On Reviewing Books

Hey everyone!

I know the reviews have been slim around here, but I promise that there will be more posting soon. I’ve been reading a whole bunch, I just haven’t had time to write the reviews. However, I also have a question for you all.

I started this blog in 2008 (5 years ago, eep!), when I was 12. Since then, my reading taste has kind of changed (but only recently). I still read YA, since it is my one true book love. But more recently, I’ve started to read adult romance and New Adult. My question for you is- would you be interested in reading reviews of those types of books too? They obviously deal with more racy/sexual content. So how do you feel about me posting reviews of romance and new adult books on here? Let me know in the comments!

I’m still teetering on whether or not I want to write reviews of the romance books I read, so your opinion will help me decide that. If you don’t want to voice your opinion in the comments, you can always email me at zaser_jam AT yahoo DOT com. I always love hearing from you.

Happy Reading!

Zoe

Legend by Marie Lu

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

I have no idea why I put off reading this for so long. Once I started reading Legend, I couldn’t stop. Marie Lu kept me under her spell until the very last page, and even then I couldn’t help but want more of the story. Legend is unlike any dystopian book that I’ve read before. It has action and romance, which coexist flawlessly.Though I know that writing is a difficult task, Lu made it seem effortless. Her prose is smooth, and always leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat.

June is one of my current favorite book characters. She was independent, smart, and totally kick-butt. Though June is basically a genius, I loved that she didn’t go around flaunting it. Yes, she used her smarts to get where she wanted to go- but she never flaunted her intelligence. She was a genuine character, and I couldn’t help but love her. From Day’s first chapter, I was enthralled with him. He’s this really interesting, badass crusader and I completely succumbed to his appeal. Though both characters have pretty intense emotional and familial issues, Day’s issues were more in the moment and therefore I think they were written better. That being said, it was still easy to empathize with June’s situation.

The world building in Legend was incredible. Legend is the kind of book that needs really intense, detailed world building in order to work- and Marie Lu is an excellent world-builder. Though the world that Legend is set in has the opportunity to get kind of confusing, I never once got confused regarding what was going on.

Marie Lu is a fantastic writer. I honestly can’t believe I put off reading Legend for as long as I did, and I regret putting it off. Legend is a one of a kind novel that isn’t easily forgotten. The writing is beautiful, the characters are magnificent, and the story is one like you have never read before. I can’t recommend Legend enough.

FTC- Received for review.

Cover Reveal: The Thrill of It by Lauren Blakely

Today I have the cover reveal for the fantastic new New Adult book by Lauren Blakely, The Thrill of It! Here is a summary of the book, and at the bottom of the post you can enter to win a giveaway for one of three signed copies of The Thrill of It! You can pre-order the book HERE.

A new adult story of Love. Sex. Addiction. Blackmail. And Power...

Some say love can be an addiction. Others say it's the thing that
makes life worth living. Let me tell you everything I know about
love...Love isn't patient, love isn't kind. Love is a game, a chase. A
thrill. Love is wild and war-like, and every man and woman must fight
for themselves. At least that's how it was for me. A high-priced
virgin call girl by the time I started college, I was addicted to love
and to sex. Even though I've never had either. I controlled love,
played it, and held the world in the palm of my hands. Then I fell
down from those highs, and I'm being blackmailed for all my mistakes,
forced to keep secrets from everyone, except the only guy I don't
regret.

Trey...

With all the other women, I knew what they were. They were temporary.
They were pills, they were bottles, they took away all the pain, and
numbed the awful memories that wore down my ragged, wasted heart.
Until I met Harley. She's the only girl I ever missed when she walked
away. But now she's back in my life, every day, and there are no
guarantees for us, especially since I don't know how to tell her my
secrets. What happened to my family. All I know is she's the closest
I've ever come to something real, and I want to feel every second of
it.

How can you love with no regrets when regret is all you know?

Without further to do, here is the cover!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just One Year by Gayle Forman

After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem's story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson's own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

I can’t even explain how excited I was for Just One Year. I loved Just One Day so much, so when I got the sequel in my mail, I basically screamed and danced around my house. It was all worth it, because this book is fantastic. I loved the whole concept of Just One Year. I loved that it had the same events as Just One Day, but from Willem’s perspective. Since I hadn’t read Just One Day in a few months before reading Just One Year, parts of the book were confusing. However, I was still able to figure out what was going on. I just recommend that you reread Just One Day before picking up Just One Year.

Ever since the first book, I’ve loved Willem. Given, there were some times where I got really annoyed with him. However, in the end, Willem is a fantastic character- and Just One Year reinforces that. Willem was sad for a lot of this book. It got to the point where I was kind of getting annoyed with him. However, I understand why he was so sad- and his emotions were both justified and realistic. I loved how his perspective provided a whole new depth to his and Allyson’s story. This sort of series hasn’t been done before, and it’s a great idea. Though she didn’t appear in the story much, I still love Allyson. Even weeks after first reading Just One Year, I still can’t get her and Willem out of my head. These characters are unforgettable. As soon as you start reading about other characters, these ones just pop right back into your head.

Gayle Forman has been one of my favorite writers since I read If I Stay, and her books have never disappointed. Just One Year is an unforgettable novel about how there’s two sides to every story- and how someone’s life can change in just one year. Forman’s writing is spot-on. If you haven’t read Just One Day (or Just One Year) you need to go pick up a copy right now, because it’s amazing.

FTC- Received for review.