| BOOKSTAGRAM | MARCH 2018

Hello lovelies ! How are you ? Today I’m here to share the photos I took in March for my bookstagram account and that I like the most !

 

 

 

That’s it ! I hope you liked this post ! I didn’t post that many photos this month. Lately I have a hard time keeping up with my bookstagram account and my blog… I need to find a way to manage everything !!

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| BOOK REVIEW | CRESS BY MARISSA MEYER

Cress
Author : Marissa Meyer
Series : The Lunar Chronicles
Genres : Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publication : February 4th 2014 by Puffin Books

This is the third book in The Lunar Chronicles series. This review will spoil you if you haven’t read the previous books.

Synopsis : In this third book in Marissa Meyer’s bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

I really REALLY enjoyed that one ! It’s action packed, funny and mixed with emotional moments.

I promise, I will not let you die without being kissed.

Plot

This installment is focused on Cress. It’s the retelling of Rapunzel and I liked the little reminders of Rapunzel. The long hair, the forced loneliness, the haircut, a knight in a not so shiny armor etc…

In this third book, Cinder and her gang want to rescue Cress from her satellite. But nothing goes as planned !

I loved this book so much. Cress is an amazing character, candid and kind. I enjoyed learning much about her, and her past. She also has this massive crush on Thorne and I found it so cute !!

Another thing I loved is how the plot is getting more and more complex with each book. Dr Erland is back and I was really happy about it. His knowledge is very important for the plot. He helps us understanding the Lunars, and the mysterious letumosis.
On the downside, I guessed the big plot twist so easily !

In this book we briefly meet with Winter. She is pretty mad and yet so kind ! She helps Scarlet.
I really enjoyed seeing all these characters mingling together ! Most of them are so strong-minded and stubborn, it led to some funny moments ! The characters’ growth is also worth of mentioning : they all changed so much !

The ending made me want to start Winter ASAP ! Seriously, this story is so addictive !

She dreamed of deep soul connections and passionate kisses and daring escapades. She was certain that he simply had to meet her, just once, and he would feel the same way. It would be like those epic love affairs that exploded into existence and burned white hot for all eternity. The type of love that time and distance and even death couldn’t separate.

Characters

• Cinder is accepting her role. She knows there will be casualties and that she can’t help it. She knows her friends can’t be her priority. She goes to Africa to see Dr Erland, she wants to stop Levana.
• Scarlet is treated like an animal. Somehow she understands Wolf’s condition a little more ! Nonetheless, despite her pain, her sadness, she stays strong, and becomes even more stronger !
• Iko is her equal ! I can’t tell you how much I love her !! She is funny, witty and cute, in a word, perfect ! And now she has a pretty body to match her personality !
• Jacin is a new character. He was Sybil’s guard but his loyalty goes to Princess Winter. He is such an intriguing character !
• Wolf is only a shadow of himself without Scarlet. I didn’t really like ths side of him to be honest. Okay, I get it, you’re devastated but he is fighting to get her back, at least not as much I thought he would.
• Thorne is suffering from a disability in this book. He is trying his best to adapt, to save Cress and his own ass.
  He also tries his best to dissuade Cress to see him as a hero. In this book we get to see behind his mask. We can witness how poorly he thinks of himself. It makes him attracting haha !
• Cress is so sweet ! She discovers the worlds the eyes of a baby ! Her reactions are so cute !! And yet, she is a great asset for Cinder. She is very talented !

It always came back to love. More than freedom, more than acceptance—love. True love, like they sang about in the second era. The kind that filled up a person’s soul. The kind that lent itself to dramatic gestures and sacrifices. The kind that was irresistible and all-encompassing.

About the author

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at http://www.marissameyer.com.

| WRAP UP & TBR | MARCH 2017 WRAP UP

Hello lovelies !!

I can’t believe March is already over !! It’s amazing how time seems to fly faster lately ! Anyway, back to books ! I finished a total of … 3 books this month. Yep. Only 3. Remember my humongous TBR ? Well… It did not happen !!

• Cress by Marissa Meyer. It’s the third book in The Lunar Chronicles series. I loved this book so much !! I gave it 5 stars.
• Winter by Marissa Meyer. It’s the final book in The Lunar Chronicles series. I freakin’ LOVED this book !!! And I can say the same for the whole series. It’s such an amazing read ! I gave it 5 stars !
• Devil In The Countryside by Cory Barclay. What an interesting read ! 4 stars !

That’s it ! What have you read in March ?

| MEMES | TOP TEN TUESDAY – TOP TEN BOOKS THAT WILL MAKE YOU READ THE WHOLE DAY AWAY

Hello everyone ! It’s that time again ! Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish.

Today theme is : top ten books that will make you read the whole day away !

The most obvious picks for that TTT are romance books. They are, in my opinion, quick reads but also you can’t help yourself but want to know EVERYTHING.
So, the whole After series by Anna Todd is one of these books. SO gripping, I was literally obsessed with his story ! It was unputdownable !
Anna And The French Kiss and the two companions novels by Stephanie Perkins. I adored these books and it was so difficult to put them down !
The Rusk University series by Cora Carmack. Same deal haha !
The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West. Such a cute and gripping story !

But they are also fantasy series that can fit in that TTT. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling of course being the most evident one.
The Throne Of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas is another amazing series that is captivating !!
The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare totally had this effect on me. I was living, breathing and eating among Jem, Tesssa and Will.
The Six Of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo is another perfect example ! So gripping ! And it reminds me… I still need to write my reviews for these two books… ahem.

The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer is another series that comes to my mind for this week’s topic.
And there’s also the Shades Of Magic series by V. E. Schwab. I adore these books and I can’t wait to finally get my copy ! My preorder never arrived…

That’s it ! I hope you enjoyed this Top Ten Tuesday ! Have you read any of these books ?

| MEMES | THIS WEEK IN BOOKS #28

Hello lovelies ! How is your week so far ? I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday ! It’s time for another This Week In Books ! It’s a weekly meme hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.

Last week I was reading Cress by Marissa Meyer. It’s the third book in The Lunar Chronicles series. I really loved it ! Guys this series is really AMAZING ! I can’t believe I’ve waited so long before reading it !
I am currently reading Winter by Marissa Meyer, the final book in The Lunar chronicles series.
Next I’ll start Devil In The Countryside by Cory Barclay. A total change of genre haha !

That’s it ! What are you currently reading guys ?

| BOOK REVIEW | SCARLET BY MARISSA MEYER

Scarlet
Author : Marissa Meyer
Series : The Lunar Chronicles
Genres : Fantasy, Science Fiction, Retelling, Young Adult
Publication : February 7th 2013 by Puffin Books

Synopsis : This is not the fairytale you remember.

But it’s one you won’t forget.

Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.

Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.

As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner . . . 

This is the second book in The Lunar Chronicles series. If you haven’t read Cinder, the first book, this review will probably spoil you.

I really LOVED this book ! I found it better than Cinder, that I really enjoyed !

Plot

It starts almost right after Cinder’s ending. But it introduces new characters : Captain Carswell Thorne who is now staying with Cinder and Scarlet, who is living near Toulouse, in France. There’s also Wolfe, an intriguing character !

“A relieved grin filled up Thorne’s face. “We’re having another moment, aren’t we?”

“If by a moment, you mean me not wanting to strangle you for the first time since we met, then I guess we are.”

I really enjoyed how their paths mingled ! The story keeps getting more and more interesting with every chapter !
I won’t tell too much because I want to avoid spoilers but I have to say that I got surprised multiple times in this book, it was way less predictable than Cinder.
It’s action packed, fast paced and kept surprising me ! The story becomes more intricate and it was very difficult to put the book down !

I really loved diving back into this amazing world ! Learning more about the complexity of the Lunars a little more with every chapter.
I also really enjoyed the Red Riding Hood’s references just like I enjoyed Cinderella’s in the previous book.

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

Characters

The new characters are really interesting ! They’re all far from being perfect, they’re flawed and complex.

• Cinder is determined to escape Levana. She wants to live and save Kai. She also wants to know more about her, her past, her legacy. But she’s not ready to face her destiny.
• Iko is somehow back and I couldn’t have been more happier ! She is such an amazing character, I LOVE her sarcasm !
• Thorne is an intriguing character ! He is charming, of course, but far from being a hero. He is a thief, and so selfish !  Yet, he does help Cinder, putting himself in danger.
• Scarlet is such a strong character ! She wants to find her Grandma at whatever cost. She is willing to sacrifice her own life.
  But she is also very naive, trusting strangers far too easily !
• Wolf is another highly interesting character ! He is more edgy and darker. He is not a hero in a shiny white armor, not a villain. He has been made and heis doing his best to fight it.

I hate to agree with Thorne,” said Cinder, “I mean, I really hate to agree with him, but he’s right

I think you got it while reading my review, I loved this book ! I can only hope the series will keep getting better because that promises an amazing read !

About the author

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at www.marissameyer.com

| WRAP UP & TBR | MARCH 2017 TBR

Hello lovelies ! Today I’m sharing my desperately too big March TBR with you ! Spoiler alert : all the books aren’t featured on the photo haha !

Let’s start, shall we ?

• Cress by Marissa Meyer, book 3 in The Lunar Chronicles series. I am currently reading that one !
• Winter by Marissa Meyer, the final book in The Lunar Chronicles series.
• The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons.
• The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski, which is a reread.
• The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski. This is the second bok in The Winner’s trilogy !
• A Conjuring Of Light, the final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab. I am still waiting for my preorder to be delivered… I NEED this book asap !

I also plan on reading two e books :

• Devil On The Countryside by Cory Barclay.
• The Isle Of Brigadoon by J. S Fields. This is the second book in a series called The Source. I’ve read and reviewed the first book Center Of Magic a little less than a year and a half ago.

That’s it ! Haha I know I won’t be able to read the half of these books ! But I know I will have a wonderful reading month haha !

| WRAP UP & TBR | FEBRUARY 2017 WRAP UP

Hello lovelies ! It’s time for my February wrap up ! As you can see on the photo, it’s a VERY small wrap up ! I have been pretty busy this month but hopefully it will get better in March !

I finished two books this month :

• Les Fiancés De L’Hiver by Christelle Dabos. It’s the first book in a French series called La Passe-Miroir.I really enjoyed it but found it slow to actually start. That’s why it’s a 4 stars.
• Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. It’s the second book in The Lunar Chronicles. I loved this book ! I enjoyed it much more than Cinder (that I really enjoyed !). The Lunar world is so well built and intriguing ! I gave it 5 stars !

I’m currently reading Cress by Marissa Meyer, the third book in The Lunar Chronicles series. I was hoping to finish it before the end of the month but obviously it didn’t happen.

I am currently writing my review for Scarlet so hopefully it will be up on my blog this week end !

What about you ? What have you read in February ?

| MEMES | THIS WEEK IN BOOKS #27

Hello everyone ! It’s time for another This Week In Books ! It’s a weekly meme hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found !

You probably noticed that lately I haven’t been posting these every week … Well, it’s because I’m reading less since October. But hopefully it will get better now that I finished working 48 hours per week  !

So let’s start !

Last week I was reading Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, book 2 in The Lunar Chronicles series. I really enjoyed this book ! It was less predictable than Cinder ! Hopefully I’ll be able to post my review before the end of the month haha !
I am currently reading Cress, the third book in The Lunar Chronicles. I’m only a hundred pages in but really enjoying it so far !
Next I plan on reading Winter, the last book in The Lunar Chronicles series, and A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens !

That’s it ! What are you currently reading ??

| BOOK REVIEW | CINDER BY MARISSA MEYER

Cinder
Author : Marissa Meyer
Series : The Lunar Chronicles
Genres : Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publication : January 5th 2012 by Puffin

Synopsis : A forbidden romance.
A deadly plague.
Earth’s fate hinges on one girl . . .

CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth’s future.

This is not the fairytale you remember. But it’s one you won’t forget.

I kept hearing amazing things about The Lunar Chronicles and I must say, the hype was justified ! This book put me back into my reading kick !

Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.

Plot

It’s a retelling of Cinderella. I was kind of worried I wouldn’t like it. The idea of reading a retelling wasn’t that appealing to me. But it was more than Cinderella story. In fact, you can sense it’s Cinderella because of some scenes but it wasn’t THAT obvious. It’s just a touch of references. The setting is from a fairy tale I must stay : she lives in New Beijing, in a post apocalyptic world where a lethal disease, Letumosis is becoming a pressing issue.
Cinder is a cyborg and a well-known mechanic in New Beijing. She lives with her tutor, Adri and her two half sisters.

I have to say that the plot was predictable. I guessed most of the plot twists or revelations way before it was revealed.
That being said, it didn’t bother me that much. The story was really gripping so I was more interested by the action taking place than by how predictable some points were.

Prince Kai! Check my fan, I think I’m overheating.

The characters are, on other hand, very intricate and intriguing. You want to know more about them ! I think the retelling’s setting brought more depth to them.

I find Meyer’s writing style amazing ! She writes wonderful descriptions of the surroundings, of the characters, of everything ! I could almost breathe New Beijing’s air !
I also liked how she wrote Kai/Cinder interactions. There’s no insta-love which I loved ! He flirts with Cinder, there are ups and downs and that makes their chemistry even more real.

Mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.

Characters

• Cinder is an amazing character ! She is such a badass woman ! I loved her from the beginning ! She is strong, fierce and sooo sarcastic !
  She’s honest and loyal to the very few ones she loves ! I love the idea of Cinderella being a mechanic and a cyborg ! I thought I wouldn’t like it, or find it too weird but how wrong I was !
• Prince Kaito is also a great character ! He wants to do what’s best for his country, he is ready to sacrifice himself in order to achieve it. He isn’t as flat as I thought he would be !
• Iko was so funny ! She is so lovely and I really adored her ! She is Cinder’s best friend.
• Queen Levana is really frightening. I hated her from the moment she was talked about. A real evil character !
• Dr Erland is such a nice character. I guessed what he was hiding very early but it’s okay ! He is such support for Cinder !

But if there was one thing she knew from years as a mechanic, it was that some stains never came out.

I’m currently reading Scarlet and I cannot wait to know more about this amazing series !

About the author

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at www.marissameyer.com.