Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman, illustrated by Brendan Shusterman [ARC Review]

GOODREADS SUMMARY: Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.

Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.

Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.

Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.

Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.

Caden Bosch is torn.

A captivating and powerful novel that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by one of today's most admired writers for teens. 

*PHEW*
 Okay, how am I going to criticize/review a book like Challenger Deep?
The topic is a bit sensitive… It’s not my first time to read something like this, but it my first time to read that focuses only with the issue.

I want to apologize, in advanced, if I will say something rude or inappropriate. GOSH I know deep in my heart I won’t mean any of that, Challenger Deep made me respect more the people with this condition.

Honestly, when I saw someone, on the streets, with mental illness I try to avoid and not ever made eye contact with them. It’s a knee jerk reaction; I know most of you have done that also. I felt embarrassed and ashamed for myself right now.

(Gosh! It is really hard writing a review for this book! I’m sweating!)

*MC’s Corner*

Note: Spoilers.

·         Did I enjoy reading Challenger Deep?
NOPE. I did not enjoy it.
But Challenger Deep is a compelling book, it compelled my mind to finish it and it never came cross to my mind to put it down... and not picking it up again.
I think it was the topic and the concept that made me finish it. It was honest and very brave.
Challenger Deep is a pretty good book you don’t know where will it take you.
Add it to your reading list next year.

·         When I read a book I write some notes. One of the notes I wrote on the first chapters of Challenger Deep is, “Lunatic. #craydar.”
On that time I have no, absolutely no idea that Caden Bosch has a mental illness.
The very first note I wrote is, “Narnia.”
I thought Caden just went into another world, like what happened the Pevensies. I just kept on asking chapter after chapter, “What will happen next?” “How did that happened?”
So… when I realized that it wasn’t like that. GOSH. I wanted to bang my head on the table that time.
I always throw the word ‘Cray-cray’ like it’s nothing but a fun word. (Read my other review. I do love throwing that word.)
I give you guys a permission to kick my ass. Not Really. *grin*

·         On Chapter 113 Neal Shusterman said something like a… similarity between Vincent van Gogh & Michelangelo and then on Chapter 122 pointed something about the prophets. Well he did have a point… we really don’t know what on these people’s minds.

·         This book requires a lot of attention. If you didn’t you’ll find yourself lost.
And you’ll ask yourself, “Why is he scared to a parrot?”

·         Tell me… the illustrations/drawings are just outlines… RIGHT???
That is the only I don’t like about the ARCs with drawings… some of them were… unrecognizable and I just can’t make out the picture.
The pictures were drawn by Brendan Shusterman, Neal’s son. #shocking.

<i> ARC provided by HarperTeen (HarperCollins Publishers) &Edelweiss in exchange of honest review.  Thank you! </i>

@gleekidMC

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen Trilogy #1) [ARC REVIEW]

★★★★★
GOODREADS SUMMARY: The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

Today, I vow that if Red Queen didn’t make it to the Top Ten Best Selling books list–any list–a week after it was published I am not going to read books for a whole week.

Red Queen is a TO-READ Book after The Hunger Games, Divergent & The Selection.

Pierce Brown’s Red Rising meets Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games meets Kiera Cass’ The Selection meets Brandon Sanderson’s Steelheart meets Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass.
 Red Queen is 2015 MUST READ!
I WANT THE BOOK TWO!

*MC’s Corner*

Note: Spoilers.

• I love the plot. One of the best that I’ve read.
  
• I am excited for this book. I can’t for it to come out and everyone to read it.
  And I really want the book two.

• If you want some Dystopia book add Red Queen to your list.
  
• Ang ganda nya grabe!!! NAKAKLOKA NG BONGANG BONGA!

• I am the type of reader that I put notes on my books; nonsense notes, some questions and sometimes I wrote theories.
  DAYUM! I wrote A LOT of notes on Red Queen. And what I actually liked about it is, whenever I got some question they were all answered. Victoria Aveyard thought of everything, she looked on every side and every corners of the story.
  She created this world and it’s just… I don’t know how to explain it but *I am making some hand gestures right know, I am speechless*
  *cough*
  
• One thing is very clear though, I am now a fan of Victoria Aveyard.
  
• The writing style is just right for it. Flawless.
  
• I don’t have problem or some unanswered question. Well except when is the book two coming? *grin*
  
• The people in Red Queen are divided well… separated into two. The Reds and the Silvers. (Much like in Red Rising: The Reds and the Golds.)

• The Reds –are like slaves… they are slaves; they pretty much do everything for Silvers. It’s a cruel world for them.
  
• The Silvers –they control almost, ALMOST, everything. On Red Rising the Golds are gods, the difference between them and Silver–no not the name­–are the Silvers, all of them got something special. They are like the “Epics” on <i>Steelheart</i>. They’ll have special powers, inhuman abilities and they are all power hungry.
  And… they bleed silver. Yes their blood is silver. When they blush… they were… paling???

QUESTION: Dear Victoria Aveyard,
*cough* This is an innocent question… and I am just wondering.
Do female Silvers have monthly bleeding???

• The Characters: 

• Mare Barrow –she is the protagonists. She’s a Red. A different kind of Red. She supports her family by pick pockets. Yes! She is a thief. That’s all she knows what to do. She just waiting for her 18^th birthday to join conscription like his three older brothers. She’s going to be mixed up with the Silvers. That’s all I am spoiling. It’s really hard to explain her journey without spoiling the story.
  
• I think, right now, she is my favorite female Dystopian character. Ranked first over Katniss Everdeen & America Singer.  I like her very much.
  
• DAMN! I just realized that if I wrote the guys in Red Queen it is like spoiling all of it. OH MY! Mare is a quite a slut–she’s got lots of boys all over her. (She’s not, what I said is full of exaggerations and I am just jealous.)
  
• Kilorn Warren –he is of the guys I am talking about. He also is a Red and he is Mare’s best friend. He is a fisherman’s apprentice until his Master died and will be forced to conscription to fight and die in the crazy war of Silvers. And Mare is going to help to escape that fate…
  
• Prince Tiberias Calore aka Cal–he is Silver and a Prince. His “power” is to control fire; they called them “burner”. (He reminded me of Roy Mustang is my favorite anime Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood.) He is the reason Mare mixed up with the Silvers…
  
• Prince Maven Calore –he is Cal’s half brother and also is a “burner”. He is going to be Mare’s fiancé. Zipping my mouth now. #MajorSpoiler

Just so you know I want to ‘fangurl’ but I don’t want to clue someone… *fanning my face*

• A piece of advice who will read Red Queen, TRUST NO ONE. Question everyone and everything. Every move made and words of the characters said.
  The last portion of the book is the best. Shocking but it made sense.

NAKAKALOKA!
I WANT BOOK TWO!!!

ARC provided by HarperTeen & Edelweiss in exchange of honest review.  Thank you!

@gleekidMC