Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy (Edited by Ameriie) Review

Reading period: 19 July - 19 August 2017

IT TOOK ME A MONTH TO FINISH THIS BOOK T_T 

Some of them are gems and the others are meh. I didn't want to skip over those 'meh' story, thus I went to reading slump in the middle of reading this book.

The Blood of Imuriv by Renee Ahdieh 2.5 stars

- boring

- slow pace

- The action only happened in the last 20%

- Christine's weird additional writing contribute nothing to the Renee Ahdieh's story. I was highly anticipated for tasting Xtine's writing for the first time because her channel was entertaining but this is total let down :(

Jack by Ameriie 2 stars

- flat, meh

- Where's the evil side? I didn't really see the princess as an evil character

- Good explanation from Tina Burke. Actually, I enjoy Tina's writing more than the actual Amerie's words

- After reading Tina's part, I finally understand the meaning behind Jack story. It was actually deeply wonderful thoughts but Amerie's execution was just weak

Gwen and Art and Lance by Soman Chainani 4 stars

- interesting opening, topic, and character

- Instead of long unnecessary explanation at the beginning, Soman Chainani gave us his story in the text messages format. I think his choice was just right, I like it. The format works for me.

- Good additional thoughts from Samantha Lane

Shirley & Jim by Susan Dennard 4.5 stars

- Oooh, Holmes and Moriarty? First impression: intrigued!

- After reading: I loved it! Can Susan Dennard continues to write this amazing piece into one whole novel, pretty please?

- Susan knew how to mess her reader's feeling in the only short pages

- Sasha's part? Hm.. just like Christine's, I was disappointed. Sorry, I had high expectations for them.

The Blessing of Little Wants by Sarah Enni 1 star

- Ummm? I didn't understand the whole plot and I even went to reading slump because of this short story :(

- Sophia Lee's explanation was basically just her dotted points about what she wanted to read

- I was glad when it was over 

The Sea Witch by Marissa Meyer 4.5 stars

- Finally! Of course, I had high expectation from Marissa Meyer. The way she told us about her story was beautiful

- I was craving for the Villain story like this. Nerit was truly has a villain's heart but deep down I quite intrigued with her background. How the others, like Lorindel and Samuel were having part of shaping her evil. 

- Zoe's writing was cute

- Great collab between these two, hands down!

Beautiful Venom by Cindy Pon 4 stars

- Never heard of Cindy Pon but immediately her story won my heart

- Not only one villain presented, she successfully portrayed the others' ugly side

- Wow, Ben, wow. Such a deep thoughts! No wonder he has built his own publishing company nowadays! He knows how to find a needle in the haystack.

Death Knell by Victoria Schwab 4.5 stars

- My most anticipated story from BYLTHM because it's collab project between VE Schwab & Jesse the reader! My two favorite persons in this book/booktuber industry.

- And yeah, once again, VE Schwab continues to awe me. 

- Jesse's letter was brutally honest, I fall for it.

Marigold by Samantha Shannon 3 stars

- It was entertaining setting but not so much action happened

- Regan's writing was okay

You, You, It's All About You by Adam Silvera 5 stars

- Yass, I always know what I would get from Adam's story. A modern futuristic life setting in the near future.
- It took me by surprise that Adam didn't write about LGBT in this one.

- Lover/enemy story? This is my weaknesses problem, thus this is 5 stars approved from me ;) 

Julian Breaks Every Rule by Andrew Smith 2 stars

- Where's the bad guy huh? I didn't see Julian as a villain. We all ever hated someone so much till we wished he/she would die. But it was just in our creative thinking right? What I get from this story, Julian never once did murder those people he hated. It was just on his mind, I assumed.

Indigo and Shade by April Genevieve Tucholke 4 stars

- more beauty and the beast reverse retelling? Oh yas, please

Sera by Nicola Yoon 5 stars

- Bang, bang, bang! What a great story to end this novel. 

- I feel for Sera, she feels different yet she holds her 'bad' light for her sister. When she understood that no one wanted her, she embraces her 'evil' side. I kinda like it and cheering her, go all the way you want, Sera. ^___^

My ultimate favorites are Sera and You, You, It's All About You, I just wish they were longer than a short story.

My average rating for this short stories compilation is 3.5 stars.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas Review

When A Court of Thorns and Roses was the story I was hoping for, this sequel is far more enchanting than everything I thought it could be. Yes, this book! I can't... I can't even properly think about it.

So, I was a huge fan of Tamlin in the first book. He was handsome, sweet, brave, and a loyal High Lord in the first book. Unfortunately, the cost of being freed by Amarantha's curse made him being super paranoid for Feyre's safety. He couldn't let Feyre wander alone even in his palace. He didn't tell her anything about their current situation or truth about the war is likely coming. 

Feyre begged and begged at least to have her own freedom and the result of that is Tamlin locked her up in his palace. It was very raw and disappointed to saw him went down to that side. Where was Tamlin, Feyre and I knew before? And what he did later on the last couple of chapters? This ship is officially sinking down. He goes off too far to the other side. 

I'm sorry Tamlin, I'm leaving this ship.

I heard what you told him," he said. "That you thought it would be easy to fall in love with him. You meant it, too."

"So?" It was the only thing I could think of to say.

"I was jealous--of that. That I'm not... that sort of person. For anyone. The Summer Court has always been neutral; they only showed backbone during those years Under the Mountain. I spare Tarquin's life because I'd heard how he wanted to even out the playing field between High Fae and lesser faeries. I've been trying to do that for years. Unsuccessfully, but... I spared him for that alone. And Tarquin, with his neutral court... he will never have to worry about someone walking away because the threat against their life, their children's lives, will always be there. So, yes, I was jealous of him--because it will always be easy for him. And he will never know what it is to look up at the night sky and wish.

Rhys, on the other hand. Rhys, a former Amarantha's whore. He's the one who provides Feyre information about war, freedom, and choices she eager to have. He opens up his side that not many people knew it exists. He always there when Feyre needs someone to lean on, who understand her struggle. He patiently listens to Feyre and taught her about her new world, her new abilities, as well as sharing his dark nightmare fear. Together they begin their not-so-easy friendship only to discover they have a tangled feeling to each other.

This book, it's not only about romance itself. It's much bigger than a soap opera romance. It's about finding a true soul, learn about new things, trust and move on. It's all about how to grow up, to make a right choice, a better choice for everyone. It's okay to have some expectation and let down by it because sometimes there's better situation than our expectation.

I'm thinking that I must have been a fool in love to allow myself to be shown so little of the Spring Court. I'm thinking there's a great deal of that territory I was never allowed to see or hear about and maybe I would have lived in ignorance forever like some pet. I'm thinking..." "I'm thinking that I was a lonely, hopeless person, and I might have fallen in love with the first thing that showed me a hint of kindness and safety. And I'm thinking maybe he knew that--maybe not actively, but maybe he wanted to be that person to someone. And maybe that worked for who I was before. Maybe it doesn't work for who--what I am now.

A-Perfect-Five-Stars Rating.

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, May 15, 2016

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo Review

Coming from someone who binge-watch K-drama almost every night, I had very high expectations for this novel. My disappointed point might be because what I want to read is different from Maurene Goo offered. I'm hoping for some dreaming story just like usual K-drama oh-so-dreamy-moment-yet-impossible-to-happen-in-the-real-life instead of K-drama parody going on here. 

Regardless my complaining, it was a fun ride and hilarious with a lot of cringes part going on.

Desi, a Korean-American teenage girl who has everything she wants. A smart girl, has a loving father, 4.25 GPA, student body president, perfect SAT score. Only one small stupid yet important thing she never had, a freaking boyfriend!

So when a new cute guy showed up in the school, she decided to take a step forward, to get a boyfriend from what she learned about "how to get a guy" from K-drama formula.

I'm not a fan of Desi, she kind of manipulating her crush to date her. For someone who has everything lays perfectly in her life, why should she had a low self-esteem about this boyfriend zone? 

I'm enjoyed all of the K-drama tropes and references here and there, like:

Protect the Boss, Healer, Oh My Ghostess, It's Okay That's Love, Boys Before Flower *check* *check* *check* *check* *check*

My Girlfriend is Guminho and King 2 Hearts *check* --> she notify my ultimate hubby's series

And don't forget everyone's favorite Descendant of the Sun

Seeing all of the K-dramas tropes described it to me one by one, it made me question myself why am I so addicted over those dramas and I never ever regret it. lol. 

If you are too, a K-drama freak like me, I think you will enjoy the novel. 

And excuse me, I'm going to watch some K-drama now.

Rating 3/5 stars

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, June 15, 2017

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Review

I found myself in Starr.

You can say something racist and not be a racist!

Angie Thomas success to throws a hard punch for those who are ignorant about the racism issue. 

This is about a sixteen-year-old Starr who have to deal with two different lives. One being a black girl who went to prep school (white people school).

The family dynamic in this book is so perfectly built. Angie delivers it with so much real situation. Like sometimes her parents argue a lot but still being in love with each other, have two annoying brothers but they care each other deeply when one got in trouble.

In the school, Starr has white best friends and a white cute boyfriend. 

How Angie telling us about Starr's struggles is so disturbingly honest, she has different sides she wants to show whether she's at home and at the school. 

When her two small worlds collided because her friend was murdered by a cop, unarmed, just because he was afraid of him, I was there feeling angry and frustrated with her. I can feel her loss, her pain, her confusion, and her fear. Angie describes it powerfully in her lines.

I always said that if I saw it happen to somebody, I would have the loudest voice, making sure the world knew what went down. 

Now I am that person, and I'm too afraid to speak. 

I'm proud to saw Starr's metamorphosis stage. From being a coward girl, she let herself learn and walk and fly to be brave. Because quoted from Momma Starr brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you go on even though you're scared.

And don't forget about the cutest parts of Carter family member. 

Momma Starr:

What is Tumblr anyway? Is it like Facebook?"

"No, and you're forbidden to get one. No parents allowed. You guys already took over Facebook."

"You haven't responded to my friend request yet." 

"I know."

"I need Candy Crush lives."

"That's why I'll never respond.

Yeah, a clue to my mom who just opening her FB account yesterday. *eye roll*

Or this one about Sekani, Starr's little brother:

My parents told him about everything. As much as he gets on my nerves, it was sweet when he gave me a handmade card that said "Sorry."

Until I opened it.

There was drawing of me crying over Khalil, and I had devil horns. Sekani said he wanted it to be "real". Little asshole. 

The Hate U Give brought us to the real issue we are facing every day these days.

For someone who lives on the other side of the world and far away from the US where our skin tone has similar color with one and another, I would say this book still relatable a lot because racism is not always about black and white skin. Sometimes it's about what's your race or religion or just being different from the majority in your country and I'm glad this book exists.

It's a powerful one, unflinchingly honest and eye-opening theme. 

PS. I wish the translated version of this book is available in my country considering what currently happened here right now. :(

Rating 5/5 stars, I wish I could rate this book with all of those stars in the night sky.

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, March 21, 2017

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis Review

 It's easier to like animals than people, and there's a reason for that.

When animals make a stupid mistake, you laugh at them. A cat misjudges a leap. A dog looks overly quizzical about a simple object. These are funny things. But when a person doesn't understand something, if they miscalculate and hit the brakes too late, blame is assigned. They are stupid. They are wrong. 

Oh, wow. I don't even know how to begin with.
This book just succeeds to made me speechless.
I almost overlook this book because of the cover. THAT UGLY COVER, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! The cover is not really describing what's this book offers at all. If by any means this book did not get the proper recognition, I'll blame the cover.

People who are able to make friends easily because they don't first assume everyone is a threat. 

Alex, our female of the human species, is just an introvert teenage girl who still suffering from her sister's death. After her sister's murder, her world was shattered, there's no sister to protect her from herself anymore. By the first chapter, we saw what Alex could do to have some her own justice and peace. There's no cage, the wolf in her just released and there's no way go back being a sheep anymore. She knew she's a wolf, unstoppable and deadly wolf.

But boys will be boys, our favorite phrase that excuses so many things, while the only thing we have for the opposite gender is women, said with disdain and punctuated with an eye roll.

Jack here, I think, represented all the boys out there. Boys who everyone adores. He's the most popular guy in the school who happens to curious about Alex. He's a prince charming sometimes, yes. But Jack is a guy by default. He really wants to be a better man, a better boyfriend for Alex but at the same time, he can't help that his mind still wonders about his ex, Branley. I come to have a slight disappointed on him about this. But, yeah, just like Mindy said, boys will be boys.

Another impactful POV from this book is Peekay, Preacher's Kid. Alex and Peekay meet at their volunteer's at the animal shelter. I really love how they started a friendship, Peekay is the one who opens Alex's heart to tell her what was missing from her life. Friend, care, and happiness. I love how Alex stood for Peekay the other night and how Peekay opens Jack's eyes about his feeling to Alex.

This is how I kill someone. And I don't feel bad about it. 

Reading The Female of the Species was hard for me because it's talking about a sensitive yet important subject. This book is talking about rape culture in a unflinchingly honest way, how the impact for the victims and everyone who surrounded by it and how to deals the anger aftermath. I think this book is very important to open your eyes to see and think more.

Once I asked my dad how you know when you're in love. He said you just know, and that if you have to ask the question then you haven't been in love yet.

Rating 5/5 important stars 

Originally posted on my Goodreads page, November 14, 2016

Lady Stuff: Secrets to Being a Woman by Loryn Brantz Review

Oooh, I think Loryn and I can be a best friend in the real life. Lady Stuff: Secrets to Being a Woman was super duper hilarious and true to my heart. I keep constantly laughing and nodding my head while I was devouring this wonderful pieces.
Loryn describes all of Lady Stuff perfectly. She's good at reminds me to all of the small stuffs that I keep ignored and forgotten, like how I was felt in the morning (attached to my lovely bed), how our working expectations was very far from our actual job, how I actually loved wearing sweatpants, how I wished I could working on my pyjamas every day, how I'm very bad at applying make-ups and so on.
I can see my small happiness and insecurities on this lovely book.
Good job, Loryn!
Lady Stuff is a great stuff.

Rating 4/5 stars

A copy was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Chaos of Longing by K.Y. Robinson Review

I couldn't make myself to connect with the poems inside because this was not what I expected. I thought like some other poetry books, it talked about romance, heartbroken, and self-healing. No, The Chaos of Longing was talking about some woman craving the happiness and pleasure throughout the touch of another male.
The author wrote as if every man in her world was only using her for skin to skin pleasure and she never experience how to be purely loved by the others, and maybe it was true in her case, I'm not judging. But yeah, I couldn't bring myself to agree with her writing.


you will realize 
that i'm more than 
sweltering heat.
i am a drought.
a wildfire.
an impending strom
you cannot control

you are a memory
that i fold
and tuck away
because it hurts
too much
to unravel
our history.

but still can't 
manage to throw
you away.
i keep hoping 
you'll fit someday.

they say that
patience is a virtue
but they never tell you
that the heat of 
waiting will burn you
if you linger too long.

once a heart learns 
how to break,
it does not know
how to forget,
it endures
sleepless nights,
memorizes
every morsel
of despair,
and relives
every moment
in the stillness
of tears.

A copy was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 2/5 not-my-cup-of-tea stars