Sparkles and Lightning

Friday, May 17, 2013

Let's Talk About Hate

Posted by Annabelle Marie Veronica | Edit Post

So, today let's talk a little but about hate, shall we?

I don't like this topic, but everything always seems to lead back to this topic. And again I feel myself needing to discuss it.

This post is kind of a rant, so if you don't want to read it, I totally understand.

I know it was a few days ago now, but I can't let it go.

It's not emails I'm discussing this time. No, I want to talk about a certain comment (two, actually) that appeared on one of my negative reviews. It was rude, patronizing, and way out of line. I'm not going to point this person out, but they know who they are. Some of you may, too, if you saw me on twitter earlier this week ranting.

I am okay with people not liking my reviews. I am okay with people telling me that they disagree with me and why. What I am not freaking okay with is when someone tells me that my review is "hateful," "cruel," and "a lot like bullying." This in addition with "asking" me to take it down.

(I normally try not to swear on my blog, but I'm going to here, so I apologize.)

If you don't like my reviews, then get the fuck off my blog. I don't need you, I don't need your hate, and I don't want to deal with it or you. If you're going to react that way to my negative reviews, then why are you even reading them?

I work hard on my reviews, and I never attack the author personally. But if I don't like a book, then I am going to tear it apart. That's how it is. I always promise complete honesty in my reviews. If you don't like it, leave. Negative reviews aren't everyone's thing. I like reading them for books I loved, personally. It helps me see things I might not have noticed before. But some people don't like seeing things they love insulted. Which is understandable.

I have written many a glowing review in my book blogging career, and I will write many more. In fact, I rarely write negative reviews because I prefer recommending books to saying why a certain book shouldn't be read. But if a book deserves a negative review, then that is exactly what it is going to get.

And honestly? Who likes every book? No one. In fact, I tend to doubt the credibility of bloggers who give out nothing but positive reviews, and I'm not the only one. Oh, sure, there probably are perfectly legitimate bloggers that only write positive reviews. But there are exceptions to every rule.

This person did make a second comment after some people (bless you, I love you all) who spoke up on my behalf, but it honestly wasn't much better than the first. It just came across the wrong way and perhaps some of that was residue from the first comment.

Because yes, I'm angry about it now. But my first reaction? Well, that was hurt. Hate hurts, people. So why do it?

The thing is, I feel like this commenter is a perfectly nice person too. I think sometimes we say things online that we maybe cannot take back. It doesn't excuse what they did, but if they're reading this, I just want them to know.

So please, next time you think about criticizing someone or their work, just take a few seconds to think. It is perfectly okay to criticize, but delivery is vital. Think of your words, because you can't take them back. This is the internet, people. Even if you delete a comment once it has been posted, it is already in their email. I don't want to sound like an annoying, walking cliché, but just think before you say anything. Please.

I wish hate didn't exist, but it does. Still, let's all try to be more aware.

Lovelovelove,

Labels:discussions,random posts | 14 comments

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Wicked Kiss: REVIEW

Posted by Annabelle Marie Veronica | Edit Post

Wicked Kiss (Nightwatchers, #2)
Michelle Rowen
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Source: Publisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

My kiss can kill.
I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that's changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone's soul…or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don't…I hurt myself.
Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I'll kill him. Then there's another boy, one I can't hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They're both part of a team of angels and demons that's joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I'll be able to help Bishop—or if I'm just another part of the darkness he's sworn to destroy….
NIGHTWATCHERS: When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising…

CATCHALL
Dark Kiss was an intriguing and fun read, so I knew I had to get my hands on Wicked Kiss as soon as I could. I was not disappointed at all! It was a lovely and dark read that kept me turning pages all through the night. It was about as good as the first book, maybe a little better, but overall a satisfying sequel that lived up to my expectations.

THE HEROINE
SAMANTHA
Sam is such a kickass heroine that it's impossible not to love her even if she occasionally veers towards the annoying side. She isn't perfect, and she has her flaws, but hello, that is what makes her more relatable. I like that she's really determined, and she'll do anything to protect her friends. She's also prideful, but she doesn't let it get in the way of what she needs to do. Plus, Sam is compassionate. He major downside is that she can be way too stubborn.

THE LOVE INTEREST
BISHOP
Bishop is steady and sweet, but he's also very internally strong. He tends to make his decisions and stick by them without compromising his principles, and he believes in doing the right thing at nearly any cost. Bishop has a hard time saying how he really feels, though. He's loyal almost in spite of himself, and he's not as mysterious as I think he likes to believe. He's definitely bold, definitely hot, but I think his eloquence could use some work.

THE DEMON
KRAVEN
You know you're in love with a character when they're horrible and dark and cruel and you completely and totally love them anyway. It's not fair, but that's how it is. I adore Kraven. I love Kraven. I shouldn't, I totally shouldn't, but I do. I mean, for starters, he really is damn sexy. And it doesn't hurt that he's teasing and mischievous. Plus, he's just so darn lovable despite his darkness. Or maybe because of it. Either way, we see more of him in this book, and it actually makes him hotter. It shouldn't. But it does.

Plus, I kind of want to do him in the backseat of an expensive car. Don't ask me why that's so specific. I don't know.

THE PLOT
I thought that the plot of Wicked Kiss was just as well done as that of the first book. It's through, and has enough smaller details to be really realistic. There are twists that deepen everything, and I like that it's not the same storyline as the first one. It's a continuation of the story in its own right, but it was something different.

The plot moved pretty quickly, too, although overall the pacing was erratic. Sometimes minutes would drag on for pages and days went by in a paragraph. That's probably exaggerating a little, but you get what I'm saying. It was weird, and just generally off.

Angels and demons are a tricky subject to handle, particularly without getting preachy, but Michelle really handles it in a wonderful way so I have no complaints. She takes into account historical angel lore while also adding in her own twists and idiosyncrasies. It's classic balanced with the right amount of hot and modern. It doesn't focus on one aspect, it encompasses all of them.

I appreciated the novelty of this plot after being stuck in a reading rut, too. It kept me entertained and wasn't overly dramatic, although it had its moments, certainly. It has its own unique sort of feel and although it could have been just another paranormal romance it somehow rises about that for me.

My main problem is that some information seems thrown randomly in to either confuse us or annoy us, I'm not sure which, but either way it is awfully frustrating. I couldn't quite wrap my head around some of the things that were made to look like random reveals and not everything fit together for me and often felt too convenient.

However, though this book certainly has its faults, it also has its strengths. It was easily a worthwhile read, and one of the better sequels I've had the pleasure of reading recently.

THE ROMANCE
Sam and Kraven sort of have a fling in this book, but it's clear from the beginning that it's not really that serious as is more about controlling Sam's cravings than any sort of romance. Still it's actually pretty thrilling to read about, because the chemistry between the, is so hot and unique. The real romance, though, comes in between Sam and Bishop. They care so deeply for each other, but they cannot kiss. It puts both of them in so much pain, but each of them tries their best to resist. Yet they can't quite seem to manage it.

THE WRITING
Michelle is an enormously talented writer, so much so that anything she writes is automatically better simply because of the quality of her writing. It's luscious, gorgeous, and unique. Sam has a distinct and almost innocent voice that is reliable and tells things as they are, yet allows the reader to occasionally see things that she cannot. The banter between the characters is also awesome and provides some fun and humor to the story.

THE ENDING
Actually, the way Wicked Kiss ended was really unexpected. I don't know why, exactly, but it was. There was a twist I did not expect but that really worked. I loved the gutsiness of the ending and the fact that everything wasn't completely perfect. There was definitely a happy ending in some ways for some characters, but for others less so. There was also the sense that although part of this story has ended it is far from over.

WRAPUP
I will definitely be looking forward to more from this series, because there's definitely room for more! I have yet to read any other Michelle Rowen books (well, Falling Kingdoms, but besides that) but after reading this I'm sold and definitely will. I would recommend this series to paranormal romance fans mostly, although I think other people would enjoy it too. If you loved the first book, I don't think you'll be let down by the sequel.

****FINAL RATING: 4.40 RED ROSES****

Lovelovelove,

Labels:4 red roses,angels,books,dark kiss,demons,michelle rowen,nightwatchers,paranormal,reviews,romance,wicked kiss | 0 comments

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (58)

Posted by Annabelle Marie Veronica | Edit Post

Happy Wednesday you fabulous, fabulous folks! Today it is time for Waiting on Wednesdays hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, my favorite bookish meme. In fact, the only one I participate in. I have an awesome book this week too.

Sentinel (Covenant, #5)

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Release Date: November 2, 2013

ADD TO YOUR GOODREADS SHELVES

It's a beautiful day for a war. Alex must face a terrible choice between destruction of everything she loves and her own destruction. The final book in the COVENANT series.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

So, my thoughts? It's way less flashy than the other covers of the series. I mean, that much is obvious. I like it, though. It's really fitting somehow. Very dark and simple. I also like how the smoke is shaped like a rose. I love roses, which should be obvious to you.

I'll be sad to see this series go, but at the same time I will be happy to finally see everything wrapped up. I still want my happily-ever-after, and I want more Aiden. This book just has to be amazing, or else.

Lovelovelove,

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Link me up! :)