Wrap Up Post | Young Adult Reading Challenge 2015

Well, here are the YA books that i read for YA RC 2015~

1. Where The Mountain Meets The Moon by Grace Lin || Terkadang Jawaban yang Kau Cari itu Begitu Sederhana
2. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Merissa Meyer
3. The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw || Diam Bukan Berarti Bisu
4. The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co., #1) by Jonathan Stroud
5. Girl of Nightmares (Anna, #2) by Kendare Blake
6. Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1) by Kendare Blake
7. The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
8. Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
9. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
10. Kei by Erni Aladjai
11. Interwine by FLOCK

Gak banyak sih, hiks tp gpp yang penting usaha *ngeles
Makasih buat mbak atria yg udah ngehost RC ini, great job! ^^
 

Read More

Interwine by FLOCK | hmm...

Judul: Interwine

Penulis: FLOCK
Tanggal Terbit: Maret 2015
Penerbit: Penerbit Haru
Halaman: 420

Bahasa: Indonesia

ISBN: 9786027742499

Berawal dari sebuah bridal, lima wanita menguntai benang-benang kehidupan.

Jihan, yang bercita-cita untuk menikah muda.
Naomi, yang mengikuti kata hatinya untuk bertindak di luar logika.
Emma, yang percaya kisah cinta dalam dongeng juga ada di dunia nyata.
Ralyne, yang berharap pernikahannya akan sempurna.
Nina, yang dihantui oleh potongan-potongan kenangan lama.

Sebuah gaun istimewa hadir di antara mereka, seakan menjadi pemintal takdir.

Dan keajaiban pun terjadi…

Oke awalnya penasaran karena baca review yang menyebutkan kalau ada twist tak terduga di endingnya. Well, ini bikin hope naik dan kenyataannya... Gak juga sih, biasa aja. Fiuh.

Ini novel kumpulan cerita pendek yang dibuat oleh 5 pengarang wanita Indonesia, nah akronim namanya jadi FLOCK itu. Oleh karena itu ada 5 cerita juga dalam novel ini yang saling terkait di sebuah toko bridal-butik yang jualan baju nikahan.

Idenya bagus, tapi sayang penggambaran pengarang2 ini terhadap karakter di bridal itu gak konsisten. Jadi gak percaya deh sama ceritanya. Tapi paling suka sama cerita pertama sih, imut aja haha.

Read More

Kei by Erni Aladjai | Kutemukan Cinta di Tengah Perang

Judul: Kei

Penulis: Erni Aladjai
Tanggal Terbit: Agustus 2013
Penerbit: Gagas Media
Halaman: 250

Bahasa: Indonesia

ISBN: 9797806499

Mari kuceritakan kisah sedih tentang kehilangan. Rasa sakit yang merupa serta perih yang menjejakkan duka. Namun, jangan terlalu bersedih, karena aku akan menceritakan pula tentang harapan. Tentang cinta yang tetap menyetia meski takdir hampir kehilangan pegangan.

Mari kuceritakan tentang orang-orang yang bertemu di bawah langit sewarna biru. Orang-orang yang memilih marah, lalu saling menorehkan luka. Juga kisah orang-orang yang memilih berjalan bersisian, dengan tangan tetap saling memegang.

Mari, mari kuceritakan tentang marah, tentang sedih, tentang langit dan senja yang tak searah, juga tentang cinta yang selalu ada dalam tiap cerita.

Pandangan pertama tertarik sama buku ini adalah karena covernya. Simple and clean aja gtu warnanya hitam dan putih. Covernya gagas pasti selalu menarik perhatian. Fiuh.

Novel ini gak begitu tebal makanya tertarik, karena lagi pengen yang tipis tapi sarat isi, ngarepnya sih begitu. Pas dibuka bungkus plastiknya...wow halaman dalamnya ada motifnya, gak hanya polosan. Udah langsung seneng deh.

Segi ceritanya, well... gak begitu terikat sama tokoh-tokohnya padahal latar belakangnya kalau lebih digali lagi bisa oke. Mulai di kahir plotnya jadi lari keluar tempat utama padahal belum kuat keberadaan tokohnya. Jadi, kayak datar gtu lah walaupun pesan moralnya bagus sih.

"Tak ada Islam, tak ada Protestan, tak ada Katolik, yang ada hanyalah Orang Kei. Semua mahluk hidup bersaudara."

Hanya aja itu, sayang kurang berasa kesannya.  Gak bakal direkomendasiin ke orang lain sih, karena diri sendiri gak begitu suka sama buku ini.

Read More

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Judul: A Monster Calls

Penulis: Patrick Ness

Tanggal Terbit: March 2013

Penerbit: Candlewick Press

Halaman:206

Bahasa: English

ISBN: 9780763660659

At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting-- he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It's ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth.

Suddenly, I have this kind of urge to read Patrick Ness's books and it happened that the first book that I choose is "A Monster Calls". Reading from the synopsis straightly lead me to grab this book. Seems like a dark and creepy adventure. And indeed it is.

I really like the cover and illustrations inside, everything is black and white and have this eerie feeling-pictures. The papers are smooth like a photography book so it's kinda heavy. Typography is easy on the eyes so it's a plus. But the book's size is rather odd, it didn't fit in my bookshelves T.T

The characters are...well quite interesting and frustrating at the same time. Because our main character is in his developing age, so sometimes his idea and actions are reckless and stupid. The story itself has this feeling-like walking in a fog? it's unclear and I have to read the paragraphs a few times to get into it-to understand.

The idea is very fresh and maybe will help in dealing with loss and letting go of something. To help us forgive ourselves and others. It's a wonderful journey and very insightful book. Love it!

Read More

Review Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Judul: Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles, #1)

Penulis: Melina Marchetta

Tanggal Terbit: August 2011

Penerbit: Ufuk Press

Halaman: 580

Bahasa: Indonesia

ISBN: 9786029159486

Finnikin dan pembimbingnya, Sir Topher, sudah sepuluh tahun tidak pulang ke Lumatere yang sekian lama diselimuti kutukan dan pembantaian.

Sepupu Raja yang kejam telah menyatakan dirinya sendiri sebagai penguasa baru. Suatu hari, Finnikin mendapat perintah untuk bertemu dengan Evanjalin, seorang perempuan muda yang menyatakan kalau Pangeran Balthazar, sang pewaris takhta Lumatere, masih hidup. Evanjalin harus pulang ke Lumatere karena dialah satu-satunya orang yang bisa membawa mereka kepada sang pewaris takhta.

Dalam perjalanan mereka menuju Lumatere, Finnikin terpesona oleh semangat dan keangkuhan perempuan itu. Lalu, mampukah mereka membebaskan Pangeran Balthazar dan orang-orang yang terperangkap di dalam kerajaan itu? Dan, mampukah Finnikin melepaskan ayahnya yang telah dijebloskan ke penjara dan mengembalikan kedamaian di negerinya?

Have a high hope about this, because Kat said this is one of her best fantasy books. But, alas. We're not meant to be.

If I have no idea that Kat like this book, it's a slim chance that I will grab it. Look at the cover, please. Man, not my style indeed. I am not really digging book with human's face on it, feel awkward...

Move along, the size of the book is not too big (paperback) and not really heavy. So, quite easy to read it. The font's type and size also pretty enjoyable, good for you my eyes! There are no prominent misspelling or grammatical error either.

Now, let's take a deep look into the story. It has a good premise of adventure and epic journey. But, I'm not quite sure whether it lost in translation or what, I can't feel anything from this book. The connection that pull the reader into the story--being in the story--it don't exist.

The characters, their action, the reason why the did it, I don't get it. The story don't have a sense of urgency. It feels like a picnic story. Ah---right, it don't has emotion.

2 stars for this. It's an okay book.

Read More

Review Barkbelly by Cat Weatherill

Judul: Barkbelly

Penulis: Cat Weatherill

Tanggal Terbit: April 2006

Penerbit: Puffin

Halaman: 352

Bahasa:English

ISBN: 9780141318745

Well, actually I bought this book because of an...unplanned book buying on its sequel, Snowbone. I didn't realize until later that I need to buy the first book. So, this happened. Well, didn't I regret it.
This book is so bland, I had to force myself to finish it. Seems like this is not my cup of tea. Usually it does! Feel quite disappointed because I was so sure that I am gonna like this.
The story is entertaining but I don't feel anything for the characters. I don't even like Barkbelly for some reason.
But, the story is full of adventures and exciting moments. So you gotta try it to know. 

Read More

Review Where The Mountain Meets The Moon by Grace Lin || Terkadang Jawaban yang Kau Cari itu Begitu Sederhana

Judul Buku: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Tempat Gunung Berjumpa Rembulan)
Pengarang: Grace Lin
Penerjemah: Berliani M. Nugrahani
Bahasa: Indonesia terjemahan
Penerbit: Atria
Tebal Halaman dan ukuran: 266 + vi
Tahun Terbit: 2010
ISBN: 978-979-024-460-3

Pada dahulu kala, hiduplah seorang gadis kecil bernama Minli dengan kedua orang tuanya di kaki gunung yang hitam dan gersang. Desanya suram dan cokelat karena kemiskinan dan kesulitan yang terus melanda. Saking gersangnya, tidak ada satupun tanaman dan binatang yang hidup di gunung itu. Tanahnya kering dan harus selalu dialiri air agar dapat ditanami. Hanya Minli yang tidak suram dan cokelat, rambutnya hitam dan pipinya merah berseri. Ini karena ayahnya selalu menceritakan dongeng-dongeng yang menarik mengenai gunung hitam mereka yang disebut Gunung Nirbuah, hakim harimau yang kejam, serta kakek rembulan yang mengetahui segalanya.

Hingga suatu hari Minli memutuskan untuk merubah peruntungan di desanya. Berbekal tekad dan keinginan yang kuat, berangkatlah Minli meninggalkan rumah dalam perjalanannya mencari kakek rembulan. Perjalanan panjang nan menakjubkan yang merupakan jalinan kisah dari dongeng-dongeng ayahnya serta orang-orang yang ditemui selama pencariannya.

Pertama kali melihat buku ini, saya langsung tertarik pada covernya yang didominasi oleh warna kesukaan saya, biru. Ditambah lagi ornamen berwarna warni khas negeri tirai bambu, serta gambar gadis Cina yang menaiki naga besar berwarna merah. Melihat judulnya, “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon”... sepertinya puitis dan romantis, cocok untuk orang melankolis seperti saya. Sekali pandang saya tidak terlalu yakin kalau ini buku untuk anak-anak, ditambah lagi tidak ada sinopsis untuk menggambarkan isi buku. Tapi ini semakin menambah keinginan saya untuk membaca. Akhirnya, rasa penasaran mengalahkan segalanya dan sah-lah buku ini menjadi milik saya.

Memang tidak salah, buku ini indah, untuk kalangan novel terjemahan anak-anak yang biasanya hanya hitam putih, novel ini semi berwarna. Halaman-halamannya, walaupun tidak semua, dihiasi ornamen cina berwarna biru serta ada beberapa halaman yang dipenuhi gambar full colour. Dengan kertas yang ringan dan ukuran sebesar 20cm x 13cm membuat buku ini nyaman untuk dipegang. Lalu, ukuran huruf yang digunakan cukup besar dan spasi antar baris cukup lebar membuat buku ini enak di mata.

Jalan cerita yang ada mudah dimengerti selayaknya buku anak-anak tanpa makna ganda. Kata-kata dituliskan dan diceritakan secara gamblang sebagaimana adanya membuat buku ini mudah dibaca dan tidak membutuhkan konsentrasi tinggi. Cocok sebagai bacaan ringan sembari minum kopi di sore hari.

Cerita di dalam buku ini adalah kumpulan dongeng-dongeng negeri Cina yang saling terhubung satu sama lainnya. Dengan apiknya, Grace Lin bisa membuat alur cerita yang luwes dan mengalir. Melalui berbagai dongeng di buku ini, digambarkan bahwa setiap hal itu berhubungan, bagaikan diikat benang takdir berwarna merah.

Karakter Minli yang optimis dan senang menolong orang membuatnya bertemu dengan banyak orang dan memahami banyak hal. Tentang gunung Nirbuah yang katanya berasal dari hati seekor naga yang patah hati. Naga yang terlahir dari lukisan. Hakim kejam dengan julukan Hakim Harimau yang mencari kertas kebahagiaan. Hingga Kakek Rembulan yang bertugas untuk mengikat benang takdir manusia.

Akhirnya sangat indah dan membuat saya meneteskan air mata karena perasaan sesal atas kelemahan saya sebagai manusia. Ini adalah rahasia kebahagiaan, jawaban atas pertanyaan Minli kepada Kakek Rembulan tentang cara mengubah peruntungan di desanya. Apakah itu? Silakan cari dan baca novelnya. Cukup menarik jika ingin bacaan yang ringan dan penuh dengan dongeng

Rating:4.5/5

 

Read More

Review Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Merissa Meyer

Title: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publication Date: January, 2013

Publisher: Square Fish

Page:387

Language: English

ISBN13: 9781250007209

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. Because there is something unusual about Cinder, something that others would kill for.

This is the first book in the chronicles that gonna end in book four which will be released in USA on November 10th 2015. I bought it in the wimp when I saw it at my local Gramedia bookstore. The truth is I hesitate to choose between this book or The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, but Goodreads say that Cinder has way more ratings than Mara Dyer. I'm a sucker for public opinion, so don't judge me....please.

This is a tall book like Mizan's one. The cover has this velvety texture, very pretty. A foot with mechanic system inside filled the cover and make it very interesting. Cinder. Cinderella. The notable princess from the ancient time. Right now she retell-ed as a cyborg from this futuristic world. Wow, nice idea if I may say. 

At first, I found the writing style is rather hard to get into. I'm struggling for few pages until the prince introduced, Prince Kai. Kaito. Wow some Japanese-like name, I like it! This book is quick paced, the information is enough so you'll not get bored with the tiny bity itsy. I read it in one sitting hahaha. 

Romance is not the main part in this story but rather Cinder finding herself, her identity, her will. Although some things are bother me, like how free the prince act was, when he is the sole heir of a kingdom whom King is sick in the deathbed. Huft. And how Cinder didn't looked very clever when she supposed to be a famous mechanic. Okay... maybe that's just me.

Overall, the characters are likeable, the story is believable, the conflict is well built and not over the top. I give it 4 stars. 

 

Read More

Review The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw || Diam Bukan Berarti Bisu

Judul Buku: The Girl with Glass Feet (Gadis dengan Kaki dari Kaca)

Pengarang: Ali Shaw

Bahasa: Indonesia terjemahan

Penerbit: Gramedia

Tebal Halaman: 432

Tahun Terbit: 2011

ISBN: 978-979-2268-676

Seorang pemuda yang serba canggung dan berwarna kelabu tinggal di suatu pulau dingin misterius. Disini terdapat banyak makhluk aneh yang bersayap dan tidak berwarna. Namanya adalah Midas. Seperti layaknya kisah cinta, dia bertemu dengan seorang gadis yang mengubah dunianya jadi jungkir balik. Dialah Ida, gadis ceria yang seakan mencoba mengubah warna kehidupan Midas yang kelabu.
Selama ini, Midas selalu memandang dunia lewat lensa kameranya. Namun sosok Ida terlalu berharga, untuk hanya dipandangi lewat lensa kamera. Belum lagi Ida bukannya datang untuk berlibur. Ida sakit, dia terjangkit penyakit misterius di pulau itu dan datang kembali untuk mencari peyembuhan.
Pelan tapi pasti, Ida berubah. Perlahan badannya berubah menjadi kaca, mulai dari kaki. Dan tidak banyak waktu tersedia untuk kedua sejoli ini, Ida harus segera disembuhkan. Atau semuanya akan berakhir saat hati Ida mulai menjadi kaca.

Buku berwarna biru kehijaun ini langung menarik perhatian saya yang notabene adalah pencinta segala yang berwarna kebiruan. Saat membaca judulnya, ah saya langsung teringat pada Cinderella yang juga memiliki sepatu kaca. Namun, sayangnya gadis di novel ini bukannya memiliki sepatu kaca, namun berkaki kaca! Wah, saya langsung tertarik untuk membeli buku ini. Genre fantasi yang dalam dan kental memang kesukaan saya.

Novel ini memiliki 426 halaman, cukup tebal namun ukurannya tidak terlalu besar sehingga mudah dipegang. Walaupun tidak ada satu titik warnapun yang menghiasi lembar buku ini, tulisan serta spasi antar kalimatnya cukup besar sehingga tidak capek di mata.

Genre novel ini adalah fantasi romantis. Fantasinya tidak seheboh novel fantasi kebanyakan, melainkan fokus di kehidupan dan hubungan antar manusianya. Walaupun tidak ada penjelasan yang memuaskan mengenai sisi fantasi dalam novel ini, cerita mengenai emosi dan sifat dalam karakternya begitu kental sehingga membuat novel ini begitu sarat emosi hingga ke babak akhir.

Novel ini diselesaikan dengan sebuah rahasia yang menurut saya indah dan menyedihkan.
Akhirnya ada suatu perkembangan dan penyelesaian positif untuk sang tokoh utama, walaupun tidak semua kisah berakhir dengan happy ending.

Rating: 4/5

Read More

Review The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co., #1) by Jonathan Stroud

Title: The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co., #1)

Author: Jonathan Stroud

Publication Date: January, 2014

Publisher: PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Page: 424

Language: Indonesia

ISBN13: 9786020301365

Setelah gelap, bunyikan lonceng

dan tunggu di luar garis besi.

Actually I had been eying this book for such a long time but never get myself to buy it until a year later. Finally on January this year I bought this book. Well, it's a pretty stunning book with a black cover and the key hole shaped cut. At that time, I really wanted to read something scary because I rarely read horror stories in any shape or form. I'm pretty much a coward for horror. Yes, this is a horror story. Very refreshing and entertaining I might say. Do you see, someone--or something sit on the wooden horse? Shiver on cue. Well the story has nothing to do with that actually, I guess it just for extra creepiness effect.

This book is pretty light, words size and spacing is standard. I trust in Gramedia so it's pretty much safe to say that the book will not lost in translation. There is no color inside, but small illustration decorate each chapter in their representative idea. The book also divided by five parts and glossary at the end, quite useful I might say. The only down side is the cool cut effect on the cover make it so flimsy, it's definitely not so durable. That put aside, the book is my style *wink wink

The story told from first point of view, our female protagonist. Oh yeah, this book is trilogy--maybe. This is the first book in the maybe called trilogy.

Well, what to start?

Characters
Hmm, at first I have difficulty to imagine the characters because there are no description about their age, but Stroud did mention their features, like body shape, face, hair and eyes color. I just didn't know their ages until half of the book, pretty troublesome for me because I like to know and love the characters from the book I have been reading.

There are three main characters from this book; Lucy Carlyle, Anthony Lockwood, and George Cubbins. The story told from Lucy POV. At first I found her bothersome because she is so hot headed and rash but tamed throughout the end of the book.

Anthony is very--careless. He acts based on instincts sometimes rationally but most of the time he is so relaxed like this world mean nothing. I imagined him like little lord from an English aristocratic family. Suave, sly, relaxed, but sometimes really careless and stupid. Interesting combination.

George is the most rational one. He acted based on research and very careful with everything. But he is so dirty and has foul mouth to spice up things between them I guess. He is not in a very good term with Lucy in this first book. Their interaction is very entertaining.

I can't see any characters development that much, but Lucy is more relaxed by the end of this book. I sense she is so tense because actually she just met that two guys, so I think the trust hasn't developed yet at first.

Story
Interesting world and premise. It's not so complex but for me it's fresh and I can follow the story easily, I don't have to wrecked my brain. The world building is actually not very clear, I'm having a little difficulty to imagine what their world look like. Modern or like old English (Sherlock Holmes things)? Beside that I really like the idea.

It's like a ghost buster. Really. Lockwood made a ghost buster agency called Lockwood&Co. and their adventures began form that. They fight and destroy ghosts. There are tension between agencies in England and they fight for domination. Lockwood&Co. is in tight condition because of this one ghost problem and has to terminate ghosts in the most haunted house in England.

The story itself is simple but everything is connected and wrapped beautifully at the end. Their adventure in that most haunted ghost is so creepy and tense. I love it! Oh and don;t forget Stroud sarcasm humor, it still present in this book although not that much (and there is no gennie, ha!).

I just realized this is like Sherlock Holmes in ghost buster edition! This is a good thing for me, very fun haha.

Overall, I really love this book. FIVE GLOWING STARS for The Screaming Staircase.

Read More

Review Girl of Nightmares (Anna, #2) by Kendare Blake

Title: Girl of Nightmares (Anna, #2)

Author: Kendare Blake

Publication Date: November, 2014

Publisher: Mizan Fantasy

Page: 400

Language: Indonesian

ISBN13:9786021306048

Anna berdiri di semak-semak di luar rumahku, menatapku. Sorot matanya kosong dan mati, sama sekali hampa dan tak bisa kukenali …. Sementara aku berusaha mengatur napas, selarik darah gelap meleleh dari hidungnya. Aku kembali menatap jendela, setengah menduga ia sudah pergi, setengah berharap dia sudah pergi—tapi ia masih di sana, tak bergerak.

The sequel of Anna Dressed in Blood and a bday gift from my friend. After reading the first one, I still have a little curiosity to read the final book. Although I don't really happy to read this sequel.

This is a typical print from Mizan which is taller than Gramedia print. It's light, typeface, font size, and spacing is fine. The cover--well it's not my auto buy cover (yes I judge a book by it's cover, don't judge me!), but pretty and scary enough. We can see Anna's face peeking through in this book cover. Like the previous book, there are no illustrations of color inside but there are blood-like ornament on each even pages.

Characters
I didn't find any character development from Cas or the reason why he is so special. About the family history or this whole supernatural aspect are still not well explained in this book. Or maybe there are explanations but it didn't catch my mind to absorb it.

Anna only has scenes toward the end of the book, she has many haunting appearance throughout the book though. She is fine...nothing extra ordinary...I think.

Camel and Thomas have a little conflict in the middle but, not an impact to the whole story. They are fine.

Story
Hmm. For me it's just random stuffs added to fill the gap that the author want to be. So this book definitely less interesting than the first book.

This book didn't has impact or whatever to me. My reluctance to read this series make my review very subjective and not neutral. Sorry. But I really didn't want to sugar coating and digging stuff that I don't want to care anymore. Thank you

Overall I give it 3 stars.

Read More

Review Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1) by Kendare Blake

Title: Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1)

Author: Kendare Blake
Publication Date: October, 2014

Publisher: Mizan Fantasy
Page:384
Language: Indonesia
ISBN13: 9786021606995

 

... kakinya terseret dengan cara yang mengerikan.
Rambutnya hitam pekat, bergerak di udara seakan terapung ...
gaunnya... basah dan merah ... aku bisa mendengar gerakannya berdesir di udara...
Dan, kini, Anna berdiri di atasku, laksana Dewi Kematian, dengan bibir hitam dan tangan dingin.

Well, I decided to buy this book because of a booktuber review on Youtube. Actually she didn't do full review, just a statement that this book is amazing. I checked it on GR and the premise sound fun. A ghost buster who fall in love with a ghost, interesting right? The rating is not bad either, 3.9. So after found out that there is an Indonesian edition that is way cheaper than the original edition, I just bought it immediately.

Read More

Review The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse

Author: Marie Rutkoski

Publication Date: 3rd March, 2015

Publisher: Square Fish

Page: 384

Language: English

ISBN: 1250056977 (ISBN13: 9781250056979)

Well, finally the book I ordered from bookdepository.com arrived after waited for 20 days.
Mint condition and great cover anyway, I read it as soon as possible.

Well, finished it in a day and...well I'm a bit..bit disappointed. I just not attached to the book. I don't love the characters, yet. And I don't really like the politic war thingie in any form or shape. It's ugly and all about betrayal, lie, self sacrifice.
But, this is really a good book. It has logic and strong characters. Just not really my cup of tea.

Afterthought and questions (may contain spoilers).

What: A country colonized by another country. They made the colonized country people slaves. A daughter from the General fall in love with a slave.
Okay, from what i read, i don't really get why she fall in love with the slave. what make the slave outstanding? I don't really believe this part. And why she bought that slave? Because she has sympathy for the Herrani? Maybe. Why she fell in love with him? I don't get this part, did I miss it?

Who: Kastrel and Arin... Me not believing them, making it hard to believe the story. Sigh.

Why: Because of war? Valorian love to war, battle, and winning. Herrani called them wild creatures.
Yes, but how could they not realized Arin make weapons and distributes them through the city? It's a large sum of weapons i guess. How could nobody suspect it? Kastrel is stupid too. She knows Arin clever and whatever, how could she... what so good about him that she want to protect him? If I am her, I will not give a shit to Arin.

When: Somewhen in alternate universe.

Where: Valoria and Herran. Some place fictive. The world building... I don't know, I just imagined Herran somewhat like prince of persia setting. It's unclear. Or maybe I miss it.

How: That is the question. What is their bound. What make Kastrel believe and care for Arin. Arin supposed to seduced Kastrel, not? He needs access and information for his people rebellion. But he did nothing. What so good about him?? Oh my god Kastrel T__T
In my opinion, he should sacrifice something for her, so she undoubtedly feel something for him. But no. Why should Kastrel do the sacrifice? And in the end get betrayed. Silly.
Why Kastrel sacrifice herself and throw herself in that kind of war and game? Yes her father is a general, but didn't mean she has to please him to that extend. Because she feel sorry for the Herrani, feel guilty, sympathy, sorry? But I don't feel it from her. Because she love Arin so very much? But why??? I feel all are half-hearted and unbelievable. :(

Let see the second book. Hope I will get some light for this darkness I feel.
Full review soon. Ha!
I give it 3 stars.

Read More

Master Post | Young Adult Reading Challenge 2015

Oke, sekalian ajalah ikut segala macam challenge agar makin terpacu untuk ngabisin pile TBR yang luar biasa. Pengen beli novel baru nih, biar gak merasa bersalah haha.

Young Adult adalah salah satu genre yg terus dibicarakan dalam dunia booktuber belum lagi ini salah satu genre aman (lumayan) buat dibaca. So, tumpukan YA juga udah luar biasa hahaa.

Host RC ini adalah Mbak Atria. Berikut syarat dan ketentuannya.

Aturan mainnya:

• Memasang Banner RC ini di sidebar blog kamu yang ditautbalikkan ke postingan ini selama event berlangsung mulai dari bulan Januari sampai akhir Desember 2015.
• Buku yang dibaca hanya bergenre YOUNG ADULT dan diharapkan untuk menulis review.
• Review dipost di blog (tidak bisa di notes FB ataupun di Goodreads)
• Pendaftaran dibuka sampai akhir November 2015
• Buku yang dibaca boleh e-book
• 6. Boleh reread asalkan membuat review baru.
• Wajib membuat master post. Link master post ditulis di kolom komentar di postingan ini ya. Ini saya jadikan patokan jumlah peserta yang mengikuti RC ini.
• Wajib membuat wrap up post/rekap saat event selesai (Link untuk menyetor Wrap-Up post akan diinfokan pada Desember 2015)
• Boleh menggabungkan RC ini dengan RC lainnya.
• RC ini hanya untuk peserta dengan alamat di wilayah Indonesia saja.
• Review yang disetorkan hanya yang dipost pada tahun 2015.

Giveaway Young Adult Reading Challenge 2015:

• Voucher buku untuk 2 peserta dengan review terbanyak akan mendapatkan masing-masing sebesar Rp 85.000 (pemenang pertama) dan Rp. 75.000 (pemenang kedua) untuk toko buku online di wilayah Indonesia. Yang akan diundi adalah semua buku peserta yang sudah mendaftarkan diri terlebih dahulu, jika blognya tidak didaftarkan maka kesempatan untuk diundi tidak ada.
• Setiap 3 bulan sekali, saya akan mengundi 1 pemenang yang akan mendapatkan paket buku dari saya. Hadiahnya berasal dari koleksi pribadi saya. Jadi tidak bisa dipilih ya (^_^)v
• Giveaway tambahan bisa sewaktu-waktu saya adakan jika ada yang mensponsori. Jadi do’akan rezeki My Little Library bisa semakin baik ya (^_^)

Okay folks, we can do it!

[WRAP UP POST]

Read More