The Shadow's Curse (The Knots Duology #2) by Amy McCulloch [ARC REVIEW]

★★★★★

GOODREADS SUMMARY: Raim is no closer to figuring out the meaning of the broken vow that sentenced him to exile for life. But with his former best friend now a tyrannical Khan who is holding the girl Raim loves captive, he finds it hard to care. Every day, he and Draikh learn more about their powers, but it quickly becomes clear that he will never be able to stop Khareh and free Wadi unless he can free himself from the ultimate taboo of his people. Reluctantly, Raim begins the long journey down to the dangerous South, to find the maker of his oath.


In Khareh's camp, Wadi is more than capable of devising her own escape plan, but she's gradually realizing she might not want to. The more she learns about Khareh, the more confused she becomes. He's done unquestionably bad things, horrific even, but he's got big dreams for Darhan that might improve their dire situation. What's more, rumours of a Southern king massing an army to invade Darhan are slowly gaining ground. Only if the Northern tribes can come together under a single ruler will they have the strength to fight the South - but what if that ruler is an impulsive (albeit brilliant) young man, barely able to control his ever-growing power, and missing the one part of him that might keep him sane? Whoever conquers the desert, wins the war. And the secret to desert survival lies in Lazar, which is set to become the heart of a great battle once again.

Okay, I really didn’t expect that I’m going to get accepted on my request for the ARC because of the region restriction. But I really like the idea of the first book and I gotta have this, so yeah I did.

The Shadow’s Curse is packed with of exhilarating and jaw dropping adventures and it’s a MUST READ.
*bow*
I love the ending. Great job!
The very last part made me smile, and I remembered the first book and how it all started. It’s bittersweet.

*MC’s Corner*Note: Spoilers.

• The scenes are pretty predictable. But what I like is after I “predict” some scene I got more excited and just waiting for it.
  
• The Characters
  
  ·         Raim –he’s the protagonist. I like this guy, there’s so many things happened to him: exciting and some frightening adventures. But what I noticed is that he’s on his age, not like a teenager that thinks or with a brain of an adult. He’s fun and then in times of seriousness he’s serious. He’s going and Draikh, Khareh’s shadow, will discover new about their power. I think that was cool, but it made no sense because it wasn’t that much used.
  
  
  ·         Wadi –she’s Raim love interest, kinda. *roll eyes*
  She’s an Alashan, a clan who helps people (mostly oathbreakers) travels the desert. She was captured by Khareh, she wasn’t treated like a normal prisoner, I don’t know why.  She’s confusing in a good way. Sometimes she’s in Raim side then sometimes I felt she’s in Khareh’s side, in the end I understood her.
  
  
  ·         Khareh –the new Khan. He’s Raim’s bestfriend. He’s a guy full of contradiction. He’s crazy, childish tyrant but I think all he wants is good for his country, He’s a good guy and he’s just blinded by power and to those surrounds him feeding lies but he believes on what is good to his country.  It’s like he’s so bad then suddenly he a good guy…
  
• I love the part where they travelled in boat. I wish there’s more of it. And I’m wondering what happened to the Captain and his crew…. *pout* I know it’s not that important, but still….
  
• There’s no romance or declaring of loves. And it was okay, it’s was so focused in the story, kudos! Love love love.
  
  
• Knots Duology is a story of friendship. A strong friendship that will be tested and strike by storms. It’s beautiful.      

 ARC provided by Random House Children’s Publishers UK & NetGalley in exchange of honest review.  Thank you!

@gleekidMC

 

Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant [ARC Review]

★★★★
GOODREADS SUMMARY: Michael Grant, author of the New York Times bestselling Gone series, has created a powerful and brilliant narrative that examines the nature of good and evil in every human.

Mara wakes in a field of dead grass, a heavy mist pressing down on her. She is terrified, afraid that she is dead. Then a beautiful young man dressed in black appears. He calls himself Messenger of Fear.

This boy is able to move effortlessly through space and time. He also sees the darkness in human hearts. He sees the evils done: the destructive lies, the cruelty, the bullying, the violence. And if the world does not bring justice to those who do evil, he will. He offers the wicked a game. If they win, they go free. If they lose, they will live their greatest fear. Either way, their sanity will be challenged.

It is a world of fair but harsh justice. Of retribution and redemption. And mystery. Why was Mara chosen to be the Messenger’s apprentice? What has she done to deserve this terrible fate? She won’t find out until three of the wicked receive justice. And when she does, she will be shattered.

Ooh!!! This is good. *thumbs up*
Messenger of Fear is a book you won’t appreciate till you finish it.
I think this YA book is intended for adult readers, not for teenagers. (No offense, it’s just what I think.)

*MC’s Corner*

Note: Spoilers.

• The very first part is creepy and confusing. Confusing in a way you’ll ask some questions.
  
• Okay, I said awhile ago that is book is intended for mature readers. The way Michael Grant describes every details is of something impeccable, it’ll draw perfectly and gory in your mind. There are so parts that are sooooo gruesome and horrible for young minds. Especially the Messenger’s game. *shiver*
  
• Is there is sequel? I don’t think there is… why? Because I really like how it ends. BUT my gut says there is… why? Why do Messenger needs to explain (and say all the names) those Heptarchy gods? And what the sense of having Oriax and Derek?  Hmmm I am intrigue.
  
• Oh… I think mentioning bj is not for young minds too. *wahaha*
  (Puh-lease!)
  
  
• What is this Messenger’s game?
  This is where the fun (not really. Ha ha) starts. *evil laugh*
  So if Messenger found you doing/done something wicked, he’ll offer you a game.
  “If you win the game, you will both go free to consider what you have done. If you lose the game, you will suffer your greatest fear.”
  This game is not just game. (I can’t say it was worse than the Hunger Games, kinda, but it’s not that kind of game.) I can’t describe the game because there weren’t many in the book (I wish they are, not really. They’re so bloody disgusting and will make you stomach flip. UGH!)
  
• Oh by the way if you refuse to play, technically you’ll lose, and you must pay the consequence. 
  See the tag line in the cover???
  “IF YOU ARE WICKED THE MESSENGER WILL FIND YOU.”
  So yeah… don’t let the messenger find you.
  Do something bad… HE’LL CATCH YOU!
  BEWARE!     

 ARC provided by Katherine Tegen Books & Edelweiss in exchange of honest review.  Thank you!

@gleekidMC

Ignite Me (Shatter Me, #3) by Tahereh Mafi [REVIEW]

Goodreads summary: The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love"

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

Aaron: I do not have friends.

Juliette: Why can’t you try?
Why? Why not give it a chance—

Aaron: Because I am afraid, that your friendship would be the end of me.

*bow*

*clap* *clap*

*bow*

THAT WAS AMAZING!!! 

*clap* *clap*

OhMyGosh!

Juliette's journey comes to an end.
Who'll she choose?
Warner, the guy who showed her her true self and how to fight back?

Or Adam the first guy who showed her how to love?

Kenji: Are you out of your goddamn mind? You think we can take on two hundred soldiers? I know I am an extremely attractive man, J, but I am not Bruce Lee.

Juliette: Who’s Bruce Lee?

Kenji: Who’s Bruce Lee?  Oh my God. We can’t even be friends anymore.

Juliette: Why? Was he a friend of yours?

 *MC's CORNER*

Note: Spoilers.
 

• After reading “Fracture Me” I knew Adam and Juliette are not going to end up together. So yeah, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t wished or hoped. It takes some getting used to but in the end you’ll agree with author’s decision.
   
• Gosh! I love how everything adds up. The Drama is spectacular and amusing at same time, you can feel it. Juliette & Warner, Juliette & Adam or Adam &Juliette… it just the drama never went down or super high, the balance is great.
  Then the Romance… GOD! I am TeamAdam till the end but Juliette and Warner alone together will definitely bring you to smile. (Oh well, except when they’re eating each others head.) *grinning*. The Action, it’s not as “actionful” as the previous books but there’s the thrill.
  The Humor= Kenji.
  Who in the hell didn’t laugh with Kenji?
  
• 
  THE MAIN CHARACTERS
  
  • Juliette Ferrars – The protagonist. I love this girl from book 1 up to here in book3. She’s the same even with her new personality she’s still Juliette. We joined her on her journey and watch her gain this new Juliette. (What am I talking about? LOL) She’s still counting steps, time and etc.
    She’s like Superman + Poison Ivy.
    She’s the slut-iest slut ever. (What? I just want to say it, I don’t have an explanation why I said that, I just did. *shrug*)
    
  • Aaron Warner – Warner is unexpected. ANSWERS!!! YES ANSWERS FOR THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS!
    We’ll see the new side of Warner, or rather the side of Warner that we didn’t really see.
    (Is it me or even you? When Warner is not wearing anything he’s kinda HAWT… *BLUSHING* Not kindahot… I think he’s really HAWT. GOSH! #SPOILER. He’s rudeness didn’t go, though which I like about him. (Yeah yeah! *ROLL EYES* I am TeamAdam till-the-end but that doesn’t mean I can’t fangay! Duh)
    
  • Adam Kent – MELODRAMATIC!!! Wahaha. I love you Adam but…yeah. But it’s not irritating; it’s so perfect with the story.
    He loves his brother (I mean James not Warner.)
    Piece of advice to Adam: FIND YOURSELF ANOTHER GIRL or maybe a guy. *giggle*
    (According to Warner, his love for Juliette (Damn why’s her name is so long?) is like love for a dog, something like that)
    
  • Kenji Kishimoto – *laughing*
    Ugh!!! He’s the only character, for me, that didn’t have an ending. Kenji’s part is incomplete. I had this feeling that he’s gay, and in-love r crushing with Adam. I don’t know, I just felt it. #GAYDAR
    I love it when he said something about Juliette’s “lady bits”. *LAUGHING ON THE FLOOR*
    
•  I LOVE THIS SERIES!
  ALL THE YA LOVERS OUT THERE.
  YOU
  MUST
  READ
  Tahereh Mafi’s Trilogy SHATTER ME!
  
• *SOBBING* (not really)
  Iam going to miss this series and the characters.
  *bow*
  Advance Congratulations to Tahereh Mafi, this is a BestSeller!

@gleekidMC