The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

ISBN: 978-0-385-73681-7

Pages: 308

Appearance:

Summary:

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Hey guys! Happy Black Friday! Are we all going crazy shopping yet? Soon?  Anyway, here's my review of the infamous Forest of Hands and Teeth. 

I've never been a big zombie book fan. I just never felt drawn to the genre and was honestly confused on why so many people loved it. If you guys see the low rating below, part of that "bias" contributed to it. Let me backtrack, in the beginning I was really into the book and thought maybe zombie genre books weren't so bad after all. Somewhere around the middle of the chapter, I just got so annoyed by all the "moaning and groaning" of the Unconsecrated. The constant fear of death, the depression of seeing your family and friends die and rise again to kill you. I don't mean to offend any zombie lovers, but the whole negativity just made this book a really bad read for me. I barely made it to the end.

The other reason for the low rating was the plot. Mary was so full of hope, so full of dreams and goals for life, but slowly, every single dream was crushed in some sort of way. Her mother died within the first few pages and became of the "Unconsecrated." She was thrown into the Sisterhood, but then brought out and forced to marry a friend when she truly loved his brother. The writing and language was good, it wasn't that it was poorly written. It's just the whole negativity (again) that really made this book a bit insufferable and hard. 

One the bright side, the ending was a nice cliff hanger. But to be honest, my brain was so beat up with pain, hurt, anger, and loss that any ending would suffice. I was ready to throw the book away when Jed died. They were so close, I was actually feeling happy, But, she did make it to the ocean and to civilization. So that is a good ending, sort of. Harry, Cass, and Jacob are still stuck in the middle of the forest and she has to find a way to get to them and save them. 

It's just really complicated. According to Shelfari, I've read this book ages ago, but I don't remember much. This is the first book in a series, but I don't think I'm going to go on with the series. So my view of zombie books just dropped even lower...got any good recommendations that might change my mind? Please let me know! I'm in dire need of some inspiration, feeling so down. 

I want to sleep, I want dreams to pull me from this world and make me forget. To stop the memories from swirling around me. To put an end to this ache that consumes me.

You think you want love, Mary. You think it is this beautiful gift that does nothing but fill you and make you whole. But you are wrong. Love can be cruel and ugly. It can become dark and cause the deepest pain.

Who are we if not the stories we pass down? What happens when there's no one left to tell those stories? To hear them? Who will ever know that I existed? What if we are the only ones left -- who will know our stories then? Who will remember those?

We forget that the rest of live can be just as dangerous. I think about how fragile we are here-- like fish in a glass bowl with the darkness pressing in on every side.

When you know love . . . that's what makes life worth it.

I know in my life there have been breaches, but I also know that I am very good at blocking out the memories that serve me no purpose.

We are our own memory-keepers, and we have failed ourselves.

Would you ever give up the ocean for me?

I wonder what right we have to believe our childhood dreams will come true.

Every night I drown, every morning I wake struggling to breathe.

I realize that sometimes death comes before you expect it. That while we are rarely prepared for our friends, family, and loved ones to die, we are never prepared for our own deaths. Never prepared to reconcile our own regrets.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Foreverly Obsessed, 

Riv

Waiting on Wednesday: The Dollhouse Asylum

The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray

ISBN: 1937053644

Pages: 296

Appearance:

Summary:

A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.
At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.
If they play it right, then they'll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they'll die.

EEK! New banner again! Just in case anyone was wondering, I get my pictures off Google Images OR Tumblr and use random online editors to add the words. So these are not my pictures, though I'd love to draw/design some one day...when I get more time.

Anyway, I forgot which blog I was reading when I cam across if, but it just hooked me in at first sight. I got to read an excerpt via Shelfari Amazon and it was done, I was officially deep in want. To be honest, zombie/virus epidemic type of books aren't really my cup of tea. But I just think, from the summary that this takes everything to a different level, a new twist. Elysian Fields, if you guys didn't know, is the Greek section of the Underworld for heroes and martyrs, basically it's Heaven, but in the Underworld cause all dead Greek people go to the Underworld...yeah, so Heaven is also down there ↓. Cheyenne, according to the cover, gets renamed Persephone, also known as Goddess of the Underworld, and is told to pass certain tests that will allow her to continue living in this "Heaven." If she doesn't pass, she'll die. 

So on top of the plot, the cover also looks amazing! The girl has this sort of haunted and controlled look about her and there are cracks all over her face. It just looks so cool!! I'm really bummed that my library hasn't gotten hold of this book yet, but it was published about a month ago, so I guess they don't get newly published books as quickly. I'm debating whether or not to buy it on the Nook. Now that I'm thinking about it, this would be a great book for my English MP2 essential question: How much control do we have over our life?

Well, while I wait on this book, I recently "bought" Dollhouse (Book 1) by Anya Allyn for free on Amazon. The story plot sounds a bit different, but maybe I can use that as a "filler" read for now until I can get my hands on this book...they're both somewhat about dollhouses?

That's it for now! Thanksgiving is almost here!!! Run turkeys run! 

Foreverly Obsessed,

Riv

Music Monday: Unconditionally

Unconditionally by Katy Perry

Or click here

Cover by Jason Chen and Megan Nicole

Or click here

This song has been on replay ever since Jason and Megan came out with their cover last Wednesday. I loved their harmony and the connection they made to their collab on Just Give Me A Reason by P!nk a couple months ago. It's a good ending to that little love story. Then I got the guts to listen to the original and it turned out to be really good too! No offense to singers, but a lot of times if I hear a cover by a YouTuber I love and then search out the original, I don't like the original as much. This one proved me wrong! Loved both versions and the lyrics have officially been ingrained into my brain, and probably some parts of my history outline. Haha, now onto the lyric analysis!

So come just as you are to me
Don't need apologies
Know that you are all worthy
I'll take your bad days with your good
Walk through the storm I would
I do it all because I love you
I love you l love you

This is the second verse of the song. I just really love the lyrics in general. I think it emphasizes the whole idea of the whole song, loving someone unconditionally. I mean, if you really love someone, you'll stick through the bad and good for them and maybe even grow with them as they journey on.

So open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart and just let it begin
Open up your heart

Acceptance is the key to be
To be truly free
Will you do the same for me?

Bridge of the song. First of all, I just really like the melody/tempo to "Open up your heart and just let it begin." The words after that I think are just really well said. Acceptance is the key to be free. In any sort of relationship, romantic or not, you are choosing (I hope) to accept the other flaws and all. Like in the movie Princess and the Frog, accept them "warts and all." XD Lessons to be learned from Disney~

5 out of 5 stars

Foreverly Obsessed,

Riv

Excerpt: Goddess of Light

Hey guys! The Goddess of Light excerpt I promised!! Also, created a new header design for Excerpts!! Yay! If you didn't read the review yet click HERE.

"Hey, what's that?" he said, pointing at something that was glittering just at the edge of the surf, half covered by the sand her toes had dug up. 

He leaned forward - practically touching her - and grabbed a hold of the thing, lifting it free of the sand.

"Wow!" he said.

"It's awesome," she said. She couldn't look away from the bright coin that hung from the gold chain. It shined in the growing light, and she could see that it had the head of a man stamped on it. A really cute man with curly hair. 

"It's yours," he said solemnly.

"Mine? Nuh-uh."

"Yes-huh. It is. It was by your feet on your beach during your morning. It's definitely yours. He opened the the little clasp and put it around her neck. It hung there like a piece of the sun. Kristin touched it. It felt warm.

~~~~

"My name's Kristin," she said.

"I'm Jordan," he said. They grinned at each other, and the sun exploded from the ocean and into the morning sky.

~~~~

Neither teenagers noticed the tall blond woman who watched them from the shadows. Soul mates always do find each other, Artemis thought. I should have never doubted you, my brother. The goddess wiped her eyes and smiled wistfully as she faded silently into the waiting palm trees.

ARGH! This makes me wanna read the whole story again. Hope it sparked your interest!!

Foreverly Obsessed,

Riv

Last Kiss Goodnight

Last Kiss Goodnight by Gena Showalter

ISBN: 978-1-4516-7159-9

Pages: 436

Appearance:

Summary:

THE SWEETEST TEMPTATION…
Black ops agent Solomon Judah awakens caged and bound in a twisted zoo where otherworlders are the main attraction. Vika Lukas, the owner’s daughter, is tasked with Solo’s care and feeding. The monster inside him yearns to kill her on sight, even though she holds the key to his escape. But the human side of him realizes the beautiful deaf girl is more than she seems—she’s his.
THE ULTIMATE PRICE…
Vika endures the captives’ taunts and loathing, hoping to keep them alive even if she can’t free them. Only, Solo is different—he protects her. But as hostility turns to forbidden romance, his feelings for her will be used against him…and he’ll be put to a killer test

Hey guys! Back with another book review! This is the first book in Gena Showalter's new Otherworld Assassins series. From the other reviews I've read this is a spin off series of Alien Huntress which I've never read, but I'm definitely curious about. Okay, enough with the intro, onto the review!

The book starts off kinda on a very action-y pace. Vika, introduced as Viktorija (I love her name) is running to the cages, hoping to set her pets free before her father appears. He plans to sell them. In pieces. Sadly, in this race against time, a 14 year old with a couple of old and gray animals versus a middle aged man, the odds are not in their favor. The end result pretty much scars Vika and introduced you to the "loving" relationship that she has with her father present day. Then you're introduced to Solomon Black aka Solo. Like his name, he prefers to act alone. An Allorian by birth, he can morph into his "other form" a considerable ugly creature. He's at a business meeting when an explosion knocks him out. He wakes up in a cage where he and other otherworlders are the main attraction. His angel companion X tells him that his freedom and happiness lie with Vika, while Dr. E, his devil companion tells him to chop her thumb off for the fingerprint and get the hell out. So, in short, there's a lot of mixed emotion towards her. 

For one, I can't believe the utter cruelty and humiliation that the otherworlders have to go through just because they're "different." Solo, along with Targon, Criss, Kitten, and some others are caged and displayed for humans to come and gawk. Jecis, Vika's father, is this cold power-hungry monster who cares of nothing but being in control. He keeps the otherworlders under control but chaining them using cuffs connected to sedatives and other drugs. After Vika and Solo attempt escape and fail, he displays them on gigantic wheels for humans to see and touch. Ugh, this disgusts me so much.

On the bright side, the romance of the story. Vika finds herself strangely attracted to Blue Eyes (Solo) but she can't figure out why. He's the only otherworlder who doesn't threaten to tear her apart limb by limb, but that doesn't seem reason enough for "love." Solo on the other hand has X constantly telling him that Vika is THE ONE. Though some people are disappointed by the lack of "hot smex" in the book, I actually really liked this more toned down version. The electricity is still inevitable and very very tense. You don't need "steamy smex" to have a successful hot romance, it's all about the way the characters are interacting. 

The second book in the series, Black and Blue, forcuses on the story of Corbin, one of Solo's friends who also "disappeared" after the explosion came out this year. Sadly, my library hasn't gotten hold of it, but when they do, I am definitely checking it out! I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good read. Though I must warn you, the darkness of the story really emanates through the book. You get a really good sense of just how horrible power and greed can make a person. But, the romance definitely balances it out. Go read and let me know what you think!  

Here is a little lesson you should take to heart. Anyone who returns hate for hate is no better than my father, and I won't trade one monster for another.

He knows nothing of love! And neither do you, I think. Love protects. Love cherishes. Love lifts you up rather than tears you down. Love makes you fly.

I once thought that the three most important words in creation were "whatever proves necessary." (Solo)

And now? (Vika)

Now I know I was wrong, the three most important words are "I love you." (Solo)

3.5 out for 5 stars

Foreverly Obsessed,

Riv

Makeup Haul!!!

So I went on another small trip to Walgreens and restrained myself from buying more lipstick... but here's what I got:

1. Wet n Wild Megaslicks Lip Gloss in Rasp-berry Voice (569B)

I had to stop myself from buying more lipstick, buy my shopping trip would be incomplete without buying a lip product! This costs$2.29. It's not as good as the lipgloss I bought at Target, but it's okay. It doesn't smell that great. I don't know how to describe what it smells like... I can't remember what that thing is called... oh, play-doh! Yeah, it's not a good smell.... But I like the color, it's a redish-pink color that's a bit darker than my lip color, but it can pass off as my lip color. I feel like there's isn't a lot in that tiny bottle, I mean, how much lipgloss can you get out of 0.19 oz?

2. Wet n Wild MegaPlump Waterproof Mascara in Very Black (C147)

This was $4.29. So this claims it's supposed to "instantly plumps" and "Up to 3x the volume of your natural lash" Yeah... no. It does not plump my lashes. It has the same effect as my other mascaras. It's very black though! At least they got the color right. Overall, this wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be.

3. Wet n Wild MegaLast Salon Nail in Undercover (206C)

This costs $1.99. The color is really nice (a tiny bit lighter than in the picture) and it has a kind of wide brush so you get most of the nail in one stroke. It has a very smooth finish and it looks really nice.

4. Wet n Wild Wild Shine Nail Color in Burgundy Frost

This was also $0.99. It's actually redder than the picture, it doesn't really look burgundy though... Well it's okay, the brush is thinner than the one above, but the color is kinda pretty.


These happened to be all Wet n Wild products, I did not plan this, I swear. overall, I'm not that happy with my products (except the first nail polish, and maybe the second, just maybe).

I hope you enjoyed my haul. Leave a comment below if you want me to buy a specific brand and try it out. Thanks!

~Claudz

Goddess of Light

Goddess of Light by P.C. Cast
ISBN: 978-0-425-22709-1

Pages: 344

Appearance: 

Summary:

Tired of dating egomaniacs, interior designer Pamela Gray has nearly given up on men. She was to be treated like a goddess – preferably by a god. As she whispers her wish, she unwittingly invokes the goddess Artemis, who has some tricks up her celestial sleeve…

Twins Artemis and Apollo have been sent to the Kingdom of Las Vegas to test their mettle. Their first assignment: make Pamela’s wish come true. So Artemis volunteers her golden brother. After all, who better than the handsome God of Light to bring love to this lonely woman?

It might be a first, but here in Sin City, where life is a gamble, both god and mortal are about to bet on a high-stakes game of love. Hey, you only live once. Or do you?

Hey guys! First of all, has anyone read the House of Night series that P.C. Cast wrote with her daughter? I’ve read some of the novellas like Neferet’s Curse and the Fledgling Handbook. WOndering if I should try out the series. I love series and all, but when a series has 10+ books in it, it just turns my interest off. Anyway, if you’ve read it, let me know below what you thought.

On to the book review. May I just say that I think the summary is really badly written. I’m sorry editors, but it just doesn’t go along well with the book’s plot. Artemis and Apollo weren’t assigned to make Pamela’s wish come true. Pamela just made a wish at the wrong time and unknowingly shackled herself to Artemis who used Apollo to “get rid” of the mortal. They also weren’t sent to Las Vegas to “test their mettle.” Zeus wanted the gods and goddesses to mingle with the mortals for fun. Bacchus just wasn’t too pleased about it. And a quick question, isn’t Bacchus the Roman name from Dionysus? If we’re referring to him with his Roman name, then why isn’t Apollo Sol and Artemis Diana? Pamela actually uses Diana as Artemis’ code name when they meet her client. Just a thought. Also, the last sentence: Hey, you only live once. Or do you? I just think it’s a really bad ending and gives away too much information. Maybe that’s just me.

Okay, done with the complaints. Onto the story. Pamela is kind of love suspicious, if there’s a term out there. She was married to Duane, this suffocating egomaniac who pretty much pinned her down under a microscope and examined every aspect of her life. AFter the divorce, he stalked her for another 6 years before somewhat giving her more space. She goes to Vegas on a job offer for an author by the name of E. D. Faust. First impression of him? Big, uncomfortable with fans, and doesn’t have a very good taste in architecture. But the author surprises us by making him a more dynamic and round character towards the middle of the story, so I promise you’ll like him more later on. (He gives really good love tips.) At the same time Pam’s in Vegas, Zeus has opened the portal to Bacchus’ city for the gods to mingle in. Artemis thinks mortals are useless and pathetic. Apollo wants to find his soul mate. (Read Goddess of Spring for more background info.) Bacchus tries to stir up some trouble by giving some nymphs the ability to cast an invocation spell on the mortals which Pamela unknowingly responds to. And so the trouble begins.

Apollo has probably become my favorite god after this novel. After watching Hades find his soulmate in Lina and seeing the effect love had on the god of death, he becomes what Artemis calls “soft” and longing for love. After Artemis tells him to “get rid” of Pamela, he finds himself trying to see if she could be his possible soul mate. Ugh, you have to read to understand the feels I’m getting from this. He is just perfect.

The ending. Oh my lords, the ending. I can’t. I seriously can’t. It’s just perfect x1000. I don’t want to give it away, but you’ll get a little sneak peek when I put up the excerpt. It’s just beautiful. The thought makes me turn into the crocodile from Peter Pan on a ton of chocolate and seeing Captain Hook dangle in front of me. Also coated in chocolate. Yeah...that’s how awesome it is.

I highly recommend this story. You don’t have to appreciate mythology romance to completely fall in love. So go read it and tell me your thoughts!

A lot of men wouldn't like being called a romantic. It's not macho enough.'

Quite often men are fools.

“Soul mates do always find each other, Artemis thought.” 

There are no guarantees in love Pamela, just endless opportunities for hurt and for happiness.

In order to know true love, you have to open your heart to the possibility of true hurt.

We can only try to live our lives with enough joy and passion that when our time is finished, we leave behind more good memories than regrets.

It was a good thing Artemis would be immortal again in a few days. At the rate she was going, it was either immortality or alcoholism

.

They branded me as the virgin goddess because I refuse to shackle myself to one mate. I take love where I will. I decide who and where and when. My real pleasure comes from my freedom. My favorite lover is the forest, my oldest companions are my handmaiden nymphs. (Artemis)

You may rest assured that this Duane will not harass you again. (Apollo)

Thanks, but I prefer to clean up my messes myself. (Pamela)

Now you sound like my sister. (Apollo)

I'll take that as a scary compliment. (Pamela)

It was meant as one. (Apollo)

5 out of 5 

Also, will be having a short book excerpt, most probably the epilogue out sometime this or next week. Depending on how much time I have and the homework load that I have to finish. 

Foreverly Obsessed,

Riv

Quoting Thursday: Be Weird!

If you're going to be weird, be confident about it.

Go let that weirdness out! Be confident, unique, quirky, and most important YOU! That's all that matters! 

Foreverly Obsessed, 

Riv

Where Demons Fear To Tread

Where Demons Fear To Tread by Stephanie Chong

ISBN: 978-0-7783-1247-5

Pages: 358

Appearance:

Summary:

Fledging guardian angel and yoga teacher Serena St. Clair dares to enter Devil's Paradise nightclub on a mission—to retrieve the wayward Hollywood "It Boy" she's assigned to protect. But she's ambushed by the club's owner, arch demon Julian Ascher. The most powerful demonic entity in Los Angeles, Julian is handsome as sin, a master of temptation who loves nothing more than corrupting pleasure-seeking humans. He won't release the lost soul Serena is supposed to guard. Unless she accepts his dangerous wager…....
After the disastrous way his human life ended, Julian vowed that no woman would get the better of him again. Yet this sexy-sweet angel, smelling of fresh ocean air and happiness, triggers centuries-old feelings. Now, their high-stakes game of seduction, where angels fall from grace and where demons fear to tread, will lead them either to an eternity in hell… or a deliciously hot heaven

Hey guys! Where Demons Fear to Tread has got to be on the most moving books I've ever read that is not 100% like inspirational intended, if you get what I mean. This book is pretty much classified as Fantasy and Romance, there is like "no way" it could be inspirational, but it just is. (Look at the massive chunks of quotes I have below and you'll know what I'm saying this.)

The first scene of Where Demons Fear to Tread (WDFTT) is a bar. A pretty “sinful” bar full of alcohol, drugs, and other bad things. Among the mass throes of people is Serena St. Clair, a Guardian Angel looking for her “assignment” aka Hollywood’s new pop star Nick Ramirez. The owner, is this seductive archdemon called Julian Ascher who has condemned many souls to Hell. This has got to be one of my favorite scenes in this book. Why? It creates a distinct line between Serena and Julian so you know that anything between them is probably hard to come by, but at the same time, it creates this budding romance and slimmer of hope for Julian’s redemption. Ahaha, you probably don’t see that all in the first scene.

Anyway, Julian is set determined to make this little angel his and he’s stopping at nothing. To be honest, his egotistical attitude annoyed the heck out of me at first, but as time went on, you can’t help but be swept off your feet by him. Even though he keeps telling himself that he’s seducing Serena so he can have the pleasure of condemning an angel to hell, his heart (what’s left of it) is secretly falling in love. When they go to Los Angeles together, it’s like ♫ And at last I see the liiiiight~~♫ If you guys get my reference there. It’s a huge revelation to them both and Serena takes it all into stride. Sure she was freaking out, but she definitely steps up to any challenge. Go girl!

On the topic of Serena. First of all, Company of Angels is really cruel for putting her up to the risk. But at the same time, by doing so, they’re pushing her to test her limits and grow. One of my favorite quotes that is not mentioned below is: She was no longer a frightened little fledgling. She had learned to fly. (End quote) This “mission” that she was assigned to really forces her to test the boundaries of love.

A quick character analysis.

Serena, please read paragraph above.

Julian, egotistical, lost, pretty darn hot, bad to the core?

Nick, extremely egotistical, jealous, I don’t like him, disappointment

Luciana, bad to the bone, slightly thrilling, super seductive, THE NEXT BOOK IS ABOUT HER!

Corbin, evil, manipulator, I don’t like him either

One last word, (I’m kind of repeating what I said in the first paragraph, but oh well): You can really take this book two ways. One, it’s just a romantic read with nice characters. Two, a romantic read with a deeper hidden message that will stay with you. On that note: Happy reading! And enjoy my massive chunk of qutoes below!!

And if you do read it: COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!Even if you didn't like it, let me know why! but be prepared for a heated debate ;)

Every being is divine. Even demons. I think you just made a mistake. (Serena)

Then how do I get to the other side? (Julian)

Love. (Serena)

But love heals all. If you keep love in your heart, you'll always be safe.

You look like a gift, with that bow on the front. Whatever you do, don't let him unwrap you.

But it's so beautiful. I don't know how you can doubt the power of goodness when all this beauty exists. (Serena)

Good and evil are equally balanced. Besides, you should know by now that what is beautiful isn't necessarily good. Despite what mankind may think, Keats was wrong when he wrote 'Beauty is truth, truth beauty.' You can't deny that I'm beautiful, but I'm fundamentally evil. (Julian)

You're wrong. The balance of good and evil is a fallacy. You're not evil. You're just...mistaken. (Serena) 

Hell can't hold me. I don't believe in it.

Hell only exists because you believe it exists. It's an illusion Julian, you have the ability to talk out of here. The demons have no authority over you. All you have to do is believe. (Serena)

Believe in what? (Julian)

Believe in love. (Serena)

Nobody is beyond redemption. Divine love is universal and unconditional. All you have to do is believe.

That's what demons are. Fallen angels. Redemption is within reach of every last one of you. 

5 out of 5 stars

Foreverly Obsessed,

Riv