The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Hey guys,

I know another review, I'm just trying to get on top of everything. So also today I'm going to be reviewing The Young Elites by Marie Lu. Let's begin...

I absolutly flew through this book, I wouldn't say I loved it yet but I might when things have sunk in. I started it last night, then read until like 1am, then I finished it this morning, and it was fabulous.

It's a lot darker than what I expected, and it came off differently to how I imagined it would. However, it was still really good, just different.
The characters were really wierd and we didn't learn much about any of them but the main character. The main character is called Adelina Amouteru, she is a malfetto (someone affected by the blood fever) but she finds out that she is also a Yound Elite. that's all I'm going to tell you, it's interesting to read it with out knowing much, because it surprises you more.

This is the first book I've read in a while where I preferes the side characters to the main character. But, this only happened to a certain extent.

So that is once again all for this particular non-spoiler post. Soryy if the intro felt a little short but I'm bursting to get to the spoilers. And, do I need to remind you agian, go pick up Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, and watch out for our corrosponding review at the end of the month.
If you haven't read the book, and don't want to be spoiled, than stop. If you have, join me on the quest forwards into the spoilers.

Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Hey guys,

Yes I managed to squeeze another Colleen Hoover in there, she's just so good. So yes, today I am reviewing Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover.

This is book two in the 'slammed' series, and I loved it. I can't say much about it as it is book two, and I want to avoid spoilers at all costs. But, I can tell you that the first book, more than this one, revolves around slam poetry. Slam is a type of poetry that centres more around the way it's spoken and the meaning behind the words, than the actual rhyme and rhythm.

I preferred the first book in some places, I liked the different relationships. But, there were things I much preferred in the second one.
I plan to read This Girl as well, which I believe is the first book, but from Will's point of view.

The picture is small today. It's actually quite cute.
Anyway, that is all for today's non-spoilery post. You can click Read more>> below to enjoy my breakdown of all the things that happened. But, before I go, a quick reminder: don't forget to pick up Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. It is our February pick for An Infinite Philosophy, so hop on that. Until next time...

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Hey Guys,

I'm really sorry for my recent absence. I was in London, and I didn't have time to schedule anything but I'm here now. Yay! So, if you hadn't gathered today I'm going to be reviewing Unravel Me. This is book two in the shatter me series, I have yet to read book three.

I can't really say much, obviously. But, I do recommend that you give this book a go. It's not my favourite, but I did have some fun with it, and I think you will too.

I can say, however, that we did get to know some of the characters a bit better, as well as meeting some new ones. The mood was a bit different to the first one, all of the characters felt a little moany and weak. I was glad to have some humour in the book.

So that is all for this post (the non-spoilery section). Also, don't forget to pick up our book of the month for February; Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. Click the An Infinite Philosophy picture on the side bar to purchase it. All three of us hosts have now read, and loved it, we will be doing a big collab discussion on March 1st. So go pick it up and join us!
If you haven't read Unravel Me, stop here; but if you have, venture forward my friend.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Hey guys,

So I just finished our book of the month. It was incredible. Now I know we will be doing a big review at the end of the month, as well as announcing the March book, but I thought I would do a little one now.

So today I'm going to be reviewing Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys.

This was my first historical fiction novel, I don't avoid them, but this was the first one that's really caught my attention. It follows an actual event in history, but surrounds made up characters.

I wasn't aware of the event that took place in the book, but I haven't studied WW2 in depth as of right now.

The book is about four characters that all have a secret, they're not all bad, well in the eyes of the beholder, but they are secrets. And, the most are refugees. They all are on board the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that plans to take refugees across a sea (I think the Baltic).

In some places it was quite harrowing, it doesn't help when needing to take a break, that I realized everything that happened is true, to an extent. Some of the scenes didn't surprise me but still shocked me, if you get what I mean.

I didn't love any of the characters but I was interested in all of them, and their back stories. A big component of the story was piecing together a back-story for the characters.

So that is all. I recommend you go pick up this book, it was fantastic. Plus, it is our pick for February for our book club, and we would appreciate it if you read it along with us. I will see you soon, but I warn in advance; I'm going to be gone next week. I will schedule ahead, but I make no promises of a review any time in the near future.

The Reading Slump

Hello and welcome to my story with the reading slump. It was last week, that I fell into a slump. I felt I would never escape, that my reading days were over. But, I found the way, and I would like to share that with you; the way forward, the way to put a stop to the slump. Use the hash tag #stoptheslump to show your support with this emotional journey.

Hey guys,

I hope you liked my drama piece at the beginning. I think it helped set the mood. So if you hadn't picked it up yet, today I am going to be discussing the reading slump. The bane of every readers life. I thought I would give you the types of slump, prevention tactics and how to escape. Here we go...

1.The Mourning Period
What is the Mourning Period? you ask. Well I'll answer; the mourning period is that dead feeling you get when you finish a book. That period of time where you can't get over a book/series, it was just too life changing. That is the Mourning Period.
Prevention Tactics: There really are none. Just prepare yourself for escape.
Escape: The power through. It is important that, even if you don't think you can, you keep reading. You must pick up book after book until one sticks with you. If one distracts you from the previous book, keep reading that author. This may, however, lead to other types of slump.

2. The Burnout
The Burnout, more common in some than others. I am quite prone to this, yet; What is it? the burnout is when you read too much too fast. You power through only to find an end to the power, that my friends is the Burnout.
Prevention Tactics: Read in moderate amounts, you don't need to read 18 books a week.
Escape: Powering through doesn't really work. You just need to take a small break, give yourself a day or two then continue in moderate amounts.

3. The Colleen High
This is often lead from the powering through. It can happen with any author, but for me is quite common with Miss Colleen Hoover. This is simply when you think your out of slump but yet you don't want to read anything other than Colleen books. And, when you run out, you're back in the slump. It is a real problem, OK.
Prevention Tactics: Don't read all the same author, it can be hard, but mix it up a bit. Even if it's slowly at first, just throw in some other authors her and there.
Escape: Try the same genre as the author you've become obsessed with, until you feel confident with other authors. Also, try reading a book you know you'll love, even if it's a re-read.

4. The What is Happening? Why Can't I Read?
This one may seem strange but it is surprisingly common. You know that feeling when, you're enjoying what your reading, but it's hard to bring yourself to pick up a book. It is weird but annoying slump and has no real cause. It is spontaneous and deadly.
Prevention Tactics: There is no cause, so no prevention. Just. Be. Prepared.
Escape: You simply need to pick up the book and read it. You will realise that you are enjoying it and you will want to read it.

So there you go, it was a short but powerful post. Don't forget to pick up the book of the month Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, it's fantastic. I hope you enjoyed the post, it's something that any book person must talk about some way. Refer to this post at any time of need, and I will see you soon.

-A

Trial By Fire by Josephine Angelini

Hey Guys,

Today I'm going to be reviewing Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini. Also I have an announcement related to An Infinite Philosophy, so check that out at the bottom, before the spoilers.

OK, so to start off with, I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I wasn't expecting to not enjoy it, but the interesting plot line was pulled off really well. The characters weren't overly relateable, but only because of the situation they were in.

I loved the dynamic between the characters and the way they all interacted. The way they all linked together was really interesting.

I really liked Josephine's take on the way magic worked. Her way of making the hierarchy feel really real was fresh. I really liked the way she wrote Lily and her morals.

I don't really have anything else to say so...

So the announcement. If you didn't know we have a book club, how exciting. Read my previous post for more info. But, in addition to the exciting excitement of our read along we are also hosting an instagram photo concert. To enter you need to take a fabulous photo of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys and hashtag your picture #AIPsaltothesea. At the end of the month we will look over all your fabulous posts and pick one picture. The winner will get a shout out on this blog and on our Instagram pages.
P.S if you're confused on the whole 'we' thing, I'm referring to my friends blog who I'm hosting the book club with AnInfiniteBookshelf

Now I delve into the spoilers, enter at ones own will.
If you haven't read the book, I recommend you go do so. Then come back so we can discuss all of the things that went down.