57th Diamond: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Here goes the story of a fangirl

Hello, it has been a while. In this post I'll talk about a book entitle Fangirl  by Rainbow Rowell. You might have heard of Rainbow Rowell from her book called Eleanor & Park, which is my next book. I will be reading that after this, if I didn't get distracted by John Green and his books. Already have Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines, and a few others. Let's just see what happens.

Speaking of John Green, I personally feel like HE HAS RUINED A PART OF MY LIFE by writing the book The Fault in Our Stars and actually having a movie made out of it. Reading the book made me cry. Watching the trailer made me teary. Watching the movie was just pure emotional breakdown in the cinema....YES. 

Okay fine I didn't really had an emotional breakdown...(that would be kind of embarrassing) but there were still lots of tears being shed. I recommend the movie to anybody who loves romantic dramas stories, and make sure you bring lot's of tissues!

Back to the main topic. The book fangirl tells the story of...well.....a fangirl. A Simon Snow fangirl. So there is this show or series called Simon Snow and our main character, Cath, is a Simon Snow fangirl who makes fanfictions of the show. I can say that Cath's family background is quite unstable because her mother left her and her twin, Wren, when they were really young and they had to grow up learning by themselves how to take care of everything including their father who likes to overwork. 

Here goes the short plot review ;) and yes, spoilers are on their way

The story starts with Cath complaining to her twin, Wren, how they are not roommates because Wren doesn't want to anymore. All this time they have always shared the same bedroom, bathroom, toothbrushes maybe, and lots of other things but now in university, Cath has to get out of her comfort zone, not being roommates with her twin or even the same studies. And Cath is kind of not taking it well. She's definitely an introvert and she just don't like human interaction. She considered taking a subject nobody cares about and she didn't even bother asking her roommate, Reagan, about the dinner hall. So she decided she'll live on nutrition bars for the next few months. Little did she know, she's going to be exposed to a whole new world.

c: reblogbookclub.tumblr

Okay her fandom towards Simon and this character named Baz is just over the top. She writes fanfiction about Simon and Baz being a couple, a gay couple. FINE, yes I know lots of fangirls in the internet are just into gay couplings and I fully understand, but Cath, uses her fandom and fanfiction writing as a runaway. It's her way of running away from the world. What's good about it is that her fanfictions are actually garnering fans for itself. WOW.

c: magicath.tumblr

Continuing the plot story. Cath eventually got out of her shell. She met this guy named Nick in her "Fiction Writing" class and Levi, her roommate's ex who still hangs around their room a lot. I'm just gonna skip all the drama. Nick and Cath has been writing together in the library, but Nick is just a douchebag. He's just using Cath and that kind of backfired for him in the end. Of course, Cath being a girl felt hurt but thank goodness she got Levi. Levi, her roommate's ex, fell in love with her and eventually became her boyfriend. And DAMN he's a great boyfriend. He's not perfect, but just decent. And her roommate is perfectly fine with her relationship. What more can you ask? Levi is kind of dyslexic but he loves having Cath read her fanfictions to him. Like seriously, WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK?

The thing with Cath and her mother. Cath loathes her mother. This is because she thinks that a mother should've not left her children just like that and destroy her husband at the same time. As in Cath's father went through a phase of emotional breakdown after her mother left. This traumatized Cath and she blames her mother for everything she is. Until the end, Cath's didn't really get back with her mother. Wren was the one who tolerates her mother, but her mom still didn't get back with their father. Do keep in mind that parents play a BIG role in a child's upbringing.

The story ends with Cath transformed and the original Simon Snow book series ending, which I personally take as kind of a symbolism for the end of Cath's fandom. And there it goes, the short plot review. I'm just glad that Cath found her true love and he's such a great person. Imagine reading through this book but without the Cath & Levi story in it....I'd toss the book away really 

c: deladylibrary.nl

Out of 5 stars, I'll rate this book at 3.5. It's average, and personally I didn't find the first few chapters that enjoyable, but once the story progressed, I find it really interesting. I love how the characters evolve in the story and how we readers can see their step-by-step transformation. It's a good read and if you have time, read it, ESPECIALLY if you're an introvert. Yes I am talking to you girls who are still struggling with people in general. Don't worry, you're not alone. I used to be an introvert as well ;) 

I hope you enjoyed reading my short review of this book and do expect another review coming up soon :D I'm starting on another book tomorrow. Thank you and I'll see you in my next post!

Sincerely yours,

Alicia. V

56th Diamond: The Mortal Instruments City of Heavenly Fire

The series finally comes to an end

Honestly, I am really happy that it ended. 6 books is more than enough dear Cassandra Clare, and thank you for making the ending so satisfying, although reading the last book itself can prove to be a little dreary sometimes.

Yes you heard me. I am kind of disappointed in this last book of The Mortal Instruments series. The first 3 books were awesome, but after the 4th, the story starts to feel a little bit draggy and there's so many people I can't remember all of them. Maybe I just have a bad memory and all but hey, still survived til the end ;) I'm not gonna give a full plot review though this time because I couldn't remember all the characters' names, but yes I am still going to discuss it and give spoilers. SO BEWARE.

There is a connection between the Infernal Devices series and this book. James Carstairs (or Jem) is actually Brother Zachariah. ALL THIS TIME, THAT HANDSOME LAD IS A SILENT BROTHER. And there is one part of the story where Jace's heavenly fire, the thing that is flowing in his veins and is keeping him alive, burned Brother Zach and changed him back to a normal human being. The handsome James Carstairs we knew and loved in the Infernal Devices series. In the end of this book, Jem is reunited with Tessa and they were seen together; however, it is not mentioned if they dated or married or anything.

Speaking of marriage,

Clary's mother and Luke got married at the end of the book! We all could've seen it coming and honestly, it's kind of obvious because there's this one time when Clary had a dream regarding Jocelyn and Luke's marriage. They even have another daughter in the dream. 

Moving on...

Jace and Clary did end up together. Sebastian died, and at the brink of his death, his kind soul that was not taken by the devil or some sort actually get to talk for a few minutes, creating a touchy feely atmosphere. Raphael also died. Magnus and Alec got back together. Simon and Isabelle got together although along the way there's this story about their circle (Jace, Clary, Isabelle, Alec, Simon, Magnus, Luke, Jocelyn) got stuck in Edom (the demon dimension) because of Sebastian and Simon sacrificed his vampirism immortality and his memories so Magnus' father, the great demon Asmodeus, can take them all back to the human world. That is a lot to take in isn't it? I'm sorry. I couldn't express it in another way. So because of that, Simon lost his memory for sometime, but regained it again later.  And tadaaa, happy ending.

 I don't really remember all the drama and plot twists that happened along the way, cause that book is one hell of a long book. 800 pages my friends. 800!! 

I'm just here to say that although the ending was not as good as I expected it would be, it is still a satisfying ending. It is a proper ending and I kind of feel bad that the series has come to an end. Sure I heard that Cassandra is working on another series, and the next book will be called Midnight Lady or something....but still, saying goodbye to the characters of the book is always kind of hard, especially when you've been with them and you have watched them grow. But then again, saying goodbye is the start of something new.

Good bye Mortal Instruments series

Yes, as you guys might have observed from my goodreads update, I have started reading another book. This time it's a book by Rainbow Rowell and it is called, Fangirl. I think I have an idea of how the story would go but hey, I just love diving into the world in the book sometimes. It's a nice getaway ;)

See you in my next post and thank you for reading!

Sincerely yours,

Alicia. V

55th Diamond: The Maze Runner

Good evening

Another book finished in the middle of a hectic semester 3! I had to be honest, I was about to delete this book from my library because the first few chapters are just frustrating and you feel really lost. I'll explain why later in my plot review. 

The one reason why I'm interested in reading this book is because the movie is coming out. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa! And honestly, from the trailer the movie looks interesting and intense. And , after reading the book, I personally think it would make a great movie. It all depends on how the director interpreted the book.

One other movie I'm interested in the Fault in Our Stars. It's already out in America and a few other countries, but unfortunately for me in Indonesia, I have to wait til 22nd August. GADDAMN. Guess who's one of the singers featured in the soundtrack. Ed Sheeran. Yes, THE ED SHEERAN. I'm so hyped right now!

Back to the main topic, 

The book Maze Runner is a fun read, but that's basically it. After finishing the book I didn't want to continue to the next book. That is why I'm doing the review now. I actually checked the synopsis on wikipedia and well...let's just say I became even more uninterested.

NEVERTHELESS, I'm still gonna do a plot review so you guys can judge the book by yourself and decided whether you want to read it or not.

Here goes the plot review!

Our main character is called Thomas. The book started with Thomas, waking up in a dark room, unable to see anything. He also didn't remember anything, although he felt that his memories were deleted on purpose. Then he felt the room he was in moved upwards, which means it's an elevator. The door opened, and he found himself being surrounded by boys. Some the same age as him, some younger. Of course, he woke up with a shock and the people around him are not gonna tell him any informations anyways, because they think it will make the shock first. They only tell him that he is now in a place called the Glade and help him fit in.

The maze walls are covered in ivy and inside the maze lives terrible creatures called the Grievers. The Glade is basically a box, a big box inside the maze which is built with very tall concrete walls. The Glade has 4 doors, one on each side. The doors close at sundown, making a large grinding noise while closing. Thomas didn't know about all this until the next day. Now what makes the book annoying is the period of time when Thomas knows nothing and nobody is willing to tell him anything either. I'm pretty sure it was 1-3 chapters. IMAGINE HOW ANNOYING IS THAT.

Moving on. On the first day, Thomas was told to rest. And on the second day, he finally got a tour of the place. Thomas, being Thomas, wanted to be a runner. A runner is someone who is in charge of going inside the maze, make maps, and find out an exit out of the maze. In the Glade, everyone have their own jobs so everything is in order. Each department have their own names. The Runners are the ones who run. (Yea no shit).

A few days later, one of the Runner, called Minho, (yes there is an asian character in this book, with a korean name, reminds me of SHINee) found a dead griever in the maze, or so he thought it was dead. So the next day, Minho and the Glade leader Alby went to check out the Griever in the maze. Everybody waited for them to come back before the door closed, but they didn't. Until the door was about to close. Thomas saw Alby and Minho, barely making it to the door and he decided to run and safe them, regardless the fact everyone has been saying, that no one will survive a night alone in the maze outside the Glade. So in the end, Thomas, Minho, and Alby got stuck outside the Glade. Knowing this, they are terrified by the fact that the Grievers will come and kill them. Thomas proved otherwise. Thanks to him Alby and Thomas survived the night.

Then a girl came out of the elevator, which was a first, and al the boys are confused, because she had a note saying that she is the last one ever. She went into a coma, and woke up having telephatic skills with Thomas. She also remembered somethings regarding the maze. Her name is Teresa.

So here's the spoiler. The maze is actually an experiment made by scientists to find the chosen ones who will somehow safe mankind. The maze is a test to kill those who are not determined and yes all of them have their memories removed for the sake of the test. All of them are actually orphaned kids who are adopted by the scientist and are to become experiments. There it goes. The reason behind the maze.

In the end, they found an exit which is actually inside the lair of the Grievers and they went out, only to know that they are experiments and they can't do anything. Then they got saved by some random people who "broke in" to the lab and then the scientists said something about the kids going into phase 2. I'm guessing that's the start of book 2.

Another background fact, the world is actually infected by a disease called the Flare, which came from sun flares and it made mankind insane. The kids in this experiment are those who are immune to the Flare and they are to make a new society.

The End

I'm pretty sure this plot review is nothing compared with reading the book. I skipped a lot of details. but the main point of the plot is like this. I'm definitely not continuing this trilogy. Besides, the movie is coming out soon. Looking forward to that one!

I've started reading the next book, which is the last book in the Mortal Instruments series!! OMG I'm so excited! Look forward to the review in my next post! Pretty sure it'll come out in the next few days ;)

Sincerely yours,

Alicia. V