Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS. TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK YET, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.





May also contain cuss words due to extreme anger and feels.


Because there are words that are so beautiful you can't keep yourself from marking them... (what my copy looks like after reading)

I'm sorry if it took me two months before I managed to write a review. I was just too busy swimming in my own tears and thinking about that freaking torturous yet wonderful epilogue after finishing Clockwork Princess. And to add to that, I had a book hangover a few days after. I know it may sound too cliché, but this is one of the few books that really touched (pierced seems to be more precise) my heart that's why I couldn't bear not to express my feels for this book. So today I'm writing a short review. I've already forgotten most of the details but I'll try to remember the most important ones.

BEST. EPILOGUE. EVER.

INITIAL REACTION AFTER READING: OHMY. MY HEART. MY HEART. MY HEART!!!!

Clockwork Princess, the breathtaking, heart-shattering, agonizing, nerve-racking (any more words?) conclusion to the epic trilogy The Infernal Devices, made me laugh, cry, scream, and left me speechless, not knowing what to do with my life anymore. I absolutely love how the story ended where Tessa ended up with both Will and Jem in a very wonderful way! I think the epilogue couldn't have been any more perfect!

And of course the characters:

MY HEART BREAKS FOR WILL AND JEM.

Initially, I was adamantly rooting for Jem, but I unexpectedly grew to also love Will in this book. I now realize that, how couldn't anyone like him? Although he is stubborn and pushes away everyone who cares for him, if you didn't like him that much at first, you'll begin to change your thinking once you learn his past and understand the reasons why he has become who he is. Besides, his witty and sarcastic comebacks would make you like him more.

Tessa, on the other hand, annoyed me a lot in this book. I really get irritated every time she's in the I'm-on-the-horns-of-a-dilemma-I-don't-really-know-but-I-love-them-both crying state. She had to choose only one, and she chose Jem, so why did she kiss Will in the balcony? Sometimes I just don't get her. On top of that, I got really angry with Tessa when she agreed to make love with Will when (just because) they thought Jem was already dead. I mean c'mon! That is the point! YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SLEEP WITH SOMEONE MOST ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR FIANCE JUST DIED! UGH! THE NERVE OF THIS WOMAN!! But at the end of the book, she's become okay. My hatred has already subsided.

And Jem, oh Jem. JEM MY LOVE! I loved him moooooore after I finished this book. I'm really glad that he continued to live! His and Will's conversation at the end of the book made me sob the hardest! I don't know but every time he's in the scene, I couldn't help but feel crying. I already knew that he was Bro. Zechariah even before I finished Clockwork Prince because fuck people who like to spoil other people!! I think if I wasn't spoiled the scene of the discovery would've had a greater impact on me. But it's alright, I still enjoyed the book. (But still, fuck that person who spoiled me!)

No matter how much I try, I cannot explain how much I love and adore this. It's a kind of book that will stay with you forever. So if you haven't read this yet, I suggest you do now because you're missing a lot! But if you're one of those who already have, why don't you sob and fangirl with me!

So much love for this trilogy and the author! Hands down to Cassandra Clare!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Last year, when Fangirl came out, it was very popular among young adult readers. The fact that the book has a four-point-something rating on goodreads and a lot of good reviews made me rush to the bookstore and buy a copy even though it meant burning a hole in my pocket.

I was really excited to start this work of Rainbow Rowell, but because I promised myself that I won't unwrap new books until I read my old ones in my tbr, it was only this year that I managed to devour myself in a book by Rowell. But it breaks my heart to tell you that I'm not sure if my first experience was good.

I had very very high expectations for Fangirl, and it's sad that they were not met. I think this book was too light and too contemporary for me, because I didn't appreciate much of it. The story was too simple and there weren't a lot of things happening: it's always Cath inside her dorm, writing fanfiction about Simon and Baz (I know it really was the main point of the plot: Cath doesn't socialize much with people and prefers most of the time to be alone with the fictional characters inside her head). Even Cath and Levi's love story was so fast. Levi just said he liked her and that's that. They're officially on. There wasn't even much conflict except for the time when Wren was rushed to the hospital and when Cath and Levi fought because she didn't want to do her Fiction Writing project. And that was just a small fight.

And the ending. Ugh. I finished reading Fangirl as an e-book, and I had to check my physical copy just to be sure it doesn't have missing pages. Rainbow probably rushed the last parts, because the ending didn't turn out that good. It was like what she wrote somewhere in the book: Cath didn't want to rush writing because she wants to the characters to get the ending they deserved--the ending that would satisfy the readers. I just think it's kinda ironic that the author herself did the opposite.

Fangirl is okay and though I didn't like it that much I would recommend it to those who read and write fanfiction. I think you'll appreciate the book more and you'll be able relate to the main character.

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is my first time to read a Colleen Hoover book. And after reading this novel, I can say that all the hype over this one is doubtlessly worth it. The plot having a deaf person for a main character is unique, and I love it how all the characters in the story felt so real.

The start of the book captivated me. I loved the part when they were still in the balcony, Ridge playing his guitar and Sydney watching and listening to him. It was like watching the music video of Taylor Swift's You Belong with Me, only that this balcony part of Ridge and Sydney seems more likely to make you feel giddy (Did I use the right word? I was supposed to say nakakakilig, but it seems that there is no exact Engish translation for that.) I also like the times when they are writing music.

Also, Hoover writes like a boss; her words are as perfect and powerful as they were beautifully written that I can't stop myself from highlighting almost the whole page. They aren't those that were written just to fill up a paper; they are the kind of words that can pierce through your heart and leave a mark there.

The book was great all through out, though I'll admit that my feelings toward it started to lessen as I came closer to the end. I don't know, maybe it's just because the conflict was close to being resolved, and with that I felt the excitement decreasing. But I still like the book and I love the author's writing so much-- and I'm definitely going to read her other books.





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City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Actual rating: 3.5

After I finished this book, it was then I realized that reading The Mortal Instruments is like riding a roller coaster ride. At first it goes up, higher and higher, then it suddenly goes down and makes you feel that your heart might jump out of your chest at any moment.

Sadly, City of Fallen Angels was the 'down' part of that roller coaster, except for that shocked part--there wasn't any plot twist in this book that blew me away, which is a disappointment in my part. For me, it was not that bad but I had to admit that I didn't enjoy reading it as much as I did the first three books. The previous installments of the series were a crescendo so it was no doubt that I had high expectations when I started this one. But I kinda felt disappointed.

What I didn't like:
1. The slow pacing of the book
2. The story seemed to focus more on Simon and most of the time the readers are reading from his point of view. (I like Simon a lot, but don't you think it's a bit tiring when most parts of the book are centered on just one person?)
3. Jace and Clary's scenes. Ugh. I used to love it when I read about them but it was very much different in this book. I found their romantic scenes too forced and boring that I wanted to skip the pages and read Malec's or Sizzy's moments instead.
4. Not so many things happened.

What I liked:
MAGNUS AND ALEC
SIMON AND ISABELLE
MAGNUS AND ALEC
SIMON AND ISABELLE
MAGNUS AND ALEC
SIMON AND ISABELLE
MAGNUS AND ALEC
SIMON AND ISABELLE
MAGNUS AND ALEC
SIMON AND ISABELLE

AHHHHH I SHIP THEM A LOT!! I REALLY LOVE THE SIZZY SCENE ON THE LAST PART OF THE BOOK. AND OF COURSE, MALEC. I FIND IT REALLY CUTE WHEN ALEC GETS JEALOUS OF CAMILLE OR WILL!!

PS I just wish City of Lost Souls would be better and make up for what City of Fallen Angels lacked.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Rating: 5 of 5

Bridge to Terabithia is a story about Jess Aarons, a boy whose ambition was to be the fastest runner in fifth grade. But things changed when he met Leslie Burke, the girl who had beaten him in a race and had taken the title he badly wanted.

Jesse had never thought that he would be friends with Leslie. Eventually, they became the best of friends and together they built Terabithia, a kingdom where the two of them reign as king and queen. Terabithia had been 'a place just for them (us)', as Leslie calls it, where they can do whatever and be whoever they want.

This book, though pretty short, has a really great and heart warming story. I was touched by how strong Jess and Leslie's friendship was--how they always had something to learn from the other, and how they were always by each other's side, no matter what. While reading it, I was reminded of my own childhood--how things were much simpler and happier when I was younger--and made me realize how important it is for one to enjoy his early years in life and make the most out of it. As a saying goes, "Life is too short to be anything but happy."

The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Like everyone else, the reason I read this book was because of its cover. It's gorgeous and eye-catching and I loooove it! Who doesn't anyway?

While reading this book, I couldn't help but think of The Hunger Games (I haven't seen The Bachelor yet). They may be in some ways similar, but I should say this doesn't involve killing the people you compete with.

The story revolves around America Singer, a seventeen-year-old girl who, by the pressure of her family and her secret lover Aspen(view spoiler)[who in the beginning of the story broke up with her (hide spoiler)], reluctantly joins the Selection, a competition for the crown and for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon of Illea. Even though she is against it, America obeyed so as to give her family a chance to experience a life Fives weren't meant to have.

She then stays at the palace develops a close friendship with the Prince. Because of their closeness, America had a chance to get to know Prince Maxon even more, learning that he was a lot different from the person at first she thought him to be--boring, stiff, and a pervert. She then starts to like the Prince (slightly), but still she couldn't forget about her love for Aspen.

The characters were okay, some were likable and some were not. The heroine, America Singer--I like her. Besides her being a redhead, her strong-willed personality made me admire her. And then there's Prince Maxon--smart, attractive, and a true gentleman (IDK but while I was playing the book scenes in my head I imagined him to be Logan Lerman, only he's not a blonde like what the book describes). Who wouldn't like him? And of course Aspen. I can't blame him for feeling insecure but I really don't like him. Obviously I'm Team Maxon!

The book was great though quite predictable. It was a fast, enjoyable read, but for me it lacked something. Maybe I was looking for more conflict or action. The rebels occasionally invading the palace seems not enough. I know this book is more of a love story but I think there should be something more exciting besides those kisses, hugs, and cheesy lines.