Review: Shattered Dreams by Ellie James

Shattered Dreams (Midnight Dragonfly #1) by Ellie James

Paperback: 352 pages

Release date: December 6th, 2011

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: Netgalley

Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Summary: Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She isspecial. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt’s doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she’s seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica’s disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She iskind-of dating Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

Shattered Dreams was all about Trinity Rose who moves in with her aunt after her grandmother died. There, her visions came back—that keeps haunting her—and unravels the secret behind it with the people around her.

I won’t and don’t want to finish it. The story was confusing; it was hard to determine where the visions of Trinity started, what was the real score about her visions and though they explained it in the story it was obscured. They try to explain it bit by bit with every chapter which is not helping in making the story better. At the beginning I thought that the first paragraph was really compelling because it started in a unique way, then it all got weary up to the next chapters.

Its characters was lackluster, mainstream, and the “partner” of Trinity which is--who is it again?—see! I don’t even remember him, because he will not etched in your mind as compared to other leading man. I was more attached to Dylan who’s got some secret about what was going on to Trinity and onto his self. I’d be happier if he’s the “partner” of Trinity…no, I’d be extremely happy if he will not be emotionally involved with Trinity or anyone. Because honestly I don’t like her either, she’s a flirt; she keeps telling her self that she’ll try to keep her feelings with her “partner”. Whose girlfriend is missing, while the two of them calling their selves ‘baby’ which is not a good endearment especially if they saying it many times.

But we requested this so I felt I’m obliged to finish and review it. The only thing that I liked about this book was it got some whodunit going on and Dylan. Over all I’ll give it a 3 star, if you still want to read this it’s your own decision. But decide wisely 

In My Mailbox (1)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. This feature allows bloggers to post about the books they bought, gotten from the library, and received for review.

Welcome to our first IMM post! I would have gladly post ages ago, but this is the first time since the school started that my Sunday morning isn't spent studying or doing the laundry. Gotta love semestral break and being home. :)

For Review:

Waterfall and Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Netgalley:

The Girl In the Park by Mariah Fredericks

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mendelski

The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

Won:

               

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Bought:

The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

What did you guys get in the mailbox this week? 

Friday Hops

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Crazy for Books for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word and to connect with other bookworms, make new friends, support each other, share our love of books! 

This week's question:
What is your favorite type of candy?

My favorite would be M&M's, Butterfinger, and Cadbury! I have the worst sweet tooth and it doesn't help my pimple-prone skin at all. 

TGIF is a weekly feature for Fridays hosted by Ginger at GReads! to re-cap the week’s posts and that has a different question each week.

This week's question:

Book Blogs That Make You Smile: Pick 5 book blogs you visit often & think others should, too.

Fiktshun - This was what inspired me to ask my two best friends and establish a book blog. Her reviews are remarkable and I'm a huge fan of her Random Thoughts posts. I'm just a silent fan, but I visit this blog regularly. Rachel, the admin, is probably one of the most generous bloggers out there. She hosts big giveaways and I was lucky enough to win once. The blog name is also clever! I asked her if it was inspired by Chaos Walking trilogy but she says it's not. I hope she decides to read it so she'll realize how awesome her blog name is.

Mundie Moms - Run by the coolest moms (besides my mom) in the planet, Mundie Moms updates about all things Cassandra Clare. This is the first book blog I've come across while surfing the net. I even spent hours back reading their posts. I was also already a huge fan of TMI back then. Even now, visiting Mundie Moms has become an almost daily routine for me.

GReads! - If you love Contemps like I do, Ginger's blog is a must-follow! I noticed that we have the same tastes in books and I highly enjoy reading her reviews. I also love her blog features and theme. I owe this blog so much because it introduced me to some of my all-time favorites like Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Melina Marchetta's The Piper's Son.

Down The Rabbit Hole - I'm inlove with this blog! Besides her awesome blog layout  I looove red  , Amber writes candid and thoughtful reviews. I've read a lot Fantasy books, some of which are my favorites, that her words influenced me to do so. It's been a great source for book recommendations!







Mockingjay.net, Down With The Capitol, The Hob - I can't really choose just one so I just picked these three Hunger Games sites that feeds my obsession for the trilogy. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Giveaway: Die For Me by Amy Plum

Only a day left to enter my first Twitter giveaway! For the contest, I'm giving away a hardbound copy of Amy Plum's Die For Me. So for those who haven't read this awesome book, you still have more than 24 hours left to RT. Open Internationally! :)

Click here to enter

Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Waterfall (River of Time #1)  by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Paperback: 352 pages

Release date: February 1st, 2011

Publisher: David C. Cook

Source: Author

Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Summary: Lisa Tawn Bergren's new YA series, River of Time, is romantic, historical fiction in which the plucky heroine doesn't have to fear a vampire's bite but must still fight for her life. 

In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another.

This book is a mix of YA Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, and Romance. It’s the first time that I read a time travelling book because I always see them in movies. I literally squealed in delight upon receiving it in the mail! And as what the rave reviews I’ve read had promised, Waterfall was a fantastic read. I was absorbed by the story from the very beginning, and it never failed to entertain me ‘til the very last page.

Waterfall was unique in a sense that the time Gabi and Lia travelled into was during the 14th century. I have little knowledge about the 1300s, except that Dante Alighieri lived during that time. It was fiction but some of the things mentioned actually happened. It was set in Italy, a place I’d love and hope to visit someday. The places (except for Florence) were unfamiliar but I never felt confused, thanks to Ms. Bergren’s great talent in executing every detail in the story. She created such intricate yet coherent novel that makes up for a riveting adventure.

I have nothing but love for the characters. Gabi is a clever and an independent heroine. I have a feeling that she could adapt to any era because of her shrewdness. Her strong resolve and feisty spirit caught the eyes and the heart of Fortelli’s future lord, Marcello.
Unfortunately, Marcello is promised to be betrothed to another woman who will guarantee the safety of Forelli’s palace. But that doesn’t stop the solid connection that they felt for each other. It wasn’t the kind of romance that made toes curl-up but it was still a very good one nonetheless. I adore the literally knight in shining armor Marcello, and I cannot wait for another fix of 14th century gentlemen.

To sum up, Waterfall is a fantastic first book in the series. It has an unpredictable plot that kept me wanting to turn the page to find out more and be surprised for what happens next. It’s definitely one of my best reads this year. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent this book by the author in exchange for an honest review

Completely smitten!!