What I've Been Reading: Grishaverse Edition

Oh, the Grishaverse. Where do I start?

In the wrong book series, that's where! [insert face palm here]

I was in a reading slump and kept seeing all these fandom posts about Six of Crows. So, naturally, I picked it up and started reading...well, devouring it, really. Little did I know it was part of a whole world!

Luckily, I didn't spoil anything for myself by reading that series first. BUT - oh man! Talk about a roller coaster of emotions.

So, now, Twitter-style reviews in 140 characters or less!

First, there's the "Shadow and Bone" series, which is coming to Netflix!

Alina discovers she has powers. Tries to save her country. Is duped by multiple people. Eventually gets it right...sort of. Mal is dumb.

Then, there's Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, which will also be part of the Netflix series.

Kaz. Inej. Jesper. Nina. Matthias. Wylan. Heists. Rescues. Scheming. Swoons. Heartbreak. Justice. #squadgoals #nuffsaid #micdrop

And, finally (as of right now), King of Scars.

Nikolai + Zoya, my loves. Weird in between places. Nina sees dead people. Everyone has scars. #whatwasthatending?!

I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I now own a.l.l. of these titles. Happy Birthday to me! [Thanks, Mom!] And, I eagerly await the sequel to King of Scars. If I could have it now, please, that'd be great. In the meantime, I'll placate myself with other novels!

Played by Liz Fichera

Played {Book Two} by Liz Fichera
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Number of Pages: 352
Genre: Young Adult
Source: borrowed from local library

Summary {via GoodReads}:
This Game Is Getting All Too Real

He said: I like to keep under the radar and mostly hang out with my friends from the rez. But when I saved Riley Berenger from falling off a mountain, that rich suburban princess decided to try and save me.

She said: If I can help Sam Tracy win the heart of the girl he can't get over, I'll pay him back for helping me. I promised him I would, no matter what it takes.

She thinks: I wanted to read this book. Hardcore. I kept passing by it on the shelf at work but wouldn't let myself check it out, telling myself that I had enough books of my own already to read. Finally, I succumbed to curiosity and checked it out. And, honestly, I'm a little disappointed. It could have been so much more than what it is.

The characters lacked motivation. Riley Berenger has a breakdown of sorts...but I don't understand why. I get that she's a goody two-shoes and is supposed to be perfect 24/7, but what sends her over the edge? What was the final tipping point? Maybe it's just me, and I missed that part of the book. And, then there's Sam Tracy. Why does he hate Jay Hawkins? I kept waiting for some profound revelation...but...nothing.

The scenarios they got themselves into seems a little far fetched too. Being rescued in a helicopter from the side of a mountain? Running away? Car accident? I felt like I got whiplash from all the different disasters that followed the two around wherever they went. Maybe they need to live in a bubble instead...?

I will say that the book helped me get out of my reading funk. I hadn't read in over a week when I picked this one up! So, yay for that?

See what others are saying about Played  by Liz Fichera:

• Aimee @ Deadly Darlings
• Nichole @ YA Reads
• Estelle @ Rather Be Reading
• Kimberly @ On the Wings of Books
• Kezia @ Chapteriosity

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before {book one} by Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Number of Pages: 288
Genre: Young Adult
Source: borrowed from local library

Summary {via GoodReads}:
To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

She thinks: If I was still in high school, I think I would have loved this book. Being out of high school for ten years or so now, I couldn't relate to it as much as I would have liked. Lara Jean seemed very immature in my eyes. I'm not sure I know many sixteen year olds who still call their Dad, Daddy, all the time. I can understand doing that occasionally but not constantly. When I first started the book, I thought Lara Jean was twelve. However, I can say that I could see her growth as a person through the book, but it was very minuscule. I'm hoping it is more noticeable in book two!

I did like the very real fears Lara Jean had at times. I can remember being scared out of my mind when I drove by myself for the time and doing things even though I knew it was going to come back and bite me in the butt. I just wish she hadn't been as immature and dependent. It turned me off to her almost immediately, but that could just be because I subconsciously identify with those traits. Who knew this book would make me think so much about how much I've matured since high school?! Such an embarrassing time in my life. You too??

Okay...back to the book...

The ending most certainly did not make me happy. It just stopped, and I wanted to know more!!!! But, I guess that means I'll have to read book two so I know what happens because oh the swoons! Every time I think about the last note she reads at the end of the book, my heart melts just a little more. Oh, if only my mister would leave me notes like that once in awhile.

See what others are saying about To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han:

• Heather @ Heroes and Heartbreakers
• April @ Good Books and Good Wine
• Sara @ What a Nerd Girl Says
• Jamie @ Perpetual Page Turner
• Sara @ Step Into Fiction