The Dream Thieves (Raven Cycle #2)
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same.
Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life.
Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
The Dream Thieves is the second book in the Raven Cycle series, and the sequel to The Raven Boys. I adored The Raven Boys, but I think I prefer the sequel. The books are set in Henrietta, a relatively small Virginia town. It's a town filled with hit men and prep school boys and clairvoyants and boys who can take objects from their dreams. The Dream Thieves is brimming with mystery, adventure, romantic confusion, and most of all, magic. The entire plot is captivating, and there was not a moment I wanted to set the book down, even to eat, let alone sleep. The world, though fantastical, has an element of reality that makes it even more compelling. The story is filled with tiny facts and details that left me yearning for more more more. The character development in the novel is ample, but not unrealistic. The main characters themselves are cool yet flawed, and I wish they were my best friends. The relationship growth between characters is practically tangible and it's genuinely fascinating to see how they change. The side characters, too, are equally compelling and relatable. Even though most of them are psychics, they make the story seem more real by adding minute details. With the characters' eyes acting as a lens and her majestic writing style, Stiefvater builds a world I want to live in more than any other. The writing itself seems to ebb and flow, though Stiefvater's writing style is entirely different from any other author I have had the pleasure of. The Dream Thieves is absolutely one of my favorite books. It is unparalleled in the YA fantasy realm, with compelling characters, an engrossing plot, and beautiful writing. In my eyes, this book (and series) is exceptional, and practically without fault. There is no part of me that hasn't adored reading The Dream Thieves nearly a dozen times. Needless to say, I'm giving this book a perfect 5 star rating, because, were it up to me, I'd give it as many stars as fill the night sky over Henrietta. I'd honestly recommend this book to nearly anyone, because I think it's so spectacular. If you're looking for an amazing adventure, pick up the first book in the series The Raven Boys, and don't stop there, because The Dream Thieves is even better.
P.S.
GANSEY + BLUE FOR LIFE. #OTP
For fans of Tina Fey and David Sedaris—Internet star Jenny Lawson, aka The Bloggess, makes her literary debut.
Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In the #1 New York Times bestseller, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”; “And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane.” Pictures with captions (no one would believe these things without proof) accompany the text.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Fair warning, this book is not for the faint of heart. It's also a bit different from what I usually find myself reading. I've only read a few memoirs, but I've really liked them. This book has certainly opened my eyes to a new genre that I look forward to delving further into.
I've been a fan of Lawson's blog for years, so to purchase her book once it hit paperback seemed obvious. I was not disappointed. Filled with as much wit, hilarity, and poignance as her blog, Let's Pretend left me laughing on trains and contemplating life. Lawson certainly has a unique voice and writing style. The book is filled with rambling run-ons and incoherent thoughts. While the memoir is so funny it left my sides hurting even after having read it half a dozen times, it was still intelligent. The stark contrast between chapters of humorous marital arguments and those of her struggles with miscarriages and her health problems is what made this book resonate with me. Lawson proved that though life can suck, it can also be hilariously wonderful. Within her anecdotes, she explores sacrifice and other deep topics. I loved this book, because it was not a great literary work. Lawson will not win any trophies for beautifully constructed sentences. But her story could not have been told in a better way. Within the award-winning humor lies deeper messages. The fact that she, with such a unique voice, could manage to make me snort with laughter and also contemplate life is what made her book stand out for me. I came for the humor, but stayed for the message.
This book is not for everyone. The writing style is not clean filled with incoherencies which would be quite unexpected for those unfamiliar with her blog, "The Bloggess". I suggest it, however, to anyone looking for laughs, because it will deliver. But don't delve into it expecting just another book. Like Lawson's life, the book is an adventure. It was one that I loved, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars.
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What unique books have you read lately? Any suggestions for what to read next? Comment to tell me!
Timepiece by Myra McEntire
Pages:
Series: Hourglass Book 2
Summary (from Goodreads): A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...
Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?
Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.
Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...
The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.
If Timepiece were a dish served to me at a restaurant, I would order ten. And come back for more. This begin said, I was a bit wary of this book. I swear by Hourglass. It's undoubtably one of my favorite books of 2011. And I wasn’t completely sure the sequel could match the hope I had for it. In addition, I wasn’t sure about the shift in narrative. But when I finished Timepiece, all I felt was love. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll keep my fangirling brief.
Kaleb is the sexiest guy narrator ever. I seriously fell in love with him. His development was clear and believable. And his humor! I was laughing at every turn of the page.
The plot was simply amazing. The twists and turns were always unexpected. Each detail felt important and relevant to the story, and each character added something. And there’s a certain magic to the tale, something you just don’t see everyday. The pacing was perfect, and before I knew it I was finished with this wondrous creation.
This review could be sprawling and filled with spoilers, but it still wouldn’t, couldn’t, be able to truly capture the true essence of Timepiece. To understand the AMAZING that is this book, you must read it. So with the highest recommendations, I’m giving Timepiece 5/5 stars. In all honesty, it deserves closer to 100. But alas.
If you haven’t read Hourglass or Timepiece...What are you waiting for? Shoo. The clock’s ticking.
-Jill
