| 2018 BOOKS I DID NOT FINISH |

This is the list of books I started in 2018 but for some reason did not finish. I may finish this books in the future but at this moment their status is unknown.

1. And I Darken by Kiersten White
   • I was actually interested at the start. It was kind of cool reading about how tough the main character is in a world that doesn't really empower her gender but the world building was kind of slow so at 100th page I kind of lost my mood to read. I haven't picked it up since. I don't know if I will ever continue again because the prospect of continuing a new series kind of overwhelms me at the moment.
2. The Magician by Michael Scott
   • This is a second book in the series so at least I was able to finish the first one. I actually just stopped this because other books caught my attention but I still plan on continuing this. Also, it was actually a bit slow and the copies I kept on getting had issues like weird spacing or missing quotation marks so that kind of made me annoyed. I don't know if I will reach the last book but at this point I'm still positive on finishing the second one. I actually continued some of the chapters today. Hopefully I'll finish it in January 2019.
3. Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover
   • I actually tried to read this immediately after reading Hopeless and I reached the 1/3 mark. I stopped because the events from Hopeless felt too fresh on my mind and it felt repetitive for me so I did not appreciate it at all. I don't know if I will still continue reading this at the moment because I don't really love Dean and not really interested on his point of view.
4. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
   • I was actually intrigued by this book. I wanted to know more but the copy I had kept fucking me up. Chapters kept getting broken and jumping onto next chapters so it annoyed the hell out of me. I stopped and haven't picked it up since. I don't know if there is a better copy now. We'll see if I pick it up again.
5. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
   • I love John Green but for some reason I haven't been really feeling this book. I am 1/3 in but I haven't really appreciated anything. The lead character bored me and the story isn't really interesting to me. I don't know if I will continue this in the future because I already tried two times. Hopefully, I will but we'll see in the future.

| BOOKS I READ IN 2018 |

I completed my goodreads reading challenge this year! I set 25 as my goal and I managed to read 37 which is an achievement for me so yehey! 

I read 9,630 pages across 37 books.

SHORTEST BOOK: Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare (48 pages)

LONGEST BOOK: Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare (912 pages)

AVERAGE LENGTH OF BOOK: 275 pages

MY AVERAGE RATING FOR 2018: 4.3/5

1. The Young Queens by Kendare Blake (4/5)
2. Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire (4/5)
3. The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken (4.25/5) 
4. The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (3.5/5)
5. Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet (3.8/5) 
6. Mirrored by Alex Flinn (3.7/5)
7. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (3.6/5)
8. Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare (4.25/5)
9. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (4/5)
10. The Oracle Queen by Kendare Blake (4.3/5)
11. Circe by Madeline Miller (4.5/5)
12. The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan (5/5)
13. Cast Long Shadows by Cassandra Clare (4.75/5)
14. Every Exquisite Thing by Cassandra Clare (5/5)
15. Learn about Loss by Cassandra Clare (4.5/5)
    
    I've already my short reviews for the first 15 books during the first half of the year. You can check it out in this link. :D
    
16. Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (5/5)
• I loved the movie but I enjoyed the book more!
• I found the story fun and enjoyable to read. I love the interactions between the characters and I absolutely adored Jacques and Blue.
  
17. Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli (4/5)
    • I enjoyed this but I didn't really love it. I loved the friendship between the characters though.
    • I did not like Leah as the main character. She kind of annoyed me.
    • I found the love story cute but the ending felt kind of rushed.
    • The highlight of this for me is still the romance between Jacques and Blue.
      
18. All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover (4.8/5)
• I loved the story. The issues were more adult compared to her other books but it still breaks your heart just the same.
• The events that happened were too realistic which made it more heartbreaking. 
• It hurt to see the difference between the past interactions and the present interactions of the characters.
• So many things to think about a relationship that you can probably relate to (I know I did).
  
19. Hopeless by Colleen Hoover (4.8/5)
    • This is the most fucked up book I've read by Colleen Hoover. 
    • The beginning started out normal but after you reach a certain point, you would get an intense roller coaster of emotions. So many twists and turns.
    • I liked the relationship of the lead characters but I do think that their development was quite fast.
      
20. Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover (3.9/5)
    • The love story between the lead characters were okay. Nothing amazing but it was fun to read. Their interactions were funny but there were some things that were fucked up.
      
21. A Deeper Love by Cassandra Clare (4/5)
    • Interesting story but not really important. 
    • I liked that we got to see Jem and Tessa together but for some reason I really didn't like the timing.
    • I liked seeing Catarina and Jem telling her about something that's important to her made me happy.
      
      
22. PJO: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (5/5) 
23. PJO: The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (5/5)
24. PJO: The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan (5/5)
25. PJO: The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (5/5)
26. PJO: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (5/5)
    • For the review about the whole Percy Jackson and the Olympian Series, just refer here.
    • I loved rereading Rick Riordan's PJO series again. I had fun reading about Percy and his adventures.
    • I loved this even from the first book. It was an interesting introduction to the world of Greek Myth.
    • Percy Jackson is one of the most interesting main character from a book series and it was fun reading from his point of view again. I loved his interactions with the different characters and his love for his family.
      
27. City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (4.25/5)
    • It was such a simple and short read but I enjoyed it. I found Victoria Schwab's beautiful and her writing of this story was quite intriguing and creepy.
      
28. HoO: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (4.5/5)
    • This followed the same formula as the first series but I didn't enjoy it as much as I did with PJO which is probably because I don't really like Jason as a main character. He was kind of boring to be honest.
    • I still enjoyed the story from this book and how it played out though.  The adventures were still on point.
      
29. The Wicked Ones by Cassandra Clare (4.5/5)
    • This was such an interesting and intriguing story. We got to see Jace's mother - Celine Montclaire. I liked reading from her point of view even though we know things don't end well for her. We get to see her connection to Valentine and their weird bond.
    • I liked that it was set in Paris. I loved Cassie's writing about Paris.
      
30. Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake (4/5)
    • The story was still interesting but nothing amazing happens. 
    • It was kind of confusing seeing different point of views in different places and you don't really know who to cheer for because things aren't as clear as they used too.
    • The revelation here was kind of messed up. It made you hope hard.
      
31. The Alchemyst by Michael Scott (4/5)
    • The pacing was a bit slow but the book was mainly okay. I was just not pushed to continue the series but I still may.
    • I love the interconnection between the different mythologies of different cultures. It was amazing how Michael wove them together.
    • The twins character were a little weak that's why I wasn't really impressed.
      
32. The Land I Lost by Cassandra Clare (5/5)
    • This is the best story in the Ghosts of the Shadow Market Anthology. 
    • I loved seeing Alec in all his glory. I loved seeing his interactions with the downworlders and with his family. I loved that we got the story of how he met Rafe.
      
33. Through Blood, Through Fire by Cassandra Clare (5/5)
    • I loved this story because we got to see the main point of Jem's trip to the Shadowhunter Markets. 
    • It was interesting to see the reason why the Kit's bloodline is so important.
    • Also, that reveal! Omg I did not see that coming but I loved it so much. It made me want to scream out loud in the office.
      
34. Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare (4.5/5)
    • So many good things that happened but there were also things that you would question as to why it was needed in the book. 
    • So many heartbreaking things. Especially on the first pages.
    • I had an issue on how easy things came to be in the end. There was not really a consequence on the major things that left me questioning them.
    • The Cohort annoyed the hell out of me. They were just so stupid.
    • I still really didn't connect with Julian and Emma as the lead that's why this didn't beat Clockwork Princess or City of Heavenly Fire for me. Also, it was kind of not really an end book.
      
35. Vengeful by VE Schwab (3.8/5)
    
    • I really did not feel the need for this second book. The main story was just repetitive of the first one that it kind of bored me. 
    • The timeline in this one kind of confused me and there were characters that was added that felt like they were just there to make things longer and complicated but they were really irrelevant.
    • I liked that we got to see more EO's though.
    
    
36. Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor (4.8/5)
    • This is not as beautiful and amazing as Strange the Dreamer but it was still a masterpiece. 
    • I loved seeing the story unfold and things resolve itself. There were still many shocking things to see. 
    • I love the implication that this world may be connected to the world in Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
      
37. What If It's Us By Becky Albertalli and Adam Silver (3.7/5)
    • The story was interesting. I liked how things unfolded but I really didn't feel the chemistry between the lead characters. They were cute together but I enjoyed them more as friends which was kind of disappointing because I felt that it wasn't what the story was selling.
    • I loved Dylan and Samantha's romance though. They were really cute together.

| NEWLY DISCOVERED AUTHORS OF 2018 |

Most of the books I read this year were from authors I've read from before but I did manage to sneak in five new ones this year! Yay for me! That's an achievement for me because recently I've just been reading sequels to books I've followed from before or new releases by authors I know and love. 

Here is the list of my newly discovered authors!

1. Alexandra Bracken
- The only book I read by her is the Prosper Redding one and I enjoyed it. I like her writing. It's fun and easy to read.

2. Michael Scott
- I started the The Secrets of the Immortal Flamel series this year and I enjoyed Michael's writing. It's interesting to read about a world that mashed up the different mythological stuff of different cultures.

3. Sandhya Menon
- I liked Sandhya's writing even though I didn't really love When Dimple Met Rishi. Her writing is easy to read and fun.

4. Adam Silvera
- I only read What If It's Us which is a collaboration between him and Becky Albertalli. Even I had an issue with Ben's character, I still enjoyed his point of view especially when he is joined by Dylan.

5. Roshani Chokshi
- I liked that I found another author who writes about mythology. I found Aru Shah enjoyable and an interesting take on Hindu Myth. Her characters are fun and her writing is easy to read.

Also, shoutout to Colleen Hoover though because I read three book by her this year!

| RECAP ON MY MOST AWAITED BOOKS OF 2018 |

So, at the start of this year I made my most awaited books of 2018.

Click here to look back at that post! 

I managed to read 12 out of 23 books I listed there which is better than last years (I read 11). I was shocked that I managed to read that many from my list because I haven't really read much this year. All of the books I managed to finish were sequel to series or books from an author I've read before.

Here is the list of the 2018 releases that I managed to read this year!

1. Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet
2. Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
3. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
4. The Oracle Queen by Kendare Blake
5. Circe by Madeline Miller
6. Son of the Dawn by Cassandra Clare (this should have been the Shadowhunter Market Series)
7. The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
8. All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
9. Two Dark Reign by Kendare Blake
10. Vengeful by VE Schwab
11. Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare
12. The Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor 

For my thoughts on these books, wait for my Books I've Read in 2018 post! :)

Catching Up On Things That I Did

I can't possible write individual reviews for shows, movies, and books I've read throughout the year now because 2018 is almost at its end. So what I plan to do (or cram) for the next few days before 2018 ends is to just make a short review for each of them. A list of the possible incoming posts would be about:

• Recap on My Most Anticipated Books of 2018
• Newly Discovered Authors of 2018
• Most Disappointing Reads of 2018
• Best Books of 2018
• Books I Did Not Finish in 2018
• Most Disappointing Movies of 2018
• Best Movies of 2018
• Shows I Watched in 2018
• Movies I Watched in 2018
• Books I Read in 2018
• My Life in 2018

Let's see how many I get to cram before 2019 starts!

| BOOK - The Wicked Ones by Cassandra Clare and Robin Wasserman |

THE WICKED ONES

'It seemed unfair that the city was so full of stone creatures who could feel nothing and here she was, feeling so unbearably much.' 

SYNOPSIS: A story about Brother Zachariah, Celine Montclaire, and the other members of the Circle.

RATING: 4.5/5

REVIEW: 

I found the story in this quite interesting. It showed a lot about human nature especially with regards to Celine Montclaire. She had to endure many hardships and we get to see her make choices based from those hardships. It's interesting to know more about the Circle Members even though it's just Robert, Stephen, and Valentine. Also, Cassandra Clare's writing about Paris was beautiful.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed seeing Jem finding something concrete about the quest he is doing.

SHOULD YOU READ IT: If you want to know more about Celine Montclaire - Jace's mother and the progress with Jem's quest, then absolutely.

• I really loved reading about Paris. It seemed so beautiful yet sad on Celine's eyes.
• It's funny to see that Stephen inherited the bird phobia - he's afraid of pigeons.
• It's interesting to see Stephen Herondale here. He inherited the Herondale sarcasm/humor, phobia, and looks yet he's so different than the ones we knew. 
• I have mixed feelings about Celine. I can understand the loneliness she went through but I didn't like the choices the she made. I always thought that Valentine forced her to marry Stephen but it seemed like they forced Stephen. I never imagined that she would be in cahoots with Valentine based on what was mentioned of her in the Mortal Instruments. It's really interesting how her experiences shaped her to be the person she is. If only Brother Zachariah spent more time with her.
• It's heartbreaking to read about what Celine had to go through when she was young. Her parents were such asshole and they deserved what they got. I just didn't really like the fact that Celine was the one who finalized their fate.
• It's funny to read about Shadowhunters knowing about Pop Culture.
• I really liked finding out that the Lost Herondale that Jem is seeking is a woman. I like Rosemary. She's feisty. I wonder if she is Kit Herondale's mother? She's kind of close to their timeline because this during the Circle's time.
• I really hated that Celine and Jem only had a minor interaction. I wonder what Celine's future would have been if Jem had been able to reach out to her?
• WHAT HAPPENED?
• Celine, Stephen, and Robert were under a mission to observe a certain warlock by Valentine. Celine is in love with Stephen and is not trying to show it.
• They tried to invade the Warlock's stall in the Night Market but she got one on them. She managed to put a love potion on Stephen so that he'll fall for Celine which shocked her.
• They managed to capture the warlock and tie her up and torture her. Celine overheard Robert and Stephen talking about the fact that they look at her as someone immature and always in need of someone.
• Celine decides to roam around Paris while mourning her feelings for Stephen. She encountered Rosemary and Jack and even saves Rosemary from demons. Rosemary warned her about Valentine.
• Meanwhile, Jem managed to track Jack Crow whom he believes to be the Lost Herondale. They agreed to meet sometime in the afternoon. Jem also encountered Celine in the Shadow Market and they bonded on their love for certain Herondales.
• Jack Crow did not come to their meeting place. Instead, Jem encountered Rosemary. He realized that she's the Lost Herondale and not Jack. He gave her back the Herondale locked with a spell on it in case she ever needed her help. He did not force her to come with him.
• Celine went to Valentine's home where she encountered him killing the warlock they interrogated after finding out that Valentine paid her and in cahoots with him. He framed the Shadowhunters they were tracking just to get rid of them. Celine found out that it was her parents who were being framed yet she did not do anything to set them free. Celine accepted her destiny with Valentine who will give her Stephen.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"You sure there's not some kind of rune to keep those foul beasts away?" Stephen Herondale said as a thunderous flutter of wings descended. He ducked, whacked blindly at his feathered foe.
The flock of pigeons quick passed, without dealing any mortal blows. Celine waved off a couple of stragglers, and Stephen breathed a sign of relief.
"My hero," he said.

"The great Herondale warrior afraid of pigeons?" she teased, hoping he wouldn't hear the quaver in her voice.
"Not afraid. Simply exhibiting a prudent amount of caution in the face of a potentially demonic creature."
"Demon pigeons?"
"I look upon them with great suspicion," Stephen said with as much dignity as a pigeon-phobe could muster.

"It's like an Eidolon demon tried turning into Cyndi Lauper and accidentally got stuck midway through," Celine joked.
"Huh?" Robert said. "Is that another warlock?"
Stephen smirked. "Yeah, Robert. Another warlock. The Clave executed her 'cause she just wanted to have fun."

I sometimes think there is nothing more painful than love denied. To love someone you cannot have, to stand beside your heart's desire and be unable to take them in your arms. A love that cannot be requited. I can think of nothing more painful than that.

Feelings is what makes us human. Even the most difficult feelings. Perhaps especially those. Love, loss, longing -- this is what it means to be truly alive.

It would be unjust to blame the past for the choices made in the present. Nor can we justify present choices by invoking sins of the past.

We always have a choice, Jem said, and for once, the voice in her mind sounded lie him, warm and close. It's not always the choice we would want, but it's a choice nonetheless. The past happens to us. But we choose our future.

| BOOK - City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab |

CITY OF GHOSTS

'
"Watch and listen, see and know. This is what you are."'

SYNOPSIS: A story a girl who started to see ghosts after she almost died.

RATING: 4.25/5

REVIEW: 

The plot isn't really that unique but it's interesting to see how Victoria Schwab wrote her version. I love how the story unfolded and the way she wrote about the setting allowed you to imagine it vividly. There were creepy moments especially whenever the different restless ghosts were mentioned. Nothing mind blowing happened but it is enjoyable.

You won't fall in love with the characters but you'll find them interesting. I love Jacob. His sarcasm and reactions to things Cassidy did was very entertaining to read about. I love how he seems to genuinely care for Cassidy. The villain was also interesting to read about. She's not really evil but rather super twisted.

Overall, it was such a simple and short read but really interesting. I'm really interested in continuing the series when the next book comes out.

SHOULD YOU READ IT: If you want something short but interesting then yes.

• I wonder what Jacob did in this past and how he came to the rescue of Cassidy. I wonder what will happen in the future. Seeing different ghosts from various sources makes you seriously think which type he'll become.
• I love the subtle Harry Potter mention for the Potterheads. 
• I didn't like Lara in the beginning. She seemed bossy and she's mean towards Jacob but I warmed up to her in the latter part especially when she rescued them and when Cassidy found out that she never released her grandfather.
• I love the concept of people who come from the dead being able to have the powers to release them. Most ghosts just probably want to be free and I'm glad that there is someone there for them. I wonder what type of ghosts will Cassidy be facing in the next book?
• I really like Findley. Even though he's just a minor character, he seemed so welcoming and he helped Cassidy a lot.
• I was really creeped out on the different settings in Scotland that were mentioned. It seemed that there is so much dark history there and you can see why Victoria Schwab used it as the setting for this book.
• I got really tensed when Cassidy's light was stolen by the Raven in Red. It was such a fast paced part of the story and I liked it.
• WHAT HAPPENED?
• Cassidy discussed how she can see ghosts after she almost died and she befriended one, Jacob.
• She decided to visit the auditorium on her school and found a ghost there who she freed.
• Her parents informed her that their book got turned into a tv series starring them and because of it, they'll spend summer in Scotland.
• Her parents filmed their tv series on different locations in Scotland.
• Her mother took her to a church with a graveyard where she first encountered vicious ghosts and the Raven in Red.
• The next one was the vaults and where Cassidy was pulled by the other world without her control. The ghosts there were vicious and she ran away for her safety.
• She saw Lara outside the vaults and she found out that they are supposed to be ghost hunters. They're supposed to free ghosts from their trapped existence.
• They went to a hanging grounds where Cassidy did not feel safe again.
• She decided not to join them for the castle but she met up with Lara and Lara discussed their duty once again and even demonstrated about what they should do. Lara told her to stay away from the Raven in Red because if the Raven got her light, she'll be able to wreak havoc and Cassidy will die once again.
• Findley took Cassidy to the castle where she encountered the Raven once again. She took Jacob and was able to trap Cassidy and take her light. Cassidy got trapped in the other world.
• She and Jacob did their best to follow the Raven while trying to contact Lana. They encountered other ghosts that the Raven used as defense. Meanwhile, the Raven was digging up her own body so that she can resurrect herself using Cassidy's light. Cassidy, Jacob, Lana, and Findley did their best to fight the Raven and won.
• Cassidy got grounded because she went missing during the fight. Lana gave her a mirror as defense. 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there.

The living may take strength from love and hope, but the dead grow strong on darker things. On pain and anger and regret.

I can't read his, but all things considered, I would rather be alive and not psychic than psychic and a ghost.
He looks up at the word ghost and clears his throat. "I prefer the phrase 'corporeally challenged.'"

But when you take a photograph, things stay still. The way that they were, is the way that they are, is the way that they will always be. 
Which is why I love pictures.

"Fine, seven," I say as we reach my street, "but I get final approval. And no Batman."
He looks aghast. "You heathen."

So my parents talk about-- or write about-- ghosts, but can't actually see them.
I can actually see ghosts, but don't want to talk-- or write --about them. 
I'm pretty sure that's called irony.

As Mom and I make our way to the graveyard, I can practically hear Jacob in my head, uttering a low, sarcastic yaaaaaay.

"Stories have power," she says. "So long as you believe them."

"Well, this is a whole lot of nope," says Jacob, backing away.

This isn't so bad, I think, right before Mom tells me that it used to be an execution ground. Why am I even surprised?

Dad gestures to a low stone slab, a marker on the ground. "See that, Cassidy? Hundreds were put to death right here."
The Veil turns leaden as I reach out to run my hand along the marker.
"Haha noooo," says Jacob, shooing me away.

"You've always been so sensitive to those things."
"Drowning didn't help," offers Jacob cheerfully. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Don't freak out," I say slowly.
His eyes narrow. "That's really not the way to start a sentence if you want me to stay calm."

"Watch and listen, see and know. This is what you are."