Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly

Title: Monstrous
Author: MarcyKate Connolly 
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication date: February 10, 2015
Pages: 432
Source/format: Purchased  // Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

The city of Bryre suffers under the magic of an evil wizard. Because of his curse, girls sicken and disappear without a trace, and Bryre’s inhabitants live in fear. No one is allowed outside after dark.

Yet night is the only time that Kymera can enter this dangerous city, for she must not be seen by humans. Her father says they would not understand her wings, the bolts in her neck, or her spiky tail—they would kill her. They would not understand that she was created for a purpose: to rescue the girls of Bryre.

Despite her caution, a boy named Ren sees Kym and begins to leave a perfect red rose for her every evening. As they become friends, Kym learns that Ren knows about the missing girls, the wizard, and the evil magic that haunts Bryre.

And what he knows will change Kym’s life.

Reminiscent of Frankenstein and the tales of the Brothers Grimm, this debut novel by MarcyKate Connolly stands out as a compelling, original story that has the feel of a classic.

My Thoughts

The city of Bryne is being tormented by an evil wizard. A curse is released and little girls are disappearing. No one is safe and many precautions are taken place. However, there is one person who can save these girls. Kymera walks the streets at night but needs to be careful not to be seen by humans. Because Kym is comprised of different animal parts such as a spiky tail, cat eyes, claws and wings like a patchwork Frankenstein girl, she needs to be cautious since others will not understand her. Because she was close to death, Kym is given a second chance to live and to help save the world. However, a human boy sees Kym at the dead of night. Kym becomes friends with Ren and finds out that Ren knows information about what is happening to the girls and about the evil wizard.

Monstrous is such a cute coming-of-age Middle Grade novel. The world building is enchanting and MarcyKate Connolly's writing transports the reader to a magical world where Kym is created for a sole mission. Her father tells that in her new life, she has a mission to save girls from a evil wizard who is hunting down the children. Kym is strong, curious and clever. She doesn't remember too much of her past life and is searching for her identity. She is longing for freedom but she knows she has a mission to pursue. Kym is loyal and is such a giving little girl despite her monstrous looks. The storytelling of the novel is whimsical yet quite dark. What I like about the novel is how Connolly weaves in the theme of self-acceptance. It is important for young readers to understand that it's okay to be different and that everyone is unique. And because someone is different, they can still make friends. Accepting oneself is important especially when living in a society that has certain standards of what makes a perfect person.

I highly recommend this novel for readers who love dark fantasy and retellings. If you enjoy reading Frankenstein and Brothers Grimm tales, definitely check out Monstrous. Also, make sure to check out Connolly's next book, Ravenous.

Top Ten 2015 Releases I Meant To Get To But Didn't

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers to choose their top ten 2015 releases they meant to get to but didn't. The following books are in no particular order.

1. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan is definitely a book that I cannot wait to read. Not only is it set in Boston but I heard great things about this Norse Mythology middle grade read. Also, Riordan balances adventure and humor quite nicely.

2. Winter by Marissa Meyer is the fourth and last book in The Lunar Chronicles. It has been on my TBR for awhile and I had the chance to read 100 pages before I had to stop because I was getting ready for a month long feature called Pottermas. Elizabeth from Book YAbber and I spent about a month or so reading all the Harry Potter books for the December feature. I actually finally got the book from the library again so I will continue the book shortly.

3. Renegade by Kerry Wilkinson has been on my TBR list since I finished reading Reckoning. If you are looking for a dystopian, definitely check out the Silver Blackthorn series. The third installment is coming out in May.

4. Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales is definitely a book that I want to read since I fell in love with Sales' This Song Will Save Your Life.

5. The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski is the second book in The Winner's Trilogy and I have been meaning to read it last year. The Winner's Curse is so good so I don't know why I didn't read this installment yet. The Winner's Kiss is coming out in March.

6. For the Record by Charlotte Huang is definitely a book up my alley. Books that weave contemporary and music are pretty much books I know I will like.

7. Serpentine by Cindy Pon sounds fabulous and I still haven't read it yet. It's the first book in the Kingdom of Xia series. I am picky about some fantasy titles but this one definitely grabbed my attention because of the Chinese folklore.

8. The Heir by Keira Cass is the fourth book in The Selection series. I heard mixed reviews about this installment since The Heir is about Maxon and America's daughter, Eadlyn. I will eventually read The Heir because The Crown is coming out in May.

9. This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzie Lee is a Frankenstein retelling that I am hoping to read this year. I wish that I read this book around the fall because it's the perfect Halloween book.

10. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson is a graphic novel that I have heard great things about. Stevenson also illustrated the cover to Fangirl so I am dying to read Nimona. I love Stevenson's illustrations in general and would love to see how her words and illustrations collide.

Pages to Tea (5)

P A G E S  to  T E A

I'm not sure if you know but I am a big tea fanatic. I have so many bags and tins of tea I probably can create a great wall of tea. I love how different teas have different properties. Some teas can be energizing and some teas can be calming. My favorite time to enjoy a cuppa is when I am reading a book. Hence why I am showcasing some fantastic book and tea pairings.

[Golden Lily by Richelle Mead + Yunnan Lily Black by Rishi ]

Rishi's Yunnann Lily Black comes from the Jin Xuan (Golden Lily) tea tree. According to Rishi, the tea is made using a slightly higher drying temperature to draw out those aromas to their fullest potential. This definitely sounds like Sydney. Although under stress, Sydney's potential peaks when she is determined. Yunnan Lily Black has tasting notes of exotic black tea with a lush aromatic bouquet of wild rose and lychee. And you bet that Sydney is growing more fond of Rose Hathaway and Jill Mastrano Dragomir.

[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll +

 The Jabberwocky by Whispering Pines Tea ]

The Jabberwocky is a complex tea. According to Whispering Pines Teas' website, the Jabberwocky tea is strong and smooth with a full mouth of wildflower nectar and honey drizzled on a fresh french baguette with a light hint of salt. The middle of the sip hints at creamy chocolate and plum dipped in luscious silky caramel. The finish hints at camphor and eucalyptus, leaving your mouth feeling fresh and wanting more! Jabberwock is often mistaken as Jabberwocky and is mentioned in the poem "Jabberwocky" in Through the Looking Glass. The Jabberwocky tea reminds me of Alice at the Mad Tea Party in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Because of all the flavors of honey, bread, chocolate, plum and caramel, this tea would great as a dessert tea.

[Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan + 

The Golden Fleece by Verdant Tea]

Percy Jackson joins Clarisse La Rue, Tyson and Annabeth Chase on a quest to find the Golden Fleece to revive Thalia's Pine Tree. According to Verdant Tea's website, The Golden Fleece gets its name to honor the soft, rich texture experience of tasting this incredible small harvest tea. Only the large tender buds are harvested. The down from the buds infuses into every cup, yielding a uniquely thick mouthfeel.

Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

Title: Firsts
Author: Laurie Elizabeth Flynn
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication date: January 5, 2016
Pages: 320
Source/format: e-ARC from Netgalley

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.

Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.

When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, FIRSTS is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up.

My Thoughts

"I want to be Faye. I want to be fearless like her, bold like her. I want to figure out a way to be apologetically myself, just like she has." - ARC

Mercedes Ayres is your typical high school girl but she harbors a secret. She provides a service that most people will not approve of. Everyone wants their first time to be special. And when I mean first time, I mean sex. Many guys seek Mercedes guidance to plan the perfect date for the first time. Mercedes mother, Kim, is hardly ever home and Mercedes even joined a prayer group so many people don't know what Mercedes does during her free time. Angela is Mercedes best friend but is super conservative and religious. Angela doesn't know any of Mercedes secrets.

Although Mercedes has "Wednesday friend," all sexual encounters is strictly to teach guys how to treat a women. This is a reason why she started this service. Mercedes wants to make sure that guys are educated about making sure to use protection and to make sure they treat their girlfriends with respect. She doesn't take payment from anyone but wants the guys to make sure their girlfriends are treated well. This is Mercedes' pay it forward service until someone unexpected is blackmailing Mercedes. Can I say that this unexpected person is a real scumbag? Mercedes thought she was doing something good and then he uses her and taints her reputation because Mercedes wouldn't give what he wants. And Angela not believing her? I was appalled.

Mercedes is dealing with some serious stuff in her life. With an absent father and a mother who is hardly home, Mercedes isn't flawless. In her past, during her first sexual encounter, Mercedes was taken advantaged of at a young age. She didn't tell anyone about it. She doesn't want other girls to be taken advantaged of. Now, sex is a way to educate but also to have some control in her life. Her "Wednesday friend," Zach, wants to be more than friends. He wants something more but Mercedes is afraid to commit. Then Faye comes along. Faye is from Nevada and is the new student at Milton High School. Faye also seems to be flirting with Zach. This is the first time Mercedes is jealous. However, Faye and Zach are the only friends that Mercedes has that are always by Mercedes side. I feel bad how Mercedes treats Zach. It's obvious she wants him but she pretends she doesn't want him only for him to find out that she has been with other guys. In Zach's shoes, he must feel horrible and hurt.

I am glad sex isn't sugarcoated in Firsts. Laurie Elizabeth Flynn discusses the topic realistically. It's raw and emotional. There are pros and cons. Sex is not perfect. However, I am super ecstatic that Flynn covers safe sex in Firsts. Telling teenagers not to have sex is unrealistic. Let's face it, we all know that teenagers have sex. Instead of saying sex is bad, it's better to inform teenagers how to protect themselves if they do continue to do the deed. I haven't read too many books that highlight sex as a positive thing and that people shouldn't be ashamed of it.

I also like how Flynn includes Mercedes also tutoring people in Chemistry and not just in how to please a lady. Mercedes is super smart. She gets accepted to MIT and she cannot wait to escape California to Massachusetts. After being blackmailed, the letter is the only solace for her.

Because society deems sex a certain way, females are called sluts if they have sex but if  males have sex, then it's fine. This double standard is ridiculous. I wonder if the people at Milton High realize that it isn't Mercedes that is doing the deed by herself. I don't see anyone saying anything about the guys doing anything. Why should it be okay for males to have sex but it's not okay for females to have sex?

I do have to admit that I was a bit hesitate to read this controversial book because of the topic. I questioned whether this book would be a good read. However, Flynn's writing definitely tackles a tough topic flawlessly. Firsts actually reminds me of films Mean Girls and Easy A. This novel is well written and I would recommend Firsts to those who enjoy reading realistic YA contemporary and are mature. However, those sensitive to rape, sex, bullying, and child pregnancy should proceed with caution. This novel contains subjects that may be hard for some to read.

Top Ten Resolutions I Have For 2016

Happy New Year's everyone. 2015 has come and gone and we are starting a brand new year with new bookish resolutions! 2016 is going to be great! After re-evaluating 2015, I decided there are a lot of things I want to change in my life. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten Tuesday asks bloggers to choose their top ten resolutions they have for 2016. The following resolutions are in no particular order.

1. I want to blog when I feel like it.
2. I want to read more backlist books.
3. I want to connect with more people and make long lasting relationships.
4. I want to tone down on the ARC requesting and acquiring but read more ARCs I already acquired.
5. I want to start taking lunch breaks at work to eat and read. 
6. I want to blog what I want to blog about
7. I want to stop caring about what others are doing. No competition please.
8. I want to visit more blogs and comment on more posts.
9. I want to use the library more.
10. I want to re-read more books that I love.

GIF from MTV.com

What New Year's Resolutions do you have for 2016?

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Passenger
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: January 5, 2016
Pages: 464
Source/format: e-ARC from Netgalley

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them— whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are play­ing, treacherous forces threaten to sep­arate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home . . . forever

My Thoughts

Henrietta Spencer (aka Etta) lives in New York during the year of 2015 as a violinist prodigy and is suddenly transported back into time to a random place in 1776 on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Little did she know she was going to befriend Nicholas Carter. Nicholas is content about his life since he is free from the Ironwoods for many years until Etta shows up. Both Etta and Nicholas are launched into a web of lies, secrets and betrayal. It's a game that they must play. He finds out that the Ironwoods are not giving up on him. Both time travelers undertake this dangerous journey, crossing many continents and centuries to locate an artifact called an astrolabe in order to save Etta's mother. If Etta fails to locate the astrolabe and bring it back to the Ironwoods, she will lose everything.

Time traveling is something I don't see too much in YA and I am glad Alexandra Bracken wrote Passenger so wonderfully. I love how Bracken weaves music with a dangerous voyage across seas. The plot is carefully crafted. The novel is well written and the dual POVs capture the emotions and thoughts of both characters seamlessly. Readers are transported to New York, London, Angkor, Paris and Damascus during various time periods. Etta is strong-willed, cunning and independent young lady while Nicholas is vigilant and protective. The writing is compelling but I feel like the pacing of the book is slower toward the middle and the novel could have been shortened. The book is over 450 pages and certain parts could have been tightened. I do appreciate seeing diversity in the book and how Bracken doesn't sugarcoat how Nicholas is being treated throughout the past. And that cliffhanger! I don't want to spoil the novel too much but this is a must read!

If you're a fan of the Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare and or are interested in historical fiction, I would highly recommend Passenger.

December 2015 Challenge Recap

This month Elizabeth from Book Yabber and I finished reading the remaining three books in the Harry Potter series for Pottermas 2015. After reading Harry Potter, I was able to tackle a variety of books before the year ended but do not fall under fantasy. You can check my intro post about Flights of Fantasy here. You can check out January's recap here, February's recap here, March's recap here, April's recap here, May's recap here, June's recap here, July's recap here, August's recap here, September's recap here, October's recap here and November's recap here.

Flights of Fantasy books I've read in December 2015

My fantasy reads have mirrored my diversity reads for the month. Please check out my intro to the Dive Into Diversity challenge here. You can check out January's recap here, February's recap here, March's recap here, April's recap here, May's recap here, June's recap here, July's recap here, August's recap here, September's recap here, October's recap here and November's recap here.

Dive Into Diversity books I've read in December 2015