YA Book Recommendations: If you like this TV Show, read this Book #1

A big list of what YA books to watch from TV shows! This is YA recommendations. I know lot's of young people don't watch these 'adult' TV shows (or at least that what people call them) but if you are an adult loving YA, here are some recommendations!
Hope you enjoy!

1. Mad Men

For the old-style classic feel, read Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. It is about two teenagers who find love in one another in the 80s. I know, I know, they're teens, but it gives the old-style feel with cassette tapes and vinyl.
Other recommendations: The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

2. Breaking Bad

If you want a book about people doing something illegal with an edge, I recommend the Burn for Burn trilogy by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian. It's about three teenage girls who are each from different cliques: popular, burnout, and loner, and they work together to take revenge on people who have wronged them.
Other recommendations: The Almost Truth by Eileen Cook

3. Sons of Anarchy

This recommendation is on a new release (March 2015). It is about a girl who moves to her father's hometown. In this hometown there are motorcycle clubs and a dangerous guy who she starts falling for. For a similar feel to Sons of Anarchy, read Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry.
Other recommendations: Cross my Heart by Katie Klein

4. Vikings

Vikings is a great show set in a time so old, it could be consider fantasy. If you love this show, I recommend reading The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski. It takes place in a fantasy world, but there are a group of Valorians who are fighting back to take back what is theirs.
Other recommendations: Rift by Andrea Cremer

5. Reign

This show is all about the royalty and the deceit at court and the romance. If you love this show, I recommend The Selection by Kiera Cass. The Selection is about America, a girl who gets chosen to be in the running to win the heart of Prince Maxon. It's like the Bachelor. It talks about all the amazing dresses the girls get to wear, what it is like to be wealthy and famous. Even though this book takes place in the future, it reminded me of this show because it is about royalty. 
Other recommendations: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

6. Orphan Black

This show is so thought out and so sci-fi and all about science! I love it! If you love it too, I recommend The Originals by Cat Patrick. I have yet to read this book, but it is one with lots of science involved. It is about three girls who take turns going out in the world. They believe they are triplets. This is not the case.
Other recommendations: Revived by Cat Patrick

I hope you enjoyed! Comment below and let me know if these recommendations helped!

Let's Talk: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) by Diana Gabaldon

Let's Talk contains spoilers

3.5 stars

Synopsis (Goodreads):
For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ...and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his...

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ...and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves...

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This book was very close to being 4 stars. But I just couldn't stop comparing it to the first. The first was mind-blowing good. But this (while it stands out against other books) just isn't as good as Outlander.
This one starts slowly. They are now living in Paris and Claire is pregnant.
The biggest problem with this book was how slow it started. It was difficult to follow the politics because I was slightly bored with the first 40%. But the book definitely redeemed itself with it's end half.

SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE ENTIRE BOOK

Okay, so my original thoughts on the book was amazing, amazing, amazing. But once the high died down, I started thinking about it. It made me sad that it just wasn't as good as the first book.
There was a few more scenes that made me so sad:
- When Claire lost the first child
- When Claire slept with someone else to get Jamie out of jail
- When Claire left Jamie in the end of the book (crushed me!!!)

Claire was pregnant but it was a dangerous pregnancy. She wanted to be helpful because all she did was lay around all day. So she started volunteering at the hospital. But she ended up losing the first child. It was so sad when she was having strong fever and the 'doctor' almost injected her but Jamie had to stop him. Then she ended up losing the baby.

One of the highlights of this book was Fergus. I love Fergus. He is so cute and he is so loyal.
I loved that Jamie rescued him from the prostitute house. But when Jack Randall (who is still alive?!!!) tried to sleep with Fergus and Jamie broke the deal not to kill him in order to get vengeance for Fergus. I hate that Claire made that deal. Why is she so concerned about Jack? She is with Jamie now. But I understand slightly. It has to do with the butterfly effect.
Another highlight was Mary. She was great! She became friends with Claire and it turns out she was with Alex Randall (Jack's brother). Alex ends up dying and Jack takes his place and marries Mary (who is already pregnant -- so see Claire! Jack could've died!).

By the end, they have a huge battle and Rupert ends up dying! It was so sad! Rupert (sure he was not always the kindest) was funny and nice. It made me so sad!
Jamie also makes Claire leave him!
THIS BROKE ME IN TWO!


Jamie makes her leave so that she will live and she can have the baby. Yeah, they end up having another kid.

Now the most annoying part about this book is that it starts with Claire back in 1940s and she has a kid with red hair and we know it's Jamie's. So we know she goes back but we don't know why.
We also know that Jamie died at Culloden.


Anyways, turns out at the very end of the book, as Claire tells Brianna (who's 20something) all about Jamie how he is her father Brianna gets very mad. Claire said that when she left Jamie she hated her baby for making her leave Jamie, but after giving birth she loved the child. Brianna starts throwing stuff and yelling about why Claire didn't love her.
But let me tell you Brianna. You never met Jamie. You don't know.

Turns out in the end that Jamie is alive (meaning he didn't die at Culloden).
This didn't surprise me all too much (probably because there is 6 other books).

Rating: 7/10
Parental Rating: 16+

Beautiful Bloggers Award and One Lovely Blog Award

RULES:

• Link to the blogger who took the time to nominate you
• List seven random things about yourself
• Nominate seven wonderful, book-loving bloggers
• Notify the amazing people that you nominated them for the award

RULES:

• Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog
• List the rules and display the award
• Add 7 facts about yourself
• Nominate 15 bloggers (or how many you like) and let them know on their blogs!

Let me say a huge thank you to Megan at Books of Fascination for nominating me! Check out their blog, it is beautiful!

So some random facts about me (I'll do 10 like Megan because I don't have 15 bloggers to nominate):

1. My favourite classes were Chemistry and Drama in school
2. I have an identical twin
3. I like guys with beards (tastefully groomed). Fresh shaven doesn't appeal to me
4. One of my favourite Wii games is Super Smash Bros. I play as Ness
5. I play softball in center field
6. I wish I lived in a world without technology (or when technology wasn't the only thing to use to entertain yourself) which I why I love watching and reading historical or fantasy worlds
7. I am obsessed with monopoly. I own 6 monopolies: Disney Theme Park; Disney Villains; Avengers; Electronic Banking; Original; New Original featuring Cat mover
8. My favourite genre (movies, TV, books) is historical and fantasy. This is why my favourite shows are Game of Thrones, Penny Dreadful, and Mad Men
9. My favourite avenger is Captain America. I feel like we are most alike and I will always side with him, so for Captain America: Civil War I am on Capt's side!
10. I love to play chess. I could play for hours on end

My nominees are... (drum roll please...)

• Alex @ Book Chick
• Dana @ Dana Square
• Kay @ It's a Book Life
• Book Cupid @ Book Cupid

Amazing blogs! Seriously, check out their blogs! I love reading their posts and they are so aesthetically pleasing!

Let's Talk: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Let's Talk contains spoilers

4 stars

Definition: The winner's curse is a phenomenon that may occur in common value auctions with incomplete information. In short, the winner's curse says that in such an auction, the winner will tend to overpay

Goodreads synopsis: 
Winning what you want may cost you everything you love... 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

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I didn't expect to love this book was much as I did. I mean, the world just pulled me in and the romance was amazing. I mean, the romance wasn't in your face, but it was still enough that it kept me satisfied.
I loved this book. To be honest, when I first finished it I gave it 3 stars. But later on when I was thinking about the book and the next books to come in the series, I didn't understand why I gave it 3. I kept asking myself: What did I dislike about the book? Why is the rating low?
Because I kept thinking this: Wow, that fighting scene was awesome. The game in the book is cool. Kestrel is a good character. So is Arin.
So why such a low rating?
I couldn't think of good enough reasons for it to not be 5 stars. Because this book was good. I mean good.

Previous to this book I read a book that became a favourite. What are the chances I read two right after one another?

Anyways, as I said, the book was amazing and I'd recommend it to anyone. To avoid spoilers, do not read beyond.

And can I just say how rare it is for me to give a book perfect ratings.

Rating: 10/10
Parental Rating: 14+

SPOILERS BELOW

Let's start with the very beginning. A very strong hook in this story. It just grabbed me from the very first page. Kestrel buys Arin because he can sing. Kestrel loves playing the piano and she loves music in general. So she buys him. This was all actually a plan. The man (auctioneer) purposelessly said that Arin could sing because he knew that Kestrel would buy him.
Kestrel's father is a general and Arin's people want to fight back against her people.

So Kestrel hopes he will sing soon. But he never does. He works in the stables. Kestrel previously had a nanny who was Valorian (Arin's ancestry). She was very close with her and never saw her as a slave. Arin (in the duration of his slavery) thinks Kestrel is a stupid girl who is rich and thinks money can get her out of anything. But Kestrel is very intelligent and she knows what she is doing.

Side note: Arin does not speak Kestrel's language, only Valorian. Secretly, he does speak her language but he will not let people know. I was more and more attracted to him because of that.

One of my favourite parts was when Kestrel goes to Irex's party with Arin with her. It turns out Arin used to live there with his family before he was a slave. So he sneaks off and tries to steal a book. But Irex catches him and demands a battle. Kestrel says she will take his spot and defend him.
Arin is not happy.
Kestrel ends up fighting Irex and winning because of her intelligence and telling him that she will tell everyone his secret (a secret son) if he wins. So Kestrel wins.
My reaction:


Anyways, Arin ends up taking over when Kestrel father is at battle. Oh, how the tables have turned.

Kestrel is now a slave to Arin.
But of course, he doesn't really make her do anything. He knows what it is like to be a slave.
But Cheat wanted her too. He made her massage and clean his feet. And let me tell you, when Arin found out, he was mad.

Seeing Arin fight on the battlefield was awesome, too. I loved the alternating POV.

By the end, Kestrel ends up getting out with the help of her father and Arin sees her one last time when she tells him she is engaged. She has yellow glitter on her eyebrows which is a sign of being engaged. Arin is sad that she didn't feel what he did, but thinks it is for the best.

It wasn't a cliffhanger per say, but it was close. I didn't feel a strong desire to read the next immediately, but I still want to read it.

As a last note, I want to comment on how well the author was able to make us see both sides of the story. I was debating whose side to be on the entire book. I mean, of course I want the Valorians free, but not the way they intend to do it. Kestrel's side is also good, but has it's downsides, for examples slaves.

Rating: 10/10
Parental Rating: 14+

View all my reviews

Let's Talk: The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #3) by Michelle Hodkin
Let's Talk contains spoilers

4.5 stars

I saw this on pinterest and thought it was worth mentioning because it's hilarious.


Plus, Max Irons is hot.

Goodreads synopsis:
Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.
There is.

She doesn’t stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.

Retribution has arrived.

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I have been dreading writing this review for so long because it was the end of an amazing series. After the end of book 2 I didn't think anything could be as good.

But I was wrong.

And Noah! When he died in the end of book 2 I was shattered. But Mara refuses to believe he died. She is searching for him.
It starts off with her in the compound. She can only see herself in mirrors because they are all over her room.
And then it definitely kicks off in high gear. There isn't anything else I can say without spoiling the story line or what is going on.
But I can say that it was absolutely amazing.

Rating: 9.5/10
Parental Rating: 15+

SERIOUSLY, SPOILERS!!!

There was so many things I loved about this book! I like the realistic part of it.
I liked in the beginning when Mara kept talking to herself through her mirror images. But this is where a plot whole started. I don't understand how the mirror of Mara keeps talking to her but by the end of the book she stops seeing it.
But I also like how the end was sort of not complete. I feel like if it was, it wouldn't be an ending I liked.
I loved the part when Mara was on the go-train and she kept feeling like there was something in her stomach. When she cut it, I was disturbed.


I wasn't 100% sure what was going on.

I also loved the part when they rented the old motel. Seeing the teens use their powers was awesome! Jamie telling the women that they needed the room and her complying just like that. I liked that when they were there they were watching Pulp Fiction. One of my favourite movies, I love that it was in this book!


And the ending when Noah and Mara are finally reunited! This made me lose my mind. If I remember correctly, I was reading this on the bus. So I was trying so hard to contain my excitement at seeing Noah return.

I liked that the story wasn't all about the romance. Mara found her brother and he helped her with her problems, so they got to problem solve together.

Oh, and how about the fact that Dr. Kells has been testing on children and she tested on Jude and that is why he had powers. That blew my mind. When they watched all the tests.

Or how about in the beginning when Jude helped Mara escape. And she woke up in the middle of a room with blood all over and a watch (that belonged to Jude).

When Noah came back, he seemed to be on his father's side. This worried me so much. And seeing all the backstory about how Noah was truly born, and Mara's grandmother was there. Noah was truly born to be the killer of Mara.
People, let's talk about this.
Noah was born to kill Mara. KILL!!1
They also told Noah that he was only in love with Mara and attracted to her because she balances out his ability. He can heal, he is the side of light and good. Mara can kill, she in on the side of dark and evil. I thought this was cooler than anything ever.
I wish I learned more about the professor: Mara's grandfather.

Anyways, Noah kept trying to kill himself. These books are so good. He kept telling his father to release Mara or he dies.

Not to mention that Noah's password on his computer is: marashaw
MARA SHAW
MARA SHAW
Guys, it's Mara Shaw. As in, if she married him she'd be Mara Shaw.


I just about lost it.

And the ending when Mara and Noah finally got their happily ever after. I was so happy to finally get to see Noah's POV, even if it was for a little bit.

Just read it. Even if you think nothing is better than book 2.

Rating: 9.5/10 (only reason it's not full is because I liked book 2 better)
Parental Rating: 15+

Commet below and let me know what you thought!