I Write What I Read

Plot:
Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister's life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she'd have to fight.

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias's devotion–even at the cost of his humanity.

Plot:
Emika Chen barely made it out of the Warcross Championships alive. Now that she knows the truth behind Hideo's new NeuroLink algorithm, she can no longer trust the one person she's always looked up to, who she once thought was on her side.

Determined to put a stop to Hideo's grim plans, Emika and the Phoenix Riders band together, only to find a new threat lurking on the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. Someone's put a bounty on Emika's head, and her sole chance for survival lies with Zero and the Blackcoats, his ruthless crew. But Emika soon learns that Zero isn't all that he seems—and his protection comes at a price.

Caught in a web of betrayal, with the future of free will at risk, just how far will Emika go to take down the man she loves?

"You are forever a piece of my story. I couldn't turn my back on you without turning my back on myself. I had to try... I had to hold out my hand to you."

"I've been afraid ever since I met you, when you looked me straight in the eye and broke down my system in a matter of minutes... I'm afraid that every time I see you might be the last."

Plot:

A young bisexual British lord embarks on an unforgettable Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush. An 18th-century romantic adventure for the modern age written by This Monstrous Thing author Mackenzi Lee—Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets the 1700s.

 

Henry "Monty" Montague doesn't care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quests for pleasure and vice are in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family's estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

 

So Monty vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty's reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

 

Witty, dazzling, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is an irresistible romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

Thoughts:

Why yes, I do love everything about this book. It's witty, charming, and heartbreakingly brilliant! We need more of them anachronistic books like these. I don't even mind of it becomes a trend.

It's a typical falling-for-your-best friend story, but the way it show cases this crush turned love relationship was a winner! Set in the 1700s is a plus! It didn't center too much on their budding relationship, and we got an adventure of a life time in what was supposed to be "the grand tour." Now that's definitely a culture that was very interesting and I do think I'll be reading up more about this kind of tour.

Favorite character? Felicity's got my vote, sorry boys. Monty and Percy are adorable but I'm a sucker for strong, spunky and intelligent lead female characters. She seemed so snotty at the beginning, and just like that she charmed me with her wits. You go girl! (The sequel is her story! OMG I'm so ready for it! The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is the title.)

Monty's that one friend that always seems to get in trouble even if he only stands in a room. But Monty, of course, is not one to just be standing around. He just has to be the center of the party. The naked party scene was one of the funniest scene! Percy, this precious gem. The silent one that always goes along with whatever crazy thing is going down, who seemed like a zero-personality turned out to be such a deep, well rounded character as the story progresses. These two are really a perfect pair. "NOW KISS" my thoughts in their every damn scene. LOL!

Throughout the story, they get into many arguments and squabbles, though they always made up in the end, you really get invested because you really want to root for these two to be together. Typical character archetypes, hurting each other and having experience mortal threats that force them to express true feelings and go out stronger together than before *eye rolls, but they did it so cutely that I don't mind anymore.

This book is definitely something new and everybody should be reading and supporting it!

Rating:

★★★★★

Quotes:

"What's the use of temptations if we don't yield to them?"

"But here he is proposing that we run away together with nothing but each other like some sort of star-crossed pair in a broadside ballad, and while my heart is ready to burst for loving him, love is not a thing you survive upon. You can't eat love."

"May I kiss you?"

"Abso-bloody-lutely you may."

Plot:

When Nicholas Young hears that his grandmother, Su Yi, is on her deathbed, he rushes to be by her side—but he's not alone. The entire Shang-Young clan has convened from all corners of the globe to stake claim to their matriarch's massive fortune. With each family member vying to inherit Tyersall Park—a trophy estate on sixty-four prime acres in the heart of Singapore—Nicholas's childhood home turns into a hotbed of backbiting and intrigue. As her relatives fight over heirlooms, Astrid Leong is at the center of her own storm, desperately in love with her old sweetheart Charlie Wu but tormented by her ex-husband—a man hell-bent on destroying Astrid's reputation and relationship. Meanwhile, Kitty Pong, married to China's second richest man, billionaire Jack Bing, still feels second best next to her new stepdaughter, famous fashionista Colette Bing.

 

In this sweeping tale that takes us from the elegantly appointed mansions of Manila to the secluded private islands in the Sulu Sea, from a kidnapping at Hong Kong's most elite private school to a surprise marriage proposal at an Indian palace that is caught on camera by the telephoto lenses of paparazzi, Kevin Kwan hilariously reveals the long-buried secrets of Asia's most privileged families and their rich people problems.

Thoughts:

I really tried resisting reading the final book till I finish two other books, Riven and Ship of the Dead, but to no avail haha! I can't say I tried hard though.

Again and again, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying this, I can't put it down! I can't stop reading it! I wish all the books were an easy read as this so I can breeze through them and get to another book, but sadly they're not.

When characters die, I always feel sad about it. But not this time with Ah Ma. She's such a character! She's actually #LifeGoals. I can't understand why no one took after her. Maybe the great grand kids? Hmmm probably one of Eddie Cheng's kids. LOL!

Rachel took a backseat here. I guess her story went full circle in China Rich Girlfriend, after almost dying there, she deserves the break. But it's worthy to note that her most intense moment was one with much bad assery! It was when she clapped back against Eleanor, falling under false pretense that she was joining a 'bible study' but turned out to be a DIY OB sesh. You got to give props to Eleanor's creativity though. She's one character that always surprises me. Just when you thought she could do no worse, then BAM! she tops the previous act.

Harry Shum will be playing Charlie Wu, a love interest for Astrid Leong, played by Gemma Chan

I want to know how exactly Astrid and Charlie got back together. Oh that is not a request. I demand a back story!  A novellete! Though Michael's one of my least favorite character I also wanted a POV of his thoughts. Obviously he's jealous as hell, woudn't you think an account of his thoughts and feelings would be a colorful one? The terrible exes teaming up to tear down the star crossed lovers that is Astrid and Charlie? Come on, who wants to read the evil scheming part?! ME!

What the hell! Why didn't Carlton get revenge or atleast a show of rising against Collete?! Oh oh oh my ghad I just realized it's because Collete burned herself. This book is evil. The hated characters' misfortunes make you happy, and I can't even help it! Just goes to show that karma really is a btch.

Who else got annoyed with the Young sisters? They are real reflections of hypocrite-personified. I know people like them and they annoy me to no end. I had fun reading about them stressing out because their inheritance was not enough. Unconsciously though I was feeling bad for the people that were getting inheritance less than 5 million... and then I realized that first of all, their money isn't even real and second, I was worrying about people that needn't be worried about because they have many times more than most people. I got so used to most of the characters here as bazillionaires that I pity the just millionaires. But it's okay I'm back to reality now. *sob

Wasn't Colin depressed? You're telling me they lost their baby and he stayed cool and collected? Hmmm 'kay. I don't buy it. Another shocker was Peik Lin and Alistair! Yes, I so approve of this pairing! Spin-off please!!!

Oh yeah! Philippines got featured! Karen Davila? Great. So now I have guesses which character Kris Aquino might play. I wish there was more about the Philippines, but Palawan was a great choice to represent our country. I absolutely love the fact that Astrid settled in Palawan. Who would've guessed right? Astrid, an island girl? I accept this plot twist.

I love the ending, I love everything, I love Kevin Kwan. Thank you so much for writing this book, I can read it over and over again and won't ever get tired of it. Yes please, read it! Highly recommended!

Rating:

5 stars

Quotes:

"Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves"

"To me, it's our wealth that puts us in the fortunate position of being able to do an enormous amount of good in the world, not hide from the world!"

Plot:
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter navigates between the poverty-stricken neighborhood she has grown up in and the upper-crust suburban prep school she attends. Her life is up-ended when she is the sole witness to a police officer shooting her best friend, Khalil, who turns out to have been unarmed during the confrontation – but may or may not have been a drug dealer. As Starr finds herself even more torn between the two vastly different worlds she inhabits, she also has to contend with speaking her truth and, in the process, trying to stay alive herself.

Eighteen-year-old Eliza Mirk is the anonymous creator of Monstrous Sea, a wildly popular webcomic, but when a new boy at school tempts her to live a life offline, everything she's worked for begins to crumble.

Scott Westerfeld's Afterworlds meets Nimona in this novel about art, fandom, and finding the courage to be yourself. Features illustrations by the author throughout. Perfect for readers of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, this is the second novel by the acclaimed author of Made You Up.

In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, smart, and friendless. Online, Eliza is LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of a popular webcomic called Monstrous Sea. With millions of followers and fans throughout the world, Eliza's persona is popular. Eliza can't imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves her digital community. Then Wallace Warland transfers to her school, and Eliza begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile. But when Eliza's secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she's built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.

Plot:

On the eve of her wedding to Nicholas Young, heir to one of the greatest fortunes in Asia, Rachel should be over the moon. She has a flawless Asscher-cut diamond from JAR, a wedding dress she loves more than anything found in the salons of Paris, and a fiancé willing to sacrifice his entire inheritance in order to marry her. But Rachel still mourns the fact that her birthfather, a man she never knew, won't be able to walk her down the aisle. Until: a shocking revelation draws Rachel into a world of Shanghai splendor beyond anything she has ever imagined.

Here we meet Carlton, a Ferrari-crashing bad boy known for Prince Harry-like antics; Colette, a celebrity girlfriend chased by fevered paparazzi; and the man Rachel has spent her entire life waiting to meet: her father. Meanwhile, Singapore's It Girl, Astrid Leong, is shocked to discover that there is a downside to having a newly minted tech billionaire husband. A romp through Asia's most exclusive clubs, auction houses, and estates, China Rich Girlfriend brings us into the elite circles of Mainland China, introducing a captivating cast of characters, and offering an inside glimpse at what it's like to be gloriously, crazily, China-rich.