Cruel Beauty - Rosamund Hodge I absolutely loved it... Full review to come.

Buddy read with Zemira from YA Fanatic.
Beneath the Burn - Pam Godwin DNF 30%

Sorry, Iva, I just couldn't get into the story.
Quintana of Charyn (Lumatere Chronicles, #3) - Melina Marchetta Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?

After the reviews for Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles it's time for the final book in this series. I hope you'll enjoy our review for Quintana of Charyn.

Tanja: You know how they say - All good things come to an end, that's the case with this series. Being in this magical world was an amazing experience. But before I go and cry my heart out (I'll miss this series badly) let's talk about this book. I already assume that our readers are ready for our worships. Don't you think girl?

Glass: Well, I'm afraid that we bored them to death with our reviews of Melina Marchetta books and they will just skip this review. But we love it so much! We can't help ourselves! I don't know about you, but I am ready to cry for the rest of my life because I've read all of her books.

Tanja: I still have Looking for Alibrandi left but I really hope she'll publish something soon. Anyhow again it'll be hard to talk about this because it's the third book in the series, but let's try. You know what I really like here? Well, I'll tell you. I like it how we have different narrators and basically stories, but I wasn't confused for a moment here. Somehow you always know what's happening where.

Glass: You took words from my mouth (or should I say, you typed it). I usually find multiple POVs annoying because authors use it mostly in romance novels to show story from male and female perspective. It isn't luckiest choice in most cases because it is pathetic attempt to create ultimate female fantasy - bad boy who acts like brute and feels like 15 years old girl. Melina Marchetta pulled it off masterfully. It's almost as if you jump into the body of Froi, Quintana or Finnikin. You can feel that it's someone else's thoughts and voice.

Tanja: Exactly, there was no way to get lost and your feelings changed as the narrations changed. I really loved that aspect of her writing. (Is there the end of our "why we love Melina Marchetta?" list? - Honestly I don't think so!). Another thing, I admire those people who read Froi just after the book came out and then had to wait for Quintana. I'd go mad, probably even walk to Australia.

Glass: I'm really happy that we waited this long to read this series. It's weird how you get completely different impression of author reading hers or his realistic and fantasy novels. Melina rocks on both fields. Speaking of everything we liked, I have to say that my favorite thing about this book is ending. I think most of the readers will be satisfied with how everything came to its place, but still it is kind of open ending. So much things can happen, everything isn't written in the stars. It feels somehow real.

Tanja: Yes, I think that waiting really payed off in this case. We got to meet Melina that rocks contemporary world but then you get to see that she rock fantasy world as well. I wanted to say that, you're always stealing worlds from my mouth (but you know great minds think alike *winks*). Yes nowadays authors tend to leave open endings but it's hard to find balance but as usual Melina rocks that too. I really liked that little dose of mystery that stayed with us while you're completely happy with the ending itself.

Glass: So who is your favorite character? And you can not cheat - pick only one, male or female! I 'd say Phaedra. She went trough such transformation from the first time we meet her. You know that I'm sucker for girl power.

Tanja: Because you picked Phaedra I'll go with Lucian. Most of male characters here are dream-worthy but Lucian really found his place under my skin. Luckily I know he is in good hands so I'm happy for that.

All in all, we really enjoyed this series and this is one of the series we wish never ended. As always Melina's stories were outstanding and brilliant. We eagerly wait for more.

Rating: From 1 to 5, we'll go with zillion.

Thank you for the wonderful comments and we really hope that we'll see your reviews for this series.
Froi of the Exiles (Lumatere Chronicles, #2) - Melina Marchetta ***Buddy read with my girl Tanja.<3***</b>

Review also posted at Ja čitam, a ti?

After the Finnikin of the Rock review? we noticed that you like our joined reviews so we decided to do another for Froi of the Exiles. We hope you'll like it.

Glass: As we promised, we are sharing with you our humble opinion about second book in Lumatere Chronicles. I believe that is quite obvious that we love everything Melina Marchetta writes, so you can already guess that this will be swoon-fest. Right, Tanja?

Tanja: Is it that obvious? But you were right the last time, we could hardly manage to save Finnikin only for us, so we should totally be honest and tell our readers about the terrible Froi and his story.

Glass: He is such a bad,bad person. Finnikin is sweetheart if you compare him with this disgusting creature. Tanja and I will sacrifice ourselves to save you girls form tragic fate and we will lock him up in our harem and never ever let him out.

Tanja: Yes, we will. What can I tell you, we're such a brave girls who know that saving the world from such an awful creatures is bigger than us. (We're good girl *wink*). We will even go to Charyn and deal with street-lords. It was a big switch to go from Lumatere and their kingdom to Charyn and their king.

Glass: It was. Completely different setting, rules, characters. Everything was more savage and wild, but I think I loved Froi of the Exiles even more than the first book in the series. Maybe some readers won't like few turns in the plot because it might seem kind of convenient, but please be patient and just read. You might not get all the answers here, but we promise that everything has a really good explanation.

Tanja: Yes, it was a big change in behavior of characters but not only those who were in Lumatere and those in Charyn but in Froi himself. You could see switch in his actions but in the first place meet him better. But you know what I loved the most - Mots! That adds another guy here Luci-en. I won't say more about him, as I know I'll have hard time to keep him.

Glass: I wanted to smack him for being idiot few times, but he was just in terrible need of a real woman. Phaedra had to take everything in her hands. Poor girl. Men can be so dumb sometimes. Talking about dumb men and strong women, I have to say that Quintana is one of my favorites. She is weird and smart, I can't help myself but be completely in awe - what that girl had to endure and what she done willingly to help to the others... It is just amazing.

Tanja: Yes. I mean she is completely different from what we're used to when we talk about leading characters. She can be described as crazy when you first meet her but then there is a beauty in Melina's characters, when they develop and go under your skin. I guess that people who haven't read any of Melina's books would think that we're talking about God himself.

Glass: Haha...We can start new religion, Tanja! We should probably stop now before we start to write spoiler and then our followers will leave us. I'll be short. Guys, you just have to read this book!

Tanja: Ah..you're right. But I could talk about this book all day long. Yes, you really have to and sorry for not talking about the plot but it'd be hard without spoiling first book. Now, go and read the book!

Rating: The biggest five stars you can imagine!

PS. Stay tuned, review for Quintana of Charyn is coming soon.
Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles, #1) - Melina Marchetta ***Buddy read with my girls Tanja & Miss.<3***</b>

Review posted on Ja čitam, a ti?

Tanja: We have decided to do this review together. Even though, Glass said that she had no idea how to do this review and I couldn't agree more. I say we just start and go with the flow.
First of all, I need to point out that I hardly believe Melina Marchetta can write a bad book.

Glass: There is no way you can put Melina Marchetta and bad book in the same sentence. That woman is brilliant. I thought that I couldn't love her more after her realistic novels and, shame on me, I did have doubts about her fantasy series - how delusional I was. Pft..

Tanja: I was afraid for another reason. I mean Melina is, by far, my favorite author and I really love fantasy, so I thought I had high expectations. Well, you can get them as high as you want and you won't end up disappointed here. So shall we say something about Finnikin? I mean he is already in our harem and he is going to stay there.

Glass: He is disgusting creature, girls. You do not want to meet him. (Keep it quiet, Tanja! Do you want them to steal him from us?! We barely managed to agree about sharing him between us!)

Tanja: (Oh, I'm an idiot!) I mean he is awful. How could he act like that?

Glass: He walks across whole kingdom following this weird girl who have strange dreams, he saves her sorry ass no matter how many times she makes him mad or annoys him, he is loyal and brave, and he holds her hand whenever she needs him. Yes, why would you want him? Run while you still can.

Tanja: Yes and then he is such a sweetheart cause he doesn't want to be in power as his best childhood friend was supposed to be that. I can't count how many times I wanted to hug him. But not just him, I could totally relate with Evanjalin, too. I understand her actions and supported them. Same is for Froi. I will hardly forget that scene from the book (you know which one) but now while reading the second book I can't help but cheer for him. Like you said that Melina always makes her characters somewhere in the middle. Non of them is perfect nor flawless, but for me that makes them more real and easier to love.

Glass: Oh, Froi. Well, considering that we are reading second novel in the series, I am little bit moon-eyed when it comes to Froi, but I have to admit that I had my doubts about him in the first half of the book. Oh, the scene! And don't forget about her female characters - they are not weak girls, they do not need someone to take care of them constantly because if there are no men in their life, they could lay down and die, there is no hope. Evanjalin is one of my favorites characters in this book, well in any book I've read so far. And don't let me start fangirling about Beatrice.

Tanja: I was skeptical, because of that scene. But then again we all make mistakes and luckily Froi is fixing everything with his actions now. Of course, remember the scene when Evanjalin started to kick some guys. I was cheering for her aloud (luckily I was home alone). Yes Beatrice too. I'm still to find out what really happened, but I admire her and the way she walks with her head raised no matter what happened! It's a perfect combination here as you have great characters and an amazing story. Another thing I really like is the way the story goes. I love it that we first meet characters out of their comfort zone. Because we first meet all the people in exile and Finn too and then we got to see Lumatere, as the picture of new beginnings.
Okay, I was thinking we could share some quotes for the end?

Glass: Do I have to? I want to quote whole book. Let me try...

Never underestimate the value of knowing another's language. It can be far more powerful than swords and arrows.

Tanja: I know honey, I'd too. I love that one and we can totally relate to it. Here is mine:

Then I choose to drown, Finnikin said. In hope. Rather than float into nothing.

Because I'd choose that too.

We, Glass and Tanja, full-heartedly agree that this book is a must read.

Rating: 5 stars is not enough, infinite is a right term.
Deeper We Fall - Chelsea M. Cameron Review posted on Way Too Hot Books

What happens when you combine Star Wars, Nicholas Sparks, Oprah and eighteen year old kids?

I have to be honest here and say that I didn't like this book very much. I expected so much more, it has lot of potential to be a great, summer read, but at times I felt like I've been reading one big compilation of every possible cliché. Generally, that is the biggest problem with readers turned to be new authors (with all due respect, I am not trying to be mean or anything like that - just stating the fact). Whole time you keep thinking "Oh, that's so Kellan Kyle!" or "It reminds me of Beautiful Disaster." or "I think something similar happened in Easy by Tammara Webber." I know that most of the readers will enjoy reading Deeper We Fall exactly because of that. It's just that I am not one of them.

I know that my friends will know which was the first thing that made me want to scream. To Kill a Mockingbird. I believe that that book is one of the biggest American stereotypes. Like Paris with croissants and berets. Other thing? Virgins. Although, Lottie wasn't obnoxious as they can be in books like this. Third? Where do you people find those stupid nicknames??? Fourth? Melodrama worthy of Esmeralda or Dallas.



Felicity meets High School Musical




That would be the easiest way for me to describe this book. "Older" generation remembers popular TV show about girl who follows her high school crush to college and we all know about that other disaster that makes your ears and eyes bleed. No, no one sings or dances here.


I love reading about college experience. Heck, I was all about new adult more than a decade before everyone started to use that term. That was part of the story I liked the best. Deeper We Fall started really good. You get the idea where will things go, but you still enjoy reading about it because you want to see how did all played out. I liked the way Chelsea Cameron combined what is going on in present and mixed it with hints of the past events, but I just knew that whole big secret thing will not be quite satisfying part of the plot.

I know that most of the kids thinks that when they go away at college, they will find this new, big happy family. That is so not true, but it doesn't mean that I don't like reading books with that kind of fantasy twist. It's up to the author would he/she pull it off or not. One thing that didn't make it work for me was the way all characters talk. It's all Jedi/Gandhi/Oprah/Sparks wisdom mixed with dash of Rumi ( who, by the way, talks mostly about ways to get closer to God and not about actual love - Sufi symbols are religious and they have quite specific meanings, readers do not have much freedom in their interpretation - if you are talking about traditional approach to this type of poetry).

Ignoring the fact that Deeper We Fall is labeled as new adult, I think younger readers will love this book more than actual first year students, unless you are suffering form "forever-sixteen syndrome" . If you are fan of[a:Colleen Hoover|5430144|Colleen Hoover|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1333056335p2/5430144.jpg],[a:Rebecca Donovan|4907787|Rebecca Donovan|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1367506048p2/4907787.jpg], [a:Nicole Williams|4887264|Nicole Williams|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1351095996p2/4887264.jpg], [a:Abbi Glines|4872191|Abbi Glines|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1345377921p2/4872191.jpg] or [a:Fisher Amelie|4849669|Fisher Amelie|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1357179084p2/4849669.jpg], Deeper We Fall is perfect choice for you.
How My Summer Went Up in Flames - Jennifer Salvato Doktorski 3.5 stars
Don't Breathe a Word - Holly Cupala

I am on the roll. It seems that every book I picked up in last five days was just simply amazing. Same thing goes for Don't Breathe a Word, novel written by Holly Cupala. One thing I really hate is when great books are overshadowed by most recent trashy romance novel. Tara Kelly, K.B. Hoyle, Holly Cupala are just some of authors that, by my humble opinion, deserve more attention.

It has been two years since I read Holly Cupala's debut novel, Tell Me a Secret. That book wasn't what I expected. I wanted to read something fun and light, but I got book that left me thinking about my own life and everything I used to take for granted. This time I was prepared. I knew that Don't Breathe a Word will not be unicorns and rainbows. I wasn't comfortable reading it, to be honest with you. I had to put it down few times, lie down and close my eyes for a while.

Holly Cupala in her second novel tells story about abuse and homeless teenagers trough the eyes of sixteen years old Joy, girl who tried to solve her problems by running away from home, but doing so she discovers whole new world of troubles and problems. One thing that I liked is that we find out about street life from several different perspectives and there is no sugar coated faery tales. My heart broke over and over again for Santos and May, I thing they are the most tragic characters. Only thing that I find lacking is ending. It isn't quite realistic and I think that I would be better if author didn't feel need to make her readers happy. I don't want to spoil it for all of you who didn't read it, but you will get what I mean when you do.

Don't Breathe a Word is perfect choice for everyone who looks for good realistic young adult fiction. Definitely one of the books that someday I'll get my daughter to read.
Four Summers - Nyrae Dawn Such a sweet story. It reminded me of Jenny Han's Summer trilogy.
You Look Different in Real Life - Jennifer Castle Brilliant. Review soon.
Meant to Be - Lauren Morrill ***Review originally posted on Ja čitam, a ti?

It's been a long time since last time I wrote review. Work, stress and, honestly, I've been into different kind of books since last summer. Well, it looks like I am again in sweet young adult novels phase. And what great book to start with.
Meant to Be goes in my special category - summer books. Light, fun reads about summer, road-trips, unexpected love, testing friendships and growing up. Books that make me think about warm nights spent outside with friends, ice-cream and chips we used to eat, boys on bikes and skates ( I don't ride, but I had this really soft spot for boys that do - one of them being my man), shorts and flip-flops, highlights in my hair...

"Paris was a city of love for unimaginative folks."


This is perfect choice for everyone who read and loved Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - London, Shakespeare and love, what's not to like? I know, that was Paris, The City of Love, but you might change your mind after you read this.
I've noticed that some readers didn't like Julia that much, but I think she is something different. Maybe that's just my inner adult-romance-for-the-last-six-months reader, maybe I would find 101 reason to rant about her if I read this book just few days ago when I was in weird book funk, but now I can say just this - Julia is great girl. One of the reasons why I think that? Shakespeare. No, it's not because I'm teacher. I had similar introduction to his plays like Julia and I've spend good part of my teen years obsessing over them. Until this day no one in my family knows for sure how that book ended on our bookshelf. I'll just go with the flow and say... It was meant to be.:)

"I was just hoping that you'd realize that guys like me, go with girls like you."


If you enjoy reading about sweet first love, you are going to devour this book in one sitting. Jason and Julia have this perfect chemistry, at first it looks like they have nothing in common, but just wait. Jason will make you fall on your knees and make silly, googly eyes. Scene in the skate park, in his room and there is one part that made me laugh so hard because it reminded me of all kinky books I've read.

Don't waste your time and go find this book and read it. If you did read it, find it and re-read your favorite parts. Meant to Be deserves big, shiny five stars.
The Art of Submission (The Art of D/s #1) - Ella Dominguez DNF at 36%.
The Mistress - Tiffany Reisz YES! YES!YES! I GOT IT! I GOT IT! THANK YOU HARLEQUIN!!!

Update, July 8th 2013.

Review posted on Way Too Hot Books

Glass is not happy. But she loves her Mistress.


Last few days you could read reviews for first three books of The Original Sinners series on Way Too Hot Books ( The Siren, The Angel, The Price). Purple was one though cookie to break, but I did it. She liked what she read. Yey!

First, I'd like to say big thank you to Harlequin for giving me copies for every single Sinners book. You guys rock. But I decided that I absolutely need to have Nora and Co. on my bookshelf (real one this time) so... I ordered them. Can't wait. Don't worry, I'll tell all about how does it feel to hold them in hands, smell them, turn pages... I'm planning big re-reading Nora summer.

Why am I not happy? Well, it looks like our Mistress Tiffany took some lessons from my favorite sadist Soren. That damn cliffhanger is pure agony and considering that this is last book of The Red Years I am wondering when does she actually planning to tell us what the hell did they talk about.

Nora could make me gay, but I love my Mr. Edge.


As you can assume, The Mistress continues where The Prince ended. A lot of things will be untangled in this book, but also you will get hints of new possible plots. I have to admit that I'm not happy with some of those, but I believe that Tiffany Reisz can pull it off - that woman is brilliant. One thing that is different in this sequel is story. Sex is in the background this time. There are few steamy scenes that will make your blood boil, but as I said, you'll get most of the answers.

What I didn't like and reason why I gave it 4 stars instead my usual five is that there are too much soap opera moments. Spanish or Turkish, you can pick. Too much melodrama and black/white reasoning. Some parts felt rushed - like Wes and how he suddenly... Oh, no! I an not telling you. You will have to read it to find out, but I believe that most of you would agree with me. Also, there is this little "discovery" about Kingsley and his past. I don't know what to think about that.

Like my girl Purple, I didn't like Nora that much in previous novel, but she is in my good graces after The Mistress. I remembered why I loved her so much in The Siren. Soren is... well, Soren. If you didn't like him so far, you just might change your mind now. But my favorite character is Kingsley Edge - he shares first place with Roy Dupuis (Michael in TV series La Femme Nikita). Damn hot French men.

Dear Tiffany...


You. Are. My. Goddess.
The end.
The Favor - Megan Hart This book --- perfect!
Fire Inside (Chaos, #2) - Kristen Ashley 3.5 stars
Own the Wind  - Kristen Ashley ***Buddy read with Lela****
3.5 stars