Fangirl: A Review

You know the magical feeling when you found the shoes for you after searching around, even if it isn't the most gorgeous pair of shoes in the store, and then you fit it and it's just right? That's exactly how I felt when I devoured in Cather's world. Fangirl is my bookmate. Totally relatable and funny. Being a fangirl-slash-writer weird nerd college freshman who have a (twin)sister for a best friend. All of Cather are was how I were two years ago. 

All the things that I've learned (from reading, experience, high school, romance class) about being a frustrated writer where there and I couldn't help say 'I know right?!' Plus the book puts a light to fanfiction writing and it wasn't your typical cliche, superficial story about fandom (which I thought it was at first).

The scenes are real and totally captivating. Now I truly appreciate Rowell's works (in fact I couldn't wait to read 'Attachments'). She wants to let the whole world knows that not only the pretty, sophisticated girls gets the opportunity to be a main character in a love story and will become the apple of they eye of a cute, charming love interest. You too can. Everyone can. Each one of us has a story to tell and that, in a way, can inspire others. Like how Cather proved that she was more than an antisocial girl with a dream world around Simon Snow. That someone like Cather could be accepted by someone like Levi and Reagan. And that there was more to her and Levi (oh Levi, cute Levi) actually loved her because of that. 

The Simon Snow excerpts (both from the original fiction and Cather's fanfic) made the story interesting. I actually didn't squeamish at the thought of Simon-Baz love team. Although I'd hope that the author elaborate how Cather came up with the idea. Not that I'm against it, but I'm not quite open-minded to homosexual relationships to the point that I am willing to read a whole book about it.

The longevity of the story is out of the question if you will enjoy it from page one. Everything about the book is unconventional. Not your typical young/new adult novel. 

Eleanor & Park: A Review

3.5/5 stars actually.

When I first heard about this book, I was so excited it was already in my Christmas wishlist. Who wouldn't love the innocent, catching cover plus the promising premise? Incidentally, I got this book just last week as a gift out of monito/monita in our school's Christmas party. 

All I could think about the whole time I was reading this: Ahhh, the feels.

I couldn't remember how many times I giggled and smiled to Eleanor and Park most-of-the-time-awkward-sometimes-sweet interactions.

But then again some things had me bugging and prevented me to rate this book a perfect 5 stars.

First thing I noticed was the third POV which to say I was fairly disappointed. Why? If you were going to write a she-said-he-said novel why talk in third person? Because of that I wasn't able to fully know the main characters more. Yup, I felt related to their stories but I didn't felt that Eleanor or Park could be a friend of mine (like all the books must achieved).

Next was the blatant curse after curse after curse. Which perhaps I wouldn't mind if I didn't see it almost every page. Yeah, I think cursing is generally usual but the author didn't have to depend on it just to convey a very strong emotion.

The racist statements. Really? Minus points to that.

The setting, 1986, Omaha, Nebraska. While I didn't know where this place is, obviously, I didn't exactly know too how that year went but this book was a revelation to that. The music, bullying, pain-in-the-ass stepdad and the fashion getup. Thumbs up to that!

The characters:
Eleanor--- red-haired, plus-sized (look at the picture of the author at the back of the book. *sigh* Couldn't she think of other MC besides herself?), always-bullied girl with a weird fashion taste and weirder family. Yeah, I could put up with that. Tho her sometimes immaturity and shallowness made her less reliable as the main character. One example was the little, she-started-it, where-it-came-from fight with Park. Totally Mary Sue.

Park--- a cute Asian kid with a good taste in music and a wealthy family. When Eleanor first describe him, I thought "Finally a change in the YA novel." We have to admit that he and Eleanor were one of the oddest (and not just because of their physical flaws) characters ever written. But I really like Park and I wouldn't mind if I'll meet someone like him. Park is so cute I wished he was near me when I was reading this book so I could pinch his cheek.

Their love story:
This was the winning point. I love their two-against-the-world story. Although I think their from-strangers-to-lovers relationship was a bit abrupt, I loved that the author shows what it was reallylike to be in love for the first time. The bliss. The giggles. The fights. Even the risks of it. The school bus definitely represents their love story.

The ending:
The twist of all the twists in the story. Couldn't it be more heartbreaking? I have to say that was totally unexpected but remarkably enough to close this novel.

All in all:
Fine. Could have been in my favorite-books shelf tho their are a lot of buts.It would have been a very beautiful novel if not for the author's lack of grasp and more-tell-than-show style and unstable plot. So I think it deserves 3 stars from me (it's still a 'i liked it' rate, right?:)).

Queen of the Clueless: A Review

Cliffhanger! Couldn't wait to find out who will Hannah choose Quin (is she the one for him? Or is he really toying with that young teacher?), the Son of God (and wet blankets)? Robbie (he totally deserve Hannah. She need someone like him!), the super cute, romantic human? Or maybe Diego (what the hell was the kiss supposed to mean? That was a surprise!), the God of Sea (and fistfight) has a chance. I don't know with the rest but I'm 100% Team Robbie, woohoo! Plus what will happen about her being an Interim Goddess of Love (and where the hell is the original goddess?). I couldn't wait to grab a paperback of Icon of the Indecisive eeep.

3.5 stars actually. The chess code in the end was very clever(although I didn't 'totally' get how it works.haha). Tho there were parts in the story that I thought weren't necessary to the main plot. Plus I only got excited on the last part. And still, I don't get the meaning of Hannah's dreams (or dreams were not suppose to be discern?)

Nevertheless, I think this is one of the best books of Ms. Mina. A break through for her as a fantasy-paranormal writer. *clap clap*