Book Review:The Fault in Our Stars

First as always let me state that I do not own the right to any of the image/s used in my blog. They were provided by Google search.

Introduction
In all honesty, I am not sure how to exactly "introduce" this book. I know it might sound "lame" but i actually only heard of this book from seeing the countless ads for the movie (which I have not seen). On a whim, I decided to give the book a "go".

I of course could kind of guess what was going to happen in this story as most stories about "children" or even "adults" with cancer they do not have usually have a "happy ending". I decided to give this book a try regardless of the fact that I kind of had an idea of what was going to happen.


Summary
As expected, (if any of you have seen the previews for the movie) the story revolves around Hazel Grace: a a sad girl who has cancer and really lives a sheltered life "waiting around to die", she has been told that she has terminal cancer and choose not to really do things "normal teenagers" do.

Hazel meets August or Gus (her love interest) at a support group for "teenagers" or "kids" with cancer. She also, befriends a boy named Issac who is very much in love with a girl ( I forget her name)

*Spoiler alert* .
Isaac has to get his "eyes" or should I say one "eye" removed because of his cancer. His girlfriend selfishly breaks up with him and become very pessimistic after the fact. Most scene with him in the book are a bit hard to read. Also, Isaac and his "ex" have a thing where they say "Forever" so Hazel and Gus later have a "thing" where they say "okay"; in case any of you where wondering what "okay" means in the context of the book.
*End Spoiler*
Most of Hazel and Gus's interactions are just so very cute! (At least at first) As the story goes on the book becomes more depressing. (Yes, it is true)

*Spoiler*
At one point they use Gus's "wish" and they visit Amsterdam so they can meet Hazel's "favorite author" and find out he "ends the story" because the book he writes ends abruptly without a defiant end. 
 This book also ends the same way and the Author is a washed up has been who is an alcoholic and a complete a**.

*Giant Spoiler Alert Here!!*
They have a very romantic date while in Amsterdam and they both loose their virginities  to each other.

After a their "Amsterdam Romance" together , Gus confesses that he in fact too is terminally ill and he has been hiding it from Hazel and he is actually in worse health than Hazel. Pretty much after that the book just describes how Gus deteriorates and how Hazel sticks around and stays by his side.

Gus eventually dies, after Issac and Hazel have a "mock funeral" for him which is all dreadfully tearful. At Gus's funereal the "Jerk Author" shows up and "apologizes" for being well obviously not nice. Hazle doesn't really forgive him of course and it turns out his book which focuses on a girl with cancer is about his daughter who passed away and he tells her she reminds him of her.(This is flattering I suppose)

Later, Issac clues her in about a "piece" written by Gus which is supposedly the "ending" to the book they both loved by the "Jerk Author". The "Jerk Author's" ex assistant sends Hazel a copy of what Gus wrote and basically in a nutshell it is a "eulogy" like what Hazel wrote for Gus he wants the Author to say at her Funeral. After that, the book abruptly ends.

*End Spoilers*


Review
Let me start out by saying before I write my "official' review this book is dreadful sad!

I liked this book,  I found myself dreading the ending through the entire book. This book was rather depressing well as expected; often I found myself wondering why I was reading such a sad book in the first place.

I really liked both Hazel Grace and August. I think that was probably the "crappiest" part. That being the reason, I probably read the book in the first place was because i liked the characters.

*Spoiler Alert*
I freaking of course thought, the author of Hazel's "favorite book" was of course an a**hole but that's to be expected because his character is one! I was disappointed for Hazel when he didn't tell her the ending of her favorite book. I mean who wouldn't be, they travel all the way across the globe and find out their "hero" is a crock; I think any one would be disappointed.

It was tear jerking when August died to say the least and of course of the how the book ended to "expect" to know that Hazel died as well. It was like i said down right depressing. Also, the way in the book that August is described deteriorating is awful as well. The part when he pee's the bed is probably the worse and when they read each other's eulogy.
 *Ah who am I kidding? SPOILERS EVERYWHERE!!!*

Of course I though it was cute when the couple was in Amsterdam having their little "romantic date". I think you'd have to be soulless not to think it wasn't cute. How Hazel was nervous and asked her Mom if her outfit looked okay. How August wore a suit and tie they had a cute romantic dinner and then a passionate encounter later.

Before they went to Amsterdam as well. When they first meet and he compared her to Natalie Portman and was making googly eyes at her across the room. When he made her "dutch sandwiches" and announced they would be going to Amsterdam. How cute it was when Hazel was all cutely excited!
*End Spoiler*

I didn't really enjoy the "endless rambling" or at least that's what I call it in the book I feel like there was a lot of it. Usually, I like a lot of dialog but at some points, it was annoying. I mean I get, the character are "free thinkers" or "philosophical" but still I know in real life it bugs they heck out me when people constantly talk like that and I feel the same way about books.



I think this book defiantly "goes up there" on the list of "best romance stories" that are just both "timeless" and "unforgettable".  I think you could defiantly compare this book to "The Notebook" or "Titanic" in the sense that like I said it is an "unforgettable love story".

If you are even slightly a romantic at heart, I suggest you check this book out but be prepared to have your heart strings tugged!!

I would say that I would give this book 3 1/2 stars out of 5. Even though it is a "epic love story" it wasn't really my "favorite book of all time" and there were certain things (mostly the endless dialog and the fact that at some points this book is down right depressing) that I did not like. I'm sure many people could argue that they both like the "rambling" and "depressing" or more "emotional" parts; you could say that really adds to the "hype" of the book but I did not enjoy those parts but that is of course just a matter of opinion.

Thanks for guys for checking out my blog,

Kylia aka Alaska Book Girl!

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3451295-kylia

Book Review: A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court

First as always let me state that I do not own the right to any of the image/s used in my blog. They were provided by Google search.



Introduction
I came across this book at my local used bookstore. I thought the title sounded catchy and as I read the back and flipped through the pages; the book seemed utterly entertaining!

A "prissy" "fashionista" or "diva" stuck in Medieval times without starbucks, designer high heels and especially no in door plumbing!

Really, my first impression was that it would be just a really fun read! This book defiantly exceeded my expectations!

Summary
I don't think I will do a "super" long summary of this book because really I just want to get the good part the review! (Plus I don't want to spoil it completely for all of you guys and dolls!)

As, I said above the main character Katherine or "Kat" is a twenty-nine year old woman from New York. I am not exactly what year this book "takes place" but from the pop culture references in the book, I think around 2005. Kat works at a fashion magazine and some what dissatisfied with her job because, her boss is constantly making her do "filler" assignments instead of ones she truly wants to do.

While covering a Medieval, "Resonance Fair" she just so happens to stumble into a tent were a "gypsy" women (whom she deeply offends) puts a curse on her and sends her back into time.

Right off the bats see meets and falls of The Knight Lancelot, (There is a almost instant attraction there) she also meets Guinevere and becomes close friends with her and some what acquaintance with King Arthur.

Now, I won't spoil anything for you guys but a few other characters which are in the story are: Merlin, and Morgan (King Authors Sister), The Lady of the Lake, and a few other characters as well.

Now, like I said I really don't want give to much away because I really encourage all of you to read this book!!!! :)

Review

I was so pleasantly surprised with this book! I think this is probably one the first books that I've read in a while that I really enjoyed and just "captured" putting me into another world.

With this book I think through out the story, it just keeps getting better and better! At first, when I was reading it I did find Kat a bit annoying. Well, I am I can understand she was thrown into another point in time. One thing that was really funny was when she would talk in normal "twenty first century" lingo. She would say things like "dude" and " that's cool" and no one would have any idea what she was saying.

More than anything I love, love the relationship between Kat and Lancelot. I mean who wouldn't want an ultra romantic guy who: literally speak poetically about how beautiful you are and how much he loves you, and also, is protective of you and saves you from being kidnapped and other awful things!

Also, the sex scenes yummy! ha ha What I liked about the sex scenes is they weren't over detailed, it left some parts to the imagination. The way the Author used imaginary you could really feel the passion between the two characters.

I really enjoyed this book, I really hope there is a sequel! (I haven't checked yet) If not I think I will check out some more of this Authors books. I really am sad to say this book is over because I enjoyed it so much.


Kylia aka Alaskan Book Girl

Novella/Short Story Review: Letters of Intent part one & two

First as always let me state that I do not own the right to any of the image/s used in my blog. They were provided by Google search.

I received this book on Goodreads.com from "First Reads", in order to review this book. 



Introduction
This "book" or more accurately at least to my definition a "Novella" is about 35 to 40 pages long. I have read quite a few "free kindle reads" similar to this in the past and I haven't done my research as to if this story is available yet from nook or kindle readers quite yet.

It was funny really when I receive this in the mail, I was so surprised how small it is! ha These short "novellas" just look so much different on "e-read " forum.

Review
I would say my over all rating of this book is 3 1/2 out of 5, which if any of you know me well that is usually my "average" rating of a book. I'll be honest I wasn't very "captured" or "taken" by this book  but being that said I don't think it is a "bad" book.

Like I have mentioned before I have read books similar to this before, in my opinion I do like "short reads" like this. Especially, if you just want something quick to read in one night or you just want a "casual escape". Compared to other "Novellas" that I have read, it just didn't strike my fancy.

I didn't feel that I could really relate to the main character "Abigail" very much. Most of her personality to me isn't very much revealed in the story.

Now, I know when you read "erotica" most people aren't looking for "detailed character background" but hey I am just saying that, even when I read these kind of "cheesy" book (which I will admit I like my occasional erotica and quirky romances) I want to know a more about the character! Other wise who cares what happens? If I don't like the character why would I want to read it? Well obviously for the sex scene!!! ha ha :p

Speaking of sex scenes, that's mostly what this book is sex scene.This book doesn't really "beat around the bush" so if you want a book that "gets right to" by that I mean doesn't go into much detail and "bam" there's a description of penis, then you will like this. :p

I always feel a bit "odd" reviewing this kinds of book, though I do enjoy reading them from time to time. I am not really sure why. Maybe I am secretly bashful because of the sex? who knows? Hey that's me! haha

Over all, not a bad read very fast paced and keeps you turning the pages with anticipation. Like I said my only really criticism with this book is that we really "didn't get to know the characters very well" but hey like I said I know some readers prefer to just get to the "good stuff". I know I can be overly "cheesy" and a big "romantic" so I prefer books with more "winning and dinning" then just "screwing" but hey we are talking about erotica here.

If you want a fast pasted "office romance" with lots of sex and not much  detailed characters or  to thick story line then this book is for you! It was an entertaining enough read, and I might check out the two authors other work in the future.



Thank you, to the publisher, goodreads and to who ever else actually sent me this book! It really is a dream to get books in the mail to review them! I hope to receive many, many more in the future!


Kylia aka Alaskan Book Girl