REVIEW: Everland

Sci-Fiction & Steampunk - Wendy Spinale - Scholastic Press - Everland -

London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease. The only ones who have survived are children, among them Gwen Darling and her siblings, Joanna and Mikey. They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the ruthless Marauders -- the German army led by Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer. Unsure if the virus has spread past England's borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook hunts for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the survivors. He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation. None ever return. Until the day they grab Joanna. As Gwen sets out to save her, she meets a daredevil boy named Pete. Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground. But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it will cost Gwen. And are she, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart Captain Hook?

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The first thing that I have to say about this book is that is gorgeous! The cover is so beautiful and that was one of the reasons I put this book up on my TBR list. Also, a retelling of Peter Pan story? Well, I couldn't resist it. It's true that I have a bit of a blockage with this reading but wasn't because the book made me have it, was life who made me stop reading for a while 😩

When you start this book, you're brought to London. A London nearly destroyed after the attack of the Captain or also known as Hook. Hook is the son of the queen of Germany and I don't think you will be surprised if you read a book on which Germany and England are in war. But, as I was saying, he came to conquer England in a way to show his mother he is brilliant. He use the Horologia virus and nearly all the adults died. The few survivors are children and there is a mayority of boys there, the Lost Boys. In Everland you can find Peter, Gwen and the little Michael or Bella.We will follow them in their adventure, in their fight to survive and try to find the cure that only the Inmune has.
I found myself smiling everytime I recognised things from the original story, some quotes, some details like the pixie dust or the crocodiles.

Overall I have enjoyed this book and I will recommend you to read it. The end let you ready for the second book and with the hope of a better future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lots of love,

Angela xx

RESEÑA: The Time Machine

SCI-FI/FANTASY - H.G. WELLS - ROCK PAPER BOOKS - THE TIME MACHINE

H.G. Wells is consider one of the fathers of science fiction literature and this year I have decided to read more classics and no just actual books. This was published  in 1895 and tells the adventures of the Time Traveller in the future year 802701.  

The Time Machine tells the story of the Time Traveler, an inventor living in Victorian England. Traveling into the distant future using his time machine he encounters the descendants of humans and witnesses the end of life on earth. Wells’ first published book, The Time Machine, popularized the concept of human time travel and has influenced countless works of fiction

The first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful cover. I received it in my February Owlcrate box and over all the books I have in my "to be read" list I picked it due to the cover in a high percentage. Secondly, I love Sci-fi/fantasy books and movies and knowing H.G Wells was one of the fathers of the genre I just need to read it. I spend less than 3 hours reading it, is a short book and leaves quite an open description of things or destiny of characters to the imagination of the reader, for example, you have a vague description of the Time Machine or you never know for sure what happen to Weena. 
In the futuristic world that we will travel people is divided into elois and morlocks and they are quite opposite. The first ones live in the upper-earth and show a kind behaviour and they are elegant. The second ones live in under-earth and they are more aggressive and they are described as quite ugly creatures.

The book will tell the story of the Time Traveller, a very intelligent man living in Victorian England that will let know his first time trip to some sceptic friends after coming back from the future.

I've lived eight days...such days as no human being ever lived before! i'm nearly worn out, but shan't sleep till I've told you this thing over to you. Then I shall go to bed. But no interruptions! Is it agreed? 

Definitely has been a different, enjoyable and quite short reading that I would recommend if you're interested in this genre. Maybe, in the future, I would read another of his books like The Invisible Man or The War of the Worlds

And you, where would you travel if having the chance of being a time traveller? 

Angela xx

RESEÑA: Saga vol. II and III

COMIC - SCI-FI/FANTASY - BRIAN K. VAUGHAN - IMAGE COMICS - SAGA VOL. II & III

SAGA is sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the universe. Thanks to her star-crossed parents Marko and Alana, newborn baby Hazel has already survived lethal assassins, rampaging armies, and horrific monsters, but in the cold vastness of outer space, the little girl encounters her strangest adventure yet... grandparents.

I'm back here with another review and the turn, this time, is to SAGA and the next two volumes 

If you haven´t checked before my volume I review, you can do it here: SAGA vol. I

Now, going into this review, I have to say that if the first one made me fall in love with the story, these have made me adore the story. The comic shows you the hard part of life, the things people deal with after a long war, the loss of people and humanity that leaves...in other levels shows the difficult part of dealing with a heartbroken or with a newborn baby in your life. Saga has romance on it but also politic schemes, violence, revenge and cruel sides of life such as children slavery. All that makes these comics suitable for adults. 

New and old characters will appear and our lovely family carries on with the adventure of finding a place in the universe where their love is possible. Also, we still having the humour and some sad moments as we will loose some character on the way. The artwork is so beautiful in all the pages and the characters are so awesome. In these volumes, we will learn more about Alana´s life, how Marko and Alana meet and how they fall in love with a book and with each other. 

As I have said before, if you haven't read Saga yet I highly recommend you to start to. 

"Never worry what other people think of you because no one ever thinks of you"

Angela xx

RESEÑA: JUMP: Jugando con sombras I

Young Adult - Liah S Queipo- Editorial Vanir - JUMP: Jugando con sombras I-

Liah cambia de registro y nos  cuenta esta historia de una forma muy peculiar. Nos encontramos con un sueño hecho realidad, viaje a Las Vegas con tus amigos y lo que es mejor con tu novio y tu mejor amiga solo que...tu novio es ahora tu ex y tu mejor amiga ha sido sustituída por María...el sueño de Nayala empieza a no ser de hadas. 

Con este escenario, Liah nos cuenta, a través de Nayala, las aventuras del grupo y los misterios que les rodearán en el Gran Cañón. Misterio, intriga, humor (a través de pensamientos o comentarios que pueden pasar por algo inmaduros  por partes de Nayala) y también amor aunque se podría decir que  el romance es una trama secundaria, o al menos lo es para mi, dado que la intriga y los enigmas de lo ocurrido mientras estaban en el Gran Cañón hacen que  te mantengas pegada al libro. 

El final...es de infarto y te deja mirando el libro con la esperanza de encontrar más páginas. Es una lectura amena, como ya dije antes, contada de una forma peculiar ya que Liah usa flashbacks durante toda la novela y vas saltando del pasado al presente durante todo el libro. Los flashbacks están ubicados estratégicamente y creo que es un recurso muy bien usado por la autora. Durante toda la lectura se respira  calma, pero es una calma engañosa, de esas que sabes que traerán tormenta y no es hasta el final cuando se desata. 

No quiero acabar esta reseña sin destacar la portada del libro, muy llamativa, con colores vivos y con un halo de misterio que hacen que sea perfecta para la historia.

Angela xx

RESEÑA: Passenger

Young Adult - Fiction - Alexandra Bracken - Bloombury - Passenger Series 1 -

passage, n.

i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.

ii. A journey by water; a voyage.

iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now. Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them— whether she wants to or not. Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are playing, treacherous forces threaten to separate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home . . . forever

Passenger es un libro que os enamorará desde el primer momento que llegue a vuestras manos. La portada es preciosa, una auténtica obra de arte. Os recomiendo la versión de tapa dura, es simplemente adorable. Al principio la historia avanza algo lenta y es todo algo confuso pero una vez el libro te atrapa no podréis parar. Etta nos llevará con ella a través del tiempo, buscando un objeto a contrarreloj con la ayuda de un pirata. Si os gustó la triología Joyas Preciosas (Rubí, Zafiro y Esmeralda) de Kerstin Gier os gustará Passenger. 

Etta es una violinista que se tiene que adaptar rápidamente a grandes cambios en su vida. Nos encontramos ante una joven divertida, fuerte y valiente. Etta me ha recordado, en algunos momentos, a uno de mis personajes favoritos, si existiera una versión joven de Clare Fraser. Nicholas tiene una vida difícil, debido a su origen en una sociedad del siglo XVIII. La historia de amor es de esas que avanzan despacio pero junto a la trama y con la evolución de los personajes. Alexandra escribe de una manera muy elegante por lo que se disfruta cada una de las páginas. Passenger ha sido mi primer contacto con esta autora y estoy deseando leer más libros suyos. De momento, este tiene una valoración de 4/5.

Passenger is a book that will make you fall in love as soon as you get it. The cover is so beautiful and if you manage to buy the hardcover version you will find it wonderful. At first, the story goes a bit slow but once you conect with the characters and the story you can't stop reading. You will follow Etta through the time, searching a very important object, with a pirate as ally. If you enjoy Kerstin Gier triology you will enjoy Passenger.

Etta is a violinist that is able to adapt herself quickly to lots of massive changes in her life. She is funny, strong and brave. Etta reminds me to one of my favourites female characters, Clare Fraser, if a younger version of herself would exist. 

Nicholas life is quite difficult and hard due to his origin but he is strong and very protective with Etta. Their love story is a romance that starts slowly and will advance with the main plot and adventure. 

Alexandra writes very elegant and you will enjoy each of the pages. Passenger has been my first contact with her books and I can't wait to read more. I give it 4/5 stars. 

Un libro que tenía muchas ganas de leer y que no me ha decepcionado. Esperando con muchas ganas el segundo libro. Leeré más libros de esta escritora. // A book that I couldn't wait to read and that has met my expectations. Can't wait to read the next one. I will add Alexandra to my "to-read" list. 

Angela xx

RESEÑA: Throne of Glass

Young Adult - Fiction - Sarah J. Maas - Bloombury - Throne of Glass Series 1 -

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.
Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

Pese a que la historia es súper interesante, es un libro que me ha costado meterme en el universo, especialmente, al principio cuando la historia es algo lenta y puede que gran culpa de ello haya sido que estos días el trabajo ha sido agotador. Como ya he comentado antes, lo primero que me llamó la atención de este libro fue la portada, me parece preciosa. Lo siguiente que me llamo la atención es nuestra protagonista, Celaena. Es misteriosa, fuerte, valiente, decidida, atractiva, sarcástica y orgullosa. Su vida no ha sido un camino de rosas y eso se refleja en su carácter. La historia en sí es genial pero sería mejor si fuera un poco más rápida. Tiene un giro cuando llevas un tercio del libro que no me esperaba para nada y hace que la lectura sea más amena y el misterio de los asesinatos te mantiene enganchada hasta el final.
Los chicos en este libro también son muy interesantes...tanto Dorian como Chaol y el conjunto de los tres hace que ésta sea una gran lectura si te gusta las historias de aventuras, acción, misterio, magia y algo de amor, este es un libro que deberías leer. 
El final es de infarto, no puedes parar de leer y hace que quieras saber mucho más de este universo. Por suerte hay varios libros de la saga publicados y no hay que esperar mil para leer el segundo. 

I have to confess this: when I started this book I was a bit disappointed, the book was slow and I didn't manage to get into it easily but I think my job hasnt helped as has been mad recently. 

As I have said before, the first thing I liked about this book was the cover page, the second thing was Celeana, she is a badass. She is beautiful, intelligent, sarcastic, funny, brave and a bit arrogant. Her life hasn't been easy and you can see it in her actitude. 

The story is great but I would like it to be a bit faster. When you have read about 1/3 of the book something happens that make all more interesting and easy to read and then there is a sadic and misterious murderer around that makes you keep reading.

The male characters in this book are also great, Dorian and Chaol are best friends and different in more than one way but also impossible to decide who you like most...and when you put both of them and Celaene together is brilliant.

I recommend this book if you like a story that has action, adventure, magic, mystery and romance.

When you're close to the end, all moves faster, you can't stop reading and let you wanting more and more of this universe, luckily we have a few more books in the saga. 

"In the garden, the Captain of the Guard stared up at the young woman's balcony, watching as she waltzed alone, lost in her dreams. But he knew her thoughts weren't of him.She stopped and stared upward. Even from a distance, he could see the blush upon her cheeks. She seemed young—no, new. It made his chest ache. Still, he watched, watched until she sighed and went inside. She never bothered to look below." 

RESEÑA: Saga: volume I

COMIC - SCI-FI/FANTASY - BRIAN K. VAUGHAN - IMAGE COMICS  

PRICE WATERSTONES: 7,50 

From New York Times bestselling writer BRIAN K.VAUGHAN (Y: THE LAST MAN, EX MACHINA) and critically acclaimed artist FIONA STAPLES (MYSTERY SOCIETY, NORTH 40), SAGA is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in a sexy, subversive drama for adults.

Saga es un cómic para adultos que me llevaban recomendando durante mucho tiempo y debo agradecer a mi amiga por insistirme tanto en ello. Si decides leerlo, prepárate para no poder parar. La mejor descripción que viene a mi mente es la siguiente: imagina que Romeo y Julieta decidieran luchar y añade un bebe, el universo y la búsqueda de un mundo en el que su amor sea posible. Simplemente, genial. 

El diseño y las ilustraciones son preciosas y el autor incluye toques de humor. Además de lo original de la narración, desde el punto de vista de su hija. Tanto si eres un adicto a los comics como si comienzas con ellos con Saga ten claro que va a ser una adicción. Yo no puedo esperar a hacerme con los cuatro volúmenes que hay a la venta de momento. 

Saga is a comic for adults that a friend has been recommending to me for a long long time and I have to tell her a big thanks for that. If you decide to read it, get ready not to stop because is that good. The best way to describe it is: imagine a world where Romeo and Juliet decided to fight and add a baby, the outer space and the adventures of looking for a place in the unirverse where their love is possible. Just amazing. 

The artwork is brilliant and the author includes some humour and I think he does great picking the baby to tell us the story. 

I believe this is perfect for everyone, does not matter if you are a big fan of comics or you will start in the genre with Saga, I can assure you it will be addictive. I can't wait to buy the other four volumes are available at the moment. 

Angela xx

RESEÑA: Everything, everything

Young Adult - Contemporary - Nicola Yoon - Penguin Random House UK 

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla. But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.  

Opinion

Como segunda lectura de 2016 elegí Everything, everything de Nicola Yoon y es un libro que se puede describir como dulce; la edición es preciosa, las ilustraciones del interior son adorables y la historia en sí es muy tierna. Es un libro con una escritura sencilla pero que te llena y te envuelve en el universo de Maddy y Olly. Para aquellos que quieran animarse a leer en inglés este libro puede ser una buena opción. 

El libro nos adentra en un escenario poco común, Madeline tiene una enfermedad que afecta a su sistema inmune y nunca ha salido de casa ya que hacerlo sería su muerte. Sus días pasan en compañía de su madre y de su enfermera Carla. Pero un día llegan unos nuevos vecinos y desde su ventana Maddy no puede evitar mirar a Olly. Con Olly su mundo explota y nos encontramos con una historia llena de amor, de esperanza, de comprensión y perdón... 

El libro es muy original ya que en su lectura te vas encontrando con ilustraciones que te ayudan a vivir esta aventura junto a Maddy y ha sentir todo lo que ella siente por primera vez. 

Si tienes la oportunidad hazte con este libro y disfruta de esta tierna historia. 

My second book of 2016 has been Everything, everything by Nicola Yoon. This book share with us a sweet story, the edition is so beautiful and the drawings are adorable. The books is quite easy to read and can be a great option if you want to read in English.

Here you will find the story of Madeline, a teenager with a immune system disease that makes her unable to go outside; if she goes outside could be her death. She spends her days with her mum and her nurse Carla and all is alright till some new neighbors arrive. From her window she observes them and specially, Olly. With Olly all her world explodes and she start a new adventure. This is a book full of love, hope, kindness and forgiveness...

Is a very original, while you're reading you can find some drawrings that helps you to feel closer to Maddy.

If you have time, go to your bookstore and enjoy this cute and sweet story. 

¿Habéis leído el libro? ¿Que os ha parecido? // Have you read the book? Have you enjoyed it?

Angela xx

RESEÑA: Red Queen

Young Adult - Fiction - Victoria Aveyard - Orion books - Red Queen Series 1 -

Price Waterstones (paperback): 7,99

This is a world divided by blood: red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime. But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous danceThis is a world divided by blood - red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime. But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance; Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart... 

Opinion:

Atención: contiene spoilers // Before you read; there are spoilers 

Entre los propósitos de este 2016, está volver a leer y mi reto es, al menos, 30 libros. Para la primera lectura del año, decidí empezar con La Reina Roja de Victoria Aveyard. Fue un flechazo, la portada me pareció muy interesante y tuve que comprarlo. 

La historia es fascinante y me sorprendió mucho que este libro fuera el debut de Victoria. La Reina Roja nos sumerge en una historia de poder, clases sociales, traiciones, cambios de vida, lucha por uno mundo más justo, celos, envidias y amor (de padres e hijos, de amigos, de hermanos, de "enemigos")

One of my new year's resolutions is to read more and my challenge will be to read, at least, 30 books in 2016. The first reading of the year has been Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I was in Waterstones and fell in love with it, the cover page looked so interesting and I had to buy it.

Los personajes me han encantado, especialmente Mare, Julian y Cal. 

La historia de Julian me parece triste pero me encanta el amor que tiene por aprender, por descubrir nuevas cosas y por enseñar. Creo que es una figura muy importante para Mare. 

Mare, ¿qué puedo decir? Me parece una protagonista perfecta. Es luchadora, fuerte, divertida y quizás algo soñadora. El final creo que es perfecto y muestra la madurez y fortaleza de Mare. Por supuesto, quiero que acabe con Cal pero no me hubiera gustado que le eligiera en ese momento, creo que elegirse a sí misma es lo mejor que puede hacer.

Maven ha sido una gran sorpresa, creo que es un personaje muy complejo, lleno de envidias y celos pero también con grandes cualidades. Sin duda, es hijo de su madre y, honestamente, creo que ella le manipula bastante.

Cal es valiente, responsable, atractivo y con una gran carga sobre sus hombros. La vida nunca ha sido fácil para él y ahora su mundo se ha roto en pedazos, la segunda entrega creo que nos va a dejar ver una gran evolución en este personaje. 

The characters are amazing, specially Mare, Julian and Cal.

Julian story is quite sad but I find adorable his love for learning, discovering things, teaching...I think he is so important in Mare's story.

Mare...what can I say about her? I believe she is the perfect main character. She is a fighter, strong and funny woman, and maybe, she is a bit of a dreamer. She also shows maturity and how strong she really is when she chooses herself and not Cal. Of course, I want them together but if that happen at that point I would be disappointed. 

Maven has been a big surprise. He is a very complex character and I don't think he is purely evil. He is clearly his mather son but I also believe, she is using him.

Cal is brave, responsible, charming and with a lot of pressure to do the right thing. His life has never been easy and now is getting even harder. I believe, in the second book, we will see a great evolution in this character.

El final es de infarto, lleno de traición, dolor, acción y sorpresas. Los acontecimientos ocurren rápido pero a un ritmo perfecto para lo que se cuenta.  Sin duda un libro que debes incluir en tu lista de lectura cuanto antes. 

The end is perfect, we have betrayal, pain, action and lots of surprises. All happens quite quick but the the perfect rhythm for the events. If you haven't read it yet, you need to go as soon as possible to your bookstore.

Esperando la segunda parte con muchas ganas, a la vente en febrero (11/02/2016)

Can't wait till February (11/02/2016) when Glass Sword comes out.