Fall in Love With 'Snow White with the Red Hair'

Akagami no Shirayuki-hime (Snow White with the Red Hair)

Studio: Bones
Producer: Hakusensha, Warner Bros., The Klock Worx, Showgate
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo
Episodes: 12
Episode Length: 24 min per episode

Although her name means "snow white," Shirayuki is a cheerful, red-haired girl living in the country of Tanbarun who works diligently as an apothecary at her herbal shop. Her life changes drastically when she is noticed by the silly prince of Tanbarun, Prince Raji, who then tries to force her to become his concubine. Unwilling to give up her freedom, Shirayuki cuts her long red hair and escapes into the forest, where she is rescued from Raji by Zen Wistalia, the second prince of a neighboring country, and his two aides. Hoping to repay her debt to the trio someday, Shirayuki sets her sights on pursuing a career as the court herbalist in Zen's country, Clarines.Akagami no Shirayuki-hime depicts Shirayuki's journey toward a new life at the royal palace of Clarines, as well as Zen's endeavor to become a prince worthy of his title. As loyal friendships are forged and deadly enemies formed, Shirayuki and Zen slowly learn to support each other as they walk their own paths.

Likes:

• The art for this anime was just fantastic. It was one of my favorite things about this anime. The character art was gorgeous. I especially liked the art for Mitsuhide, Ryu, and Obi. Obi looked like a cat. OBI, MITSUHIDE, RYU But the other characters kinda blended together for me... But the costumes looked AMAZING. I'll give you some examples. They looked so completely unique and gorgeous. I wish I had those costumes. FIND EXAMPLES OF COSTUMES
• And in a turn of events that is completely unlike me...I'll admit that I sorta-kinda liked the romance. The lovers were sweet on each other. I really liked all those epic hug scenes. (Which basically were fake outs on Zen's part.) And the promise they made? Pretty cute. But I'm not entirely won over. Not yet. Prove that you deserve each other

Dislikes:

• Shirayuki is a boring girl...but a smart one. I didn't particularly care for her Disney princess personality. She was too kind. It annoyed me. She had no depth. But she, admittedly, quite smart. She figures out the answers to problems quite quickly. (But I figured some of it out before she did. So HA! I'm kidding.) For example, the mysterious illness in Ladox was something she figured out quickly. I figured it out too, but I think everyone did. (It was pretty obvious.) But she was quite smart. Not very...perceptive, though.
• In the beginning and end of almost every episode, one of the two main characters (Zen or Shirayuki) would talk about paths and fate. And it made me annoyed. Why in the world would they keep mentioning it? One time is fine. More than one is just...tiresome. I kept skipping those parts. It was a serious waste of time.

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Love Mangakas in Anime? Then 'Monthly Girls Nozaki-kun' is For You!

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (Monthly Girls Nozaki-kun)

Studio: Doga Kobo
Producer: TV Tokyo, Frontier Works,Media Factory, AT-X, Sony Music Communications
Genre: Comedy, School, Romance, Shounen
Episodes: 12
Episode Length: 24 min per episode

Chiyo Sakura is a cheerful high school girl who has fallen head over heels for the oblivious Umetarou Nozaki. Much to Chiyo's confusion, when she confesses to her beloved Nozaki, he hands her an unfamiliar autograph. As it turns out, the stoic teenage boy is actually a respected shoujo mangaka, publishing under the pen name Sakiko Yumeno! A series of misunderstandings leads to Chiyo becoming one of Nozaki's manga assistants.Throughout the hilarious events that ensue, she befriends many of her quirky schoolmates, including her seemingly shameless fellow assistant, Mikoto Mikoshiba, and the "Prince of the School," Yuu Kashima. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun follows Chiyo as she strives to help Nozaki with his manga and hopes that he will eventually notice her feelings.

Likes:

• The side character couples were much more interesting than Nozaki and Chiyo. Seo and Wakamatsu had this confusing relationship, with Seo being the beloved Lorelei. And Hori and Kashima were so cute. They had this love hate relationship, but I loved it so much. They kept pushing each other down and yelling, but they really did care for each other. I wanted these couples to get together more than Chiyo and Nozaki. Chiyo and Nozaki was so boring. There were episodes when they disappeared entirely.

Dislikes:

• There was a lack of plot. The story didn't seem to follow any sort of path. There weren't dates or attempts to confess. It was a lot of boring nothing. You could pick up the story at any episode and still get the gist. I was tired by the lack of anything.
• The main couple is boring. As I said, I didn't particularly care if they got together. They didn't have chemistry. And, at times, you could forget that's Chiyo like Nozaki. They barely talked. And most of it was research for the manga. While I liked their work relationship, nothing came out of it. Just boring gaga stuff.
• There isn't an ending per se. The couples I wanted together weren't together. I needed more. Some closure really. I wanted people to kiss and hug and just be adorable fluffy couples. That's what I watched this show for. And I have nothing to show for it? Boring.

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I Didn't Quite Fall in Love With 'The Love That Split the World'

The Love That Split the World

Author: Emily Henry

Goodreads / Amazon

Natalie Cleary must risk her future and leap blindly into a vast unknown for the chance to build a new world with the boy she loves. 

Natalie’s last summer in her small Kentucky hometown is off to a magical start... until she starts seeing the “wrong things.” They’re just momentary glimpses at first—her front door is red instead of its usual green, there’s a pre-school where the garden store should be. But then her whole town disappears for hours, fading away into rolling hills and grazing buffalo, and Nat knows something isn’t right.

That’s when she gets a visit from the kind but mysterious apparition she calls “Grandmother,” who tells her: “You have three months to save him.” The next night, under the stadium lights of the high school football field, she meets a beautiful boy named Beau, and it’s as if time just stops and nothing exists. Nothing, except Natalie and Beau.

Emily Henry’s stunning debut novel is Friday Night Lights meets The Time Traveler’s Wife, and perfectly captures those bittersweet months after high school, when we dream not only of the future, but of all the roads and paths we’ve left untaken.

This book had lots of potential. It could have been amazing. But there were a lot of elements that I liked that were lacking. And, overall, I had too many questions to feel satisfied.

Likes:

• The paranormal aspects were fantastic. But I wanted more. I wanted to know more about the science of the parallel world. Why is everything revolving around Beau and Natalie? There are hints of other people this happens to. Where are they? Who are they? What do they have in common with Natalie and Beau? I didn't feel satisfied about the information I was given. I wanted more.
• Beau was a complex character. But he didn't get enough screen time. I felt that if the book was in his PoV, things would be much more interesting. After all, he had a complex home life. Problems were hinted at in Natalie's home, but they didn't have a lot of meat. He had reasons for his existence, reasons for his personality. But nothing is continued. He's a teenage piano-playing, footballing alcoholic. He's kind and gentle even though his family life is rough. He's good at football but really slacks off in every other way. I wanted to know why he was like that. I felt like he was just Natalie's Beau (haha, I get the joke) and not his own person.

Dislikes:

• The romance was meh. I know this book was about romance. I knew that walking in. But still. I really didn't like the instalove. These two barely knew each other before the first kiss. The story didn't expand on their romance. It was a lot of momentous firsts that aren't really compounded on. I wanted to know why Beau loved Natalie and why Natalie loved Beau. Even if you just gave me the cheesy 'I love your hair. I love your eyes. I love you smile' stuff. I'd actually be much happier if that had been written in. They met maybe three times before the lip locking. Why was Natalie drawn to him? What did she find interesting? His kindness? His warmth? Explain, girl, explain!
• The plot was unsatisfying. If you look at it, not a lot happened. The two met and fell in love. Not a lot happened. Not things that were written outright at least. The story was about their romance, but that wasn't interesting either. Nothing was given meat. The story had so much potential, but it didn't go beyond bare bones.

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Shine the light on truth with 'Illuminae'

Illuminae

Author: Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Goodreads / Amazon

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

City of The Truth

A city of science fiction. Of fighters with heart and sass. Of a hacker who knows her stuff. Of an AI who could kill them all. Of sweet romance and joking friends. And lovers separated.

"This book is so amazing, so perfect. I can't help but gush about this book. So I will.

"Kady was a great character. She was clever and sassy. She had determination and drive coursing through her veins. And all her conversations were rife with sass. I really liked reading her character. I like sassy characters who don't let anyone walk over them. And Kady was a perfect example of that.

"The romance was so sweet and lovely. These two cared for each other. Even if Kady originally broke up with Ezra. Their conversations were rapid-fire and hilarious. Their usage of text emojis was amazing. These two are relationship goals. You can truly tell they care for each other. Everything they said and did showed it. Their joking was sweet and amicable. I want a relationship like Ezra and Kady's. They're not just lovers; they're best friends too.

"The plot had me on the edge of my seat. The attack. The escape. The chase. And AIDAN. Wow. It was thrilling. I was yearning for all the time to read. You couldn't predict what would happen. AIDAN didn't. And he's a supercomputer AI. All the action sequences and the hacking made my heart sing.

"The way the pages looked was definitely different. It was a truly unique way of telling a story. Reports and chats and drawings. It wasn't just written word. It was art. How serious, I know. All the artwork was great. The artwork used words to form pictures. That's called concrete poems, if I recall correctly. They were beautiful and captivating. Made me want to try. Probably wouldn't make something distinguishable if I tried.

"I seriously can't think of any problems with this book. There aren't any questions left. I have no qualms about the romance. I even like the romance. All I want is the second book."

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Stay With Me For 'Every Last Word'

Every Last Word

Author: Tamara Ireland Stone

Goodreads / Amazon

If you could read my mind, you wouldn't be smiling.

Samantha McAllister looks just like the rest of the popular girls in her junior class. But hidden beneath the straightened hair and expertly applied makeup is a secret that her friends would never understand: Sam has Purely-Obsessional OCD and is consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she can't turn off. 

Second-guessing every move, thought, and word makes daily life a struggle, and it doesn't help that her lifelong friends will turn toxic at the first sign of a wrong outfit, wrong lunch, or wrong crush. Yet Sam knows she'd be truly crazy to leave the protection of the most popular girls in school. So when Sam meets Caroline, she has to keep her new friend with a refreshing sense of humor and no style a secret, right up there with Sam's weekly visits to her psychiatrist.

Caroline introduces Sam to Poet's Corner, a hidden room and a tight-knit group of misfits who have been ignored by the school at large. Sam is drawn to them immediately, especially a guitar-playing guy with a talent for verse, and starts to discover a whole new side of herself. Slowly, she begins to feel more "normal" than she ever has as part of the popular crowd . . . until she finds a new reason to question her sanity and all she holds dear.

City of Words

A story about poetry and love and OCD and a loss of control. Has romance. Has an adorable guitar player and a group of Mean and Popular Girls. A narrator you'll feel for. Amazing poetry. Amazing friendships and relationships.

"I started to cry when I began to read this. I don't know why. I loved that Tamara Ireland Stone wrote about OCD. I feel like people make OCD into a cleaning thing when it isn't always true. It's about impulses more likely. (Not that I know the exact details.) I have a love of studying the mental disorders. It's kinda why I want to be a psychologist. Personal reasons actually. Not important here, though.

"If my school had a Poet's Corner, I'd be set. You know what, I'll make it. It's decided. I love Sam. Her poetry is meaningful. Poetry is just pouring your thoughts onto a page. It's therapeutic. And Caroline? I loved her shirts. Can someone please make shirts like Caroline's? I want them all! And the romance. It wasn't bad. A little rushed. I was lost at why they would want to date since there wasn't history or chemistry. But The Guy really changed Sam. And that's what I thought was good about him. And the friendships. I loved that. The MaP Girls(Mean and Popular Girls) annoyed me. I don't think I've ever met MaPs before. Seriously. And I'm in high school for goodness sake. And the things Sam's mom did for her? Best. Fictional. Mom. Ever. Overall, a thumbs up."

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I Walk On Earth Disappointed: 'Walk on Earth a Stranger'

Walk on Earth a Stranger
Rae Carson

Amazon / Goodreads

Gold is in my blood, in my breath, even in the flecks in my eyes.
Lee Westfall has a strong, loving family. She has a home she loves and a loyal steed. She has a best friend—who might want to be something more.
She also has a secret.
Lee can sense gold in the world around her. Veins deep in the earth. Small nuggets in a stream. Even gold dust caught underneath a fingernail. She has kept her family safe and able to buy provisions, even through the harshest winters. But what would someone do to control a girl with that kind of power? A person might murder for it.
When everything Lee holds dear is ripped away, she flees west to California—where gold has just been discovered. Perhaps this will be the one place a magical girl can be herself. If she survives the journey.
The acclaimed Rae Carson begins a sweeping new trilogy set in Gold Rush-era America, about a young woman with a powerful and dangerous gift.

After reading the revenge story 'Vengeance Road', I can't look at Westerns the same

 again. Which sucks for this book since it's also a Western about a cross-dressing girl. To interest me, it had to surpass my prior Western read. (Since 'Vengeance Road' is my baseline for Western stories. I got get around much.)

I sorta-not-really liked Leah. I admired her strength and determination but disliked her emotions about Jefferson. She was brave. She was smart. I admired that. I always do. For a protagonist, she had some admirable qualities. And they weren't taking backseat to things like good looks or charm. That's partly to her male-persona Lee. People thought she was male, and they acted accordingly.
On the other hand, her feelings for Jefferson were annoying. She had no interest before. Why now? There was no reason for it. I wanted her to be that one heroine who doesn't fall for her best friend. That's all I ask. But no, Leah had to do it too.

The family stories was great. I truly did like them. I prefer family stories to romance. The bond. The trust. As they say, blood is thicker than water. You can't trade your family like you do with boyfriends or girlfriends. You're stuck with them. The love between the families and in them really made me smile. They were a tight-knit group. Loving and caring. Friendly.

With a story about the strenuous journey to California, you'd think the plot would have bandits or robbers or kidnappers. Nope. You got more of a family story than a journey. I'd prefer a journey story. As much as I like having family and friends in a story, I like action and massive explosions better.

Because of that, I was bored. I was hoping for a raid or a robbery. I was hoping for someone to take the kids or the women. (I have a fanciful imagination.) I didn't get that. There were more people with cholera and measles than raids. (And that's including the brothers swooping in and stealing someone's stuff.)
Also, where is the gold mining? Leah has the power to find gold. Why didn't she put it to use? I mean, she did, but it was that one off occasion. I felt like she needed to get to California and use it.
And the halfhearted ending with that final meeting with H-man? No. More fireworks, please. More action. More threats. And the ending was so rushed. It just poof! appeared. I wanted more buildup or more tension.
I walk on earth disappointed. 

Rating:

3/5

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Where Are Their Personalities and More Questions From My Time Reading 'Scorpion Rules'

The Scorpion Rules

Erin Bow 

Amazon / Goodreads 

The world is at peace, said the Utterances. And really, if the odd princess has a hard day, is that too much to ask?

Greta is a duchess and crown princess—and a hostage to peace. This is how the game is played: if you want to rule, you must give one of your children as a hostage. Go to war and your hostage dies.

Greta will be free if she can survive until her eighteenth birthday. Until then she lives in the Precepture school with the daughters and sons of the world’s leaders. Like them, she is taught to obey the machines that control their lives. Like them, she is prepared to die with dignity, if she must. But everything changes when a new hostage arrives. Elián is a boy who refuses to play by the rules, a boy who defies everything Greta has ever been taught. And he opens Greta’s eyes to the brutality of the system they live under—and to her own power.

As Greta and Elián watch their nations tip closer to war, Greta becomes a target in a new kind of game. A game that will end up killing them both—unless she can find a way to break all the rules.

There are only two things I liked about this book. Talis and Elian.
And there are many things I hated.

Why did I like Talis and Elian? They were the only characters with actual personalities. You think that Children of Peace would rebel more. You know, do drugs or have sex. The stuff typical teenagers do. (Also. How old are these guys? They are so stoic and boring and personality-less that I couldn't tell.)
Talis had amazing humor. The sorta-funny guy you know. And Elian was rebellious. A little too rebellious but he was still great. They both had more emotions than the entire Precepture combined. Seriously. They laughed and loved and fought and killed and joked. I really wanted a story about Talis. He's way more interesting. He has a past, a human one. And he's an AI now. Why? How? Some of the many questions that went unanswered about the two most interesting characters of this book.
The rest of the kids were empty shells. And that seriously annoyed me. With the presence of oppression, a good amount of people rebel. And not hiding in the shadows and 'playing coyotes'. (Where did that phrase come from anyways? It makes no sense. What do coyotes have to do with sex?)

And I will now start a long rant about the rest of the book. Which I'll keep short for you, dear readers.

Let me say this. Greta was emotionless before and after her little procedure. She was robotic. She barely reacted. She barely felt. I was honestly stunned. Most main characters have backstories and pasts and lovers and relationships. Simply put, Greta didn't.
And it's not just her. It's the other Children. Thandi and Xie had no emotions. Atta was barely mentioned. Han and Gregori had more childish emotions, but I think the Abbott hadn't yet sucked out their souls.
These characters were bland. No personality. No spark. No childishness. Elian didn't just bring rebellion to the Precepture. He brought personality as well. (That doesn't mean his arrival changed much either. Just saying he changed tiny things.)

I couldn't stand the romance. Where is the chemistry? Where is the love? I didn't see it. I saw a chance to make the people think this was an even more diverse book with LGBT characters! (Don't think I'm critiquing the author here. I know I actively try to add diversity in my stories.) There was no spark. No prior feelings. Nothing. Just romance out of nowhere. Mind you, these two have known each other for a long time. Since Greta got there. And if these feelings just arise almost thirteen years later, and after you've both spent time together for pretty much every day of those thirteen years, I think there's a problem. It's different when they have subtle hints at romance. It's different when one has an unrequited love for the other. That's not the case here.
And also, that little H and G thing? Nope. I was so confused. I mentally pictured them as little elementary school kids. Not anyone nearly old enough to realize his or her feelings of love for another. Another diversity thing. Sheesh.

And the world. I have a major problem with it. I don't think these rulers would fork over their kids if they knew their kids could die. I wouldn't. And I feel like a single AI ruler is very irrational decision. What if someone kills his program or something? (Is that possible? I lack computer skills, and it shows.) And why is the UN still working? And why exactly did the world end? Was it Mother Nature finally fighting back? Or something else entirely? I was confused. Maybe it's my bad memory or something. I feel like the world was divided between a lot of Causes of The End. And that's confusing for a reader who wants a simple explanation. Especially simple-minded people like me.
And since when can magic-bone-knitter-back-together things exist but not AC? That is not a world I'd live in.

Rating:

1/5

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Is It An Accident? A Review of 'The Accident Season' by Moria Fowley-Doyle

The Accident Season

Moira Fowley-Doyle

Goodreads / Amazon

It's the accident season, the same time every year. Bones break, skin tears, bruises bloom.

The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara's life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara's family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items - but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.

But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?

With the hype about this book, I couldn't resist the temptation to read it.

I shouldn't give in to hype anymore.

I was sadly disappointed by this book.

There once was a girl named Cara

Whose mother said her full name was caramel

She was such a klutz

And most likely insane

And her friends always said, "Cara fell!"

There once was a boy named Sam

Who was always happy as a clam*

But he loved his sister (Or, technically, ex-stepsister)

As more than a sister

And Sam wasn't happy as a clam

There once was a girl named Alice

Whose boyfriend and temper were fiery

She was the rational one

In a family of none

And Alice was burned without malice

There once was a girl named Bea

Who probably was gay-a

She was kooky unlike some

And definitely fun

But she was always told "See ya latah!"

*I RHYMED. SCORE.

If you're wondering, this doesn't mean I liked this book. The poem was just a fun way of telling you what I thought. (Although, it's a little vague.)

The romance was annoying. The plot seemed underdeveloped and quickly hit the climax of the book. The main character Cara fell flat. The mystery about the accident season was confusing and barely understandable.

The only cool thing was Elsie, and she was barely touched upon. I wanted more from her. Or maybe a story from her perspective? Hm...

Overall, I was majorly disappointed. Definitely thankful that this was such a quick read.

Rating:

2/5

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Dolly Parton, Pageantry, and Pretty Boys aka 'Dumplin'

Dumplin'
Julie Murphy  

Goodreads / Amazon

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

If you were expecting a sob story about my fat-to-thin change, you won't find it here. I am within a normal range for my age range and height. Of course, no tubbiness is my goal. And I do have some tub on my stomach.
But there's one thing. One thing I hate the most.
My thighs. 
I know it sounds so stereotypical. Once, my thighs would touch the ends of my seat in the car. I have stretch marks. My thighs jiggle when I walk. I think I've made it worse by wearing leggings, but I don't fit any other pants otherwise. 
So there. My sob story. 
I know what age to blame it on. I curse you, fifth grade Wren. You didn't have to watch YouTube and eat snacks all day, but you did. Curse you! 
Enough about me. More about Willowdean.

I just loved Willowdean. She was flashy and bright. She was brave and defiant. I adored her character. She was amazing. I admired her as well. I wouldn't be brave enough to enter a pageant as well known as Miss Blue Bonnet. And I'm of average everything. That takes guts. It really does. 

Something that definitely resonated with me was Will's insecurities. She wasn't perfect. She didn't adore her body. She felt self-conscious when Bo touched her. 
With that, I have to say that she felt real. Normal people have insecurities. They hate their eyebrows or lips or nose or whatever. It makes them human. 
I felt like anyone could have her body and insecurities. As I said, she felt real.
And, on top of that, I have my own insecurities. Here's a little story to put things into perspective. I was working on some short answers in English. My teacher is the teacher who constantly barrages you with positive attitude stuff, as if telling you these would change your attitude around. When she came by my table and whispered, "Hey, Wren," I looked up. She pointed at a written sign on a legal pad that said simply 'awesome=you :)'. And it felt like the most positive thing someone said to me in a while. I know that sounds like I'm fishing for compliments. I'm not. That's just how my life has been, how it always has been. Those who love themselves more than I do might be wondering how this possible. I think the recipe involves the hope for all As, the need to get into the best programs, a lot of pressure, and a lack of praise. 

The cast of characters was amazing. You had Hannah and Millie. You had Bo. Will herself. These people were diverse. The 'fat girl'. The lesbian. The tall, hunky, basketball player. You had a lot of different representation. You had the beauty queens and the drag queens. The perfect, little winners of the beauty pageants and the cheerleaders. You had everyone. 

Sadly...the romance was a problem. Albeit, a minor one. I disliked the rushed, instalove part. They barely knew each other. They met. They talked. And boom! Kissing everywhere. Why did he like her? Why did she care? Why were they drawn together? Give me answers or give me death. Or you know...not death.
But I ship Bo and Will so hard that I forgive the instalove. (Somehow.) They were so cute. While Bo made Will uncomfortable at times, he truly seemed to care for her. He tried his best to make her feel loved. And that might be all you can do sometimes.

And something else I didn't like was the plot. For a majority of the plot, I was a little bored. I adored the story because of the characters. The plot was a little dull. Not much happened. Drag queen show. Momma drama. Pageant prep. Distance between you and your best friend. Sorta typical really. The characters really made this book enjoyable for me.

Rating:

5/5

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Wren Rewrites: The Worst Romance Scene (Or the Worst I Could Make It)

As you many know, I am vehemently against romance in books. Sure, it can spice things up at times, but I hate the instalove and love triangles of YA fiction. It's, simply put, blegh. 
So I decided to write my own little romantic scene. No, it's not a lemon or a lime. (But it does hint at the you-know-what, but that's YA for you. The you-know-what scenes galore. All censored, of course.) It's going to be cheesy and fluffy and make-you-want-to-barf-y. 
Don't think I'm mocking all the books with romance in them or the authors who wrote them. I'm mocking the idea people have of romance in general. So please don't be offended. Anyways, my stories end up with a lot of romance even if I don't try to add it in. (And I do try to make them have no romance. Sigh.) 
So enjoy! (Plus, I gave sassy commentary throughout.) 

Cat stood there, gazing out into the burning sunset. She sighed pathetically (because she has to be pathetic) as she waited for her love (one of two) to arrive. Alex rode up on a horse (of course, it's a horse.) He flashed his love a grin.
"Oh, Alex," she gushed. She threw herself at his stocky build and wrapped her arms lovingly around his chest. "You're so manly," she gushed (even more.) He smiled, his white teeth blinding anyone within a fifteen feet radius. He pressed his thin and always-moist (haha, moist) lips to her creamy, pale forehead. (Because...cream?) 
"My love, alas, it has been too long," Alex said (because he's Shakespearean!) He clutched her to his chest, sniffing her hair (like a creeper.) 
"Oh, my dear, it has been," she replied (even though they saw each other two hours ago. Clingy much?) 
Alex kissed the tip of her snubby nose and nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. 
Cat heard a loud whistle and jumped away from Alex. A frown pressed itself onto his lips. 
"What is wrong, my love?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"No!" Cat cried, smashing her lips into his.
Alex relaxed slightly and started to run his hands up her sides. She melted (into a puddle of chocolate.)
A loud crash sounded behind them. Once again, Cat sprang away from Alex. His frown reappeared. 
"My love?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously. (Because she's a dirty, dirty cheater!) "What is wrong?"
"Nothing, my love," she replied, patting his cheeks gently with a gloved hand. "Nothing." She slowly removed her gloves, and Alex took the hint. "Now? But I just arrived, my love," Alex said. Cat smiled coyly. "There's no time like the present," she replied. A playful smirk crossed her lips. Alex grinned broadly, again blinding everyone within a fifteen feet radius (including Cat, so she's like...blind right now.) Cat nodded, blinking blearily. Alex yanked off his shirt, showing off a ripped stomach (that Cat can't appreciate since she's blinded.) He rubbed his washboard stomach and mumbled something. Cat blinked away the last of the sparks and leaned forwards. "In the barn," she whispered, brushing her lips against his ear. Alex's eyes widened. "Such a devilish girl," he replied, nibbling on her earlobe. She giggled and jumped down from her perch as Alex urged his horse on wards (because horsing around. Get it?) The milky steed neighed in disgust as it was led into the stables (smart horse.) Alex hopped down and smiled. 
"One moment," Cat said, "I have to get something." Alex smiled. "Don't worry. I brought it," he replied, yanking out the something. Cat blushed, appreciating his forethought. 
"But I must do something," she said. "A lady's thing." (Aka she's going to cheat on you!) She winked slyly as Alex hooted. He slapped his thighs gently and nodded. "One must do what one must," he said. "Go on." He urged her forwards with his hand motions. "I'll be waiting for you." Cat grinned. "I do appreciate this, love," she said, pressing a rough kiss to his lips. "I'll be back."
Cat dashed off, leaving Alex with a lump in his pants (mhm) and a smile on his lips.

Cat slipped off her woolen dress and dropped it by the floor. She wandered through the house, trying to find him. She slowly approached the master bedroom and pressed the door open. 
He sat inside, smiling at her with a box of chocolates on his lap. 
"Hello, darling," he said in a British accent (because accents.) He got up and placed the chocolates on the dresser. "How are you?"
"I'm good," she said hurriedly, tugging at the hem of her shirt. "You?" 
Brad smiled warmly (like the Sun) at her and nodded. "I'm good," he said. He patted the bed. "Come. Sit." He smiled even more warmly. Cat sat down and immediately mashed her face into Brad's. Brad didn't hesitate as he locked lips with her, slipping his tongue down her throat. Brad tugged a lock of hair, and Cat yelped in alarm. 
"Cat!" 
Alex appeared in the doorway. He gaped at the sight. Cat had her hand wound in Brad's hair. Brad was cradling her to his chest. 
"But, my dear!" Alex cried, aghast. 
Cat blushed, looking at the floor. "Alex," she murmured.
"You know this hellion?" Brad asked, getting to his feet. He glanced at the girl. Cat didn't reply. 
Alex brushed off invisible specks on his pants and shook his head. "I'm very disappointed in you," he said. Brad nodded in agreement. 
"It's a very naughty thing to do," Brad said. 
"Will you punish me?" Cat asked tentatively. She hated punishments. 
"No," Alex replied. He looked at Brad. "I think we should leave." Brad nodded in agreement (because agreeing twice makes things nice!) He held out his hand to Alex. "Shall we?" Brad asked with his accent thick. Alex nodded. "We shall." He took Brad's hand, and they vacated the room, leaving Cat to wail and cry at their backs. 

(And I'm cutting to the chase here.) 
In the end, Cat gained an STD from Brad and became pregnant with Alex's child. She ended up in a hospital alone with twins. Neither boy came back because they were enjoying their honeymoon in Italy happily married.
The end. 

And this is why I don't like romance.

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How Far Will You Go For Your Dream School? Find Out Ashley's Story in 'Future Perfect'

Future Perfect

Jen Larsen

Goodreads / Amazon

Every year on her birthday, Ashley Perkins gets a card from her grandmother—a card that always contains a promise: lose enough weight, and I will buy your happiness. Ashley doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with the way she looks, but no amount of arguing can persuade her grandmother that “fat” isn’t a dirty word—that Ashley is happy with her life, and her body, as it is. But Ashley wasn’t counting on having her dreams served up on a silver platter at her latest birthday party. She falters when Grandmother offers the one thing she’s always wanted: tuition to attend Harvard University—in exchange for undergoing weight loss surgery. As Ashley grapples with the choice that little white card has given her, she feels pressured by her friends, her family, even administrators at school. But what’s a girl to do when the reflection in her mirror seems to bother everyone but her? Through her indecisions and doubts, Ashley’s story is a liberating one—a tale of one girl, who knows that weight is just a number, and that no one is completely perfect.

BOOK LINKS:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18245617-future-perfect?ac=1

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1UHQGuj

BookDepository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Future-Perfect-Jen-Larsen/9780062321237

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/future-perfect-jen-larsen/1121030465?ean=9780062321237

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/future-perfect/id957456268?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/es-ES/ebook/future-perfect-10

What are you supposed to say about a book like this? Congratulations? Huzzah? I'm not sure.

I loved Laura and Jolene. They were the perfect cheer squad for Ashley. They were helpful and kind. They cared. They cared in different ways, though. Laura tried to be the fun one who was defiant and fought back. Jolene was more laid back, but she tried to support Ashley in every way. If I had friends like Laura and Jolene, I'd be set for life.

I have to admit that I liked Ashley's decision in the end. She realized that she didn't need anything to love herself. She didn't need to be thin. She was thriving anyways. She'd change the world anyways.
There wasn't an explanation, though. She just bolted. She didn't explain. There wasn't a why. There was only the effect. No cause.

I was highly confused for a majority of the plot. The story was jumping from thing to thing. Laura. The boyfriend Hector. Jolene. It was as if everyone else decided to make their lives sucky at the same time as Ashley's decision. Poor Ashley had to keep up with all that. That made it a confusing jumble of different stories and different lives. It was confusing.

The romance was oddly lacking. Which seemed odd. Normally, you are overcompensating. Why do you like him? He's nice? He's cute? What else? Does his music make you all fluffy inside? Does his smile light up your world? I need some fluff here! Something to make sense. 

Rating:

3/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jen Larsen is the author of Future Perfect and Stranger Here: How Weight Loss Surgery Transformed My Body and Messed With My Head. She has an MFA in creative writing from the University of San Francisco and currently lives in Madison, WI. Find her at jenlarsen.net.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://jenlarsen.net/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5989307.Jen_Larsen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenfoo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writerjenlarsen?fref=ts

Tumblr: http://jenlarsen.tumblr.com/

Prizes: Win a signed hardcopy of FUTURE PERFECT, a FUTURE PERFECT SHIRT and  FUTURE PERFECT button and magnet (US Only)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d9681b86137/?

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Eight Reasons to Love 'Spinning Starlight' by RC Lewis

Spinning Starlight

RC Lewis  

Goodreads / Amazon

Sixteen-year-old heiress and paparazzi darling Liddi Jantzen hates the spotlight. But as the only daughter in the most powerful tech family in the galaxy, it's hard to escape it. So when a group of men show up at her house uninvited, she assumes it's just the usual media-grubs. That is, until shots are fired.
Liddi escapes, only to be pulled into an interplanetary conspiracy more complex than she ever could have imagined. Her older brothers have been caught as well, trapped in the conduits between the planets. And when their captor implants a device in Liddi's vocal cords to monitor her speech, their lives are in her hands: One word and her brothers are dead.
Desperate to save her family from a desolate future, Liddi travels to another world, where she meets the one person who might have the skills to help her bring her eight brothers home-a handsome dignitary named Tiav. But without her voice, Liddi must use every bit of her strength and wit to convince Tiav that her mission is true. With the tenuous balance of the planets deeply intertwined with her brothers' survival, just how much is Liddi willing to sacrifice to bring them back?
Haunting and mesmerizing, this retelling of Hans Christian Andersen'sThe Wild Swans strings the heart of the classic with a stunning, imaginative world as a star-crossed family fights for survival in this companion to Stitching Snow.

Note: I got this as an eARC from NetGalley. 

Eight is an important number in 'Spinning Starlight', so I decided to make this post about eight things to love about this book. (Not that I don't have things I disliked.)

1) The Retelling

I really liked the comparisons to the original fairy tale. I like the original 'The Wild Swans'. It definitely is a fairy tale about family.

The comparisons were pretty simple. Missing brothers. Lost voice. Etc etc etc. The fact that the fairy tale was adapted was pretty awesome in my book.

2) Liddi's personality

I truly loved Liddi's character. She was brave. She went into the unknown for her family. She was dedicated. She gave birth to some awesome ideas. (Non-fashion related, of course.) She was a great and admirable character. Definitely not the usual ditzy heiress. (Or even the rude one. Ehem Eadlyn ehem.)

3) Romance's slow build

I hate insta-love. Hate it. When this book introduced a slow-moving romance, I was thrilled. 'At last,' I thought, 'a slower romance!' (Not that I haven't read slower-moving romances before. I have. This was just nice.)

I may not have loved the romance, but I loved the slow build.

4) Tiav's love for Liddi without knowing who she is

He didn't care who she was before they met. He could barely communicate with her. He loved her anyways. I thought that was interesting. He saw past the Liddi Jantzen everyone else saw. He saw her. (Cheesy, I know. Spare me.)

Isn't that romantic?

5) Brotherly love

I'm an only child. I don't know how older brothers are supposed to act. If I had older brothers, though, I wish they were like Liddi's. These guys were cool. Smart and kind. Warm and loving. They are what I think older brothers are supposed to be. I loved it.

And I appreciate it when books have an emphasis on familial love. Family is forever, you know?

6) The memories

These memories really gave depth to Liddi's relationship with her brothers. (All of them.) They showed family. And love and care. The brothers' love of Liddi really showed.

It was a nice peak into why Liddi cared so much about rescuing her brothers. (Other than the fact that they are her brothers.) Without it, I might have wondered why. (Only child thinking.)

7) The world and tech

The streamers. The Khua. It was so cool. I loved it. The futuristic world was interesting. I loved the advancements in technology. I wanted to live in this world. (After the book, of course.)

8) Liddi's growth

Liddi really grew in this book. She was some paparazzi girl in the beginning. She went to fashion shows and wore expensive jewels. As time wore on, she discovered her potential. She discovered her genius. I really admired her transformation. It was truly amazing.

Rating:

4/5

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