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blithesquesttoread's reviews
476 reviews
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
5.0
'But it doesn't matter. For now, these steps are enough. These first few precious steps into darkness. Into the unknown. Into freedom.'
An ember in the ashes was a totally different, unique and beautiful book that captivated the readers and forced them to think nothing else other than that. I love the way everything falls out and the fact that it doesn't follow the natural trend of books.
To begin with, we got to know about a girl who fully believed that despite her mother being the lioness and her father the most courageous man ever, she had nothing of them in herself. She believed that she was neither brave nor courageous, instead she was a coward who didn't help her brother in the time of need. She didn't believe in herself and that's what makes this book more engaging. How the story unfolds itself, how this girl finally realises the strength in herself and the fact that she is ready to do anything that will make her brother live.
The the story comes to a boy who is a martial and who was abandoned by his mother the moment in stepped into the world. He had a strange enthusiasm, fire and smoothness in himself which made him seem more and more realistic. He doesn't want to become like his mother, full of savage and ruthless; he does not wish to serve the empire, to kill the scholars. He doesn't want to kill anyone who isn't guilty, he does not want to get engaged into the lifelessness of every mask present. Instead he wants freedom, freedom from tyranny, freedom from a life where nothing except guilt, savage, lifelessness and destruction exists. He slowly comes to believe that he just like every other mask, willing to kill tons and tons of people. But in the end he discovers that there is more to his life and his life is set for a good cause.
Not only these two characters keep me engaged in the story. All the other characters, the story of their life, the thoughts and intentions they have and the mysteries they have in their life. Every other character compels the readers to think to race their mind behind them thinking is it exactly the way it is? And lastly I like how mysterious the love story was in this book. I loved the true friendship between the best of friends, the fact that they never left each others side.
This book makes you endure all the moments because of the fire, courage, love, kindness, braveness and purpose that is embedded in each page, each paragraph, each line and each word. It has portrayed itself in such a way that I cannot even leave the book after completing it! I love it sooooooooo much β€ and I am so thankful to the writer who gave her readers such a lovely story to live through!!
I recommend 'An ember in the ashes' to every single person out there who is looking for mystery, adventure, romance, terror, supernatural powers and beings!!!!! ππ
'Four they are, and four traits we seek:
Courage to face their darkest fears
Cunning to outwit their foes
Strength of arms and mind and heart
Loyalty to break the soul.'
An ember in the ashes was a totally different, unique and beautiful book that captivated the readers and forced them to think nothing else other than that. I love the way everything falls out and the fact that it doesn't follow the natural trend of books.
To begin with, we got to know about a girl who fully believed that despite her mother being the lioness and her father the most courageous man ever, she had nothing of them in herself. She believed that she was neither brave nor courageous, instead she was a coward who didn't help her brother in the time of need. She didn't believe in herself and that's what makes this book more engaging. How the story unfolds itself, how this girl finally realises the strength in herself and the fact that she is ready to do anything that will make her brother live.
The the story comes to a boy who is a martial and who was abandoned by his mother the moment in stepped into the world. He had a strange enthusiasm, fire and smoothness in himself which made him seem more and more realistic. He doesn't want to become like his mother, full of savage and ruthless; he does not wish to serve the empire, to kill the scholars. He doesn't want to kill anyone who isn't guilty, he does not want to get engaged into the lifelessness of every mask present. Instead he wants freedom, freedom from tyranny, freedom from a life where nothing except guilt, savage, lifelessness and destruction exists. He slowly comes to believe that he just like every other mask, willing to kill tons and tons of people. But in the end he discovers that there is more to his life and his life is set for a good cause.
Not only these two characters keep me engaged in the story. All the other characters, the story of their life, the thoughts and intentions they have and the mysteries they have in their life. Every other character compels the readers to think to race their mind behind them thinking is it exactly the way it is? And lastly I like how mysterious the love story was in this book. I loved the true friendship between the best of friends, the fact that they never left each others side.
This book makes you endure all the moments because of the fire, courage, love, kindness, braveness and purpose that is embedded in each page, each paragraph, each line and each word. It has portrayed itself in such a way that I cannot even leave the book after completing it! I love it sooooooooo much β€ and I am so thankful to the writer who gave her readers such a lovely story to live through!!
I recommend 'An ember in the ashes' to every single person out there who is looking for mystery, adventure, romance, terror, supernatural powers and beings!!!!! ππ
'Four they are, and four traits we seek:
Courage to face their darkest fears
Cunning to outwit their foes
Strength of arms and mind and heart
Loyalty to break the soul.'
Fruit Punch Kisses by K.S. Thomas
5.0
Well, can't say I was disappointed.
Fruit Punch Kisses follows the story of Mercy and Frank who have been neighbors since childhood. This trope is kind of the best one but what made it utterly beautiful was the way it was narrated. Boy, you can't compare to that. I was on the edge the whole time, anticipating what will happen next. And what got to me was these little surprises here and there.
I was giving an advance reviewer copy for this book in exchange for an honest review.
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I just realized why I hadn't any of the books by K. S. Thomas in so long. Because, every time I read one, I have to question myself whether I'll find such a beautiful story again.
Fruit Punch Kisses follows the story of Mercy and Frank who have been neighbors since childhood. This trope is kind of the best one but what made it utterly beautiful was the way it was narrated. Boy, you can't compare to that. I was on the edge the whole time, anticipating what will happen next. And what got to me was these little surprises here and there.
I was giving an advance reviewer copy for this book in exchange for an honest review.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just realized why I hadn't any of the books by K. S. Thomas in so long. Because, every time I read one, I have to question myself whether I'll find such a beautiful story again.
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
4.0
TBH, I really can't decide how much I liked this book. I mean surely at some point it had me so gripped that I couldn't keep it down.
It starts off with story of Bridge. About an accident she had encountered when she was young and then we come to seventh grade following the stories of three best friends: Tab, Bridge and Emily. And then comes Sherm. And the mystery girl who isn't that big of a mystery as you come to the end. It's like when I was reading the chps for the mystery girl, all I could think about was something bad has happened like really bad. And the ending did kept me stunned. I was like - wait, what? Okay. Cool.
But anyway there are really great things said in this book really suited for teenagers. I guess i picked it up and the right age or maybe if I was a bit younger, it wouldn't have made a big difference. The title actually makes sense once you have read it, it is fairly justified (and by saying this I think I writing an answer for my English paper...)
So yes. I really am glad that I read it and I did love it. I am very much tempted to read it again this instance very carefully to see if I missed anything (which to be honest I think I have).
It starts off with story of Bridge. About an accident she had encountered when she was young and then we come to seventh grade following the stories of three best friends: Tab, Bridge and Emily. And then comes Sherm. And the mystery girl who isn't that big of a mystery as you come to the end. It's like when I was reading the chps for the mystery girl, all I could think about was something bad has happened like really bad. And the ending did kept me stunned. I was like - wait, what? Okay. Cool.
But anyway there are really great things said in this book really suited for teenagers. I guess i picked it up and the right age or maybe if I was a bit younger, it wouldn't have made a big difference. The title actually makes sense once you have read it, it is fairly justified (and by saying this I think I writing an answer for my English paper...)
So yes. I really am glad that I read it and I did love it. I am very much tempted to read it again this instance very carefully to see if I missed anything (which to be honest I think I have).
With Whom We Spend Our Lives by K.S. Thomas
5.0
Do I seriously need to mention how freaking awesome this book is? Scratch that. This book is freaking adorable, intense, amazing, magnificent and all the adjectives that come to your mind. I am seriously short of those.
I'll be honest.. The first thought that came to my mind was I don't want to read this book. And trust me that would be because I knew it was going to be intense and heavy, not in a way which makes you bawl your eyes but rather in a way which makes you think. And that's the thing which I loved about this book. At first I thought the story was about a totally different couples because I wanted Gina to be center of the book but later I came to know that in a way she was.
I cannot even began to write all my thoughts about this book. So I'll keep it short. With whom we spend our lives is not a book which should be taken lightly. It's a book which should be taken seriously and with open mind because the characters, the plot and the setting has a lot to impart to us. It's filled with wisdom and comedy which frankly many of us lack and what's more? It's field with the feeling of hope and believe. To realize what's yours and seek it even if a lot of time has passed because it's never too late. It's sickly sweet to see how all the relationships mentioned in the fit into place so nicely. I just can't stop thinking about it.
And the last thing I would like to say is that Ms. Thomas does not kid. I mean she's freaking awesome. That's it. That's all I will say because frankly? I totally loooovveddd this book and I am just going to stop and fangirl over this book and its author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I'll be honest.. The first thought that came to my mind was I don't want to read this book. And trust me that would be because I knew it was going to be intense and heavy, not in a way which makes you bawl your eyes but rather in a way which makes you think. And that's the thing which I loved about this book. At first I thought the story was about a totally different couples because I wanted Gina to be center of the book but later I came to know that in a way she was.
I cannot even began to write all my thoughts about this book. So I'll keep it short. With whom we spend our lives is not a book which should be taken lightly. It's a book which should be taken seriously and with open mind because the characters, the plot and the setting has a lot to impart to us. It's filled with wisdom and comedy which frankly many of us lack and what's more? It's field with the feeling of hope and believe. To realize what's yours and seek it even if a lot of time has passed because it's never too late. It's sickly sweet to see how all the relationships mentioned in the fit into place so nicely. I just can't stop thinking about it.
And the last thing I would like to say is that Ms. Thomas does not kid. I mean she's freaking awesome. That's it. That's all I will say because frankly? I totally loooovveddd this book and I am just going to stop and fangirl over this book and its author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Troublemaker by John Cho
Top 5 Reasons to Read this book
1. Middle grade book with important topic: I have always believed that Middle Grade books have much more depth than I sometimes find in adult books. This book especially discusses so much β growing up amidst conflict, immigration experience, the internal conflicts of kids, dealing with expectations and most importantly the ethics or role of a gun.
2. Immigration experience: It discusses immigration experience and the struggles that immigrants face β living in an environment they thought would provide the best opportunities, but that might or might not be true.
3. Rekindling of relationships: Friendships and Familial relationships are precious but they can be hurt or broken as easily and it covers ground about it.
4. Makes you think about right and wrong: Nothing is the same way as it is. We might think that a person is good/bad but is it the actions that are good/bad or the person? How do we classify a person in these categories? Violence might not be the answer to solutions always but how can we use that as an excuse to deny rights and freedom and justice to people. Can violence in the name of perpetual threat of petty things actually be justified β (in case you are wondering, no.)?
5. Narration is easy going and hooking: The thing about this book is, it tells you on paper about the questions asked ahead but in such a way that the authors thoughts arenβt imposed on the readers. Which is super amazing!
This book actually made me search the events of 1992 in LA. I really recommend reading this book!
Content Warnings: fires described, gun violence described, riots
I was provided with an arc in exchange of an honest review
1. Middle grade book with important topic: I have always believed that Middle Grade books have much more depth than I sometimes find in adult books. This book especially discusses so much β growing up amidst conflict, immigration experience, the internal conflicts of kids, dealing with expectations and most importantly the ethics or role of a gun.
2. Immigration experience: It discusses immigration experience and the struggles that immigrants face β living in an environment they thought would provide the best opportunities, but that might or might not be true.
3. Rekindling of relationships: Friendships and Familial relationships are precious but they can be hurt or broken as easily and it covers ground about it.
4. Makes you think about right and wrong: Nothing is the same way as it is. We might think that a person is good/bad but is it the actions that are good/bad or the person? How do we classify a person in these categories? Violence might not be the answer to solutions always but how can we use that as an excuse to deny rights and freedom and justice to people. Can violence in the name of perpetual threat of petty things actually be justified β (in case you are wondering, no.)?
5. Narration is easy going and hooking: The thing about this book is, it tells you on paper about the questions asked ahead but in such a way that the authors thoughts arenβt imposed on the readers. Which is super amazing!
This book actually made me search the events of 1992 in LA. I really recommend reading this book!
Content Warnings: fires described, gun violence described, riots
Spoiler
The whole novel revolves in some way around gun and what it signifies.I was provided with an arc in exchange of an honest review