Review | The King's Games

The King's Games (Kanin Chronicles #0.5) by Amanda Hocking
June 2015 by Wattpad
Four stars


"In this novelette set five years before the events in the Kanin Chronicles, Bryn Aven is struggling to find her place in the secret kingdom of the Kanin—a realm as beautiful as it is treacherous.

Born of mixed heritage, fourteen-year-old Bryn has never felt like she completely belonged. Now, with the summer sun thawing the frozen province, the yearly King’s Games are about to begin, and an opportunity has arisen to squire the popular guard, Konstantin Black. Bryn can finally prove herself and earn the respect she craves." - Goodreads



I didn't know this even existed until I stumbled upon it on Goodreads. I've always really liked novellas. They are short, give a lot of insight that usually wouldn't be included in the full story and are usually focused on a certain event or period of time.

This prequel takes place years before the events of Frostfire. Bryn participates in the king's games. A group of people are placed against each other to fight in rounds. The final match is against the very popular and respected Konstantin Black. This is an honor for anyone who wishes to be on the king's guard, the Hogdragen.

This story really gives so much insight on Bryn Aven and why she is the way she is in The Kanin Chronicles. In this story she is only 14 years old, yet she is very determined to be the very best that she can be, and won't let anyone hold her down. She fights against her friends and many other people who don't deem her worthy of even participating. Bryn demands respect and to prove her worth to her community.

I really enjoyed this story. if you would like you can find it on Amanda's Wattpad after making an account here.

Review | The Lover's Dictionary

The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
January 2011 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
2011 pages
Four stars

"A modern love story told through a series of dictionary-style entries is a sequence of intimate windows into the large and small events that shape the course of a romantic relationship." - Goodreads



I liked this book more than I thought I was going to. I didn't think I would get enough story to really feel connected to the characters but that was not the case. I read it in one sitting, which I think worked in the books favor. I was really immersed in the story and felt emotionally connected to it.

This is a very raw, emotional and honest book. It goes through different part of a couples relationship and their breakup. Our protagonists, who's names we never learn, couldn't be more different. He's quiet and kind of nerdy while she is extroverted and turns into a different person when she is drunk. This story is told in short journal type entries in dictionary form. It does not take place in a chronological order but through alphabetical memories of the narrator. David Levithan chooses words from A to Z and connecting it to a memory or thought to describe this couple's up and down relationship.

The thing I loved the most about this book is how real it feels. There is so much raw emotion in the writing, you can feel it. It's not just a love story. It tells about how complicated love and relationships are. The Lover's Dictionary is very honest and realistic.

One of my favorite entries was ineffable: “Trying to write about love is ultimately like trying to have a dictionary represent life. No matter how many words there are, there will never be enough.”

I highly recommend this book. It's a very quick, and intriguing read.

Review | As If: The Oral History of Clueless as told by Amy Heckerling and the Cast and Crew

As If: The Oral History of Clueless as told by Amy Heckerling and the Cast and Crew by Jen Chaney
July 2015 by Touchstone
336 pages
Four stars


"Acclaimed pop culture journalist Jen Chaney shares an oral history of the cult classic film Clueless in the ultimate written resource about one of the most influential, revered, and enduring movies of the 1990s—in celebration of its twentieth anniversary.
Will we ever get tired of watching Cher navigate Beverly Hills high school and discover true love in the movie Clueless? As if! Written by Amy Heckerling and starring Alicia Silverstone, Clueless is an enduring comedy classic that remains one of the most streamed movies on Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes even twenty years after its release. Inspired by Jane Austen's Emma, Clueless is an everlasting pop culture staple.

In the first book of its kind, Jen Chaney has compiled an oral history of the making of this iconic film using recollections and insights collected from key cast and crew members involved in the making of this endlessly quotable, ahead-of-its-time production. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Emma influenced Heckerling to write the script, how the stars were cast into each of their roles, what was involved in creating the costumes, sets, and soundtrack, and much more.

This wonderful twentieth anniversary commemoration includes never-before-seen photos, original call sheets, casting notes, and production diary extracts. With supplemental critical insights by the author and other notable movie experts about why Clueless continues to impact pop culture,As If! will leave fans new and old totally buggin' as they understand why this beloved film is timeless. " -Goodreads



This book was so fun! I'm not a diehard Clueless fan but it was an iconic film of my childhood and I've always loved it. This was just such a fun read and it went by really quickly. I read it in between other books and during my lunch breaks and I think it was perfect for that. I didn't feel bored or uninterested at any point since I was reading it sparingly. 

Some of my favorite parts of the book was learning about how the actors were cast. I was very young when the film came out, so the only reason I knew most of the people in the film was because they were in the film. I didn't know that Alicia Silverstone was the notorious girl from the Aerosmith videos and that pretty much everyone wanted her for Cher. It was interesting to see Amy's point of view on why she wanted one person or another. Everyone that was cast was perfect for their character in my opinion.

I also really loved hearing about how the scenes were shot. The way the book is laid out gives you a quick summary on the scene and then different members of the cast and crew give their insight on a scene. Most of them are very noteworthy scenes, like Cher's debate in the beginning or when she failed her driving test. I watched the movie again after I finished the book and it was just so cool to have behind the scenes knowledge. It really brought everything together for me.

Another special part of the book is Amy Heckerling's Clueless dictionary. One of the things that has always stood out to me the most about Clueless is the language. It's very unique and I think it really captured some of the 90's lingo. She explains how some terms came to be for the film that maybe were not popular beforehand. Some things she just made up herself or borrowed from groups of teens or other sources. 

I would recommend this book to anyone that is a pop culture lover. It was such a fun book and I have a greater appreciation for the movie, cast and crew. They put so much work into the film and it turned out amazing. Amy Heckerling is amazing and I have much more respect for her after reading this book.

TAG | Unpopular Bookish Opinions

I've been seeing this tag go around BookTube for weeks now and I've been dying to do it. You can check out the original video here. I decided to stop making videos on my BookTube channel a few years ago but thought, why not make a blog post instead?! So here goes.

First just a disclaimer that these are just my opinions. I don't mean to offend anyone. If I don't like your favorite book or series, I apologize. You probably don't like my favorite books either. Everyone has different opinions and not everyone is going to like the same material.



1. A Popular Book or series that you didn't like.

I feel like I have way to many for this. Let's start with the Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver. I read all of the books in the series and I have no idea why. I disliked most of the characters and didn't enjoy reading them at all. I loved the idea behind the story, but just couldn't understand what all the hype was about. The next series I can think of is the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu. I read the first two books in the trilogy and I don't even remember what happened. The first one wasn't too bad but I don't think I liked it enough to where I should have continued reading the series. I legitimately cannot remember what happened in the second book. I feel like I was reading it with my eyes closed. It just wasn't my cup of tea. Third is the Hush, Hush series. I read the entire thing, once again. I hated most of it while I was reading it. But I continued on thinking it would get better. Nope! Not only is Patch a stupid name for a character, but I hated him. He was one of the worst characters I can remember reading about. He's such an ass and I don't understand the appeal. Which just makes me despise the main character, Nora, for even wasting her time with him. Normally I love angel blood books, but that was not the case with this series.

2. A Popular Book or series that every one else seems to hate but you love.

I'm going to say the Twilight series. I loved this series when it came out. I remember reading the first book over and over until New Moon came out. I think I finished New Moon in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. When I heard it was going to be turned into a movie, I was appalled and refused to watch them at first. I knew they were going to ruin this series that I loved! The first movie was ridiculous as expected and it made me think less of the books. I understand that Stephanie Meyer may not have the best writing and the premise is just creepy and silly. Those books got not only myself reading more, but an entire group of people. Boys and girls of a wide range of ages starting reading and I really think it opened the doors for YA. I reread these books in 2012 and you know what, I still enjoyed them. I didn't get as emotional and feel as connected as I did before, but I did still like them. #NoShame


3. A Love Triangle where the main character ended up with the person you did NOT want them to end up with OR an OTP that you don't like. 

I had a really hard time of thinking of anything for this one. The only one that comes in mind is The Hunger Games. I've heard a lot of people say this and I agree. I wish Katniss would have chosen to be alone. I don't mind Peeta. I think he's the better option of the two but I would have really liked to see her be independent. She went through so much stuff, and choosing between those boys only seemed to make it harder. For once, I would like to see a story where the love triangle just dissolves and everyone moves on.


4. A popular book Genre that you hardly reach for.

I would say either historical fiction or new adult. I'm more likely to read historical fiction over new adult. I think my opinion on that will change later, but right now I'm just not interested in them.


5. A popular or beloved character that you do not like.

Lena from the Delirium trilogy. It's been a while since I read the series but I felt no connection to her. I just remember her being young and stupid. I also really didn't like Katniss Everdeen, mostly in Mockingjay. I think Suzanne Collins did a good job of writing her character and showing what the trauma she went through would do for her psyche. I just hated reading her. She was just too annoying and dramatic.


6. A popular author that you can't seem to get into.

Gillian Flynn. I read both Gone Girl and Dark Places by her. I read Dark Places first and I was so excited, but I skipped through every other chapter. I wasn't interested in the story at all. By the time I finished the book and read the ending, I was ready to throw the book at the wall. I forced myself to read this book that I really wasn't interested in, just for a stupid ending. Same thing happened with Gone Girl. I knew it was so hyped and I heard everyone talking about how amazing it was. After reading it, I really don't understand. Once I got midway through the book, I was basically too pissed off to even continue. I think the pace of the books are too slow and the endings are less than satisfactory.


7. A popular book trope that you're tired of seeing. (examples "lost princess", corrupt ruler, love triangles, etc.)

I really hate reading dystopian books where the government is corrupt and the main character has to taken them down from the inside. Maybe that's the whole point of these books. I think it can be done well sometimes but I didn't really realize how much I hated it until I read the Eve trilogy by Anna Carey. The plot of that series is pretty strange in the first place but once the New America stuff started, I was done. The characters in those books never really seem smart enough. They always make stupid decisions but somehow everything works out and they end up victorious.


8. A popular series that you have no interest in reading.

I'm going to say The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. I didn't think I liked the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy until I finished it and realized that I actually liked some of the characters. I'm really not interested in reading another series that I don't like very much until after I've finished it.


9. The saying goes "The book is always better than the movie", but what movie or T.V. show adaptation do you prefer more than the book?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I read the book a really long time ago and I disliked it at the time. I really enjoyed the movie. It is such a beautiful movie with such an amazing cast. Another one is Gone Girl. I really really really hated the book. It wasn't hard, but the movie was way better. I would re-watch it again if I had to. It hardly counts, but the pilot episode of Delirium that was filmed was also way better than the book series.



I would love to know your unpopular bookish opinions! What popular book series did you absolutely not like?

Review | The Jewel

The Jewel (The Lone City #1) by Amy Ewing
September 2014 by HarperTeen
358 pages
Four stars

"The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for." -Goodreads


I heard so many great things about this book, so I was dying to read it. I will say, some of it is typical YA dystopian. Violet has nicknames for the other surrogates, which reminds me of Katniss and the other victors in The Hunger Games. The Eve trilogy by Anna Carey also deals with surrogates. The pacing was a little weird at times and I found some things to be predictable, but the story definitely got better as it progressed. I really really enjoyed reading this book. I had a hard time putting it down. There are so many plot twists and things that I was not expecting.

In The Jewel most women are no longer able to have children. The select group of women that are able to have children and they are put into surrogacy houses to prepare them for childbirth. Our main character, Violet is sold as a surrogate to one of the wealthiest families in the Jewel. While it may seem that being sold to one of the founding houses would be a good thing, she is just a slave to the cruel Duchess of the Lake. She is rewarded for her good behavior, and punished for her mistakes. The Duchess is very power hungry and intends to use Violet to get what she wants. 

I was really interested in the plot of the story. Being sold as a surrogate, and loosing your individuality would be such an awful thing. They are led to believe that they will have such a good life. What Violet and her best friend Raven experience is far from that. Amy Ewing really does a good job at capturing the horror that Violet feels. In some YA stories I feel that the main characters act without really thinking and make very stupid decisions. I don't feel like that's the case in The Jewel. I don't want to give any spoilers but I think Violet is justified in the decisions she makes. I'm really interested in finding out what is happening to her best friend, Raven, next door. 

I think the characters are written so well. Some of them are so awful and selfish, but you can see them in moments of weakness and see how they became the way they are. It seems that everyone has an agenda and is just here to use the surrogates for what they want, weather that's for power or to start a revolution. Like Dolores Umbridge, The Duchess of the Lake is really the character you love to hate. I'm just going to say it now, and I'm sure I might change my mind later, but I really dislike Ash. I don't like the insta-love between Violet and him. He's kind of a jerk and I'm really hoping that Violet gets together with another male character in the story who I won't name just yet.

One of the things I found the most interesting about The Jewel was that, while it is a dystopian book, there is a hint of magic. While the surrogates are in the surrogacy house they are taught to harness the auguries which can control the shape and color of things. The girls are born with this power, but the better at the three levels of auguries they get, the more sought after the surrogate is. Of course, Violet is very good at them, which is why she was placed so high. There is much more to the auguries than I've said but of course you'll just have to read the book to find out. 

The Jewel left off on a huge cliff hanger and I cannot wait to get my hands on book two in the series. 

Review | Ice Kissed

Ice Kissed (#2) by Amanda Hocking
May 2015 by St. Martin's Press
309 pages
Five stars


"In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom…

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…and the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that’s been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it’s also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss, Ridley Dresden, is overseeing her mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level—one neither of them is prepared for.

As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it will change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves." - Goodreads


If you have not read the previous book in the series, beware of spoilers!

I loved this book. It was a great second book in a trilogy and so much happened! The first book in the series was a little slow, but I expected as much as it was a first book and had to set up the rest of the storyline. Ice Kissed wasted no time with the action.

It picks up where Frostfire left off. The Skojare queen is still missing. She comes to Bryn is a lysa and asks for help. Bryn and Ridley find the queen and it seems Konstantin told her that she was in danger, and told her to escape. There's always been something confusing to me about Konstantin. He does something to protect Bryn or something considered "good" but he tried to kill Bryn's father for no apparent reason, and is working with the bad guys. I don't understand his motives. I remember reading somewhere that there is no love triangle in this series, so why would Konstantin be acting this way towards Bryn? I'm curious to see how that story unfolds.

Bryn and Ridley head to the middle of nowhere Canada to find the missing Queen. Once they locate her Bryn and Kasper head back to Storvatten to help set up a better guard so that Queen Linnea feels safe at home, and attempt to figure out what is going on. There seems to be something shady going on at the palace, but no one can put their finger on exactly what it is. There are red flags with so many people but there seems to be no connection to the bigger picture yet. The king sends Bryn and Kasper back to Doldastam.

This novel has a lot more of Ridley and Bryn, which I love. You get more of an insight on their relationship. There are some extra juicy scenes in this book with them. I really love Bryn's friendship with Tilda and I'm happy to see more scenes with her in Ice Kissed. Bryn seems to get along more with men than women, so it's nice to see her with a female friend who is so close.

There is a sense of dread towards the middle to end of the story, as the pieces come together. You'll have to read the story to see what I'm talking about. While some things are explained, there is still much of the big picture that we are left to work out still. With Bryn on the run, I'm very interested in were this story will go for the finale. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and cannot wait for the final book.

You can read the first few chapters on Amanda's Wattpad after making an account here.

Review | The Last Time We Say Goodbye

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
February 2015 by HarperTeen
390 pages
Five stars


"There's death all around us. We just don't pay attention. Until we do.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.

Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.

As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone-a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go." -Goodreads



Cynthia Hand is one of my favorite authors. After I finished the Unearthly trilogy, I was anxiously anticipating her next book. She posted somewhere that while she was writing this book, she was in tears. I knew this was a book I needed to read, even before I knew what it was about. Cynthia Hand is really good at, what I like to call, the feels. Cynthia writes about grief so well. She really captures what it feels like. Her books always hit home with me, and usually, I cry. This book was no different.

I lost my dad last year and I was really nervous to read this book, which is why it took me so long after it was published to read it. I've also had a few friends pass away, one due to suicide. I've owned this book since the week it was published, but I just didn't know if I was ready to read it yet. I tried starting it a few times but just couldn't keep reading. Not because I didn't like the story, but because like Lex, I wasn't ready to come to terms with my feelings. I really had to wait until I was ready to read this. 

The Last Time We Say Goodbye is about a girl who's younger brother commits suicide. It's a story about love, loss, grief and forgiveness. It's about the months after the funeral, and trying to make sense of what has happened, and finding a way to live in this world after the worst case scenario has happened. I really don't want to say much about the plot. This story is very hard to read at times. I think it's a very important book though, weather you have experienced loss or not. You really feel all that Lex is feeling. It opens up old wounds and makes you really appreciate your loved ones. It shows you, that you can make it through, and come out on the other side. Though it is heart wrenching at times, it is a beautiful story. I love these characters and feel for them.

While this book is not autobiographical, as Cynthia points out at the end, it does hit especially close to home for her. I just want to thank her for writing this story because it's so beautiful and so important. Grief is a very hard thing to live with and I can't imagine how difficult it was to write this book. After reading this, I do think that it has allowed me to heal and accept things in my own life. So, thank you Cynthia. You really are a phenomenal writer. 

Review | A Grimm Warning

A Grimm Warning (The Land of Stories #3) by Chris Colfer
July 2014 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers
448 pages
Four stars


"The Brothers Grimm have a warning for the Land of Stories.
Connor Bailey thinks his fairy-tale adventures are behind him - until he discovers a mysterious clue left by the famous Brothers Grimm. With help from his classmate Bree and the outlandish Mother Goose, Conner sets off on a mission across Europe to crack a two-hundred-year-old code.

Meanwhile, Alex Bailey is training to become the next Fairy Godmother... but her attempts at granting wishes never go as planned. Will she ever be truly ready to lead the Fairy Council?

When all signs point to disaster for the Land of Stories, Connor and Alex must join forces with their friends and enemies to save the day. But nothing can prepare them for the coming battle... or for the secret that will change the twins' lives forever.

The third book in the bestselling Land of Stories series puts the twins to the test as they bring two worlds together!" -Goodreads


If you have not read the previous books in the series, beware of spoilers! 

This is the third installment in the Land of Stories series. I really loved the first two books, so I was wondering how this book would compare. This is a middle grade series but I think readers of all ages would enjoy it. It's just such a fun series. It's easy to get lost in Chris Colfer's writing. He is really able to capture the awkwardness of being a teenager and all the new experiences you have at that age. The world he has created with these fairy tale characters that we all know and love is amazing. I love the way he envisions all these characters.

A Grimm Warning was a little slow to start but picked up really fast and I was hooked. I didn't like the idea of Connor and Alex being separated for most of the book but I think it worked out well. The twins really play off each other very well, but it was nice to get more of an idea of who they are when they are alone. There is a lot of character growth and plot development in A Grimm Warning. They both seem to be very unsure of themselves in the beginning of the story, but by the end of it, they have discovered new parts of themselves and new things they were capable of. Connor and Alex both experience their first relationships in this book too, which I think is nice. They are really growing up. 

A Grimm Warning takes us to London and Germany, which I thought was a great change of scenery. We meet new characters in The Land of Stories and get a glimpse of who they are after their fairy tale is over. We meet Gretel, of Hansel and Gretel. We also revisit many characters in The Land of Stories, such as Jack and Goldilocks. 

*Beware of some slight spoilers!*  There was so much to this book. There were so many things that happened that are going to change the rest of the books moving forward. I'm really excited to see where the characters are in the next story after the events of A Grimm Warning. I was really surprised by the big reveal at the end and am looking forward to getting more information in TLOS4. With Alex being the new Fairy Godmother, and having Connor by her side, the next book is sure to be exciting. I really hope that Bree and Emmerich return to The Land of Stories. I think they are connected to what the Fairy Godmother told Mother Goose before she died.  I don't think this is the last we will see of them. 

I went through such a book hangover after finishing this! I really cannot wait to start book four soon.