READING REVIEW- The Darkest Minds

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken 

Grade: A+

Percent: 99% / 100%

Stars: *****

Scale of YOU NEED TO READ THIS to DON'T BOTHER: TAKE OUT YOUR HARDCOPY GET INTO A COMFY POSITION WITH A TEA AND A TISSUE BOX (for feels)

A game of 'summarize your feels for this book (start to finish) in a sentence': Wow okay thats dark... wow... Awesome characters... awe so cute... okay... YAY THEY DID IT... NO NO NO NO LIAR.... YOU!!... NO *sobs*

"When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her-East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living." -Goodreads

Spoiler Free Review

     I recommend this book 100%! The writing is amazing and adds to the book rather then takes away from it like some novels I have read. (*cough* Blood Red Road *cough* The Knife of Never Letting Go *cough*) The characters are insanely written and are brilliant! If the author wanted you to feel a certain way about someone you did. In other books you end up hating the main character or loving the villain and here you are team good all the time. Also you actually cared for the characters and loved them besides from the antagonist you  absolutely hate him.  Oh goodness the plot... how do I describe how fantastic it is?  It was filled with plot twists and turns that you felt like you were not only going on a road trip with the characters but with the plot structure. You didn't feel as if you could predict the out come of the book, you were just slapped with the outcome when it came! Since man that was one cliffhanger! Most importantly it was ORIGINAL and did not have a love triangle! The concept and powers were not like other books. I have read books and been like wow is this a retelling of _____?  I haven't read a book that was the same besides from the ending. More on that later. NO LOVE TRIANGLE WHAT? Yeah thats right some YA books do not have a love triangle, it is possible! I mean it had a hint of one but really after that passed through and something happened it was over like that *snaps fingers*!  So now the ending all though it has happened before in this book it happened in a different way then the other books. Thats why this book only lost 1%. 

Go and read this book the plot is as brilliant as an episode of Doctor Who and the characters are as fun as Edward Elric and Death the Kid! The next book Never Fade is just as good if not better!

Heres some fanart and merchandise based on the book!

-Ariel G, The Reading Rebel

READING REVIEW- This Star Won't Go Out

  This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl with Lori and Wayne Earl and introduction by John Green

Grade: A+

Percent: 98% / 100%

Stars: *****

Scale of YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK to DON'T BOTHER: This book gets a GET IN A CAR GO TO THE BOOKSTORE AND PAY FULL PRICE FOR IT! 

A game of 'summarize your feels for this book (start to finish) in a sentence': BEAUTIFUL , AWESOME AND ASDFGH *said through tears*

"A collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late Esther Grace Earl, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16. Photographs and essays by family and friends will help to tell Esther’s story along with an introduction by award-winning author John Green who dedicated his #1 bestselling novel The Fault in Our Stars to her." -Goodreads

Spoiler Free Review

     There is not much to say about this book due to it being a biography but that does not make it any less precious. Throughout  this book Esther enthralled me with her genuine thoughts and sentences, she twisted my emotions and truly made me feel as if I was not alone. This is because I also felt the way she does or at least the way she conveys through her journal. Which turned this reading experience into a tremendous, personal one rather then just a hero story. I felt as if Esther was sitting with me in my bed telling me what was happening herself. When I read this book it was at night which made me feel close to her in a way that I can't really explain. Since she wrote her entries at night filled with personal thoughts, emotions and doodles. I also found myself crying whilst reading this book and exploring thoughts questioning my beliefs and actions. So in a way this book made an imprint on my life and influenced my life. I know that is a pretty broad dramatic statement but that is honestly the impression I had when finishing this book. As I took my time reading I understood, enjoyed and savoured her words. I must say even though her writing may not be the best that is what made it emotional. If she wrote perfectly it would just be structure without any emotions. This book is beautifully designed, I love how they made this a beautiful book just like she was a beautiful person,  even though the book does not compare to her. It looks like they actually put time into the making of this which was nice for Esther and for the readers. Because of that we as readers get the impression that they actually cared about this book rather then them just rushing and putting the book together hastily. Now onto  John Green's introduction which was amazing like everything he writes! It was a beautiful mood setter for the book and perfectly introduced Esther. Here is the first sentence of the intro that shows you how amazing it will be and is, "My friendship with Esther Earl began, as so many great love stories do, at a Harry Potter convention."- John Green. The reason that this book lost 2% was the organization at some points. At some parts I wanted to just read her journals without the interruption of other components but I do understand that they were needed. 

Here are some quotes and pictures I liked from the book:

“We live in a world defined by its boundaries: You cannot travel faster than the speed of light. You must and will die. You cannot escape these boundaries. But the miracle and hope of human consciousness is that we can still conceive of boundlessness.”
― Esther Earl, This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl

“If one person sits down at their computer one day and types one word, dose that affect the future? If that one person didn't type that one word, would the future's history be changed? Dose their one word even mean anything? Dose my one (times a lot) word mean anything? Dose that one person's one word even get read-once? If I wasn't sitting here writing my words, would my future be different?”
― Esther Earl, This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl

“I forget, because it’s hard to realize that the same person who gives you so much love, and to whom you give so much in return, can go through the kinds of pain and suffering that nothing you do can alleviate.”
― Esther Earl, This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl

“I do hope that when the day comes, whether in 1, 10, or 100 years, I don’t want you to think of me and feel sad.”
― Esther Earl, This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl

“The measure of a friendship is not its physicality but its significance. Good friendships, online or off, urge us toward empathy; they give us comfort and also pull us out of the prisons of our selves.”
― Esther Earl, This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl

“Isn’t it sad that so often it takes facing death to appreciate life and each other fully?”
― Esther Earl, This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl

     Go read this book it is as beautiful as pizza, as delightful and sweet as Nutella and as emotional as Sherlock! 

- Ariel G, The Reading Rebel

READING REVIEW- All Our Yesterdays

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Grade: A

Percent: 87% / 100%

Stars: *****

Scale of YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK To DON'T BOTHER: hmm... I would give it a WORTH BUYING IN HARD COVER.

A game of 'summarize your feels for this book (start to finish) in a sentence': Interesting... hmmm... she is so vexing...I KNEW IT... Action start soon... OH INTENSE... FEELS... this is a stand alone?!?

"What would you change?

Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside. 

Marina has loved her best friend, James, since they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it... at least, not as the girl she once was. Em and Marina are in a race against time that only one of them can win." - Goodreads

Spoiler Free Review

     Okay, this book has been hyped to the spine (Hahaha get it... bad to the bone... hyped to the spine, book spine!) by those who have read it. For some reason this book hasn't been read a lot. Which is shocking considering the reviews it has been given so, why? I think it is because the book is not addicting. When you read Divergent or The Hunger Games you are just sucked into the world and you care about the characters. In this book you don't really LOVE the characters. The plot was not filled with action or fantastic quotes but instead could be confusing for those who don't put the puzzle together in their mind.

    Now onto the fantastic components, warning there are a lot! The Character development, wow I applaud the Chistin Terrill for that. In this book the characters are either fully developed or not even close. Chistin Terrill has this way where she gives memories of the past and you empathize and understand how that character became who they did. The plot was quick paced and intriguing. It was a mystery, assassin, doctor who -ish story which is pretty awesome! Finally, it was a stand alone! HUZZAH! No dragged on plot or unnecessary sequel or cliffhanger. You do not know how refreshing that is after books like *cough* The Selection *cough* The Elite *cough* The One, don't look at me I didn't say anything! !!!!!Updated I have recently been informed that there will sadly be a sequel!!!!!

     Go and read this book you will not regret it! It is as refreshing as a glass of lemonade and as original as cluster and fish sticks (DW reference *pats back* Don't judge! It is always an accomplishment to make a book reference.)

-Ariel G, The Reading Rebel

CALLING ALL LUNARTICS

Marissa Meyer Signing

     The other day I attended the Marissa Meyer Cress signing. Oh yes your assumptions are correct I got to meet the author and she signed my book, those were a given but still... AHHH FANGIRLING! WHO MET AN AUTHOR? YEAH THATS RIGHT I DID! I am calm now... well maybe not fully but, calm enough to not write in caps lock; which is more fun then it is given credit. Anyway the four hours of waiting were worth it! A little while before Marissa came on stage to speak they were having sort of a giveaway. In each activity the winner received a ten dollar gift card. For the last contest the Indigo employe requested three volunteers but of course did not mention what you would be volunteering for. My hand shoots straight up, ten dollar gift card? I'm in! The employe selects two people, one position left and he points to me. I jump up and walk right to the stage where of course they declare that we will be having a... DANCE OFF! WOOT WOOT! I am personally not afraid of embarrassing myself so this was right up my ally. Even though I was the youngest up there I just danced like an awkward fangirl! Just picture it a trio of introverts... dancing...on stage...in front of over hundred people. So after dancing in a group we went on to individual spot light performances. I did classic moves like robot, voguing and some weird arm artistic moves, when I showed people the video they were howling with laughter. In the end they judged by applause and I WON! VICTORY! Now I have a ten dollar gift card to use! 

     By now it was 7:00pm, time for the author event to start! Click here to watch Marissa's presentation. 

In the Q and A (not in the video) She mentioned these things:

1. Cinder's movie rights have been sold and there is a screenplay written. They are now looking for a directer. (Good news Lunartics there may be a movie!)

2. Her favourite character to write is Iko because her dialogue is fun.

3. Heartless will tell the story of the Queen of Hearts and how she became to be the Queen of Hearts and how she got a thing for beheading. (Interesting right?)

4. All her fanfiction that she wrote as a teen can still be found online. (I may need to go and read those)

After that was the anticipated book signing!

She also signed my copy of Scarlett (my copy of cinder is already signed)!

I even got to select a Lunar book thing! Which she signed as well!

I got to take pictures with her and I got to give her my Cress fanart!

TADA!

What book should I get with my ten dollar gift card?

-Ariel G, The Reading Rebel