Just a little message

Dear readers,

I'm extremely sorry for not updating this blog. But I was super busy with school. Since it is summer now, I hope to finally get back to reading and reviewing some incredible books. Please look forward to it.

Thank you guys ^-^ 

All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr

First of all, to all my readers I'm really sorry. I have been extremely busy the last couple of weeks. I know I have been neglecting this blog a little bit and I want to make it up to you by posting a review of one of the books I have been able to read lately. Also I wanted to announce that this blog will probably move to another format. Currently I'm looking into making a tumblr blog for this. And last, I am thinking to extend the content of this blog. I am really into K-drama's and music in general. So please stay tuned ^-^

 
 
 

All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr

Published by Scribner

Pages 530

Genre : historical fiction



Marie-Laure lives with her father in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where he works as the master of its thousands of locks. When she is six, Marie-Laure goes blind and her father builds a perfect miniature of their neighborhood so she can memorize it by touch and navigate her way home. When Marie-Laure is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris, and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great-uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel.In a mining town in Germany, the orphan Werner grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments, a talent that wins him a place at a brutal academy for Hitler Youth, then a special assignment to track the resistance. More and more aware of the human cost of his intelligence, Werner travels through the heart of the war and, finally, into Saint-Malo, where his story and Marie-Laure’s converge

 

What I thought

 

I really enjoyed this book, however I don't know why it has so much hype. First of all I found it really hard to get into the story because of it's unique writing and also because I didn't fully understand what the story was about. I have read this book, it is quite embarrassing to say, in one and a half months. Also I was super, extremely busy. Which caused me to not really be in the mood to read.

Now, as I mentioned, this book has quite unique writing. The chapters are really short and written in third person. Which really makes the atmosphere of the story, but also makes it hard to really get into the story - in my opinion-

One of the things that I really didn't like, were the unnecessary chapters that had no influence in the story anyway. But let's talk about the amazing things about this book, because it really is a good book. It was just really bad timing on my part to read this in one of the busiest months of the school year. I loved the characters! One of the main characters is Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, who is extremely sweet. It was really interesting to read about her growth and also about her medical condition. Because obviously her handicap, not being able to see, was a real burden during the war. So it was really interesting to see how she experienced the war. Then there's Werner, a German soldier, who we get to know from an early age. This way we really get to know him and we develop empathy for him. It was so interesting to read all the point of views on the war. Every single character has a different view, and that is something I really enjoyed reading about in this book.

I don't want to tell to much about the book, because I think that will take away the atmosphere of the story. So I will keep this post short and sweet.  This was one of the first historical fiction books that I have read. And I have to say that I really enjoyed it. But right now I can really use a simple contemporary book ^-^

I really recommend this to you guys, it was really interesting and entertaining. An amazing way to introduce what happened during the war to young adults (:

 

Have you read this book?

let me know in the comments.

xx Zoë

 

 

 

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

 
 
 
 
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

published by Simon & Schuster

pages 546

genre unreliable narrator/ psychological thriller.

 

 

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What i thought

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm really sorry, but this review will contain a lot and a lot of spoilers. Please read the book first, all I can say is that this series is definitely one of my favourites and I would highly recommend it. Also, please be warned that this book << the evolution of mara dyer>> is the second book in the trilogy.

So let's get started with the review. <<Contains spoilers>>

 

 

I have just finished this book and my mind is so blown right now. I'm sure all of you will know, as the ending was just so epic. And definitely the most epic cliffhanger I ever read.

 So first of all, I really couldn't believe that Noah and Mara were the only ones who believed Jude was still out there. I mean, all the circumstances Mara's family had to go through. It definitely could not only have been Mara. And even though Mara may have killed Claire, how would she possibly be able to bring her back. It's not as if Mara isn't sad about the loss of her friend and killed claire on purpose.

The only thing I really need to talk about is the ending. Noah dead? Please for god's sake don't let Noah be dead, his character was absolutely my favourite! Dr. Kells part of some sort of complot starring Jude against Mara? What! From the beginning I knew Mara was right, even though this book is written from an unreliable narrator's point of view. I just couldn't believe that Mara wasn't truthful. And I just didn't trust Dr. Kells' character. But the fact that Dr. Kells knew everything about Mara and Jude, and she even monitored Mara's house, was just an awfully good plot twist I definitely was not expecting.

 I'm going to keep this review short and sweet, as it is almost midnight right now, and the only thing that is on my mind is the "death" of Noah. I definitely need the 3th part of the series right now! It is absolutely ridiculous how addicting this series is. Perfect for binge reading

 

What did you think about the ending?

Let me know, in the comments down below.  

xxxx Zoë

 

BTW : please don't finish this book before you go to bed because it will get you so pumped and excited for the next book ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Published by little,brown books

Pages 578

Genre YA Horror

 

 

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult.
Evie worries he’ll discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.
As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho hides a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened.

 

 

 

 

 

What I thought

 

"Naughty John, Naughty John, does his work with his apron on. Cuts your throat and takes your bones, sells 'em off for a coupla stones."

 

Since I have been so busy with school lately, I'm really glad to have finally finished this book.  Because this book was absolutely amazing, therefor I gave it a five out of five stars. Obviously it wasn't perfect, but I didn't think the little things that weren't really right, were a reason to take of points.

This book is set in the roaring twenties in New York. Speakeasies, theathers and lively clubs with flapper girls. I absolutely loved to read about the history and the culture of the times.  and also, the spiritual elements. One thing that I did notice was the over excessiveness of the book. A lot of little fragments - meaning certain chapters- were really unuseful and weren't really interesting to read. However, the parts that were important to the story were incredibly fast paced and captivating. The excitement and thrill in certain chapters kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing was wonderful and the characters were really intruguing.

 

One of the main characters was Evie O'Neill. A lovely seventeen-year old girl who loves to enjoy life to the fullest. However much I liked her, there were times were she really annoyed me. Sometimes her extravagent personality was to much for me. I thought she was a little to hectic and utterly girl like.  Don't get me wrong here, but I did really love the characters, even Evie.

 

Now this book is mainly about the Diviners that are awakened and obviously about the murders and the ghostmurderer. But between these stories about the humans with impacable powers and trying to unravel the mysteries of the murders, there was an amazingly sweet love story between Evie and a certain fella. Now I'm not going to spoil anything in this review, I'd say give this lovely book a try to find it out ^-^

 

If you are easily scared, this book will give you goosebumps and keep you up at night. If you aren't really scared of ghost and murderes, this book will be even creepy for you. I did really enjoy the "horror" in this book, but I didn't think it was extremely scary. So even for the lovers of horror, I'd still recommand this book, because it was just really captivating and amazingly written.

 

As I read through my review, I think I will have to change my ratings. Thinking more about the book, and the things that really bugged me.  I believe a rating of four and halve stars will suit this book better. I really recommand this one, and I am really looking forward for the next books to come. Even if you don't like "horror" that much, this book was really really good and I still recommand it to you guys.

 

Have you read this book,

what were your thoughts?

xxx Zoë

 

P.s.: Can we talk about Jericho, I mean what the fudge happened there? I still can't get over it, it was an amazing twist and I definitely didn't see that coming. I still love Jericho though, his character is so interesting.

And also, the cover! If you have bought this book in the hardcover edition you will know what I am talking about. The cover, the dustjacket and the inside make this book really stunning. And I'm definitely putting it on my selves for display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Bonita Avenue by Peter Buwalda

Bonita Avenue by Peter Buwalda

published by De Bezige Bij

Pages 544

Siem Sigerius is a beloved, brilliant professor of mathematics with a promising future in politics. His family—including a loving wife, two gorgeous, intelligent stepdaughters and a successful future son-in-law—and carefully appointed home in the bucolic countryside complete the portrait of a comfortable, morally upright household. But there are elements of Siem's past that threaten to upend the peace and stability that he has achieved, and when he stumbles upon a deception that’s painfully close to home, things begin to fall apart. A cataclysmic explosion in a fireworks factory, the advent of internet pornography, and the reappearances of a discarded, dangerous son all play a terrible role in the spectacular fragmentation of the Sigerius clan.
         

What i thought

If I did not have to read this for school I would never have read it anyway. But I'm really glad that I have actually read it. Before I get into the review I wanted to mention that I have read it in Dutch, so I have no clue about the language that is used in the English translation and I will base my review around the Dutch book. 

I didn't know what I was expecting from this book, but it was nothing near what this book actually was about. I didn't expect it to be so vulgar and explicit. One thing that was absolutely amazing about this book was the writing. Peter Buwalda's writing is really intriguing, interesting and different from other writers I have read. I enjoyed this book as much as I hated this book. So let me explain...

The main event in this book is the fireworks catastrophe in Enschede in the year 2000. After this has taken place, everything starts going down hill for family Sigerius. Siem Sigerius discovers the porn site of his eldest stepdaughter Joni, leading up to his death in the same year. His curiosity and self-hatred has taken the better hand over him.  

There are three characters in this book, whom all get an evenly divided part. Joni and Aaron look back from the future to the past ( the year 2000) and explain what has happened in that year. Whereas Siem Sigerius tells about his life sofar and eventually ends with his dead. He obviously can't look back upon the past, since he has died in 2000. 

//Spoiler alert, this part of the review can contain spoilery thought and will take up two paragraphs//

One this I absolutely couldn't get my head around was the fact that Peter Buwalda could actually think of such a vulgair and explicit story. The way it was written and the way all the chapters lead up to the grand finale was absolutely stunning. But what really shocked me was Siem Sigerius. First of all, he didn't regconise his stepdaughter one the pornphoto's in the first place and once he discovers the secrets. He decides to take a look at Aaron's house, examining all the little hooks and crannies. He eventually ends up in the attic, finding all the panties and stilettos his stepdaughter has been wearing on the photos. For some sick reason he decides to put on one of his daughter's panties. Who would do such a thing! 

And then there is the scene that takes place at the house of family Sigerius. Tineke and Janis have left for their winter holiday in France, leaving the whole house of Siem alone. He had to finish his work before he went to France. But, the day before he had to leave, his biological son Wilbert breaks into his house to kill Siem Sigerius. Siem isn't the weak, old father Wilbert had expected him to be. Siem tackles him and deliberately breaks his arm. Wilbert flees from the house. The next day Siem finds his son laying in the backyard, freezed to death by the snow. Now, I have no idea how to handle this situation, but what Siem did was absolutely sick. He decides to chop up his son, to drive to France, drop a bag filled with the chopped up son and - because he can't handle the situation, I suppose- he kills himself in a boat that is actually from his stepdaughter Joni and her boyfriend Aaron. What? 

//Spoiler part is done ^^//

I have mixed feelings about this book. I did really like it, but some parts were to vulgar and explicit for my liking.  I would recommend it, if you are really interested in reading literature from all around the world. However I don't think that this is Holland's best literature. 

Have you read this book,

what did you think of it? 

xx Zoë. 

The Bedtime Book Tag

First of all, my lovely readers, I'm so sorry for my lack of posting. I have been super busy with school. I haven't had anytime to read books, other than schoolbooks. The past couple of weeks have been extremely stressfull, but it will be worth it in the end. Today I wanted to post a little something for you. I haven't been tagged by anyone in particular, as far as I know. But I still wanted to do this, so let's get started (:


 

The bedtime book tag

A book that kept you reading all night. 

I have read a lot of books during the night, not necessarily because I was so intrigued by a story, but just because I'm the type of person who can't sleep that easily. So when I can't sleep I read the book that I'm currently reading. But a story that did really intrigue me and kept me reading was Alice in zombieland, I read it in one sitting - read from 6 pm till 3 am- 

A book that made you scared to go to sleep. 

One of the books that I'm currently reading is The Diviners by Libba Bray. This is one of the first ever "spooky" books I have read, that actually is really ghostly and haunting. Now yes you may know already, I'm really fond of thrillers and horrors, and I don't really get scared by books. But this book is really really angsty and haunting.  And oh my god, the hardcover version of this book is absolutely stunning!

a book that left you tossing and turning all night in anticipation of its release. 

I have absolutely no idea. If I read a book that is so intruiging to me, I just have to read it all at once. But if I had to choose, I think I would go for - I actually want to say the diviners again, but I already chose this for the second question- Unravel me. 

A book that has your dream boyfriend. 

Aaah, this question is hard. I have no idea. Absolutely no idea. I really like Noah in the Unbecoming of Mara Dyer series, but the mortal instruments series has so many lovely characters. I think I would have to go with Jace from the Mortal Instruments series. 

a book that would be your worst nightmare to be in. 

I'm torn on this one. I would not like to be in the Hunger games, but I would also love to kick some ass - Mockingjay was absolutely amazing- I would hate to have to survive in the Hunger Games, being captivated, brainwashed and suppressed by the Capitol and president Snow. 

A book that reminds you of the night time. 

These questions are hard. Damn, how am I supposed to choose. I don't really own any blue books that would remind me of the night, but I think I'm going with Beautiful Creatures.  A lot of events that happen during the story take place at night time. I absolutely adored this series. I have read it a long time ago though, so I wouldn't be able to really tell what it all is about ^^

A book that you actually dreamed about.

To be honest? All of them. I read before I go to bed, so a lot of the stories stay in my head. 

A book monster that you would not want to find under your bed.

  Anything but spiders or bugs. I have a phobia of spiders and bugs, they scare me the most. So I will have to go for a book that contains spiders. One of the bookseries that pops in my mind would definitely have to be Harry Potter. 

What are your favorite books to read before going to bed? 

Thank you for reading as always. 

XXX Zoë. 

Announcement

Hey readers,

First of all, I'm really sorry for the lack of posts on my blog. I'm super busy with school work. My testweek is coming soon and ugh, so much stress. Just wanted to let you guys know that I will continue not posting so much. I really need to get good grades, so I can't let anything distract me * believe me, I'll probably end up watching videos on YouTube*

Second, please let me know in the comments down below what you would like to see next. I promise I will put up a review of The Diviners by Libba Bray as soon as I can /I still need to finish it/ and I would like to do some more tags, because they're just so much fun to do.


Hopefully you don't mind the lack of posts and you'll bear with me. I appreciate it ^^

Bye guys :D xxx