Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Goodreads summary:

Can Anna find love in the City of Light?

Anna is happy in Atlanta. She has a loyal best friend and a crush on her coworker at the movie theater, who is just starting to return her affection. So she's not too pleased when her father decides to send her to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. But despite not speaking a word of French, Anna meets some cool new friends, including the handsome Étienne St. Clair, who quickly becomes her best friend. Unfortunately, he's taken--and Anna might be too. Will a year of romantic near misses end with the French kiss she's been waiting for.

I wasn't in love with this book as many others did. It wasn't the best I've ever read, but I totally related to some of the characters and issues addressed in this -not your average-contemporary book. First of all, I love Paris! It has always been my dream honeymoon destination and it will be. (hopefully). I laughed out loud at some of the situtations that occurred and I loved all the characters. Except for Amanda and Rashmi's sister. Ugh.

Secondly, Stephanie Perkins shed some light on some serious topics, like peer pressure, bullying, betrayal and even family issues. The fact that these problems still followed Anna in France.. it lets you know that you're not alone if you're facing any of these things and someone somewhere out there in the world relates to you. Also, these problems followed Anna in a different country, in a different continent. No one's life is perfect, even the handsome Etienne St Clair. I must say that the portrayal of friendships, relationships and "familyships" made me love the book more than I would have if it was just your typical romance. 

All in all, Stephanie shows you that happy endings are not always a cliche and you should wait for your happy ending. THIS BOOK MADE ME HAPPY, read it if you're in a pick me up mood, it'll definitely do the job perfectly. 

One thing that I want though is a story in Etienne's POV and his background. I'm more interested in his story and his relationship with his parents more than Anna's. It would've been better if he was the narrator instead of Anna and if they were together earlier in the book! I was waiting for it to happen the whole time and that's why I lowered my rating for this one.

It was very fast paced, the writing is extremely easy and beautiful. I cannot wait to read more of Stephanie's books. I literally was smiling and happy because their relationship is adorable that when I flipped the page and was met with the stupid acknowledgments I was like.. what NOOOOOOO

Now onto the spoilers!

Spoilers 

(Highlight to view)

Dear Etienne, where can I find a guy like you? Although I hated that you couldn't get your shit straight with the Ellie situation. Like come on St Clair, it was freaking obvious that Anna liked you back! I get that it would've been a mess if they were together though.. Mer is in between them and this to me, was the biggest obstacle standing in their way. I love how she was cool with it in the end, because it's good for her as well. 

My favorite part was when Etienne called Anna beautiful and she tripped. The scene went pretty much as follows.. 

Etienne: "You're beautiful." 

*Anna trips and falls down on the sidewalk* .. OMG I'M A FREAK. 

Hahahaha I died.. 

I loved the "you don't get to choose who you fall in love with" aspect. I totally agree with that statement.. 

I hope you have a great day guys, and if you read Anna and the French Kiss (which I'm sure you did), make sure to comment down below what you thought of it! Did it live up to the hype surrounding it? :) 

Book Review | Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Goodreads Summary: 

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

4.75 stars

Ha, yet another favorite so early in the year. This wondrous beauty was very hard to put down, I found myself reading it on my way to school, in school and on my way from school. It was extremely gripping from the first page and it was a clear indication that I was going to love it. Victoria's writing was beyond amazing, she has this way of throwing information at you without confusing you. It was the first fantasy or second (after HP) that didn't completely confuse me with all the details. 

On the downside, speaking of fantasy, I had a strong urge to call that book a dystopia. It felt like a dystopia most of the time, but still a fantasy. Relating to that point, it is basically The Hunger Games meets Shatter Me in a book. I personally didn't mind that, but if you do, then this book isn't for you. Some people found similarities between Red Queen and other books like Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Cinder by Marissa Meyer and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.. which I still have not read (unfortunately, soon), so this book was original to me and I haven't read anything like it before. 

The thing that bothered a lot of people, but me slightly was the world-building. It was confusing at first and I didn't know if it was me or the book, but I was watching Shasha (abookutopia on youtube)'s review for this and she has met the author. She said that the world-building was confusing to her as well and that Victoria mentioned how the world building will evolve in the second book and we'll have everything cleared out later on in the trilogy. I honestly cannot wait, this is torturous. 

This book killed my idea of trust (which was already dead), not going to say why though because this belongs in the spoiler section. I didn't realize I was spoiled for this book up until the very last chapter, so TAKE CARE. Again, another indication of a great book is that I knew the ending and I loved every second of it, I was still surprised by it though because it was executed perfectly. 

I loved the family aspect in this one, it reminded me of Katniss and her family. Mare was a strong, kick-ass character that I admired. She is now one of my all time favorite female protagonists, because she always kept a straight head, meaning she didn't let love and other trivial things fog her vision or stand in the way of her survival along with her family's. She was just like Katniss and I LOVED that, some people may not though.. It depends.. 

Disclaimer: I will not mention the male protagonists in this spoiler free review, I'll discuss them with you down below so GO READ THE BOOK and come back for the discussion. Mostly, I loved every single character in this except for a few. 


NOW ONTO THE SPOILERS.
(highlight to view)


My dearest Mare, oh how I love you and Cal together. I cannot lie though, I liked her with Kilorn at first.. but (Mal?) made me fangirl. I was waiting for them to be together

 and rebel against the queen and king the whole time, but wow, what a strange turn of events.

I liked the name "The Scarlet Guard" so much, and when I realized Shade was with them, my mouth dropped to the ground. When we read about Shade's death, I was almost 100% positive that he was alive. AND HE WAS, in the epilogue I actually patted my own back hahaha and dude, his power is super amazing! I love it and cannot wait for more Shade in the other books.

Firstly, let me state that I was spoiled for the Maven betrayal and it killed me when I realized that I was spoiled for the ending, so dear whoever spoiled me on goodreads, SCREW YOU. I still enjoyed the book nonetheless, the way that Victoria laid everything out took me by surprise; I didn't expect that the king would die.. and to be killed by his own son under the influence of his wife, BRUTAL. 

Now let's talk about Maven.. Maven, Maven, Maven. Due to the stupid spoiler, I was extremely wary of his actions throughout the whole book, so I didn't fall for his lies. I didn't believe him when he was sweet with Mare, I didn't believe him when he joined TSG. It was fishy to me all along, but I'm not Sherlock Holmes, I was fucking spoiled. 

I never once disliked Cal, even when he was a black-hearted monster in the arena, he is the future king (supposedly), he should be this good and have no mercy for the opponents. It's ABC war tactics (I believe). I loved Julian and Lucas, they gave me hope for the silvers, they were sweet to Mare, even though she was a red. Julian in specific, I'm so interested in his back story with -Sarah? that's her name?- and his sister, Cal's mom. A NOVELLA PLEASE. On that note, Victoria talked about a novella in the works on twitter, fingers crossed. 

Evangeline, we shall not speak of that evil bitch. Throughout this whole novel I was like..

The ending bugged me, Maven convincing Mare that Cal loves her and to put everything at stake like that.. NO, just NO!! The only time that Mare was naive.. I admired Cal even more for not sacrificing his freaking country for love, he would've been an amazing king. 


Now with The Hunger Games similarities that I personally found.. but wasn't bothered all that much about: 

• Gisa = Primrose Everdeen
• Kilorn = Gale
• Using Mare to be the face of the rebellion/revolution  = Katniss being the mockingjay
• The kingdom using her as a distraction = The Capitol using Katniss as a distraction
• Kilorn joining The Scarlet Guard against Mare's will = Gale joining the revolution against Katniss's will 
• Silvers in training = Tributes in training 
• Silvers fighting in arenas = THE ARENA 
• Maven being good with words = Peeta making people believe everything he says and his ability to speak to a crowd. 

Again these similarities didn't bother me one bit, but whenever I was reading, I was reminded of THG. 

Have you read Red Queen?! If not, are you excited? :) Comment down below and tell me!

Have a great day everyone <3