Review: Extraordinary Means

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Prior to reading the book, my mind was set that tuberculosis (TB) had a cure. Just a continuous medication for 6 months, consistency then boom. Actually, I just asked my parents if that’s true then they said yes. Soooo, when I first picked up the book, I was kind of having second thoughts PLUS Robyn Schneider kind of disappointed me with The Beginning of Everything because it did not suit my taste. Thankfully, I did not have such bad experience with Extraordinary Means.

The book was divided into two different perspectives: Lane and Sadie. They both met at a summer camp when they were kids and met again at Latham House, which is basically a boarding school for teens with tuberculosis. Lane was this very school-nerd guy and Sadie was part of this group at school which normally just breaks the rules. At first, I found it insane that teens were being sent to Latham House. Teens with tuberculosis were being crowded there and being taught, like a school, like they never left. But of course they did.

The book was a quick read. It was easy to get onto the story because the characters weren’t really very suicidal and they were just like any other teenagers of any other teen related novels. What made me sad about the book is that the people act like people with tuberculosis are monsters. It’s sad how people just view them like that, but maybe I am too. But they didn’t really choose their path and it wasn’t their fault.

The way the book was written made it easy to read the book and devour its words. I actually imagined myself as a part of the book. There were sad parts, yes (and it was so awkward because I was reading it at school and at a public transportation and that was when I read the sad parts and I had to hold some tears back). My favorite character may be Charlie, though he wasn’t really given much emphasis.

Overall, I liked the book and glad that it did not disappoint me – I had doubts whether to read it or not because I really did not like The Beginning of Everything but later on realized it was a different book and should give her a chance. Extraordinary Means made me relive my love for books with sad ending because they normally turn out better than those with happy endings. To me.

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Review: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

The people who call you names are just trying to make themselves feel better. They’ve fucked up before, too. You’re not the only one.

Well, that sucked? Prior to reading the book, I really had quite high hopes that it will turn out good along with the fact that it’s got a movie adaptation! However, it did not meet my expectations, which is sad. Plus, I came to a realization that WHAT A CRUEL TITLE IS THAT?

Being in high school doesn’t really suck even when you’re on the radar. Trust me. It’s just the way you manage yourself along with other people. Bianca Piper, the protagonist of the story, after meeting Wesley Rush (the love interest???) at a party at The Nest, was called the DUFF which stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend. First of all, how dare he call her that? Being fat and ugly already makes a person feel really bad but being designated, ugh. The fuck! And, Bianca was just equally annoying. She took the word too seriously. It’s pretty common that when you’re in high school, others call you names. It was pathetic she does not know how to care less.

I was also annoyed because most parts of the book, it seemed that Bianca was the one doing the moves. She was the first one to kiss Wesley, plus the one who started the S word. ALSO, what right does she have to have sex to escape? I know we have problems and have different ways of solving them but come on! That wasn’t nicely handled. There are so many options on how to deal with problems and SEX IS AN ADDITION TO HER PROBLEM. She had sex with Wesley again and again and had NEARLY lost her dear good friends. AND she got stuck in an even more terrible high school drama.

Now, Wesley labeled Bianca as the DUFF and called her Duffy when they talk to each other. Bianca just annoyed the hell out of me because GIRL WHY DID YOU ALLOW THAT SO-CALLED MANWHORE CALL YOU AS THE DUFF? Well, shit. I’m losing my temper here! At least Bianca had wits to know that love takes some time to be felt. And then the story turned like any other cliché stories. BOOM!

Overall, the book sucked to me. I don’t like it. At all. It buried something into my mind I wish I could dig out as soon as possible. I hated the book so much okay that’s it. Shouldn’t have read it though!!

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Review: Invisible for Young Women: How You Feel Is Not Who You Are

Invisible for Young Women: How You Feel Is Not Who You Are by Jennifer Rothschild
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Envy isn't really about her. It's actually about me. It reveals that I don't like myself very much.

Not really long ago, I was so bored I ended up making a video to entertain myself. In the video, I started with “Hello, I am Vanessa. Just so you know, I am a nobody.” Coincidentally, I read Invisible for Young Women because I needed to read a book before things start to get real serious (aka studying for finals). I chose the book because it was the shortest one on the list.

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Review: Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan’s Assassin. If these men knew who I was, they’d stop laughing. I am Celaena Sardothien. I am going to win. I will not be afraid.

Wow. That was just… wow. Throne of Glass was an easy and enjoyable read. It was also fast-paced and really set my hype while reading. I enjoyed the book a lot, even though it set some disgusting images in my mind. Some parts of the book remind me of Game of Thrones, The Hunger Games and Divergent but it was appealing in its very own way.

Celaena Sardothien was a really likeable character. I was only a few chapters in the book but I already liked her. I love her character – strong, sassy, and fierce. Her career choice, being an assassin, was cool. Young as she may be but she had done things people thought she was older. I was sort of amazed when she survived a year of slavery and everyone just testified it was kind of a miracle. She knows what she wants: freedom. But when it came to guys, it was kind of hard to understand her. Dorian, the Crown Prince and Chaol, the Captain of the Guard showed interest to her. It actually annoyed me the way Dorian treats Celaena. WHY ARE PRINCES ALWAYS LIKE THAT TO THE FEMALE LEADS? WHY? Sometimes I wish they were kind of arrogant. Haha.

Throne of Glass, being the first book of the series, crafted a world for the reader’s imagination. Their world was kind of weird and at the same time, somewhere I would want to be. It has a hint of magic, although the King of Adarlan has forbidden it. I like the part where Celaena and I try to unravel the mystery: who murders the other champions? It was really interesting and from one chapter to another, there are so much to look forward to.

Overall, I liked the book so much and… what? It took a decade? Awesome.

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Review: Cress

Cress by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Friends. She squinted at the chip as she held it up, wondering if that was the right word. It felt like having friends, especially after they’d survived the mission together. But then, she didn’t have anything to compare this mission to.

MINDBLOWN. Well, that was nicely handled. Cress, indeed, is a page-turner. It was hard to put down and I just wanted to go on reading for as long as I could. It was action-packed – my heart went thump, thump from the moment they tried to rescue Cress up until Cinder said her last line in the book. It was really enjoyable and made me look forward the next chapters. And even the next book!

Once again, I was introduced to a new character – Cress. She was locked up in a satellite for seven years and was an excellent hacker. Being locked in a prison she practically designed, she was not able to cut off her hair so it grew longer. (Yep, RAPUNZEL!)

I found it amazing how Marissa Meyer were able to connect every characters, based off on different characters from the fairytales we surely grew up with. Apparently, I was sad because I liked Scarlet but in this book, she was given only little focus. What made me happy was I proved to myself that Wolf loved Scarlet, although they met in a really short period of time. She was his alpha, the brightest star.

Kai and Cinder, likewise, never failed to amuse me and make me swoon. While the pair seemed unlikely – an emperor and a fugitive cyborg – I love these two together and if I could, I would help them overthrow Levana and even be the priest on their wedding.

Thorne and Cress were my favorite pair. When they were separated from the group after the failed attempt to rescue Cress, I love how these two survived together. Thorne, in my opinion, should actually be the one being credited. He was funny, although he was blind then. I love everything about him, though he did some things. But, when asked if Thorne or Kai, the answer I guess would be clear.

Overall, I loved Cress just as much as I loved Scarlet and Cinder. I love the action in its story and not only that, but I was able to feel the characters’ emotions as well. I could sympathize for the characters and I even teared up a little bit. Maybe enough to fill a teacup. BUT THAT ENDING THOUGH. IT SHOULDN’T HAVE ENDED LIKE THAT WHY, WHY, WHY? I wish I had the last book in my hands but noooooooooooooo. I am so curious to know how will it end, and what will happen to the characters!

I am so glad I came across this book. It’s worth my time and I am very much happy I spent the day reading it, though the ending. Looking forward to the last book!


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Review: Scarlet

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you.”

After reading Cinder, a thought instantly popped inside my head: I had to read Scarlet. So, I did. But I had a rough start and the book didn’t seem to appeal to me yet so I put it down for a little while (about 2 days) and when I picked it up again, it appealed to me very much and I absolutely loved it!

The story was focused on Scarlet who was in France and Cinder who… well, she was a fugitive. It was really interesting and I was so excited to find out why Cinder and Scarlet’s paths will cross. When I found out, I screamed like a crazy old dude.

In Scarlet, I was introduced to new characters: Scarlet, Wolf, and Thorne. Scarlet was this pretty girl who lived with her grandmother and when her grandmother went missing, searched for her. Of course you know. Wolf, on the other hand, is this streetfighter who happened to have an idea as to where Scarlet’s grandmother might be. Lastly, Thorne is this funny cadet who preferred to be called Captain. He too, was a fugitive along with Cinder.

Although the number of characters were increasing and the setting seemed to increase its scope, it did not confuse me but it made me enjoy the book even more. Emperor Kai wasn’t really, really focused in the book which is kind of sad because I like him! But on the parts where he was there, those were really essential and need not be looked over.

Overall, Scarlet is a fast-paced novel which includes action and a little bit of romance. I totally love it! Marissa Meyer pulled the novel really well and exceeded my expectations. Sadly, I haven’t read or watched Little Red Riding Hood so I could not quite point out parallels in the book. But, that does not make the story less interesting. I just do not know when the last time I loved a second book was but it just happened that I loved this one.

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Review: Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Cinder.” A condescending laugh. “How fitting. Ashes. Dirt. Filth.”

Wow. Just wow. Now that’s what I’m talking about!!! I spent the whole day on bed, alternately reading Cinder and sleeping. It was a really good book plus a quick read. I love it, truly! An amazing retelling of a classic tale set in the future. What can I say? It’s my favorites, combined!

I actually started reading the book over a month ago but I was just adjusting to changes. It was written third person’s POV and I mostly have read ones written in the first person. But, the second time I tried reading Cinder did not fail me! In fact, I finished it quickly.

I loved how the story went. I found it unique except for the plague, as I have read few books that talked about deadly virus spreading around. Apart from that, Marissa Meyer did an enchanting job in writing her novel. I loved how the book combined classic tale and modern technologies. While it seemed weird at first, it just got better the more I dived in. The book also made my imagination go as far as to the galaxy. I found their time amazing, traveling back and forth through the moon. Cool.

Prince Kai is also so adorable. In fact, I have a picture of him in my mind:



I’m pretty sure that that guy does not exactly look like Prince Kai but being their fan for quite some time made me use his image everytime Prince Kai comes into the scene.

The ball was the part I’ve waited. While reading, I was just like, I wonder who Cinder’s fairy godmother here will be. Although I didn’t get exactly what I wanted, the scenes played out really well and I can’t help but shout. I had to hit my head (lightly) against the wall as I try to swoon over the image of Cinder being in the Prince’s Personal Guest List and her dancing with the Prince. It felt really magical to me!

Queen Levana, oh that woman. I really wanted to stab her eyes! That brainwashing bitch! She thinks so highly of herself, eww. I hate her so much. Aaaaaannnndddddddddddd. I just couldn’t wait to read the other books to find out what’s going to happen to Cinder, after knowing the truth!

Overall, Cinder was an amazing book. No joke. I love everything and I was glad I read it from the first page rather than continuing where I left off the first time I tried reading it. I appreciated this more than the first attempt. It was a good book that just deserves to be read and applauded.

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