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800 Pages of near-death-experiences for the Reader: “Winter” (Lunar Chronicles #4)

Yes! YES YES YES YES! I’m sorry, but in my very unhappy phase this time of the year I’ve totally forgot that there were great books for me to read. How could I’ve possibly forgotten “Winter”? And “Firewalker”  which I finished on Friday. I’ve read three books over the past three days. I had literally no life besides putting my nose between those pages. And I’m so happy I did it – so I can tell you why you should get your nice little bum up and go to the next store to order you “Winter” – or “Cinder (#1)” if you haven’t started on the series, yet!

One of my problems I’m facing: I can’t tell you much from the plot because so much action is happening, my brain is still overflowed with emotions. I can’t…even …
Okay, enough kidding. You want an epic showdown? You want to see that b*tch of a Queen (Levana) go down?  …. and you want to experience some very deep emotions from all ranges (from anger, hatred, shock to pure happiness (okay the last one just a little bit))? Get the frigging book! (I’ve read that word (“frigging”) in “The Woman Who Stole my Life” a week ago and I’m forcing myself to find it less funny because it actually isn’t that funny…)

All the other book bloggers out there take notes (this is really intelligent) and structure their posts (which is even more intelligent) – but I’m guessing this blog is as messy as my brain (I promise I’ll improve myself). I’m truly sorry for that. I thought about re-starting this blog, with real structure, with discipline and with hard work – than I thought: Why now? You did this for fun, not to please anyone … really.
Here’s the deal. Over my free time until February (… give me some more time, okay?), I’ll deal with my blog. With my content. And with my ideas. I’m going to get some structure in here, some more discipline and basically a little less … of a mess.

Ops, I lost my focus. Again. See what happened? Okay, back to the book. Why should you read the final book (bad question – if you have read the three books before you are already a fan, so we’ll skip that part). Let me rephrase: Why should you start a series with four books, who are just “YA-Novels”.
Because their fun. So much frigging fun. (Ops, I did it again. .. I made you believe…. nananana.. No, wait. Sorry.)

You want facts? I’ll give you facts – let’s count points. It has Cinder (+1), Kai (+1), Cress (+1), Scarlet (+1), Thorne (+1), Wolf (+1) .. [skip the characters and add +30 or so], it takes place (not only in) space (I MEAN SPACE! STARS! SHIPS! A FRIGGING PLANET CALLED LUNA!) [+100], it has character developments, hundreds of turn-around-moments and moments you want to strangle the b*tchy bad guys. It’s awesome.

+1 – I like Winter, the little insane princess. Sometimes she is so insane, everything makes sense. Wait. Did I just say that? That’s insane. Damn.

Surely, you’ve noticed that my neutral point of view on this book vanished as soon as I’ve read the last word. 800 pages guys – 800 pages of JOY!

GET UP AND GET IT (that frigging book (ok. last time. I swear)

Franzi is back.

Lots of love x

 

 

Why “After You” is basically “Me Before You” and why that’s a good thing.

Hello, fellow booklovers or just random visitors! It’s time to look into Jojo Moyes new book “After You” (The sequel to “Me Before You”). Ready?

Summary

Lou is depressed, but surely, she can’t admit that. She’s actually not depressed in the normal sense of the word, but she’s actually right there, where she started in the first book. She works at a place she doesn’t like, she lives in a flat, which she doesn’t love and she is lonelier than ever. The tide turns when she is falling of her … terrace? Yes, our sweet Lou was yelling angry at the dead man she loved after having a few drinks – and being distracted by a voice, while your balancing on the edge of the roof  isn’t the best way to deal with your anger. Because when you fall down and crash into your neighbours expensive antique, everyone thinks you wanted to kill yourself. Duh.
It’s alright, she survives. Her bones get broken a little and everyone thinks she had suicidal reasons, to “fall” off a rooftop.
Well, she get’s back to live with her parents and her awfully annoying sister to recover. Moving back into her flat something really, really … shocking happens. (If you don’t want to now, skip the rest of the summary). Will’s daughter is standing in her doorframe and this girl is a total mess.
Basically, Lou has to juggle a really, really messed up teenager with a stupid mother and some really BIG character flaws, with a shitty job, with the feeling of having disappointed Will’s last wishes, a support group and this really cute medic, who saved her life. Want to know more? Read the book.

For a more “professional” summary, click here.

Opinion

I was crying, I was laughing and I was (most of the time) really frustrated. I know, as someone who has no idea what to actually DO with the opportunities offered, how hard it is to choose a path. BUT DAMN – Lou is totally losing it, in every way possible. She is working in a terrible bar with a embarrassing and even more terrible outfit – and she doesn’t really care. But Lou is good. She’s one of those people who put the happiness of others (for example Will’s daughter Lily) before her own needs and that’s rare.

To skip the part where I totally go nuts with this girl is a favour (I was never this difficult as a teenager but my mum wasn’t even near that horrible person Lily calls “Mother”).
The writing and story are as good or as bad as the first book (Which worked perfectly fine for me). You dive back into the world and yes, you’re terribly sad that Will (that ass) is gone and Lou is left on her own.
I recommend this book to all of the readers and fans from “Me Before You” because it’s as heart wrenching and real as the first book. I hope you enjoyed this rambling and have great day.

xx

A fresh start to a fresh series? “The Hidden Princess”, a YA-book with more maturity than I’ve expected

Hello there! I’m back again with some books I’ve read recently and it’s up to you to decide which one is fitted best for you! The next post will be online next week 🙂

For the YA-Lovers, I’ve discovered “The Hidden Princess”. The story of the oldest princess Amelie with a special ability which she considers more curse than blessing. She can lure men into doing nearly everything she asks them to, but her control is limited. To secure everyone safety (even her own) she was not exactly locked away but kind of  … locked away (she lives with nuns). The King (her step-father with not so nice intensions towards her) sends her off on missions. Serving her country is literally all she can think about (and the problem that she has nearly no freedom at all). The kingdom borders with Draeden, the kingdom where magic (like hers) is forbidden – oh, I should probably mention that all the five kingdoms in this world forbade their citizens to cross borders (total isolation rocks…).
Well, she meets the Prince of Draeden (handsome and smart), gets captured by him (unfortunate circumstances) and then the “struggling with myself” and “Damn, I want to be finally free” starts (The good part!). But the story doesn’t evolve as happy and glittery and girlish as you might think. If you’re interested in a more eloquent Summary, you can read it on Goodreads.

Opinion
Okay, there were some cheesy moments (but please, who thought there wouldn’t be some?) and yes, the Prince and the Princess fall in love (who would’ve guessed that?), but I really, really liked the story and the way they got to know each other. Who can say, they fell in love with a woman during capturing her? Yeah, right, there is something called the Stockholm-Syndrom but’s a whole different story.
The style of writing is one of the main points I enjoyed this story so much. After a few pages you are so taken in by the events, the story and the characters, you can barely put the book away (once you’ve started).
Amelie (the Princess) is also a very intense character. She has dedicated her life to serving her country (more or less voluntarily) and is convinced she can’t trust anyone (leave alone a handsome prince). Fortunately, the characters in this book are older than 16 (I’m very bad with my memory but if I recall correctly she is about 19-21?) and so the way of treating problems is more mature (thank goodness!).
All in all I would give it four stars out of five. Its a really good read and I am anticipating the sequel, but it’s not compareable to “The Name of the Wind” (which is really hard to top.

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Title: The Hidden Princess
Author: Cara Coe
Pages: 228
Released: June 2nd 2015
Rating: 4/5 ★ – very enjoyable!

Waiting on Wednesday? -Released (old) WoW-Picks

Check out the books (old WoW’s of mine) which are now available!

Firewalker (Worldwalker #2) by Josephine Angelini. Since September 1st 2015 available. It’s the sequel to Trial by Fire. I have to catch up quickly – did you already read it?
Just a quick Summary to refresh your memory:

“You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified.”

Lily is back in her own universe, and she’s ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.”

Darken the Stars (Kricket #3) by Amy A. Bartol. The sequel wasn’t as good as the first book. “Darken the Stars” is the final book (I believe) and I’m eager to finish the series. Can anybody recommend reading the final book?
What are we dealing with? 

“Kyon Ensin finally has what he’s always wanted: possession of Kricket Hollowell, the priestess who foresees the future. Together, their combined power will be unrivaled. Kricket, however, doesn’t crave the crown of Ethar—she has an unbreakable desire to live life on her own terms, a life that she desperately wants to share with her love, Trey Allairis.

As conspiracies rage in the war for Ethar, Kricket’s so-called allies want to use her as a spy. Even those held closest cannot be trusted—including Astrid, her sister, and Giffen, a member of a mysterious order with a hidden agenda. But Kricket’s resolve will not allow her to be used as anyone’s pawn, even as the Brotherhood sharpens its plans to cut out her heart.

As the destiny prophesied by her mother approaches, Kricket will backtrack through her fiery future to reshape it. For she knows one thing above all else: the only person she can truly count on is herself.”

AND for all the Percy-Jackson-Lovers out there (me included) – “The Sword of Summer” by Rick Riordan was released yesterday (Excitement!!). Was anyone quick enough to read through the night
and can tell me how great it actually is? (I expect nothing less than GREAT.)

“Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.
One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.
The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.
When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.
Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . .”

… and my personal favourite, which I’m going to buy as quick as possible – “A Thousand Nights” by E. K. Johnston. I’m really excited for this 1001 Nights – Retelling. Are you?
Summary:

“Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister’s place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin’s court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time.But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.”

That’s it for today. The last few days have been terrible because I was really sick. It is getting better but I hope you forgive me, that I don’t have a WoW-Pick for you this week. But please – Let me know what you selected!

Have a great day! Tüdeldü!

xx

Should I continue reading Catch 22? – Catch 22: Aufgeben oder Weitermachen?

There hasn’t been a book in a long time which needed this amount of concentration. Catch-22 is a classic and while relaxing in the garden, a friend put this book into my hands and told me to read it. Has anyone out there read Catch 22 – because it’s so exhausting. The style of writing isn’t really my cup of tea, but the characters are pretty interesting (crazy and strange). After 50 pages, I gave up. I was on vacation and didn’t want to upset my brain with “high” literature while doing basically … nothing (yes, I know, I’m a very lazy person and I should use my free time in a more … efficient way). Now, somebody mentioned to me that there is a secret in Catch-22 (which isn’t really a “secret”) – and I read the wikipedia article (shame on me!). Now, I’m eager to read the book because I know what it’s all about. But can I get through that awfully exhausting style of writing? Is it worth it?  What would you suggest?

Catch-22

Joseph Heller

453 Pages

“His problem is Colonel Cathcart, who keeps raising the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempts to excuse himself from the perilous missions that he’s committed to flying, he’s trapped by the Great Loyalty Oath Crusade, the bureaucratic rule from which the book takes its title: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes the necessary formal request to be relieved of such missions, the very act of making the request proves that he’s sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved.”

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Selten habe ich so ein anstrengend Buch gelesen wie Catch-22. Was heißt schon gelesen? Nach rund 50 Seiten wurde mir der Schreibstil für den Urlaub zu anstrengend. So viel Verrücktheit in einem Buch, dann auch nur scheinbar “verrückte” Personen … es ist sehr reizvoll, das gebe ich zu, aber ich hatte nun einmal nicht den Nerv. Als aber jemand das “Geheimnis” bei Catch-22 erwähnte, das eigentlich keins ist (uh lá lá), konnte ich nicht widerstehen den Wikipedia-Artikel zu lesen (ja, Schande über mich). Die Frage bleibt – lohnt es sich, sich durch die anstrengende Sprache durchzuquälen? Hat da jemand Erfahrungen gemacht?

Catch 22

Joseph Heller

592 Seiten

“Catch 22, also Falle 22 oder Trick 22- das ist die ebenso irrsinnige wie ausweglose Dienstanweisung für das amerikanische Bombengeschwader, der zufolge Bomberpilot Yossarian nur dann von weiteren Einsätzen verschont bleibt, wenn er als verrückt anerkannt wird. Verrückt aber kann niemand sein, der sich weigern will, immer weitere großenteils sinnlose Einsätze zu fliegen. Also muß Yossarian ebenso wie seine Kameraden weiterfliegen, obwohl er sich die größte Mühe gibt, als verrückt zu erscheinen. Durch scheinbar absurdes Verhalten der militärischen Maschinerie ihre eigene Absurdität zu demonstrieren. Aber die Kriegsmaschinerie, gespeist aus persönlichem Ehrgeiz, Dummheit, Brutalität und Duckmäuserei, erkennt ihren eigenen Irrsinn nicht in dem Spiegel, den Yossarian – im Grunde der einzig Normale unter lauter Verrückten – vorhält.”

Waiting on Wednesday #21 – “The Girl from Everywhere”

Title: The Girl from Everywhere
Author: Heidi Heilig
Pages: 464
will be published on February 16th 2016

Expectations on a level of:

Summary

“Nix’s life began in Honolulu in 1868. Since then she has traveled to mythic Scandinavia, a land from the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, modern-day New York City, and many more places both real and imagined. As long as he has a map, Nix’s father can sail his ship, The Temptation, to any place, any time. But now he’s uncovered the one map he’s always sought—1868 Honolulu, before Nix’s mother died in childbirth. Nix’s life—her entire existence—is at stake. No one knows what will happen if her father changes the past. It could erase Nix’s future, her dreams, her adventures . . . her connection with the charming Persian thief, Kash, who’s been part of their crew for two years. If Nix helps her father reunite with the love of his life, it will cost her her own.” by Goodreads.

Why?

… a freaking time-travel-ship? Come on, who can say no to that?

But I won’t get too excited, because I remember how disappointed I was after reading Magonia. The story sounded amazing but was rather … unmagical.
Well, I really hope this will turn out great, because timetravel never get’s old.
What is your WOW this week? 

Gifs from here and here.

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“Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill (breakingthespine) that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.”

Waiting on Wednesday #20 – “After You”

 I haven’t read a book written by this author until “Me Before You” and it made me cry. Not in sobs, but more of a “silent crying”.
My best friend put this book into my hands while I was struggling with what to read next. Well, here I am, waiting for the sequel.

Title: After You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Pages: 368
will be released on September 29th 2015! (6 MORE DAYS!)

Summary

IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE FIRST ONE AND WANT TO AVOID SPOILERS, DON’T READ THE SUMMARY!

“How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?

Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.

Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future. . . .

For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await.

After You is quintessential Jojo Moyes—a novel that will make you laugh, cry, and rejoice at being back in the world she creates. Here she does what few novelists can do—revisits beloved characters and takes them to places neither they nor we ever expected.”

Why? or Why did Jojo Moyes write a sequel?

Dear Reader,

I wasn’t going to write a sequel to Me Before You. But for years, readers kept asking and I kept wondering what Lou did with her life.  In the end the idea came, as they sometimes do, at 5:30 in the morning, leaving me sitting bolt upright in my bed and scrambling for my pen.

It has been such a pleasure revisiting Lou and her family, and the Traynors, and confronting them with a whole new set of issues. As ever, they have made me laugh, and cry. I hope readers feel the same way at meeting them—especially Lou—again.  And I’m hoping that those who love Will will find plenty to enjoy.

—Jojo Moyes

As I said before: I loved the first book. While the story is really exceptional, the Cover isn’t. It’s way to girly and I really hope they change it last-minute. But that’s just me and I can live with a girly Cover if the story is great – so don’t disappoint me, Jojo Moyes!
What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Let me know! 🙂

Gif from here.

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“Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill (breakingthespine) that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.”

Waiting on Wednesday #19 – “Darken the Stars”

We’ll only have to wait for a few more days…. FINALLY!

Title: Darken the Stars (Kricket #3)
Author: Amy A. Bartol
Pages: 302
will be published on September 8th 2015-

Expectation: DON’T RUIN IT!

What awaits us?

“Kyon Ensin finally has what he’s always wanted: possession of Kricket Hollowell, the priestess who foresees the future. Together, their combined power will be unrivaled. Kricket, however, doesn’t crave the crown of Ethar—she has an unbreakable desire to live life on her own terms, a life that she desperately wants to share with her love, Trey Allairis.

As conspiracies rage in the war for Ethar, Kricket’s so-called allies want to use her as a spy. Even those held closest cannot be trusted—including Astrid, her sister, and Giffen, a member of a mysterious order with a hidden agenda. But Kricket’s resolve will not allow her to be used as anyone’s pawn, even as the Brotherhood sharpens its plans to cut out her heart.

As the destiny prophesied by her mother approaches, Kricket will backtrack through her fiery future to reshape it. For she knows one thing above all else: the only person she can truly count on is herself.”

Why?

Have you read the Reviews on Goodreads? I’m really scared because Amy A. Bartol seems to have messed things up (in a good and a bad way). I don’t want to have everything in ruins (If I wanted that I could’ve just re-read the Hunger Games).
But still … I’m really eager to get all the answers to my questions.
My new mantra: … ignore the reviews on goodreads ignore the reviews on goodreads ignore the ….

What is your WoW-Pick this week? Let me know!

Gif from here.

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“Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill (breakingthespine) that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.”

Waiting on Wednesday #18 – “Revenge and the Wild”

I have really no idea how I manage to find these books, everytime I’m on Goodreads (which is not as often as I want to be. You know … unfortunately, there is a tiny piece of life outside of the World of Books and Bloggers.)

Title: Revenge and the Wild
Author: Michelle Modesto
Pages: 384
will be released on February 2nd 2016

Dark Magic, Monsters, Cannibals (?!) and seeking Revenge. Sounds good?

“The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.

Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.
But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.”

from here.

WHY?

The better question: Why not? Yes, sure, the cannibals were something I didn’t really expect (and I’m not into cannibal-stories, really. Maybe Hannibal, but that’s a completely different type of story, isn’t it?)
Okay, the plot isn’t something totally new and mind-blowing, but I like books which deal with revenge and magic (or both).
I think it has potential to be great, but we all know how easily anticipated books can disappoint us, right?
Well, we’ll see.
Let me know what you think and leave your WoW-Pick in a comment.
If you’re new to WoW – click the link below.
Have a great week!

Gif from here.

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“Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill (breakingthespine) that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.”