Mini Book Reviews: Kindred Spirits, The Kill Order, The Last Star

Hey there! Today I decided it was time to sum up all the books I've read in the past few months, but haven't reviewed yet. Because some of them have been read quite a while ago and I don't have the best of memories, or I just don't want to talk too much about them because I didn't enjoy them quite as much as I'd have liked to, I'm starting a new kind of Book Review post. It's going to be a Mini Book Review series, where basically I just review a few books at a time in shorter versions.

Today I'm going to review the following three books: Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell, The Kill Order by James Dashner and The Last Star by Rick Yancey. The first two are quite recent reads and The Last Star I read rather further back in 2016. As always, if you click on the cover you'll get to the goodreads page.

  

5 Dystopian Books I'm Dying To Read

Hey there. It's time for another 2016 Dystopia Reading Challenge Discussion Round (I haven't done one for quite a while, so I apologise for that and hope you'll enjoy this post!). Today I want to talk to you guys about one of my favourite subjects in the book world. Any guesses? Why yes, I'm talking about Dystopia (what else?). Here's a list of the top 5 Dystopian Books I really really want to read. Now, because there are obviously many more books on my tbr list, I narrowed them down to the ones that I currently obsess over in my head without having read them yet. Do you do that too or am I the only one who thinks about plots that I can't even really understand yet? Anyways, without further ado, here are my current Top 5!

5. The Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me #1 Summary

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Why I'm interested in this series I've heard a lot about this series, good and bad, and I want to make my own opinion on these books. The premise sounds real interesting and I think this could be a real interesting story to read. Also it does not yet sound as if there would be the typical love-triangle involved in the story, but who knows. Maybe the boys just aren't mentioned yet. (I'm still hoping though that that will stay that way.)

4. The Matched Series by Ally Condie

Matched #1 Summary

In the Society, officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one…until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion. Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.

Why I'm interested in this series This series has been on my TBR list for years now. A friend of mine even included it into her Finals' paper and she keeps pushing me to read it. I just haven't found the time yet, but one day I'll definitely read this series. The blurb sounds typical dystopian and kind of like the Divergent series, just with the slight difference that you don't choose your faction, but your love? Not sure if that's really true, but can't wait to find out.

3. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

The Selection #1 Summary

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

	Why I'm interested in this series So many people have told me to read this series. I can't even believe that I didn't start it yet. It sounds a little too girly (not in an offensive way!) for my taste because I'm not that into books who talk a lot about dresses, make up and so on, but if it turns out anything similar to Rebel Belle I'll probably really enjoy it!

2. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One Summary

It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune — and remarkable power — to whoever can unlock them. For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved — that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig. And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle. Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt — among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life — and love — in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape. A world at stake. A quest for the ultimate prize. Are you ready?

	Why I'm interested in this book Okay, have you read the summary? Then I don't think I have to explain any further why I want to read this book so bad! It sounds so awesome I can't believe it's been sitting on my shelves patiently waiting for me to grab it for a month now. I really have to get to it and start this one already!

1. The Last Star by Rick Yancey

The Last Star Summary

The Last Star is the heart-stopping finale to the bestselling 5th Wave series by award-winning author, Rick Yancey. Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner. We’re here, then we’re gone, and that was true before they came. That’s always been true. The Others didn’t invent death; they just perfected it. Gave death a face to put back in our face, because they knew that was the only way to crush us. It won’t end on any continent or ocean, no mountain or plain, jungle or desert. It will end where it began, where it had been from the beginning, on the battlefield of the last beating human heart. Master storyteller Rick Yancey invokes triumph, loss, and unrelenting action as the fate of the planet is decided in the conclusion to this epic series.

Why I'm so excited about this book IT'S THE FINAL BOOK IN THE 5TH WAVE SERIES! Sorry, I just can't contain myself. I've been waiting for this book to come out for such a long time, I can't even think about anything else. This is by far my most anticipated new release in 2016! And now I'm just waiting for my order to get delivered to my house which I've preordered so many months before the publishing date. Those of you who haven't read a book in the 5th Wave series go and grab a copy and start reading! Seriously, this is my favourite dystopian series and I'm so sad about it ending. But still, I can't wait to finally figure out how it will end!

I'd like to know

So yeah, these are my Top 5 Dystopian Novels I'm dying to read. Which 5 books are on the top of your list? Do we have any in common? Or do you have other suggestions that I should check out? Let me know in the comments and have a great day!

April Movie Highlights

Hey there lovelies! Today I'm going to skip #ShadowhuntersWeek post because honestly I just haven't come up with a good idea what to tell you guys, and I don't want to just make up a post in a rush (I'm still reading for the ReadAThon though!). That's why I've got another treat for you. These are all the movies I've seen this month that I think are worth mentioning and I hope you'll enjoy my reviews! One other movie I've seen in April and I really loved is Allegiant which you can read my review of here. Hope you'll have a nice Friday and maybe you'll watch one of these movies in your local theatre tonight?!

	About the movie Title: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Director: Zack Snyder Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Release: March 2016 Rated: PG12 My Rating: ★★★★

IMDB Summary

Batman and Superman clash over differing philosophies about what kind of heroism is needed to protect the world, while the public they're defending is becoming increasingly mindful of the damage that superheroes and masked vigilantes cause. However, the duo are soon forced to confront an even greater threat created by nefarious billionaire Lex Luthor.

My Review

I entered the cinema with a lot of hesitation. From the moment I first heard this movie was going to be planned I was a little concerned. Already in the comics I didn't like the idea behind this plot at all. And now on the big screen? Things could only go wrong... Or so I thought. The movie in fact was really great! Ben Affleck actually isn't that bad a Batman. Althogh I'm still and always will be Team Superman! Honestly, I do not like Henry Cavill's version of him at all though. Already Man of Steel didn't convince me at all. But the special effects in this movie were stunning! With today's 3D glasses I actually thought that the buildings were going to tumble down onto me and I really enjoyed the 4D effects from the seats in front of us that shook us, too.

Now, back to the movie. Although I don't like these adaptations of superheroes (I'm more of a Brandon Routh fangirl) I think the mix matched perfectly together. They just all seem a little harder and darker and I think that's what DC was looking for. More drama, more heartbreaks. Oh and how my heart was broken at the end of the movie. I cried for the entire last 20 minutes (silently, though I think some other cinema-goers noticed). And of course, what kind of superheroes movie would it be nowadays if it didn't end with a cliffhanger? I'm really excited about Wonder Woman! Finally she's getting her own movie, and hopefully they'll continue the story there? Because they can't just leave it as it is now!

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About the movie Title: The 5th Wave Director: J Blakeson Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz, Matthew Zuk, Gabriela Lopez, Nick Robinson Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Release: January 2016 Rated: PG12 My Rating: ★★★★

IMDB Summary

Four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth in ruin. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal fifth wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope - if she can only trust him.

My Review

Yes, I know this movie has been out for a while now, but hear me out. Somehow my country decided not to show this movie in the theatres? I have absolutely no idea why, but that's the reason I couldn't go watch The 5th Wave, which I'd been awaiting for such a long time in the cinema. So I had to wait until I could watch it online and this month I finally could. I really liked this adaptation although there were a few little things that bothered me. But that's always the case if you're a big fan of a book, right? Anyway, all in all it was greatly done! One of my favourite scenes of the book didn't make it into the movie, which was a little disappointing, but I can't change it right? I'm talking about one of the last chapters where Cassy and Ben are caught in the room with the mirror and Sammy is on the other side. And then Evan saves the day. Instead we get quite an awkward situation where Ben just gets to watch Evan and Cassy make out... Still not complaining, though.

This movie showed great potential and I really hope they're going to continue with the series. I want to know how they'll explain the whole 'alien' situation because they kind of screwed that part up. I mean, did the writers even consider the second book in the trilogy? Or did they just think they'd just take Book one and then go their own way...?

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	About the movie Title: The Huntsman: Winter's War Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama Release: April 2016 Rated: PG12 My Rating: ★★★★★

IMDB Summary

As a war between rival queen sisters Ravenna and Freya escalates, Eric and fellow warrior Sara, members of the Huntsmen army raised to protect Freya, try to conceal their forbidden love as they combat Ravenna's wicked intentions.

My Review

I don't even know where to start. This movie was so great and thrilling from the very beginning. I must confess that I didn't really enjoy The Huntsman and Snow White although I've seen it twice already (I think both times early this year). I got confused for a short while during the film because I thought it would be a prequel to the first movie, but instead it was kind of a mash-up. It started years before the happenings of Snow White when Eric played by Chris Hemsworth was still a kid and recruited by the Ice Queen. And then we were catapulted into the future after the story of Snow. When I realised this I felt bad for my friend who watched the movie with me because he hadn't seen the first movie yet, but for no reason at all. He could keep up with the contents and understood everything perfectly without needing more explaining. So you don't have to watch Snow White at all to understand Winter's War.

The storyline was quite intersting, although predictable at some points. I still enjoyed it, though, and I think those predictable moments actually gave the whole movie more tension. The ending was great! (But I'm not going to spoil you, so I'll just leave it there... All I'm gonna say is: I love it, when the "villain" of a story turns out to have a heart and actually really had good motives in the depths of her heart.) I wish I could rewatch this movie already. I'm definitely going to buy it on DVD. Oh and can I just add: I loved the gowns and gears the cast got to wear. Emily Blunt's warderobe was absolutely stunning! All her dresses looked so beautiful on her and I just keep dreaming of wearing such a gown one day.

I'd like to know

Has April been as much of a movie month for you as it has for me? What was your favourite movie? Are there upcoming movies you're excited about?

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