All The Bright Places | Review

“You are all the colors in one, at full brightness”“What a terrible feeling to love someone and not be able to help them.” 

—Jennifer Niven All the Bright Places

Overall rating: 9/10

Synopsis:

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

Thought: 

This book is described as The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park. If you think this is a cheesy romantic read, you are WRONG. This book deals with serious issue which is committing suicide. I, again, didn't know what it is about when I read this book, i just saw everyone is putting this as their most anticipated book of 2015 and I think I may give this a try. 

When Finch is ‘normal’, like the happy Finch, what he does with Violet is romantic. This Finch is brave and doesn’t care about what people may think. He just does whatever he wants. Like that time that they have to pair up for the Geography project, he just goes straight for Violet in front of the whole class. He is also very encouraging. He slowly helps Violet to step out of her comfort zone after her sister’s death. Both characters basically want to die, if not, why would they end up in the bell tower? However, when they fall in love with one another, they don’t want to die. It seems like love could heal any wounds. Just when I think: oh these characters would live a happily life ever after with one another by their side, no no no, story twist is coming. 

I think I have to talk about the scene where Finch dies. I absolutely didn’t see that coming. Even when Mrs. Finch says “I hate to ask you, but can you go? I’m just so-worried, and-I don’t think I could- I mean, in case something were to- or if he were.” And she started crying. That basically means that whatever happens, do bring Finch’s body back. When Violet goes and searches for Finch, I have a glimpse of hope that she will find Finch and they will go home together and fix his problem. Then she really finds Little Bastard (Finch’s car) and his clothes on the bank. I still do not see that coming, but then she called 911 and the Sheriff and the fire department arrive and start searching for Finch under the water. I thought maybe Finch has already gone to another place, he is definitely not going to be found. Even when they bring the body up, swollen and bloated and blue, I thought it was just another man. It is not Finch, he cannot die just like that. How many people die from drowning? A merely 2%! Even Finch knows- or knew- that. When the sheriff asks if Violet can identify the body, she says she knows that isn’t Finch, I still think Finch isn’t dead yet. I don’t know why I feel like that but Finch just seems to me that he wouldn’t end his life this way. But then all my hopes’ gone because Violet says ‘i'm sorry’ repeatedly and the paragraph: ‘may your eye go to the Sun to the wind your soul… You are all the colours in one, at full brightness’ I’m so shock because I didn’t come to this book knowing there’s somebody dying. I thought it would be a cheesy romantic story. Then I realize why it is compared to The Fault in Our Stars. And tears fall down my cheek. 

Some people may think that the ending dragged a bit. I don’t feel that way though, I think it is a fair way to end the story with Violet visiting the remaining wandering spots and see what Finch has left for her. With every remaining spot Violet goes, I cried thinking that Finch has gone there alone and left something for her to see after his death. I hate and love it at the same time; hate because Finch is so selfish here that he left Violet wandering alone when it is supposed to be THEIR project, they should do it together; love just because of the idea that even Finch is dead now, Violet can still kind of find his existence in their Wanderings.

The only thing that I don’t like about this book is that I sometimes do not understand what Finch is doing. He is so complicated that I can’t decipher. I feel like the author didn't write clear enough about his feeling or whatever he is doing. Although someone may think it’s totally alright to not clearly apprehend all the main characters’ thoughts but I really need that. Maybe it’s because English is not my main language that I often already find it hard to comprehend some little details in books. So I would find books which give out clear direction much more appealing. This may be the reason I can’t give this book a higher rating. 

Oh, I am also very looking forward to this movie adaptation. Elle Fanning is known to be playing Violet Markey, but the cast for Finch is still unknown. I like Logan Lerman but will he fits for this role? Let’s see!

A Thousand Pieces Of You | Review

“Every form of art is another way of seeing the world. Another perspective, another window. And science –that’s the most spectacular window of all. You can see the entire universe from there.”

—  Claudia Gray A Thousand Pieces Of You

Overall rating: 9/10

Synopsis: 

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

Thoughts: 

Let me give you some background info of me getting into this book first. I got to this book without knowing anything about it. I have heard some booktubers talking about this, but mainly due to its beautiful cover. I am also attracted to its cover, therefore I bought this book. When the mail came around, I immediately start reading the book. When i finished the first chapter, i was like: what the heck is happening? i guess this is because i have no idea what type of book it is. It was only then I read the back of the book and got to know that it is a book about parallel universe/ multi-universe. I was awed on the spot. Just a few days ago, I was chatting with my friends about this existence of parallel universe. They were talking it so in-depth that I found it scary. So when I know what this book it about, I couldn’t believe it. I immediately texted my friends and they asked me to read it and tell them if it’s good.

Okay, the following parts may contain spoilers

Let’s talk about my favourite part of the book now. I think this book can be divided into four parts, according to different dimensions the characters travelled to. One is the real dimension they stay in, another is the one in London with more advanced technology, then is the one set in Russia, and finally the one which is in the sea.

So my favourite one is the dimension set in Russia. It’s the Tsardom of Russia under Tsar Alexander which Marguerite is the grand duchess, and Paul becomes a soldier. Even though Paul is no longer the Paul but Lieutenant Markov, I like this romance much more. The way Lieutenant calls Marguerite ‘My Imperial Highness’ and ‘my lady’ is so interesting.

I also think this part of the book is the most exciting one. There is war and the royal have to escape. The night Marguerite and Lieutenant spent together is the climax I think. Despite all the exciting stuff in this part that keeps me turning the pages, it’s also where I was shocked and become so upsad. Lieutenant dies in the war after the night the two spend together. It must have torn Mag’s heart apart. I find his death rather sudden, because the previous moment he is saying ‘Every Marguerite’ the next he dies. That’s why I was surprised. Is it without the advanced medical service that people die so easily?

There are also a lot of twists in this book. Paul is assumed to be the one who kills Marguerite’s father. And that’s what leads them to another dimension. However, in the mid way of the book, it is revealed that Paul isn’t the killer. Then who is? This keeps me guessing throughout the book. The impulsiveness and the way Theo accused Paul make me think maybe he is the true killer. That’s not quite corrective though. Near the end of the book, it is revealed that Theo from another dimension is the true killed. Whoa, that is unexpected.

Despite that it is a series of books, there is not cliffhanger in the ending, which is good considering that the sequel isn’t out yet. Narration interspersed with flashbacks is good to let us know more about the characters.i really like this book and cannot wait to read the sequel. 

Book Haul #1

Hi, how are everyone doing? This is my first ever blog post. I think doing a book haul will be right.

So, today i went to a local bookstore and they are having a SALE, a 30% off on all regular priced item. WHAT?? I got a little crazy and bought 8 books, so i guess i will show you now.


1) All The Bright Places -by Jennifer Niven

This is one of my most anticipated book of 2015. I have heard so many great things about this book, even though it has just been released recently. I can't wait to read this book.


2) Everything I Never Told You -by Celeste Ng

I honestly don't know what this book is about, haven't heard much of it in the book community. But I have read some goodreads review about this book before buying it. I hope it turn out great.


3) Reboot -by Amy Tintera

Well well well, yes, that I haven't read this book yet, shame on me. The plot of this book actually really interest me. I don't know why i didn't pick this book up and read it when it was released. I guess now that I have owned the physical copy of the book, i can't make any more excuses to not start with this series.


4) Reality Boy -by A.S. King

When this book first came out, i heard a few booktubers talking about this. Majority of them said that A.S. King is an amazing writer. i have yet to read any of her books. I really want to read her book Ask The Passenger first, the book store didn't have it though. So i picked up Reality Boy. I think the cover is pretty cool, very colourful.


5) Panic -by Lauren Oliver

I know this was one of the Booksplsion book pick. But at that time I was very buzy, so i didn't join in the read-a-long. 


6) Mind Games -by Kiersten White

Is this book a sci-fi one? The cover is intriguing though. 


7) The Summer I Turned Pretty -by Jenny Han

Okay, this series is so freaking good from what I know. Exactly what it's about, i'm not really sure. But I like to go into the book without knowing anything, just kinda like exploring the book myself.


8) We'll Always Have Summer -by Jenny Han

You may wonder why I bought the third book in this series instead of the second one. Answer to this is simple: I originally want to buy the whole trilogy, but the bookstore only got the first book and the third book. So this is what i got.


That's all the books that i've got today. Have you read any of those? I would like to know what you think about them. I will be posting a review very soon. Stay tune :)