Carry On - Rainbow Rowell

My review for Fangirl

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who's ever been chosen

That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right. 

Half the time Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here - it's their last year at Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up. 

Cover

I didn't think the cover was that special, but it was pretty nevertheless. It's just that it's a Fantasy book, and I missed the Fantasy ambiance. On the other hand, it does have the style Rowell prefers, so it didn't really bother me.

Simon Snow

I liked him. That's it. He wasn't special? I feel like I still don't know him too well, even though I've read a 520-page story about him. 

What I liked about him, was that he wasn't perfect. He is supposed to be the 'Chosen One', but he doesn't have the abilities a Chosen One is supposed to have. His magic isn't perfect, and I loved that.

Also, I love how he had some worries about being 'gay' (which isn't in the summary, but yes he starts a relationship with Baz), but he didn't feel the need to label himself and knew he had some better stuff to think about instead. 

Baz (Basilton ?)

I LOVE HIM. I LOVE HIM. He was so funny. There were these times where I literally snorted because of his remarks. Also, the GAY. BEAUTIFUL. There were these comments by him just stating he's 'hopelessly queer' and that was so nice. So nice to read about a character who couldn't give two fucks about being gay/queer, and is just like: I'm in love with my male nemesis, so what? AMAZING. What bugged me though, was how fast Simon got together with Baz, I'd have like some more build-up beforehand. 

The search for his mother's killer was interesting. When I found out who was the cause of her murder, I didn't even want to believe it. WHY?

The vampire part was a nice add too. His sarcasm was great. Basilton is great. I love him.

Penelope 

Simon's Hermione. How I loved her! She seems so casual and lovely. She's a bit nerdy, but not afraid of anyone and she does what she wants. And when she found out that Simon was dating Baz, she didn't even care! I'd love to have her as my best friend. 

I was aware of her crappy 'relationship' with Baz, but that actually made the book more interesting so I didn't mind. You can see she gradually started to understand Baz more and she starting liking him. They'll never be close, but she doesn't mind being around him anymore.

Agatha

Uhm, yeah, Agatha, awkward. I didn't like her. Whenever I read her parts (book changes perspective), I wanted to have read those so I could just read about another character.

She's a really interesting character nevertheless. She's the only character who wanted to be a Normal. She didn't like being a magician. She was... average? It was interesting to me how she wanted to be someone she was not and how her family pressured her into doing things she didn't want to do. She was a bit selfish and arrogant in my opinion, but I can understand why.

The Ending

Yes, a capital letter. It deserved a capital letter. Cause wow, holy shit. A lot of people say the ending was expected, but for me, it was the complete opposite of that. I didn't expect it at all! The death of ****, why would they do that to me? I liked them. Why did they make **** the villain? 

The epilogue was so cute, it is always nice to see how characters are doing some time later. The last sentence was good closure to the book as well.

Still, the ending was really great. That's all I can say, the book was great. (I've used the word great like 100 times this review haha).

I recognised the writing style I love again. Rainbow Rowell is a great writer. I love her view on this world. Her stories aren't filled with perfect people, her characters have flaws. I love her books. However, this was not my favorite book by her. It wasn't that special to me? Eleanor & Park was a masterpiece, but this deserves 4/5 stars in my opinion. 

Dominique

The Selection 1 - Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Cover

I am really glad I didn't read this on the internet and get it in my library. Cause wow, this cover is so beautiful. The dress, the blue, just plain gorgeous. It really gives off this royal feel, which is a big thing in a books as well and I love that. I love books which covers give off the book's content. 

America Singer (-_-)

Really? America Singer? Apart from someone being named after a country/continent, did the author really have to make her a singer? And did the country she was named after, have to be the country where Illéa (America in the future) is now? 

She seemed like a very nice and down-to-earth person. She did whine a bit in my eyes. Saying stuff like: 'I only have a few dresses.' And she thought it was okay to have two boyfriends without telling them?
My friend told me she was going to annoy me in the second book, so I'm really looking forward to that haha.

Prince Maxon

I don't really know what to think. I don't know him that well yet. I feel like there's a lot I need to know before I can make assumptions. He seemed very humble and down-to-earth to me. He has respect for women, but is shy and doesn't know how to act around them. America and him become friends and she teaches him how to act around the 35 women (then 32?). Problem is, he is unable to feel anything for the other women, and starts feeling something for America. I love the way he handles his feelings, Maxon is so gentle and well-mannered. I feel bad for the fact that America doesn't like him that much yet. 

Aspen

HKJHKJLDHmxncmms. WHY. One way it was interesting to see America being together with a 'normal' person, but I want her to be with Maxon ajhc mdjab. I don't really like Aspen, but it made the book more interesting and I'd like to find out more about him and his family.
There's this 'Romeo and Juliet' feel about him and America. Because Aspen is a caste 6, she can't be with him. Which makes me wonder, why doesn't she just pair with Maxon and skip all the stupid drama?

The royal family

The royal family was seriously interesting. Apart from the king and his relationship with his son, there was also the queen. There's a lot about her that's still unknown and I'd love to see more of her. How she wanted to have children but wasn't able to, where she came from (she's a caste 5, just like America), what her opinions are, her own family. I'm glad there is a novella written about her, because she seems really interesting. 

The king though, he didn't let his son say a thing, he pushed his son into doing things. I'm sure he meant well, but I didn't really like the king. 

 The other 34 girls

34 girls, of course you'd have different personalities. The ones that got talked about mostly were Marlee, Celeste and Kriss. Marlee was nice, but kind of mysterious and I feel like she has a big secret, maybe about her family at home. Celeste, however, was an entirely different thing. Who did she think she was? Why did Maxon stand up for her? Have they met before? Let's just say Celeste is the stereotypical bitch in The Selection. 

Kriss seemed sweet and interesting. She wasn't that important, but I'm glad there was someone I seriously liked. 

The second book 

I'M SO EXCITED TO READ THE SECOND BOOK. I do not regret finally starting this series. It wasn't that long either, so that was great too, I love books that are fairly small. 

What kept me reading too, was the North and South thing. I'm not going to say anything more about that, so you might be confused, but I'd really like to know more about that. Definitely picking up the second book once I go to the library again!

Overall, this book was pretty great apart from some small things. I would definitely recommend this series to friends who like books with royalty. 

4,5/5 stars from me!

Title: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection (book 1)

Dominique 

(I've been so incredibly busy with school lately, I didn't get any time to read, sorry, but book life next week!)

Silber 2: Dream On - Kerstin Gier

Things seem to be going well for Liv Silver: she’s adjusting to her new home in London; she has a burgeoning romance with Henry Harper, one of the cutest boys in school; and the girl who’s been turning her dreams into nightmares, Anabel, is now locked up. But serenity doesn’t last for long.

It seems that Liv’s troubles are far from over—in fact, suddenly they’re piling up. School gossip blogger Secrecy knows all of Liv’s most intimate secrets, Henry might be hiding something from her, and at night Liv senses a dark presence following her through the corridors of the dream world. Does someone have a score to settle with Liv?

Cover
I thought the cover didn't have many relations to the book. Apart from that, it is a very beautiful cover and it's pleasing to see the blue. The font is nice to see as well. The German cover, however, is so pretty! If I were fluent in German (which I'm hoping to be in  few years :)), Kerstin's books would definitely be the author I would buy my books from!

Liv, grown up?
I don't remember how I'd described her in the first book, but I've started to like her so much more! Kerstin was able to write her so well this time, and because there were more dangerous/exciting things happening in this sequel, you could see her when ready for a 'fight'.Her love for her sister is so big and it really melted my heart. She is very protective of people she loves, and it's so nice to read about such a bond. Liv was way less dumb in this book, I feel like she's grown up a bit, she now knows more about dream walking, which makes her less of a newbie at it and because of this it's way less boring to read.

Henry
I've always said it, Henry doesn't do it for me. I'm really hoping Liv sees she cannot trust him. There's just this thing about him that makes me feel anxious, like he is secretly a spy or something. Something I was happy about though, was that they showed some background on him. I got to know more about his family (after Liv trying to push him to tell). Liv needing to literally pull these secrets out of him was really weird, weren't they in a relationship? Don't you tell people about your family when you're in a RELATIONSHIP?

Arthur
Oh, great. Spoiler warning: what a backstabbing bitch. Seriously? Who does he think he is? There is something mentally wrong him with him. He tries to kill Liv's sister (Mia) just because she freaking hit him? What the hell even is that reason? He makes me so mad, but I'm excited to see what's going to happen to him. He got hit by Grayson, so that kind of mends my mind a little.

Mia
Throughout the book, I got the feeling the whole book was about her. Which I was very happy about actually. It was about time after being a poor side-character in the last book. I believe she's 12/13? I love sisterly bonds in books, it reminds me of the fact that I've always wanted such a bond with my own sister. 
Having Mia sleepwalk in this book felt like such a creative idea to me. Like, dream walking, but there's sleep walking as well? I also appreciated them showing more of 'controlling people's dreams' in this book. This book was so much better than the original.

Ending
During the ending I had a few thoughts. They talked about Secrecy a little and kind of said who it was, but it still wasn't clear to me. Is **** really Secrecy? Does **** just work for Secrecy? 
Also, THAT LITTLE PLOTTWIST! I was not even surprised by it. How would **** been able to know that otherwise? 
Anabel's infamous line again: 'It's only just beginning', made me feel so many things. I'm so excited to read the final book!


This book definitely didn't disappoint me! I thought it was way better than the first actually. I hope the 3rd can be even better! 3,5/5 stars from me! In this book I recognised the Kerstin Gier writing style again and I loved it! Not regretting starting this series at all.

Title: Dream On

Author: Kerstin Gier
Series: Silber (book 2)

Dominique 
(I know I've not been on schedule lately, but I'm stressing so much over school. Please understand)
(please excuse the lay-out, Blogger hates me)