Daughter of the Siren Queen

“I braved the ocean for you. Will you brave the land for your queen?” 

- Alosa

(Warning: This post may contain spoilers and it is an HONEST review so please, if you are in the middle of the book or if you are a fan and love everything about this book and will get offended please don't read.)

Hi friends and readers! I just finished Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller. It was gifted to me by my best friend and fellow book reader @bumble_bee_reads. We did a book exchange for Christmas and I really wanted to the read the sequel of Daughter of the Pirate King. I was ready for swashbuckling adventures, Alosa and Riden's ruthless banter and of course hoping to meet the Siren Queen. Instead of all those things it wasn't much of an adventure, sexual banter and meeting the Siren Queen but boy was it not what I had pictured at all.

What's It About: In Daughter of the Siren Queen we revisit Alosa and her crew aboard the Ava-lee where they have discovered all three pieces of the map which will lead them to buried treasure but what Alosa thinks will be smooth sailing it seems to go totally opposite. The pirates whom were originally trying to take her captive are now prisoners on her own ship and when one of them spills a secret Alosa finds herself in an on ocean battle with her father, The Pirate King. They have to race to find the buried treasure first before her father does and along the way she may just meet her mother whom is the Siren Queen.

I was so excited to sit down and read this but I was sorely disappointed. This book was honestly so downhill from the last one. I try to give all books chances, and I did but I never got really into this book except for the last three chapters. 

 As a writer myself I really take my time with my books and I really want to put the best possible book out there for my readers but honestly I think Ms. Tricia Levenseller (in all due respect) got ahead of herself. I felt like she was revisiting Alosa, Riden and the crew again too for the first time since book one. I felt like she wasn't spending any time with at all since the break between the first book being let out and writing the second one. 

There was no character growth or development. I thought Alosa would have changed just a tad but nope she was the same. In my first review I applauded Ms. Levenseller for creating a strong female character but this wasn't the case in this book. Alosa was so caught up in Riden that she really didn't have a personality without him. It really was poor and distasteful how much sexual tension was in this book. 

Alosa and Riden were stuck in their same old feelings for each other. It was like watching a T.V. Show where they drag out the love triangle until the last episode only for you to be sorely disappointed with no closure. Literally the end of this book after Alosa and Riden literally begging for each other's love was them wanting to make out....or you know. 

There is really nothing more to say except this wasn't one of my favorites. Daughter of the Pirate King was great! I thoroughly enjoyed reading that but this one, it was just plain hard to get through. 

With bad comes good though and I will say meeting Alosa's mom was definitely a great thing that happened in the book! I loved the way Alosa finally met her, it was a plot twist for sure and I did think it really creative for Levenseller to write it the way she did. I also just adored the ending how Alosa, though adored her mom she knew it was best to stay above the ocean. Sort of reminded me of The Little Mermaid and she's my favorite Princess so double points! Also the action was impeccable and little Roslyn has easily become a favorite character for me.

I wish this book hadn't seemed so rush, I wonder if the author was rushed and if she was, if she would rewrite and change a few things. Unfortunately this wasn't a favorite and most definitely not a re-read.

I'm just grateful that I have two books down for the month of January and for those being two books of my TBR list for 2019! What kind of books are on your TBR list and how are you doing with your goal for this year? Let me know in the comments below!!

Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." 

-Dumbledore 

(Warning: This post may contain spoilers and it is an HONEST review so please, if you are in the middle of the book or if you are a fan and love everything about this book, do not read.) 

Happy New Year fellow readers/writers. I just finished my first read of 2019 and that was Harry Potter and the  Chamber of Secrets and I absolutely loved it! It may have been my favorite Harry Potter book out of the series but I've only read the first two and there's still so many adventures for Harry to go on! 

What's It About: After spending all summer long with Harry's family - The Dursleys, he is whisked back to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But before boarding the Hogwarts Express, Harry is confronted by a strange creature, given the name Dobby that there is much trouble awaiting him at the school 

When Harry arrives though there isn't much to be concerned about, except for the evil classmate who is Draco Malfoy, the craziness of Colin Creevy, and the admiration of Ron's little sister Ginny Weasly. Harry forgets all about his warning from Dobby but when voices start to stir that only Harry can hear, pasts become present mysteries and a mysterious killer roaming the Hogwarts campus all the fingers start pointing to Harry himself.

After the first Harry Potter I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second one. Just like the first one, you get lost in the pages and instantly transported to Hogwarts where another adventure is waiting around every corridor.

I felt like I didn't miss any beats with the characters or the storyline  but that's probably because whatever happened in the first story was told in a much shorter amount of time throughout the book. you could understand what happened in the first story even if you didn't read it. If you are planning on totally skipping the first book in the series Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone (Which I highly don't recommend.) the only thing that may be confusing is the many characters that you'll be meeting for the first time. You wont be meeting them one by one but in groups and personally I really dislike that. 

The beginning kept pace very nicely and I found it nice that we got to check back in with the Dursleys to find out they haven't changed one bit. But I very much liked the shenanigans that Harry had with before he left to Hogwarts.

I felt like Ron had much more of a personality in this book. I don't know if that was because we got to meet his family or spent more time with his brothers but I definitely enjoyed Ron in this book (the second one) more than the first book. Hermione's personality didn't increase or decrease. I haven't been a huge fan of her character thus far. Personally just because she isn't easy to relate to me for me but I guess that is kind of the point of her character.

I would like Harry's personality to have more description to it. I guess the only con I have with the Harry Potter Series (again, thus far) is the description really lacks and though, I do, like to use my imagination, I can't use my imagination when I didn't create the character and how they feel when in certain situations. 

It kept it's pace and I felt like every page was In part of the storyline and it always kept me entertained. I was rushing through the pages so fast just to see what was going to happen next.

I felt like J.K. Rowling put a lot more of the magic world in this book than the last one. We got to take a peek and see the magical subjects the gang studied in school, learn more about magic, and meet some ghouls etc.. It was very much more magic filled than the first one and I am really glad because of that. 

Once again, J.K. Rowling made a book I couldn't put down. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets had life advice, laughs, and such a page turning plot. 

Cole & Sav: Our Surprising Love Story

"I wasn't looking for a new boyfriend even though I constantly asked God to someday bring  that perfect guy into my life. I was simply praying and trusting that someday He might answer my prayers." - Savannah Soutas 

(Warning: This post may contain spoilers and it is an HONEST review so please, if you are in the middle of the book or if you are a fan and love everything about this book or the people pertaining to this book, please, do not read.) 

What It's About: YouTuber couple, Cole and Savannah LaBrant give followers a never before seen sneak peek inside their lives answering questions for the first time ever, including; Becoming a stepdad to a four year old, waiting until marriage to have sex, the struggles of achieving a long distance relationship and so much more. They tell every detail about their fairytale like love story all the way up until their wedding giving their testimony about how God absolutely changed their lives.


I've watched Cole since his Dem White Boyz days but never knew what was going on after those vines were no longer made. Cole was attending VidCon in sunny Southern California when he unexpectedly had a run in with musical.ly star Savannah Soutas and her daughter Everleigh Rose at the Grove.

To read Cole and Savannah's point of views when they first met, their first date, the texts & calls in between and their wedding day was absolutely so thought provoking and adorable. It was like reading a love story that you only hope can happen to you.  I didn't except for this book to hold so much of their personal stories from their lives. It was incredible to see how God worked through them and God had perfectly made them for each other.

Savannah's past was not what Cole had even thought about when he was praying for his future wife. In fact, he never thought he would marry someone who already had a kid. Cole and Savannah's story just goes to show a lot of the time what we think is not what God is thinking/ already has planned.

I loved how Cole and Savannah touched on a lot of sensitive topics specially since a lot of their viewers are very young and I'm really happy that we have role models like Cole in Savannah in this generation. Savannah's testimony spoke on how her life had turned around from partying, sleeping with guys, having sex etc.... to learning how to praise God, praying, reading the bible and knowing that God has forgiven her for her past. Cole's testimony was about how even though he wasn't involved in sexual activity he spoke on how he lustfully looked upon women and how hard it was for him to stay pure in his young years and waiting for his wife.

I find with a lot of biographies or autobiographies, the authors tend to repeat themselves and in this book it happened A LOT. I knew Cole and Savannah were really trying to stress some of the things they kept repeating but it got to the point where I began to wonder if they were using the repeating to fill the book.

That's really the only thing I really have that  I found a bit annoying or bad inside the book, everything else I can't really write on because it's their life and if you don't like their life then you probably shouldn't be reading the book in the first place.

Of course Savannah and Cole didn't have perfect lives growing up but they acknowledge that and talk about it and now they are striving to serve like God and to love like Him. They are a great couple and the cutest family and I can't wait to see them welcome their newest addition.

                

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone

“There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.” 

(Warning: This post may contain spoilers and it is an HONEST review so please, if you are in the middle of the book or if you are a fan and love everything about this book, do not read.) 

What's It About: After a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Potter die in a car crash they leave behind a baby boy gifted the name of Harry Potter who has been adopted by his dreadful aunt and uncle. He goes through eleven painful years of life without a proper Christmas, birthday and every other holiday you can think of, until one day Harry gets a letter accepting him into Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Where up until now, Harry has known none of his life and will about to go on an adventure of a life time battling against dark forces, trolls, bullies, a malignant aunt and uncle and also an enemy that has been after Harry his whole life. 

Harry Potter was released in the United States in 1998 which coincidentally was the same year I was born, and if there was any book that had to be re-published in my birth year I'm sure glad it was this one. I haven't read Harry Potter until this year,  I know I know. How is that even possible?

See, I wasn't really a huge fan of wizards, witches and all the magic stuff. It had been too overdone for me. Everyone was writing about spells, potions, inanimate objects and blah blah blah but that was my fault for putting fantasy in that stereotypical box in the first place. You can do whatever in fantasy meaning goblins can be different for anyone, trolls aren't always under bridges and wizards aren't all dressed in cloaks and pointy hats.

I was contemplating not even reviewing this book because of how popular it is and usually people don't tear down or build up books that already have an enormous following but I came to the conclusion that the job of a review blog is to put my honest thoughts out to read. 

When I opened this book up I was instantly grateful to Ms. Rowling for making the genre of fantasy her own. For creating her own memorable characters like Harry, Hagrid, Dudley, Dumbledore etc. She was so in touch with her characters which is something I absolutely look for in every book I read. She knew them in and out, she knew them like they were her own children. Not only did she know her characters, but she knew the wizarding world like the back of her hand. 

I got so attached to Harry within the first few pages. He was very easy to get attached to which I know will be a curse the further along I read through the series. I found it relatively easy to get attached to most of the characters except for Hermione. I don't know if it was because she was a stereotypical know it all or just not my type of character.

Speaking of characters, there were a ton. There were memorable ones (Harry, Hermonie, Ron, The Weasley brothers, Hagrid etc.....) Then  there were others that nearly played just stand ins (Crabbe, Goyle and the ghosts) that made it confusing to remember all their names considering we just met all of these characters and it is the first book.

I'm the type of person who likes a lot of description. Which I think Harry Potter lacked. Everything just was told very simply. Hogwarts barely had any description at all. At first sight all it says is, "Everyone was silent, staring up at the great castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood." We know that it's a large castle that was tall and it was built on a cliff. Description for me as an author is key but I also understand  if the author purposely does this in order for the reader to gain creativity and to make up whatever they imagine it looks like. I do believe there is a good middle though,  where the author can be descriptive but the readers can also toss in their own creativity. 

I do believe that J.K. Rowling has written one of the most significant books of this generation and I hope this book stays around forever because not only  is it a land of make believe but it has the perfect ounce of real life too. 

Extra Thoughts: 

Favorite Character: My favorite character has been without a doubt Harry Potter. He's one of those character that you would love to sit down and have a cup of tea with and just talk about grand adventures, small adventures and life goals. He's an all around well developed character and I just loved his bravery, humbleness and energy. 

Favorite Scene/Chapter:  Out of all these great chapters, mine would have to be Chapter Fifteen, The Forbidden Forest. If there's anything I like in Fantasy books it's the forests. Anything can live in a forest and I, personally, love to see what the author has hiding in the forest and in J.K. Rowling's case it was the main antagonist and some centaurs and unicorns. 

Least Favorite Part of the Book: The only part I really can name my least favorite part was the beginning. It was really slow and drab. I wasn't expecting for the beginning to drag on but the rest of the book made up for it. 

Daughter of the Pirate King

“Imagine that you traveled all over the world, looking for happiness, looking for thrills to pass the time. Imagine seeing everything there is to see and still not finding happiness. Well, that would give you a very bleak outlook on life, would it not?” Alosa, Daughter Of The Pirate King.




(Warning: This post may contain spoilers and it is an HONEST review so please, if you are in the middle of the book or if you are a fan and love everything about this book, do not read.) 

From the first page to the very last, I was hooked on this book. I never ever have been interested in Pirates so when my dear friend had suggested this book to me I was sort of on edge about buying it and reading it. 

I really liked the main character. I had attachment to her from the very first thing she thought on page one. I found part of myself in her, I laughed with her and felt with her. I had mentioned a lot in other reviews that I don't agree with authors who makes their female leads so strong, stubborn and "I don't need no man" that they seem less human than ever. Alosa was all of these things, she was strong, she didn't need anyone to save her but she never seemed less human at all even though she had these characteristics. Maybe she wasn't always like this. Maybe she liked pink, and plated with dolls and adored horses.  Maybe  it's because that she was trained to be like this because of her father, The Pirate King. I applaud Ms. Levenseller though for creating a female character like this. That can take care of herself and not seem like a robot or unrelatable.

I was also instantly drawn to Riden, he was so sweet and endearing and awh! Just such an awesome and enchanting male lead.

Speaking of Riden. He is the love interest to Alosa and you know when there's a love interest there is bound to be romance and when there's bound to be romance...…….I cringed, I skimmed, I totally skipped parts because I just couldn't read these "scenes" if you will. I'm all for the cutesy love scenes and the romantic scenes but this was not romantic. This was too much for a book about pirate romance. This turned from a book about pirates to a steamy love story real fast. I don't mean harsh about it but I found it gross and pointless for what?  Nothing to happen at the end between Alosa and Riden except Alosa saving Riden's butt. Sure give them a love story but not sexy scenes especially when these characters don't have a love story in the end. 

I loved this book, don't get me wrong. Tricia Levenseller is an absolutely great author and I look forward to reading Daughter of the Siren Queen next. A swashbuckling adventure like no other, for sure!

P.S. when this gets made into a movie please cast Karen Gillan as Alosa and Noah Centineo as Riden, thanks!

The Loneliest Girl In The Universe by Lauren James

Like I said on another one of my reviews, it's very rare I like a book so much that I finish it in two whole days!! This book really blew my mind, but like everything there were pros and cons for me. I truly would recommend this book but let's dig in to see more of my likes and dislikes of this book:

CONS
-There's more sexual stuff then I would have liked it. Come on we're in Space here people, let's not get into it. I mean yes sex does happen but can we not fantasize about and dream about it in every romance book? Romance is not all sex. These parts really turned me off.

- It was boring at times. I caught myself flipping through pages to see when the next exciting thing happened. But these boring parts never lasted long. So thank you for that, Lauren James.

- This book was tragic. Hence the title, "The Loneliest Girl In The Universe" I guess this is personally a really big con for myself when I'm looking for books. I hate sad books and thought that we weren't going to be reminded of tragic events every other chapter. I like to get away from the sad stuff the world can bring not read about it too.

-I don't see much self growth with the main character, Romy until the last page, literally. She had such good potential too. (I would really like to see a sequel to this book where Romy is on EARTH II where we can see that Romy grew up a bit.)


-The fanfic thing was too weird. I liked that the author incorporated fan fic into the story but the characters were ridiculous I just really dreaded every time we got to read some fan fic Romy had written.


PROS:

- The twists and turns that this book will take you on were unlike any other. I was so compelled to read more and more and then I realized I was at the last page!

- The dedication was perfect and stayed true. "For all the girls who never felt they were brave enough to be the hero in an adventure story," this book tells this to a T and oh my gosh will it make you feel awesome being a girl.

Romy was a perfect female hero. She had fears, she had doubt, she had a mental breakdown she wasn't so strong she couldn't cry, so strong she wasn't really female anymore, and the most part the male character wasn't weak to make the female character bigger and better and tougher. I'm looking at you Hunger Games. (Ya'll I'm a HUGE fan of the Hunger Games so I'm not bashing Ms. Collins)

-I realized I love stories set in space!

-The ending of this book was GREAT! Ms. James, second book please?

Christopher Robin

This book review was kind of hard to write. I liked this book very much and hated this book for the very same reasons.

-The writing was childlike. It was so simple and there was no description. There were just words inked on a page/ It's simplicity gave off the most childlike vibe and it made my imagination run wild with how many things I got to dress up.

-The storyline was predictable. From the very beginning of the book I knew how this story was going to end. / The simplicity of just being whisked away in the book and not worrying about plot twists or keeping track of things that maybe was foreshadowing something.

- Everything was perfectly peachy in the ending/ The ending that we all crave, The ending where everything is butterflies and rainbows. The ending that distracts us from life's hard trials and tribulations.

- Unrealistic. This could never happen.....ever/ Disney's magic always leaves us hoping that even though we know it can't that these stories will come true.

-No opening/lead for a second book. I understand that there are people that are saying, "Why would you want a second one? It doesn't need one....." But there are so many other adventures adult Christopher Robin can go on with his Hundred Acre Friends. After all no one gets a second chance to make new old friends.

When I was thinking about all these negative thoughts while reading keeping this review in mind. I needed to remind myself that this was in fact a children's book, a children's story. I think that's why it might have been hard for me to decipher which thing were actually pros and cons because there is still a child inside of me when I read these Disney books and watch Disney movies filled with innocence and the same old Disney magic.

Overall I was really excited when this book/movie was released and did enjoy revisiting Pooh and the gang through the words and am excited to see the movie