ANNIE’S READING TIPS
  • Home
  • Giveaways
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Giveaways
  • Events
  • Contact
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

Annie’s reading tips

Welcome to check out my YA, queer and diverse book recommendations!
​See my latest reviews below, or find a review by author or rating under categories.

8/23/2020 0 Comments

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

This review will be fully clouded by nostalgia, there is no way to treat Midnight Sun like a stand-alone read. I know that there are a lot of problems with the Twilight series, but it is such a big part of my story and how I got on the path I am today. It was released at a time when I had fallen out of reading, but it just drew me in and brought back the magic of books to me again. It reigniting my love for reading and opened my eyes for the Young Adult genre. ​When I found out about the release of Midnight Sun, I honestly didn’t think that I would want to get back into the Twilight universe again, too afraid to ruin the old magic. But somehow it pulled me right back in… and I am so happy for it!
Picture
As you all probably know, Midnight Sun is the first Twilight book, retold from Edward’s point of view. All the problematic aspects of Twilight still stand and this book obviously does not change any of that, as it’s basically the same book (just from a different perspective). But that set aside, I enjoyed this book so much more than I anticipated. It was surprisingly interesting to relive the story from Edward’s POV; I really enjoyed his narration and how he has a much more distinct voice in comparison to Bella. I also appreciated the way you could tell he was from a different time through the way he talked and how his mannerisms were subtly included in his narration. Stephenie Meyer has also added a lot more of his feelings and inner struggle, that offers an explanation to things that seemed a bit rushed or not making the most sense in the original story. And since Edward can read minds, you also get insight on so many characters that felt like a mystery even after four books in the series.

I really loved all the extra content based around the Cullen family and how they all interact. There is so much love and tenderness between Edward and his family. I love the way they support and guide each other, but also the way they banter and joke around. I also really enjoyed the new looks into the history of several of the characters and that it showed the extent of Alice and Jasper’s powers more. A minor complaint is how Rosalie was portraited though. She’s never been any of my favorites, but in this book she comes across as so much more shallow and only interested in her physical appearance, with the trauma that preceded her turning into a vampire being whisked over way too quickly instead of taking the opportunity to give her character and history more depth. On the other hand, I got to like Emmett so much more in this book, where his loyalty and empathy is better shown.

A really fun (and sometimes annoying part) was the revelation of Edward’s lack of communication skills. In the original book, he was supposed to be so deep and mysterious with his cryptic answers to Bella, but in this book it’s obvious that he’s just been to much in his own head. You could expect a mind reader to have a better clue at the human mind, but he just fails so brutally at times to explain to Bella why she should stay away from him.

“Honestly, Edward, I can’t keep up with you. I thought you didn’t want to be my friend.”
“I said it would be better if we weren’t friends, not that I didn’t want to be.”


Edward also deals with so much anxiety, insecurity and self-loading. Compared to the original book, where he was so “perfect” (as seen from Bella’s eyes) he’s definitely thrown off his pedestal in this one. It’s refreshing and I like it, but the younger me feels a bit offended on Edward’s behalf…

This book really did help to understand the actions of the first book better, as like intended it makes it easier to understand the thought processes and the intentions of Edward. It really demonstrated his internal instinctual battle in a really primal sense really well. He is constantly fighting with himself in his internal monologue to be a good person, constantly juggling his instincts and his morals.

“Run, Bella, run. I love you too much, for your good or mine.” 

Some of the actions in the original book that felt really creepy, were rationalised in this book. I’m not a big fan of the cover design (not at all... I think that the pomegranate is seriously appalling), but with Edward’s references to the Hades-Persephone-pomegranate myth, it makes total sense.

“Suddenly, as she ate, a strange comparison entered my head. For just a second, I saw Persephone, pomegranate in hand. Dooming herself to the underworld.”

I must say that the myth is a very clever way to illustrate Edward’s inner struggle how to let himself fall in love with Bella when he knows that he is endangering her life.

“I wondered again how I could make this happen – be with her without negatively impacting her life. Stay in Persephone’s spring, keep her safe from my underworld.”

Even though the plot of this book is virtually identical with the original one, barring scenes where Edward is away from Bella, it is almost twice as long in page length. Because of this, the book felt a bit slow and repetitive at times. Especially in the middle; up until the meadow scene it was seriously dragging. Perhaps if I hadn’t known the Twilight story so well it wouldn’t have felt so drawn out, but I still think it would have benefited from a little more cutting. But overall, I’m so happy I read this book and I thoroughly enjoyed jumping back into the Twilight universe! The retelling from Edward’s POV really added something to the story, and gave me a whole new appreciation for the story and characters. (Even though, the problematic aspects of Twilight still stand and if this review hadn’t been clouded by nostalgia that would have affected the rating substantially… but given my history and old love for this series, this book was a four star read for me.)

Rating:
​4 stars

Get your own copy:
Bookshop.org
Amazon

Book Depository

​
Author info:
Stephenie Meyer
0 Comments

12/22/2017 0 Comments

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

The Host is a romance-sci fi novel, with just the right balance of sci fi to not scare the romantics away, and not too much romance to bore the sci fi fans. Twilight will always have a special place in my heart, since it opened my eyes to the YA genre and brought back the magic of books to me again, but even so, I definitely think that The Host is Stephenie Meyer’s best book by far.
Picture
Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, humans have been invaded by aliens known as ‘Souls’, who take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. When Melanie, one of the few remaining wild humans is captured, she refuses to give up possession of her mind to the ‘Wanderer’. Instead, they have to share Melanie’s body as she slowly starts to push the Wanderer to save her love Jared and little brother Jamie.

Even though it might sound like it, this is not another Invasion of the Body Snatchers, it is so much more than that! It’s much more complex and focuses more on the relationships of the characters and the intriguing dilemma of two lives sharing one body. Not only is there the issue of Melanie loving Jared and the Wanderer loving Jared because of Melanie’s memories; we also have Ian, another member of the rebels, who starts to have feelings for the Wanderer for her beautiful soul. The story of Ian and Wanda is honestly one of the more beautiful things I’ve ever read because it was a totally emotional connection and not about the physical aspect at all.

All in all, I absolutely love this book and am so emotionally involved with the characters. It’s a very clever and addictive story that, even though it’s young adult, is definitely a recommended read for any age. It is an emotional ride from beginning to end and I really, really, hope that there will be a sequel soon. There is so much left to discover about this world and characters!

Rating:
​5 stars

Get your own copy:
Bookshop.org
Amazon
Book Depository

​
Author info:
Stephenie Meyer
0 Comments

11/10/2017 0 Comments

Life and Death by Stephenie Meyer

Life and Death is a ten years anniversary edition of Twilight where Bella and Edward are replaced by Beau and Edyth instead. Being an old Twihard fan, of course I had to get it! But it was quite a disappointment, sadly… 
Picture
I liked Stephenie’s idea of a gender swap and a retake of the story, but it turned out to be... just meh. Boring, frankly. I hoped that there would be some re-writing of the most problematic parts, or some new additions to the story, but it was the exact same story as in Twilight, but with all the characters as the opposite gender (except Bella’s parents). Just in itself, this gender swap didn’t add anything really new to the story. Also, since all the genders were different, the names changed too and quite honestly, I didn’t know who was who most of the time. (And why change the gender of everyone except for Charlie and Renee? Would a female chief of police and a male carefree Renee really have been too unrealistic? Compared to vampires...?)

I can’t help thinking that it would have been so much more interesting and refreshing if it had been turned into a LGBT story instead, like between Beau and Edward, or between Bella and Edyth…

​What I really loved about the book though was the foreword and afterword, you could really feel how much fun Stephenie had when writing it! For that, and for the nostalgia I give it three stars.

Rating:
​3 stars

Get your own copy:
Bookshop.org
Amazon

Book Depository

​
Author info:
Stephenie Meyer
0 Comments

8/1/2017 0 Comments

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I know that there are a lot of problems with the Twilight series, but it is such a big part of my story and how I got on the path I am today. It was released at a time when I had fallen out of reading, but it opened my eyes to the YA genre and brought back the magic of books to me again.
Picture
The Twilight Saga was my first real YA read and it got me totally hooked, I binge read all books in the series in one seating, just cound’t put them down. I don’t think I should re-read them though, but they will always have a special place in my heart. Based on nostalgia and on how much I loved them back in the days, and for the teen me, they will always be glowing 5 star reads...

​Rating:
5 stars

Get your own copy:

Bookshop.org
Amazon

Book Depository

​
Author info:
Stephenie Meyer
0 Comments

    Categories

    All 1 Star 2 Stars 3 Stars 4 Stars 5 Stars Abbi Glines Abdi Nazemian Adam Silvera Adib Khorram Aiden Thomas Aisha Saeed Aislinn Brophy AJ Collins Alexandra Christo Alex Beltran Alexene Farol Follmuth Alexis Hall Alex Kelly Alex Sanchez Alice Dolman Alice Oseman Ali Hazelwood Alison Cochrun Al Riske Alwyn Hamilton Amanda Ferreira A. Meredith Walters Amy Aislin Amy Harmon Amy S. Foster Amy Spalding André Aciman Andy V Roamer Angie Thomas Annabeth Albert A. Poland Ashley Poston Ashley Woodfolk Ashlyn Kane Audrey Coulthurst Becca Fitzpatrick Becky Albertalli Benjamin Alire Saenz Beth Bolden Bill Konigsberg B.L. Maxwell Briar Prescott Bri Spicer Brooke Skipstone Cale Dietrich Casey McQuiston Cassandra Clare C.F. White C.G. Drews Charli Meadows Chris Bedell Ciara Smyth Clarissa Pattern C.L. Beaumont Colette Davison Colleen Hoover Crystal Frasier C.S. Pacat Daven McQueen David Biddle David Yoon Dean Atta Debbie McGowan Debbie Rigaud Debbie Schrack Deborah Harkness Delia Owens D.G. Carothers Dhonielle Clayton Douglas Stuart Dustin Thao Elisa A. Bonnin Elizabeth Acevedo Elizabeth Arroyo Elle Kennedy Elle Wright E. Lockhart Emily M. Danforth Emily Mims Erin Watt Ernest Cline Evan J. Corbin Eve Morton Everina Maxwell Evie Dunmore Felice Stevens Grace Williams Gwen Martin Hanya Yanagihara Hayden Stone Heather Truett H.E. Edgmon Hettie Bell Holly Black Hope Irving Hudson Lin Ingrid Sterling Jacqueline Lee Jacqueline Woodson James L. Sutter Jamie Deacon Jandy Nelson Jax Calder Jay Hogan Jeanette Winterson Jeff Zentner Jen Bailey Jenna Evans Welch Jenn Burke Jennifer E. Smith Jennifer G. Edelson Jennifer Gilmore Jennifer Iacopelli Jennifer Kropf Jennifer Niven Jenny Downham Jenny Han Jeremy Ray Jesse H. Reign Joelle Lynne John Green Jonny Garza Villa Julianne Donaldson Julian Winters Kacen Callender Kami Garcia Kara Leigh Miller Kasie West Kate Larkindale Katharine McGee Kathleen Mareé KD Casey Kendall Grey Kevin Van Whye Kiley Reid Kim Fielding Kim Holden Kim Liggett Kitty Bardot Kris Ripper K.S. Marsden Laura Hall Laura Pavlov Laura Silverman Lauren James Laurie Frankel Leah Johnson Lee Matthew Goldberg Leigh Bardugo Leylah Attar Lisa Henry Lisa Williamson Lisa Wingate Liv Rancourt Liz Plum Lola Noire Lynn Michaels Mackenzi Lee Madeline Miller Magdalena Di Sotru Maggie Doolin Maggie Stiefvater Malin Persson Giolito Malorie Blackman Margaret Stohl Marie Lu Mary E. Pearson Mason Deaver Matthew R. Corr Melina Marchetta Meredith Russo Miel Moreland Mila Gray Miranda Kenneally Moa Backe Astot Morgan James M. Tasia Nancy Garden Natalie Haynes Nicholas Sparks Nicola Yoon Nic Starr Nic Stone Nina Kenwood Nita Tyndall Nora Sakavic N.R. Walker Owen Lach Penny Aimes Phil Stamper Quinn Anderson Rachael Brownell Rachael Lippincott Rachel Hawkins Rainbow Rowell Ray Stoeve Renée Dahlia Rhiannon Wilde Riley Hart River Braun Roan Parrish Robin Gow Roseanne A. Brown Rowan MacKemsley Ruby Moone Ruta Sepetys Ryan La Sala Sally Green Sally Rooney Sarah J. Maas Sarah Waters Sarina Bowen Sasha Laurens Saundra Mitchell Saxon James Serena Bell Shannon O’Connor Sidney Bell Simone Elkeles Siryn Sueng Sophia DeRise Sophia Soames Sophie Gonzales S.R. Lane Stephen Chbosky Stephenie Meyer Steven Salvatore Susan Mac Nicol Suzanne Collins Tahereh Mafi Tal Bauer Tamara Girardi Teagan Hunter Terry J. Benton-Walker Tiffany D. Jackson Timothy Janovsky T.J. Klune T.L. Bradford Tobly McSmith Tomasz Jedrowski Tomi Adeyemi Tracy Deonn Val Wise Veronica Rossi Veronica Roth V.E. Schwab Victor Dixen Victoria Aveyard V.L. Stuart Wesley Chu Xan Van Rooyen Yamile Saied Méndez

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly