July 1, 2014
4/5 stars
Source: Edelweiss
I've read two previous books by Kasie West that I loved so much, Pivot Point and The Distance Between Us. On the Fence became one of my most anticipated contemporaries because Kasie West can sure write addicting contemporaries.. and it was. On the Fence was addicting and I couldn't put it down.. though it did take me a bit to get into it. I loved the idea of her crushing on her and her brothers' friend and neighbor. However what I didn't love as much was the whole fence idea.. I know it is the whole point of the book but I just wasn't that into it.. hence my 4 star rating.. unlike Pivot Point and The Distance Between Us which each got 5 stars. Don't get me wrong, On the Fence is a fantastic contemporary, better than so many i've read, but I just wished it had more of the spark i'm used to seeing in West's books. I loved the main protagonist, Charlie, and the love interest... especially the love interest (Braden). I loved how protective he was of Charlie. Oh! and I LOVED the football games we witnessed and just Charlie's closeness to her brothers and the guys on the team and how oblivious she was to the attention she got. I love sports related books so I was happy with On the Fence.. even when they went to watch a baseball game.. just all those sports references! oh and the jealousy of Braden that Charlie never seemed to notice or think it was directed towards her. I just love the idea behind a tomboy crushing on one of her guy friends. I definitely recommend it to all contemporary fans!
The Ring and the Crown by Melissa De La Cruz
April 1, 2014
1/5 stars
Source: HBG Canada
Whatever you do, don't bother reading the synopsis of The Ring and the Crown because it has nothing to do with the book.. at all. Throughout the whole book I was waiting for when whatever was written in the synopsis and it never happened. Only 10% of the synopsis happened.. 250 pages IN THE NOVEL. I'm sorry but whoever wrote the synopsis must have read a different book because all I got from the novel was girls obsessing about getting married.. that is all. The magic was just a quick backdrop for the world so as not to label it a contemporary. There was so much cheating and obsessing and sleeping around.. and they were all 16 years or younger! The synopsis promised a prophecy.. a conspiracy.. magic.. power! but we truly got none of that until the last 20 pages where everything went even more downhill.. at least before that I could understand the direction of the novel.. but that ending? I was so furious and seriously thought I wasted my time reading it. I don't know what Melissa De La Cruz was trying to convey with this novel because I got nothing.. nada.. zero. This is not a memorable book and one I would like to forget.. it wasn't a great reading experience and it is truly a shame because the cover of The Ring and the Crown is one of my favorite covers of 2014.
On the Fence sounds like a books that I would really enjoy. The Ring and the Crown was one that I was looking forward to reading, not sure if I am going to be able to get around to it anytime soon though. The reviews have been so-so for it, which is kinda sad because I really like the Blue Blodd Series.
ReplyDeleteGreat reviews.
I'm so glad you mostly enjoyed On the Fence :D It looks so cute. Amazing review Juhina. <3 But agh. The second book. Yeah. I must admit to actually never having read the summary, lol :D I'm just not interested in the book. The cover is interesting, but it didn't make me want to check out the book more :p Sigh. I'm so sorry you didn't like it. But I'm glad you didn't, as I know have another excuse for not reading it, lol :) Amazing reviews sweetie. <3 Thank you for sharing :D
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Ring and the Crown, but I completely agree that the synopsis was misleading. I was expecting a sweeping fantasy with political intrigue and magic, but got instead something else entirely. It worked for me though, in that I found it entertaining anyway, but I understand why a lot of people will be disappointed. I'm glad to see that you enjoyed On the Fence though! I plan to pick it up soon and can hardly wait. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's ashamed you didn't enjoy The Ring and the Crown! I haven't read it yet, but I have an ARC that I was planning on reading soon.But I'll probably put it off a couple weeks now! >.<
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate it when your so excited about a book because the synopsis sounds so EPIC, then you get the end of the book and you're' thinking, WTF did I just read the right book? Especially if it turns out to be something you didn't like if even if it's not what the synopsis promised!!
Ughh...that can be so frustrating! Thanks for stopping by Addicted Readers! :)
I find that Melissa De La Cruz's books tend to have more drama than some other books, so that doesn't surprise me too much. I'm sad you didn't like it though - I have a copy to read, but I likely won't get to it for a while (thankfully it isn't a review copy!)
ReplyDeleteReally glad that you loved On the Fence! I'm hoping to read it sometime over the summer because it sounds like a great summer time read :)
Brenna from Esther's Ever After
Yay for On The Fence. I plan on reading that one really soon and I'm even more excited for it now. I love sports related stories and I didn't even realize this one involved sports.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad about your review for The Ring and The Crown. I actually haven't read any other reviews for it but I have a copy on my shelf (mainly for the cover!) and now I'm dreading reading it. Thanks for your honesty.
Great reviews!
On the fence was my first Kasie West book and definitely not my last one :D
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