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Bookaholic


E. Singaporean, female.
20 and enjoys reading & crazing.
YA paranormal, fantasy, dystopian, sci-fi, supernatural-romance/mystery.
Wings Series is the LUV.

On the read
If I Should Die by Amy Plum.
Upcoming reads
Insurgent by Veronica Roth.
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg.
Ripple by Mandy Hubbard.
One Day More (LAT Novella) by Aprilynne Pike.
Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting.
Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike.
Beautiful Darkness by Kami, G & Magaret, S.
Elegy by Tara Hudson.
Infinityglass by Myra McEntire.
Tormenting Lila (Short) by Sarah Alderson.
Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike.
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen.
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen.

Authors
Aprilynne Pike Sarah Dessen Myra McEntire Stephanie Bond Amy Plum Tara Hudson S.C. Ransom Kimberly Derting Sarah Alderson Becca Fitzpat


Favourite Books
Wings Series by Aprilynne Pike.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen.

Revenants (Die for Me) series by Amy Plum.

Hourglass series by Myra McEntire.

Hereafter Trilogy by Tara Hudson.

Lila Series by Sarah Alderson.

Hush, hush Saga by Becca Fitzpatrick.

Body Movers Series by Stephanie Bond.

Small Blue Thing Trilogy by S.C. Ransom.

Body Finder Series by Kimberly Derting.

Caster Chronicles (Beautiful Creatures) by Kami Garcia & Margaret Sothl.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

Divergent Series by Veronica Roth.

City Of Ember Series by Jeanne DuPrau.

Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer.


Thoughts on If I Should Die
About a month ago I had read Die for Me, Until I Die and the novella Die for Her, and wrote down a long post regarding my thoughts on those. And here today, I've just completed If I Should Die - the finale to the series - not an hour ago and here to pen down final thoughts to this series I've come to love so much about.

"I lean my head on his shoulder and gaze around the room, feeling a deep sense of joy in knowing my fate is irrevocably tied to these people I love."

If I Should Die, it simply gives you everything a final book should. And more. I have to really commend and praise Amy Plum for her amazing writing & all the theories she has incorporated so well into this final, breathtaking finale. It's not a description only, but the book really had me gasping for air at many times. Throughout this book till the very end of it, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't bring myself and am not willing to say good bye to the characters. But all good things come to an end, and I'm just glad we got this fitting end from Amy Plum. Except maybe, just a little tiny weeny space in my heart could not be filled. Shall elaborate later.

First and foremost, I always start with the plot and setting. The setting was superbly described and placed as usual. Besides the romantic (and dark) Paris, we've also gotten new exposure to New York. I'm really glad for this visit to Kate's hometown, for we all know her background, but have never visited her roots. I don't want to give away ANY spoilers, so I'm not saying much about the plot. I have to once again highlight my praises for Amy Plum. Every single sentence, theories (regarding the bardia, numa, guerisseur), surprises, twists and characters/relationship developments clicked together PERFECTLY. So well done. It all makes perfect sense and caught me off guard where it was suppose to, with one thing leading up to another in a total smooth flow. Since the first book, the plot of this whole series was what attracted me first and most. And I'm honestly glad Amy did not disappoint with this last book, but did the plot even better and exceeds all the expectations I had. I had to say, while many readers had some predictions correct and part of the story might lack predictability, the way Amy played out all these plot were still amazing and left us with a whole new feeling. A very good one. Whenever these plot played out with the theories added in, I find myself having to lift my eyes away from the book and catch a good breath. It was that good and that breathtakingly awesome and well written, seriously. It all played out to a fitting end, where sweetness, happiness were mixed with sadness, grief and regrets. But this is how endings are always like, isn't it? It only made everything more realistic.

While the series's plot caught my attention firsthand, I came to love and grown attach to all those amazing characters. Amy gave them all their individual charms, and it worked like wonder. I adore all of them for who they are, all of them, while I definitely have some of preference. I'm gonna have a hard time deciding who do I elaborate on... 

"Whatever happens, remember that I will love you forever," he says. "Even if my spirit is dispersed and my consciousness released to the universe... whatever is left of me will never stop loving you."

Let's kick it off with our main leads of the story. Kate and Vincent. Kate... She has grown so much and completely since we first known her. The mournful, grief-stricken girl... she's no longer her. While that will always be part of her, Kate has newfound courage and characteristics that helped her transformed into someone stronger and better. We witnessed her growth, and I'm really touched to see how she all transformed into this heroine she now is. I love this girl right from the start. Perhaps it was because of her background that I could relate to... and more than that, her strong personality that refuse to be bind by fate, to work on her own to get what she wants, overcoming all obstacles. Of course, we have Vincent to thank for that. Vincent said to Kate at the beginning of the book that he awoke the first time he saw her. But I always thought, Kate also awoke after meeting Vincent. He is a major part of the reason she's grown and transformed. Being together and separated again and again, I've witnessed how their love has grown into something so powerful, so beautiful and still didn't change throughout everything they went through, but their codependence for each other's love only stronger and so much more touching to our hearts. The things they were able to do and sacrifice for one another. It touches my heart. Vincent particularly wormed his ways into my heart in this book. All his attention, overprotectiveness and care for Kate... at times had me melting to his sweetness and at times brought me to tears, like during the scene where Kate explored the bedroom Vincent had decorated for her in La Maison. Oh, so sweet. Together, they're a perfectly completed shape. I'm honestly glad this pair got what they deserved so so well, and I know that they're story had not come to an end, a full circle, but a story the 2 can continue to progress on their own, for they have so much more to explore and go through together. :')

"Never fear, Zombie Man is here! Just kidding. Bending iron bars is, sadly, not in my superhero resume."

Besides the 2 main leads, I have to once again commend Amy for the charms she has incorporated so well in side characters. This is a story where the side characters all had their turn to shine and for us to adore. Ambrose, the big brother to Katie-Lou, while Vincent was away, I was seriously warmed and touched by the protectiveness he has over her, and throughout the book. He's like the ideal big brother. And not to mention, Ambrose has the most awesome sense of humour, I totally laughed right out everytime he made a joke or when he laughed at something. Charlotte, I'm so glad she was back in so much for this final book! Kate aside, she's also truly an amazing heroine on her own, showing us a side of her that Kate (and us readers) never thought she would be. Definitely different from the soft Charlotte I had thought she was in Die for Me. She truly deserved her happily ever after, and I am so happy for her about that. Not to mention how happy she was when she saw her twin brother again because, I, for one, is glad to see Charles again to be honest, even if it was just for a while. Other characters like Georgia, Mamie, Papy, Louis, Jeanne, JB, even Theodore Gold are all still as awesome, Kate's family were so understanding and so supportive throughout all the circumstances, and I love them for that. Finally, there is Bran, Gaspard and Arthur. Bran took on a very crucial role in this book, but he is a good man that really supported the bardia a lot just like he was meant to. The guerisseurs archives were particularly amazing. As for Gaspard and Arthur, these 2 totally caught my attention in this book. All the help that they offered so supportively, and Arthur being so sweet to Georgia... He just changed so much from the Arthur we've known in Until I Die, but a really good change. And I felt really sorry for Gaspard at the end. But these are the bittersweetness and grief we'll have to live with.

"I'm glad I was here to help you two reconnect. You both mean everything to me."

Finally... Jules. He wasn't around a lot through the series actually. While he was Vincent's boyfriend and a significant side character, he doesn't appear a lot. But the way Amy wrote this character, even when he doesn't appear a lot was amazing. Amazing enough to make me come to adore this frenchman so greatly. I felt truly heartbroken for all he has gone through, and the decisions he made in this book. I understood, like Kate. But it doesn't mean I like it. Through Die for Her, we all know how much Jules is in love with Kate. What happened in this book I guess, really triggered his pain in his attempt to stay loyal to Vincent and pushing aside his feelings to Kate. Despite it all, he did everything he could in helping the two of them. I was really touched and torn at the same time. How could someone be so fiercely loyal to his best friend while being in love with his best friend's girl? He's just one good man. So when he made his decision when Vincent was back, I get that its a perfect time for him to do something like that. And he did kept his promise to provide help at any crucial point. And I was just as glad for seeing him in that moment. It just hurts me so much. It doesn't really feel like a closure for Jules' character towards the end of the book, with him still away. Like all others Jules' fans, I shall live in hope for a short story or spinoff about him too. Throughout it all and what he has become, he has to deserve so much more, and his very own one true love, too. But as for now, I too, for one, felt that same way as Kate, that he will be back. Pain lessens with time, and Paris kindred is his home. I believe he would be back in the future back to his friends, I trust and I dare to hope. Because while he's in love with Kate deeply, I also missed it so much when he, Ambrose and Vincent were the best of friends, brothers. They still are best friends to each other of course (esp Vincent and Jules), I know, but it isn't in a complete manner. But the ties between them are those that cannot be compromise despite all circumstances, I can feel it. He had said it, Vincent's the closest person to him in the world. Jules is not someone who would abandon his ties like that. Thus, I truly hope in that world of revenants, Jules will return home to his kindred. :') And I really shall hope for a closure of sorts for Jules in the future, if Amy ever decides to return to him. But Jules had been amazing, really. 

I haven't started this series right from the start, but I have now ended the journey together with everyone. It was an amazing, epic trilogy with an awesomely written and planned plot, and awesome main/side characters with charms of their own for everyone to love. I have come to love the plot, so attached to the ties all the characters has forged amongst one another. Praises for Amy Plum, I can't wait to see more of her writing in other books! I will never forget the revenants and their story of what they went through, it will always live in my heart. I will always miss Kate, Vincent, Jules, Ambrose, Charlotte, JB, Gaspard, Arthur, Georgia, Papy, Mamie, Charles, Jeanne, Bran... and all of it, Paris. I wish a happily ever after of an eternity to Kate and Vincent, to the revenants, to Jules (and rly with hope and believe his returns). And finally, I will always take time to revisit to their world. Definitely. Goodbye all, for now:) Thank you Amy, for all of these. :)

DATE:Sunday 19 May 2013 TIME:{23:29} COMMENTS: (0) comments

HAPPY (FINAL) BOOK BIRTHDAY!
After 2 novels and 1 novella, IF I SHOULD DIE, the final book to the DIE FOR ME series about the world of revenants, COMES OUT TODAY!

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!


YAY! MAY IT BE A BESTSELLER AND A SUCCESSFUL FINALE!

Let me repeat myself that I recently only started this series 2 months ago, but it had been a super fun ride to be along with Kate, Vincent, Jules & the other revenants/characters. I haven't begin their journey with them right from the start, together with the author and other readers, but looking forward to conclude my journey with everyone together! So I'm eagerly waiting for IF I SHOULD DIE to hit local bookstores in Singapore! I'm guessing it wouldn't take too long (I hope!). I just can't read any other books until I'm done with this.

My favourite IF I SHOULD DIE Blog tour stops:
http://www.fangirlish.com/were-kicking-off-the-if-i-should-die-blog-tour/#more-22777 - Jules special post
http://www.pageturnersblog.com/2013/04/if-i-should-die-blog-tour-excerpt-two.html - Excerpt
http://ya-sisterhood.blogspot.sg/2013/05/blog-tour-if-i-should-die-by-amy-plum.html - Vincent's Interview

Will post thoughts on it after I've got the book and read it. ;)

DATE:Tuesday 7 May 2013 TIME:{00:00} COMMENTS: (0) comments

The read on the Revenants.
It's April and this is finally, my first book blogpost for the year (oh my gosh, that was long.). And my current blog background were inspired from the books I'm gonna talk about...

And guess which books kicked start to 2013 on my blog?! It's none other than the beautiful series about Revenants - Die for Me, Until I Die & the recent book 2.5 novella Die for Her by Amy Plum! (Spoilers warned on Die for Me, Until I Die & Die for Her.)

Revenant. 1. One that returns after a lengthy absence. 2. One who returns after death. [French, from present participle of revenir, to return]
Started and completed these 3 reads over the past 1.5 months, and let me say, I surely did not expect myself to be SO crazy over it and love it THAT much. Now that I'm done with the 3 reads, all I can do is to sit and wait patiently for If I Should Die - finale coming out in a couple of weeks, to which its been feeling like a year's wait.

The series tells the story about an ordinary girl, Kate Mercier, moving to Paris with her sister, Georgia, after the death of their parents in a car accident. And that is where she met Vincent, the male lead of the series along with others of his kind - meaning to say the revenants, the undead.

First of all, I'll start off by commenting on the books' setting in Paris, France. When I first saw that this book is gonna be set in Paris, the City of Light, I thought that mmm, it definitely is going to have its fresh take. Indeed, Amy Plum's description of the setting, all the different parts and places, and the way she incorporated the story, characters and everything with it is totally beautiful. While Paris always has it romantic touch, who would have imagine that it could have a dark side, that the undead(s) are residing there for centuries? If you think about it, it would have made you feel that Paris creepier than you thought. But for readers who adore the series, I'm sure everyone just love Paris even more after what Amy Plum does to it, because I do. ;)

The storyline and plot of this revenants series particularly drawn me in deep. This is the 3rd "undead" series that I've read, and by far, this is the one that had the storyline pulling and attracting me a lot more than the characters. I'm usually the "characters first, story later" person. But when it comes to the series this time around, the storyline was what attracted me most first. I can't comment enough on how awesome and great the story was - the history, the introduction, how Kate discovers the revenants, how she slowly got to learn more and more about it and meeting the revenants' world of dangers, the rivalry and action between the bardia and numa, it was all very well paced and developed throughout Die for Me to Until I Die. Every time you flip a page, new theories about the revenants are presented to you, and I have to stop myself from gasping as every mystery and doubt I have on my mind when I first started reading got resolved, and I slowly get thrown into that world too. All the revenants' theories are so in depth, so well-explained and so fitting, and I'm really impressed with the way Amy Plum presented them - especially the fact about the compulsion that all revenants have to sacrifice themselves over and over again to save humans' life, and about their re-animation. There was a really well mix of doubts, romance, theories, humour and actions. Not forgetting the plot twists - thrown in right at the exact point and caught me by surprise of what happened in there, in both book 1 and 2 but especially Until I Die. By the end of book 2, there were still SO many doubts and questions unanswered and of course that one MAJOR cliffhanger that totally keeps me pinning away for the 3rd book. I just can't stop thinking about and guessing what would happen in If I Should Die - which I'm sure Amy would have me caught by surprise a lot again. But it was all really well-planned for the trilogy, as Die for Me and Until I Die is just the ideal way you would want the first 2 books in a series to be.

Even though the storyline attracted me first than its characters, I've came to love the characters and their relationships in the book so much. They're just so realistic - with the mix of their own strengths and weaknesses. Kate - this girl is just one natural heroine in my opinion. Having just lost her parents, she hides herself in her own protective circle, being traumatize by death. When she met Vincent, though, everything changes. While she was still her protective self at first, she was slowly able to open up and really live again, as she spent more and more time with Vincent. For this I'm thankful to Vincent, as we got to see how awesome and brave Kate really is. She has finally came to the firm standing that she will not lose anyone she love again, and she'll do anything to protect her loved ones, and we really see how Kate actioned all these in Until I Die. She was so brave, searching on solutions for Vincent on her own because she doesn't want him to suffer from restraining to sacrifice and die, putting herself through possible dangers. And when she lost Vincent, she was still so strong and firm that she has to get him back, and to run back to Vincent's kindreds as shown in Die for Her. I really admire her strength, both physically and mentally, as well as her bravery, one true heroine. Vincent - an all time hero, having waiting a long time to meet Kate, I love how he's always putting Kate right infront of his priorities, always being so protective and caring. Whatever he does and whatever he goes through, he just wants to make sure that Kate is safe. The love was so so strong between them, more than his life itself.

Another character really worth mentioning, that I have to mention, is JULES. He is just sooooooo charming! Tell me now, who could resist his charm!? He was the first character I liked, despite his rudeness during the start of Die for Me. But when he started getting all proper and caring and nice to Kate, he really got me there. :) I suspected along both books that while Jules is the flirty him, he seemed to really have a thing and is different around Kate. And I was prove right when I read Die for Her, a novella that narrates book 1 and 2 from Jules' point of view. I just love Amy Plum for this novella! The development of how Jules slowly fall in love with Kate is just so so so well written. But at the same time, we see how Jules struggles to hide his feelings while maintaining his loyalty to his best friend, Vincent. He gets tired of hiding sometimes, but he never once intend to snatch Kate away. He wants the best for his best friend even if it meant himself hurting.
"He is her true love. She will never feel for me the way she does for him. But I will never stop loving her. And I have to learn to live with that."
It torn me apart to see Jules like that, finding the love of his life, but will not ever have her. He has to deserve so much better. The way Die for Her ends, when Jules had said about knowing what Vincent would want him to do... "Kate is my responsibility now. I must guard her with my life." I really can't wait to see how Jules would be in If I Should Die and how things are gonna play out for him!

And not forgetting Ambrose and Georgia. Ambrose is always so humourous and so ready to take on anyone, and not forgetting his big brother caring side for Kate, just so sweet! As for Georgia, she's really the best sister anyone could ever ask for. Despite Kate turning her down for events oftenly, she's still always there and ready to accept anything from her little sister. Being so able to accept the fact about the revenants, and so courageous to help Kate in investigating solutions and even fighting the revenants, she's just so supportive and loving. Of course, there're other characters like papy, mamie, and all the other revenants - charlotte, jean-baptise, gaspard, arthur are also all amazing in their own ways, really great characters! Love them all ;)

But if I were to go on, I will NEVER finish writing. SO I'm gonna stop! 1.5 hours on this blog post, that's insane. But I'm glad I've finally wrote out exactly how I felt so far about the series, and I'm literally counting down the days to IF I SHOULD DIE. Love everything in the previous 3 books, awesome storyline, great characters... enough to make me go crazy over them. Great job to Amy Plum! Really can't wait to see how amazing the finale would be - although I really can't bear for it to end. It is definitely gonna be a blast of an ending. Despite only starting this series 1.5 months ago, it felt like I've been through a lot with these characters and grew so attached to the revenants world. Even though I did not start the series together with Amy Plum and other supporters of the series, I'm glad and looking forward to being able to complete this series with everyone else!!! Let's anticipate! :)

xoxo

DATE:Thursday 18 April 2013 TIME:{17:56} COMMENTS: (0) comments