After: Anna Todd

Tessa is a good girl with a sweet, reliable boyfriend back home. She’s got direction, ambition, and a mother who’s intent on keeping her that way.

But she’s barely moved into her freshman dorm when she runs into Hardin. With his tousled brown hair, cocky British accent, tattoos, and lip ring, Hardin is cute and different from what she’s used to.

But he’s also rude—to the point of cruelty, even. For all his attitude, Tessa should hate Hardin. And she does—until she finds herself alone with him in his room. Something about his dark mood grabs her, and when they kiss it ignites within her a passion she’s never known before.

He’ll call her beautiful, then insist he isn't the one for her and disappear again and again. Despite the reckless way he treats her, Tessa is compelled to dig deeper and find the real Hardin beneath all his lies. He pushes her away again and again, yet every time she pushes back, he only pulls her in deeper.

Tessa already has the perfect boyfriend. So why is she trying so hard to overcome her own hurt pride and Hardin’s prejudice about nice girls like her?

Unless…could this be love?

There was the time before Tessa met Hardin, and then there’s everything AFTER ... Life will never be the same.
(Goodreads)

I totally read this because of the movie. I probably would never have read this if the movie wasn't as cute and romantic as it was.
But the book? The book is nothing like the movie shocker.  You know how the book is usually better than the movie? That was not the case. The book was absolutely utterly shitty.
That is the only word for it, it was shitty. 
It was a horrible book that contained so much abuse that it hurt my heart to read. I actually gave up on it for a few weeks because it was just so terrible.
So! To give some background: Anna Todd is a fanfiction writer. This book series is was actually published on Wattpad first. And you can definitely tell. Her writing is immature and juvenile. Her story was like reading a young adult 50 shades of grey. THAT IS BASED ON HARRY STYLES. SHE TOOK HARRY STYLES AND TURNED HIM INTO HARDEN. I read that there was a lot of backlash because fans were mad that this lady turned Harry Styles into an abused asshole. All it focused on was the physical relationship between Harden and Tessa, with some plot.
Now the plot. What plot you say? I totally agree. Because in all honesty this book doesn't really have a plot. It just kinda goes in a never ending loop of abuse.
The abuse. I've read books with abuse, both physical and emotional, and they handled the abuse in a way to show that it's wrong. That this is not normal in a relationship, it is not healthy and it is not something you should look for. Whereas this book, this fucking book glorifies the abuse. It romanticizes the abuse Harden throws at Tessa, and expects her to stay with him. To thank him for giving her the time of day. And she eats it up, destroying her relationship with her boyfriend who she describes as a little brother:

"... but sometimes dating (Noah) him is like having an annoying little brother who tattles on me." pg 48 (After: Anna Todd)

 One: already a HELLA bad example. Two: why would she date someone she considers a brother. And Three: their relationship was doomed from the start so I won't fault her for ending it with Noah. But I will fault her for cheating on him because no one deserves that. Anyways She destroyed the relationship with her mother, but don't get me started on her 😠 And just dedicated her time to this abusive boy who only pursued her because of a bet. A BET ON HER VIRGINITY God he's a horrible human being
Now lets talk about abusive Harden. Harden is supposed to be this mega hot British HARRY STYLES WANNABE with a tragic backstory absolutely original who sleeps around with as many girls he possibly can, because he can he probably has a bunch of STD's. He see's Tessa and I quote "is going to ruin her." Like???? That does NOT sound romantic at all. He then proceeds to belittle her, bad mouth her, and say the most hurtful things that the author deems "romantic."
As the story progress the abuse gets worse, then better. Better only because Tessa does everything Harden tells her. She'll "fight" and threaten him, but it always back fires, therefore Hardin gets everything he wants.

The way Anna Todd romanticizes the abuse Tessa as this relationship goal, this fantasy catered to young adults is concerning and dangerous. It shows them that if a boy or girl treats them like this its okay, it'll be alright as long as their partner loves them and apologizes. Then everything will be okay, but it's not. As the book showcased everything fell apart, but it only lasted about five minutes because Hardin continues to manipulate Tessa into coming back. By being 'different' more loving and kind. Something that should not be used as a bargaining chip, which is what it is to Harden. He uses it to lure her back and when she does he then continues the abuse. It's absolutely tragic and heartbreaking

I would never recommend this book to anyone. It's a horrible book that glorifies abuse in the clique idea that it is considered romance. That having someone declare their love to you one minute then shout at you for leaving a room, is not love. Having someone say that they can't sleep without you, and then belittle you, is not love. This book is not romantic, its not cute. It's harmful and cruel and I'm honestly sorry I wasted my time reading such an awful book.
Until next time readers, hopefully with a better book

Love Kat 

Shadow and Bone: Leigh Bardugo

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.
(Goodreads)

So let me begin by saying that I technically started this review THREE years ago.... And I never finished it because I couldn't remember the book as clearly as I wanted to.
So here I am in 2019, rereading all of Bardugo's books because of King of Scars.

Sooo lets get started.
When I first read this way back when, I honestly did not like Mal. Like AT ALL. I found him annoying and bland and just, I was so frustrated with Alina for liking him. When the Darkling was literally RIGHT THERE. Since rereading the book, Mal isn't that bad, he's not perfect. And I like that.
Considering this is Bardugo's first book, it is incredibly well written the way she created this world. The way she describes it, how immersive it is, without being over bearing.
Honestly the book starts off slow, the book has a lot of information to get there so at times it feels a bit dense, but the plot flows so well.
We see Alina grow and honestly face a lot of things in a short amount of time. Everything regarding the Darkling is just so perfectly execute. It doesn't seem fake, it's realistically done.
And Bardugo just has a way of writing that truly captures the audience with her dark and amazing characters.
Honestly this "review" is a mess... But I'm trying
Anyways!
Until next time readers <3

Love Kat 

Between the Lines: Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.
And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.
A romantic and charming story, this companion novel to Off the Page will make every reader believe in the fantastical power of fairy tales.
(Goodreads)

 I loved this book even though it took me forever to read becasue I kept getting distracted. I found this such a unique story! The concept of the book being a sort of play and the characters are the actors? Absolutely wonderful, made me think that maybe the book characters in certain books aren't suffering nearly as much I'm looking at you A Court of Mist and Fury.. And Empire of Storms, literally killed me. I've only read one book that was similar to this and that was the Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen, and the characters just leave the book.. 
Anyways I found this book so flipping cute!! Maybe William Herondale will come for me! Please? Book boyfriend come to life? Oliver was just so fun with his will to live a life outside of their "script." His love for Delilah was just so cute and adorable.
Seriously my favorite part of Between the Lines was Oliver's desire to leave the book be with Delilah. And every time it didn't work out it just made me cheer them on more!
I really did like the story line, it was just so sweet how many times have I said that now? and adorable. 
I think the only problem I had with this book was the ending because Oliver obviously made it out I mean come on, it has to have a happily ever after they kiss and that's the end... But! I found out today that there is actually a companion novel! So yay! :D 
Until next time
Kat
 

Six of Crows: Leigh Bardugo

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes 

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first. 
(Goodreads)

So I am going to admit that I totally bought this book because of the cover and the book itself. I mean the book is literally black! Like how cool is that?! So I bought it and didn't read it until the second one came out... 
Anyways it was actually a pretty good book, it had a pretty interesting plot, and a diverse set of characters. My biggest problem with the book was how slow it was in the beginning. 
It's a whole new world with different politics, different social systems. And it was hard to understand, it was kind of complex at times and I felt it drag. But everything changed when they went to go free Mattias which was the start of the action.
The diversity and complexity of the characters is what kept me most interested. All the characters were flawed in one way or another, and instead of just brushing off the flaws, they were all incorporated into the story in a way that didn't seem forced but natural. I love how, even though they all have problems, but they don't let that inhibit them.
Everything gets better, story line wise, with the escape of Mattias. On their way steal a Ravkan prisoner. 
Overall I actually really liked the book even though it was pretty slow in the beginning. The story was rich of impossibilities that ended up turned out alright. 
Until next time 
Kat
 

Never Never: Brianna R. Shrum

James Hook is a child who only wants to grow up. When he meets Peter Pan, a boy who loves to pretend and is intent on never becoming a man, James decides he could try being a child - at least briefly. James joins Peter Pan on a holiday to Neverland, a place of adventure created by children's dreams, but Neverland is not for the faint of heart. Soon James finds himself longing for home, determined that he is destined to be a man. But Peter refuses to take him back, leaving James trapped in a world just beyond the one he loves. A world where children are to never grow up. But grow up he does. And thus begins the epic adventure of a Lost Boy and a Pirate. This story isn't about Peter Pan; it's about the boy whose life he stole. It's about a man in a world that hates men. It's about the feared Captain James Hook and his passionate quest to kill the Pan, an impossible feat in a magical land where everyone loves Peter Pan. Except one.
(Goodreads)

 I thought it would be better... It was good and very interesting especially the first two parts. But let me begin at the start.
The book starts with a young 12 year old James Hook who cannot wait to grow up and become and Elton boy, something I don't understand... Dude growing up sucks. Anyways things at home are good and happy but he becomes rebellious becasue his dad can't go to the gardens with him. I admit to doing this when things didn't go my way... Not a good idea. And that night he decided to go to the gardens by himself and meets a boy that's a little older than him. That was obviously Peter and he introduces him to the Faeries and its all very middle grade and whimsical. Until they got to Neverland and Peter changed and he wasn't all fun and games and he had all these pointless rules. I think the part that is most sad is when James realizes that he can't go home and he fights with Peter and demands to go home, but Peter being a brat said no he's a lost boy now and if he mentions his parents again he's going to get hurt. Hook runs away and cries in the forest with a six year old Tiger Lily. Pretty sad
Then part two starts with Hook getting older. And it was around here that the book started getting weird. Hook is taller than Peter so he tries to kill him, quite gruesome. And Hook returns to the pirate ship he was destined for. Literally since he's the one who dreamed it up at 12 
Everything is fun and games until Hook falls in love with Tiger Lily who just so happens to be growing up like James...I wonder why;)
Anyways this is when James Hook starts hating the Pan with every fiber in his being... It's a little much, but the plot itself is still very child like. It's as though they are just playing a game. 
Things take a turn for the worse when Captain Hook looses his hand and officially becomes "Captain Hook most feared pirate in Neverland" 
Kids are killing adults with no remorse, Tiger Lily and Hook have sex... I had a lot of mixed feelings here. It's a book that started out middle grade then young adult, and then sex... I dunno it just felt off. Especially when Hook started sleeping around, and having sex in caves with Tiger Lily...
The plot was weird, Hook's hatred for the Pan was... Pretty intense and I can understand parts of his hatred: ruining his childhood, kidnapping him from his loving parents, refusing to take him back home, trying to kill him multiple times with absolutely no remorse, ruining his love life with Tiger Lily see I'm confused with this but whatever... The list goes on. 
The book lacked a good plot with a good ending. I had hoped the entire time that this was all going to be a dream, or he would find a way to make it back home whether as a child or as an adult. Something for this poor pathetic man. But no, thing like that. We get a brief encounter with the Darling children.. And it's just like the 2003 Peter Pan... The whole ending was just lack luster and very dull. I had deluded myself into thinking that Hook could have a happy ending with Wendy.. But alas no such luck
It was interesting to say the least. And I truly have no way to really explain how I felt about this book
Until next time 
Kat

P.S. I still love you: Jenny Han

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
(Goodreads)

I don't know why I thought I  would like to read this, but I did. I didn't finish though becasue it was basically the same thing. It starts with Lara Jean happily in love with Peter and changing her wardrobe to winter clothes. Pretty bland. I actually really didn't like it, so I truth be told don't remember much of what I read anyways...
So maybe I'll try to read it again another time.
Later 
Kat

Nameless (Tales of Beauty and Madness #1) By: Lili St. Crow

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.
Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

(Goodreads) 

This is the tale of Snow White, in a modern but twisted way, mixed with a healthy dose of paranormal. I thought I would have liked it more, because this is my cup of tea, I love books like this but this one was just a bore. I truly expected more. Now the story was interesting, I thought it was interesting how Ms. Crow twisted the story to fit that of Snow Whites. The seven dwarves were the seven clans of weird Vampires… yes vampires. But they’re not normal vampires, they are the mafia vampires that no one wants to mess with. Cami is 16 and weird things are starting to happen, she hears voices coming from the mirror, apples are a BIG no-no, and the snow is melancholy. The romance was sad, because of the sole reason that it was almost none existent. I thought it would have been more romantic, I mean come on! This is the story of Snow White; it should have had at least a little more romance. The main love interest was her adoptive brother, Nico, who was an annoying possessive boy that was just so annoying and macho… lord he was annoying. Now Cami wasn’t that bad, she wanted to learn how to protect herself, what her past was. What her scars mean. But no one in her family would let her do so. And it annoyed me, because they could have avoided many of the conflicts by telling her what she needed to know.

Anyways, later in the story a new boy arrives, Tor, and Cami sort of starts liking him leaving Nico in a fury (again annoying). Now Tor is different, he knows things and is willing to tell Cami these things IF (there is always an if) she hangs out with him (not that bad). But turns out he’s her brother and this psychotic Queen is after Cami to eat her heart and be pretty once again. Tor is helping the psychotic Queen, but feels bad because Cami is a good girl and he doesn’t want her to die, so he helps her. Then the end comes and all is well.

BORING. It has a lot of explaining and leads you up to something amazing, to at least a better ending but none of that happens, Cami goes home and cuddles with Nico (who at one point in the book tried to eat Cami {well drink her blood}). I truly expected more from this. Still really enjoyed the way Ms. Crow twisted the story around, but I wish it had been better. Because I think it had much more potential to be such a great book.  

Matched (Matched #1) By: Ally Condie

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
(Goodreads) 
Well I really liked it. It took me forever to get through the book though, but it was very interesting. I was very quick to judge the book, because at first I thought it was very similar to Delirium. Girl is at the test to decide her future, what her career will be, her husband, everything. Then her test was interupted but a handsome boy. She is then intrigued by this boy and soon falls in love with him when she meets him. Now Matched started with the perparing of the Banquet. She gets there is matched with her best friend, all is well. The next day Cassia puts her mirocard with all of Xanders information to see what the Society thought was important for her to know. What she sees instead is a boy that is NOT her matched. And Cassia knows him, he is Ky Markham. She is then intrigued by him to soon fall in love. So because of this big similarity (in my eyes) I had delayed reading Matched. And when I finally did I found that it is VERY different to Delirium. The similarity ends at the falling in love part. Everything else is completely different. The book was odd. There are no other words for me to describe it. Matched was very odd, how the world worked all the new advancements. But I loved it. And since this is a dystopian book I could see parts of this book happening. Things that could become a reality. I absolutely loved the way Ally Condie described the world, how everything had to be 'fair.' The Society controlled everything, from the things they ate, how much they could exercise, who they married, what they could do in their free time. It was interesting, every well thought out. Now I do admit to being bored at times because it was very VERY slow, but it was still very good. I just wish that at times it were faster. Because it dragged a bit. But there was a lot to explain. The characters were amazing. In this world of perfection, there were some cracks, some imperfections. My favorite of all was Cassia. I think Cassia was a great hero. She seemed so perfect at first but slowly as she fell in love with Ky, she became greedy, something that is not allowed, she wanted to choose what she wanted to be, who she could love. The one thing that did bug me at first about Cassia was how fast Cassia fell in love with Ky. It seemed to me that right when she saw his face on her microcard, instead of Xander, it was love. But it was not so, and as she explained, she did not love him until the moment she saw him on the hill they hiked. At the moment when Ky was free from the burdens of the society, and could be himself. That was the moment Cassia fell in love. So after that explanation I was more ok with it. Xander wasn't very important it seemed to me. At times he was just there. But he is Cassia's official match, and that was all. Near the end Xander became more important
Now since I thought it was like Delirium I had not wanted to read it, thinking it would be a repeat. But I was utterly wrong. It was better than I had ever expected, completely different from Delirium. The similarities ended with them falling in love with someone they should not and I loved it. The book was amazing, but it was slow. Very slow, and at times it dragged. But it was still very good. It was also interesting how the world is. How technology runs everything, how they have destroyed very thing and have only left the 100 songs, lessons, paintings, etc. Also since the society was so “perfect” it is imperfect, trying to hide things that they didn’t want the people to know. I loved it. Other than that, I absolutely loved the book. It was an odd, yet compelling book. :3

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle book One) By: Maggie Stiefvater

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.
(Goodreads) 

Well I really loved this book!! But it took me forever to finish it. Which never happens... I usually, when I really like the book, finish it in one or two days. This one took me almost an entire week.  But it was really good, it was super interesting, it was new and it was odd. It had many different point of views, Blue, Gansey, Adam, Whelk, and Neeve. And it would randomly change, so at times it was very confusing. What bugged me was Blues mom and semi-aunts. They knew what was going on, but wouldn't tell anyone what it was, making it harder and they could have avoided some things from happening. But it was so awesome. And unique, all the characters had flaws, in one way or another and that made them human. Whereas, most books have near perfect characters, that then at one point will become perfect. Boring. But this, this was amazing, I really came to love the characters, and they all had there own demons to fight against, some worse then others, but it was amazing. Now the ending made me scream, it was such a cliffy, I love and hate cliffys, they make the wait for the next book agonizing, but also it makes the wait worth it (sometimes). And the mystery of the book kept me on edge the entire time. I absolutely did not expect some (most) of the things that happened!! Like Noah being dead, I should have realized some of the hints of him being dead, but I didn't and it was such a big shock. It was slow at times, but the story had a lot of things to explain which made it understandable. 
Absolutely loved this book!! :D

Croak By: Gina Damico

Fed up with her wild behavior, sixteen-year-old Lex's parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape.

But Uncle Mort's true occupation is much dirtier than shoveling manure. He's a Grim Reaper. And he's going to teach Lex the family business.

She quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. But Lex can't stop her desire for justice - or is it vengeance? - whenever she encounters a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again.

Will she ditch Croak and go rogue with her reaper skills?
 (Goodreads)
It truly was good. But... It lacked details in the characters. I didn't know what any of them looked like, except Lex and uncle Mort. And it sucked !!! For everyone else I just sort of imagined blurs of people. The story line was good and I loved the mystery was amazing. I truthfully never guessed who was the bad guy... It just REALLY lacked detail, and it left you in the dark at many moments. Also it was annoying how they never told Lex anything, they just evaded the question. If they has told her everything she needed to know. NONE of this would have happened -__-" It NEEDED DETAIL!!! It lacked detail in everything but the story, the story was absolutely perfect and hilarious, my favorite part in the book: 

"...What happened next was an odd conglormeration of each of them moving in to give each other a hug, each thinking  that the other was moving in to do something more, a subsequent dual retreat in the form of an awkward, octious-like limb flailing, and a grand finale of something that could only be described as a clumsy, platonic chest bump.                            It wasn't pretty." 

This part was absolutely perfect, that I laughed for 5 minutes straight, then read it to my mom to laugh with me. :) Another thing I didn't really liked how it switched point of views so randomly, then went to the random narrator thing...  It was confusing when it would randomly change. Also I ABSOLUTELY LOVED that Lex was sort of evil. I love evil, semi-evil, or dark lead characters. The ending was a shock (as I already said) but it was an awesome shock, I never expected her to be the bad guy, though I should have.