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Book Review By : Menna Khaled

Started : 5 march 2017

Finished : 8 march 2017

# of stars : ✨✨✨✨💥

My life next door is a simple easy contemporary read. It effortlessly lifted my mood and made me laugh many times. This book is honestly the best summer read ever. Reading it I could almost imagine myself lounging on a beach chair under a big umbrella with the wind in my face with the golden sand and clear beach water as my view.

In one house we have the reed family consisting of Grace and her 2 daughters Tracy and Samantha. Senator grace reed is a perfectionist clean uptight woman and that is how she thinks everyone should be starting with her own 2 daughters.

Next door we have the Garret’s family. They are everything Grace despises in a family. Mr. and Mrs. Garret are so in love with each other that even birth control can’t control them.

Since they have resided the house next door the number of their kids almost doubled. Thus now we have a total of 8 kids ( maybe more who knows, those garrets will never stop reproducing). The kids are ALICE, JOEL, JASE, DUFF, ANDY, HARRY, GEORGE, AND PATSY.

You have probably guessed by now that a big family like this will have a very noisy house with toys all over the house and the yard. This of course freaks the lights out of senator Grace reed. she looks outside her kitchen window to their backyard and that's her after one look

If you have already read the book you know what Grace just saw mrs Garret do :) If you still haven't read the book then read it or the curiosity to know what Grace saw will kill you. ( i know that's evil but i had to make you read the book one way or the other LOL )

To Samantha the garrets are real life tv show (just like when we watch modern family but to smaller limits =D) She sits there and watches them, trying to imagine what does it feel like to be a member of their family. Let me remind you of how does "modern family" look aka the garret's in this book

This all changes when Jase comes over and talks to Samantha.

This book basically consists of a lot of funny conversations with George and Andy plus Funny Situations with everyone especially Patsy.

Like any other book, this book has drama in it which is seen at the end.

Samantha has undergone character developments as in she came to understand who she is much more clearly.

Nan and Tim, the twins, are great characters in the book. Tim had a huge positive character development. Nan; however, turned out to be such a disappointment in my opinion. I also didn’t appreciate the obvious unexplained ignorance of Tim and nan’s parents.

I didn’t like the ending of the book. It should have been more specific, more confirmed. I could end the back any way I want which isn’t a great aspect for this book as I could easily ruin all the character development as it was never set in concrete.

All in all this book was a one-night-stand book but slightly on the heavy side. It is pg-13 as language and scenes present are very mild and undetailed.

Book review by : Menna Khaled

Started: 06 February 2017

Finished: 19 February 2017

# of stars: ✨✨✨✨✨ ( 5 out of 5 stars)

Snow like ashes was like a breath of fresh air out of all the YA books I have read so far. This book is written in a way that I felt like I am reading a great second book of a great normal YA series with a touch of originality. I had to recheck 3 times that I am reading the first book in the series and didn’t end up buying the second book by mistake. This book is set after the destruction had already happened to WINTER, the evil king hs won 16 years ago and overruled WINTER. Now the remaining runaway survivors are fighting with all their might to get their kingdom back. This book has another original idea in which the power is finally controlled by a female. Only females of the royal family can use the magic from the conduit. So all equalists and feminists out there this book is for you. Sara Raasch has a great writing style. It is very easy and enjoyable to read, very compelling and interesting that it grabs your attention from the first sentence. One great aspect in her writing style is that it is very clear, simple and easy to follow (especially during battle scenes) so no confusion in events is expected.

The world and the magic aspect is very well portrayed and maintained throughout the book. Great character development is seen in the book from beginning to end, starting with Meira who have come to know and trust herself and her choices better. I connected with Meira as I have felt that her emotions and insecurities were very realistic and very much present in everyone’s life. Meira faced the greatest challenge of all in my opinion which is learning that proving your worth to others is less important and almost insignificant to proving your worth to yourself. Between Mather and Theron, a woman can go wild ;). I am team Theron since the moment he appeared in the book.

Mather is a great soldier, with great personality and qualities. He faces similar characteristic challenges to Meira thus he understands her pain. Meira and Mather love each other in the sense of acceptance and normalcy and understanding. They are each other’s safe place for almost 16 years since the invasion on winter. Thus I think that the only reason Mather made a move on Meira was because he felt that Theron will take away Meira and he will no longer have his safe place. It’s like he was grasping for his last chance at the normalcy and bless he knows. Theron; however, faces the great challenge of self-worth just like Meira but in a different manner. Theron needed to feel and see that he does care about his future kingdom (Cordell). To understand that he can do extraordinary things for Cordell and that he will not be a copy of his father and his ruling time. Besides Theron is quite the smooth talker and very much literate in all types of arts. 

I love that the romance aspect in the book didn’t overcome the real purpose, it was enough to clench our thirst but still keep us wanting more. That plot twist at the end of the book I honestly didn’t see it coming; however, I very much liked it and enjoyed the turn of events.

All the other characters like sir, Dendra, Alisson, Finn, Angra, Noam …etc. played great roles in the book and had amazing developments as well. especially with SIR throughout the book you go through many emotions ( some of which I am listing now :* ) 

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

For all the people reading this and still haven't picked up the book, I can only tell you one thing

Ps. I wouldn’t have minded if Meira married Theron, helped overcome NOAM and ANGRA, helped rebuild winter. Be a reason that a rhythm and seasons are in a real friendship and alliance. All in all, this was a great book, 5-star deserving, written beautifully and has so much originality. Very refreshing indeed. This book choose for itself two songs 1. WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE By ADELE. This song is the best representation of what Meira unconsciously wants to tell Mather. 2. RISE UP By ANDRA DAY. This is a great song about rising up and to continue and fight over and over again till all our dreams come true. This song really signified the whole book but specifically the last half of the book. Because winter will rise up.

“ WE ARE WINTER "

( I took this picture myself I am so proud 😁😁😁😁)

Book Review by: Menna Khaled

Started: 20 February 2017

Finished: 20 February 2017

# of stars: ✨✨✨✨💥

( I also made this picture lol)

This book was a light read or what I would call a ONE NIGHT STAND BOOK. It’s an easygoing book with little to no struggles in the lives of the characters.

Maya is as witty as they come and the emails written in the book are very much amusing and interesting.

 Michael is bossy and enjoys punctuality; however, Michael’s point of view specifically in the first few chapters is hilarious.

His ex-executive assistant is funny af * excuse my French or don’t whatever lol *

 This is a four star book because it lacks deepness and morals, it is merely a book written and read for enjoyment.

 It also has usage of strong language and what could be considered as mediocre sexual scenes aka PG 15.

BOOK REVIEW BY: Menna Khaled

STARTED: 18 Jan 2017

FINISHED: 23 Jan 2017

# of stars: ✨✨✨💥💥 ( 3 OUT OF 5 STARS)

I truly did expect more from all the hype that I have seen on this series. Maybe it’s because I have already read an amazing series with similar Idea and I went in hoping for a taste of that same greatness, maybe. All I know now that I am going to read the rest of the series but not as soon as I was planning too.

Throne of glass is a book set in a past era ( or that is how it seems due to lack of technology like cars and phones…etc.). it is written in third point of view. The writing style of Sarah J. Mass is very neat and clean, the buildup of the story is very nice and the magical aspect of the plot is maintained quite well throughout. However, I didn’t see any character development happen throughout the book. The characters good or bad were expressed beautifully in the book but there was no growth or maturity seen when comparing the characters from their first appearance to their last.

The story ended smoothly, no cliff hangers in sight, and a very satisfying ending to everyone’s emotions and soul. However, I would have preferred if the story ended earlier than it did (like 2-3 chapters early) which is abnormal to hear since usually readers ( me included) always want (if not need) more. But I see that since there is a sequel, a little suspense was needed to give me the urge of absolute need to know what happens next thus making me go buy the book and reading it. the way the book ended made me satisfied enough that I would be ok if that was stand-alone. I also understand that Sarah did the ending in this way to show us that the first journey is over and a new journey shall begin in the next book which is 101 reality.

Moving on to the characters, The heroine, Celaena Sardothien is a very well portrayed assassin though a deeper glimpse into her past would have been helpful in understanding her point of view especially since the story isn’t in her pov ( 1st pov ).   I would have also preferred if there was more insight on her emotional status with Dorian. It seemed like her thoughts are very mechanical with the tests and her findings…etc. however, when it comes to her relationship with any of the characters (Dorian, chaol, Nehemia, Arobynn) it was filled with outbursts and shared moments but never once did we get inside her mind and read her thoughts deeply only superficial view. It kind of felt like celeana was too afraid to even trust me, the reader, with her thoughts and emotions.

I can’t really ship her with Dorian or Chaol because if I am going to base my opinion on the book events I would choose Dorian just because I think he is straight forward and cute and smart. Dorian is apparently hurt before by his first love thus becoming a player so it can be the whole cliché relation of “taming” the player. However, honestly, Dorian was seen in the book as a flirt, not a player which is good as long as your single and as handsome as Dorian.

If I am basing my opinion on realistic measures of real life and differences in society I would ship her with Chaol just for the fact that she is an assassin and he is the captain of the guard. They are both soldiers or fighters or whatever you like to call it, so they understand the measures and extremes each one of them has to take when it comes to killing, fighting and protecting the royal family.

Chaol will know how to enhance her senses and encourage her as seen in the final test between her and cain.

On that note, I think it is a very huge mistake to say that cain was chaol’s first kill. Chaol is the captain of the guard, only training doesn’t make someone (no matter who he is and what family he belongs to ) captain of the guard in a kingdom that is supposedly very active with wars trying to conquer nearby countries. The captain of the guard fights right next to the king in invasions so it was pretty unrealistic.

Since this is fiction and chaol isn’t straightforward with his feelings and is sister zoning celaena, I would join team, Dorian.

All in all a good book, interesting enough.

Hopefully, the sequel will have more emotions, more actions, and more character development.

Book Review By: Menna Khaled

Started: 29 April 2017

Finished:29 April 2017

# of Stars : ✨✨✨✨✨

This was a very enjoyable book to read. Not only did it have the fun element nailed down, but also it had an amazingly interestingly realistic sweet romance.

All the characters showed noticeable positive development in character. One of the great aspects of this book is that it didn't have much drama or stereotypes. Add to that the fact that even the complications that were seen since the start of the book were solved smoothly and easily that it didn't lead to frustration or annoyance.

Cora seton did a great job in perfecting the plot and the style. Cora also gave us a great teaser in the last chapter of who is the next book is about which was, in my opinion, a very smart move as it peaked my interest in searching and reading the next book :).

This book is a PG book due to the presence of minimal sex scenes in the book, However, there was no evident details or violence. the language used is mild and unoffensive.

All in all, I recommend this book to everyone, it works best as a relaxed romantic read between heavy books or when you are in need of utter relaxation and peace.

Book review by : Menna Khaled

Started : 10 March 2017

Finished : 19 March 2017

# of stars : ✨✨✨💥💥          

This book had so much hype that I had very high hopes going into it so the 3 stars is kind of a letdown.

The idea of the book is very much interesting and the characters are intriguing. The writing style is also very easy to go through; however, after prolonged hours of continuous reading, you get into a state of monotonous content that you just must stop reading and come back later with a fresh mind in order for you to enjoy the book and not skim through.

Maybe this is just due to me and my state of mind at the time of reading the book but I truly couldn’t finish the book in one sitting even though it is relatively small sized than most YA books.

In spite of the main concepts in the book ( the dimensions and the firebirds ) being described pleasantly, I still wished for more clarifications and details on how, why ,and when did these dimensions cease to exist ???

The idea of the presence of dimensions itself is very interesting and until now the endless possibilities are spinning in my mind.

Most characters in the book have been created and portrayed smoothly with a reasonable amount of character development.

Despite all that in chapter one itself I have known who was the good person and who was bad person No matter what Claudia Grey wanted me to believe. ( Please keep in mind that I might be just psychic )

There was a total of 2-3 supposed to be plot twists. Not only did I see 2 of them coming but I also wasn’t surprised by the 3rd supposed plot twist. As a result, I have to say that they weren’t written in an amazing way that made me go “WOWZA”. { SHOUT OUT TO BRO (@xxnadiarosexx ) FOR TEACHING ME THIS NEW WORD “WOWZA”}

In our journey of this book we have been to 4 different dimensions. I am sorry to say that after the 2nd dimension I have grown extremely bored and tired of the traveling and the almost cliché emotions of confusions and self-discovery in every dimension especially at the beginning few pages after jumping into a new dimension.

Add to that the fact that I felt bad for the other marguirtes 75% of the book, especially marguerite #2.

As I very much like the idea of dimensions and parallel worlds, I thought I would give the other menna’s out there an advice:

• Please Don’t be as stupid and annoying as marguerite and just remember that me and You are one and the same. We share the same personality and qualities. Only our situations and circumstances are different. So please oh freaking please act normal and just be yourself.

• If our parents aren’t here with me when you come visit me then please when you go back to your own dimension hug them for me and tell them that I love them deeply and to please forgive me for anything I have ever done wrong and that I truly hope that I have made them proud.

STOP !!!!!!!!!! LAST ADVICE IS A SEMI SPOILER !!!!! I WARNED YOU !!!!  

• Last but certainly not the least DON’T YOU DARE have any physical relationship with my lover because I will be facing the after math when you leave, plus I won’t remember any of it. ( or will I??)

END OF ADVICEY SPOILER :D

All in all this book was a nice read but it didn’t reach my expectations.

PS : Just because i can’t resist having a spoiled review then i am going to post that rant down in another post to keep the aim of my normal review clear and straight forward ( unspoiled Pre-reader review ).