Just One Year (Just One Day #2)
By Gayle Forman


5 out of 5

In Just One Day, we got to hear Allyson, or LuLu's, point of view and everything that happened to her after that magical day in Paris. In Just One Year, we get to hear Willem's point of view. The book picks up with Willem waking up in a French hospital confused and hurt, and knowing that someone is waiting for him. But he can't remember who, or where. When Willem finally does remember, it is too late. So begins Willem's year long search to find his mysterious LuLu. But it's not an easy search. And his personal life is not making it any easier. Willem is lost, this year is about finding himself, and finding the people who really mean something to him.

Wow, just wow. I have been waiting for this book even since I read Just One Day almost one year ago (the irony is not lost on me). And, wow, this did not disappoint. I never knew a male led book could have me brought to tears so many times during one book. Willem's story was complex and sad and I really got a sense of who he was in 300 pages. There is so much emotion and depth to his story, it was incredible. And even though I knew what was going to happen at the end, the story was still a complete surprise to me. I loved it and my only complaint is that I wish it would go on longer. There is the implication of what happened, but I wish it was spelled out in exacting, beautiful detail. However, that is not the case, so I am left with my imagination to picture the perfect ending.

Stolen: A Letter to My Captor
By Lucy Christopher


3 out of 5

Gemma and her family are in an airport waiting for their plane to come. Gemma goes to get a cup of coffee and her entire life changes. She runs into a cute man. He buys her coffee. They sit down and talk, and then, things get fuzzy. The man has her arm. He's guiding her through the airport. He's having her change clothes. And then... Gemma wakes up in an unfamiliar room, with only her captor as company.

This book was just ok in my mind. I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to finish it. The thought of being taken like that, in a crowded airport haunted my and I almost gave right up then. But, I powered through. The middle of the book, I wasn't in love with. I found it boring, and I was forcing myself to read it instead of wanting to read it. The end, however, I thought was really good. I could understand how Gemma was feeling having "been there" while it was just her and her captor. Everyone assumed the worst, when Gemma had seen an entirely different side of her captor and couldn't completely agree with everyone. Which is true. There were flashes of a sad, hurt, confused person that made it impossible for me to completely hate Ty. I thought the end was great, and I found myself enjoying it immensely. I'm glad I stuck it out for the good ending, but overall this book was not one of my favorites.

Allegiant (Divergent #3)
By Veronica Roth

4.5 out of 5

In the finale of this trilogy, no time is wasted before the action starts. Told from both Tris and Tobias' points of view, the story starts with Tris being questioned about her actions in the releasing of the Edith Prior video. Evelyn has taken control of the city, and the factions are being demolished. But not everyone is happy about this. A rebel force, called the Allegiant, has formed and they have to goals. 1) To send people outside the city to see what's out there and 2) to reinstate the factions. Both Tobias and Tris volunteer to go outside the city. What they see out there changes their lives, and their futures forever. Danger, betrayal, love, and plenty of tears are sure to happen if you dare to read this book.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! You can't do that! You can't have it end like that. Never have I ever read a book where I dreaded getting to the ending. From everything I had heard, I knew that there were a lot of character deaths, but there was no way I could have predicted what happened. That being said, that is a sign of a great book, and this book was great. These characters are so vibrant and so real, that you can't help but cry when their lives are unfairly ended. I hold the Divergent trilogy dear to my heart, and the story stayed true to itself. I have enjoyed the story from start to finish, and I am interested to see how they interpret it into a movie (hopefully better than the Mortal Instruments film).

Daughter of Smoke & Bone
By Laini Taylor

4 out of 5

Karou is a girl caught between two worlds. Raised in Brimstone's workshop, Karou knew nothing but it for years. Now, she lives her world in the human world, traveling all over the world, moving whenever anyone gets suspicious. Karou attends school like a normal teenager, but she also has secret responsibilities. She travels all around the world, to every corner of civilizations to collect teeth. Human, animal, any teeth that can be found. Karou  is sent to collect them and bring them back to Brimstone. Karou doesn't know what the teeth are for, and Brimstone isn't telling. But then disaster strikes. Black handprints show up on all of the secret doors. What can they mean? Where did they come from? And when all the doors simultaneously burn, will Karou be left alone forever in the human world?

As per usual with me, I had no idea what this book was going to be about. But, as per usual, I completely surprised and fully enjoyed it. Laini Taylor was able to create an entire other world, with connections to ours. I loved Karou's character, and the outlook she had on the world. also, I liked how we were given pieces of the whole story throughout the book, but the entire truth wasn't revealed until the very end. I will definitely read the second book in the series, and I am curious and excited to see what is going to happen next. Hopefully we will be able to see more happy Akiva (keep your fingers crossed)!

Champion (Legend #3)
By Marie Lu

 5 out of 5

The final book in the Legend trilogy, Day is living in San Francisco and June is living in Denver. It has been 8 months since their passionate and painful separation. Day is undergoing treatment for his brain tumor, but none of them are proving to be particularly successful. Day is doing his best to forget June, but then she calls him, asking him to come to Denver for a secret meeting. Day could never refuse June so he packs up Eden and heads to Denver. From there things spiral out of control. Day's condition is worsening, and he can no longer keep it a secret, the Colonies are attacking and there is no help in sight for the Republic. Will June and Day make it through their most recent set of obstacles, or is it too much this time?

Wow! What an ending! Marie Lu sure knows how to give every reader a heart attack. She ripped out my heart and then sheepishly gave it back to me. So much happened, but the book never felt rushed. Everything flowed together great, as always. The characters were intense and vibrant, causing "eeks"of panic, and uncontrollable smiles from me. I love the ending, it's not the magic fairy tale, everything is instantly perfect, but it is a good ending, and is very appropriate for the book. The end is true to the characters, and I am so happy! Having said that, I haven't cried this hard about a book since The Fault in Our Stars.