Library of Souls

Title: Library of Souls

Author: Ransom Riggs

First Published: September 22nd, 2015

Series: Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #3

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Available As: Paperback, ebook

Pages: 400

My Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary:

The adventures that began with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and continued with Hollow City comes to a thrilling conclusion with Library of Souls. 

As the story opens, sixteen-year-old Jacob discov
ers a powerful new ability, and soon he’s diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress. Accompanying Jacob on his journey are Emma Bloom, a girl with fire at her fingertips, and Addison MacHenry, a dog with a nose for sniffing out lost children.

They’ll travel from modern-day London to the labyrinthine alleys of Devil’s Acre, the most wretched slum in all of Victorian England. It’s a place where the fate of peculiar children everywhere will be decided once and for all.

Hollow City

Title: Hollow City

Author: Ransom Riggs

First Published: January 14th, 2014

Series: Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #2

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 416

My Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary:

September 3, 1940. Ten peculiar children flee an army of deadly monsters. And only one person can help them—but she’s trapped in the body of a bird.

The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. There, they hope to find a cure for their beloved headmistress, Miss Peregrine. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. And before Jacob can deliver the peculiar children to safety, he must make an important decision about his love for Emma Bloom. Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reading experience.

This book does not disappoint! As eerie and chilling as the first book, the sequel is a great read that had me on the edge throughout the whole book.

Being thrown into the harsh world, the gang desperately tries to find a way to save Miss Peregrine before it's too late. I really liked how we saw many more peculiars and how it wasn't just humans. All these new abilities! I like how Jacob developed his ability a bit more in this book, and he's on the road to fully being able to control it. Right now, it still brings him discomfort when he uses it.

I hope they do manage to solve everything in the last book (*sob it's a trilogy) and that things will get better. What will Jacob do? Will he stay with the peculiars? Or will he go back? I think he'll stay with his friends. What does going back to his old life bring him? I think he would just be miserable. Maybe he won't follow his grandfather's footsteps in this one.

What do you think of the cover? When I first walked past the book in the bookshop, I didn't even notice that there was a hole in the girl. But I think the cover describes the book pretty well. I think this is my favourite cover of the three books.

I can't wait to read Library of Souls. I know it's going to be really good. I'm also hoping that the movie will be good. Well, Tim Burton is directing it so I'm sure he'll catch the atmosphere!

My Chosen Quote:

“Laughing doesn’t make bad things worse any more than crying makes them better.”

The Probability of Miracles

Title: The Probability of Miracles

Author: Wendy Wunder

First Published: January 1st, 2011

Series: Stand Alone

Genre: YA, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

My Rating: 8/10

Goodreads Summary:

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page.

When I picked up this book and saw it was about a girl with cancer, my mind immediately jumped to The Fault in our Stars. I wondered if this book would be as sad as that one.

I'm happy to say it's not (as) depressing.

In Promise, Maine, everything seems to be looking up for Cam. She's getting better, she's making new friends and meeting new people... Especially the cute guy Asher. Their relationship grew on me. At first, I didn't really see them together, but at the end, you can really tell that they love each other.

So, steering clear of any spoilers, this book was really well written and it makes you appreciate life a lot more. The ending was realistic, which I preferred.

So, if you liked TFIOS, this is a good book for you. Funny, deep and terribly sad at times, it reflects our lives and what it means to live.

My Chosen Quote:

"The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back."

October TBR

Hello October! It's been a while. So, here's my Octover TBR list, and all the books I'm waiting for. I hope I can complete this list (probably not...) Oops :)

Books on the TBR list

1. The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder. 

For those who like John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, this book has the same theme: cancer. Now, is it a sad story? Who knows? Maybe there will be a miracle somewhere in these pages.

2. Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake

I'm actually kind of disappointed that I found out about this series so late after it has been published. The first book, Antigoddess, was great. I always love a good re-telling of original myths/tales. I don't like Cassandra so much, but Athena is awesome.

3. Library Of Souls by Ransom Riggs

The third book and last in the trilogy Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children. As usual, I'm always one step behind everyone else in great series like this one. I read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children a while back, and I didn't think too much of it. But now rereading it, it was way better than I remembered! So I read Hollow City. Now onto Library of Souls... 

(I'm scared of how it will end.)

(I hope everyone will be okay)

4. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Yep, she wrote the Grisha trilogy. This book is even set in the same world! YES! More Ravka, more Fold, more danger. It came out late September and I just found out about this book on Goodreads. I should really pay more attention to upcoming books...

Books I'm waiting for

1. The Rose Society by Marie Lu

The second book of The Young Elites. What will become of Adelina? How far off the road will she stray to gain her power? How many new malfettos will we meet? I can't wait!

2. The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan is working on a new series! This will be the first book in Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, this time based on Norse Mythology. Hey, maybe we'll see some old characters... Maybe not.

What books will you read? Any books you're anticipating?

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

First Published: June 7th 2011

Series: Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #1

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 352

My Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary:

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

How often is it that you see a cover with a girl levitating? At first, when you walk pass the book, you might not notice it, but do a double take, and there it is!

The main reason why I picked this book up in the first place was because it had such a haunting cover. It's like the girl is hiding many dark secrets. So many questions flew through my brain. What is this book about? Peculiar children, how so? Then I flicked through the pages and the photos inside and they intrigued me. I love these kinds of books! So yes, I chose this book because of the cover...

Jacob is our leading protagonist in this book. From the beginning, we pity poor Jacob - his grandfather died in front of him, he's constantly plagued by nightmares and anxiety following his grandfather's death, but most of all? The mystery behind it. All those photos keep coming up and it's up to Jacob to solve the mystery. Who knew he would find so much more than he signed up for.

The story was amazing. I was sucked in from the very first page and I followed Jacob's journey from the past to the present then back to the past. All the peculiar children were so interesting! They have special abilities, but it's more realistic than ever. There's no 'turning it on or off' - the abilities are there forever. I guess having these kind of abilities will really come in handy, especially when up against the wights. What do they really want?

I highly recommend this book for those who like darker, creepier stories. I loved reading it and it's the kind of book that gets better the more you read it. I'm off to find Hollow City right now!

My Chosen Quote:

"I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was."

The Wicked Will Rise

Title: The Wicked Will Rise

Author: Danielle Paige

First Published: March 31st 2015

Series: Dorothy Must Die #2

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

My Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary:

In this dark, high-octane sequel to the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die...

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

I can't believe I just found out about this book! It came out in March and I buy it in September? I'm ashamed of myself.

This book was a great read. It fulfilled my expectations as a sequel to Dorothy Must Die. Completely worth the read. I saw other novellas by Danielle Paige, but I didn't bother to read them. Now, this book has rekindled my interest for this series and I hope to read the novellas soon!

Following the events of the first book, Amy has to find a way out of the mess called Oz and kill Dorothy. Along the way, she learns more about herself - and how far she's willing to go. The more Amy plays with her dark magic, the more she dwells into the wickedness of it all. As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but compare her with Adelina from The Young Elites. Both are strolling down a dark path that is near impossible to get away from. At the end of the book, we really see Amy in a new light as she joins the Order of the Wicked once and for all. Do you think she's the same person she was at the start of the first book? I don't think so.

Will there be another book? I hope so. I would like to see Amy's new life as a dark witch and what the Wizard wants with Kansas. What will become of Dorothy? I doubt she'll ever see the errors of her ways and change. She has become too dependent and greedy of the magic she had in Oz, and of course, magic would make anyone greedy.

Waiting (impatiently) for the next book to arrive!

My Chosen Quote:

“You can’t just cover your eyes and pretend like terrible things aren’t happening simply because you can’t see them.”

Scarlet

Title: Scarlet

Author: Marissa Meyer

First Published: February 5th 2013

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 464

My Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

The thrilling sequel to Cinder! Based on Little Red Riding Hood, following Scarlet's story. Living in France, Scarlet's missing grandmother seems to be a piece of the puzzle. Not before long, the two girls are thrown into the chaos. With Queen Levana hot on Cinder's heels, she must learn to trust her allies and her instincts.

I can't believe how different but similar Cinder and Scarlet are. Cinder is our calm, level-headed cyborg. A.K.A Princess Selene. But nobody needs to know that yet... Scarlet is different. She's more fiery and acts on her instincts, no matter what everyone else tells her. But their similarities are also present. Both are strong characters - willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. The alternating chapters from Cinder and Scarlet really show us in depth what is going on and the events that link both girls together.

Cinder is definitely not the same girl she was at the start of Cinder. She's no longer the mechanic girl, the person nobody knows. Now? She's a fugitive, running from all forces. This has changed her ultimately. She's still struggling with her Lunar abilities, and she's also afraid to use them on people. Reading about her fears of becoming like Levana, it really tells us much about Cinder. Is she using her powers for the greater good? Or will it makes things worse? I wonder if she will eventually embrace her Lunar side. For her personality, she has a cold demeanour to her, probably because of all the deaths and dangers she faced.

Introducing a new ship! Wolf and Scarlet have come to town. I love their chemistry and how Wolf is willing to sacrifice himself to save Scarlet. Those two make a really good team. I really hope Cinder and Kai are reunited, but I don't know if their relationship can be repaired. Kai certainly thinks Cinder betrayed him and that everything he felt for her was a lie...

I really like how Marissa Meyer chooses different countries around the world and incorporates them into the books. Like how Cinder is from New Beijing and Scarlet is from a small town in France. Two completely different countries, two completely different settings. It's fun to read about!

Scarlet is a great book to read, but I preferred Cinder better. I wonder if the following books of the series will be good. I sincerely think so!

My Chosen Quote:

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