May Wrap Up/June TBR

May Wrap Up

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great month! I certainly did, and it was also an extremely busy month for me which meant I only managed to read 9 books and 1 novella.  I'm slightly disappointed with that since I read double that last month, but with everything I've had going on in May and the reading slump I've been in for about 2 weeks, I'm glad I actually managed to get some books read in May. Also, I apologise for being really absent on the blog over the past month but I've just not been feeling it. I'm planning to take it slow over June and hopefully my motivation to blog will come back.

I had two stand out favourites this month and they were obviously The One by Kiera Cass and City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare. Both were fantastic endings to two of my favourite series and I just loved them both so much.

June TBR

So, since I'm in a pretty big reading slump right now I'm not going to give myself a set TBR. I've got 8 books that I definitely need to read this month: 

- 4 buddy reads with Brittany

- 4 books for MHAM

I'm hoping I'll be able to read more than this though because I've got a few review books for this month that I really want to read and a few books on my TBR shelves that I've been wanting to read, but we'll see.

What was your favourite book of May and what are you most excited to read this month?

Showcase Sunday #71

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea. This meme allows book bloggers to show off the books they collected over the last week.

Hello everyone! This week has been a pretty busy week again. I was working all week and haven't had much time to myself. I'm kind of in a reading slump again and I'm spending most of my time watching TV or playing the Sims 3 (the addiction is back!). I did go to see Godzilla with the boyfriend this week and it turned out to be a major disappointment.

Bookwise, I kind of went a bit book mad this week but who cares! I bought a few books from a local charity shop at the beginning of the week, ordered a few from amazon and picked up a couple from The Works. I also got a few books from Netgalley & Edelweiss.

Bought

• physical

The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass

If I Stay (If I Stay #1) by Gayle Forman

Flawless (Pretty Little Liars #2) by Sara Shepard

Perfect (Pretty Little Liars #3) by Sara Shepard

Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars #4) by Sara Shepard


Have a Little Faith (Faith #1) by Candy Harper

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1) by Kady Cross

Alice Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #1) by Gena Showalter

Dangerous Creatures (Dangerous Creatures #1) by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Fire with Fire (Burn for Burn #2) by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

• kindle

Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice Clayton

The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game #2) by J. Sterling

Netgalley

Dollhouse (Dollhouse #1) by Anya Allyn

Extraction (Extraction #1) by Stephanie Diaz

Edelweiss

Made For You by Melissa Marr

What books did you get this week?

The One by Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection #3
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: May 6th 2014
Source: Bought

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.

REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS. LOTS AND LOTS OF SPOILERS.

Ever since I picked up The Selection on January 1st 2013 I've been completely in love with this series and I honestly can't believe that it's over now. When I finally got my copy of The One I honestly dropped everything else I was reading/doing and just started reading it. I'd been dying to get my hands on it for so long that I just couldn't wait any longer. As soon as I started I was pulled back into Illea and the whole Selection world, and it definitely kicked off with a bang.

America's journey through the Selection process is one that I've loved seeing. She's grown from a naive young woman into someone who deserves to wear the crown. She still has her moments where she can be naive, indecisive and slightly annoying, but I love that she isn't perfect and it's the main thing that makes me love her character. I also love her determined and passionate she is about helping the lower castes and making everyone equal. She really starts to enforce this in The One and I couldn't wait to see whether she was going to be able to do it or not. America also discovered a lot more about her father after his death (which was heartbreaking), and she starts to piece everything together when she finds out he was one of the Northern rebels. She begins to understand her father a lot more and I feel like it brought her closer to him even though he was gone.

Prince Maxon has always been my favourite of the two guys in America's life. Maxon is such a sweetheart, but he's not perfect either. Maxon has whittled the girls down to the last few and is still finding it hard to choose because he has no idea how America feels about him. So, of course, that obviously gives him reason enough to go around kissing every single other girl left. Not OK, Maxon. Even though he may have feelings for the other girls, he doesn't care about them as much as he cares about America so he was kind of using them and I did want to kick him for that. But Maxon is such a sweet, caring, thoughtful and intelligent character and I loved seeing his character grow in this book. He's learned so much since the Selection started and it's changed him into a better person with a much greater knowledge of his country.

Although Aspen has bugged the hell out of me during the previous two books and I've wanted him to disappear to some far off land and never return, I actually started to like Aspen in The One. Maybe it was because I sensed very close to the beginning of the book that things were definitely over between him and America (even though it took forever for it to be clarified) and I could finally allow myself to like him because he wasn't ruining my ship. Aspen is such a caring and protective character. He continues to look out for America even when it's clear that she loves Maxon instead of him and I just think that shows a lot about his character. 

I'm not going to lie, the will-they-won't-they relationship between Maxon and America was the main thing that kept me reading this series. I'm a complete sucker for a great romance story and Kiera Cass definitely had a winner with those two. Obviously their relationship wasn't going to be straight-forward because both of them still had a lot to work out and a bit more growing up to do. They both needed to reach that point in their lives where they weren't scared anymore and could finally admit their feelings about each other and feel comfortable about it. Their journey through The One had me laughing, crying and almost tearing my hair out in frustration because I just needed them to be together so badly and I didn't know what I'd do if they didn't. But thankfully Kiera Cass wasn't cruel and Maxon and America finally figured all of their shit out and admitted that they loved each other and I just squealed and hugged my book.

Not only did I finally find out who America ended up with, I finally got to find out what the rebels were after and why! So it turns out that there is a major difference between what the Southern and the Northern rebels want. The Southern rebels want to kill everyone in power and rule Illea themselves and make everything 10 times worse than it already is. Whereas the Southern rebels want to break down the caste system and back Prince Maxon (because they know he's a decent guy). The Northern rebels have never killed to get into the palace, but the Southern rebels have. I loved finally getting an insight in to the rebels and what they were doing and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. They added a hell of a lot to the story and the plot and I couldn't wait to see whether they would get what they always wanted.

The other thing that I really loved about this book was the other girls in the Selection. Celeste, Kriss & Elise have been a big part of this series because they've been there from the beginning. I've gotten to know these girls but I didn't really know them until this book. I made a split second judgement of Celeste in the previous books because of how she acted, but there's so much more to her character. I adored getting to hear her background and get to know more about her and I loved that she and America became really close friends. I thought that Kriss was genuinely America's only competition in the Selection and I was tearing my hair out thinking that Maxon would pick her. She does really care for Maxon, but she also has other motives. Elise really only wanted to marry Maxon to honour her family, but she's such a lovely person. All three of them were amazing in the end.

The ending was a major shock ending. Honestly, I didn't realise what was happening until America did and then when I did I was gripping my book so hard trying to take in everything that was happening. When Celeste was shot I actually had tears in my eyes. Even though she hadn't been on my good side for very long, she'd managed to work her way up to one of my favourite characters very quickly and I was devastated that she was gone. And when Aspen was dragging America away from Maxon my heart felt like it was breaking because I just wanted him to be OK but I didn't know if he would be. Finding out that Queen Amberly had been killed was the biggest hit for me. I couldn't believe that such an amazing character had sacrificed herself to save her husband (who ended up dead anyways), but it just goes to show how much she cared for Maxon's father even though he could be a horrible person. I just wish she had been able to see Maxon and America finally get together.

Maxon and America's wedding was such a sweet and bittersweet moment. I'd been waiting for this moment since they first met in The Selection and I had a stupid grin on my face and tears in my eyes. But it was bittersweet because two of the characters I'd grown to love never got to witness it: Celeste and Queen Amberly. Both of these characters should have been there to witness that moment and it slightly broke my heart that they weren't.

The Selection trilogy is now one of my all-time favourite trilogies. I was dreading the moment where I would have to say goodbye to these characters, but it was such a satisfying ending and definitely the way I wanted things to go (minus the deaths though). The One is undeniably my favourite of the trilogy and I just want to say a massive thank you to Kiera Cass for writing such an incredible trilogy full of amazing characters that I've loved following right from the beginning. I'll always treasure this series and I know it's one I'll revisit over and over again.

Waiting on Wednesday #80

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event,  hosted by breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming

releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover
Series: Welcome to the Point #1
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: June 17th 2014

Welcome to the Point

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter.

Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.

Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.

Bax terrifies her, but it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize that some boys are just better when they’re bad.

A new Jay Crownover book! Yaaaaay! I'm a huge fan of Jay Crownover's Marked Men series and I was super excited when I came across this one. Bax sounds really hot and mysterious, and I'm really looking forward to finding out what happened to land him in jail. And Dovie sounds interesting too. There isn't too much about her in the synopsis, so I assume there's a lot more to her. I've already got this one pre-ordered because I can't wait for it. June 17th better hurry up!

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Books About Friendship

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks topic is:

Ten Books About Friendship
So for this weeks topic I've only managed to come up with 9 books, and while friendship isn't the main theme of all of these books, it's still a major part of every single one of them.

What books are on your list this week?

BLOG TOUR: All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack
Series: Rusk University #1
Publisher: 
Publication Date: 
Buy: Amazon US; Amazon UK; B&N

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Cora Carmack has done it again. Yet another one of her books kept me up until about 2am because I didn't want to stop reading. But I have to say, All Lined Up has been my favourite of Cora's books so far. I adored every single book in her Losing It trilogy, but All Lined Up has completely smashed them out of the water because it was so perfect and amazing.

Dallas is the Coach's daughter, but sick of only being recognized as 'the coach's daughter'. She loves dancing but her father basically doesn't take an interest in her. He spends all of his time invested in his coaching and treats Dallas like a child. She hates that she isn't recognized as her own person and that her dad doesn't have time for her anymore. Carson is second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He's determined to work hard to get a football scholarship as it's the only way he can follow his dream. Carson has always wanted to play football and he's determined to work his ass of to show how much he wants it. Carson and Dallas meet at a party and their lives change the moment they meet.

Dallas was such a feisty, determined and passionate character. She was also harboring a lot of anger towards her father because she felt like he put her in second place and loved football more than her. She's also angry that her father doesn't see her dancing as a proper career and she just wants to finally have a proper relationship with her father again. She's also struggling to deal with what happened with her ex Levi and it's hard to deal with what happened when he's the start football player at her college.

Carson was such a determined, sweet, charming and motivated character. He's so driven and knows exactly what he has to do to get where he wants to me. But he's so stressed. He pushes and pushes himself and he doesn't allow himself to unwind and relax.

Both Carson and Dallas were set in their ways until they came into each others lives. From the moment these characters met, they had an impact on each others lives and started to change them. They had immediate, intense chemistry and it practically sizzled off the page.

Oh, holy hell was the romance steamy. Within minutes of them meeting they were making out behind a tree and it was a pretty hot make-out session. The chemistry between the two of them was unbelievable. Both of them had a lot of issues to work around and figure out - some which they could overcome together, others they had to work out for themselves - but their scenes together were always intense.

The ending was kind of just... perfect. It definitely gave me hope for Dallas and her dad. Also, that scene between Dallas and Carson? *fans self* It was a perfect way to end the book. It left me with a massive grin on my face.

Overall I thought it was Cora's best book yet! Also, Dallas & Carson are my favourite couple yet! I'm super excited for All Broke Down because I'm looking forward to learning more about Silas - he doesn't seem like he's the total ass he came across as at the start of ALU. Definitely recommend this one!

GIVEAWAY

There is a rafflecopter giveaway for 5 signed copies of ALL LINED UP for 5 winners-US Only.

Click HERE to enter the giveaway.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Links: Facebook; Twitter; Website; Goodreads
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life - boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. 
Her first book, LOSING IT, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Showcase Sunday #70

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea. This meme allows book bloggers to show off the books they collected over the last week.

Hello everyone! This week has been a slightly quieter week, but I've still been busy. I've been trying to fit in as much reading as possible for Bout of Books around everything else I was doing this week. I also went to see McBusted for the second time and me and my sister won OMFG tickets which meant we were in the standing zone in between the stage and the runway! It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life and I wish I could do it all over again.

Bookwise, I didn't get that many books this week. I got 3 kindle books - one of which was free - and I've already read the free one.

Bought

• kindle

Red at Night by Katie McGarry

With This Heart by R. S. Grey
More Than This (More #1) by Jay McLean

What books did you get this week?

You're the One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher

You're the One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher
Series: No
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: May 22nd 2014
Source: Netgalley [Penguin]

Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had.

And that's the problem.

Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?

Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...

So I ended up reading You're the One That I Want a lot sooner than I had originally planned to - mainly because Jess from Jess Hearts Books mentioned in one of her posts that she absolutely loved it, and that was all the motivation I needed to drop everything else I was reading and pick it up. I can't even begin to express how much I loved this book. It was one of those books that kept me up late (even though I had work early the next morning, but I didn't really care) and had me sobbing at the end. And I mean really sobbing, like shoulder-shaking sobs. There were a few moments when I actually had to put the book down and try to stop myself crying. 

I'd expected You're the One That I Want to be emotional because it follows three childhood best friends who've grown up and done everything together, and both guys are in love with the girl. But I never expected it to be as emotional as it was. My feeling were all over the place throughout the book and I honestly didn't know who I wanted Maddy to end up with. Both guys had their flaws and their perfect moments, and they were both perfect for Maddy, so my heart was torn.

It follows our three characters (and best friends) Ben, Rob and Maddy as they grow up. Parts of Maddy and Rob's wedding day and the speeches are interspersed throughout the story which added a lot to the story for me and made it even more emotional.

Please don't read the synopsis of this book and go 'Another love triangle?' because I can promise you that you've never read a love triangle quite like this one. This love triangle packs a punch and had me in constant tears. The bond between these three best friends is so strong and so real because all three of these characters care for each other deeply.

Ben fell for Maddy the second he first set eyes on her. He's in love with her but is too scared to admit his feelings in case it changes everything. But on a school trip to Paris when Ben has finally worked up the nerve to tell Maddy about his feelings, Rob realises he likes Maddy and makes his move. Now not only does Ben have to struggle with his feelings for Maddy, he has to see the girl he loves and his best friend together. 

I honestly didn't envy Maddy for one second. She has these two amazing friends who both love her, but who both have their flaws, and she has to choose between them. And it's not even that straight forward. There's a hell of a lot that goes on in this book that Maddy has to work through to find out where her heart truly lies and not lose a best friend while she's doing it. 

Ben completely stole my heart and I was rooting for him throughout the whole book. I loved Rob too, but Ben was the one who captured me. He's such a sensitive, caring, sweet and lovable character. My heart was breaking for him throughout most of the book, but I was also really happy for Rob. It was all so confusing and emotional.

I loved seeing the journey these three friends went on. From being young kids who ran around climbing trees, to teenagers and their first loves. From independent young adults on their way to university, to adults trying to work out what they want in life. There wasn't a single part of this story that I didn't love and getting to follow Ben, Rob and Maddy on their journey was amazing.

Honestly, I think I sobbed through like the last 5 or so chapters of this book because it got way more emotional at the end. After getting to the epilogue I realise that the way everything turned out was meant to be. The epilogue was perfect and such an emotional end. But that didn't stop those 3 little squeezes at the end from ripping my heart out.

Overall, You're The One That I Want was such a beautiful story about friendship, love and all the emotional turmoil that comes with it. You're The One That I Want is one of the best books I've read in a long time and I'm sure it'll always be a favourite of mine.

Waiting on Wednesday #79

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event,  hosted by breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming
releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau

Series: The Testing #3

Publisher: Templar

Publication Date: June 1st 2014

She wants to put an end to the Testing
In a scarred and brutal future, The United Commonwealth teeters on the brink of all-out civil war. The rebel resistance plots against a government that rules with cruelty and cunning. Gifted student and Testing survivor, Cia Vale, vows to fight.

But she can't do it alone.
This is the chance to lead that Cia has trained for - but who will follow? Plunging through layers of danger and deception, Cia must risk the lives of those she loves--and gamble on the loyalty of her lethal classmates.

Who can Cia trust?
The stakes are higher than ever-lives of promise cut short or fulfilled; a future ruled by fear or hope--in the electrifying conclusion to Joelle Charbonneau's epic Testing trilogy. Ready or not…it's Graduation Day.

The Final Test is the Deadliest!

After the ending of Independent Study I'm just dying to get my hands on this one! I've got it pre-ordered and I can't wait to find out how the trilogy wraps up!

What are you waiting on this week?

Bout of Books: Day 2 - Challenge

Christina over at My Life in Books is hosting the Bookish Battle Royale Bout of Books challenge!

So for my entry I've decided to go with strong female protagonists from YA.

The Rules

1. Choose three or more fictional characters as combatants – they can be haphazardly picked or themed (for example, I went with badass classic literature protagonists)
2. List three strengths and weakness for each contender (feel free to skip this step if you’re using social media to participate in Bout of Books i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads…)
3. Determine who would come out victorious and give a little explanation why you think they would win – get creative with the outcomes!
4. Link in the comments and if you tweet about this challenge make sure to use the hashtag #bookbattleroyal in addition to #boutofbooks because I want to see all your dueling characters!

AND THE WINNER IS....

because she's 18 years old and she's the best assassin there is. And also because she's awesome!

Ten Books I Almost Put Down But Didn't

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Books I Almost Put Down But Didn't

I couldn't think of 10 books for this one so here are my top 8:

What books have you almost put down but are glad you didn't?

Bout of Books 10: Progress

Bout of Books 10 is a week long read-a-thon that runs from May 12th - May 18th. To find out more about the read-a-thon, click here!

This post is going to be my main update post that I'll be filling out at the end of each day, but I'll be updating throughout the day on twitter. To find out my goals for the read-a-thon click here.

MONDAY

No. of Books Read: 1 (and 1 novella)
No. of Books Finished: 1 (and 1 novella)

No. of Pages Read: 445

Books: Red at Night by Katie McGarry & The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

TUESDAY

No. of Books Read: 1
No. of Books Finished: 0

No. of Pages Read: 313

Books: Ruins by Dan Wells

WEDNESDAY

No. of Books Read: 3
No. of Books Finished: 2

No. of Pages Read: 436

Books: Ruins by Dan Wells; If I Stay by Gayle Forman & The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz

THURSDAY

No. of Books Read: 1
No. of Books Finished: 0

No. of Pages Read: Like 4 or 5?

Books: The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz

FRIDAY

No. of Books Read: 1
No. of Books Finished: 1

No. of Pages Read: 356

Books: Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

SATURDAY

No. of Books Read: 0
No. of Books Finished: 0 

No. of Pages Read: 0

Books: -

SUNDAY

No. of Books Read: 1
No. of Books Finished: 1

No. of Pages Read: 80
Books: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

OVERALL

Total No. of Books Finished: 4 (and 1 novella)

Total No. of Pages Read: 1279 pages

Books: Finished: Red at Night by Katie McGarry; The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa; Ruins by Dan Wells; If I Stay by Gayle Forman & Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian. Not Finished: The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz & Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

Showcase Sunday #69

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits and Tea. This meme allows book bloggers to show off the books they collected over the last week.

Hello everyone! This week has been another busy week for me. I barely had a minute to myself the first half of the week but things started to calm down on Thursday and I've been trying to catch up on reading/TV Shows since I've barely had any time since the start of May.

Bookwise, the two books I ordered with the Gift Card I got from my co-workers at the library showed up this week and I also picked up two books when I was in ASDA. I also bought a kindle book and got a book from Netgalley.

Bought

• physical

The Program (The Program #1) by Suzanne Young

Take Me There by Carolee Dean

Night Witches by L.J. Adlington

A Witch in Winter (Winter #1) by Ruth Warburton

• kindle

Pure (Covenant #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Netgalley

Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell

What books did you get this week?

Meridian by Josin L. McQuein

Meridian by Josin L. McQuein
Series: Arclight #2
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: May 27th 2014
Source: Edelweiss [Greenwillow Books]

Marina thought that she had solved all of the Arclight’s mysteries. She had found her own history—that she was one of the Fade, that she never should have been human. She knows that the Fade who surround the Arclight don’t want to be the humans' enemies at all. She knows that the leader of those inside the Arc, Honoria Whit, never told the whole truth.

But there is so much more that Marina is just discovering.

There are more survivors out there. Only Marina—and her friends, all of whom have connections to the Fade they'd never known about—can lead her people to them. But there are also darker dangers, things that even the Fade fear. And Marina slowly realizes she may never have been “cured,” after all. 

So I ended up picking up Meridian as soon as I finished reading Arclight. I just couldn't wait to see what was going to happen!It started off exciting and I was dying to know what was going to happen, but I gradually started to lose interest. Meridian was told from two POV's - Marina & Tobin's - and to be honest, I didn't care for Tobin's POV. It made me hate him even more and also made me lose interest.

Marina is re-adjusting to life in the Arc after everything she found out about herself in the previous book. People's opinions on The Fade have changed thanks to Marina and her friends. She's struggling to come to terms with what happened and is trying to work out what would be best for her.

Tobin spends all of his time moping about Marina, thinking about her, pissing off Rue and making me want to punch him. He's a complete jackass and I hated him.

And then we have Rue. Rue may tease Tobin (or Tibby, haha), but he's never horrible to him. In fact, Rue has saved Tobin's life on countless occasions (even when he hasn't wanted to). He's sweet, kind and extremely protective of Marina.

Honoria was lying to all of the people in the Arc about The Fade and everyone is adjusting to the truth - The Fade aren't dangerous. But then they discover that there's a different kind of Fade - a darkness that's coming for them all. After a few of their people have been infected, a group from the Arc set out to find other survivors to try and help them defeat the darkness and save their people.

There was actually a lot of action, fighting and explosions towards the end of the book that I really enjoyed - especially that massive showdown at the end which was fantastic!

I didn't think that the story was as good as Arclight's. There were times when I was questioning what was happening and why everything just came from nowhere. It was enjoyable, but not as good as the first book.

I wasn't a massive fan of how Meridian ended because it just... ended. I didn't really feel anything when I finished it, usually I'm dying to get my hands on the next book, but I don't feel like that about this one. I kind of want the next book because there's still a lot to be answered, but I'm not too bothered about it.

Overall, Meridian didn't live up to Arclight for me. The story wasn't as good, I wasn't a fan of the dual POV but I still enjoyed it.