Book Haul | New Reads #1♥ ~ ♥ Beenazai

Veil Of Roses
Laura Fitzgerald
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bantam; 9th ptg thus edition (December 26, 2006)
Genre: Young Adult
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553383884
ISBN-13: 978-0553383881
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles

Synopsis:

Tamila Soroush wanted it all. But in the Islamic Republic of Iran, dreams are a dangerous thing for a girl. Knowing they can never come true, Tami abandons them. . . . Until her twenty-fifth birthday, when her parents give her a one-way ticket to America, hoping she will “go and wake up her luck.” If they have their way, Tami will never return to Iran . . . which means she has three months to find a husband in America. Three months before she’s sent back for good....

M Y T H O U G H T S

Beautiful cover! The lady is pretty, and I love the Arabic words going across. I love cross-cultural books, I'm glad I picked this one. This book was recommended by a cousin of mine, she actually told me about it a few years back - I've tried looking for this book in the beginning, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Afterwards, I had forgotten about it. Recently, I remembered and finally, I discovered it in Barnes & Nobles! I bought a bunch of books using my employee discount as a bookseller, here are some reviews. Anyway, this was a neat story. I liked it, I was hooked after the first chapter. I thought Tamila was a sweet, innocent girl trying to find herself in this journey - the romance and love story with the Caucasian American was adorable. I was scoring for them hehe..

This book does have a sequel, as it ends on somewhat of an open note.At times I felt the narrator Tamila's hatred for Iran's political status was too extreme. In this novel, they make it sound as if every woman in Iran is oppressed and no woman wears the hijab as their choice. I don't agree that every woman is oppressed, some women probably like being covered.

The author of this book is married to a Persian man, so of course she couldn't understand the land of Iran perfectly, and I do feel it was biased. Tamila is not religious at all, yet she uses some Islamic words.The stereotypes in this novel weren't necessary, but I actually liked this novel. I would rate it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Legend
Marie Lu

Series: Legend (Book 1)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Speak; Reprint edition (April 16, 2013)
Genre: Teen/Young Adult/Dystopia
Language: English
ISBN-10: 014242207X
ISBN-13: 978-0142422076
Buy it here: Amazon | B & N

Synopsis: "What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem... "

M Y T H O U G H T S

Oh .. crazy little series, what a surprise you turned out to be. I saw such high rating for this book, and I knew I probably wouldn't like it - my tastes are completely opposite of other people, but I love this book and the whole series! The author is so talented with her writing, it's professionally written unlike the work I see these days. I find Dsytopian novels fascinating.

The romance between Day and June was amazing, I wish they were a little older though. They seem too young to be that fearless and strong. I remember, I was a complete sissy at the age of fifteen. Anyway, I love the whole forbidden romance - the golden girl of the country with the most wanted criminal. This novel/series is amazing. It was mysterious and adventurous, a page turner for sure.

The two P.O.V's were great too, I could read the thoughts of both. I loved Day, he's a criminal, but he isn't like the typical bad boy in novels these days, he's actually smart and caring.

Day and June are very similar with their personalities. The
ending of this series made me want to scream and die .. but afterwards, I realized there couldn't be a better ending for this series. It made perfect sense afterwards, you would understand too if you read it! This book and the whole series is a total classic for me, perfection, a total 5 out of 5 for me.

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks.
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312548079
ISBN-13: 978-0312548070
Buy it here: Amazon | B & N

Synposis:

"Darcy Rhone has always been able to rely on a few things: her beauty and charm. Her fiancé Dex. Her lifelong best friend Rachel. She never needed anything else. Or so she thinks until Dex calls of their dream wedding and she uncovers the ultimate betrayal. Blaming everyone but herself, Darcy flees to London and attempts to recreate her glamorous life on a new continent. But to her dismay, she discovers that her tried-and-true tricks no longer apply—and that her luck has finally expired. It is only then that she can begin her journey toward redemption, forgiveness, and true love."

M Y T H O U G H T S

This novel is a sequel of the book Something borrowed, it can read as a standalone novel though. The first four-five chapters are just re-telling of what happened in Something Borrowed but from Darcy's character. I disliked Something Borrowed, but I wanted to know what happened with Darcy afterwards. Darcy is selfish, spoiled, and a complete snob.

However, I feel she does not deserve what she went through. No one deserves to be cheated on especially by your best friend. I hated Rachel, but I hated Darcy too. I couldn't decide who I hated more.. People generally don't cheat in relationships if they're happy, but come on cheating is still wrong.

I decided I hated Rachel more. Just because you're best friend is horrible to you, does not mean you can fool around with her fiance! (I'm not spoiling it for you, Something Borrowed's synopsis says it)

I sympathized more with Darcy though .. I loved this novel though. Emily Griffin is one of my favorite authors, she completely captures you in her books. Darcy goes from being stuck-up and cruel to something else entirely .. She learns humility, sacrifice, and so many other things. Her transformation was lovely. I would recommend this book, it amazed me. I would give it a 5 out of 5 stars, perfection.

Thank you for reading as well. Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & follow :) Stay in tuned beautiful people ..

“Love and friendship. They are what make us who we are, and what can change us, if we let them.”
― Emily Giffin, Something Blue