Review: Princess in the Spotlight / Take Two

Title: Princess in the Spotlight / Take Two  (The Princess Diaries #2)
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year published: 2001
How I got this book: Borrowed it at my local library
My rating: 4,5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:
"Seriously, Lily," I said, "I have to have guard diligently against falling in love with somebody like your brother, because in the end I might have to marry Prince William."

Not that would be such a great sacrifice.

Nothing's simple when you're the new Princess of Genovia. At least, that's what Mia reckons.

With her mother dating her Algebra teacher, a secret admirer sending her mysterious e-mails, and a bad case of the hots for her friends Lily's brother Michael, Mia's discovering that life as Princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo can feel like a right-royal muddle!

My thoughts:
I enjoyed this book more than the first one, but that might because I have gotten used to the writing and I am more invested in the characters.

Mia is as funny in this one, as in the first, which I really liked. Her reaction to the world around her is always funny, and I do feel for her most of the time. It can't be easy living her life, but it is still fun to read about. 

There are, of course, some romance in this book, with Mia receiving anonymous love e-mails. I found it quite easy to figure out who it was, but it didn't take away any enjoyment from my side, so I didn't really mind. 

Hopefully, I'll be able to find the next couple of books at my local library, because I would like to continue on with these books. However, I don't think I would buy them, so it all depends on my local library. 

If this series sounds like something you'd enjoy, I would recommend picking up the first one and figure out what you think. They are intended for a younger audience, so keep that in mind if you're my age or older. 

Buy this book?
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
BookDepository (worldwide, affiliate link)
AdLibris (Norway)

Review: The Princess Diaries

Title: The Princess Diaries (The Princess Diaries #1)
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Turtleback
Year published: 2000
How I got this book: Borrowed it from my local library
My rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:
She's just a New York City girl living with her artist mom...

NEWS FLASH: Dad is a prince of Genovia. (So that's why a limo meets her at the airport!)

DOWNER: Dad can't have any more kids. (So there's no heir to the throne.)

SHOCK OF THE CENTURY: Like it or not, Mia Thermopolis is prime princess material.

THE WORST PART: Mia must take princess lessons from her dreaded grandmère, the dowager princess of Genovia, who thinks Mia has a thing or two to learn before she steps up to the throne. 

Well, her father can lecture her until he's royal-blue in the face about her princessly duty - no way is she moving to Genovia and leaving Manhattan behind.

But what's a girl to do when her name is PRINCESS AMELIA MIGNONETTE GRIMALDI THERMOPOLIS RENALDO?

My thoughts:
It was completely random that I ended up picking up this book from the library. I went there wanting to borrow something, but I didn't know what. The English section isn't that big at my local library, and this was the first book I saw that I might enjoy, and that I didn't own. And so, I brought this, and the sequel, home with me.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and it is super easy to get into. Mia's voice is funny, and it's really entertaining to read what she thinks about different thinks, and how she reacts to what is happening to her. It is clear that this is the mind of a teen-ager, and it brings back memories from when I was Mia's age, and it's really enjoyable.

Another great thing about this, is that it feels like you are reading a personal diary. Cabot has added small details, which make it seem so much more realistic. The fact that Mia writes down her homework, to-do lists and other random lists gives it a much more personal feel. Especially because that's how I would use my diary as well, I would just write down whatever I wanted or needed to remember. 

I am continuing on with this series, but I am not sure if I will read all of the books. I did not know that this series has 11 books, I thought it might have 3 or 4. However, I will continue reading them until I don't find them as entertaining anymore, which means i might read all of them. I just have to wait and see, but I will definitely recommend the first one. It's funny, light-hearted and makes you feel good. 

Buy this book?
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
BookDepository (worldwide, affiliate link)
AdLibris (Norway)

Review: The Bad Beginning & The Reptile Room

Title: The Bad Beginning & The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events 1 & 2)
Author: Lemony Snicket
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Year published: 1999
My rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:
The Bad Beginning
Dear Reader,

I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune.

In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast.

It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket

The Reptile Room
Dear Reader,

If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding a simple and cheery tale, I'm afraid you have picked up the wrong book altogether. The story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelaire children spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and a giddy uncle, but don't be fooled. If you know anything at all about the unlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that even pleasant events lead down the same road to misery.

In fact, within the pages you now hold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terrible odor, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp, and the appearance of a person they'd hoped never to see again.

I am bound to record these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on the shelf and seek something lighter.

With all due respect,
Lemony Snicket

My thoughts:
After watching the Netflix series I decided that I wanted to read the entire series. I read the first three or four books several years ago, but wanted to start on the first one, even so. I am listening to the series through the app StoryTel, and I am really enjoying it so far.

The writing style for these books are so unlike anything I've ever read before. I love the way the author, Lemony Snicket, is talking to the reader throughout the story. His voice is really unique, and make these books so much better, in my opinion. 

All the adults in these books are so useless, and I get so frustrated when they won't listen to the children. I just want to shake them, and make them understand and help the Baudelaires. Since I have seen the series and read these books before, I knew what was going to happen, but it was still enjoyable. However, I am really excited to get further in to this series, where I won't know how things turn out. 

Though these are definitely books for children, I would recommend them to others. They are funny and fast reads, and they are really exciting. 

Buy The Bad Beginning?
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
BookDepository (worldwide, affiliate link)
AdLibris (Norway)

Buy The Reptile Room?
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
BookDepository (worldwide, affiliate link)
AdLibris (Norway)

Review: The Mesmerist

Title: The Mesmerist
Author: Ronald L Smith
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: TODAY, February 7th 2017
How I got this book: I got this as an arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
My rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:
Thirteen-year-old Jessamine Grace and her mother make a living as sham spiritualists - until they discover that Jess is a mesmerist and that she really can talk to the dead. Soon she is plunged into the dark world of Victorian London's supernatural underbelly and leans that the city is under attack by ghouls, monsters, and spirit summoners. Can Jess fight these powerful forces? And will the group be able to help? As shy, proper Jess transforms into a brave warrior, she uncovers terrifying truths about the hidden battle between good and evil, about her family, and about herself.

My thoughts:
I didn't know what to expect when I picked this book up, but I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't read any reviews before starting it, and therefore only knew the synopsis. 

The setting of this book is interesting, and I will always favour a book set in Victorian London, so this made me really happy. I felt connected with Jessamine from the beginning, which helped me get into the story. Because of the length of the book, we weren't able to connect as much to the other characters, but they were still likeable, although a bit flat. 

This is a fast paced book, which means you never get bored whilst reading it. I am older than the intended audience, but I still found it exciting, and I wanted to know what happened next. This is definitely a book I would recommend buying if you, or someone you know, fits the audience, and they enjoy reading.

Buy this book?
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
BookDepository (worldwide, affiliate link)
AdLibris (Norway)

Wrap Up: January

Hello,

I've definitely started this year with a bang, when it comes to reading. I somehow managed to read 16 books in January, and I really hope I can continue like this throughout the year, though my expectations aren't all that high. However, this means that I am doing really well with my reading challenge so far, which is to read 50 books this year.

In addition to reading a lot of books, I've also enjoyed the books I have read. And that, to me, is more important than reading plenty. Quality over quantity.

The Song of Achilles // Madeline Miller // 5 stars // REVIEW

The One Memory of Flora Banks // Emily Barr // 5 stars // REVIEW

The River at Night // Erica Ferencik // 5 stars // REVIEW

The Witches // Roald Dahl // 4 stars

The Return of the King // J.R.R. Tolkien // 4 stars

Zom-B // Darren Shan // 3 stars // REVIEW

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Ultimate Guide // Mary-Jane Knight // 3 stars

The Call // Peadar Ó Guilín // 4,5 stars // REVIEW

De Usynlige // Roy Jacobsen // 3 stars

The Books of Mirrors // E.O. Chirovici // 5 stars // REVIEW

The Bad Beginning // Lemony Snicket // 4 stars

The Hunger Games // Suzanne Collins // 5 stars // REVIEW

The Reptile Room // Lemony Snicket // 4 stars

The Princess Diaries // Meg Calbot // 4 stars 

The Wide Window // Lemony Snicket // 4 stars

Mer // Joelle Sellner // 4,5 stars

What is the best book you read in January?

Review: The Call

Title: The Call
Author: Peadar Ó Guilín
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Year published: 2016
How I got this book: Listened to it as an audiobook through StoryTel
My rating: 4,5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:
 Imagine a world where you might disappear any minute, only to find yourself alone in a grey sickly land, with more horrors in it that you would ever wish to know about. And then you hear a horn and you know that whoever lives in this hell has got your scent and the hunt has already begun.

Could you survive the Call?

My thoughts:
I wanted to read this because I had heard so much about it, and it seemed like a lot of people really liked it. When I saw that they had it on StoryTel, I knew that I had to pick it up. So I did. And I am so glad I did it. 

The setting for this story is so unique and interesting, and it was easy to get into as well. I didn't know that much about the book before starting it, but it was so easy to get into, and it was exciting from the beginning. 

The story is so dark and twisted, but it really works. I got this eerie feeling whilst listening to this, and I really enjoyed the audiobook. The Sidhe are so gruesome, but they really made this story something else. And the fact that the author built the story on Irish folklore, and though I don't know much about it, it was super interesting. 

This books is impossible to put down, and you are kept at the edge of your seat at all times. You never know when one of the characters will be called, and that is part of what makes this story so impossible to put down, until you finish it. 

I have read that the author is writing a sequel, which makes me happy. The ending was amazing, but it definitely made me crave more and want to know what was going to happen.

The Call is a book I will recommend to a lot of my friends. I don't think it is for everyone, as it is quite graphic and gruesome, but that is what makes this book so gripping as well.

Buy this book?
Amazon (US)
Amazon (UK)
BookDepository (worldwide, affiliate link)
AdLibris (Norway)