Justine's Thoughts: Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods #4)
By Melissa de la Cruz

Source: Library
Pages: 369
Rating: 4/5
Book Description:

Young, fanged, and fabulous, Melissa de la Cruz's vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth installment of the Blue Bloods series.

A quote:

The world in your mind is as real as the world outside of it.

Any thoughts:

Van Alen Legacy felt different when I was reading it. Perhaps it was because of the revelations from the previous book. Or perhaps because it takes place a year after the previous book ended. Whatever it is, it had a different air.

Characters were all around the globe. Some are running, some are chasing. The one character I never thought I would ever like started to get to me in a good way. Mimi is badass. The change in her character becomes evident in this novel. I’m actually starting to enjoy her character. And that scene with the gates? I believe I cried.

I am loving the series thus far and I am very much anticipating the next book. Who knew this series could be so addicting?

Justine's Mini Thoughts: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)
By Richelle Mead

Source: Library
Pages: 327
Rating: 5/5
A quote:

In the real world, you can make your own miracles.

Any thoughts (*No major spoilers*):

It is the second book, and I’m already way hooked. A perfect sequel, to say the least. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Going back to Richelle Mead’s vampire world was easy because I knew the basics -- what a Moroi is, what a dhampir is and what their duty is, who the bad guys are. We get to learn a few more things, which excited me. Rose is seriously a fantastic heroine. Sure, she sometimes doesn’t follow some rules (her relationship with Dimitri is an example of that) and she can be reckless, but she can kick major ass. Her voice is outstanding, sharp, and amusing all at once. It’s hard not to be enchanted and to stop reading.

Throw Rose and the other awesome characters into the action-packed plot and we have a masterpiece. As well as drama. Especially boy drama. This will be one hell of a series and I can tell it will rank among my top faves.

Justine's Mini Thoughts: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

The Knife of Never Letting Go
By Patrick Ness

Pages:

479

Book Description:

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown.

But Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets.

Or are there?

Just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence.

Which is impossible.

Prentisstown has been lying to him.

And now he's going to have to run...

A quote:

“But there’s always hope,” Ben says. “You always have to hope.”

Any thoughts:

Unique and thoughtful, The Knife of Never Letting Go gives an interesting insight into a world of chaos. With a slow yet fascinating journey full of encounters, it offers a dark and different version of the treatment of men and women.

Although I initially found it hard to get into the style of the narrator’s language, I eventually became used to the flow. There are also good qualities revealed in Todd (the narrator), which made me admire him. The other characters are well-developed as well, causing me to love them all. I had several unanswered questions about some of them but I’m hoping I’ll get to them when I read the second instalment. Yes, there are suspenseful and disturbing parts that stir up all kinds of shrilling imagery in my mind yet I couldn’t get into it no matter how hard I tried. The end result is myself slowing down or re-reading. But there was one part when I found myself crying like crazy. Tears always come for me whenever an animal is in danger and that’s all I have to say. In the end, though, we get a huge cliffhanger that is enough for me to make me want to read the next book immediately.

Justine's Thoughts: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Nineteen Minutes
By Jodi Picoult

Pages:

455

Book Description (from Goodreads):

On Peter Houghton's first day of kindergarten, he watched helplessly as an older boy ripped his lunch box out of his hands and threw it out the window. From that day on, his life was a series of humiliations, from having his pants pulled down in the cafeteria, to being called a freak at every turn. But can endless bullying justify murder? As Picoult attempts to answer this question, she shows us all sides of the equation, from the ruthless jock who loses his ability to speak after being shot in the head, to the mother who both blames and pities herself for producing what most would call a monster. Surrounding Peter's story is that of Josie Cornier, a former friend whose acceptance into the popular crowd hangs on a string that makes it impossible for her to reconcile her beliefs with her actions.

A quote:

Ask a random kid today if she wants to be popular and she’ll tell you no, even if the truth is that if she was in a desert dying of thirst and had the choice between a glass of water and instant popularity, she’d probably choose the latter.

Any thoughts:

In Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult’s excellent style of story-telling is revealed once again. Through this, the plot gives a feel of a cause that goes on for a long period of time, and effects that in the end suddenly trigger the horrific action of a young victim of bullying.

This may be my favourite by Jodi Picoult so far. The novel starts out with what happened before the event of the school shooting, with Picoult leaving out specific details that is meant to be revealed in the end. Afterwards, she manages to delve into the topic of bullying from the very beginning of Peter’s life, explaining what one may encounter as a child. It is amazing how Picoult also writes from various points of view. What I think is important is how we see how the parents of Peter are going through, and how they may be coping. The other characters are interesting, and although there are many, we get used to them as more of them are mentioned.

Jodi Picoult reveals the truth of everyday life, as she does in all her novels. I could not help but think of my high school life after reading Nineteen Minutes. This is definitely a novel that would stick with me for a long time. Through an emotional and intelligent way of story-telling, Jodi Picoult brings out the reality of bullying and its significant effects.

Justine's Mini Thoughts: Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

Change of Heart
By Jodi Picoult

Pages:

447

Book Description:

One moment June Nealon was happily looking forward to years full of laughter and adventure with her family, and the next, she was staring into a future that was as empty as her heart. Now her life is a waiting game. Waiting for time to heal her wounds, waiting for justice. In short, waiting for a miracle to happen.

For Shay Bourne, life holds no more surprises. The world has given him nothing, and he has nothing to offer the world. In a heartbeat, though, something happens that changes everything for him. Now, he has one last chance for salvation, and it lies with June's eleven-year-old daughter, Claire. But between Shay and Claire stretches an ocean of bitter regrets, past crimes, and the rage of a mother who has lost her child.

Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish?

A quote:

When you're different, sometimes you don't see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn't.

Any thoughts:

Jodi Picoult is wonderful. She always tackles strong subjects like an expert. In Change of Heart, she successfully dives into religious and political beliefs through the topic of the death penalty, exploring the opinions of many sides. It’s complicated, really, and I almost put the book down in the very beginning. But as I read more about Shay, and how much of a mystery he is, I wanted to find out in the end if his last request is fulfilled. He is the man who is convicted of murdering a child and a police officer, and waits for his execution in jail. Somehow, he performs “miracles” while in jail, and this catches my attention because of the question if whether or not those miracles can be scientifically explained. It’s interesting, yet it also touches the topic of religion, as some townspeople believe that he is the Messiah. All in all, this novel is thought provoking; Picoult leaves many questions unanswered, questions that some people would be reluctant to answer.

Justine's (Mini) Thoughts: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes
By Cassandra Clare

Pages:

453

Book Description:

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

A quote:

Desire is not always lessened by disgust. Nor can it be bestowed, like a favour, to those most deserving of it. And as my words bind my magic, so you can know the truth.

Any thoughts:

I read this in one weekend! I’m so proud, because lately I’ve been reading books for weeks. And that’s not good for a book blogger.

City of Ashes is definitely an amazing sequel. It’s as good as City of Bones...maybe even better. I just love reading into the world Cassandra Clare has created. I love reading the relationships between characters, especially Jace and Clary, and the new ones that are beginning to sprout. I love, love, love the scene with the Queen of Seelie Court - that was strange but beautiful. I love the action (!) in the end where epic battles occur. I love Valentine, who is probably one of my favourite villains of all time. And I love everything about this series.

Cassandra Clare, you continue to impress me! I’m looking forward for City of Glass, indeed.