Hello, hello! We are halfway (and a litte more) through #TheReadingQuest hosted by Aentee @ Read at Midnight, and I think I’m doing pretty good! I’m sure there are people reading far more than me, but considering the speed in which I usually read, I’m quite happy. (During this Quest, I am reading each book in about four days, when usually it would take me over a week with school going on.)
I have really enjoyed the books that I have chosen so far and have been able to keep up with my original schedule. I have read three books so far: Shadow Run by Adrianne Strickland & Michael Miller, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, and I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter. I am currently reading The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski, but unfortunately I am a little behind. If you’re interested in what I plan on reading for the rest of the Quest, check out my sign-up post!
Update:
Overall EXP: 40
Overall HP: 115
Current Level: 1
All of this is according to the info I have entered into this lovely spreadsheet created by Lauren @ Wonderless Reviews. (Thank you sooo much, Lauren, for creating such a helpful tool in my reading adventure!!) Also, don’t judge for my rather low level/EXP, I am doing this for FUN, and I am not concerned about the points!
Reviews:
Shadow Run by Adrianne Strickland & Michael Miller
- I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I had been anticipating it for quite a while, but it was better than I imagined it would be!
- I included this book in my Top Ten Tuesday post about Star Wars read-a-likes, but I was not aware of the extent of their similarities. I found Shadow Run to be very VERY similar to Star Wars, which is not a bad thing. There is an ominous force controlling people, a rogue pilot with an awesome ship, adventurous royalty, similarly dressed guards, and even light saber like weapons!
- Qole was a really awesome pilot, and I would have loved to be a member of her crew. Even though the work they did with Shadow (a mysterious substance that can poison people) was rather dangerous.
- I don’t know how to pronounce Qole, but I keep saying it in my head like “Cole”.
- All the members of Qole’s crew were really cool, and they all had mysteriously complex backstories. They seemed very real and each played an important role in the story. I love complex minor characters, as they add depth and personality to the story.
- And next we have Nev. Interesting, strangely knowledgeable Nev. There’s not really a whole lot I can say about him that won’t spoil the book, but he was a pretty cool character. I kind of didn’t like him at first, but by the end he was tied for favorite (with Qole of course).
- Now, Qole and Nev had an interesting relationship. There was no “insta-love” or anything like that, and it seemed they didn’t really like each other at all for a while. The story wasn’t focused on romance, which was kind of nice. (Don’t get me wrong, I love a good romance, but sometimes it’s refreshing to have something without.)
- I loved their universe! It was very Star Wars-y and full of multiple planet systems. They traveled through space several times, which sounds kind of fun! Each planet was described differently, so I felt I was right there, too!
- The universe had a lot of history that was hinted at, but never really expanded upon. Maybe we can get more of that in the next book.
- In the end, I loved it!! Shadow Run is a really fun, fast moving sci-fi book for fans of all kinds!
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny
Han
- I have been wanting to read this one for some time now, and The Reading Quest was the perfect opportunity!
- It focuses on Lara Jean and some of the boys that she has “loved” before… hence the title. She has written, but not mailed, a letter to each of them, and someone somehow mails them without her knowing.
- One of the boys who receives a letter, Pete, is the local popular guy, while another is her sister’s boyfriend AKA their neighbor.
- Now, I didn’t really like Pete. He was just kind of a jerk. He seemed to be your stereotypical jock who doesn’t really care about anyone but himself. Fortunately, he’s changing, which is good.
- I personally was rooting for the neighbor, Josh. He was nicer and cuter and generally better than Pete.
- Boys aside, Lara Jean has two sisters, both of whom are really awesome! One of them has gone away to college, but the younger one is still around to bother Lara Jean and do what sisters do. The three of them had such a wonderful relationship! It would be wonderful to have sisters like that, who always care about you and will always have fun.
- Their dad was pretty cool, too, even though he was very much your typical book dad. He loved his daughters and made sure they were taken care of.
- Overall, the characters were a bit meh personality wise, but it was still a good book! I still felt for Lara Jean and wanted to her to be happy!
I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
- Hello, secret spy school! Cammie has such an awesome school full of secret passages and interesting classes.
- Other than the school, Cammie has two wonderful best friends. They each have personalities as vivid as Cammie’s, and they are important to her work and the story.
- I really liked both Liz and Bex, whom are both fun, lively, and wonderful friends. The three of them work extremely well together, and I love when best friends are included in books and are given an important role in the story.
- Cammie’s mom is really cool, too, as she is also a spy. She is the headmistress of the school, yet she always takes time to eat dinner and chill with her daughter. She has the best of intentions, and clearly loves Cammie.
- Josh is a bit stereotypical and boring, but I still want the best for him and Cammie. (Wow, I didn’t realize I read two books with a love interest named Josh!)
- He is showing her what it’s like to have a normal life, even though he doesn’t exactly know that he is.
- Overall, I enjoyed this book! It was fun and interesting, given the spy school aspect. I loved the involvement of best friends and a loving mom!
Blue Binding 