Yianna Yiannacou

...The One and Only...

My Book Reviews - 2016

Here is a list of books that I have read since January 2016.


They will be listen by their name, amount of stars (out of 5) and a little description of what I thought of them. 

If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask me.


LET'S HEAR WHAT YOU THOUGHT


The Girl of Fire and Thorns - Book 1

Rae Carson

4 Stars - 4 Days to read


This book was actually really good. I knew nothing about it before beginning to read but got hooked into the story line right away.

Elisa, a princess, is married away secretly at the age of sixteen to a King is another region. Her marriage is hidden from her people as well as her new husbands people. A war is in the making and he feels that keeping their marriage a secret is the best strategy. Elisa is not just any princess. She is 'God's Chosen' because she bears the Godstone - which means she had a jewel embedded in her belly by God. Not everyone has this. Every 100 years someone is chosen for greatness and that is the mark they must wear. They must fulfill their destiny but the majority of them die or are killed before they can fulfill it. Elisa gets kidnapped from her new kingdom she is taken across the desert, far away from her new husband and all her guards. What she sees in the desert takes her by surprise. She thought her people were on the verge of war, but as it turns out, the war has already begun and she had no idea about it. Innocent people were dying and the news did not reach her kingdom yet. These rebels kidnapped her hoping that she could save their people since the King was doing nothing to help them. She had the Godstone, so they thought she could do something to save them. Elisa was now up to the task of saving these people but she had no idea how. She has to figure out how to save all these people without getting killed herself. 

It was an upbeat story and I read it fairly quickly. I really liked it. We will see how the next book does! 

The Crown of Embers - Book 2

Rae Carson 
3 Stars - 4 Days to read

This book was pretty good but I think I was left a little disappointed. Only because I wanted more!!

The story begins where it left off. Elisa is Queen and she needs to figure out how to rule her people. Her love for Hector grows every time she sees him. Her birthday celebrations were cut short when a threat on her life takes place. When she looks to her deceased husband to find strength, she is almost killed. That attempt on her life makes her want to find more power for her Godstone. It leads her on a journey to find the Zafira. It takes a toll to get to it, but she eventually does. 

I wont ruin the ending but even though a lot happened in this book, I felt like it just wasn't enough. This author is clever. I have to read the next book now. It's a good thing I already have it! Ta!

The Bitter Kingdom - Book 3

Rae Carson 

2 Stars - 13 Days to read


I think I am the only one who did not like this book. There was just way too much filler in this book. Filler to me is walking through the woods with nothing happening or just random nonsense. This book had both.


Hector gets kidnapped right in front of Elisa's face and she plans to go to the Innervos to get him back. This is apparently a death sentence but she doesn't care. She brings her entourage with her. They go there and save him and then save her kingdom. 


I spoiled it, but did you think it would end up any other way. Not really exciting.. took me a while to read because I had no pull. I do not recommend this series. 

Queen Song - Book 0.1

Victoria Aveyard

3 Stars - 3 Days to read


Ummm, I don't really know what to say about this short story. It took me a while to read it since it was very hard to get into. It was a descriptive story, and the current events were not written out in details. (I don't know how else to put it).


It begins with Coriane and her life. She ends up in court and Tiberas and he fall in love. They get married (which makes her a Queen) and have Cal (the outcast prince who is on the run with Mare Barrow). It shows how Coriane thinks she is losing her mind because of the people that can read minds and control you. She feels Lady Elara is making her do things and see things out of her control. Coriane fears she is losing her mind. 


That's pretty much it. I could have done with out it. Oh well. 


Steel Scars - Book 0.2

Victoria Aveyard

1 Star - 3 Days to read


Let me just advise everyone reading this review to not read this short story. It was so boring. So, so, so boring! I actually had to force myself to read this short story. It was actually a really horrible short story. Possibly the worst short story I have ever read. 


It begins with the red guard how they came to be and they are different operations. It was not written well it was very sketchy and I just couldn't stay focused. The story was all over the place. The main character was Farley and some new mission she was on and then how she met the Reds and how she made Shade. And then goes into her first encounter with Mare Barrow. 


I would not recommend this short story for anyone to read especially those Who are reading the series. This book does not need to be read.


Red Queen - Book 1

Victoria Aveyard

4 Stars - 3 Days to read


I fell in love with the cover of this book before I even knew what the book was about. I started reading not even knowing what the book was about. I caved in and checked GoodReads to see what the book was about after about two pages. It sounded good enough, so I continued. 


Mare Barror lives in the slums. I don't know if this book was taken in the past or future, but that doesn't really matter. She is a Red, which means she has red blood. The other people are called Silver. They have special abilities to control nature and other elements. The Silver people are prosperous and the Reds are basically servants to them. Red's family is struggling to survive. All her brothers were enlisted in the Silver army. It is basically a death sentence. When a Red turns 18 they get dragged into the army unless they have a job. Mare was about to be enlisted but a generous stranger gets her a job in the castle. When in the castle she realizes she is more than just a 'Red.'


Without spoiling I have to say that this book is a Must Read. I definitely recommend. I would like it if there was more of a love story but not all books follow those lines. That's fine. Haha. On to the next book now :)  

Glass Sword - Book 2

Victoria Aveyard 

3 Stars - 1 Month to read

It only took me so long to read this book because I took a month long vacation and kept forgetting to read. With that being said, I don't know how much I liked this book. I wonder if I read consecutively if it would have changed my view on it. Because I found this book rather long!

This book is about Mare Barrow on the run from Maven her ex betrothed. She is on the run with Cal, the ex future king. Cal is an outcast just as Mare is. Maven wants both their heads on a platter. Mare wants to find people like her kind. Not Silver and Not Red. This was a long process. Each person she tracks down, she prays that she finds them first before Maven does and executes them. There is some sort of love battle between Mare and Cal which I quite don't understand, but it's okay because they don't understand it either. 

That's basically it. The majority of the book is Mare searching for people. It reminded me of Breaking Dawn where they were recruiting people for the final battle. It was a really long and droll process. Would I read the next one? Probably. Let's hope it is better than this one!

King's Cage - Book 3

Victoria Aveyard

Currently Reading


War Storm - Book 4

Victoria Aveyard

To be read

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Book 1

J.K Rowling

4 Stars - 2 Days to read


I loved this book. I read it in no time! There isn't much excitement in the book, but it still keeps you reading and wanting more. 


Harry Potter is a wizard. He finds out on his eleventh birthday. His whole life he never knew. His aunt and uncle have kept it from him because they hated magic and anything to do with it. They also kept secret how Harry's parents had died. Harry receives a letter from Hogwarts to join them in the upcoming semester. Harry's aunt and uncle do not allow it. After countless letters and attempts to contact Harry, Hagrid is sent in to retrieve him. After attending school and learning the 101 of magic he realizes that there is lots to fear is the world of wizards, especially the one who gave him the lightning scar on his forehead. Harry's new friends, Ron and Hermione notice something strange is being kept secret in Hogwarts and they want to get to the bottom of it - which is exactly what they do. 


I wont ruin the ending. But I would definitely recommend this book and series to those looking for something light and easy to read - if you haven't already read these books!


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets  - Book 2

J.K Rowling

4 Stars - 2 Days to read


These books are so simple and so easy to read, it's no wonder so many people have fallen in love with them. There really isn't anything extravagant about them. There are exactly what I love. Straight to the point without useless filler to put you to sleep. 


This book is of course about Harry, Ron, and Hermione. This time the Chamber of Secrets was opened and a monster was lurking in the castle petrifying people. Of course it is up to the 3 of them to figure out who was behind it and how to stop the attacks. There really isn't much to it. That's it! 


Of course I would recommend this book. I am sure I would recommend all the books in this series.


I just watched the movie. And for some reason I think the movies are better than the books! Envisioning Hogwarts through the movies is far superior to whatever I can come up with in my mind. The details are everything and they do not let them slip in the movie. Loved it!


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban  - Book 3

J.K Rowling

4 Stars - 3 Days to read


This book was probably the best of the bunch - so far! I absolutely loved this book. Like I said before, what I love most, is how fast paced these books are.


This one begins with a murderer on the loose. Harry finds out that the murderer - Sirius Black - is after him. In the beginning he doesn't know why, but he shortly learns the truth. There are guards set up all over Hogwarts called Dementors. I basically see them as grim reapers. They can suck the soul right out of you. Harry learns a bitter truth about Sirius and his relationship that he once had with Harry's parents. Sirius ends up in Hogwarts and Harry and his friends need to find out the truth before Harry sets out to kill him. 


Just when you think the book is done, there is an AMAZING turn of events. This book had everything. I loved it. Definitely the best book so far. I can't wait to read the next one!


The movie itself was amazing as well. It was a really long movie though. 3 hours. The one thing that I was waiting for in the movie was the Quiddich game when the Dementors almost got Harry. I enjoyed reading that, but I guess everything in the movie can't be in the book or else the movie would have been 4 hours. Regardless, the movie was amazing!


Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  - Book 4

J.K Rowling

4 Stars - 5 Days to read


What I loved so much about these books has changed for me. I mentioned in my other reviews how much I loved the face paced events and non filler paragraphs. But this book seems to be written by a totally different person. The books were 200-300 pages but this one is 600+ pages long! The begining took me a while to get into. It was just filled with nonsense that I had to force myself to continue. I am guessing that this book was when J.K Rowling became famous and she had to step up her game. There was too much going on in this book. Let me tell you. 


It begins with the Quiddich world cup. There is a Death Eaters attack which spooks the whole wizard community. Someone conjured Voldemort's logo in the sky representing that he was back. Back at Hogwarts there is a Tri Wizard cup - which is pretty cool. Harry's name was placed in the goblet of fire by an unknown person. Harry was technically not able to qualify. They all assumed someone was out to kill him (what else is new). He has to compete against 3 other people. The tasks were pretty cool. I enjoyed reading about them. Harry and his friends had to concentrate on the tasks, school and the fact that someone was out to kill Harry. There was a cool twist of events at the end. I won't spoil though. 


I recommend this book, even though the beginning was tough. We will see how the next one is. 


The movie was amazing! I felt like it cut out all the unnecessary events that J.K Rowling wrote about. If her book was written based on the movie, it would have been much better. I could have saved myself so much time if I just watched the movie alone. The only difference between the movie and the book was that we didn't know who the villain was in the book, but in the movie we did.


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Book 5

J.K Rowling

3 Stars - 13 Days to read


This book was too long. it was 800 pages long and I am pretty sure it could have done with about 400 of those. I had to force myself to read this book. It was painful. 

This book begins be describing what and who The Order of the Phoenix is. They are basically a society that thrives to protect the wizard world from Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Also, it is up to them to protect Harry. There is a prophecy (or weapon) that Harry is seeing through Voldemort's eyes. When in Hogwarts he witnesses an attack on a dear friend and a member of The Order. He realized his connection with Voldemort is growing. There is a weapon that is hidden that Voldemort wants but needs Harry to get it for him. There is a new teacher/Headmistress at the school that everyone hates (including the teachers) and everyone tries to get rid of her. So many other pointless things happened in this book not worth even mentioning. 

I wouldn't recommend this book. I would advise to watch the movie instead since the last movie I watched summed up the previous book perfectly, without all the hogwash in between. 

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - Book 6

J.K Rowling

4 Stars - 6 Days to read


Now this is what I am talking about! This book is J.K's best book so far! It has the fast paced qualities that I loved but it was also long enough that I had lots to enjoy - unlike the incredibly long and boring book before this one. J.K has learned a few things with this book.


In this book we see the relationship between Harry and Dumbledore grow. He picks up Harry from his uncles home and brings him to The Burrow to stay with The Weasley's and Hermoine. There is a new teacher that Dumbledore wants to recruit and brings Harry with him to persuade this teacher. He was an old professor at the school and he even taught Tom Riddle. There is a memory that Dumbledore wants from him and feels that Harry is the only one that can get it out of him. We learn what a Horcrux is with this memory. Dumbledore and Harry set out to find them and destroy them. Meanwhile Harry has a feeling that Malfoy is up to something evil since he is now part of the Death Eaters. He tries his best to find out what, but Malfoy seems to be one step ahead of him every time. 


All and all it was a really good book. I found myself wanting to read more and not really being able to put it down when the good parts came. I can't wait to read the next one. 


I don't know how I feel about the movie. Normally in this series the movies have been better than the books, but I feel in this case the movie left out a lot of action scenes especially at the end when the Aurors and a couple members from the DA helped attack the Death Eaters. I don't know. It was a good movie, but not the best. I hope the last book does this series justice!


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Book 7

J.K Rowling

4 Stats - 6 Days to read


I loved every moment of this really long book - not the longest book in the series - but still very long. It was written very well for a series closing book. 


Harry is on the run with Hermoine and Ron from Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They want him dead, but Dumbledore left a plan for Harry and his friends to finish. They need to destroy the seven Horcruxs of Voldemort in order to kill him eventually. On their quest to find them they learn about the three Deathly Hallows. Harry can't keep evading Voldemort. In the end of the book is their final meeting. I won't spoil anything. 


Even though this book was really long I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am also glad that it's over. As much as I enjoyed the series, it dragged on long enough and I am satisfied with the outcome of everything. I even liked the little look into the future in the last Chapter - 19 Years Later. Overall I would recommend this series. 


The movie was very good, even though it was cut into two movies. I Enjoyed them both. The final duel between Voldemort and Harry was elongated in the movie and changed a bit from the book. I preferred the movie version. The book did their duel no justice. I cried at the end of the battle. It was just so touching and all their hardships were finally over.


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Book 8

J.K Rowling

to be read

The Queen - Book 0.4

Kiera Cass

3 Stars - 2 Days to read


I surprisingly enjoyed this short story. It takes us back in time before America and Maxon. This story is about Maxon's parents and their Selection. It shows how Prince Clarkson and Amberly first met and how they fell in love. It was a perfect short story.

The Prince - Book 0.5

Kiera Cass

3 Stars - 1 Day to read


This short story was alright. It's the beginning of the selection but from Maxon's perspective. It shows the first time he met America and what he thought. It was nothing special.

The Selection - Book 1

Kiera Cass

3 Stars - 3 Days to read


I didn't really know what I was getting myself into when I started this story. The cover looked pretty enough. The description sounded good enough. So I dove right in. As soon as I did. I knew I was hooked. 


America singer enters a draw to be the next wife for the Prince - Maxon. The next Princess. And the next Queen of Illéa. She has to compete against thirty five other women. Some are kind while others aren't.  Back home America was in love with an boy named Aspen. He dumped her before she left for the castle. It wasn't because he didn't love her. It was because he felt she deserved more and he couldn't give her that since he was one Caste under her. She was a Five and he was a Six. America eventually ends up falling for Prince Maxon but still has Aspen in the back of her mind. 


Read to find out more of the girls shenanigans and how Maxon feels about America and how America really feels about Maxon. Great story! On to the next one!


The Elite - Book 2

Kiera Cass

3 Stars - 3 Days to read


I don't really know what to say about this book. I can't decide if I liked it or not. It was very back and forth and was making me dizzy. 


America is now an elite which means she is one of the top five. In the beginning she had feelings for Maxon but those slowly diminished and her feelings for Aspen was awakened. She keeps going between the two guys. It was actually pretty annoying. She was devoted to Aspen but then she would get jealous when she would see Maxon with other girls. The remaining selected go through different tasks to prove themselves worthy of Maxon and becoming a princess. America didn't know what to do, so she decides to shock everyone. 


I was mostly unimpressed with this book. I am obviously going to read the next one though.

The Guard - Book 2.5

Kiera Cass

3 Stars - 1 Day to read

This short story was pretty good, but I found it sort of long... only because it was pretty much a repeat of the story I already read, but this time it was from Aspens POV. 


Aspen watches as America's feelings for Prince Maxon grow and crumble at the same time. Aspen realizes that America is the only girl for him and how proud he is of her, but deep down inside he knows he can never have her. 


The one thing I liked about this book was the rebel attacks. America never saw those so when we got to see behind the scenes in Aspen's POV it was pretty cool. That's about it. 


The Favorite - Book 2.6

Kiera Cass

3 Stars - 1 Day to read


I can't find this book, but I read a teaser from the back of The Queen short story. This short story is about Marlee and Carter and how they met during the Selection. The first chapter was pretty good. I would love to read more, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Oh well....

The One - Book 3

Kiera Cass

3 Stars - 2 Days to read


I think a lot of stuff happened in this book that I overlooked. I don't think I appreciated the things that happened while they were happening until the book was done. This was an OK book just like the others. The ending was really look. I think if the ending wasn't as it was, I would have given this book 2 stars. 


This book begins with America trying to seduce Prince Maxon. He finds it humerus and knows that's not the true America. America's feelings for Maxon grows as the book goes on until finally she realizes she is in love with him. There was drama with the other girls, southern rebel attacks and even Northern rebel meetings. The King dislikes America and doesn't try to hide it. He tries to send her home but it doesn't work. I don't want to spoil too much with Maxon and Aspen, but I will just say that at one point in the book, Maxon asks what Officer Ledger's first name is. 


Like I said before, the ending of the book was good, and that was about it. Now that their true feelings are out, and there will be no more back and forth (which was giving me a headache) I think I might enjoy these next two books more - Maybe. We shall see what happens!


The Epilogue - Book 3.1

Kiera Cass

3 Stars - 30 Minutes to read


I loved this short story! It was probably the best of all. It was exactly short and sweet!


Two years into their marriage and America planned a birthday party for Maxon. Her gift to him was rather expected. I won't spoil it though.


Great ending to a great series (sorta). In my opinion - the last two books (The Heir and The Queen were pointless) If I can give you any advice on this series is read all the book and short stories... except for the last two books. They were horrible. That's all : )


The Heir - Book 4

Kiera Cass

2 Stars - 10 Days to read


As harsh as this may sound... I did not enjoy this book. Not one bit. It is not a direct continuation of the previous book. This book is about another Selection. This time the Selection of Maxon and America's daughter Eadlyn - who is the next in line to the crown. 


It is the Selection all over again except this time, more annoying. The entire book was annoying. The character build up was lacking. The author wrote about so many guys that I just did not have a connection with and I kept forgetting who they were. The only people I truly remembered was the Finnish guy and Kyle. That's pretty much it. There were no events that caught my attention and the plot was completely lacking. 


It was long, and boring, and I do not recommend it to anyone.  BUT I will read the next - as reluctant as I am. 


The Crown - Book 5

Kiera Cass

2 Stars - 11 Days to read


I did not enjoy this book. It was a short story, but in my mind it was way too long. It was too long and too boring. Only two exciting things happened. I didn't have the urge to continue. I didn't even want to finish. The ONLY reason I continued reading was because it was the last book of the series. If this was a stand alone book, I would have put it down a LONG time ago. I was even considering giving this book 1 star. *Sigh*


It's about the selection and Eadlyn has to make her selection. That's it. End of story.


I DO NOT recommend this series to anyone. That's all.


The Giving Tree

Shel Silverstein

4 Stars - 5 Minutes to read


I read this book to my son who seemed to hang on to every word, even though at the time I am sure he didn't even understand it. 


This kid's story was about a boy who has a friend that is a tree. The boy needs so many things to grow up and the tree helps him out with his needs. The boy is selfish and the tree doesn't mind. It is until the end where the boy doesn't need the tree anymore because he can no longer offer him anything.


I am pretty sure I teared up at the end of the story. Perfectly written!


At The Waters Edge

Sara Gruen

3 Stars - 23 Days to read


I received a digital ARC of this novel from Netgalley on behalf of the Random House Publishing Group.


This book kept me interested enough. I knew of this author so that’s why I requested to read this book.


It is a story of three people: Maddie, Ellis (her husband) and Hank. They were three peas in a pod. Ellis gets almost disowned by his father when the three of them embarrass the family by having a little too much fun at a cocktail new year’s party. Ellis wants to redeem himself by going to Scotland to find the Lock Ness monster, since his father was outcasted and deemed a fraud when his pictures turned out to be fakes. Ellis and Hank leave Maddie for days on end during the war at an inn where she learns to become friends and almost lovers with the people that work there/own the place. She also learns the true nature of her husband and the mean he truly is.


I like how Maddie matured over the course of the book and smartened up. It was a book that kept my attention but wasn’t very exciting. It was slow paced and a casual read. I would recommend this book for anyone trying to find themselves. Read this book to find out how Maddie found her true self, just at the right time!


The Girl Who Chased The Moon

Sarah Addison Allen

2 Stars - 52 Days to read


I love this author, but this book just didn't do it for me.


It begins when Emily Benedict returns to her mother's hometown after her mother passes away. She moves in with her grandfather and she slowly learns things about her mother's past that she had no knowledge of. Her mother was a totally different person when she lived at home. There is another story line with Julie and Sawyer. Julie leaves town after being sent away by her father, but leaves with Sawyers child in her belly, not knowing until it was too late.  She tried to contact Sawyer while she is gone but he is a young high school student and tells her to just 'get rid of it.' Still heartbroken many years later when she returns to their hometown, Sawyer finds her and tried to rekindle their friendship.


The story about Emily finding herself and Win (A resident of the town) and falling in love was cute. Julia baking her cakes because of Sawyer and how much he loves them in hope that their child will find her was cute as well. But it took me FOREVER to read this book. I don't know if it was me or the book... but I couldn't keep it up. That's why it took me so long to finish. I don't really recommend. Sorry :(


The Girl On The Train

 Paula Hawkins

3 Stars - 4 Days to read


I really had high hopes for this book. I heard so many good reviews and everyone told me I just Had to read this book. One of my co workers gave me the book after she was done reading it. I dove right into it. 


It begins with Rachel on the train and she sees the same couple every time she drives by this one house (which turns out used to be z couple houses down the street where she used to live with her ex husband). She makes up a whole story about them until one day something is wrong. We learn a bunch of things about Rachel that she lives with her friend and has been lying to her about losing her job. She keeps calling her ex husband in a drunken stupor. Her ex is married with a baby. The new wife repeatedly calls the cops on Rachel because she wont leave them alone. There is a murder at the house that she watched from the train and Rachel feels that she can solve the mystery but her drunken, foggy memories keep getting the better of her. 

I wont ruin anything but the ending was sort of a surprise but I wasn't really surprised. This was a good book, but not a great one. I don't think I would recommend. I only recommend 5 Stars. Sorry.