It's kind of a funny story by Ned Vizzini.

Fangirl is a contemporary young adult novel written by Rainbow Rowell. The story follows Cath Avery, an eighteen year old girl who just started college. She's fan of Simon Snow, kind of like the Harry Potter books. With her twin-sister Wren, Cath writes fan fiction. Cath is famous on there, anonymously as Magicath. But now they're going to college and Wren is done with Simon Snow and decides to room with another person. Cath is very uncomfortable with these changes, but she'll get through it right? Or not? Not only does Cath meet incredible friends and maybe a possible boyfriend. She reconnects with Wren and everything seems to fall back in place. Read more

Happily ever after, or even just together ever after, is not cheesy. It's the noblest, like the most courageous thing two people can do.

My heart and other black holes by Jasmine Warga is a beautiful novel! The characters in this book were so incredible, I love them with all my heart.

“Life can seem awful and unfixable until the universe shifts a little and the observation point is altered, and then suddenly, everything seems more bearable.”

Touching Juliette trilogy by Tahereh Mafi

Touching Juliette trilogy by Tahereh Mafi

Book 1: Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Published by Harper Collins on October 15th 2011

Genres: YA dystopian, (science fiction, romance)

Pages: 338

Goodreads

Shatter me is a YA dystopian novel written by Tahereh Mafi. It's the first book in the Touching Juliette trilogy. It follows a seventeen year old girl named Juliette who cannot touch anyone. Her touch is lethal, which means she can kill someone just by touching them. But all will change once her new roommate arrives...

I have a curse

I have a gift

I am a monster

I'm more than human

My touch is lethal

My touch is power

I am their weapon

I will fight back

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Plot:

I was not expecting this plot at all. I mean, I just thought it would be revolving around a girl who can't touch anyone and her journey on finding a cure or something like that. It is somewhat like that, minus the cure, but wow! Also, the ending! It just makes you want to read/continue the other books. At least it did for me.

So Juliette Ferrars has been locked up in an asylum for 3 years. She hasn't touched anyone in almost a year, but when a boy named Adam comes stumbling into the asylum, everything will change for her.

First of all, she knew Adam from before her lockdown. And second of all, she's been brought to Sector 45, which Warner leads. From that point on, Juliette discovers more and more about herself. However Adam and Juliette escaped Sector 45 in the end.

What I loved about this book was how the feelings of Juliette were portrayed. How she was thinking one thing and said another. Many people are like that, but Juliette kind of, sort of had a 'mental illness'? I don't really know, but she was unstable in the beginning.

It was hard getting used to the writing style, but I did eventually. 

My friend recommended Shatter Me to me and she was raving about it! I was hesitant at first, but decided to pick it up after a couple of months. I regret not reading it earlier because HOLY CRAP. This was amazing! It exceeded my expectations and I loved it so much.
The only problem I had with the book was the writing style, as stated above. I didn't get into it until the second book hence the 4.5. 

Rating: 4.5/5

[SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST BOOK, THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE SPOILERS SO BEWARE.]

Book 2: Unravel Me

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Published by Harper Collins on February 5th 2013

Genres: YA dystopian, (romance)

Pages: 461

Goodreads

Unravel Me is the sequel to Shatter Me written by Tahereh Mafi.

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick

it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

Plot:

Unlike many other trilogies where the first book is always the best, I found the sequel better than the first.

I began to like Juliette more and more and Adam began to annoy me more and more.

Although the first days/weeks, she was hardly communicating with the people at Omega Point, towards the end she began to talk to them more often. She made a couple of friends/acquaintances: Brendan, Winston, Lily, the girl whose name I forgot but started with an A (Alia?), Castle,... . She was closed off and only seemed to want to talk to Adam, which was not often seeing that they weren't allowed in each other's rooms etc. . And suddenly, Warner appears too.

Juliette learned a whole lot more about her powers in Omega Point. She felt more at ease once she knew there were more people like her.
Juliette and the rest also prepare for the biggest war of her life, but nothing goes as it is planned…
 

In 'Unravel Me' you learn a whole lot more about the characters. More specific Warner, Adam, Juliette and Kenji; the main characters. You also discover something very shocking, which I'm not going to reveal.

Rating: 5/5

[SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST AND SECOND BOOK, THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE SPOILERS SO BEWARE.]

Book 3: Ignite Me

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Published by Harper Collins on February 4th 2014

Genres: YA dystopian, (romance)

Pages: 421

Goodreads

Ignite me is the third and final instalment of the Touching Juliette trilogy.

When Juliette awoke after being shot by Anderson, her mission was to take down Anderson for once and for good. What she didn't know yet was that Omega Point has been destroyed. And who knows her friends too? Determined to destroy Anderson and the Reestablishment, Juliette is preparing herself for the fight.

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

I read this in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. It was 12AM when I actually finished it and I was fangirling (internally) so hard that I felt like I could burst out of happiness any moment. Seriously, I could have, and probably would've if I didn't have to be so quiet, cried of happiness because of the ending. My heart is fluttering just by thinking of it.

Ignite me is by far my favorite of the trilogy. It’s one of my all-time favorites, in fact. IT IS SO GOOD.

Plot:

Juliette awoke after Anderson shot her. Thanks to Warner and the twins she's still alive. When she heard the news that Omega Point has been destroyed, she had to know if her friends were still alive. And luckily they were.

They trained and trained and trained to prepare themselves to fight against Anderson, his army and the Reestablishment.
Juliette learned to control her powers. She can touch people now, without them dying.

With the help of her team and the men of Sector 45, she is planning on getting revenge against Anderson.  

I loved Juliette in Ignite Me. She was headstrong and was getting what she desired the most, revenge on Anderson. And at the same time she was also worried about her friends being alive or not. So much is going through her head and you wonder how she can still manage to stay calm.

Rating: 5/5 (all the stars)

Characters:

Juliette:

In the beginning I found Juliette's behavior kind of immature, yet I can understand why she reacted the way she did. I mean, after being locked up for so many years, you would probably react the same way as she did. Other than that I found her a great character! I'd say she's my second or third favorite character in this series. As the story progressed, Juliette began to be more mature and headstrong. At first, Juliette needed someone very desperately. And when she could touch someone without the other person suffering she was beyond ecstatic. However, throughout the trilogy, she became more independent and the other person didn't like that. I did though .

 I found her the best in Ignite Me. She was confident, which she always would've been had she not been put into that asylum or had she not been judged by other people (in my opinion), she was passionate. She was out for revenge. And revenge she got.

Warner: 

He's psychotic leader of Sector 45, but to me (and maybe some others :-)) he was the LOVING, psychotic leader of Sector 45.
I get that some people hate him (in the beginning!!!!) because he's doing these 'terrible' things to Juliette. However, when you get to know him you will understand his reasons et cetera. His dad is a monster. His mother is sick and doesn't remember him.
Aaron Warner Anderson is definitely someone who'll be forever imprinted in my mind.

And also: GOD DAMNIT, JULIETTE AND WARNER. Warner and Juliette have officially outranked every OTP that is existent in my brain. Words can't even explain how much I love these two lovebirds. The Juliette and Warner scenes were definitely my favorites.

Kenji: 

My favorite character! I love Kenji (for some unknown reason his name autocorrected to Jennifer)! He brings happiness into the sad lives of everyone. Without him it would be so depressing. His and Juliette's friendship is so valuable. He's so witty yet funny at the same time and that is something I appreciate a lot. He was serious when he needed to be.

Adam: 

I do NOT know why, but from the start on, I absolutely did not like Adam. He was so annoying to me? I suppose that is partly Sara's fault for telling me Adam's annoying, hehe. I even thought he was going to turn against them at some point, but that luckily never happened. He was not my least favorite, but definitely not my favorite. He's somewhere in between. Adam was very attached to past-Juliette, the Juliette who needed someone so desperately. And when Juliette 'changed' (for the better), he was not very happy to say the least. I did find it heartwarming to read about James and him. He's protective about his cute, little brother, which is normal. I also hope that Adam will eventually find happiness. Maybe with Alia? (I FORGOT HER NAME. I KNOW IT STARTS WITH AN A. FORGIVE ME.)

"Books are easily destroyed. But words will live as long as people can remember them."

Top 7 Young Adult Series/Trilogies

 Hello guys, today we decided to do something different. Our top 7 young adult series/trilogies! The list is composed of both Sara [▲] and I (An [✧]), so our favorites have been mixed together and put on this list. Hope you enjoy!
Question of the Blogpost: 'What is your favorite series/trilogy?'

7. The Testing trilogy by Joelle Charbonneau

▲ I was looking for a great YA dystopian novel, and after a long time, I found The Testing. The Testing is a really amazing trilogy and I read it when it came out. I had to wait so long for the other two books, but it was worth my time. I was completely in love with the trilogy and Cia (the main character) has become one of my favorite YA female characters. I recommend the Testing to everyone who loves a dystopian novel and is a fan of The Hunger Games or Divergent. 

To read the full review, Click here

6. The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth

▲ It's been a while since I've read this trilogy so maybe I should reread it when I have time for it. I loved the first two books so much, especially Divergent. I remember that this book was my Christmas present.
The characters in this book were so incredible, I love them with all my heart. Like is said before, I loved the first two books, but I was a little bit disappointed of the last one, Allegiant. I liked it but I didn't love it. I think it's because I expected more of it. Besides that I recommend this trilogy to everyone who is, just like me, crazy about YA dystopia. 

5. Benedict series by Joss Stirling

✧ I love this series! I stumbled upon this when I was at the library looking for something to read for school. When I first started reading it, I did not know it was part of a series and it was in fact the third book. After reading Seeking Crystal, I was in desperate need of more so I went to the inter webs and found out that there were two more installments that take place before SC. Being the person I am, I could not wait another day to go to the store/order it, hence why I bought the e-books. I read Finding Sky and Stealing Phoenix in 2 days. I even stayed up until 4 AM once because I wanted to know what happened next! The plot intrigued me immensely! And as a person who’s a sucker for sappy romances, soulmates are definitely my type of guilty pleasures.
I have yet to read Misty Falls and the newest book that is coming out soon (I think).
This series has brought back my love for books that I lost the year before. Honestly, I love it so much and I was so obsessed with everything and everyone. Zed, Yves, Xavier, Sky, Phoenix and Crystal are very dear to my heart. They take up a special place and hopefully I'll read Misty Falls soon so that I can fangirl about those characters too.

4. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

✧ The Hunger Games trilogy ahh. The emotions are coming back. I remember crying, laughing and every emotion in between. I first read the Hunger Games in 2012, during the festive time of the year. I remember crying because of Rue's dead *sheds tear*. Anyways, everyone has probably already read this series. HECK, maybe you've even reread it a couple times so you all can share my love for this series (or not). And if you haven't read them, HOW?! I really recommend you to read them.
I adore the first two books, the Hunger Games and Catching Fire, but I didn't love Mockingjay as much. I love the empowering Katniss Everdeen, as I love all the other characters.
Yes, I love everything about this series and yes, you should too.

3. The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

▲ How could the Mortal Instruments by the great Cassandra Clare not be on our list? I was really obsessed with these books. When I read the first one, I went to the store for the second one and then the third and so on. I went to the book store every 2 days until I was done reading the series. Unfortunately I had to wait for the last book like a year or maybe more, but when I went to the store to buy  the last one with one of my friends, who was also obsessed with The Mortal Instruments, we were freaking out. Like: OH MY GOD FINALLY! My friend even screamed.
If you haven't read this series yet, you should go to the book store and buy the 6 fantastic books. This is an order :p.

2. Touching Juliette trilogy by Tahereh Mafi

✧ I have just recently read this trilogy and I absolutely love it! After reading contemporary after contemporary I decided it was time for a dystopian novel. Sara actually recommended it to me and I was hesitant at first but damn! It is SO good. If you didn't like the first book, read the second! I assure you that it'll get better. I read them fairly quickly because it was one of those books that you just couldn't put down (in my opinion). Especially the last one *faints*.
The writing style was a bit strange at first and I had to get used to it. Some people might not like the writing style at all, but luckily I got to appreciate it.
Also, I was not expecting the plot at all! I thought that it might be about Juliette who is trying to find a cure or something, but it was definitely not.
I got easily attached to the characters, but mostly Juliette, Kenji and Warner.  

AND FINALLY. 

DRUM ROLL. 

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

✧ Three words. Best series ever. I grew up with this series and I'm sure many of you did too. Anyone who's read this can confirm that The Harry Potter series are one of the greatest, if not the best, series of all time. The way J. K. Rowling brought us to a whole new world of wizards and magic is just amazing. She allowed us to escape of planet earth and reside in Hogwarts for the time being. My favorite 2 books of the series are 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'. If you have not yet read this series or even watched the films) then what are you doing?! Go pick up the books at your local libraries, read them and love them just like millions of others in this world we live in, and then we can discuss them. Harry, Hermione and Ron will always have a special place in my heart. Especially as a Gryffindor.  

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Published: April 24th 2012 by Harper Teen

Genres: Ya Dystopia Romance

Pages: 336

Goodreads

The selection is a dystopia romance written by Kiera Cass.

Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The selection is a fun read. It's one of the books you can read in one day. The selection definitely made me smile a lot, although I was really irritated at the same time (mostly because of the love-triangle in this book). When I read the Selection, I thought a lot that this is just 'the Hunger Games' glossed over to a fairy-tale story, (a group of 35 girls competing for the heart of a guy is like 24 tributes who are fighting to death in an arena) but luckily it did not bothered me. Probably because I love 'the Hunger Games' and I like to read a similar story.

Characters: The main character is America Singer, one of the lucky girls who is selected for the selection. I loved and hated her, she's a nice and caring girl, but sometimes so so irritating. She hesitated like all the time. It looks like I say often that I love and hate the main character, but you have to know that that's not always the case. There are a lot of books where I don't found the main character irritating. Back to America. Well, I liked that she was a fighter. She wanted people to know (especially rich people) how it was to live in one of the lowest social classes, and how hard they had to work for a little wage. America stood up for herself and her family and that is why I love her. The other characters in this book were fine, especially prince Maxon. He is a little bit shy, which is cute, and I really liked him. But my favorite character in the whole series was Celeste, yes I know that's weird because she's like the bad guy in the series. I just really liked her.

I have read the whole trilogy and I found the first book the best one. I also liked the second one named: The Elite, although I was really irritated most of the time because America's behavior was really stupid in this book. The last book named: The One was better than the second one. There was also more action than in the other two books, which I really like.

I recommend 'The Selection' to people who are patient and like a dystopia romance.

All by all I give this book 3,5 stars.

“It's always the fear of looking stupid that stops you from being awesome.”

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

                                                

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Published June 4th by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Genres: Speculative Fiction, Dystopia, Young Adult

Pages: 336

Goodreads

Summary: 
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one and the same?”


The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.


Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.


But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.


- The Hunger Games meets Divergent in this astringent novel. It's not that The Testing was a wannabe Hunger Games book, totally not. The Testing completely distinguishes itself from that. I loved/enjoyed reading The Testing, which is the first book of a great trilogy.


I can never get enough of this genre. I completely get lost in dystopian novels. Like I said before: I really love this genre, but they're most likely not all too good for my liking (maybe this is because dystopian is an incredibly difficult genre to write). But let me tell you this: The Testing is one of the good books. It's a book with a lot of action and of course a love story. How can their not be a love story? Luckily there wasn't a love triangle, because I hate love triangles. The Testing was actually a realistic story (except for the last test, but the plot of the story: being chosen as a Testing candidate to prove your worthiness as a University student is actually something that could happen.)


Characters: I normally find the main characters in dystopian novels, sometimes, annoying and bitchy. Thankfully that wasn't the case here. I loved the narrator, Cia. Cia is a kind and caring person, but she knows how to survive and takes care of herself. She never does something without thinking it through. Cia is not a girly character, probably because she grew up with four brothers. You see how she grew and became stronger during the story. And after every page I loved her more and more. Cia has absolutely become one of my favorite YA female characters. In the story you also get to know Tomas really well. Tomas is the main love interest and he grew up with her in Five Lakes Colony. They weren't really close when they were little, but they became very close after Cia told him about her father's warnings. I liked Tomas, he cared for Cia and made sure nothing happened to her, although he also has a dark side. (Everybody has, in this story.) I loved Joelle's characters. They were genuine and I got attached to them really quick. She has a wonderful writing style and I just love this trilogy.


The Testing is a book that you can not put down. So do not read it when you want to go to bed the next hour. If you're looking for a great and beautiful YA dystopian novel, look no further: The Testing awaits.


All by all I give this book 5 stars.



“Things don't always work out the way we hope. You just have to pick yourself up and find a new direction to go in.”