I don't know but that just makes me love this character so much more. The unknown and the uncertainty made this character so interesting and lovable in the plot.

All books that contain hard things like mental illnesses, sicknesses and suicide are eyeopening and believe me, this book was one of those books as well. The characters are so beautifully written and when they finally find each other you thought things would only go well and get better but that's not how it goes for people who aren't feeling well, same with our characters. The author still made it really interesting by giving plot twists, harder moments and happy moments to recover from all that has happened before. To finish it off, she packed the book up with the greatest moral of all and sprinkled emotions (believe me, be ready for a lot of emotions in here) on top of it. This book, and I really kid you not, is emotional so start buying tissues and stock them up because you'll need them. I swear it to you.

Lastly I want to point out that this book is becoming a movie! Yes it's becoming a movie and just thinking about that would make me cry all over again. I'm not lying. Also to everyone who feels that they can relate so much to these characters please, if you're in need of help, you need to go on and tell people you need help. It's not a shame to feel this way, and it's not a shame to ask for help because we want to help you. You can be our Violet and we can be your Finch, let's show you that life can be beautiful. We all need some help from time to time! That's another thing this book really pointed out for everyone to read: help one another.

This book contains so much reality, so many emotions that I absolutely felt real while reading it. The author build the story up so well and the characters were absolutely stunningly written and brought to a scenery of high school and it's problems. The relationship that's being build between our two main characters was really beautiful to witness and I was -am- so at loss for words for it, and for all that has happened in the book. The plot is so well thought of and the reactions that'll follow in the book seem so realistic to me that I cried the last 120 pages as if my life depended on it. This book is emotional and heartbreaking but it's so, so beautiful with such a beautiful message. I really recommend this book and I absolutely hope you can see why I can't explain myself any better... I'm at loss for words, this was by far the best read of 2017.

“You are all the colors in one, at full brightness.” 

Twilight

Today feels like a special day! Why, you might ask. Well, this time I'll review a book I never, ever thought I'd even touch with one finger. I'm already known for not going and taking books that are very popular. (AKA The Hunger Games) but every now and then, I decide against my instincts and touch them anyway. However this was a series I absolutely never thought to betray myself with! I'm talking about Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.

When Bella moves to a rainy town, Forks, with her dad she never expected to have a very interesting life in it. She hates cold, she hates rain, she hates dark days and hates the fact that she'll live in Forks. However when she discovers the beautiful family Cullen, she thinks very differently about her existence in Forks. She tries to reach out to one of the Cullen guys but he only gives her angry looks and a very bad feeling. Speaking of bad, there is more to this bad guy that she first thought. It might even become very dangerous... 

Really, I don't think I need to explain a lot about this series. It's a highly spoken and appreciated series that everyone, or at least almost everyone, has read before and hyped about. I remember that I never wanted to see the movies! That was even before I got into reading, many many years before, I already wanted to hate it! However, there was one evening where I found my way to the first movie... betrayed myself by watching it... on Youtube back then when the titles were "Twilight part 1 of the 14" and I had to watch it in bits and pieces. And then I became fan of the movies... watched them in the movie theaters! I then told myself: no! not the books! 

Today I am here with the first book and the rest of the series coming along the way! However I need to be honest: I didn't love it. I enjoyed it enough to go pick out the next few books yes, but love was never there like it was with The Hunger Games.

First of all, Bella. I can't really tell if I like her or not. I feel like often she made me like her but at certain moments like when she starts overreacting about the littlest thing, I can't find myself liking her at all. What I did really enjoy about this character was the fact that we got to know the fact that she suppressed bad feelings like fear and hurt. This was something we never quiet got to understand during the movie since we didn't know her thoughts. And it cleared the fact that she wasn't afraid of vampires, or Edward. The book will therefore bring a few things about her in perspective and I really enjoyed that.

What I also enjoyed about this character was her interest in books, the movie doesn't really show that but since Bella enjoys books, I felt like I could relate better to her in some way. Also the way she acts around Edward was something I can't really stop myself from enjoying. Although sometimes she overreacted and was over romantic I started doubting this character. She often tried to hide certain things from him and that was nice to see develop to why and how she would do certain things when it came to him. Overall, I most of the time, did find enjoyable feelings about this character.

As for Edward, I like him. It's hard not to really! Every person that's a bit paranormal grabs my attention and finds a way to my heart... even Edward. Also this character became mad for a lot of little things and sometimes was over-romantic but it was less laid on there in comparison to Bella. This character really showed you that he was mature (most of the time) and that was parallel with his age so I loved the fact that it was realistic (well, not that vampires are realistic but you get what I mean!). I also enjoyed the fact that he was very protective over Bella and wanted her to be save, it was very cute and not too corny to my taste. Edward was probably my most enjoyed character in this book.


Now the plot! First of all I really want to point out the huge difference with the movie. I often thought I knew how this was going to go down, but I was absolutely surprised! This book is so different from the movie that it felt like a new story I've never heard or seen of before. Readers who haven't read the book but did see the movie will be surprised when it comes to this! It gave such a new spin to Twilight as well as a new taste and I liked that! Very refreshing if you ask me !

You might have already guessed my next point: the romance. Many times I have rolled my eyes at this romance. For me personally, it often got to corny and cliché which didn't make the plot always feel right to me. However, at times readers like me will find the love in it and enjoy it too. It sometimes just got too cheesy for me that it became a bit unbearable. Overall I could appreciate it enough.

What missed in my point was the action. I liked the plot, it wasn't boring, especially because it was refreshing in comparison to the movie and I love the discovering the truth about Edward! I would have just appreciated the plot more and enjoyed it more if there was action. The movie does a greater thing in this part. Tension and thrill are already known at the beginning of the movie. Here we wait until the very last bit of the plot before we finally get new characters involved that don't want romance but action, thrill, tension, suspicion and a game. That made me feel very thrilling and exciting. So if this would have been played out sooner and spread over the whole book, I would have felt this a lot and enjoyed the book even more!

Don't get me wrong, as I said before: the plot isn't boring! Especially because it's so much more different than the movie it felt new and good. The romance maybe was a bit too corny at times but overall I really enjoyed the book... I just didn't love it like most people expect! The characters also often brought me to laugh but also roll my eyes at the clichés but that aside the characters were great too. I enjoyed Twilight enough to check out the rest of the series though!

I conclude this review by saying that I didn't love the book but I enjoyed it enough to probably check out the rest of the series. I'm really curious if their mental age will evolve and make the books less corny and cliché. Don't get me wrong, I laughed often enough with the characters and felt with them during the read, but they became too many times angry for stupid things that caused me to roll my eyes a lot during Twilight. Although I didn't think the plot was boring, I did wish to see the threat of the bad guys spread over the plot and not all rushed at the end of the book. That said, I really missed the thrill and action through the rest of Twilight and often it was too romantic to my taste that it became painful for my eyes each time I rolled them. I did really love the fact that the book shows a huge difference to the movie. This is also another asset to the book that will make me check out the rest of the series. I might have not loved it but I sure did find it really interesting and enjoyable to read!

“I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars.” 

Confess

This is the second book I read by this author and it's the best book I've read by this author. Honestly, I can't remember the last time a book moved me this much by only feels! And I also feel like I should give a standing ovation to the author because this book is a masterpiece: Confess by Colleen Hoover. I rated this book 5 stunning stars! If I could give more stars to books on Goodreads, I'd give this one the whole damn galaxy!

Note: Be prepared to love this book. 

Caused by certain circumstances, Auburn is forced to move to Dallas. Fighting to keep her head above water, she's in desperate need of finding a second job. Luckily for her, Fate is on her side that day and she finds a second job with an artist in the art gallery: Confess. His work is inspired by confessions people submit at his place. Before she knows it Auburn finds herself really interested in all that has to do with Owen, the artist. What they both don't realize is that they each have their own confessions to admit before this might become something serious. And even then the question is if Fate will support their decisions...

First thing: the characters. I can't describe how it went down but I confess: I fell in love with them on the first page they entered the book. They each have a part where you can just absolutely relate to them. One of them is really confident but inside doesn't always feel too confident and the other just isn't confident at all. But that's not all there is to relate to them!

Auburn was a very shy girl at the start but once they got to know each other a bit better, she ended up going all crazy and laughing at stupid jokes. This is something I'm sure many of us can relate to. Even though she isn't that confidence, she'll always try to show the best things she got and try hard for what she really wants in life. I really appreciated that in this character, especially when you hear what her confessions are. She's a very strong, independent girl and that really adorns her a lot because it shows her determination mixed with her uncertainty and shyness about herself. 

As for Owen, I loved him more and more while reading the book. My reasons for this are reasons I cannot confess at all because then it ruins everything. Let's just say it was as surprising as it was exactly what I would have expected from him. He radiates confidence that isn't arrogance and I really loved that because it's something different from the books I've read before this. Where the guy is so confident they become assholes but really are teddy bears? Yep. He's also a teddy bear but doesn't piss the girl off because he's blunt with his confidence. So a real keeper! Especially because he's so kind and sweet and tries to make Auburn and other character feel and be at ease even if that makes sure he'll be in trouble. Big time. 

Another character I love to discuss in this review is Emory. She's the roommate of Auburn and although we don't see her much in the book I fell in love with her! She actually made this book even funnier when she was around. She's so good at eavesdropping it's just hilarious to read and her social skills might not be in the top 3... or 100 for that matter, but this creates such a nice and funny vibe in the book I'm really grateful she was around. And believe me, I am really grateful! I did wish to see her a bit more, only because I just loved her so much!

What I loved about the characters, mainly Owen and Auburn, was that there were things we didn't know about them until way past in the book. The title is Confess and be ready to confess your own sins or whatever you really want to confess. For instance: I adore this book please give me more of them. I really felt like a priest sitting in one of those chambers where people come to to confess everything. It was hilarious at time but some confessions were also really serious and worrying which I appreciated. It shows that the author won't make this all a happy romance but also shows the real deal in life. Their confessions also gave us a whole new perspective on the characters and I loved it that the author made us wait and have patience before we really knew them inside and out! 

Also this book doesn't only use confessions that are made up for the characters, it uses confessions that are real. A note from the author: "The confessions you read within this novel are true confessions, submitted anonymously by readers. This book is dedicated to all of you who found the courage to share them." this might be one of the many things a reader can adore about a book. I won't lie, some of the confessions were really heavy and emotional but that doesn't take away the originality of it in the book AND as the author says the courage they needed to confess these. It really shows how strong they are and that is reflected into the characters too. There's a nice link between it and readers can be really keen on this. 

This also made sure we are into the plot and while we're there, I'd like to just take a moment and talk about the fact that this book is full of art. And I mean really... art. We're in Dallas, where there's an art gallery searching for an employee. And then there's Auburn filling in that job and then there's us being able to devour that art inside that book. Really. The author made sure that in her book the art is displayed for our eyes to see and it's absolutely wonderful. A great asset to this book because it was visualized!

Confess also makes a very nice plot arrangement. In the beginning it's all sweet and innocent, the both meet and they get to know each other. It's as if there's nothing wrong and they're just two people meeting in Dallas and really getting along. But the sooner we get to Owen's part in the book the faster we realize there's so much more to the story. 

Owen talks weird as if he already knows her and that just makes it creepier. Yet things still stay really innocent and sweet, both are shy around each other but really get along. This is also the part where the author made sure the feelings are getting over the top with yourself. Your heart might as well be beating out of your chest already because this story pulls you into a sweet romance... or not?

Soon both characters will have to confess and this causes the plot to just change immediately. Things turn darker and heavy and we don't know what it's caused by. That might be the thing that interests the readers most in this story: the fact that we don't know anything. We only touch surfaces hoping they'll pull us into the deep but we'll have to be patient. 

This plot isn't about the innocent romance anymore, it's time for some action and action it is. Confess is filled with confessions that'll make your heart beat fast but also with lies being fed to one another and betrayal and deep secrets we wish we knew from the start. The thing we'll ask most to ourselves is how this will play out and who will still be standing after all is over and done. I can tell you there'll be a mix of characters that each come with hard things to bump into another character to make changes to yet another character. Still following? 

Let's keep it short and summarized: The plot is amazing, from an innocent, sweet and new romance we'll be catapulted into a story that's about confessing to one another and trust the right persons. It'll give feelings that makes sure you stop reading for a few seconds so you can breath and gather yourself back together. There's action, lies, betrayal and also Fate will be involved in it all. Who will score a heart? Who will break a heart? Who will be there in the end? You'll question the plot and the characters once you get to now more and more about them and it's beautiful. Things don't stay innocent and sweet but the bond between Owen and Auburn will be tested by others and by their own confessions they need to make.

Did I just mention Fate? Mark my words, fellow booklovers, fate has a hand in here and you'll be shocked and moved by it once you learn the truth. But you'll have to be patient with this too because the hand of fate will be revealed at the end of the book. So hang in there, once you get there... it's going to be stunning. (and emotional, this book brought me to tears)

This book honestly is a master piece, not only because it contains beautiful art but also because of it's amazing characters that find their way to your heart from page one. With fate in the background these characters will become their strongest self and surprise you with their actions you first didn't know the reason behind. The plot isn't what you'd first expect either, which makes it a great asset to the book. If you think this is going to be a sweet romance, forget about it! It contains much more: action, lies, betrayal, secrets and sweet confessions you'll devour like your favorite candy. This is a recommendation I recommend to everyone really, it pulls at your heart in more than one way. This will not leave you untouched!

"I'll love you forever. Even when I can't."

Birthday Haul

So last Sunday it was my 19th birthday and what presents to give a book junkie? Books of course! First of all I want to thank everyone for the gifts and for the books because: I love book so now I love all you guys because you gave me more books! I hope that explained it all :) Let's jump into the birthday haul!

Reboot by Amy Tintera
A book that was in the 3 books I want to read in 2017 post and lucky me, because now I have it right here! That also means I will absolutely read this book in 2017 and accomplish that goal. It's a book that I've had in my hands a few times in Dutch but I'm an English reader so now I can read it! This is what the back of the book says:

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

I mean I can't say no to a book like this, can I?!

Ascend by Amanda Hocking
I read the first two book in a course of almost two years and I think it's about time to finish this series. It's also the first series I've read by this author and I really love her writing style. Above that what this book is about really surprised me as I had expected something entirely else! I'm not going to post the back of this book as it's the 3rd one and I don't want to spoil... But here's what the first book, Switched, is about:

Wendy Everly was only six-years-old when her mother tried to kill her. She was so convinced that Wendy wasn't hers, that she was a monster and that she'll only mean trouble. Ever since that day her older brother Matt and her aunt Maggie have been taking care of her. Making sure their mother can't lay one finger on Wendy ever again. 

It isn't until years later that Wendy finds out that her mother might've been right all along. Together with Finn Holmes, Wendy tries to find out exactly who she is in a world she never knew existed. But she's not sure she wants to be a part of it...

Once again we'll end a series and it's sad but I'm actually really curious how the last book is going to turn out. I also wrote a review on the first two books so go check does out if you're interested!

REVIEW ON SWITCHED: HERE

REVIEW ON TORN: HERE

Found and First & Forever by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Finally I'm going to finish this series as well! I remember reading the first two books of the Crescent Chronicles during the exams when I was in high school. I read these book I think 2 years ago so who think it's time to go on and read the rest? YES, that would be me! Also here I'll give the back of the first book, Flight, so I can't spoil!

Sometimes you just have to take flight.

A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.

Also those covers are really pretty, it's what partially sold me to read the first book! A review on the first book can be find here:

REVIEW ON FLIGHT: HERE
Apparently I didn't write a review on the second book so that gives me a good opportunity to read the series again to refresh the memory! 

Raveling you by Jessica Sorensen
One of my favorite authors and it's also about time that I read a book by her again. Last year for my English exam we could pick a book and I picked the first book in this series. Almost a year later, it's about time to continue the series by reading Raveling you.

I can't believe that I went so long without reading Jessica Sorensen as she actually was one of the authors that kept me reading. This series also has a lot of thrill and mystery in it which actually quiet surprised me because I felt like this was rather new in comparison to her other series I read! Here the synopsis of the first book, Unraveling You, so I don't spoil anything:

Lyric has everything in life to be happy. She has music to keep her buys, she loves singing, she has friends and she has both her parents. For her new neighbor, Ayden, this is different. He's been going from home to home without any support. He's been through so much, if only he could remember what exactly. His past has been so rough and dark that he doesn't remember anything, his memories are blocked. 
Slowly Ayden starts to feel comfortable around his new family and around the all optimistic Lyric. Together they can go anywhere they want and do anything. And soon the lines between friendship and romance are blurring. That is until Ayden's past decides to pay a visit...

REVIEW ON UNRAVELING YOU: HERE

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
This is a book that's been on my list for a long while now and I'm really excited to finally have it. I can't wait to read this one as I feel this is something very close to a genre I actually really enjoy. Also that cover it looks so bright and simple but I feel like a deeper story is behind it. Did anyone read it? And if so, what did you think about it? 

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

I just read it's going to become a movie! That means I should read it like right now and then wait anticipated on the movie... This is huge news, I really didn't know! 

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
And once again there's one of my most beloved authors. I feel like Jessica Sorensen and Jennifer L. Armentrout are the authors I have most books of and I'm pretty proud on that. Also, the 3rd book in the Titan Series is almost released! I already pre-ordered it so while awaiting that one, I'll be reading this one. It's actually my first stand-alone by Jennifer L. Armentrout and probably also the most realistic one I've read by her. All the series I have by her are pretty paranormal... I'm curious to where this one will lead! What the back says:

For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

It also has great scores on Goodread (4.01 stars) but I didn't expect anything less by this author to be honest! 

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski 
And yet another book on my 3 books I want to read in 2017 list, which actually makes this one the last book in the 3 I wanted to read this year. Also that cover... I can't! It's actually pretty stunning and fabulous and dramatic and it's just all I want right now and I just need a gap year to read all the books I want to read... yep, that's basically what I should do. 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Let's repeat some of my words I wrote in the post about the 3 books I wanted to read in 2017: I just want to underscore that this book sounds amazing and thrilling and suspenseful. I mean "a story of deadly games"? YES! Kestrel hiding her growing love? HELL YES! And him having secrets? I can only imagine how this will go...

Those were all the books I got for my birthday and I wish I could read all of them right away! But I have school and it's asking a lot of attention. Hmm, I guess I should do a gap week instead ha! Thanks again for all the books, I'm really looking forward to reading them all very soon!

Burn

It is time to say goodbye to yet another fantastic series. I have to say, I was actually scared of starting the last in this series because I didn't want it to end and break my heart... It didn't break my heart, well it did by ending, but I'm really happy and satisfied with the end we get presented. It's also a series in my favorite themes of all: angels. Without further ado: Burn by Paula Weston. 

Note: This is the last book in a series, if you haven't read the first one, second or third one, I highly recommend NOT to read on. A lot of things will have taken place and changes will be noticed during the review because the story has already advanced. If you are curious, I wrote a review on all the previous books!

Review on Shadows HERE 
Review on Haze HERE
Review on Shimmer HERE

They remember. Both Gaby and Jude now remember everything that has happened before they lost their memories. All the feelings, from love to pain, all come back to smack them across the face. And all that while a threat is hanging right above their heads. Readying for battle, Gaby and Jude have difficulties with adjusting themselves now they remember their pasts. All the bad that has been done to Gaby makes her doubt about the new relationships she has made. But doesn't the past year change things?

Over the course of three books, I've noticed all these changes with the characters. Even with the new ones who only turned up later on in the series! And this time the changes are the biggest ever, especially because the memories have been resurfaced. During the flashbacks in the book, we could even see how big of a change there was between then and now and I absolutely adored to see that.

Especially with Gaby because she's our main character and the girl we follow in this story. Now the memories are back, we see that Gaby is going to have a hard time adjusting, just like Jude. This is something that really made me happy because it'd be ignorant if they just stayed the way they were and acted as if nothing has changed. Gaby's behavior shows such a contrast! I was actually quiet shocked to see that some things were as they had said in the past books. However, this contrast really makes sure that this character will know a huge development through Burn.

The contrast just made sure that Gaby started to feel bad in her skin, because who is she now? Past Gaby or present Gaby? And which one does she prefer. Above readying herself for battle, she'll have a hard time finding back her rhythm and finding out who she really is. This uncertainty in her was something I really absolutely enjoyed seeing because it made her more vulnerable but also a lot stronger in the end. 

Then we have Jude, I don't have a lot to say about him because what I just said about Gaby, also applies to him! I did feel like Jude had a much easier time to adjust only to be knocked down later in the book. He'll also have a moment of vulnerability when the verdict is there, but as always he is very well supported by everyone. Although his adjustment was a bit easier, he has a lot to explain and has a new burden upon his shoulders. I really enjoyed to see how he was going to tackle that as I feel he has had a much easier time remembering and also a much easier time fitting back into the Rephaim life when he found Gaby back.

Then there's Rafa, I feel like we haven't seen that much of him like the books before but still enough to enjoy the life my book boyfriend is living. He has warned Gaby over the course of 3 books that if she remembered, she wouldn't be happy. Now she remembers! That really gives this character a whole new personality trait: insecurity. Also he is wondering which Gaby will be staying and how her reaction will be afterwards. He has a very hard time with believing in forgiveness if she would ever be able to provide that. And also his best friend, Jude, has lied to him before last year which makes him really feel defeated. I really loved to see this change in him, this feeling of not being good enough to have known and not being good enough for Gaby. Of course we'll mostly see his strong attitude and big words, but at some moments these bad feelings of him would shine through and crack his shield which I enjoyed seeing. 

Each of the characters has really shown their weaknesses during this read and their vulnerability. It'll be very well known by the readers as we'll see what has been going down in the past. Now we can compare everything and see how much they have changed. Also their mistakes will be known now, after 3 books and that will add to the feelings they all show. Above that, seeing their insecurities now everything is back really makes them very relatable as we all have known a moment or period where we questioned ourselves and others. 

Before I stop talking about the characters I'd like to just point one thing out about Ez and Zak! I actually really loved these characters in this series: they're very strong, very caring and sweet but their relationship really caught my eye. I felt like in Burn, we even saw it more clearly and they just make me think about Rosalie and Emmett with the intimacy of Jasper and Alice. Am I going crazy?

Since every memory is back, the author will provide the readers with flashback of two important periods that define the characters right now. I was a bit scared in the beginning that the flashbacks would take over the whole plot as they were a big chunks, but I am really relieved to say that that wasn't the case at all. Of course the flashbacks take some space, but the plot of the now will not be shorter or therefore very fast paced to fit into the book. 

The flashbacks provide a lot of answers for the readers and I think that's a great thing in the book because the flashbacks don't give the answer to the greater thing that's happening. A lot will become clear like the relationship between characters, it'll be explained which also makes the readers pick a side: the new one or the old one, based on the new knowledge we know now. Readers will be really satisfied with knowing what actually happened to many years ago and why that made the other Rephaim act the way they did.  However as I already mentioned, we know a lot of new things now but there's still that mystery lurking towards everything we don't know yet like what part of Nathanial is real? What is going on?

When the characters aren't trying to decided who they are and what they want, they're busy with the threat that's coming up next. Nathaniel has been talking a lot about prophecies and the purpose of the Rephaim but is this actually what they'll find out during this fight? They don't know if this was the fight that everyone has been talking about that would happen and that creates a form of uncertainty with the Rephaim. They don't know what's coming their way and if they'll be able to stop it. The tension only becomes thicker because Jude and Gaby need to tell they remember and also tell what happened a year ago, when both disappeared. The camp is already divided between Sanctuary and Outcasts and with the knowledge of Gaby remembering, it brings all Outcasts on a fit because which Gaby is she? 

Eventually the battle does come, whether or not both parties know who to trust and if they want to trust at all and the fight is like we could expect very phenomenal. A lot bigger than all the fights we've seen before and it really brings so much action and thrill for the reader. Especially because the scene is really well described and the vibes that come of the weather and the characters really adds to that. And although I want to go on, I can't because what happens during and after the battle was something huge and just unbelievable. I think this is the part where I have been the most confused and shocked and surprised in this whole series. It's not that I mean the confusion because the author wrote it bad, I mean confusion as in waw this is not what I had expected and this is all new and I need a translator to tell me what on heaven and earth is going on! And that doesn't only mean for the reader, each and every character from Gaby to Daniel to even Nathaniel and so on, will have these mutual feelings. It's just a huge surprise!

The author really goes out with a boom, she gives enough information and enough details to really understand now and to be able to close the series with a beautiful and satisfying ending. What I admired most in the ending really was that even though you know now and even though this really feels like the end, you can still dream a bit further and wonder what will be up next and I really appreciate to have that. I'm not someone who likes open endings, and it's nothing like that but it still gives room for thought and that is something I really like.

Waw, I can't believe that this series has come to an end! Burn is the last part in the series and even though it hurts me that it is, it gives you such a satisfying and beautiful end that the pain lessens! This is the book where we finally get all the answers we've been waiting on for 3 books and I am so surprised and shocked because everything turned out much more different than I and probably many other readers had anticipated. I do have to be honest, I thought that the book was going to be all flashbacks and less plot of the now but I had to re-think about that. The plot isn't only flashbacks which I really appreciate, it's a nice balance between the now and then and really gives more food for thought. The readers themselves will be able to find out the truth and make conspiracy theories alongside the characters while absorbing the feels. The characters are once again amazing and have known such a big development through the series, I can't be anything but absolutely happy and satisfied! This series is really a huge recommendation! 

“Pride. Blame. Longing. Truth."