Booktalk: Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

I've just emerged from the silent, eyes-closed-as-I-replay-the-book phase, before which I went through a pure OHMYGOD-kinda hyperventilation attack! I mean, I mean! Shadow Kiss is the third, and so far my most favorite book in the Vampire Academy series! Is this series awesome or WHAT???? I just don't know how to write a review for this one, so I'll just go along with my fanatic feelings! 

Richelle Mead

Book Title: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy # 3)

Author: Richelle Mead

Pages: 442

Find it at: Amazon

Published: 2008 by Penguin 

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Vampires!!!

My Rating: 5/5!! *_*

Blurb from Goodreads!

It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She's having dark thoughts, behaving erratically, and worst of all... might be seeing ghosts.

As Rose questions her sanity, new complications arise. Lissa has begun experimenting with her magic once more, their enemy Victor Dashkov might be set free, and Rose's forbidden relationship with Dimitri is starting to heat up again. But when a deadly threat no one saw coming changes their entire world, Rose must put her own life on the line - and choose between the two people she loves most.

My Thoughts!

I picked up Shadow Kiss soon after Frostbite, since I had liked it quite well. Did I have any idea this one would do to me what it did? Not a clue. I mean, I was enjoying the story so far, but with this book in, it's become much more than that. Rose is my new favorite, not just another character I admire. Her world is so close to my own! Her problems, seemingly in a parallel universe, coinciding with mine. Her fears, my fears. But it's not just this relation aspect. I love this story for everything that's in it! I'm a sickler for action, and it's got loads of well placed, well written and extremely well plotted action! It's a beautiful book, narrating the story of a world of vampires, but going much deeper than just blood lust!

Writing style? Easy to follow, well written, very well plotted. It's not exactly a maze, but twists come in just when you didn't expect anything, and you can't really predict what'll happen next, unless you've been a spoilsport and read up spoilers on the net (which, I absolutely refused to do!). Although I've been saying the pacing's slow, considering how it's been a few months described in three books so far, but it's just no problem, I realized later. There's so much going on in a short span of time, that the details are more important than going on quickly to the next step. 

I think the biggest reason I adore this book is that there's so much of emotion! It's not a sickly emo kind of thing, it's just that you don't just see action. There's detail to life, a turmoil of sorts described, to which readers would be able to easily relate. Rose's life was always about keeping them first. She's been living for the Moroi. When will she do something for herself? Is that even possible? We've seen Rose Hathaway, badass novice guardian go through so much, including equally badass Strigoi killings, along with seeing her live her life like a big sacrifice. Have the recent events challenged that? Certainly. Not that Rose is too keen to go off "living her own life". Lissa is who she wants to protect. She wants to be a guardian. She's awesome! But life was never how you thought it was. You feelings can be strong, and events can change you. 

The relationship between Rose and Dimitri was just heart-achingly beautiful! It's just so painful reading about such forbidden love, but I respect them both for how they take care of it all. As far as characters go, even Adrian seemed likeable by the end of the book. He didn't seem that bad even in the beginning, but still. He was more of a misunderstood guy who acted obnoxious, but is one with some sense. 

I really don't know how I should express my feelings for this story development here. Heart-breaking? Yes. Mind-boggling? Yes. Oh-God-please-don't-let-that-happen!? Yes. "I love Rose and Dimitri!!!!"? Yes. "I wish I had Lissa's power and patience!"? Yes. "What is going on with Rose!! Ghosts? :O " ?? YES! *tears streaming down* reading the ending of the book? Super duper yes. 

I don't know if it's just me, but this book goes way deeper than what it seems. I already have misgivings about the movie, it just seems to over-glamorized! This story's way beyond all that! Recommended for: everyone who enjoys Young Adult, Adult fantasy fiction.

Quotes, quotes!

"Some people read books for fun," he observed. 

"I don't think reading this cowboy stuff is really saving the world like I do."

"Like any book, it's an escape."

Life and death were so unpredictable. So close to each other. We existed moment to moment, never knowing who would be the next to leave this world.

'She was right about how easily things change. We try to do what's right, or rather, what others say is right. But sometimes, when that goes against who we are....... we have to choose.' <-- this one is my favorite! *_*

Classic Talk # 4: Jane Eyre

Charlotte Bronte
(such a pretty picture *_*)

Book title: Jane Eyre

Author: Charlotte Bronte

Published: 1847

Get it at: Flipkart / Amazon

Plot Summary (Goodreads)

Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. 

She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed. 

With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers.

Jane Eyre and I

Sometimes, I think we develop a relationship with stories and certain books in some way or the other, not really related to the actual story. You may have a book that was your first ever solo-read, the one your school best friend gifted, the one you got from the book fair the first time you visited. One you remember reading way before your classmates, and other kinds of attachments. There was a time in school when I loved classics, not really knowing what classics are. Considering how I had enjoyed Charles Dickens way back in school more than I enjoy it now, I also think the best experiences are derived when you read a book at a certain time. Maybe when you have an interest at the same level, or maybe depending upon age. 

When my dad took me to Old Delhi for the first time, I was just ending middle school. He wanted me to see the big Nayi Sadak market, full of books, mostly academic. More than that, he simply wanted me to get a feel of the old-style Delhi, crowded and filled with narrow lanes, so different from the relatively open area where most Delhi-ites usually live. He particularly was excited about a lane he believed was the narrowest. It was so narrow that he said only one person can pass through at a time, and there was no chance of two people coming in from opposite ends and making it the other way at the same time. I saw for myself that it was true, as the lane narrowed down even more towards the end.

We walked through it, one behind the other, and came out to find a tiny stall filled with second-hand books. Some books were put upon a manji  (portable cot) and some more spread on a newspaper on the ground. Instinctively, I picked up a small book from the ground, with the binding peeling off and found the first page partly stuck to the old binding. But I had to have one book. That's how I was. It was pretty old, and very cheap. We bought that book and went back through the narrowest lane, with me feeling exhilarated with this adventure. The book I got that day was an abridged copy of Jane Eyre. 

The Book

I remember feeling so into the story when I read it for the first time, feeling sorry and kinda depressed by the events in Lowood school, and feeling weirded out by how Mr. Rochester and Thornfield hall was. I re-read that book two-three times more, each time feeling more and more connected to the story, understanding things better as my own maturity level grew. Earlier this January, I picked it up again when I could not decide on a title from the unread books, and all those feelings came rushing back after years, and I felt more excited and happy to see I remembered the events as they really happened, still feeling close to Helen, Jane's friend, however a short appearance she might have. I think I liked the book so much more because it has a happy ending, things getting into place.

Jane's a strong character and I love that about her. Plus, this time that I read the book (considering I'm more understanding about people), I saw how scary it must have been for her as a child to live in Reed's house and getting bullied by those kids. Then living in Lowood and losing a friend to illness. Finally arriving in Thornfield and feeling at home. It's something to think about, how difficult it must be for her to finally find people who could care for her? How hard it must have been to accept love, and contempt at the same time. How relieving it must be to know that you were cared for. It's not that tragic a story, but I find it painfully beautiful, just because I myself cannot imagine living in such conflicting environments.

Since I've read the abridged version, I don't want to comment on the characterization and writing style, although Jane as a character seemed to be someone you would want to comfort, and encourage her all the way through. She's not stupid, and knows how to take care of herself. She's got emotions and a good presence of mind. Mr. Rochester is kind, yet mysterious. The way the story ends, it seems to bridge in all the gaps and filling in the missing pieces. I liked it because it showed a woman's happiness in a life thus so far lived with disappointments and anxiety. It's an interesting book to read, and I am sure that the next time I re-read it, it'll be awesome still. :)

Have you read this book? What do you think of it? :)

Booktalk: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Richelle Mead

Book title: Frostbite (Vampire Academy # 2)

Author: Richelle Mead

Pages: 327

Published: 2008 by Penguin

My Rating: 5/5!

Find it at: Amazon

(I'd suggest you get a boxed set of this series)

The second book of the Vampire Academy series, Frostbite takes us deeper into the dark, mysterious world of vampires with clans, classes, powers, fighting, magic and love. I took a long time to pick this one up after I finished with the first book less than a year ago. Time constraint, not that I didn't like the book. I loved it, rather. And Frostbite was every ounce as (and more) exciting than how I wished it would be.

Goodreads Blurb!

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose... 

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory. 

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

My Thoughts!

We get further into the story at St. Vladimir's. Rose Hathaway-the protagonist, novice guardian for Lissa Dragomir, the last remaining royal in the Dragomir family, is having serious relationship troubles. She cannot get Dimitri out of her head, and Mason's interested in her. Then there's Tasha Ozera, a royal Moroi and aunt to Christian, Lissa's boyfriend, who seems interested in Dimitri. It seems like the story's revolving around this theme, but thankfully, these relationship troubles are not directly at the center of attention. Strigoi (the 'bad' vampires) are growing and things are changing. There is evidence of them being organized and planning killings, something which was unheard of before. And the Moroi, especially the royals, are in danger.

I found the story slightly tiring and not-so-impressive in the beginning, and the writing style preposterous, but that was because it has been narrated from Rose's POV, a dhampir girl who's the perfect definition of 'badass'. She's so not someone I would call ideal as a person, but you'll love her nevertheless. I love this thing about well-written stories and completely defined characters. You love them even if they are going against your beliefs and doing things you'd have thought should be banned! But she is someone who isn't afraid, holds strong opinions and is not scared of voicing them, is determined enough to put up with a lot of practice (apart from Dimitri being there, that is), and capable enough to be able to save all those she loves and cares for, brave enough to do what is her duty. 

If reading the book was an experience, I'd say it was because of the book being written from Rose's POV. No other character could have managed to narrate a story about vampires that seems more about high school, but isn't, that seems like a love-twist story but is cleverly written to make you believe it is much more than that. I enjoyed reading this book! A lot! Although once again, I found Lissa's role quite behind herself, but that might just be because one, I'm comparing it to how it was in the previous book and two, she is a princess. It shouldn't surprise me to see she's being treated as one, right? Even with the inactivity, she seems lovable, once again thanks to Rose's POV, who makes everyone she loves look ideal.

Adrian, a new character seemed more like a nuisance than someone intriguing, and his actual role in the story is yet to be seen in the other books. I hope he doesn't disappoint, considering how he's a first-look-negative-influence kind of a person. And finally, Dimitri! Although he seems annoying sometimes, considering how secretive he gets, he is still a hot guardian who just seems, well, hot. And it's about his whole demeanor that makes him appealing. Apart from the action towards the end of the book that made me forget the tiny flaws and give the book a rating of 5/5, it was Dimitri's act in the end! I don't want to include spoilers so I'm staying out of describing it in detail, but it made me go, "Really? I thought he wouldn't! Well, yay!" :P

“You can't force love, I realized. It's there or it isn't. If it's not there, you've got to be able to admit it. If it is there, you've got to do whatever it takes to protect the ones you love.” 

“There's nothing worse than waiting and not knowing what'll happen to you. Your own imagination can be crueler than any captor.” 

“What matters is that someone—that you—know me that well. When a person can see into your soul, it's hard. It forces you to be open. Vulnerable. It's much easier being with someone who's just more of a casual friend.”

“In the real world, you can make your own miracles.” 

Review: Teardrop by Lauren Kate

Lauren Kate

Title: Teardrop

Author: Lauren Kate

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Published: October, 2013 by Doubleday

Pages: 441

Find it at: Amazon

My Rating: 4/5!

From the Book's Cover

Never, ever cry... Seventeen-year-old Eureka won't let anyone close enough to feel her pain. After her mother was killed in a freak accident, the things she used to love hold no meaning. She wants to escape, but one thing holds her back: Ander, the boy who is everywhere she goes, whose turquoise eyes are like the ocean. 

And then Eureka uncovers an ancient tale of romance and heartbreak, about a girl who cried an entire continent into the sea. Suddenly her mother's death and Ander's appearance seem connected, and her life takes on dark undercurrents that don't make sense. 

Can everything you love be washed away?

My Thoughts!

Teardrop in its very essence is fantasy-based but talks mostly about humanness through its protagonist and many characters living in and around New Iberia. Just that Eureka and her mother Diana, are closely linked with an ancient, almost-forgotten myth. Eureka was nine when she, disturbed by her parents' squabble, shed tears and cried bitterly. That was also when Diana had slapped her for the first time and asked her never again to cry.

Eureka hadn't. Not even after losing her mother to a rogue wave that washed her away, a wave from which she had been miraculously saved, leaving her alone and devastated. She withdrew from the things she loved and desperately sought an escape. Ander, a mysterious boy with eyes like the ocean, bumps into her and she feels drawn to him, more than she'd like to accept. A few months later when Eureka inherits three items from Diana's will, she's confused, but holds them dearly: a book written in a language she cannot read, her mother's locket and a thunderstone wrapped in white gauze. 

Oh the gorgeousness of the cover *_*

The story moves at a gradual pace, introducing all characters, complete with their personalities and quirks, moving through the days as Eureka sees them pass by. She finally finds a seer-like woman who is capable enough to translate the book (titled, The Book of Love). Eureka's desperate to understand everything that links her to Diana and the mysteries of what she didn't know. She's also torn between Brooks, her childhood friend and Ander, the mysterious boy she can't help thinking about. 

The author's writing style is no doubt, gripping. It's a book very well written, though I found the beginning to be quite slow. But the book paces up as it reaches the halfway point and that is when I was hooked on to the book. The events became mysterious, there was action and unfolding of new ideas, and the best of all, it was not at all predictable. I mean, I wasn't personally trying to foresee or guess what the story might turn out to be, but whatever happened was not what I could have imagined. And this unpredictability is scattered everywhere, not just at the end. You cannot predict the fate of any of the characters, you don't know why a certain character is behaving in a certain weird way, it's hard to guess. And you're anyway so into the story that you wouldn't really stop to imagine or predict. 

This also could be because the main myth that is at the helm of everything, is revealed a lot later in the book, so readers have no idea beforehand as to where the story's being led. The basic storyline is something I found to be unique, although if you come out of your fantasy-induced mind and look at it from a practical view, you might find the idea a bit absurd. Eureka never cries, her tears are too important to be shed, and maybe too dangerous. She went through things too much for any one person to handle, yet she's been so strong as to never cry (apart from almost shedding a tear when Ander first bumped into her), but it's not that weird, because in the end she does, and it's explained quite well, and reasonably. We can just accept the story for what it is and bask in the emotions it makes us go through. :)

I also loved the portrayal of all characters, they just seemed 'complete', although Brooks seemed more mysterious than he should have been, but then his mysteriousness was important in the story. Still, a little more about the kind of relationship he shared with Eureka could have been explained through the narration of an incident or something. I was quite confused whether or not to trust him. Rhoda, Eureka's stepmom was just mean Rhoda, but someone who seemed mean to Eureka, and was otherwise a normal mom of two four-year old twins whom Eureka loved. This was what I found to be great, the characters' image is not shadowed by how Eureka sees them, giving them more depth and personality for the readers.

Overall, the book is worth a read, although it almost pains me to wait for the second book! I don't even know when it'll be out. The story's interesting, it grows a lot more as the book progresses and it has some beautiful lines, some of which are mentioned here: 

'Suffering is wisdom's schoolteacher' ~ Madame Blavatsky 

'Love. That which makes a life worth living. That which arrives to carry us where we need to go.' ~ The Book of Love

'"You think this is real?" Eureka asked.

"Nothing is real. There is only what we believe in and what we reject."'

'But sometimes, trust struck the intuition like a thunderbolt, fast and deep. Trust was mutual'

'Love was a dance floor, where everyone you loved left a mark behind.'

Recommended for: Fantasy lovers, YA readers 

Thankyou Random House publishers for this book! :)

Recent Book Grabs (#5) and Winter Reads!

It feels like I'm doing such a post after ages, which might be very near to being a 100% true statement. Well, 2013 was comparatively a very hard year for me when it comes to reading and writing. A lot many reasons and a lot many stories, about which I talk on my personal blog, but all that is for later. Officially, my winter break starts from tomorrow (*officially* because we still have to go. Almost all days. College stuff. Life can be hard. :| ). But anyway, there is that feeling of being free! If only figuratively. At least I can read my books more than usual! I've had quite some amazing titles adding to my pile recently, and since I haven't made a Recent Book Grabs post since forever, I can't mention all of them, so I'd be keeping with the very recent ones. 

Here goes! Ta-tadaa!!

1. Teardrop by Lauren Kate: I remember thinking 'I should read the Fallen series' all throughout last year, but I just could not. So when Teardrop came by, I could not say a 'No!' :D I'm reading this presently and I'm liking the gradual suspense it builds up as well as the storyline. 

2. Allegiant by Veronica Roth: My birthday (which happened last month) was awesome! This beauty was gifted to me by a friend-who's-gone-to-study-in-the-US. How ah-mayzing is that? :D I've kept this for a holiday time, since I prefer being in a peaceful place while experiencing heartbreak-cum-awesomeness!  

3. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith: We all know by now Robert is not really Robert, but our beloved J.K. Rowling ^_^ This was also a birthday gift by awesome reader friends! Thanks guys! :D I'd read this one once I'm done with my winter reading list. 

4. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini: I've been keeping reading this off till I read the other two books, but I started with A Thousand Splendid Suns and just the first 30 pages were heartbreaking and I'm not in a state to read too much of sadness right now. But I can and I want to read this one now. I can read the other two later, right?

5. Fida-e-Lucknow by Parveen Talha: A friend's copy, this book is *very* promising when it comes to beautiful, simple and moving Indian tales. So gonna read it. Very soon! 

6. The Metamorphosis and Other Stories by Franz Kafka: Dad got this a few weeks ago. I thought I'd add it to my Classics-to-be-read-very-soon pile, but that stack has a lot of books already, so I don't know when I'm gonna read this one. 

7. The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom: Again, gifted by a friend who desperately wants me to read this, since it was something she loved! I am already intrigued by the concept and she's in for a discussion very soon, since it's on top of the reading priority list. ;)

8. The Hundred Names of Darkness by Nilanjana Roy: If I had to put a finger at the most anticipated book for this year, this book would steal that trophy! This was released last week and I, along with two of my reader friends, attended the book signing and reading of this book. Considering how I am a fan of Ms. Nilanjana, I was positively hyperventilating and beaming seeing her live and talking to her <3 (I'd make a post about it soon. If I post it on the personal blog, I'll link it here!)

Now coming on the the reading list for the winter break time! (And beyond :P )

I have to read 5 books before the year ends, so okay, I've chosen mostly books that I would be able to enjoy in a lesser time. (Okay smarties, you guessed it. Books with less number of pages :| )

1. Teardrop: This is not a small book, but since I'm in the midst of it, and I'm "kinda" hooked to it, I'd finish this first!

2. Fida-e-Lucknow by Parveen Talha

3. The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom

4. Awaken by Meg Cabot

5. Manto: Selected Short Stories by Saadat Hasan Manto

By this time I hope my Reading Challenge would be complete! I did not want to lose that challenge and I am giving myself the luxury to reduce the previously set goal to 45 books, since I really had a hard time balancing my life this year. Next year onward:

6. The Hundred Names of Darkness by Nilanjana Roy

7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Then there are the review books I'd have to put in between, and they are selected on a random, mood-basis so I can't list them right now, though Teardrop and Manto belong to that list. 

Would you like to say something about these books? Read any of them? What books are in your reading list? :D