ARC Review: The Boy with the Hidden Name (Otherworld #2) by Skylar Dorset

Title: The Boy With The Hidden Name (Otherworld #2)
Author: Skylar Dorset
Release Date:
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: This is not your average trip to Fairyland...

Selkie Stewart has just saved her quasi-boyfriend, Ben, from a fairy prison run by the Seelie Court. If they weren't the two most-wanted individuals in the Otherworld before, they definitely are now. Along with Ben and the rest of their ragtag group of allies-Selkie's ogre aunts; a wizard named Will; Ben's cousin Safford; and Kelsey, Selkie's best friend-Selkie is ready to embrace her destiny and bring the Court down. Until she hears the rest of her prophecy: Benedict le Fay will betray you, and then he will die.

Detailed Review: I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

If you remember, this is the sequel to the book that gave me a book hangover previously, which led to a 1 week reading slump.

It was just that good.

The sequel is even better.

I believe that there is a secret ingredient when it comes to writing good sequels.

You must keep everything the same, but something always has to change, has to seem out of place. Different.

Oh, trust me, there were many things that were different from what I expected. And yet, there were elements that still felt the same: Selkie's aunts' love for her and vice versa, Selkie's feelings for Ben, the fact that her mother was still after her (in fact, the whole Seelie court) and more.

The differences were the twists. So if you want a spoiler-free review, then I shall not list them out for you.

The characters, as usual, were filled with humour and personality that infused this book with life. Ben's mom is introduced in this book, and although I didn't like her at first, I loved her in the end. Not only was she complex, she was a good mother that Selkie's mother could never compare to. The Erlking, king of the goblins was also a mysterious character that piques my interest when the spotlight is on him.

This book isn't just about some age-old prophecy and the need to make it come true, it's about the bond between mother and child, and the strength of the friendship that ties Selkie and her friends together.

The story was unpredictable in so many ways, but entirely delectable in another. Nowadays, I seem to get pleasure from other characters' pain and confusion. It made the book more... entertaining.

I was definitely happy at the way the book turned out in the end. A happily ever after, as it turned to out to be, which means no more book hangovers!

Brief Review: What a beautiful ending to a great story! I would give whatever I could just so I could to relive the story again with these delightful and complex characters. If only I had the time! Is there a time-stopping faerie nearby that I could use?

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

Your Reviewer:

How fast can you read?

How fast can you read?

When asked that question, my answer isn't exact. My preferred response is, 'It depends'.

I have a rule when it comes to reading: Never finish a book in a day.

My friends do it, both the ones in real life and the ones online.

I have no idea how they do it, especially when books nowadays have so many pages.

However, in the very rare occasion that I do, I find that I didn't enjoy the book at all.

The thing is, when you read too fast, it ends too fast. I don't like that feeling of finality when you finish a book, because it's hard to say goodbye after such a brief and lovely meeting.

So, 'it depends' is definitely more than one day.

But there's more to it. I don't have the time. I find myself reading less and less because TIME. And since I started college two days ago, that means my reading and blogging schedule is going to go even more out of whack.

All of you must be thinking, 'How can you not finish a book in one day when it's so good?'

I can; I just don't want to.

The fastest I've ever read was one and a half day because the book was Divergent by Veronica Roth.

If you don't get what I'm talking about, GO READ THE FREAKING BOOK.

Also, some books are incredibly thick. If you can finish it in one day, bravo!!! *applause*

Another side to 'it depends', can also mean the book was bad.

Yes, it's so bad that you just want to get it over with. You can't wait to get those boring characters' names out of your head. Basically, you just can't wait.

I can DNF it. Just give up. But I usually don't. Everyone says I have the determination of a poor man looking for food and it's true.

If you've read every one of my reviews, you would know that. But let's just assume you don't. (Who would have the time?!)

How fast can you read? Can you read a book in one day? Or does it vary?

TGIF- Feature & Follow Friday

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY is a blog hop that is designed to provide as much exposure towards other bloggers as well as yourself, and to expand following. It's hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each whom feature a chosen blog for a week, it's also an interesting way to get to know one another bloggers.

Question of the Week:  Do you use the # FF on twitter on Fridays? If you do, are you afraid you’ll forget someone and they’ll be sad?

My answer: No, I don't usually participate in this, but I've been mentioned a few times by others, which is nice of them.

But... If I did it, yeah, I'm really afraid I'll make someone sad by not including them.

What about you? Do you have twitter? Do you use the #FF tag? Tell me in the comments below!!!

Waiting on Wednesday: All The Rage by Courtney Summers

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which highlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication 'can't-wait-to-read' selection is:

Title: All The Rage
Author: Courtney Summers
Release Date: 14th April 2015
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Find on: Goodreads

The sheriff’s son, Kellan Turner, is not the golden boy everyone thinks he is, and Romy Grey knows that for a fact. Because no one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, the truth about him has cost her everything—friends, family, and her community. Branded a liar and bullied relentlessly by a group of kids she used to hang out with, Romy’s only refuge is the diner where she works outside of town. No one knows her name or her past there; she can finally be anonymous. But when a girl with ties to both Romy and Kellan goes missing after a party, and news of him assaulting another girl in a town close by gets out, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn’t speak up. Nobody believed her the first time—and they certainly won’t now — but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear.

With a shocking conclusion and writing that will absolutely knock you out, All the Rage examines the shame and silence inflicted upon young women after an act of sexual violence, forcing us to ask ourselves: In a culture that refuses to protect its young girls, how can they survive?

A book that touches on the subject of rape and sexual abuse? HELL YEAH. I'd read this type of book anytime. There aren't enough books about rape since it is a taboo topic when it comes to literature, so I can't wait to see what this brings! The only good book I've read so far about rape is actually Just Listen by Sxarah Dessen. It's light but it goes quite deep.

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Title: Grave Mercy (Grave Mercy #1)
Author: Robin LaFevers
Release Date: 3rd April 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Detailed Review:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

What has this book done to me?!

Indeed, what has it done?

Let me enlighten you. First, it strangled me, tortured me in many ways imaginable. Then, it gave me hope that I would survive the harsh treatment. Finally, my hope was redeemed and I lived happily ever after. The end.

OK, the story isn't about me (DUH), but it IS about how this book made me feel.

No book has ever made me felt so much in my whole life. Well, I'll make an exception for The Fault in Our Stars.  

How can you feel hopeful and hopeless at the same time? How do you feel loved and neglected at the same time?

In other words, HOW DID THE AUTHOR DO IT?

Not many people can do what this author did, blending history and magic together in the most intriguing and mesmerising ways. Nobody could have done what she did, bringing long-dead historical figures to life again, because isn't that what this is? The author did her own magic.

This is not the first time I've read a book that features the main character as an assassin. Nor is this the first time that I've read a book where the assassin is romantically involved with someone in court.

It's because there's this heartbreaking series called Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, but that's a topic for another day.

In a way, it was like Throne of Glass, but it was so much different as well. Like the time period and setting. And the circumstances Ismae were in. Being an assassin was seen as a good thing because she was serving her god/father, St Mortain. 

Ismae's love interest, Gavriel Duval is the duchess's closest advisor. He is suspected to be a traitor to the throne, which is how both Ismae and Duval get closer. 

I loved the dynamics between them. How they argued and spoke to each other, and the sparks that flew between them.

And one more thing, no love triangles! Yes, I'm rejoicing at this fact because love triangles have become too common a theme in YA books and this was, frankly, a breath of fresh air.

All the characters were well-developed. They each had their own parts to play in the book, not merely something to keep the story going or make the main character seem more heroic, thus making this a very much character-driven book. Character development certainly wasn't lacking. Anne (the duchess) was my favourite character in the book because in truth, she was the heroine, the one who together with Ismae and Duval, fought for her country's independence.

I also found out after that the next two books in the trilogy will feature Ismae's friends, Sybella and Annith, which I really can't wait for. I need to know more about them. Their stories are too mysterious for my liking but I shall bear with it. Luckily, both books are already out, so I can read them whenever I want. No more painful waiting.

And oohh la la! The twists! How could I forget? Those wretched things probably make up half the book. And the way they're revealed. Oh god, could there be a more painful and heartbreaking way to reveal them?

And the story wasn't even a story; it was someone's life. It felt REAL. That they controlled their own destinies and life, and not the author pulling the strings.

This. Is true magic.

That writing style though. It was honestly the best part of the book. It matched the time period, even the characters saying them, which circles back to my previous point that the characters were the ones living their lives, without showing evidence that they were following what the author wanted. 

Brief Review: For a debut, this author is impressive. It was polished until it shone- with the characters' light, and their stories, each told through Ismae's eyes as she tries to find her true purpose in serving Death.

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

Your Reviewer:

UPDATES

Hey!!! Elicia on the blog here (it's always me now).

I just decided to update you on my blogging schedule now. And my current situation.

My blogging schedule, if you haven't noticed, is as follows:

Monday- book review
Tuesday- Teaser Tuesday (it actually depends on my mood)
Wednesday- Waiting on Wednesday
Thursday- possibly another review if I have the time
Friday- Feature and Follow Friday
Saturday- discussion post (bookish and non bookish thoughts)

You all should know I take unexpected blogging hiatuses without notifying you. I'm really sorry for that. It's just that sometimes life gets in the way and I just don't have the time. I will try, but it's getting exceedingly hard, especially when I'm getting older (gasp) and have more responsibilities.

OK, moving on. I'm starting college next week. Yes, college. What does that mean?

That means that I'm moving from Malaysia to Australia and living there for one year since I'm studying foundation for my degree in science.

Time moves too fast, doesn't it? I was only a girl wanting to be a vet, and then boom. I'm going to study to become a vet.

College may or may not get in the way of my blogging schedule (I've heard that college life is actually quite relaxed) so please bear with me. I'm so grateful for all the friends I've met in the book blogging community so far, like Kayla from The Bookish Owl, Nova from Out of Time, Anna from Enchanted by YA and Brianna from Brianna's Bookish Confessions.

You guys have helped me so much and I love you all for it.

Here's to another great year of blogging and reading awesome books!

How do you say it?!

This is my second discussion post and I decided to make it a weekly thing (yay!) since the first one seemed to strike well with my followers.

So this week's topic will be...

Names: how do you pronounce them?

I'm sure all of us have been in a scenario like this:

*reads book*
*encounters a complicated looking name*
*makes up their own way of saying it*
*finds out it's wrong*
*changes way of saying it*

If you've never done that, I believe it's am indication that you haven't been reading enough, or I'm just really bad at figuring how to pronounce names.

Some of my common (and foolish) mistakes have been:

Caleb----- I say Ca-lab instead of Ca-lub. I remember having an argument about this with my friends, especially when even Divergent featured the name. (They won. I say it the right way now)

Penelope---- There was a Penelope in Harry Potter. Book club was how my obsession for HP started. We were all sorted into houses and there were activities to help us score points for our houses. I was in Slytherin- I know, I know, but we actually got the most number of house points because of me (take that, Gryffindor!). OK I'm going off-topic. I actually used to say Pen-a-lope. But the teacher in charge of book club corrected me after I correctly answered a question about this minor character. I've been trying to adapt to saying Pen-a-lop-ee, but it's hard. *cries*

Eragon---- Me: E-ra-gon
                   Other people: A-ra-gon
                   Me: OK OK, you win!!!

The worst thing is when a book is filled with weird looking names. Throne of Glass, I'm talking about you!!! How do you even pronounce Celaena Sardothien? And Ellywe? Eltentiya? I loved this book, but these unique names sure have my head pounding at times.

Thank god for this useful pronunciation guide!!

That's all for today!!! What about you? Do you find trouble saying characters' names when you read?