The Short Drop by Matthew FitzSimmons

Book Title/Author: The Short Drop by Matthew FitzSimmons 

Publisher/Year: Thomas & Mercer, 2015 

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction. 

Other Books From Author: Next Fall we'll get book #2 of this series, Poisonfeather.

See more at: @Matthew FitzSimmons

The Short Drop is a mystery/political thriller. My grandpa loved this genre and when I was little I just read everything I could lay my eyes on. That's when I started reading these intense action crime thrillers. I haven't read anything like it for a long time, but I was positively impressed throughout the whole book. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did.

First things first, let's dive into the plot summary.

A decade ago, fourteen-year-old Suzanne Lombard, the daughter of Benjamin Lombard—then a senator, now a powerful vice president running for the presidency—disappeared in the most sensational missing-person case in the nation’s history. Still unsolved, the mystery remains a national obsession.For legendary hacker and marine Gibson Vaughn, the case is personal—Suzanne Lombard had been like a sister to him.

On the tenth anniversary of her disappearance, the former head of Benjamin Lombard’s security asks for Gibson’s help in a covert investigation of the case, with new evidence in hand.Haunted by tragic memories, he jumps at the chance to uncover what happened all those years ago. Using his military and technical prowess, he soon discovers multiple conspiracies surrounding the Lombard family—and he encounters powerful, ruthless political players who will do anything to silence him and his team.

With new information surfacing that could threaten Lombard’s bid for the presidency, Gibson must stay one step ahead as he navigates a dangerous web to get to the truth.

Okay, these were my reactions after turning every page. It was either WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON or OMG I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT. 

Do you know what I mean? Mind-blowing I tell you.

Matthew FitzSimmons's debut novel is phenomenal. It crosses many genre: psycho, thriller, mystery, techno, political and action crime. The book is an intense page-turner packed with suspense and wit. I was hooked from the beginning, but the best part starts about 100 pages after. It's hard to believe it was a debut novel.

The plot was so well thought and I just couldn't figure it out. That's when you know a mystery book is good. I usually predict the culprit and the likely ending towards or just after half of the book. This time was different. I understood who was involved in everything, but I didn't know HOW and WHY. Mind-blowing and sick. 

There was a great variety of characters and I liked that, it made the story more interesting. I personally loved Gibson Vaughn. He is a computer hacker in search of a childhood friend. You could feel his pain and need to find her, you just knew that connection between them was so pure. Her disappearance has hunted him since he was a troubled teenager and now he wants to find the truth. Now, he is 28 and a total mess. Gibson Vaughn is a complicated and flawed hero. While reading I could feel a connection with him, the readers are the audience of this story and they're looking it from behind Gibson's shoulders. We were his readers's army.

The other characters I was fond of were Jenn Charles and Hendricks, the two "agents" who recruited Gibson for ACG in order to solve the mystery and discover Suzanne's fate. Jenn Charles at first gave the impression of being an unpleasant woman with a bad disposition. I was glad I was proved wrong, really glad. She is is put off at first by Gibson's hostile demeanor (wait I thought she was the hostile one). But she soon gives in to his “rough-around-the-edges charm” and pale green eyes, and so will plenty of readers, me included.Hendricks was the strong personality of the group, the "go-and-get-it" one. He was the hard one, but I knew deep down he had a good heart.

Other two characters I felt a deep connection with were Suzanne and WR8TH. Suzanne was a sweet character from the beginning. We only know her through other people's perspectives, but we always get the same feeling. At first we are pushed to think of her as a rebellious teenager, but we are given many different choices after that. She was an avid reader and manages to communicate with everyone involved thanks to a book of hers. (I would love to say more about it but I don't really spoil it for anyone else. I think the best part when reading a book like this is figuring it all out by ourselves. So I won't say anything more.) After we know what happened to her, at the very end of the story, I am sure you will mind-blown. Told you it was a mind-blowing book. WR8TH was a character we weren't supposed to like during the first half of the book. BUT. Things change and we actually discover he is one of the good ones. I can't say anything else ugh Anyway, I really loved him and I wanted him to have a proper ending. I sure hope it didn't end how we were supposed to guess in the book.

The two "evil" characters were Calista and the professional killer hired to kill all of them. Their presence was necessary and, even though I didn't like them as human beings, I thoroughly enjoyed how they were involved. What they were doing was sick and I don't even know how to describe it. Just read the book.

The writing was impeccable. I was drawn to the story and the author just made me want to turn the pages, I couldn't put the book down. In fact, I just read it one sitting if we don't count the 68 pages I had read the day before. I personally found it compelling from the beginning. I usually don't enjoy when the villains are all-seeing and all-knowing, but thanks to FitzSimmons's ability in storytelling this time it didn't bothered me one bit. You don't know who to trust and your head is spinning with possibilities about where the plot could go. And I was of course an enthusiast of all of this.

The main themes I found recurring during the story, besides the principal plot line, were politics and Information Technology. Both were intriguing and added that special feeling to the book. I personally loved to read more of the second one, it is a subject I am very interested about. All the descriptions and little details were very well-written and well-thought. Everything was plausible and realistic.

I am not very fond of political matters, but we get to see a small part of it and all the intrigues and tricks used in this kind of situation. It can be complex, but I enjoyed reading about it.

The Short Drop was an amazing read and I HIGHLY recommend it, I can't say it enough. “The Short Drop” may not be an attention-grabbing title. But when I came upon what that phrase means, I nearly jumped out of my chair. Stand forewarned.

Also, I cannot wait for the next book, and more from Gibson. Stay tuned for the second book in this exciting new series, coming Fall 2016. Poisonfeather (The Gibson Vaughn Series Book 2).

★★★★★

NOTE. I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Kidding Around NYC: For Kids Who Want The Inside Track On The City by Suzanne Roche

The cover of this book is really what caught my attention. I love it.The colors, the vintage-y vibes, the graphic design. On point. And, obviously, New York City. Heart eyes forever for that city.

But this book highly disappointed me. Here's why I gave it 2 stars.

Book Title/Author: Kidding Around NYC by Suzanne Roche 

Publisher/Year: Oak Lei Press, 2015 

Genre: Non-Fiction, Children. 

Other Books From Author:  Making It Home 

See more at: @SuzanneRoche

Kidding Around NYC is a very short book dedicated to children, families and everyone with a child who want to visit New York City. It is full of suggestions and historic explanations about the most famous buildings, museums and places. There were not only historical facts, but also fun ones and entertaining questions to actively interact with children. They are in fact the targeted audience, but I don't believe a child would be interested in reading this if not with a parent, tutor or family member by his side. I'm thinking about age 4 - 7, but probably an older age would be more suitable for this. 

In fact, most historic descriptions should need a further explanation in my opinion when read to a child. Of course, I'm no expert in the educational aspect, however I am talking about my own experience with my childhood and with other children. 

I would love to read something like this to my younger cousins, but the visual aspect isn't well thought. Children are usually drawn to figurative details, colors, images and interactive texts. And I found out this book wouldn't suit those needs. I would have expected more images and some bigger ones, most pictures in the book were quite small and badly positioned in the overall layout. The lack of a variety of colors was crippling and in the long term could bore a young reader.

The layout needed improvement too. The text and images didn't go well together in terms of visual appeal. The graphic aspect should have been better done.

I liked the fun facts and other interactive questions, but I personally would have placed them in a different way and highlighted them for sure. I loved the questionnaire about the Museum of Modern Art, but it looked like it was a thing on its own and not part of the book. I am not sure if I am making sense or not, hope you understand what I am trying to say.

One of the positive aspects was the writing. It was fun to read and a pleasure too. You can really feel the author's relationship with New York City. It made me smile and it was really interesting too. It could get a bit boring after some time, but I appreciated it anyway.

But the writing was badly highlighted with a weird colored frame. I quite disliked the colors chosen and it really put me off while reading. 

In a fewer words, this book could have been a lot better if it was done in a different way. A funner layout, more appealing colors, better highlighted fun facts and tests. And maybe even a consultation with an educator couldn't have hurt by the way.

All in all, this book left me like

I know this review is quite short, but the book itself is. So I have no other interesting things to say at the moment, but if I can think of something else I'll be sure to come back and add it to this review. 


NOTE. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

★★✰✰✰

What I read in 2015: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Book Title/Author: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Publisher/Year: DoubleDay, 2011
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Romance
Other Books From Author:  New book coming out in 2016!
See more at: @Erin Morgenstern

I finished this book on a Sunday afternoon and I was mind-blown by how I actually enjoyed it. I'm going to give it 5 stars because of that, it has quickly become one of my favorite books. 

I am already looking forward to re-read it and I can tell the story left me with a bunch of emptiness. I loved it that much, yes.

I'll try to explain why.

“The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” 

The story is about a circus, about magic, about a heartwarming romance and about a sinister battle between two illusionists. 

What more could you want from a book?

The atmosphere is what really got me. The senses are all active and the mystery still lingers in the air when you close the book for the last time.

The story takes place in the late 1800's and early 1900's, a time period I absolutely adore. The magic is pervading the air and is present at every plot line and it leaves the reading in a suspense mode.

The plot line is a non-linear one, it jumps forward and back quite a lot. This device is absolutely powerful in showing the true purpose of the story, even though it is quite confusing at times and unexpected. I personally loved it because at the end the story came full circle and I was aware of the little small plot twists that happened in previous chapters. Also, I appreciated the author made mentions on where a chapter in particular was taking place and when. 

The characters are an array of complex, vibrant and unique individuals. They are a varied group and they are the perfect ones to tell this marvelous and unbelievable story. They all seem to have a crucial part in the plot and I was intrigued by most of them. Even if there seems to be a connection with the characters, I personally think Erin Morgenstern's aim was to create a bond with the circus itself.

The circus is, in fact, the true and main protagonist of the story. I felt emotions about it and I was blown away by its presence even if it was just in the book.

About the writing. I was in love with it. The author manages to create a perfect mix of darkness, humor, intrigue and fascination. I was amazed by the impeccable use of sensory imagery. I was touching the circus, smelling it and tastingthe delicious treats. I was part of the audience and I became one of the "reveurs", the dreamers, those who couldn't let the circus go and wanted to follow it everywhere at any time.

Also, the use of the omniscient narrator really helped creating the bond between the reader and the circus.

The romance. Even if it wasn't one of the main components of the plot for most part of the book, I kind of think it was the necessary detail the circus was missing. I enjoyed the love between Celia and Marco and their magical bond. I assumed it would be a slower kind of approach, but it was instead quite an instant one.

One of my other favorite characters, besides Celia, was Poppet. The twins were lovely and their powers were some of the most prodigious ones. Poppet and Bailey were the other couple I was shipping for. Lovely. Just lovely.

Some quotes worth mentioning.

“I am tired of trying to hold things together that cannot be held. Trying to control what cannot be controlled. I am tired of denying myself what I want for fear of breaking things I cannot fix. They will break no matter what we do.” 

“You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift.” 

“People see what they wish to see. And in most cases, what they are told that they see.” 

I HIGHLY recommend this book. Really, do yourself a favor and read it. You'll either love it or hate it, but I guess you 50% of chances to absolutely ADORE it and that's not a bad percentage.

★★★★★

NOTE. Erin Morgenstern's new book is going to come out in 2016 if you didn't know. I am sure I'll pick it up as soon as possible when it is published.

What I read in 2015: All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Book Title/Author: All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Publisher/Year: Knopf, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, YA, Mental Hillness, Romance
Other Books From Author:  A list of her other books!
See more at: @Jennifer Niven

Here's what it is about.

A boy named Theodore Finch who is fascinated by death. Everyday he thinks about new ways of dying and scientific facts about every single suicide methods. But everyday he also finds a new reason to stay alive and awake.

A girl named Violet Markey who is a girl trying to escape from her past by diving directly into the future, counting the days till graduation but not living actually any of them. 

Both have a past which keeps hurting them. Theo's dad was a violent father and other students started to call him a freak and V's sister died in a car accident last Spring while Violet survived.

They meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when the unordinary pair teams up on a class project to discover the “natural wonders” the their state, they go, as Finch says, where the road takes them: the grand, the small, the bizarre, the beautiful, the ugly, the surprising– just like life. Soon it’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself- a bold, funny, live-out-loud guy, who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet forgets to count away the days and starts living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

I heard very mixed reviews on this book. While I actually enjoyed it, I understand why some may find it irritating or annoying. I guess it's not a book for everyone, but I respect others' opinions.

Here's what I think about it and why I'd give it 3.75 stars. 

I realized pretty early while I was reading this book that the characters were quite stereotyped. They both dealt with a lot of crap in their life and they did not deserve it, like everyone else who handles these illness. In fact, that's what I think: their mental issues and suicidal thoughts were louder in the story than the characters themselves. I wasn't reading about a story of a boy and girl who struggle with their life. I was reading about how mental health afflicted a boy and how an unexpected death changed a girl's life forever. The main protagonists were their illnesses. There wasn't a lot more than their depression. 

“We are all alone, trapped in these bodies and our own minds, and whatever company we have in this life is only fleeting and superficial.” 

I think the main issue I have with this book are the grown-ups in it. They literally did nothing to help Theodore or Violet. Even though I guess Violet was in need too, I absolutely hated how no one seemed to help Theodore. Throughout the whole book I wanted to reach in and help him. I was like give him a rest already. I HATED all those idiots at school calling him a freak, it was annoying and absurd. The parents and teachers never seemed to do something or enough.

A detail I actually really loved when Theodore described his different personalities. I was totally interested in his thoughts and in the fact that everyone can be whoever he wants to be. I realize that was a consequence of his mental illness, but I felt a connection with that idea. I would have loved to know more about the real Theodore Finch though. It always looked like we were only seeing the ill one or the one in love with Violet. The story seemed only to highlight only those two aspects of his life even if there is supposed to be a lot more in it. That was a pity. I was feeling so bad for him and I was waiting for someone to save him from his own mind.

Violet was kind of okay throughout the whole book. I liked her, but I was feeling something was missing. Maybe I didn't have a strong connection with her or she was just too insipid if you know what I mean. She was also too whiny if I really think about it. And she could have helped him if she wanted to, of that I am sure. She was a bit naive regarding that aspect. She could have contacted his parents before, asked her own ones to help him, call a counselor or someone else, I don't know, but she should have done something for sure. Violet seemed to live almost in a different world. She looked like a oh poor me type of girl and, well, I wasn't really fond of it. She was a sad girl missing her sister, nothing more.

Their relationship was lovely, but I thought there was something off in my opinion. I loved how she felt a shock in her hand and veins, I loved how he looked at her. Their trips to discover the wonders of Indiana was great and I was enjoying a whole freaking lot. It was awesome and I could definitely see why those were their bright places. Those were the places they found themselves at their best and happy. They were living those perfect days they were aching for. 

As I have already said, I was disliking her behavior very strongly. I can't understand why she didn't realize he was in need of help. Violet could have done SO much more.

Also, I loved the sweet nickname he gave her. Ultraviolet Remarkey-able. I loved it.

I also loved their early correspondence via Facebook. They were talking to each other using quotes from Virginia Wolf's books and it was so cute. 

“I learned that there is good in this world, if you look hard enough for it. I learned that not everyone is disappointing, including me, and that a 1,257 bump in the ground can feel higher than a bell tower if you’re standing next to the right person.” 

“The thing I realize is, that it's not what you take, it's what you leave.”

I absolutely cried my heart out during the last 50 pages. Tears were running down my cheeks without stopping till I reached the very end of the book. That's to say that Kleenex are needed, A LOT of them. You've been warned.

I kind of expected that ending at some point, but I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready AT ALL.

I'd recommend it if you would liked to read about mental illness and romance and want to see what all the hype is about. I know someone might have told it isn't worth reading, but I think it is important to have our own opinions, so I suggest you to read it and don't be influenced by other people's reviews. Enjoy your book and it is okay if don't like it lol.

“You are all the colors in one, at full brightness.”

 ★★★✰✰.75

Christmas Reads: My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

This is the last of the Christmas-y books I chose to read this year. I am already looking forward to next year and I think I have found what my choices will be. Anyway, I really enjoyed reading books with this theme during the holidays and I highly recommend it if you love Christmas or you just want to find your lost Christmas spirit.

Okay, let's start by saying that I am that person who starts listening to Christmas music in November. As December approaches, I become quite obsessed with everything red, gold and dark green, I turn into a walking Christmas impersonation. (That's not entirely correct, but I hope you get the idea.)

So, this year I decided to transfer my Christmas spirit needs into a bookish form. What does that mean? Not only I did listen to Christmas music and watched every movie with a hint of festivities in it, but I also dedicated part of this moth to read a few books with a Christmas theme. And the third one was My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories . 

My True Love Gave To Me is a YA anthology, in which there are twelve stories from authors of different genres. Stories aren't usually my go-to reads because if i like them I want more, but it's a good way to discover new authors. Also, the illustrations made for each story were absolutely beautiful and perfectly represent the theme of the story, in a subtle or in a not so subtle way.

I am not sure if I should write a short summary of each story while writing my opinion or if I should leave it to discover for anyone who wants to read the book.

Anyway, let's start with the fun part.

Midnights by Rainbow Rowell ★★★★★

Two friends spend New Year’s Eve together at the same party for four years. How will the time affect them and their relationship? 

This story was the sweetest ever, I adore it. We get to actually see two people fall in love, isn't it just the best? My answer: yes. I am also really looking forward to read something else by Rainbow Rowell (I know, I know, I haven't read anything by her, shame on me. But it will change soon.) It was a very beautiful story. It is nostalgic and we experience New Year's Eve. Megs and Noel were absolutely perfect. 

“You're a kaleidoscope, you change every time I look away.” 

The Lady and The Fox by Kelly Link ★★

A stranger stands outside the Honeywell holiday gathering, watching under mysterious circumstances which our heroine, Miranda, is determined to discover. Over the years, Miranda discovers herself too.

I was actually perplexed after reading this story. What was it supposed to mean? It was confusing and I am not even sure I understood everything. I appreciated the Christmas feeling which invaded the plot line, but it wasn't well developed. There was a good element that could have had the power to light up the story. However it was poorly explained. About the ending... mmm what?? Yeah, it was confusing and more confusing.

“She knows, every part of her knows, that she wants to kiss him. That he wants to kiss her. All of her skin prickles with longing. Her insides fizz.” 

Angels in the Snow by Matt De La Peña ★★★.75

While cat-sitting for his manager, a starving NYU student meets a neighbor whose apartment has plumbing problems. Will Christmas be as miserable as Shy predicts?

There was food involved and that was amazing. My stomach was starving along Shy's one and my mouth was watering while the neighbor Haley prepared lunch and dinner. Overall the story was sweet, a bit simple, but that's what short story are about in the most part. I was very pleased with the characterization of the two personalities. Even if there wasn't a lot of space to develop the characters, the author managed to do it. The story was cute and delicious. I loved the ending too.

“I guess I don't really know what I want to do, either. Sometimes I feel like a shook-up bottle of soda. Like, I have all this passion that wants to explode, but I don't know where to aim it yet.” 

Polaris Is Where You Will Find Me by Jenny Han ★★.75

A human is adopted by Santa Claus but remains an outsider among his elves. Does this year’s Snow Ball hold the promise of true love?

Okay, I liked the plot if seen from afar. However if I start analyzing every detail in my head, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Most characters annoyed me, the protagonist Natalie was too whiny and the ending leaves with nothing. There should have been a lot more of development of the plot line, we can't be left with that supposed ending, we want to know more. How will it end? Nobody knows. Anyway I was very very pleased by the location of the story and its originality. I love elves, magic and a first love story. I appreciated the Lars's aspect of the story, but the conclusion was so wrong.

It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins ★★★★.5

A girl needs help with a side project from the boy who sells Christmas trees with his family. Will their time together spark into something more?

In this story we see a boy and a girl fall in love. It all happens naturally and it doesn't looked forced at all. It was sweet and lovely. Marigold's shyness and North's adorableness were the cutest. I loved those two together and I truly hoped their dreams and aspirations all come true. I really enjoyed this metaphor: not only North organized the girl's apartment, but he also seemed to put in order her life too.

“Would you rather be great at something you like, or just okay at something you love?” 

Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan ★★★

A boy is asked to dress up as Santa Claus and save the magic of Christmas for his partner’s little sister.

I didn't feel a particular connection with the story at all. It was cute and the love between the two boys was tender. The writing was fluid and what the boy does is very sweet, but this story left me almost nothing. The family members were actually very well detailed in their personalities. Anyway, it was just okay.

“He says presents aren't important, but I think they are - not because of how much they cost, but for the opportunity they provide to say I understand you.” 

Krampuslauf by Holly Balck ★★★★

Fairmont’s second annual Krampuslauf in which Wren and our main character try to get justice for their friend by confronting her jerkwad boyfriend leads to our MC being forced to host a New Year’s party. Will all be revealed then and will our heroine get to talk to the hot Krampus boy?

I really enjoyed the story. It was different from the other ones and the fantastical details were very well described. The romance wasn't the only aspect of the plot and I really appreciated it. Also, magic and friendship were involved and they were my favorite part. However I have to admit I found some things a little bit too rough. 

“Sometimes I felt like I was waiting for my life to begin and more than anything, in that moment, I wanted to force some kind of beginning. I wanted things to be different than 
usual. I wanted to bend reality.” 

What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman ★★★.75

Sophie Roth is a sarcastic big city smart mouth at her small town college who feels like she does not belong until she meets a fellow outsider and begins to question her assumptions about her surroundings.

I liked the two characters and really enjoyed the story. However there were some details that left me wondering why that was supposed to be realistic? A girl getting into the car of a boy she barely knows and she just met.. mmm. The plot was okay and the story was cute to read, but in the end I was left with nothing. I mean, I really enjoyed and really liked the characters, but it was meaningless. Hope it does make sense.

“You can't undo loss. You can't unmake a mistake.” 

Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire ★★★★

After nearly setting the local church on fire, Vaughn is forced to do forty hours of community service, including putting on the Christmas production along with the pastor’s nice daughter. Chaos ensues – will Vaughn truly help if given the proper motivation?

Maybe I am an hopeless romantic, but I can't help but love a story when a bad boy is saved by the good girl. And at the end we discover that the bad boy isn't bad at all. Everyone has a good heart and this story lets us see that. Call it cheesy and stereotypical, but I really enjoyed it. But it is just my personal opinion. The plot is also really enjoyable and the characters are realistic.

“We all love and we all lose and we go on loving just the same.” 

Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White ★★★★★

Maria saves all her tip-money so that she can escape her small town. The new cook in her mother’s Christmas-themed restaurant will challenge Maria’s perception of her family and Christmas (town and holiday).

This story was both so sad and heartwarming that it will make you wish for hot cocoa and kleenex right away. Also, there is again food involved, and I am so happy about it. Loved the plot and the characters and the unexpected events. I adored the fact that there seemed to be an almost magical aspect in the story. I loved the characters and how they truly were sweet and kind. I loved the plot development and I almost cried more than once. It was that good. Also, I totally imagined the new cook like Zachary Levi, which didn't hurt at all. There was an happy ending for everyone in this story and it is one of my favorite things. (I told you I am an hopeless romantic.)

“But people don't need to remember how it felt to be happy and safe in the past. They need to have hope that they can get there again in the future.” 

Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter ★★★

A girl switches airplane tickets with an Icelandic stranger and is then forced to pretend that she’s an exchange student in small town Bethlehem, Oklahoma. Can she escape her past for long?

One of the positive aspects was the plot twist. I didn't see it coming at all. However the plot line was a bit flat even though the premises were very good. At the end the story was a bit unrealistic and needed more development, it didn't make a lot of sense. But I have to add that it was also both sad and heartwarming at the same time. Anyway the plot seemed to go on too quickly. I would have like it more if I had more background information about the characters.

“I sang because that is what I do when I am happy and when I'm sad. I sang because it is who I am when I am being the best possible version of me.” 

The Girl Who Woke The Dreamer by Laini Taylor ★★.5

On the Isle of Feathers, girls have limited choices when they reach the Age, so many choose marriage as defined by a prolonged twenty five days during Advent in which they receive gifts from their suitors. Neve’s courtship might hold a few surprises.

I loved the writing style and how it was both poetic and rich. It blends really well with the story itself, which has a mythological aspects. However I am not sure how I feel about this story. It was weird, but I appreciated the differences from the other stories. I have to admit though that Laini Taylor not only did give magic to the story, but also managed to create in a few pages a world on its own. I would have like to read more of it, it just looked like a great beginning for a book. I was more interested in an after than in the story itself.

“She wanted to be free, and if she could never be free, at least she wanted to be brave - brave enough not to sell herself, no matter what the payment, or the cost of refusing.” 

Okay, I am done writing about every single story and man I didn't know it would take me so long. Anyway, i really enjoyed doing this.

Not all twelve stories move you in the same way, but there are some which are worth reading every Christmas.

I have my favorites and I am eager to read proper books by those author: Rainbow Rowell, Kiersten White, Stephanie Perkins, Matt de la Pena and Holly Black. i am curious to see if what I liked in their stories is reflected in their books.

I also really appreciated the diversity. This anthology does a pretty good job of including diversity in class, race, religion, and sexuality and exploring various issues related therein. Some stories go so far as to address racial and religious stereotyping outright, which is a nice change in pace from other books that I’ve read.

I loved that the stories dealt with same themes but had unique premises. I thought that all twelve stories would be contemporary romance around the holidays. I don’t know if that was just me, but I thought it might be worth mentioning. There are actually a few that don’t quite fit that description because they include magical realism elements, but all of them do include a holiday of some sort, whether fantastical or real. Most of the stories are also tied together by similar themes of finding your home, reconciling with or trying to understand more of their broken or non-traditional families. I was particularly impressed with the level of character development that these authors managed in such a small space.

Overall I was quite satisfied with this book/anthology and it left me with the desire to read more of some authors I discovered here. I highly recommend it as a Christmas read, but I think it is also enjoyable year long.

Final Rating: ★★★.75