Name, Date Finished, Rating, & Mini Review

So I read six books this month, which wasn't as many as I had hoped but it was still a fair amount seeing as I have a lot going on like working and spending time with family.  But I really enjoyed all of the books that I read, so I don't consider it a failed month for reading.

July Wrap Up

READ: Monday 7th

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige {4/5 Stars}

~This is the first novel in the Dorothy Must Die Trilogy...? Is it going to be a trilogy? I'm not really sure.  Anyway, it was a fast paced novel. A great start to the series.  Though it was slow at times through the middle when the world was developing which I understand was needed to show the contrast between the old Oz and the new.  Which was extremely interesting to read about

READ: Friday 11th

The Elite by Kiera Cass {3/5 Stars}

~ The second novel in the Selection Trilogy.  I usually don't agree with the general public when it comes to books.  I have to agree with everyone when they say that America is infuriating in this novel.  She seemed almost bipolar in this novel.  As well, I've never really enjoyed the idea of a love triangle, and it was sort of there in the first book, but I could ignore it.  In this novel it's a main aspect, and I find that the love triangle makes American another typical whinny YA character.

READ: Monday 14th

Head Over Heels created by Francine Pascal written by Kate Williams {3/5 Stars}

~ This is book eighteen in the Sweet Valley High series.  This follows Regina Marrow and Bruce Patman two side characters, along with the usual two main characters the Wakefield twins.  I enjoyed reading about Regina and Bruce.  I overall enjoy the Sweet Valley High series because of books like this where they tell the story of different characters throughout the town, so i really gives you the feeling that you're in Sweet Valley.  You get to see the entire community, which you don't often get to see in novels.

READ: Wednesday 16th

Tomorrow's Kingdom by Maureen Fergus {5/5 Stars}

An amazing conclusion to the Gypsy King Trilogy.  It was face paced throughout the entire book.  All loose ends were tied up very nicely and practically.  I absolutely loved the ending, it was extremely satisfying, in my opinion.  Just an overall great book.

Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles {5/5 Stars}

The second novel in the Leaving Paradise Duology.  I have nothing but amazing things to say about this novel and the first novel.  I absolutely love the characters Maggie and Caleb.  Simone Elkeles always has the most amazing book boys who are ever so swoon-worthy! I love the change of scenery, and how different it is from the first book, and how it still seems to work.

READ Thursday 24th

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell {5/5 Stars}

A stand alone contemporary, although Rowell is reportedly working on or contemplating a squeal.  Everything about this book was phenomenal!  Eleanor and Park's relationship was adorable.  The novel was nicely paced.  Events and situations were real and relatable.  Eleanor was refreshing because plainness, she isn't the typical pretty, thin and bubbly character.  She's just a regular girl.  Definitely a work of art!

August TBR

1. Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout (& maybe the rest of the series...?)

2. The Notebook by Nicolas Sparks

3. Crash Into You- Katie McGarry

4. A Walk to Remember by Nicolas Sparks

          The quest to find the legendary gypsy healing Pool of Genezing is on.  Persephone, Azriel, their gypsy friends Tiny and Fayla, and Persephone’s “doppelganger” Rachel, set out on their quest to save the king.

          I didn’t absolutely love A Fool’s Errand by Maureen Fergus but I did like it as much as I was expecting.  So it did meet my expectations.  Like the last book, The Gypsy King, the book had slight pacing problems and irritating prospective changes.  All of the annoying aspects were a crucial part of the story telling, and they all make sense when it comes together at the end but I do think there could have been a more effective way that Fergus did this while still keeping the action rolling.

          The plot was a lot different than The Gypsy King’s, which is a good thing.  Often the second book in a trilogy is like the middle child and doesn’t get as much attention as it should.  In reality that book could have been the introduction for the third book— reduced to thirty or forty pages instead of being a three hundred to four hundred full length novel.  It’s essentially an appeal for more money.  That is not what this is!  This novel is required.

          We really get to know Azriel more and in my case, fall in love with him more.  The relationship between Azriel and Persephone is more settling than in the last book and Persephone is considerably less annoying.  I can even say that I really do like her in this novel.

          Rachel though…  She is another story.  I wanted to like her but she is just so nosey and to quick to involve herself in the affairs of others.  She is one of the reasons I couldn’t enjoy this story more.  Last novel I could somewhat ignore her because she wasn’t a reoccurring character, but in this book she was.

          I didn’t like the unknown perspective that we followed.  It wasn’t very interesting and I didn’t find it super extremely necessary.  Sometimes it was, but he didn’t require as many chapters as he got.

          It’s good to finally get to see the world because in the last book the story solely existed inside the castle (we did get to see a small portion of the gypsy camp and Persephone’s master’s home).  But you wonder if the kingdom is big, small, are they inland, by the ocean; it just doesn’t have enough world building.  With all the travelling in this book those questions are answered, not directly of course, but through the places that they travel to.

          The ending was slightly unsettling.  It wasn’t a “Bam!  It’s going to take a minute to let that all settle in!” ending.  It was more of a “That’s it?  Is a chapter ripped out or something because that can’t be the end…”  I do see where it is beneficial; it leaves open so many window of opportunity for the next book.  Which is what makes Fergus a clever and enjoyable author.  She is always one step ahead of you.  I can’t wait for the release of the third and final book in the Gypsy King trilogy, Tomorrow’s Kingdom, set to be released July 8^th, 2014.