The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen Review

The moon and more is my first Sarah Dessen book. I bought it very cheap and did not have a high expectation. I was just like, huh, it's Sarah Dessen's, I know she's one of the famous contemporary authors out there so why not I try to read one of her works since it was very cheap anyway.
Hell, I know nothing about this book. I picked it out purely because of the author's name. And when I went home, I hit the Goodreads page, the rating was only 3.6 something stars, I was in doubt, it was not that my average book rating I usually pick up.

Turned out, I fell in love with her writing ever since early chapters of it and I couldn't put it down even when I was eating. This book was not perfect, it has flaws but that's what makes this book hit me and feels like home. Yes, the romance part was suck but the moon and more was not only about the beach, summer, hot boys and romance. Sarah took us deeper than that. She told us about the family stuff and friendship, the awkwardness around it. I couldn't thank Sarah enough on that. ❤

Like I said before, the only thing that bothers me was about the romance.

Seriously, don't hope too much for the romance in this book because it was crappy. This is why I need to take down one star.

The others may say that this book is boring. Um, I disagree with that. Sometimes, you don't have to read something powerful, dark secret revealing in the end, or an unbelievable twist (yeah, I love that also) to say that's formula to make a great book. Maybe sometimes all we need is something common ground, a situation that normal people like us can relate and endure every day?

So I've heard that the moon and more wasn't the best piece from Sarah Dessen. Wow. If I'm already hard attached with this book, I couldn't wait to see what Sarah offers at her other books. 

Life is long. Just because you don't get your chance right when you want or expect it doesn't mean it won't come. Fate doesn't punch a time clock or consult a schedule.

Rating 4/5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, July 3, 2016

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake (Anna #1) Review

Cas has a job, killing ghosts. He already at it since his father was murdered by another ghost ten years ago. He and his mother traveled from one city to another barely stay in for a while. Always move to seek another ghost to be killed.

In the beginning, I think Cas was a jerk. He refused Thomas's help who was willing to provide him a bunch of useful information about Anna, the current Cas's target. Instead, he went to Carmel, a popular girl in the school. He using Carmel to dig some information about Anna Dressed in Blood. The result is he got into some issue with Mike, Carmel's ex-boyfriend. Mike was willing to take him to Anna's house only to whack Cas head into a jelly bean. 

And Anna? That angry ghost showed up, killed Mike and left Cas alive.

See, this mess would not have happened if Cas agreed to Thomas earlier.

And the story begins. Cas started to wonder about Anna, get some long chit-chat with her but he also needs to figure out a solution how to kill her. 

So I went for this book hoping that I will meet an enchanting horror story that will keep me on the edge. Well, it didn't really happen. 

While Anna Dressed in Blood did keep me entertained, it didn't really grip my heart and freaked me out just like what I wish from this book. At least it enough to have me wonder about the sequel. 

Cas," she moans back. "Superheroes go to college too.

Rating 3.5/5 bloody stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, November 12, 2016

Hai, Miiko! Reguler vol. 28 by Ono Eriko Review

Ah, Miiko, I've been reading you since I was in middle school. Ten years have passed yet the feeling when I'm reading your story still remain the same. ;)

My top three favorite stories from this volume are (I'll write it in Bahasa):

Momo! Ayo Berdiri!
Momo dipaksa belajar berdiri sama Miiko, karena Miiko malu adiknya Shoma udah bisa berjalan. Akhirnya walaupun Momo berhasil berdiri, tetap Miiko yang harus menanggung malu. kkkk.

Mari Gendut Bersama
Karena Mari Chan sedang stress tentang level komiknya yang jalan di tempat, Mari Chan secara nggak langsung mengajak Miiko dan Yuuko untuk membuntal bersama. Lol.

Hadiah dari Miiko
Pfffftttt. Ini adalah cerita paling koplaakk. Setelah bertahun-tahun Miiko gak pernah berani untuk kasih coklat ke Tappei di Valentine kelas 5 SD (kapan sih kamu naik kelasnya Miiko?! Aku aja udah kerja sekarang =D), akhirnya tahun ini Miiko berani juga kasih coklat dan hadiah terima kasihnya ke Tappei. Tapi.. Miiko salah beli??? XDD

Thank you, Ono Eriko Sensei for giving us this absurd yet heartwarming story.

Rating: 5/5 adorable stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, April 18, 2016

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (The Infernal Devices #1) Review

One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.

I don't read many books set in the historical world but Tessa is an interesting character. Being an orphan girl who just lost her aunt, she traveled alone to London to live with her only brother, Nathaniel. Unfortunately, Nate didn't pick her up and she got kidnapped by two strange women called Dark Sisters. Poor Tessa, every day during her six weeks of her abduction, Dark Sisters push her to release her hidden power which she never knows she had. They claim they have Nate imprisoned and will kill him if Tessa didn't follow their order. Luckily, on one night, she rescued by Will, a shadowhunter and since then she was temporarily staying in the Shadowhunder Institute to find Nate.

“My name is Herondale," the boy said cheerfully. "William Herondale, but everyone calls me Will. Is this really your room? Not very nice, is it?" He wandered toward the window, pausing to examine the stacks of books on her bedside table, and then the bed itself. He waved a hand at the ropes. "Do you often sleep tied to the bed?”

Ah, Will! I got a bad boy vibe from him. I can easily felt to bad boy's character. Bad boy with mysterious air around him - it intrigued me a lot.

Still need to figure him since book one doesn't provide anything about his secret. Can't wait to know his secret! 

As for Jem. How can an eleven years old should be tortured like that? He's a sweet boy, an opposite of Will. 

I enjoyed the whole story, I didn't see the twist coming.

Cassandra Clare is a great story teller. I love how she creates the Shadowhunter world and also the characters. I leaning more into Will right now. Don't know if I'll change later. Jem hasn't pulled an action to Tessa, has he. :)

It's all right to love someone who doesn't love you back, as long as they're worth you loving them. As long as they deserve it.

Rating 4/5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, August 21, 2015

Scheduled Suicide Day by Akiyoshi Rikako Review

Sekali lagi Akiyoshi Rikako sensei berhasil membuat karya yang menjanjikan.

Ya, memang twist di Scheduled Suicide Day ini tidak semegah Holy Mother, tetapi tidak menurunkan kekaguman saya kepada beliau. 

Novel ini memberikan warna yang sedikit berbeda karena ada unsur romance manis yang terselip di dalamnya walaupun bukan menjadi cerita utama.

Atmosfer mengenai kuliner dan fengshui juga sangat terasa sebagai fondasi utama buku ini dan Akiyoshi Rikako terbukti menggali bahan penulisannya dengan tidak tanggung-tanggung. Banyak hal-hal menarik yang saya temukan berkaitan dengan kuliner dan fengshui. 

Bercerita dari sudut pandang seorang anak remaja yang sedang berkabung, Akiyoshi Rikako mampu mengeluarkan perasaan amarah, keputusasaan, dendam, kebencian, dan penyesalan di setiap lembar tulisannya. 

Bravo, sensei!

Rating 4/5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, May 20, 2017

Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot (The Princess Diaries #11) Review

Ah, it's so good to see you again Mia & Michael. :)

Michael was my favorite book boyfriend when I was in high school and it feels nostalgic to read their story again now. Like, the time has gone so fast but then here I am still loving their story.

Mia still like Mia 8 years ago. She still is a dramatic princess, hilarious and I love her for those flaws. 

Michael still charming as ever. My heart exploded when he proposed Mia like an emoji of cartoon being blasted through its heart by a laser gun (I'm borrowed Michael's emoji ;)) 

I have a little disappointment from Royal Wedding. I mean, yes we finally get a closure about Mia's life after all this time, her long lost half sister, what happened to her friends and her family, but I think I still need more Rocky and Mia's mom. 

Before I read Royal Wedding, I don't care about who is Olivia. But now, I'm going to read her notebook as well. And if Meg Cabot decided to write Mia's story again someday, I knew I'll still buy her diaries regardless how old I am.

Rating 4/5 nostalgic stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page June 20, 2015

The Return by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Titan #1) Review

Fiuh.. After my disappointment at Wicked, I'm glad finally JLA back on track with her incredible magic work.

Not once did I think I would be crazy about Seth. I was picked this book because, well, it's Covenant spin-off. I'm team Aiden from the beginning of Half Blood and never wavered toward Seth. *Alex and Aiden all the way, baby* 

And.. yess, I wasn't prepared for being in Seth's head. 

Feeling his raw emotions, insecurity, loneliness, made me bit understand why he did all of that last year. He is in need of someone who understands him and as I quoted from Josie wanted someone who was like a parent to love and care for him.

The funny thing is I never even realized that I didn't know his full name in the five books of Covenant. It reminds me his conversation with Alex back then that Alex was never tried to understand him and never wanted to know about his past.

I think Josie is the right person for Seth. I love how Seth open about himself to her, a bond that was never existed between him and Alex. Now it's time for Joe and Sethie!

All in all, this book exceeded my expectations.

It will be painful wait for the second book but at least there isn't cliffhanger I have to bear. 

I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Guess what?”“What?”Meeting his amber-colored eyes, I admitted what probably wasn’t a secret, but what I felt like I needed to put into words. “I like you, Seth.”He stopped his hand over mine, staying there, as he gave me a lopsided smile. “Guess what?”“What?” I whispered.Seth shifted so that his lips brushed mine as he spoke. “I like you too, Josie.

Rating 5/5 stars

Originally posted on Goodreads page February 22, 2015