Sunday, May 29, 2016

Say It With A Book #10 | All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven


With Guest Book Reviewer | Mawi Lopez

ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES is the story of how one event joined the lives of Violet Markey and Theodore Finch. I kept on coming across reviews that say this book is The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park, but honestly I don't see the comparison with either of the two. Sure there are similarities with some of the characters but the themes presented between all three books were dissimilar. Nevertheless, I liked all three of them. On with this book's review… Btw, I don't really do book reviews so please bear with me :)

I highly recommend this book to people who have gone through and have coped with loss, to readers who love young adult themes and to everyone who wanted a little glimpse of what it's like to have someone so special change your life forever.

The book tackled issues about teenage suicide, bullying, mental/emotional disorder, the feeling of being alone despite having people around, loss, divorce and the effects of broken families on the children. It was done in a way that, I think, young people would appreciate and relate to. The author’s note at the end even included organizations one can contact if they’re experiencing said problems and needed help, which is a really nice thing. On the bright side, the story of how Violet and Finch touched each other’s lives was lovely (because lovely is a lovely word that should be used more often). I can’t help but root for them and hope that everything will turn out well for them both. I, also, was utterly pained by the ending as I was so hoping for it to end the other way. I’m not saying the ending was bad, it was good, but I just wished it did not end that way.

I will end this review with a really lovely quote from the book: 
You are all the colors in one, at full brightness.

PS. I totally love the part where they did the Before I die I want to _______ thing. Because it was a really lovely scene and because it has some Jimmy Page reference (please pardon this JP fan) in it.



Book details: 
Title: All the Bright Places 
Author:  Jennifer Niven
Publication: January 6, 2015; Penguin Random House
Genre:  YA Fiction
Rating: ★★★★


...
About Mawi:

Born as Maridon Lopez, but we lovingly call her Mawi. We share a common love for dogs, and we both adored the above-reviewed book. Remembering how she felt when she first joined our TFG activity, back in January 2015, she thought that she'd be an oddball. Little did she know that we're all oddballs in our own little ways. She belongs!

TPW:  What is your favorite genre?
Mawi: I will have to say historical fiction and YA, depending on the theme though, nothing too mawkish please.

TPW:  How would you define yourself as a reader?
Mawi:  I always make it a point to read for pleasure alone. If someone asks me to read a book and at some point found it unbearable, I will put it down and find something better to read. Although, sometimes, I find myself finishing just for the sake of finishing, but that happens very rarely. And I never read two books at any given period, as in I have to finish one first before starting another. 

TPW:  Thank you very much, Mawi!


Saturday, May 21, 2016

Book Review | INK AND BONE by Lisa Unger

June 7, 2016
Touchstone
INK AND BONE lead us to a world beyond strange… and yes, beyond death.

More than anything else, Finley Montgomery wants control of her own life. But first, she needs to understand who she is.  Finley grew up misunderstood and misguided; she is perpetually haunted by people and things that only she could see. Confused, she sought her maternal grandmother, Eloise, a renowned psychic, for guidance in controlling her bizarre abilities.
We don’t always choose who we are, or what we experience.
We just choose what we do with it all.
The Hollows is a very intriguing and inviting place. Visitors are always enthralled by its quiet woodlands and accommodating populace. Ten months ago, a girl was abducted by strange men, while her father and brother were left bleeding from gunshot wounds, down on the trek trail leading to The Hollows Wood.

This is my first Lisa Unger book and I am not disappointed. Ink and Bone is an attention-grabbing mystery that holds many twists and leading plots. It is very engaging to witness this bifurcated narrative merge and form an edge-of-the-seat thrill.

Some of the viewpoints may be unnecessary for the development of the story. Strange is, I do get Ms. Unger in giving them ample attention. This book is more than the mystery or the thrill. It is also about moral principles and choices and taking the right steps to give it importance.

I LIKE IT VERY MUCH.


Book details:
Title:  Ink and Bone
Author:  Lisa Unger
Publication:  June 7, 2016; Touchstone
Genre:  Psychological Thriller
Rating:  ★★★★



*Copy received from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for this unbiased review.