My Book Reviews - 2016
Here is a list of books that I have read since January 2016.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns - Book 1

4 Stars - 4 Days to read
The Crown of Embers - Book 2

The Bitter Kingdom - Book 3

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.
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.
Glass Sword - Book 2

Victoria Aveyard
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

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
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.
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.