Big Bad Wolf Cebu 2018 Book Haul!

Book Review: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

This book gripped me like I am like a hostage victim. I was at the edge of my sit the entire time. This book was indeed a good read and must be recommended to all beings that are capable of reading. This book demands your attention.

“Hell is the absence of the people you long for.”

The book was gripping and fast-paced. I don't know if it is because of the writing style but I sure did enjoy reading the book. I flew through it. I admire the world building by the author.  If the author will be credited by her works in this book, for me she should be praised more in the world building. She built the entire environment in the book flawlessly. It was almost perfect!

Synopsis:

One snowy night a famous Hollywood actor slumps over and dies onstage during a production of King Lear. Hours later, the world as we know it begins to dissolve. Moving back and forth in time—from the actor's early days as a film star to fifteen years in the future, when a theater troupe known as The Travelling Symphony roams the wasteland of what remains—this suspenseful, elegiac, spellbinding novel charts the strange twists of fate that connect five people: the actor, the man who tried to save him, the actor's first wife, his oldest friend, and a young actress with the Traveling Symphony, caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous self-proclaimed prophet. Sometimes terrifying, sometimes tender, Station Eleven tells a story about the relationships that sustain us, the ephemeral nature of fame, and the beauty of the world as we know it."

Aside from the captivating world building. The author surely did a great job with the characters. The characters were so diverse, flawed and full or personalities that they for sure will leave impressions to the readers. 

Book Review: Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns, #1) by Kendare Blake

I heard mixed reactions about this book. I am aware that this book will be very slow at the start and will drag you page after page. I am also aware that the second installment of the series will blow you away (just an expectation). What I was not aware of is how this book ends. I was not ready for all the plots that came to me.

This book is dark and gripping. It has this mini GOT feels. That is why I dared to dive in to the story amidst mixed reactions. And I did not regret it.

The book introduced me into these intriguing characters that were so well made and thought of. They were oozing of personalities and will surely leave a mark in the readers mind. The characters were able to connect to me and the left a very positive impression in me after I read the book. I was hooked to the story because of them. I love how balanced the characters are and I also love how these characters were made with flaws.

“Three dark queens
Are born in a glen,
Sweet little triplets
Will never be friends

Three dark sisters
All fair to be seen,
Two to devour
And one to be Queen” 

The world building took mostly all the first pages of the book, but I get why the author did that. For me, it was really slow at the beginning but everything was worth it in the end. I really love how the author carefully rafted the plots with the world and characters.

July 21, 2018 – Finished Reading

July 19, 2018 –

page 161

40.45% "Dragging but interesting. I wish the plot will move faster from now."

July 19, 2018 – Started Reading

January 1, 2018 – Shelved as: to-read

January 1, 2018 – Shelved

The plot twists were epic. I was not prepared for all of those unpredictable plot twists. I was left shocked and speechless after reading the last page of the book. I cursed and screamed of what really happened. It was really brilliant. The author did a really great job.

Book Review: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #1) by Jessica Townsend

This is probably the best middle grade book I have read this year. I admit, I am not really a fan of middle grade books but because of the hype, I decided to give this one a shot. And I did not regret it. I was engulfed in the world of Nevermoor and until now, the books impression still lingers in my veins.

“The point is—as far as the Society is concerned—if you are not honest, and determined, and brave, then it doesn’t matter how talented you are.”

The story was not that spectacular compared to Harry Potter (note that this book was tagged as the next Harry Potter). Honestly, it is not even near to the standards of HP, but it does not mean that this book is not good. Harry Potter for me, set the standards, and probably the golden standard for middle grade books. Nevermoor on the other hand might not be near those standards but it surely did put up a great effort.

 SYNOPSIS: A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world - but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.
It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart - an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests - or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Books I Wish I Own Now #3: July 2018 (Midyear Craze)

                The last time I made a post themed like this, I was able to get almost 90% of the books part of the list weeks after.  I am currently in my reading slump timeline due to overloaded tasks in the office and other more important priorities, that the chances for me to stack my TBR list is slim. But, tomorrow is another day. We always got high hopes and so we continue wishing. These are the new book I wish I will own days, weeks or months from now.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

This is the second time this book made the list. I have heard that this is a phenomenal contemporary that I am looking forward having in my hands is this beautiful and heart-warming book by Celeste Ng. I have heard a lot of wonderful reviews and praises from the book community about this book. This has been on my anticipated reads for a long time now, but I cannot still grab a copy for it is very expensive.

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

This book made the list after one of the blogger I followed made this as her best book that she has read so far this year (Midyear Book Tag). I got my eyes on this one lately, but I was a little bit hesitant picking this one up for the mix reviews I have heard. But my instinct tells me to give this one a shot. Hope it will not disappoint.

And I Darken by Kristine White

This is another young adult fantasy that I wish I have in my shelves. This is the first installment of the series and I already got the second book “Now I Rise”. Ironic that I was not yet able to purchase this one. I have heard a lot of good things about the series and the third is about to be released later this month. I need to start reading this series because I have a big feeling that I will surely enjoy it.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

This book interest me since January. A lot of my friends recommend this to me and I was curious why. Aside from the recommendations, I also saw one of my most favorite Survivor player reading this when she posted an update about the book in her Instagram account. Also, this book is one of the fast selling books earlier this year and I think all supports that this must be not just a hyped book but surely is a good one.

I Felt a Funeral in My Brain by Will Walton

I was recently looking for a good young adult contemporary fiction. I just want to add more contemporary on my collection so that fantasy and science fiction will no longer dominate my shelves. This book might be a good choice. I have heard a lot of good reviews about th is and I am very interested to confirm if these reviews are accurate.

The Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

I can confirm that this author is overrated. I am sorry, but she is not really for me. I have invested too much on her works, from the Monster of Verity Duology to the Darker Magic Series, I was so far all disappointed. Yet, since I got the first two books of the Darker Shade of Magic series already (which by the way were both very expensive), I think I must grab the final book and just seal the deal one last time.