I'm not going to a full blog review, so let's make this short and "sweet":
-The writing was eh
-The characters were flat as a thin sheet of paper
-The plot was boring
-Everything was really cheesy
-The character's names were spelled weirdly and just nope
-Uhhhhhhhhhhh idk I just really disliked it. I did not mesh with it.

My one weird comment is that I thought it would make a decent movie? It felt more like one than it did a book, which is kind of strange, but yeah...

Book Hugger

also here's my other reviews!!! http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton was a breath of fresh air for young adult fantasy. Usually, the same themes are expressed with the same cookie cutter characters. Amani was not another "small, brunette, plain" girl and she wasn't lacking self-confidence. As seen with my love of Celaena Sardothien, strong female characters are a favorite of mine.

The plot of Rebel of the Sands was different and unique as well, set in a world never before seen. The world was creative and I have never read a book about djinn before. They're new to the fantasy world (or at least those I have read) and I was thoroughly excited about it.

Also, the writing was beautiful. Hamilton really has talent and I'm excited to see what else she'll throw out into the book world. She writes with gorgeous descriptions that paint a picture in your mind. However, this writing, which isn't dialogue based at all, can get a little boring for me. The ending of this book was extremely exciting, but in the beginning, I was just trudging through it.

My other main complaint is the only young adult cliché this book had: the "surprise" moment when the main character realizes that she too has some type of special power. I can't mention more without giving a spoiler away, but for once I would enjoy reading a book where the main character is average. Maybe even geeky.

However, I definitely recommend this book if you would like something exciting and unique (for the most part).

-Book Hugger

For more reviews like this, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com.

I'm not crying, you are. reread 2k19

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Hello, so I won't be posting a review of this on my blog for personal reasons, but time to enjoy one here! This book broke me into a lot of pieces and I have words to say:

First and foremost, I think it's important to mention that I flat-out sobbed halfway through and then sniffled through the rest. It just really, really resonated with me and made me both so happy and so sad and just—Simon deserves everything, he really does. ALSO WHY IS THE WORLD STILL HOMOPHOBIC? YALL, GET IT TOGETHER.

Secondly, I love Simon and I love his character's voice. I know it made the novel a little less "intelligent", so to speak, and all that jazz, but his voice felt so real and raw, which I think made it ten million times better. Nothing felt distant, and I felt as though I was Simon, which is really, how all books should make you feel.

And Blue...my sweet Blue. Unfortunately, I started the book knowing who he was because I clicked the "view spoiler" button on a review (ten out of ten, do not recommend). BUT, I don't think that made my experience reading this book any less (also I could see all the signs and be like HA I see what you did there, Becky, I see you).

Wow, I get so much more informal in Goodreads-only reviews.

Anyway, yes, Blue was this amazing guy and I loved him and totally see why Simon fell for him. I mean...his perfect grammar! Nauseated instead of nauseous! He's the full package!!

Okay yeah...onto Simon's friends and all of them. I didn't like Leah, at all, and after reading the first three chapters of Leah on the Offbeat I don't think I will enjoy it, despite wanting to see a f/f relationship in YA so badly. I DID like Abby, but I think she was wrong to blame Simon at the ending (though thankfully she saw the light). I think my favorite was Nick...he's such a sweetheart.

Also Martin. No. Do not like. I don't care if he apologized, he's a jerk and needs to repent for his crimes. Just...

Anyway, this book is immensely important. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've never really wanted to see something so badly in my entire life. Hopefully, soon?

-Book Hugger

review to come http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com

Rating: ***** Suggested Age: 13

I had the hardest time putting Glass Sword down to do my daily tasks, such as school and homework. I read as often as I possibly could because it was that amazing. I finished it during class yesterday and was in denial of the ending for the rest of the day. I don’t think it should be legal to finish a book that way…that was horrible. I want the next book so badly, but it comes out in FEBRUARY OF NEXT YEAR!!!! How am I supposed to survive until then?

The plot kept unravelling and unravelling throughout this book. Everything kept happening and it was so thrilling. I was able to appreciate Victoria Aveyard’s writing even more because everything was so detailed and captured perfectly. She’s a really good writer and I was able to overlook the present tense writing because of that.

I’ve heard many complaints that Mare is annoying, but I didn’t really find that. In Red Queen, I wasn’t overly fond of her, but in Glass Sword, I found myself somewhat relating to her. A lot of the things she said seemed really true and relatable. If I were in her place, I felt that I would have made the same decisions. She is real and that was what I liked. She is flawed, sure, but she’s real.

I also have a favorite quote: “If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter.” -Mare Barrow, I do not have a page number for this quote (oops). I cannot express how much I love this quote and I don’t even know why I like it. It’s so cool though…

Anyway, I highly recommend this book (despite the mixed reviews). It’s extraordinary.

-Book Hugger

For more reviews like this, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com

I laughed out loud a little, but the majority was somewhat boring. It was a major info-dump, but honestly, I was expecting that...it is the "how to be a Shadowhunter information guide" after all. I'm psyched about the rune drawings inside, they're one of my favorite parts of the books.

-Book Hugger

For actual reviews, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com

I'm going to Barnes and Noble today so you best bet I'm going to get the sequel

Okay...so...I kinda want to read Glass Sword, but I do not have it in my possession right now... *cries for eternity*

Rating: ***** Suggested Age: 13

Summary: "It's been one year since it happened...

When Paige Hancock's first boyfriend died in a swimming accident, she shut out almost everyone. Now Paige has decided it's finally time to rejoin the world, and she has a plan. First on the list: go out with Ryan Chase, her longtime and newly single crush. And last on the list: swim. Terrifying, yet possible?

But when Ryan's sweet, nerdy cousin Max moves to town and recruits Paige for the QuizBowl team (of all things!), her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Starting over isn't easy, but Paige knows the scariest things are usually the most difficult. Can she face her fears and open herself up to life and love again?" (Summary found on Goodreads).

"When it all closes in, there are only two kinds of people: best friends and everyone else." -Paige, page 64

I did not expect this book to hit me like it did. I knew it was going to be said, I mean, I read the summary, but I didn't expect it to make me as sad as it did. I really felt for Paige, even though I've never had a boyfriend die, heck, I've never had a boyfriend. Mainly I was affected by this because she did go through the death of someone, and I have too, and it tested who her real friends were. I understood this completely. Also, her friends were amazing, and they reminded me of my group of friends.

"Because with true friends, no one is keeping score. But it feels good to repay them--even in the tiniest increments." -Paige, page 217

While I did understand Paige, I found her crush on Ryan a little too annoying. Maybe because I've had crushes like that and I recall being annoying myself, or maybe because I just didn't see Ryan as "the one". Probably the latter. I loved Max though. He was special and he also understood Paige. They had so many things in common, especially complete and utter geekiness. I always love when books have characters who also love books. It's amazing.

"The point is that we already know it doesn't work out, but we reread them anyway, because the good stuff that comes before the ending is worth it." -Max, page 124

This book was raw and real. It was hilarious and sad and deep. Everything about it felt real and I loved that. I always love when books seem that realistic because that's what makes me emotional. It isn't the situation that makes me want to cry, but the reaction to the situation, and if that reaction doesn't seem real, then I am not going to even feel a tear at the corner of my eye.

"Grief is slow. It's like wringing out a washcloth. Even after you think it's dry, a few more drops will form." -Paige's mom, page 296

This quote; the one above. It's raw. It's real. It's beautiful. This is one of my favorite quotes now because I understand it. What I also loved about The Start of Me and You was the family element. Paige comes from a complicated family with divorced parents, but it's different from the usual teen angst story. I loved that with the large elements of plot, there are small parts too that may not play as large of a role, but still affect the storyline. It's not just a simple plot and I liked that.

I don't read contemporary, not often at least, but I highly recommend you try this. I loved this book, it was beautiful.

-Book Hugger
Check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com for more reviews like this.

While I may have been slightly confused while reading it, I cannot deny that I loved this book. A full review to come later.

In the meantime, check out my blog! bookhuggerreviews.com

-Book Hugger

It was probably a mistake that I started reading this on finals day one and finished it that night when I could have studied a little more for my AP European History final (but I still did well, so do I have regrets? Nope). Anyway, this book was SO captivating that I couldn't not keep reading. The descriptions were amazing and the plot was so dark and unique. I've never read anything written this way or like this before. In the beginning it started with second person point-of-view, which I thought I wouldn't like, but for some reason it worked. I think the idea was to keep us detached from Nathan, especially during one of the more harsh points in his life.

I think my main complaint is that at some points I felt a little too detached, enough that I couldn't connect with Nathan too well. I have confidence that the next book will fix this, especially since I think all it takes is getting to know the character more. In such a short book, there's no way I (or anyone) could be expected to become attached to the characters.

Other than that, I was a little confused by the part when he was locked in the house with the witch. It seemed like it was supposed to be punishment and was very close to torture at some points, but then they would be laughing with each other and telling jokes...so I was puzzled. It was like evil took a break for a minute and then came back a little bit later. Maybe I missed something, but I just couldn't understand this part.

Anyway, I can't believe how under-hyped this book is. The plot is creative and entrancing and the characters are dark and mysterious. I also loved that it showed the grey areas between good and evil. Usually the world makes it seem as though everything's black and white. You're either good or you're bad, but there's always a blend and I loved that it wasn't really clear what was good or bad here. Sure, people were White (good) or Black (evil) witches, but Nathan was in-between and struggling with the lines between good and evil. I've always loved these lessons in books.

I highly recommend picking up Half Bad, it's a thrilling ride that you won't want to miss.

-Book Hugger

For more reviews like this, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com