Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #1)

• Book Title: Vampire Academy
• Author: Richelle Mead
• My Rating: 5/5 Stars
• Format: Paperback

 

 

I don't exactly remember the first time I had heard of or seen this book, but I want to say it was on YouTube. I was watching a review of this book, and was a bit hesitant about reading it. I thought it would end up being like Twilight (even though I haven't even read Twilight). I just didn't want to read anything that had to do with vampires or werewolves or anything like that because, at the time that I read this, vampires and werewolves were a big thing. I was just afraid to read this because of the 'vampire hype' and because I just didn't think I would like it so much.

 

I was at a used bookstore when I came across Vampire Academy and thought, 'What the heck, I'll give it a shot.' I started reading, and immediately I was hooked. I loved the characters and the storyline. According to GoodReads, I read this in 4 days, which was pretty good for me considering I had just really gotten in to reading.

 

The characters in this book are lovely. Rose Hathaway, the main character, is probably my favorite main character out of all the books I've read in my life. She has an attitude, and that's what I love about her. She can hold her own and doesn't let anyone bring her down. The other characters in this book are great too. They all have personalities that you can just fall in love with.

 

I understand that many people are very hesitant to read this book, because, well...the title isn't the greatest and neither is the cover. However, I promise you, if you just TRY this book out, you'll enjoy it. A lot of reviews that I have read say that the rest of the series is so much better than this book, but I personally thought that this book was just as good as the others.

 

I gave this book 5/5 stars because I really, really loved it. The storyline is awesome, and so are the characters. I love that there is both action and romance included in Vampire Academy.

 

Favorite quote: "The only thing better than imagining Dimitri carrying me in his arms was imagining him shirtless while carrying me in his arms." -Rose Hathaway

 

Do I recommend this book? Yes. If you are discouraged by the title, cover, or that fact that it has to do with vampires, just give it a chance. You'll love it!

Endless Summer (The Boys Next Door #1-2) by Jennifer Echols

• Book Title: The Boys Next Door/Endless Summer
• Author: Jennifer Echols
• My Rating: 5/5 Stars
• Format: Ebook

 

I found this book simply by searching 'Jennifer Echols' on Barnes & Noble's website. The reason I searched for her is because I had just read another book of hers, and I was in love with it. By reading the synopsis, I knew this book had to be good. I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about this book, but I absolutely loved it.

 

The Boys Next Door/Endless Summer bind-up is a book that can really suck you in, if you're into romance and drama. I read this bind-up around a year ago, and I just can't get enough! (I've actually read it like 3 times :P)

 

I really love how the books are set in Alabama, considering the fact that I live right above Alabama, in Tennessee. I also love how much fun the characters have during the summer. Totally beats what I do in the summer, which usually consists of Netflix and junk food. And the characters' personalities? Don't get me started. Sure, I wanted to punch some of them sometimes, but in the end you just learn to love them all.

 

I will agree with some other reviews that I've read that The Boys Next Door was better than Endless Summer; however, I thoroughly enjoyed them both.

 

This bind-up is the perfect summer read and it just puts you in such a good mood. I could honestly read this over and over again and not get tired of it. Jennifer Echols is by far a favorite author of mine and she really has a talent for writing.

 

I gave this book 5/5 stars because, even after reading it 3 times, I still loved it just the same. It's one of my favorite books and probably will always be a favorite of mine.

 

Favorite quote: "Son," he said, "you monkeyed up." -Mr. Vader

 

Do I recommend this book? Yes, because I think it's awesome and you will too!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

• Book Title: Divergent
• Author: Veronica Roth
• My Rating: 5/5 Stars
• Format: Paperback

 

I stumbled upon this book in the bookstore one day and I just had to pick it up. The cover drew me in because, in my opinion, it's just so fascinating. Oh, and because of the goodreads choice award sticker! Anyway, I saw this book, picked it up, and read the back. The back of the book actually doesn't say very much, so I just bought it on a whim.

 

When I first started this book, my expectations were extremely high. I noticed all the hype about the book on GoodReads and thought to myself, 'Oh, this has to be good!'. I read the first 3 or 4 chapters and I just didn't understand why people were so in love with it! I could not get into it at all, and almost put it down for good. However, I told myself that I had to keep reading it to see if maybe, just maybe it could get any better. And of course, IT DID.

 

I honestly don't know what made me hate this book so much at the beginning. I think it's because my expectations were so high and I was expecting something different. The main point here is that I ended up LOVING this book. Seriously, it's a favorite.

 

The characters in this book are very well developed and I loved how unpredictable things were. It's almost like you'll think something is going to happen, but then the total opposite of what you were thinking happens. Veronica Roth is such a talented writer. She really knows how to write an enticing story.

 

I've also read the second book in the trilogy, Insurgent, and I cannot wait for the third!

 

I gave this book 5/5 stars because even though I didn't like it at the beginning, it just got better and better and kept me wanting more.

 

Favorite quote: "Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now."

 

Do I recommend this book? Yes, but if you don't like the beginning at first, just give it a chance!