Review: Time Between Us

 Title: Time Between Us

Author: Tamara Ireland Stone

Reviewed by: Rafia

The Fairies say: Sweet and Melancholy

Summary: Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett’s unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna’s life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility. As their relationship deepens, they face the reality that time might knock Bennett back where he belongs, even as a devastating crisis throws everything they believe into question. Against a ticking clock, Anna and Bennett are forced to ask themselves how far they can push the bounds of fate—and what consequences they can bear in order to stay together.

Fresh, exciting, and deeply romantic, Time Between Us is a stunning and spellbinding debut from an extraordinary new talent in YA fiction.

I am a huge fan of romances that aren’t meant to be but still happen and I liked Time Between Us. It was sad and sweet and I really enjoyed reading it. It wasn’t a book I couldn’t put down but it still kept me engaged and I was satisfied with the end. The characters were believable and I could relate to Anna and Bennett seemed like a great guy but it was nothing extraordinary.

I LOVED the concept of time traveling and I was excited to see how the relationship worked out. Some parts were confusing and others I feel like the book would be better off without. I didn’t really like the part Emma played in the book (trying not to give anything away) and honestly think she was annoying. Then again, I’m not a huge fan of the loud girl who gets all the guys like her but I guess a character like that is required in some books. 

But Anna and Bennett’s relationship was adorable! I kept getting weird looks because I kept aww’ing but honestly couldn’t help it. Anna was a little too perfect and normal but her parents own a bookshop!  #jealous She was a little whiny but she came through in the end as a stronger character and I was cheering her on! Bennett was amazing, he wasn’t described as incredibly hot but the thing he did for Anna made up for it. The time travelling thing was awesome and I would totally want to chill with him! Take me to Paris please? :) He had a lot of depth to him that I don’t think was explored enough but you could see hints of it during the book.

The plot was centered on Anna and Bennett’s relationship but I think a side plot was required. There was a very minor one but it was ended pretty fast which was annoying. The end was amazing and I guess I would recommend it more to people who like stand-alone romances rather than the hardcore fantasy/science fiction/paranormal but it is a nice change too. Don’t forget to comment and follow and until next time lovely readers of this humble blog!

xoxo

Rafia

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: Team Human

Authors: Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan

Reviewed by: Cassie

Rating: 2.5 glass slippers

Summary (from BN.com)

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she stays in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity!

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

Acclaimed authors Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan team up to create a witty and poignant story of cool vampires, warm friendships, and the changes that test the bonds of love.

I must admit, I was hoping for more. When I began reading this, this was basically what ran through my head... "Asian protagonist, SCORE!" then "feisty, short protagonist who happens to be Asian! SCORE!" and finally "Vampires... Hmm... ZOMBIES!!" Yeah but then it went downhill.

The protagonist-

Let me just say this: if you like stubborn, loyal, hilariously strong-willed, and witty, Mel (short for a horrific name) is for you! She's easy to like (though not necessarily relate to) and she is the type of person who would put her neck out for her best friends. Unfortunately, she is also extremely rude, opinionated, and thinks she is always right. Despite that, she is really funny. And, though she is very opinionated, the reader can thoroughly understand her objections.

The guy-

Kit is... cute. He is fascinated he can make Mel laugh (he lives with non-laughing vampires) and human customs. At first he's all gung-ho on becoming a vamp once he turns 18, but then Mel comes along. Fun, adventure-loving, witty, and Asian Mel. His desire to become pale, painless, and laughless dwindles drastically as he learns just how much he'll miss laughing with humans (ahem Mel) and the possibility of learning to love as a human. (We don't really get this deep admittance but we assume this) He's very sweet, very cute, and did I mention his full name is KITTEN???!! Oh there are so many naughty things I could say about his name right now, but I will spare you all. For now.

The plot-

I liked the overall idea of it, but when it played out, I just didn't get in the groove. I sort of sat there reading, and thinking "Oh that's nice." and "Well that must stink" (1. during a romantic scene and 2. when a zombie attacks) I mean, that romantic scene could have been heated and yummy and totally WOWZAS with me thinking "IneedafanIneedafanIneedafan, I'm going to go faint now." and "OMG ZOMBIES!! ZOMBIESZOMBIESZOMBIES!!" But alas, no. Because trust me, books have made me think that. I have literally in the past slapped the book down and waved myself as if to fan myself. However, the plot is a nice idea. The mystery twists quite nicely and the moral dilemma is deep and relateable.

For those looking for a fun, light read with a bit of a mystery to it, I highly recommend it! For those looking for a passionate, deep, heart-wrenching novel, I'm afraid this is not for you.

Subscribe please and have a nice Labor Day weekend!

Cassie

Underworld by Meg Cabot

Title: Underworld

Author: Meg Cabot

Reviewed by: Cassie

Rating: 3 glass slippers

Summary (from BN.com)

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, the dark reimagining of the Persephone myth begun in ABANDON continues ... into the Underworld.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.

Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance . . . on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there . . . and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.

And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.

As a reader, I really liked Meg Cabot's retelling of Persephone's tale. Abandon stuck with me- the characters, plot, and details just clung to my brain. Even though I had my dislikes, it kind of slightly blew my mind. As we continue with Pierce's tale, I was a bit disappointed with the second book. I thought that this would be centered (FINALLY!) in the Underworld (thus the title) and we'd get to see just how Pierce would adapt to life as John's queen. I really wanted more details on the Underworld, but unfortunately I didn't get that. Soy un perrito MUY triste!! (I am a VERY sad puppy!!)

As the first book leaves off, Pierce is in the Underworld. She's having a nightmare and wakes up to one delicious sight. (not telling ;) Then John goes off to work and Pierce explores. Somehow she finds something alarming in her exploration and tells John. They then go on a journey to fix this problem. SPOILER ALERT: It's not in the Underworld.

The protagonist-
Pierce is the same as ever. Stubborn, good-willed, lovely, and... full of tears. In the beginning she cries so much. But as the story goes on, she steels herself and toughens up a little. She tries to do good to the world and shows her love.

The romantic interest-
Yep I'm using fancy terms today. Well, John is the same ol' same ol'. Same dark, wavy/curly long hair that occasionally falls into his eyes. Which, by the way, are a gray/silver. Apparently he has golden skin with many pale marks all over from mysterious scars. We don't find out how exactly he acquired these. He's very masculine, protective, strong, sweet, and mysterious. VERY mysterious about his past. For those who were curious about this past, it gets mostly revealed in Underworld.

The plot-
Compared to Abandon, I felt this plot line was weak and unnecessary. I was thinking Pierce would learn to be queen and maybe find out how to kill the Furies, but she ends up on this reckless, slightly-pointless rescue mission. Some of the mystery about John and the Underworld gets cleared up but I'm assuming in the last book we'll learn even MORE! Score.

Overall: I felt like this was a good book, but it was carried out wrong. It could have been amazing but instead I felt slightly bored sometimes. The details and story still sticks with me and I keep thinking about it (despite not wanting to so I can focus!) However, I felt like a certain scene about a touch of stars, cosmos, and whatnot (you'll know what I mean) with a scandalously rumpled white dress was VERY lacking!! My frustration was practically tangible. Non-enigmatic talk? The romantic scenes were lacking. Sure, there was some heat but the emotions were unavailable. There was talk about love but no actual... thoughts of it. Like, Pierce would feel this emotion and say "this is what makes me love you more, John" [cough, cough and possibly cry] but then there wasn't this deep love. It was more of a "I know some of your past! I'm attracted to you and you really care/obsess/love me! I'm intrigued by you and no one else is like you, thus I love you!" Now, she did love him but my standards are high. Very high. I am sure you will enjoy this book very much, as of course it is Meg Cabot. The Underworld is as gorgeous as ever, the stakes are high, and love swirls around in this memorable book. I recommend you read this if you don't have other books to read or you're off on an airplane ride/car ride/you know what I mean.

Now, toodles! Back to my homework!

....

Not.

Cassie