Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, this was pretty darn good. Contemporary novels aren't really my thing. But, I really enjoyed this. The romance isn't really romance, it's chaos spurned from a girl that is so afraid of being hurt that she absorbs everyone's affection but gives none in return.

Alice is a MEAN person, but I don't hate her. I have no sympathy for her either, all her problems are fuelled by her own mistakes. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes, but making them and then denying them will get no empathy from me. I did like her character though, very realistic. Even the bullies aren't really evil, they too, are simply human.

My favorite character is definitely Deborah. She looks like a shy nerd, but damn, she is no pushover.

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Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ah, as I finished the book, I realized one thing: Frankenstein's monster is not a monster, he is a microcosm and metaphor of every abnormal, different, disabled human on earth. Every human that is prejudiced against, every human that is judged based on appearance. He is not a monster, he IS humanity, constantly at war with itself.

SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD

Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I shouldn't like this book. I really shouldn't, it feels more like a guilty pleasure than anything. Don't get the wrong idea though, the romance is very backseat in comparison to a lot of YA novels that hit it off 1/3 of the way through (le sigh). This book, however, does us the favor of just not bothering us with cringe worthy romance until appropriate (thank you maria).

I'm glad that the setting isn't in some dystopian, totalitarian monarchy-esque world. The military ruler really isn't so bad. He's given equal rights to everyone, including women. He's lowered the poverty rate, and given EVERYONE a job. So, this novel isn't about "overthrowing the evil ruler". It shows what is happening post-" overthrowing the evil ruler".

Okay, Yelena is pretty likeable. I feel sorry for her, and yes, she is a cliché heroine. BUT, she is endearing. Nothing much else to say there. Valek (sorry if I get names wrong I listened to the audio book) is kind of a cliché love interest, except he's 33, and he has a bit more depth to him once you look past those clichés, and no, HE IS NOT DARK AND BROODING (thank god). I mean he is dark, but he doesn't brood. He's actually pretty cheerful most of the time.

I have nothing else to say, except that I will be reading the rest of the series.

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