Books to Movies Book Haul!

This week I picked up a few books that have been made into movies recently. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is due out in theaters June 12th and Far From the Madding Crowd was released May 22nd. I loved Far From the Madding Crowd! It was a fun period film but definitely had those moments that make a viewer uncomfortable (poor, poor sheep). I would absolutely check it out! Mr. Oak > Mr. Darcy??? Maybe ;)

Title: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Author: Jesse Andrews
Page Count: 295 w/o author interview, 308 w/ interview
Genre: YA

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight.  


Title: Far from the Madding Crowd
Author: Thomas Hardy
Page Count: 434
Genre: Fiction

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Each, in contrasting ways, unsettles her decisions and complicates her life, and tragedy ensues, threatening the stability of the whole community. The first of his works set in Wessex, Hardy's novel of swift passion and slow courtship is imbued with his evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapes, and with unflinching honesty about sexual relationships.

Heir of Fire (A Throne of Glass Novel #3) by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Page Count: 562
Rating: A++++++++++++
Keywords: Fae, Magic, Kingdoms, Assassins, Amazing
Genre: YA Fantasy
Younger Readers: same as previous books in series

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

Review:

   To say I loved this book would be an epic understatement. This was not insta-love. To begin I was not sure if I would even enjoy the hulking tome in my hands. It was so much longer than the previous book, Crown of Midnight, and the beginning was rather slow. I forced myself to go on, having faith in Maas' ability to weave an incredible tale. Never have I been so happy to have continued on reading. Heir of Fire is easily now one of my favorite books of all time, not an easy feat.
   As I said before, the first part of the book was a bit of a struggle to get through. It was not bad by any means. The style and story were as beautiful as ever but it was not as action packed as the previous installment. There was a lot of world building with new locations and introductions to new characters as well.
   New characters abound in this installment. This is both a good and a bad things. I'll start with the bad. Getting to know these new characters takes a bit of time, adjusting to who they are and what they represent. This time takes the reader away from Celaena. Frustration is present as the reader just wants to skip ahead to find out what is going on with Celaena. This does not last for the entire book though. Around the half way mark I began to actually enjoy the new characters and feel for them. Their chapters no longer filled me with dread. The Fae were a good example of this. Mauve was an intimidating character and I enjoyed that the realm she existed in what not entirely predictable. These characters' presence adds depth to the story and increases just how epic this series feels. I can't wait to see where many of them end up in the remaining books in the A Throne of Glass series.
   Below there will be no outright spoilers but I will discuss more specifics of the book. If you don't want to know anymore then stop reading after this paragraph! Overall I adored this novel and am beyond anxious to see where Maas will take the remainder of the series. I am also beyond devastated that I must wait over three months for the next installment! It is truly not that long, but once you read this book you will feel the same despair. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
   Manon was a serious surprise. Initially I loathed her. She was just dripping evil and soulless. There was nothing redeemable about her. Her heartless actions are not saved by kind thoughts or regret for the first part of the book. Then we are introduced to Abraxos. I will not spoil anything, but their meeting was a major turning point for me in this story. Manon was transformed and the story as a whole began to gain speed and build. Now, I am excited to see where Maas takes her character. I sincerely hope that she and Abraxos continue to be a prominent contribution in future installments.
   I LOVE Rowan. Even before the full extent of Celaena's identity is revealed, I never felt like Chaol or Dorian measured up to her. They felt more like friends than true possibilities as life partners. It was not stated that Rowan was a romantic interest clearly but I certainly hope he is. I do not often ship characters but I absolutely ship he and Celaena. Rowan feels much more like her equal, someone that can stand up to her and be by her side. They're relationship grew slowly and I liked that it began as a friendship. They look out for one another, but are capable of taking care of themselves. He sees her as much more than a scared damsel and does not fear what she is. Rowan will become your next fictional character crush.

Best Closing Line Ever:

"She lifted her face to the stars. She was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, heir of two mighty bloodlines, protector of a once-glorious people, and Queen of Terrasen...she would not be afraid."

Crown of Midnight (A Throne of Glass Novel #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Page Count: 418
Rating: A
Keywords: Magic, Assassin, Kingdom
Genre: YA Fantasy
Younger Readers: Language is not extreme, fairly standard for YA genre

Synopsis from Goodreads:

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Review:

This book was amazing! Of course the cover is absolutely beautiful but there is much more than a pretty face to this series. If you loved the first book in the series then this sequel will not disappoint. There are more of the fun fight scenes and creeping mystery in this installment that readers will recognize from the first novel. A strong continuation that really builds on the epic fantasy feel touched upon previously.
While looking back I did love this book, I will have to admit that it took me a very long time to get through the first 100 pages...about a year. I'm not sure if it was that I was in a reading slump or if the story was just slow to start but it did take me a very long time. With that being said, the last 300 pages only took a day and a half to finish.
Maas is a master storyteller, there is no denying this. The reader feels the story building and moving towards a massive shock but the direction the tale will take is not immediately clear. I will not spoil the plot, but that was an impressive ending that I did not predict. Not knowing which direction a twist is going to go is always enjoyable in its shocking nature.
One aspect that I liked was the simplicity with which Chaol and Celaena fall in love. Their story is sweet in a way that she and Dorian never were. There is something tragic and beautiful in it...especially if you read to the end.
Absolutely recommend. Already finished Heir of Fire and it was amazing also! I'll post that review soon.

Opal (Lux Series #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Opal
Authors: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Page Count: 382
Rating: B
Keywords: Aliens, Action, Love
Genre: YA
Younger Readers: Very similar to first two books, sexual content increases slightly

Synopsis from Good Reads:

   After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Review:

   I would like to start by saying that I really did enjoy this book. It had the same style as the first two books and the characters were as loveable as ever, but this was probably my least favorite in the series so far. The humor was not as present as it was in Obsidian  and Onyx. I smirked a few times but was not laughing nearly as much. Even the action was a bit slower. The entire first half of the book was just buildup for the rest of the story. Around the 50% mark though the book does pick up and begin to resemble the rest of the series more. A lot of the slow building actually ends up revealing some creepier elements by the very end.
   Interesting/Fun points:
   Katy and Daemon are finally a legitimate couple in this book.
   Blake is back! This was not exactly unexpected after Katy and Daemon let him go at the end of Onyx.
   Dawson was surprisingly likeable. At first he was just a creepy presence but as the story went it is easier to understand him and connect with him.
  

The Ring and the Crown (The Ring and the Crown Series #1) by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: The Ring and the Crown
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Page Count:
Rating: C
Keywords: Alternate History, Magic, War
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Younger Readers: sexual content, though fits within the standards of YA

Synopsis from Good Reads:

   Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve?
   Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen.
   But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard.
   Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

Review:

   Fans of Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series will enjoy this novel. Overall it is a fun read with each chapter alternating between characters the way that her other series did. The world of magic that de la Cruz creates is enjoyable and intriguing.
   The entire reason I picked this book up was for the cover. It is absolutely beautiful with the bright colors and gorgeous design. Even the inside of the book is designed beautifully. I love having it added to my ever-growing collection of books. It looks great next to Rebel Belle and Love Letters to the Dead!
   I did enjoy this book but I did not love it. There could have been considerably more detail and story building to make the book flow more easily. The various points of view were interesting at times but certain characters created a blocky feeling, pulling the reader out of the immersive experience intended in reading. Many other readers have voiced a dislike for the ending of the novel, saying that it ends to abruptly and could have easily been expanded at least 100 pages. I agree with this critique to a point but the ending did not bother me nearly as much as it did some others.
   This story felt very finished at the end. It ended a bit like a stand alone novel. However, the sequel The Queen and the Courtesan is expected to be published sometime this year.

Bleeding Heart (The Guardian Chronicles #1) by Breanne R. Winkle

Title: Bleeding Heart
Author: Breanne R. Winkle
Page Count: 192
Genre: YA Fantasy
Younger Readers: There is minimal language and sexual content, suitable for younger readers.

Message:

Hey guys! I have some really exciting news to share and it explains why I haven't been able to post any reviews recently. So I  published my first novel, Bleeding Heart. This is a fantasy young adult novel, the first in my projected five book Guardian Chronicles series. Readers have compared it to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. My love of mythology was the fuel for this story with creatures from various branches of folklore included. I hope you check it out and enjoy!

Description from Goodreads:

Scarlett’s sixteenth birthday is the end of her normal life. Vivid nightmares revolving around her own death plague her each night. Normally open to any conversation, her mother is elusive on this topic. Scarlett’s questions are left unanswered until she stumbles across Castle Meridian, a massive structure hidden within the forest around her hometown. Immersed in a world of vampires, lycanthrope, werewolves, sorcerers, and even a leshii she begins to realize her destiny as the Guardian. With her enemies ruthlessly hunting her, Scarlett is faced with the reality of mortality and must decide if she is willing to give into the darkness or embrace her warrior destiny and fight back.


Back Cover:

            Watching her fall back asleep he crept out from where he had been hiding just inside the closet. She had almost caught him. Damned thunder, he thought to himself as he gazed down at the heavily shadowed face before him. The closed eyes looked troubled through the lids and the mouth was set in a frown. He knew of the dreams that haunted her. The mere thought of them made him cringe. Not right for such an angel to feel such pain. Not right. Too much darkness. He shook his head as he leaned forward and slipped into her mind with ease.

            It was dark. He could feel her terror of what was hidden within the inky shadows. In the darkness there were things lurking hungrily. All they needed was one misstep. The stench of blood invaded his nostrils. Old and fresh mixed together in the wind creating the intoxicating aroma of decay. He could see the chaotic flashes through the trees. All around him the bare limbs from the Howling Woods stretched and bent upwards like burned corpses. War was all around. She could never outrun it.

Links:

Find the Book with these links! I hope you enjoy :)
Kindle edition
Paperback
Goodreads