Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares


Release Date: March 6, 2012 [Paperback]
Publisher: Random House
Series: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Book 5
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.

Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.

Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.

**May contain spoilers if you haven't read the previous books**

Heartbreaking. UTTERLY heartbreaking. I grew up reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants through middle school into high school and it is SO heartbreaking to see this magnificent series end.
Sisterhood Everlasting takes part 10 years since the last book, Forever in Blue. Carmen, Lena, Bridget and Tibby have almost broken apart– Carmen is an actress in New York, Lena is an art teacher in Rhode Island, Bridget living with Eric in San Francisco, and Tibby lives with Brian in Australia. Despite a few phone calls between each other, they've never really met up.

I was scared to go into this book, because I was afraid of two things. 1) It ending, of course. The pain of letting go a fabulous series, as it finally concludes. And 2) If the magic wasn't there anymore. It's been a while since Forever in Blue had come out, so I was somewhat skeptical about the magic, the love and the sisterhood wouldn't be brought back to life. Turns out...I had nothing to worry about. When I started reading this book, from the first page onwards I was hooked. I got lost into it from that point on. I can't believe I actually haven't picked this one up earlier. I have to say, even though the four previous books concluded well, this one totally fits.

I LOVE Lena. I think I always have. She's the shy, pretty-but-doesn't-know-it, artistic one. In Sisterhood Everlasting, her emptiness, her emotions were so amazingly detailed and described. You really do feel something pang for Lena as she goes on living in the present and thinks about her past with Kostos (who is, and always will be, the best love interest to ever fall for...and a certified hottie).
Bridget: I've been on a love-hate relationship with her. I've loved her for the most part, but when she does some stupid stuff, the stuff worth of slapping your forehead for, I hate her. But I gotta love her liveliness. Her initiative. Her will to be free and forever moving forward....or away in some cases. Glad to see she's with Eric (finally!) and the love between them is as strong as when she was in her teens.
What is up with Carmen? I hated her (at first) in this book! She's kind of self-conceited, and full of herself. Becoming an actress had certainly changed her. I miss the sweet, slightly chubby Carmen who tried as hard as she could to keep their friendship alive. Now her main focus is her career, her fiancé (who I pretty much just LOATHE) and her looks and body, which is now very very thin.
The one character who I felt was always the outsider to the whole group, the one needle in the haystack was Tibby. I love Tibby, but I always felt like she had been the odd one out. Anyway, I love her originality and her willing to do as she pleases. And in Sisterhood Everlasting, I would have to say her story is the most impacting one of all. Seriously, her story will make you cry. And I'm leaving it at that.

I love, like with the previous books, that the story's told with alternating perspectives, and of course, Carmen is the story-teller, the writer, who introduces and concludes the story. Just like old times! I really hope they do make a movie on this one. The movies for these books are AMAZING, and have perfectly captured the novel. The actresses even look like the characters for pete's sake. I think the timing is absolutely perfect and they should make one.

I've read these books over and over again since I was 11. I'm besotted, head-over-heels in love with this series. I never want it to end. I nearly cried with Sisterhood Everlasting. It completely shattered me– the magic, the characters, EVERYTHING was told to perfection. The conclusion to this amazing series is in such a way that you know the magic will never be lost, and will live on forever.

If you like this, try...

• What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen ◆ Goodreads
• Moonglass by Jessi Kirby ◆ Goodreads
• Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott ◆ Goodreads

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Waiting on Wednesday – Week 52

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight on upcoming books which I'm DYING to get my hands on.

This week's WoW is:

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Tenderhearted Southern girl, Anna Whitt, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Goodreads

Release Date: May 1, 2012

First off, the cover is amazing! That alone makes me wanna read it. And the the blurb, oh gods, I need this one soon :P

What are you waiting on?

Top Ten Tuesday – Week 33

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the bloggers over at The Broke and the Bookish. Today's top ten is:

Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters In Books

Why not just ask me to pick my favorite book? *rolls eyes* this is gonna be hard. Anyway, onto the list (and this is in no particular order).

★★★★★

1. Puck from The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. Even though I'm Team Ash (it's been a difficult choosing between the two :/), Puck is probably the funniest character I've read about in a long time. It's very rare to find something that he says that isn't funny. Here's one for the road:

❝If you're done playing with will-o'-the-wisps and kelpies, i think we should continue. Oh, but do tell me the next time you want to have tea with an ogre. I'll be sure to bring my club.❞

–The Iron King

2. Sirius Black and Dobby from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. No explanation needed, except that if you didn't feel something die inside when they died, shame on you :(.


3. Katniss from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. How could I not include her? Even though Jennifer Lawrence portrayed her fantastically, I felt that no one can actually capture her true character.


4. Mia from The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. I grew up with Mia and her hilarious diary entries in this 10-book series.


5. Percy from Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. Another hilarious character, no one can help but fall in love with this demi-god. His perspective in the books is so laugh-out-loud worthy. Observe:

❝Hades raised an eyebrow. When he sat forward in his throne, shadowy faces appeared in the folds of his black robes, faces of torment,as if the garment was stitched of trapped souls from the Fields of Punishment, trying to get out. The ADHD part of me wondered, off-task, whether the rest of his clothes were made the same way. What horrible things would you have to do in your life to get woven into Hades' underwear?❞

–The Lightning Thief

6. Stargirl from Stargirl series by Jerry Spinelli. I WANT TO BE HER. She's so free and I would totally want her for a best friend. I haven't read Love, Stargirl (yet), but from the first book alone, I can see that she's one of a kind.


7. Jace from The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. Another really funny character. And one of my YA crushes :D

❝Don't order any of the faerie food," said Jace, looking at her over the top of his menu. "It tends to make humans a little crazy. One minute you're munching a faerie plum, the next minute you're running naked down Madison Avenue with antlers on your head. Not," he added hastily, "that this has ever happened to me.❞

–City of Bones

8. Anne from Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. Who can't help but fall in love with Anne? Throughout the books, as Anne grows up, she never changes from being that lovable redhead :)


9. Count Olaf from A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I know he's the baddie, but you have to admit, his weird disguises, and over-the-top attempts to catch the Baudelaires' added to the comedy in the book, no matter how evil (and [kinda] creepy) he is. Jim Carrey's portrayal was really funny as well.


10. The BFG from The BFG by Roald Dahl. Thought I'd finish off with one of my childhood favorites :) Love the The BFG and The BFG himself is one heck of a character. SNOZZCUMBERS!! :D and of course, whizzpopping :P.

★★★★★

ANNNDDD that concludes my list :) It was hard (believe me), and of course there are probably tons of other characters which I should have included, but these 10 definitely stick out.

What's your top ten?

On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

On a Dark Wing by Jordan Dane

Release Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Rated: YA 13+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn't prepared for. And Death would be my willing teacher.

Five years ago, Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her "lucky" break came at the expense of her mother's life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death—, by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky—, she would never be normal again.

Now she's the target of Death's ravens and an innocent boy's life is on the line. When Nate Holden—, Abbey's secret crush, —starts to climb Alaska's Denali, the Angel of Death stalks him because of her.

And Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets.

On a Dark Wing seemed promising, when I first read it's blurb, and it's premise is quite original. It's not often you see Death as a character in books! Well, at least in what I've read. But I have to say, I was slightly disappointed when I read this book. The story was amazing, the plot went along sinisterly, which I totally loved, but it was the characters which potentially ruined the story for me.

I don't know what to say about the main character Abbey. She's got quite a split personality. I really hate the way she treats her dad, like ignores him, even though he feels the pain as well of the mom's death. She pretty much thinks about herself most of the time, and of course her obsession with Nate Holden. Now, I've had quite many a crush over time, but I have never been as fixated on a guy like Abbey. This was kinda creepy, and thought it was a bit exaggerated. She constantly thinks about him, and in the book, that's pretty much most of the time. I don't think there was a time during the novel when Abbey didn't think about Nate.
Tanner was a much better character, a loyal friend to Abbey, and of course, he's absolutely smitten with her. I thought that it was kind of weird (and obvious), that he kept on doing stuff for her. She clearly doesn't think about him as much, and even though it's not on the same level as her crush on Nate, he does keep on repeating what's he's doing in the book is for Abbey. Wow.

Nate on the other hand, was a pretty good character. I liked his struggle, his emotions were real and he had a great personality. As the book was split into two perspectives, I preferred his more over Abbey's.
But by far, I think the best character in this book has to be Death. I love how Death is portrayed, how the birds are symbolic, and that whole "meeting Death" experience when Abbey describes the car crash. He's quite creepy, but you can't help but feel sorry for him. You'll see why if you read the book.

The pace of the story I'm pretty sure was intentional, because it was pretty slow, and the reader knows what's going on with the characters. It's quite thrilling though, because you kinda feel like shouting at the characters that _______ is happening, but obviously they don't see it. Which can be frustrating of course, but I liked how the story unfolded.
The conclusion was when the main action starts. The fast-paced-ness of the book is at this part. I liked how it tied up, there were no real loose ends. I'm pretty sure that this is a stand-alone novel, and that fits perfectly, because I don't know how else the story could continue.

Overall, On a Dark Wing was kind of a hit-or-miss book, and although I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would because of the characters, others will with this dark, "deadly" (I couldn't resist), and unique novel.

If you like this, try...

• Abandon by Meg Cabot ◆ Goodreads
• Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick ◆ Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 51

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights on upcoming books which I'm DYING to get my hands on. 

This week's WoW is:

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Goodreads

Release Date: April 24, 2012

I TOTALLY CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS! I have an ecopy for review, so I'm desperately trying to get to it...but of course, there's the huge TBR pile -_-. I love Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series, and am currently reading The Iron Knight, so this shouldn't disappoint :)

What are you waiting on?

The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

Release Date: February 14, 2012
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Penelope (Lo) Marin has always loved to collect beautiful things. Her dad's consulting job means she's grown up moving from one rundown city to the next, and she's learned to cope by collecting (sometimes even stealing) quirky trinkets and souvenirs in each new place—possessions that allow her to feel at least some semblance of home.

But in the year since her brother Oren's death, Lo's hoarding has blossomed into a full-blown, potentially dangerous obsession. She discovers a beautiful, antique butterfly pendant during a routine scour at a weekend flea market, and recognizes it as having been stolen from the home of a recently murdered girl known only as "Sapphire"—a girl just a few years older than Lo. As usual when Lo begins to obsess over something, she can't get the murder out of her mind.

As she attempts to piece together the mysterious "butterfly clues," with the unlikely help of a street artist named Flynt, Lo quickly finds herself caught up in a seedy, violent underworld much closer to home than she ever imagined—a world, she'll ultimately discover, that could hold the key to her brother's tragic death.

I love Agatha Christies' and other mystery novels, because I can never guess what happens, always end up shocked with the conclusion. The Butterfly Clues was one of those novels. I had NO IDEA it would turn out like that in the end, and the smallest details mean everything in the end. What I really liked about this book was that so unpredictable. I mean, some things were a little obvious, but the main mystery is a total jaw-dropper folks. Well, at least that's how I felt by the end of this novel.

When we come to YA contemporary heroines, there are a couple of stereotypical groups which they fall into. There's the popular girls, there's the arty ones, and several others, but by far, the most common group would be the loners. The social outcasts. The friendless, the lonely ones– call them whatever you will, but these are the most used gals in the YA fictitious contemporary world. And so it was not so surprising when our heroine Lo is one of them.
I liked Lo, but I found that she lacked self-confidence, which I pretty much HATE in literature. Other than this though, she was a great main character. She actually went out and did stuff, instead of waiting around, waiting for the clues to come to her. Her collection is cool though, and even though she steals, I think that's one trait which hasn't been used much for the female side of novels.

FLYNT! FLYNT! FLYNT! Loved him– although I thought he was a little strange at first. He wasn't too developed though as a character. Wish we learned more about him! Sapphire, the girl who was murdered, on the other hand felt like she was truly a character part of the novel, rather than dead and absent for a majority of it. All characters were well-done though, and there were no issues with any of them.

The cover is absolutely gorgeous. That's what made me press the "Request" button. Never mind what the book was about, with a cover like that it could have been about...a flying potato's adventures for all I care (actually...maybe not :P) but I was thrilled to find out it was a mystery.

The Butterfly Clues was a mysterious and thrilling novel which had me flipping pages, eager to find out what happens next. Kate Ellison has written a contemporary mystery which many young adult fans will devour word by word. Can't wait for her second novel, Notes from Ghost Town. If it's anything like this one, I'm sure to love it.

If you like this, try...

• Life Is But a Dream by Brian James ◆ Goodreads
• The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson ◆ Goodreads

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Exam Time Again!

Hey again everyone!

I have (yes AGAIN) Exams coming up in May, and because it's pretty close, I'm gonna have to get to studying. So...I'm going on a hiatus. I'll be back on May 29th I promise you, immediately after my exams have finished! I've posted a couple of scheduled posts, reviews + memes, so hopefully that will keep you occupied :)

I also have my 200 Follower Giveaway going on until June 1, so be sure to enter that!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER MY 200 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!

I appreciate you all coming and reading my blog and commenting and the like. Thank you so much and I'll see you all after hitting some (not-very-interesting) books!

Rabiah

Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Spin by Catherine McKenzie


Release Date: February 1, 2012 [US]
Publisher: HarperCollins
Rated: YA/Adult 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website

Katie Sandford has just gotten an interview at her favourite music magazine, The Line. It's the chance of a lifetime. So what does she do? Goes out to celebrate - and shows up still drunk at the interview. No surprise, she doesn't get the job, but the folks at The Line think she might be perfect for another assignment for their sister gossip rag. All Katie has to do is follow It Girl Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop (and complete the 30-day program without getting kicked out), they'll reconsider her for the job at The Line.

Katie takes the job. But things get complicated when real friendships develop, a cute celebrity handler named Henry gets involved, and Katie begins to realize she may be in rehab for a reason. Katie has to make a decision -- is publishing the article worth everything she has to lose?

This was somehow in the YA section of NetGalley. When I read it, I realized that it was more for adults, even though it has suitable tones for teens as well. Nonetheless, Spin was a great novel about discovering yourself, opening up, and (of course) music.

I liked Katie, she was funny, even though she was too addicted to alcohol, which was technically the premise of the story. I don't think there was ever a dry moment with her! She acts so much like a teen protagonist in an adult's body– she's just that hilarious. From pretending that she's younger than she is to get free food, to ducking behind bushes from her ex, it's one nonstop giggle-fest.
Amber is one friend who I would love to have. Daring, outrageous and totally has a dramatic flair, this girl (even though sometimes spoilt) will totally stand up for you. And HENRY!! loved him from the first moment.

It's interesting to see a treatment facility...through the view of someone who's only pretending to be a patient! Sure, she really does have an addiction problem, but the way Kate perceives things in this center, makes it sound tough and kinda weird, I guess.

Spin was a short read, one which had me grabbing my iPod and listening to several of the songs mentioned during the novel. Catherine McKenzie has written a fun-packed story fit for adults and teens alike. Loved it!

If you like this, try...

• Teen Idol by Meg Cabot ◆ Goodreads
• Just Listen by Sarah Dessen ◆ Goodreads
• Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway ◆ Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday – Week 50

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to shed a spotlight on upcoming reads which I'm DYING to get my hands on.

This week's WoW is:

The Story of Us by Deb Caletti

Cricket’s on a self-imposed break from her longtime boyfriend—but she’s picked a bad week to sort out her love life. For one thing, her mother’s romance is taking center stage: After jilting two previous fiancés, her mom is finally marrying Dan Jax, whom Cricket loves. But as wedding attendees arrive for a week of festivities at a guesthouse whose hippie owners have a sweet, sexy son—Ash—complications arise:

Cricket’s future stepsisters make it clear they’re not happy about the marriage. An old friend decides this is the week to declare his love for Cricket. Grandpa chooses to reveal a big secret at a family gathering. Dan’s ex-wife shows up. And even the dogs—Cricket’s old, ill Jupiter and Dan’s young, lively Cruiser—seem to be declaring war.

While Cricket fears that Dan is in danger of becoming ditched husband-to-be number three, she’s also alarmed by her own desires. Because even though her boyfriend looms large in her mind, Ash is right in front of her....

Goodreads

Release Date: April 24, 2012

First, LOVE the name! So original :) and second, after reading Stay (review coming soon) by this author, I can't WAIT for this one. Lastly...the cover is so pretty :P

What are you waiting on?