Origin - Jessica Khoury

*4.5 stars* 


For a longest time, the book sat in my To-Be-Read shelf and finally out of boredom I decided to pick it up. And what a book it was! I so did not expect what the experience turned out to be.

I don't like calling books perfect, after all 'Perfect is as Perfect Does'. There is no such thing as perfect, as Pia learned the hard way, but this was pretty close call. It had wild speculations on future-that-could-be, the role of morality and our inner selves, of growing up and disappointment, and moreover, the inner purity and goodness that cannot be suppressed. The surroundings was well built and lively, the peace set well, not once did  have a feeling of growing tired. The characters were human, meaning life-like, not all-good.

We meet 17 year old Pia, who her whole life has spent in Little Cam, a hidden science camp in the middle of Amazon. As a result of decades of experiments Pia has reached the highest level oh human evolution, perfection, immortality. A girl, who with her perfect memory has grown up reading about genetics and solving math problems, has no connections to the outside world. But with new faces in the tightly guarded camp and coincidences, Pias whole world is turned upside down.

I loved how Pia was struggling with the question of immortality, morality and the biggest question of all, what does it mean to be a human? It felt real, seeing her dreams and understandings changing with her. The characters were well established, and I could follow the mental struggles between what you have known your whole life to be true and that little voice inside whispering there has to be more. We see the cold-blooded scientist ready for everything in the name of science. How it destroys lives or creates lives.

And I just couldn't pass on commenting the awesomeness that were the natives. I might be over-romanticizing the 'noble savage', but as a vivid admirer or anthropology, I have a soft spot for the "traditional" people. I do think it describes well our society, when so much could be saved by accepting the simple truths that have been known for the natives for generations. But it is degrading for a highly educated scientist to take the local myths and stories as truth. So, somehow it becomes widely accepted for the name of science doing things that in other contexts might be completely unheard of. Again. Where do you draw the line? Just how far can you push the limits in the name of a greater good?

In conclusion, this book touched me, assuring that once again there IS hope for the future, even if it happens to be fictional assurance - we don't need colorful explosions, violent passion or loud music and alcohol for a book to be good.

Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)

*5 stars* grading a book has never been so easy and impossible at the same time! Winter is coming.

Truly an epic beginning to an amazing journey. The world is dark and sinister and cruel. At start we thrown right into the midst of the action. It was confusing and took some time to get to know the characters. And when finally familiar with all the names, I half thought of returning to the beginning. I'm sure it was full of little things I had now way of noticing. But it was worth it. Out of the shadows shaped out real people with flaws and mistakes.

I loved the universe the author built.  And yes. Even with all the physical, logical and geographical etc. impossibilities and plot-holes. It was awesome! At times it was a bit difficult to follow all the greatgreat uncles and nieces of the main characters and all the classical intrigues between them. It tended to get a bit draggy and outright boring even. But when finally getting back to that seemingly draggy part through another character in the other end of the world with a completely different point of view and then connecting the dots... Let's just say it again. It was awesome.

What really won the was for me was the way the it drew me in and made it believable.(HBOs show might have helped with the image part a bit, but anyways,) The description and style made the environment come alive and gave real emotion to the written words.  I'm hooked.

I could feel the characters developing and changing after every chapter. My personal favourites were the Starks. Winterfell! The idea of direwolves just makes me shiver. In a good way. Especially the discovery of the wolf pups. With the Starks grew up a Snow. "Bastards grow up faster." It's hard, but oddly fitting as well. Lord Snow was another intriguing character. His impossible sense of honour, duty and a secret wish of his fathers love. The wall was a scary place. I loved the bits we were given to see of the world behind. I think he can finally shine there. In his element.

The Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey #3)

*5 stars* ♥

The third book in The Iron Fey series starts better than any previous! Or maybe because of already familiar universe, but I was instantly drawn into the battle between the Fey worlds.

Back are all our old friends and many new faces as well. Grimalkin is still the same, constantly disappearing know-it-all. He's such a cat. Gremlins, especially Razor, were awfully sweet as well, calling Meghan Master and all. So trusting and self-sacrificing, almost like little electronic dogs. 

As it appears, our dear Ash does have a possessive streak. And I think it's great! The chemistry between them was half the fun for me. It brings so much more life into the action. Ash was amazing. His emotions made me really feel his character. His pain and depth. At times the next move was rather obvious, but could you blame him? His feelings were so fragile. He's such a darling!

As always Puck was cool as well but I don't understand the big commotion around his character. His chipper attitude seems to suffer from a pretty blunt refusal, with what ironically he's stuck. Peevish and sneaky, but nowhere near stealing the spotlight.Oh well. He very much reminded me of Peter Pan, with his boyish character and desire never to grow up.

General Blog Update! + The Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa (Iron Fey #2)

Happy Monday!
I'm finally starting to know my way around in the huge world of book bloggers. It's awesome! I've also picked up some designing tips and gave my blog a new face. I'm really happy with the outcome!
Exams are nearing, oh no! Sadly that means even less time for books. I only get to read couple of chapters a day. And because of that I've decided to abandon my long-time policy of not doing reviews on series! That way I can celebrate every read book :) Also please do continue being awesome and let me know your thoughts! I appreciate each and every one!

*5 stars*

The second book in the Iron Fey series surprised me pleasantly! I loved this book so much more! I guess the time needed to truly get into the series finally paid off! At times the storyline seemed a bit cliché, but somehow I still managed to understand her feelings. I enjoyed watching Meghan grow "an iron backbone" - both, she and Ash grew up so much!

It picked off right where the Winter Passage left off. (If you haven't read the 60-something page novella you didn't miss out anything crucial, but I do recommend it! It showed us extra scenes of developing feelings, thus setting up a base for a smooth transition. And it was just sweet mush at times, just what I needed!)
Seeing Meghan go through some misery and pain as well for a change of only happy-go-lucky was much needed. Nothing forces us to mature quicker than a broken heart. 

However, what seriously got on my nerves was the same-old same-old Noble-Idiot syndrome. I understand we can't jump right to the happy ending, I really do! But stretching pointlessly the unnecessary tension and then suddenly abandoning all the previous objections. *sigh* A creature as old as Ash should already know better.

The Iron King - Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey #1)

*4 stars*

For a change, I wanted to try something different from vampires, aliens or werewolves. So why no Fairies? I've only read Fairy Fantasy once before, so it's rather empty landscape for me.As a bonus, the cover was absolutely magnificent, drawing me like a moth to the flame.

While about one third of the book, I started to have my doubts. I know a good book needs time to develop, but, when will we get anywhere? was my constant question. Petty distractions kept happening and filling the pages with pretty nothingness.

Once Ash came into the view it got much more interesting. Megans and Ashes relationship, condemned from the start, was strangely attractive.  My favorite scene was when it first started to Rain in the Iron Fey land. Ash held Meghan and retold his memories. It was sweet and really touching.

Grimalkin, Cat Sith, was one of my favorite characters. He so reminded me of my cat! The superior attitude, constant licking and cleaning, random disappearances. And the best, the all conclusive explanation to every worry in the world, "I'm a cat!" *Sigh* I wish my cat could talk.

The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians book 1)

I really yearned to read a good, SINGULAR book - the start and an ending securely between the covers. The wait between and the cliffhangers are according to previous experience just slow and painful death However, books getting popular in last couple of years seem all to be series. It'd be all good and I do love reading, but the more riskier it is for the author and as well for the reader. The skill to keep the us interested is I think the hardest to accomplish. I hate picking up a series, loving and adoring it to bits only to be totally crushed and disappointed in the end - Hunger Games, I look at you!

But on to the book. I was rather excited about the idea of Greek gods walking around in our modern world and the mortals living blissfully happy and oblivious in their own lives. Making America the center of Western Civilization made me cringe for a minute. Of all the places, really? But in order for the action to take place in the States, OK, I let it go. And I must say, it really was not that ridiculous as the idea might sound. The author really has a way of reasoning. Like the use of dyslexia, to cover up the inability to read anything but ancient Greek fluently. Genius!

I'm also a sucker for a innocent lonely heroes. The scene beside the river, the grand discovery of Percys father and the reactions of the other cabins and Cyron... I loved it! It made me shiver.

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

 *2stars*

To write this review,I waited for a couple of days to pass, so I would be able to say someting at least moderately nice and all I could muster up is - What the hell just happened?

I mean, at first I was reading a totally amazing book and then in some point it turned out to be a most horrible and lame endings ever. I just can't express my disappointment in the latter half of the book. I enjoyed the first two books, loved them and now.... I just feel empty. WHYYY? There was so much potential, so much to love. *sigh*

I don't even want to waste my time, to give the book a lenghty review. I'd just end up cussing... However, I remember the feelings I had while reading the first two books and in the end, I guess it was worth it. I'll just have to pretend that the last book never happened.

Currently reading: City of Bones- Cassandra Clare

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

*4.5stars*

I finally finished the second book in The Hunger Game series and all I can say is, it's breathtaking!
I was listening to an audibook, and at the other half of the book I was just clinging to my headphones for dear life!

I loved the idea of them going back to the arena again. The moments of public unity and rebellion made me clutch my poor iPod tighter. Shivers ran down my spine, listening about the news about upsrisings and the idea of President Snow gnashing his teeth somewhere made me want to yell hooray in the middle of a bus!

The first half was somewhat slower. In times, Katnisses indescisiveness drove me crazy! Once she wanted Gale, then again Peeta. She clung to both of them, yet all the time reminding us, she won't accept neither of them.

I loved all the characters. Cinna was my personal favourite. It made me wonder, what his story was. I have a feeling, we might see him again in the 3rd book. The brute, Haymich. The sarcasm laced into his character makes him almost my 2nd favourite. How he manages to hide his sharp mind behind the drunkeness. Surprisingly, Plutarch Heavensbee is another character whom I seriously like!

The cliffhanger would have been the end of me hadn't the third book been out already. It was perfect! There were slower parts, which I might have done without, but it's amazing, how after such a magnificent first book, she manages almost as stunnig sequel!


On to the third and last book in the series - Mockingjay!