Review- The Rules of Enchantment by Wendy Tardieu

The Rules of Enchantment on Goodreads

It had been a long time since I read a fantasy novel, so when the publishing house TCK Publishing contacted me about The Rules of Enchantment, I knew I had to pick it up because the summary sounded quite interesting. While I've been on a break from fiction for quite some time now, I thought it would be difficult for me to get into the book and while it did take me longer than usual to finish it, I must say that the minute I started reading this book, I was immediately drawn into a new world full of magic and madness. 

The Rules of Enchantment at its heart is a teacher student romance where Kyler, a scribe, is sent to change the fate of magic under her Master, the sorcerer Leith. While the tension between the two was quite obvious, the romance seemed to be ever so slightly sprinkled here and there. I wouldn't really call this a romance as other than a few sensual scenes, there really wasn't much of a romantic development between Kyler and Leith. 

Coming to the plot of the book, it was quite well thought of and written. Author Wendy Tardieu's writing is easy to follow and her storytelling has a very intriguing charm to it. A short read that'll keep the reader wanting to know more, this book is of the perfect length- not too long, not too short, it's just enough to keep the reader curious and solve all their doubts and problems. 

Overall, this book was a refreshing change from the books I have been reading recently. I did find it hard to stick to it, and at times, even keep a track of what's going on, but overall, the joy of getting into a new world provided an escape to reality, which pretty much fulfils the purpose of a fictional story. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to get into fantasy. A die hard fan of the genre has definitely read better, but this is a great one for a beginner! 

Review- Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Salem Falls on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Tall, blonde and handsome, Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and football coach at a girls' school, until a student's crush sparked a powder-keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now after an eight-month jail sentence, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life.

Release date: April 1st 2008

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Page numbers: 472

REVIEW: 

Before Salem Falls, I have only read Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper. But that one book was enough for me to decide that I wanted to read more books from the part of my shelf dedicated to Jodi Picoult as I have an inexplicable obsession with collecting her books. I had my eye on Salem Falls as it had me extremely intrigued with its blurb so I thought I should pick it up next. And I am super glad I did because it's a book that gave me a major brain blotch which is something I had been waiting for... 

Salem Falls is the story of Jack St. Bride who is accused and convicted of sexually assaulting his student Catherine Marsh. Once he has served his time, he moves out to Salem Falls, a quiet town and stumbles into Do-Or-Diner, owned and managed by Addie Peabody. When Jack and Addie meet, they obviously have no idea what's in store for either of them but it is one incredible journey that I thoroughly loved reading about. Jack is once again accused of raping a teenage girl in Salem Falls and that's when the story picks up pace and turns into a series of events that are super interesting to read about. 

Jack and Addie aren't the only characters in this book. It's basically the entire town that gets involved in Jack's case and like always, Picoult manages to write some smashing characters who stay with you long after you've closed the book and who make you contemplate life in general. I don't know how she does it but the author weaves some magic that makes her books so mind blowing and touching. She knows her art super well and that's super admirable. 

Like My Sister's Keeper, Salem Falls also started on a slow note. I felt like I was reading the book forever. It was only once I crossed the 60% mark that I really got into it and I couldn't wait to find out how everything would turn out. Having said that, the first part of the book was packed with information and clues that help figure out some major information but it was just very difficult to get into. There were times when I felt like giving up or putting it on hold but I am so glad I didn't. It's like they say: Great stuff takes time. And it stands so true for this particular book. 

I would highly, highly recommend this book, whether you are a Jodi Picoult fan or not, this one is going to keep you hooked! 

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Review- Kiss Of Snow by Nalini Singh

Summary-

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would’ve been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other’s secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna’s darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

Release date: May 31st 2011

Published by: Gollancz

Page numbers: 432

Review-

I LOVE Hawke. I've loved him since we met him in the first book and I was waiting for his book since I finished reading the first book in the psy-changeling series by Nalini Singh. So, obviously my expectations of Kiss of Snow were super high. I am SO happy that Nalini Singh met and exceeded my expectations. I loved Kiss of Snow.

Let's start with Hawke. He is the lone alpha. Hawke has lost his mate when he was a child and he never expects to mate again. The only thing he did not see coming in his life was Sienna Lauren. I loved how possessive and protective Hawke was. He tries so hard to resist Sienna because of their age difference but there is something pulling them together.

Then there's Sienna. When we'd first met her in the previous books I wasn't completely sure about her. She was young, still is in this book and I couldn't picture Hawke and Sienna together. But they were amazing. Sienna blew me away with her feelings for Hawke and the pack. I came to love and respect her and she was perfect for Hawke.

The romance, the chemistry, every single thing in this book was hot. Hawke was HOT. Hawke and Sienna had a playfulness in their relationship which each had lost before. I loved seeing Sienna fight for more with Hawke and Hawke finally giving in. When that man falls, he falls hard.

We get a beautiful side story of Lara and Walker. With the SnowDancers we even get glimpses of what's happening with Luc and Sascha and the DarkRiver pack. Kiss of Snow has an amazing climax and things have just gotten better. This is easily one of my favorite books in the series. If there is any doubt in your mind about starting this series, ignore it because Nalini Singh is awesome!

Review- When Our Worlds Meet Again by Aniesha Brahma

When Our Worlds Meet Again on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Two years after the events of 'When Our Worlds Collide', Zayn and Akriti are now leading extremely different lives. Akriti has come back from her stint at the business school and running her mother's café. Zayn has run into trouble in his PhD program and has come home for a break. While he thinks that things are just as he’d left them two years ago, that is far from the truth. In a last ditch attempt to make Akriti remember the connection they had once shared, Zayn tries to recreate all their memories. But things are never the same when collided worlds meet again.

Release date: November 16th 2018

Published by: General Press

Page numbers: 160

REVIEW: 

I have read and enjoyed author Aniesha Brahma’s books in the past. Well, I’ve also met her and she’s a wonderful friend and human being. And guess what? She’s also a great author. When I read When Our Worlds Collide, I felt like I was part of Akriti and Zayn’s rollercoaster story. So when I got to know that the sequel to their story, When Our Worlds Meet Again was out, I had to read the book. 

I had read the first book a long time back so I didn’t really remember most of it. But Aniesha does a brilliant job of giving snippet recaps in the second book that it added to good revision of the previous story. A simple and sweet story, When Our Worlds Meet Again is a short read that I wish was slightly longer as I want to know more about Akriti and Zayn’s future. 

In this book, the dynamic duo finally have some real talk and make some important decisions. While I did find myself getting slightly annoyed with the two of them and how they handled their relationship, it all felt worth it in the end. It was nice meeting all the characters again. 

Overall, When Our Worlds Meet Again is a great read that I would highly recommend to fans of When Our Worlds Collide and if you haven’t read that, I suggest you read both books back to back. They’re awesome weekend reads. 

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Review- Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh

Summary-

Nalini Singh, the New York Times bestselling “alpha author of paranormal romance” (Booklist) returns to an immortal world of violent passion and lethal power…on the brink of a deadly archangelic war.

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

Release date: October 29th, 2013

Published by: Jove

Page numbers: 374

Review-

I was really excited to get started on Archangel's Legion and to get back to Raphael and Elena. They are the back bone of this series and where we last left off with them they still had issues to overcome. Archangel's Legion started off a bit shaky as I could not find a solid plot to it. But never doubt Nalini Singh! As we got into the book things started falling in place.

Elena and Raphael are still going strong but there are always new obstacles coming their way and they have to deal with them. There are vampires dying of disease all around New York and Elena and Raphael have to find out the reason behind it. It looks like someone is trying to cause chaos in Raphael's territory.

I still loved Elena in this book. Elena and Raphael's bond is strong but we do see Elena's insecurities come out at times. But it made her all the more easy to relate to after she's been strong for so long with her immortality. We also see Raphael gain new powers. There were a ton of unknowns in this book and Raphael and Elena had to be strong through it.

There are a lot of changes taking place in their world because of the occurrence of the Cascade. I found the whole concept of the Cascade really interesting and I can't wait to see how Nalini Singh takes it forward. Archangel's Legion also had a good balance of action and romance and I love how we got to see how everyone was doing. 

We get a lot of Illium, Aodhan, Jason, Dmitri and Naasir in this one. I am SO intrigued by Naasir and what he really is. We get to see how strong the bonds which tie Raphael's Seven are in time of need. I am also very curious to see about the Legion. Archangel's Legion was a great installment to this fantastic series.

Review- Love Spell by Mia Kerick

Love Spell on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Chance César is fabulously gay, but his gender identity—or, as he phrases it, “being stuck in the gray area between girl and boy”—remains confusing. Nonetheless, he struts his stuff on the catwalk in black patent leather pumps and a snug-in-all-the-right (wrong)-places orange tuxedo as the winner of this year’s Miss (ter) Harvest Moon Festival. He rules supreme at the local Beans and Greens Farm’s annual fall celebration, serenaded by the enthusiastic catcalls of his BFF, Emily Benson. 

Although he refuses to visually fade into the background of his rural New Hampshire town, Chance is socially invisible—except when being tormented by familiar bullies. But sparks fly when Chance, Pumpkin Pageant Queen, meets Jasper (Jazz) Donahue, winner of the Pumpkin Carving King contest. Chance wants to be noticed and admired and romantically embraced by Jazz, in all of his neon-orange-haired glory.

And so at a sleepover, Chance and Emily conduct intense, late-night research, and find an online article: “Ten Scientifically Proven Ways to Make a Man Fall in Love With You.” Along with a bonus love spell thrown in for good measure, it becomes the basis of their strategy to capture Jazz’s heart. 

But will this “no-fail” plan work? Can Chance and Jazz fall under the fickle spell of love?'

Release date: August 27th 2018

Published by: NineStar Press

Page numbers: 200

REVIEW: 

After reading author Mia Kerick's It Could Happen, The Weekend Bucket List and My Crunchy Life- all of which I absolutely loved- I'm become a huge fan of hers, so when I got to know about Love Spell, no way was I going to let it pass. Just like her previous works, Love Spell was also an adorable, fun and believable read. 

Chance César, our male protagonist is a very average teenager who is trying to figure himself out. I found Chance to be super fun and extremely relatable with all his realistic problems and his plan to get the person of his dreams. His faith in an article that would help him win this person over was so fun to read as it reminded me of my silly but fun teenage years. 

When Chance meets Jasper, sparks instantly fly but Chance doesn't quite know if he has a chance with Jazz. This is where his mission with his friend Emily begins. Emily was one of the most adorable characters in the book who seemed super cool and fun. Jasper is portrayed as the brooding, mysterious and too kind to be true guy who helps run his home and at the same time perform his duties as a student. 

Even though it took me a long time to finish Love Spell, every time I got back to it, it felt like I hadn't left. I instantly connected with Chance and his addictive and attractive personality. Mia Kerick has yet again written a brilliant novel about teenage confusion and human nature. I would highly, highly recommend this one. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Mia Kerick and YA Bound in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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Review- You Against Me by Jenny Downham

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

 BOOK SUMMARY:

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right?

If your brother's accused of a terrible crime but says he didn't do it, you defend him, don't you?

When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her, his world begins to fall apart.

When Ellie's brother is charged with the offence, her world begins to unravel.

When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.

This is a brave and unflinching novel from the bestselling author of Before I Die. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love.

Release date: December 2nd 2010

Published by: David Fickling

Page numbers: 413

REVIEW: 

I remember it was 2012 when I first came across You Against Me. When I saw the cover, I knew I had to read the book. I put off reading the ebook for a very, very long time. Recently, however, I came across a paperback copy of the book at a local book sale and bought it. I took it as a sign and finally picked it up from my shelf to read. And man, what a book! 

I'm actually glad I read the book in 2018, and not 2012 because I understood it better and I found so much depth in it in the really small stuff which I probably would've ignored back in the day. Author Jenny Downham has written a beautiful book and her writing is so very beautiful that even though the book is slow and very long, once it ended, I wanted more of her words because they were so beautiful. 

When Karyn files a rape case against Tom, both her and Tom's families are shattered. Family relations are my most favourite part about young adult books, and both families were amazingly portrayed. Tom comes from a very rich family who will do whatever it takes to defend him and his future. Karen's family is poor, troubled but a close knit family who tries their best to be there for her. 

Tom's sister Ellie and Karyn's brother Mikey meet once and sparks fly. Although both want to protect their siblings, they know what's right and what needs to be done to serve justice. I loved how their relationship blossomed throughout the book. These two had some of the hardest decisions to make and they did it with brains and poise. The character and relationship development was wonderful. 

I highly recommend You Against Me to fans of young adult and anyone really, because this is a deep, sad and beautiful book. And since it's set in England, you get to know so much about the country added knowlegde is always a plus. 

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Review- The Weekend Bucket List by Mia Kerick

The Weekend Bucket List on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

High school seniors Cady LaBrie and Cooper Murphy have yet to set one toe out of line—they’ve never stayed out all night or snuck into a movie, never gotten drunk or gone skinny-dipping. But they have each other, forty-eight hours before graduation, and a Weekend Bucket List.

There’s a lot riding on this one weekend, especially since Cady and Cooper have yet to admit, much less resolve, their confounding feelings for one another—feelings that prove even more difficult to discern when genial high school dropout Eli Stanley joins their epic adventure. But as the trio ticks through their bucket list, the questions they face shift toward something new: Must friendship play second fiddle to romance? Or can it be the ultimate prize?

Release date: April 19th 2018

Published by: Duet Books, the YA imprint of Interlude Press

Page numbers: 266 

REVIEW: 

The Weekend Bucket List sounded like a fun read when I first heard about it. I was really looking forward to reading it, so when I finally started the book, I was excited for the journey. The book ended up being fun for sure, but there was so much more to it than just that. 

The Weekend Bucket List starts off as a very fun and frolic read with closest friends Cady and Cooper ticking off items of their bucket list the weekend before graduation just because the two nerds want to experience what most high schoolers go through. Completing tasks like skinny dipping, running naked on the beach, sneaking into a movie theatre, conquering a fear and having their first kiss are some of the items of their list which they accomplish in a fun fashion. During this time, they come across hot, mysterious and very humble Eli, who joins them on their journey. 

When the weekend of the bucket list is over, Cady and Cooper’s relationship takes a different turn and this is where The Weekend Bucket List goes from being a fun read to a rather intense and realistic read as our main protagonists start figuring out who they are and what they want from life. This is the part about YA novels that I love the most- the discovery of self. And author Mia Kerick did it brilliantly in her book. 

I absolutely adored my ride with Cady and Cooper. While I instantly loved Cooper and Eli, Cady was slightly difficult for me to relate to, especially in the second part of the book. I didn’t dislike her and I did understand her situation and everything she was going through, but I felt she could have made better decisions. Nonetheless, I loved getting to know more about her family which again is something that YA novels focus on and I adore. 

Overall, The Weekend Bucket List is a very engrossing read. Once your finish part one of the book, it sails very smoothly and you just want to know more. I found myself having a great time with Cady, Cooper and Eli. I don’t normally say this because I’m cool with it, but I would have loved an epilogue for this book as it would’ve given me some more time with the lovely characters whom I could relate to and who made me fall in friendship. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by YA Bound and author Mia Kerick in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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Review- Come to me Recklessly by A.L.Jackson

Summary-

His heart was turned off…

Until she turned him on…

Christopher Moore gave up on the idea of love years ago. Now, his life is an endless string of parties and an even longer string of girls. Enjoying the physical perks with none of the emotional mess, hes convinced everyone that hes satisfied—everyone but himself. 

Samantha Schultz has moved on with her life. Finishing her student teaching and living with her boyfriend, shes deluded herself into believing shes content. But there is one boy she never forgot—her first love—and she keeps the memory of him locked up tight. She will never allow any man to break her the way Christopher did.

When Christopher's sister and her family move into a new neighborhood, Christopher is completely unprepared to find Samantha living at the end of the street. Memories and unspent desires send them on collision course of sex, lies, and lust. But when guilt and fear send Samantha running, Christopher will have to fight for what has always been his.

Release date: April 7th, 2015

Published by: NAL

Page numbers: 445

Review-

I had really enjoyed the first book in A.L.Jackson's Closer to You series. Come To Me Recklessly is the third book in the series which is the story of Aly's brother Christopher and Samantha. I have to admit I did not enjoy this book much. I just had way too many issues with it. The only thing good about the book was the writing and what parts we got about Jared and Aly.

So let's start with this. We have Christopher who has given up on love when he was sixteen and he lost the girl he loved. Now his life is filled with parties and hook ups. The only good thing in his life is Aly and Jared and their daughter Ella. But things change when Samantha walks back in. The simplest way to put this would be to say that Christopher was an asshole for half the book. He does improve but he is very much stuck in his spiral of pain.

Then we have Samantha. Samantha was portrayed to be a really nice and innocent person but then she started spewing all these lies and I couldn't see what Christopher saw in her. The worst thing, and this may be a minor spoiler was the cheating. I hated that Samantha cheated on her live in boyfriend. Yes, he may be an ass but I think she could have handled things much differently.

Christopher and Samantha defintiely have chemistry. They had been together in the past despite the odds and they do love each other still. The book goes in the present with flashbacks from the past. But I felt that the misunderstanding between them was quite silly. I felt that the conflict was not strong enough to have kept them apart for seven years.

So, yeah Christopher and Samantha irritated me. But I liked all the bits where we see how Jared and Aly are doing. They have come a long way. I also enjoyed Samantha's younger brother Stewart and how his plot went. Come To Me Recklessly was an okay read for me.

Review- Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Summary-

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life. 

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake…

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness…

Release date: June 3rd, 2015

Published by: Berkley

Page numbers: 431

Review-

I had been waiting for the release of Shield of Winter from a looong time. That may be due to the fact that I devoured the entire series in one go last year. But anyways, Vasic seemed to be standing on the edge so I was eager for his story. Shield of Winter certainly did not disappoint me. I loved it!

Before getting into the story, I'd like to say that it is of vital importance to read the previous books. Things are explained well but there are many story arcs and I think knowing the background makes for a better read. Vasic is an Arrow. Arrows are cold blooded soldiers and because of this Vasic thinks that the crimes he has committed are irrevocable. 

I loved Vasic. He has strong but he really felt that he was undeserving of anything good and pure. His story was frankly heartbreaking and I'm so glad he found Ivy. Ivy, is an empath. Her kind has been destroyed but now the psy need their help to survive. I also really liked Ivy. She was the warmth and sunshine which Vasic needed. She was a bit pushy at times but I think Vasic needed that to overcome his insecurities.

The romance between Vasic and Ivy wasn't as swoon worthy as some of the previous books. But I may feel that way because I have solid favorites, beyond compare in this series. They know they have a connection but they take their time acting on it. It was kinda a slow burn and things only progress a bit later in the book.

I also loved the fact that we got to see Luc and Hawke with their better halves. Kaleb and Sahara were a pleasure to watch and the conversation between Judd and Vasic was hilarious! The one person who captured my attention though was Aden. Aden and Vasic's bond was amazing and I really hope we get his book next. This book was full of details and changes happening in the psy-changeling world. Nalini Singh consistently writes awesome books and Shield of Winter was just that. Go read this series!

Review- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park on Goodreads

Read Sarika's review of Fangirl

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

Release date: February 26th 2013

Published by: St. Martin's Press

Page numbers: 328

REVIEW: 

2017 has been a Rainbow Rowell year for me. I read Fangirl and fell in love with it. It was honestly one of the most comforting books I've ever read and has easily made its way to my list of top five books read this year. Since I loved the book and had a copy of Eleanor & Park lying around, I thought I'd give it a go, as well.

Now compared to Fangirl, Eleanor & Park wasn't all that great. The book started out as being really adorable and very funny in some places, but as I moved ahead, and saw that the pace wasn't picking up fast enough- with descriptions going on and on- I found it to be slightly slow. It just felt like something was really lacking in the book.

When it comes to the characters, I really liked both Eleanor and Park. Being outsiders and different, they were both extremely relatable. I loved how their families were poles apart, and played an important role in the book, which is something I really appreciate about Young Adult novels. I did have some problems with Eleanor's family- not because it was bad, but because in spite of knowing they were bad, no one was doing anything about it.

Rainbow Rowell writes so well that even some tedious descriptions seemed magnificent because of the flow of words. Her YA characters are honestly so raw and relatable that it's hard not to like them. She is a superfine Young Adult writer of our time, and in spite of some problems I had with Eleanor & Park, I sure am looking forward to more books from her.

I'm not saying that Eleanor & Park was bad. It was the contrary, actually. It was a great book. Had I read it before Fangirl, I probably would have liked it more, but I didn't, so it faded slightly in comparison. Nonetheless, I would recommend this one to fans of YA as its a deep book, especially considering the fact that the story revolves around two sixteen year olds.

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Review- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park. A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind? 

Release date: September 10th 2013

Published by: St. Martin's Press

Page numbers: 481

REVIEW: 

Since the past few years, most of my Potterhead friends who read author Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl have raved about it so much saying that they could relate to it easily and that it is a must read for Harry Potter fans. When I finally decided to pick up and read the book, I didn't have many expectations because very popular Young Adult books and I haven't gotten along quite well in the past. But now, I feel so proud to say that all my friends have been right all along. But really, there's no surprises there! Fangirl was one of the most comforting, gratifying and loveable YA book I've read in a long, long time.

To begin with, this book is basically an in-depth description of what my own teenage years looked like when all I cared about and all that mattered in life was Harry Potter. There really wasn't much else that helped me get through those adorable yet gruesome years, other than the fact that there was a Potter book or a Potter movie or Potter something to look forward to. Now in Fangirl, there is no direct reference to Harry Potter as such, but hey Rainbow Rowell, we all get the subtle Drarry hints, which was so cool because I ship that so bad.

I feel like this review is going to more about Harry Potter than Fangirl, so let's talk about the latter. The fangirl in this book- Cath- was such a relatable character. Honestly, I have never felt more close to and loved any other YA female character so much. Cath basically breathes Simon Snow, and she writes fanfic about the same. I personally never wrote fanfic, but I've had my fair share of it that I still go back to. I honestly really liked Cath'a character because she didn't have everything sorted out; she just went with the flow and figured stuff out.

Other than Cath, however, we have her twin sister Wren, her roommate Reagan, her writing partner Nick, her friend Levi, her professor Piper and her dad, who all came together to make this book fun and deep at the same time. Every character was well developed and portrayed in a very raw and excellent manner that made their individual contribution very important for the story to go ahead and also for Cath to emerge as someone better than what she started out with. Even thought this book was super long, which usually is the biggest turn-off for me, I still loved it so much that every time I stopped, I wanted to know more and even when the book finally ended, I wish it hadn't because I wasn't reason to let go.

Overall, I will say what everyone else has already said. Read this book if you belong to a fandom- any fandom really- and by belong, I mean if you are truly and entirely dedicated to it. If your fandom of choice basically defined your entire young adult life, please, please read this book because it will help you realise that you are not alone. We're all in this together and we are magic. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Rainbow Rowell!

 

Buy the book: AMAZON