Raven + Beez: Between the lines 

Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

What happens when happily ever after... isn't?

Delilah hates school as much as she loves books. In fact, there's one book in particular she can't get enough of. If anyone knew how many times she has read and re-read the sweet little fairy tale she found in the library, especially the popular kids, she'd be sent to social Siberia... forever.

To Delilah, though, this fairy tale is more than just words on the page. Sure, there's a handsome (well, okay, hot) prince, and a castle, and an evil villain, but it feels as if there's something deeper going on. And one day, Delilah finds out there is. Turns out, this Prince Charming is real, and a certain fifteen-year-old loner has caught his eye. But they're from two different worlds, and how can it ever possibly work?

Together with her daughter Samantha Van Leer, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult has written a classic fairy tale with a uniquely modern twist.

Long long ago, I happened to be reading all the summaries of Jodi Picoult books. I didn't really like many but I made up my mind to read 3 books. My sisters keeper, Harvesting the heart (god knows why) and Between the lines. I loved the idea of it. Prince in a book wanting to come out?? Me Me Me. Anyways I didn't read it at that time. Then in one of the last days of school I saw BTL in my school library. I freaked. But unfortunately we could not issue books. But my mind was made. I was going to read that book.
Fast forward to after the holidays, every library period I  checked for the book yet it was never there. And then one day.. TADA!! My wish came true. I did a small (I was in school) happy dance and squealed as loud as I could in the library but still didn't issue it. The reason is Insurgent. If you've read Divergent's review then you know I was crazy to read it. So instead I reserved it (yes I can do that).
And I finally got it this week. 
So I'm in the bus and open this book. I'm already love struck. Then I proceed and read the authors note. And I knew I would love it. Or if I wouldn't I would be so disappointed and disheartened that no words could describe it. 
So I start reading and fall....

One of the authors of this book might be Jodi Picoult but this book couldn't be further from her normal book type. Its has a world of difference. And the reason for that is Samantha, Jodi Picoult's daughter. She a teenager which makes me love her a lot already. She's also different and has an awesome sense of imagination. And of course she wrote this book. 
Oh and she made Oliver.

Oliver is soo cute. When I discovered this book had pictures I went crazy. Oliver is sooo cute. Drop dead gorgeous! He wears this green tunic and has messy hair and eyes you could drown you in forever. He is the perfect fairy tale prince. I won't even try to deny it, I am in love with Oliver. I wish Oliver would talk to mee!!

I am also heads over heels in love with this book. I loved every part of it. The idea behind this book is soo ingenious and amazing. Something different. And the way Oliver is around Delilah is soo cute. I think that I've already established the fact that I think Oliver is beyond cute. Delilah is a different sorts of girl. A total bookworm, shy and sweet inside. She fell in love with this fairy tale even though its highly! unusual for a teenager to like a fairy tale but I can see why. The idea of Oliver is what attracts her. And it is absolutely hilarious that she thinks shes crazy when Oliver starts talking to her. But she helps him, when he just tells her that he wants out. 

I know I'm just ranting endlessly about this book but its just one of the ways I express my love for very special thing. This book was amazing. It gave me a butterfly feeling towards the end. I was grinning stupidly. My heart was soo full it was gonna burst. I love love loved this book. Its one of my favs!!

Let me talk a bit about the characters. Delilah. I love the name. Delilah is this kid who doesn't fit in. She loves book but one book in particular. A fairy tale. Her liking of the book is very obsessive. Delilah is a very likeable character and very soft hearted. Her life lacks excitement and wildness. She kinda reminds me of Amy(the one who gets pregnant) from the Secret life of the american teenager. A good girl. Shes a loner and likes to spend her time in a library just like mee! I totally get why Delilah falls for Oliver. After all I love every other character in the books I read. Oliver is noo exception.


Oliver. Oliver is dreamy princy guy every girl wishes for. Hes our knight in shining armor. Oliver Oliver Oliver. I love his name too. Oliver has truly captured my heart. Oliver made me laugh soo many times in this book. He is adorable. Especially when he speaks out whatever is in his mind about Delilah. When he asks her soo many questions like a curious child. He cracks me up. And I felt like I was melting in a puddle of goo in front of Oliver. God knows what would happen to me if he actually appeared! I'd faint on the spot. I also love the million ways Oliver thinks of getting out of the book. Boy, is he smart. There is nothing in Oliver I would ever change. I will love him forever. 

Lots of love and love for Oliver
Beez.

So there I was at school, trying to understand what was being taught when suddenly Beez catapults the book on my face! The teacher is teaching and Beez is squealing about how much she loves the book and is also giving me a vague image of how I will end up if I don't read it.

To begin with, the only book I have read by Jodi Picoult is My Sister's Keeper, which was a beautiful book but at the end I had made up my mind that this book is not something that I would enjoy at my current age (since I am soo immature) I thought it would be better if such life changing books were read by me in my twenties or so. But then Beez made me read the 'Author's note' of BTL and I thought that maybe this one would be a good book. And I wasn't disappointed.

I open the book and I see Oliver's picture and I giggle, remembering my childhood when I used to beg my mom to buy me more picture books. And when I started reading I knew that I wouldn't be able to stop. It began with 'Once upon a time, in a land far far away...' and then I just went haywire. 

Having not read books with such an opening in almost a century, I felt so excited to read more.

I usually take 4-5 days to complete a 350 page book but I finished this in one day! I made sure that I woke up early in the morning and finished it.

The story is really creative. Though I must say that I have imagined my book characters talking to me and asking my help to get out of a book, I never really thought of all the complications of actually having them taken out, neither did I think of the consequences of it. This book isn't just some gibberish on a character wanting to get out. There is some weird, fiction-like logic to it, which is what I loved.

The characters are wonderful. I can absolutely relate to Delilah. The awkwardness, the book loving, the ridiculous swimming incident (I laughed so hard at this part) and the absolute gag at cheesy stuff.
Oliver is the kind of guy I have always dreamed about. A smart, cute and loving prince. He is an absolute to-die-for character.
We love him so much that we clicked a picture of him and saved it as our smart phone's wallpaper.

Also, I have a small recommendation for you guys. Read the BOOK! Not the e-book. The luxury of having this book in your hand will make you feel proud. To begin with, it's got pictures and coloured text (Black-for the actual story, Blue-for Oliver's point of view and Green-for Delilah's POV) I loved this "book" soo much that I was even planning on telling the librarian that I lost the book, just so I could keep it. I mean I wouldn't even mind paying the lost fee. Unfortunately I happen to be a rule keeper, so... *sigh*

Now on the ending... some books leave you like a snake (writhing all over the floor in desperation to read more) but this book's ending leaves you feeling happy and satisfied. The same way you feel when you read the words "And they lived happily ever after"  So obviously I rate it a five.

I want Samantha Van Leer to write more YA books. I can't wait to read her books. I and Beez are planning on mailing her, begging her or let's say, THREATENING HER to write more books for people like us. 

Lots of love & Dragon Breath
Raven

How can you ignore this hot guy?? Oh Oliver! <3

Some moments we loved:

Oliver's first line- “Just so you know, when they say 'Once upon
a time' . . . they’re lying” 

Delilah talking to Oliver- “believe me, you're all I've thought about --"
At this, I grin.

Olivers POV-And just like that, something inside shifted very subtly, so that all the empty spaces in him suddenly disappeared, so that his breath timed to hers, so that his blood sang. 
This is why there was music, he realized. There were some feelings that just didn't have words big enough to describe them.

“Princes don't come around everyday, and happy endings don't grow on trees” 

Oliver's to die for thoughts- “I think her flaws make me love her even more. She's not perfect, but she's perfect to me” 

It actually deserves a 6 on 5! Yup it was that good.

Raven: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (#1)

A novel by James Patterson

Publication date: April 11th, 2005
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 423
Targeted Audience: Young Adult

Summary: Get ready for the maximum thrill ride from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Patterson.

After the mutant Erasers abduct the youngest member of their group, the "bird kids", who are the result of genetic experimentation, take off in pursuit and find themselves struggling to understand their own origins and purpose. (Wow! This is pretty short)

I had been dying to read this book for ages now. But I was a little disappointed. I was expecting intense action I guess, but there was a lot of waiting and dawdling away what they were actually supposed to be doing. 

But of course I think that there are reasons for it. Maybe Patterson just wanted us to bond with the characters and understand how terrifying the Erasers really are and how much the characters mean to each other. Because I felt like I was tied to the characters by the end.

The plot is really awesome! Avian DNA with humans and mutant Erasers. The dreadful Lab from where they escaped. Betrayal, the discovery of hidden secrets, and their constantly taking over huge appetites. 

I really like Max's sarcasism and protectiveness, Fang's silent I-am-so-wise attitude which made me fall for him, Iggy's heightened senses and a knack with working with gadgets even though he is blind, Gasman's random fart attacks, Nudge's constant blabbering that reminded me of my sister and Angel's cuteness and awesome abilities. 

It's all really good, but it is a slow read. However I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Hopefully, that book will be a little more action packed.

I rate it a 3.75

Lots of Love & Farts

Raven

Beez: Insurgent (Divergent#2) 

Veronica Roth

I HAVE DONE BAD THINGS.
I CAN'T TAKE THEM BACK,
AND THEY ARE PART OF WHO I AM.

Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever... because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

*rubs hands*

If you read my review on Divergent you know that i was so hyper because i had only a day more to wait for Insurgent!!

Now as you can guess, I'm waiting for Allegiant. I cannot wait!! Only 1 month more!!

This book was amazing. I feel that every word i will write in praise of it will still be underestimating it. Every part is heart breaking and thrilling. I couldn't get enough of it. All the Tobias and Tris moments esp in the starting nearly reduced me to tears. My heart was going thud-thud-thud. My mouth was wide open. 

I'll confess something, i felt like kicking Tris more than a few times in this book. I wanted her to tell Four everything. I knew Four would always be with her. Whatever her reasons Four would forgive her. Though there is a huuge part of me who was angry at Tris for not shooting Will in the leg or something. But my sympathies lie with her since she just saw her mother die in front of her eyes. I don't blame her. But that didn't stop me from wishing that Will would magically appear. Will *sob*.

Speaking of Will, I feel for Christina. She loved Will. But the moments between her and Tris are magical. She is soo forgiving. I love Christina. I was smiling through tears at the part when she forgives Tris. I was holding my breath. I think Christina is also a divergent. She is soo abnegation, Dauntless and Candor.

Speaking of dead people, Noooooo. Marlene. I loved Marlene. Uriah did too. I was constantly shaking my head, No No Noo this can't be happening. Marlene was so cheerful and lively. 

*wipes tear*

I know its incredibly childish of me but I'm going to believe that Marlene took the form of a star and she'll be watching over Uriah.

More on Tris and Tobias.

I. Wanted. So. Badly. For. Them. To. Patch. Things. Up. I couldn't wait. 

I hated it when Tris was lying to Four. Four was always going to be there for her so why wasn't she telling him and trusting him? Though when you read the book its easy to understand as she says that she doesn't trust him to love her after what she has done. But Four would never leave her. 

Every moment was so painful. In the midst of everything bad happen and no ray of hope, Tris and Four were supposed to be the best part.

It just left me frustrated and angry.

Though the ending parts of them together almost makes up for it.

The bad guy in this book is surprising, heart breaking and unbelievable. Usually there'd be a sliver of suspicion at the very good guy. But Veronica Roth has done an amazing job. I loved that character. I did not want to believe he could do that. How could he? I feel like hating him but its very hard because i loved him so much of this book and i'm desperately hoping he turns around and comes back to his senses. Though after what he did i don't know what Tris will do. But i suspect she'll forgive him because of a reason i'm not going to tell cause then i'd give him away. Still i'm not going to be able to fully trust him again.

There are some moments in this book that were soo adrenaline-fuelled, jolts throughout your body good and breath stopping good. This book is beyond amazing. No words can do any justice to it. 

The ending was breath taking. And a major cliff hanger. And i felt like Raven in the ending of Son of neptune- a snake. I did not want it to stop. 

I cannot wait for Allegiant.

I've said that at least a 100 times now. Well it still doesn't describe how much i want it. Good thing that till the time the book comes out i have the Free Four series to read. They are the books from Fours perspective(AAAAAAAAA).

Yeah.

Can't wait to read it.

Muah. Till then.

Well of course i rate it 5!

Lots of love and nutella.

Beez.