An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes #1) by Sabaa Tahir

Publisher : Razorbill
Publish date : April 28th 2015

Pages :446
ISBN : 1595148035
Media : Hardcopy
Format : Hardcover
Personal Rating :9,5/10
Summary :
Laia is a slave.

Elias is a soldier.

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Review :

Okay, finally got my hand on the keyboard again. My longest hiatus so far. But I get to read few wonderful books to review, including this book!

The Sword of Summer ( Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asfard #1) by Rick Riordan

Publisher : Disney Hyperion

Publish Date :October 2015

ISBN : 9781484749715

Media : Hardcopy

Format : Paperback

Edition : First US Edition

Personal Rating : 8.7/10

Sumarry :

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

OMG! Uncle Rick is back! I know lots of you have read it, but seriously that doesn’t stop me from fangirling all over you.

Before we go any further let me tell you a thing or two. This series is set in the same universe as Pecy Jackson Series, but you can read this book before reading PJO or HOO series. There is Annabeth who have some role but doesn’t really have much influence in the book. And lastly, I think this book is one of the best Rick Riordan’s work for the last decade. I mean , seriously, The Nine Worlds? Yeah, in all Rick’s works they set in only one freaking planet. But this one. Dude, the set is not in 9 planet but nine freaking dimension. How cool is that?

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Publiher : Feiwel and Friends
Publish date : 3rd January 2012
ISBN :9780312641894
Media : Hardcopy
Format : Paperback
Personal rating : 9/10
Summary :
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. 

Review :
  
Seriously, where the hell has this book been all this time?? Right after reading this book, I felt so dumbfounded. I mean I have known about this book for quite some time. But why I never give it a shot? Gosh, it's so frustrating. And it's more frustrating that I only can post my review right now not right after I finish the book.

The Heir (The Selection #4) by Kiera Cass

Publisher : Harper Teen
Publish date : May 5th 2015
ISBN : 0062349856
Media : Ebook
Format : Epub
Pages : 368
Personal Rating : 8.5/10
Summary:

Princess Eadlyn has grown up hearing endless stories about how her mother and father met. Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won the heart of Prince Maxon—and they lived happily ever after. Eadlyn has always found their fairy-tale story romantic, but she has no interest in trying to repeat it. If it were up to her, she'd put off marriage for as long as possible.

But a princess's life is never entirely her own, and Eadlyn can't escape her very own Selection—no matter how fervently she protests.

Eadlyn doesn't expect her story to end in romance. But as the competition begins, one entry may just capture Eadlyn's heart, showing her all the possibilities that lie in front of her . . . and proving that finding her own happily ever after isn't as impossible as she's always thought.

Review:

What will happen after the great happy ending? It will be a new story to be told I guess. Anyway,it’s a little bit hard for me to get my hands on this book and I have to wait a year for it. But it’s worth the wait.

The Young Elites ( The Young Elites #1) by Marie Lu

Publisher : Penguin

Publish date : October 2014

ISBN :  9780399167836

Format : Paperback

Pages : 355

Personal rating : 9/10

Summary :

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt

Review :

Well, Young Elites is definitely a must read. This is my second series written by Marie Lu and I LOVE her writing so much. It’s definitely different than Legend Series, but still as gripping  as Legend. Compared to Legend, the book has darker atmosphere, which maybe more fit with my current taste. But the idea is still as unique and fresh as Legend, which is my favorite Marie Lu’s traits

Okay, now let’s stop with the comparing and start to see the book as it is.

ARC Review : Hexed (Hexed #1) by Michelle Krys

Publisher                     : Random House

Publishe Date              : June 6th 2014

ISBN                          : 9780385743372

Pages                          : 384

Format                        : EPUB

Personal Rating           : 9/10

Sumarry (Goodreads) :

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the wonderful ARCs

Okay, let’s make some things clear first. Eventhough this is an ARC’s review, I’m still giving my honest opinion. And since this is an ARC, I don’t want to give much spoiler.

Divergent Movie Review

Well, I guess finally I have a break from this exams for a moment. Eventhough I still have a national exams waiting a month away, I’m glad that I finally watched Divergent.

Youth Adagio by Alberta Natasia Adji

ISBN 13 : 9786028388771

Publisher : Lingua Kata

Publish year : 2013

Edition : First Edition

Format : Paperback

Pages : 332

Personal rating : 9/10
Plot
Kana Hyuuga; seorang gadis SMU biasa, tengah berjuang dalam kompetisi musik yang diadakan oleh sekolahnya. Telah puluhan kali gagal dalam kompetisi manapun, kembali mengalami kegagalan saat saingan terberatnya di sekolah, seorang putri konglomerat bernama Hino Yamada, lagi-lagi berhasil mengalahkannya dengan telak. Tak hanya itu laki-laki yang dicintainya; Nagano, ternyata pernah menjalin hubungan dengannya, Kana merasa dipecundangi, kalah segala-galanya, namun ia bertekad lewat musik ia akan mengalahkan Hino, juga perasaannya kepada Nagano.

Kana menemukan Adagio, yang memberinya pelajaran, bahwa hidup layaknya sebuah sonata panjang yang tiap bagiannya memiliki variasi not dan tanda tempo yang berlainan. Tak perlu begitu tergesa untuk menuju klimaks, sebab, bagaimanapun kita akan menuju klimaks dengan kokoh. Dan Kana percaya, Adagio juga yang akan mempertemukan perasaannya kembali pada Nagano.

Sets in Japan, talk about music competition. I don’t think I could ask for more! I think this is one of the best Indonesian book I have ever read! And definitely recommended!

House of Hades ( Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan

ISBN : 9780141339191
Publisher : Penguin Group
Publish Year : 2013
Edition : UK first edition ( Yeah, the cover wasn't UK's)
Format : Paperback
Pages : 583
Personal Rating : 8/10
Summary (From Goodreads) :
 At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

Review

Sorry for the late review, haven't got a lot of time to read lately :( . But here you go 

City of Glass ( The Mortal Instument #3) by Cassandra Clare

ISBN  : 9781416914303
Pages  : 541
Publish Year : 2009
Publisher : Walker Books
Format : Paperback
Personal Rating : 8/10
Summary ( Goodreads ) :
To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments

Review :

Gosh!What a wonderful book ! So much better than the previous book : City of Ashes! I have a lot to talk about. And before we get further, please be patient about my long reviews and be aware of some spoilers and fangirlings :D

Legend ( Legend #1) by Marie Lu

ISBN : 9780141339603
Pages : 295
Published : 2011
Publisher : Razorbill
Format : Paperback
Edition : 2nd
Personal Rating : 8/10

Summary :

Two people from two very different world. Day, came from a poor family, is the most wanted criminal of Republic of America. While June, born in one of the elite families, is the best soldier that Republic ever had. There are no reasons for them to cross path. Except that June’s brother is killed while he was chasing Day. And June swear that she will make the murderer repay what he has done.

Review :

Like most dystopian, this book has an interesting plot. It’s hard to predict what will happen next. Since the first time read Legend, I always have a questions that make me want to keep reading the book. Like why Day, a talented and skilled boy could turned into a street criminal.  And everytime you think you have found all the answers, there are always more questions popping up. Until the end book, there are some questions that haven’t been answered, making the waiting worse.

City of Bones (The Mortal Instrument #1) : The Movie

What's up TMI fans! It's been a week since the movie premiere and I believe that most of you have seen it. I also believe that most , if not, all of you are thrilled with the movie. I love the book as much as I do with the movie. It's been sometime since I've watched it and I'm still like this

  Well, I hope you don't mind about spoiler because I think there are some in my review :

The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

ISBN13   : 9781423194552

My Rating : 9/10

Two hero in one book! What should I say? Fantastic! Nice job, Mr. Riordan! Anyway, I believe that most of you already know that this book is about Carter Kane and Percy Jackson. But if you wondering, this book was narated from Carter’s point of view only, which is kinda sad. I was  hoping to see Percy’s thought about Carter. The events set after the Serpent’s Shadows and before the Heroes of Olympus series, I suppose. Since Carter said that they’d defeated the god of chaos, Aphophis and Percy didn’t seem to believe there’s another mortal with superpower besides Greek Demigods.

Gravity ( Taking #1) by Melissa West

ISBN13   : 9781620610916
Pages       :  284
My Rating :  9/10

Summary :
In the future, human living coexist with aliens called the Ancients. Human need the Ancients to rebuilt the earth that have been destroyed after the World War 4, and the Ancients need human to provide them the antibodies they need throught something called the Taking. Humans aren't supposed to see the Ancients, so they need to use a special patch that prevent them to see the Ancients during the Taking. When Ari lost her patch, she found out that the one who host her is no other than her classmate, Jackson. Since then, Ari realize that her life will no longer be the same

I hate to say that this book isn’t the most popular book, but I definitely recommend it! So, here’s my review

Infinitely Yours by Orizuka

My Rating : 9/10

Bagi yang belum baca, buku ini menceritakan mengenai dua orang sangat bertolak belakang karakternya. Jingga, gadis yang agak norak dan seorang maniak Korea dan Rayan, seorang pria workaholic yang sangat kaku dan serius yang sangat benci Korea karena masa lalunya. Keduanya ikut dalam satu tour ke Korea dengan alasan yang berbeda. Namun karena suatu alasan, mereka berdua terpisah dari rommbongan tour. Nah, begitulah perjalanan mereka di Korea bermula.

The Elite ( The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

THE ELITE (THE SELECTION #2)
 by Kiera Cass 

ISBN13  : 9780062059963
Pages      :  323 
My rating : 9/10 
Summary :
Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending

I was so happy that I finally bought the book! I love The Selection and I was waiting for The Elite like so damn crazy. For you who haven't know it, this book is the second book of The Selection series.So if you are interested in reading the book, I recommend you to read the first one. The Selection series has a novela too, The Prince. Anyway this is my review :

The Prince ( The Selection #0.5)

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...

Before Aspen broke America's heart...

There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

Don't miss this thrilling 128-page original novella set in the world of the New York Times bestselling novel The Selection. Also features a teaser to The Elite, Kiera Cass's hotly anticipated sequel to The Selection.

Well, this one comes in ebook only. It conssists of only 50 pages or so, I don't think I can do much review from those. But if you like the Selection , you'll love this one. The Prince was written from Maxon's POV. I love it because it told us about a piece of Maxon's life , also his opinion about the girls. I think it was really cute and funny the way Maxon reacted after meeting America for the first time. It seems like he was like a normal teenager, without all his awkward attittude. And for Daphne, I feel kinda sad about Daphne,though. Hope she could find a better man for her :)

"She was a servant to her crown, I was a servant to mine, and our masters would never cross"- Maxon Schreave

The Colossus Rises ( Seven Wonders #1)

The Colossus Rises ( Seven Wonders #1)

by Peter Lerangis

ISBN13 : 9780062070401
Pages     : 348 pages
My Rating : 8/10
Summary :

Jack Mckinley woke up in a place called Karai Institute which is run by Professor Bhegad. There, he was told by Prof Bhegad that he was a descendant of Atlantis who posess some unusual genes. His genes would kill him in a few months. Jack had two choices. Let the genes kill him or find the Loculi, a long-lost-acient magic power that will give him some superpowers.

At the Karai Institute, Jack also met people like him : Aly, Cass, and Marco. Jack and his friends, had no choice but leave their family and look for the Loculi, with no idea who they are suppose to trust. 

My review :

Five out of five. I definitely recommend this book! I remember the first time I saw this book on the bookstore, I was interested with cover immediately, mostly because my favorite author, Rick Riordan, put his comment on the cover :D . And I am not disappointed at all. I love the book. I think I fell in love with the idea and the storyline.

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)

by Rick Riordan

ISBN13: 9781423101468
 Author : Rick Riordan
Pages   : 361

Summary:
When Percy played Capture the Flag, he and Annabth found a labyrinth that connect the Camp Half Blood with all around the world. Percy realized that Luke may found another door of the labyrinth and use it to attact the camp. In order to stop Luke's plan, Percy and his friends decided that they needed to go into the labyrinth in order to find the inventor of the labyrinth, Daedalus

My review
It is been years since I've read it and I still love it! I always like the Percy Jackson's series, but I think this one is the best of the series. Because in this book, Percy and Annabeth started to show some affection to each other. They even shared their first kiss!! I think it was funny the way Annabeth started to act jealous toward ant other girls that close to Percy especially Rachel. And the way Percy jealous whenever Annabeth started to defend Luke. Both of them act so obvious to each other but remain really oblivious.

The Mortal Instrument : City of Bones (Book #1)

 CITY OF BONES

 ISBN13: 9781416914280

Author:  Cassandra Clare

 Pages : 442   

 Summary :

Fifteen years old, Clarissa Fray, always believe that she was a normal teenage girl. But then, she witness a murder done by some bunch of teenager that only she can see. It was the her first ecounter with the Shadowhunters, a world that she never thought her mother would involved in. And when her mother was missing, Clary was forced to join the Shadowhunter to find her mother and save the world from chaos. Bit by bit , Clary found more about her mom and her past that she never known before.

 

It is kinda late for the review I guess, but I just got the book lately so I only can review it now :’(

Anyway, this my review