The Giver by Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher:

Rating: 3 stars

All these years Jonas believed that he lived in a perfect community. The orders and rules are there for their own benefit; children are assigned to special family who will nurture them, each year they will received similar treatment so there wont be any differences. Jonas believed it was for the best. But when he was assigned into be The Receiver, he discovered the dark truth about his community, and his world never be the same again.

Honestly I would give higher rating if only the story was longer and had clearer ending; I hate cliffhanger. However I have to be honest, this is a good story; albeit too short for my liking. I like how Jonas reacted toward all the new things he learned about his community. The shocking truth behind the orders that he trusted as the best for him and his community. Also the devastation he felt when he couldn't tell the truth to his friends; how his view had changed completely from them.

This is good for people who just start reading dystopian but for dystopian lover like me, it leaves unsatisfied taste in my mouth.

Lynossa

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Sign Up Post: Midnight Summer Festival

 

There will be plenty excitement on this July for me and you!

Rie @ Mission to Read, Carmel @ Rabid Reads and yours truly will host an event called Midnight Summer Festival. We'll be celebrating the awesomeness of mythologies in the works of fiction. I'm in love with Celtic, Rie has a thing for Greek, and Carmel had her eyes set on Norse. No matter what's your favorite mythology, we got it covered - hopefully.

During 10 days from July 10th to July 20th, we will talk about our favorite mythologies, authors will talk about their favorite mythologies and of course mythologies in their books. Not only that, there also will be giveaways as well, there's no way we're not spreading the awesomeness of those mythologies fiction!

Is the awesomeness stops right there? No! You'll get the chance to participate as well. During that time you can post about your favorite mythology, your favorite god or goddesses, favorite myth creatures/power, and also your favorite myth-related books!

So what you got to do?

How to join (required):

1) On July 10th, post about your favorite mythology and your favorite mythology-related book.

2) Link your blog.
Tweet this!

Optional:

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example: my myth + giveaway

Sign Up Post: Midnight Summer Festival

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Daughter
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey #2
Pages: 359 Pages (Paperback)
(Goodreads)

Release date: August 1st 2010
Published by: Harlequin Teen

Summary:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Review:

The Iron Daughter picks up where Winter’s Passage left. Meghan is trapped in the Winter Court because of the deal she made with Ash in the first book. While I loved Ash even more in this book than in the first one, I found myself wanting to strangle Meghan even more in this book than in the first one. I don’t know what happened to the part of her brain that held the memory of their ‘talk’ in Winter’s Passage because in the first few chapters of book two, that part of her brain is obviously wandering off somewhere. Sorry if I offended you, Meghan, but you were really being stupid. There was Ash, being handsome and lovely, but there you were, being stupid and annoying. I would’ve smacked you if I could. But I still heart you. Partly because you have a poster of Escaflowne in your room ;P

But all’s well, ends well! Okay, not really. Meghan regained herself when she and Ash fled from the Winter Court. Puck has woken up from his deep slumber and joined the adventure. Still as faithful to Meghan as ever. He still annoys me but I like him more in TID than in TIK. And Ash decided that he had to find the scepter in his own way. He’s still keen on the law against romance between a Summer and Winter fey. I had to pity Meghan several times. Also, Puck had had his chance on Meghan in this book.

If you loved The Iron King, you will absolutely love The Iron Daughter! You’ll probably love it even more than the first book. The Iron Daughter is packed with more action and adventure. You’ll also get to meet new characters and some characters mentioned from the past. And if you’re an Ash x Meghan fan, you will also definitely, definitely love the last chapter!

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Review: Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

Title: Winter's Passage
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey #1.5
Pages: 59 Pages (eBook)
(Goodreads)

Release date: May 20th 2010
Published by: Harlequin

Summary:

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

An eBook exclusive story from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

Review:

Winter's Passage picks up exactly where The Iron King ended. This novella tells us the story of Ash and Meghan as they set off on a journey to the Unseelie Court.

With a length of 59 pages, I didn't know what I was expecting when I started reading the e-book. I'm a huge fan of novellas but a journey didn't sound that fascinating to me. But then, my judgment proved to be wrong. Again. As Winter's Passage picked up where The Iron King left, it also picked up the excitement The Iron King brought me. Although in a much lower level, the adventure that Ash and Meghan went through was still exciting and breathtaking.

In this book, aside from adventure and with Puck still unconscious, we also get to see more of Ash and Meghan's struggle with their relationship. This is what I've been waiting to read in The Iron King. And as what I've expected, it totally broke my heart to see Ash get torn between loving Meghan, the princess of Summer Court, and his duty as a prince of the Winter Court.

A couple of very interesting extra characters were introduced in this book as well. I especially loved the one that made a cameo. I didn't expect to see him in the Iron Fey series. But then again, this series is full of surprises! Also, if you think the cover doesn't make sense, wait until you get past the first half then you'll find out why.

Review: Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

In My Mailbox (13)

IMM is a meme started by Kristi of The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library.

Lyn's Mailbox: 

I'm so excited about this week IMM because I could brag about interesting books I got the past few weeks. Check this out peeps!

Ignore the ugly quality of my cellphone camera and focus more on the titles :)

Bought:
The Portable Door by Tom Holt
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Graveminder by Melissa Marr
Closer (Tunnels #4) by Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Warped by Maurissa Guibord

Won:
7 Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes by Amber Kizer
Savvy by Ingrid Law
The Giver by Lois Lowry

I bought The Portable Door from The Book Depository. It was so difficult to find this book in my country so when TBD gave extra 10% discount, it was an offer I couldn't pass. Divergent, Graveminder, Closer, The Replacement, and Warped were bought after a tiring cleaning day. I almost droll in bookstore when I saw all those awesome books. I managed to restrain myself; I only grabbed five and I quickly ran away before I took another book.

I won signed MG pack consists of The Giver and The Savvy from Jen Bigheart at I Read Banned Books, thanks Jen! And I also won Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes by Amber Kizer at A Life Bound by Books. Thank you for Lisa and Ms. Kizer. She also sent me several bookmarks, I left it at home so I couldn't show it to you but I loved it!

ps: Notice the yellow stickers on Divergent and Graveminder? Don't worry, those are in the plastic wrap, not on the cover. But my Warped was stained because the prize sticker was stuck to the book jacket. I hate it!

In My Mailbox (13)

Winner: Clockwork Angel Giveaway

Before I announce the winner of our last giveaway, first, we'd like to thank everyone who entered our 6-Month Anniversary Giveaways. You rock, people! To all the followers and commenters of blog, YOU ROCKZZZ! You guys are more awesome than the Ayers Rock! If we, three, are only a bunch of billionaires, we'd give you all prizes just for following and commenting on our blog. Or better yet, we'd give you prizes just for saying "Dreanged Book Lovers"! That's how much we love you all. But alas, we are only a bunch of poor Asians... so here goes the winner of Clockwork Angel Giveaway

Isabela L.

Congratulations! I sent you an e-mail approximately 5 minutes before I published this post. ;) You have 48 hours to reply to my e-mail or I will choose another winner. Thanks again to all!

Winner: Clockwork Angel Giveaway

Winner: The Damned Busters Giveaway

Ladies and gentlements herewith I announce you the four lucky winners who will receive a copy of The Damned Busters on the courtesy of Angry Robots! They are:

1. Ash from http://typingtiara.blogspot.com/

2. Sophia Chang from http://sophiathewriter.blogspot.com 

3. Sarah Bibi Setar or Identity Seeker

4. Eva SB

Congratulations! I've sent you guys emails and you have 24 hours to response and send me your address so I could give it the Angry Robots. They're the one who will send the book to you. Once again congrats! For those who haven't win, I wish I have more books to share but for now you all have my gratitude. Thanks for participating in our event :)

ps: I used to put pictures of the entries but I'm too tired today >.>

Winner: The Damned Busters Giveaway

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron King
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey #1
Pages: 363 (Paperback)
(Goodreads)

Release date: February 1st 2010
Pubished by: Harlequin Teen

Summary:

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Review:

I was never a fan of faeries until The Iron King. Faeries seemed overrated to me. Not that weres and vamps are not but still, they don’t appeal to me that much. But when I started reading The Iron King, I was immediately sucked into the world of faeries. I even kind of regretted it that I only took notice of faerie books now. They are such awesome amusing creatures. I totally admire their whole being.

The Iron King intertwines adventure, romance, mystery, friendship and more adventure. That, combined with an awesome writing style and superb characters is something all you, young adult fantasy book lovers MUST not miss. The first half of the book reminds me of Alice’s adventure in Wonderland with Grimalkin as the Cheshire Cat. But they’re not really alike. And The Iron King is packed with more breathtaking adventure, awesome characters and romance.

Also, this book is where I found a new love. Ash. Ash is this cool, calm and collected dark-haired, silver-eyed fey with a swoon-worthy small smile who is so cool, I fell in lust with him even before I read the book. Well, this, coming from a girl whose heart belongs to over 50 fictional guys ...and one cat. Because Grimalkin is the most awesome thing next to Ash in this book.

The third most awesome thing, of course, is Meghan. I'm somewhat in heart with her too in a BFF/sisterly sort of way. She's currently my most favorite female character. I can connect to her in so many ways. She's a strong-willed character. Impulsive, yes, like any other YA female MC. But there's something about her that I can't quite put my finger on, but it's what makes her different from any other characters.

And then Puck. Most Iron Fey fans like this guy. I like him too but his cockiness annoys me. Sometimes, he gets too cocky for his own good. I feel like wiping that stupid big sarcastic grin on his face. Though you can't also shake the fact that it's really funny whenever he gets on Ash's nerves.

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa