Let's talk: Love Triangles

Time for the second edition of Let's Talk! This is a feature at my blog in which I discuss a random subject that is on my mind on a random day of the week.

The subject this time is: Love Triangles

If you've read some of my reviews, you know I really dislike love triangles. Why? I can go on a whole rant about how they're unrealistic and stuff, but I know that is not the real problem. I have read books with good love triangles, which would still be unrealistic. Than why do I dislike them so much?

The problem with love triangles is that they are overused, always the same and very predictable. If I scan through blurbs of new YA books, in almost every one of them there is a mention of a love triangle. And even that would not have been so bad, if the execution of the love triangles wouldn't have been almost exactly the same in every one of those books.

I give you the average YA love triangle:

The protagonist is a very normal girl. Then one day she meets a mysterious new boy, he is quite arrogant and a (bit of a) bad boy, but of course he's super hot. She is immediately attracted to him. The boy tells her some secret and they go on an adventure together and of course she falls in love with him. But when everything seems to be perfect and they're ready to start a relationship there is the best friend! This boy the protagonist has known forever and up until the secret adventure they had spent all their time together. He admits he has had a secret crush on the protagonist for ages and wants her to choose him over the new boy.
This leads to the two boys fighting each other or just hating each other and the protagonist only being able to think about who she is going to pick. The love triangle takes over the plot and the secret adventure from the beginning is suddenly not so important anymore.

This can go on and on, for maybe one book or a whole series. But the ending is predictable: the protagonist always goes for new, mysterious boy who is oh so bad, instead of the safe, best friend.

Summary: Good Guy vs Bad Boy. The latter always wins.

Let me give you a few examples of books with this format:

• The Iron Fey. Puck is the best friend and Ash the mysterious new boy. Who does Meghan choose? Ash.

• The Mortal Instruments. Simon is the best friend and Jace the mysterious new boy. Who does Clary choose? Jace. (don't get me wrong, I love TMI, just not the love triangle!)

• Twilight. Okay, Jacob wasn't really a 'best friend', but Bella did see him as a friend and she had known him pretty long. And Edward was of course the mysterious bad boy. I think everyone knows who she chose in the end.

What I just gave you was the average YA love triangle. I'm just so sick of seeing this in books. I tend to subtract stars immediately if I notice this format in a book. If writers are going to insert a love triangle in their book, which is already pretty unoriginal, why not shake it up a bit?

• Make it unpredictable. I don't want to know who the protagonist ends up with from the beginning of the book. Or make her end up alone, let the boys choose to walk away when she can't choose.

• Different players in the game. Don't go with the best friend/mysterious boy format. Take two best friends, two brothers, two girls and a boy, there are so many other options than the good vs bad guy.

• Second priority. Don't let the love triangle overshadow the plot. You can let the protagonist think about the boys, but just don't overdo it.

Examples of great love triangles:

• The Infernal Devices. The two boys are best friends and don't go fighting each other over the girl. Until the end we don't know (at least I didn't) who she is going to choose. And the love triangle did not take over the plot and the girl wasn't constantly thinking about who she should choose.

• The Hunger Games. Love triangles? Katniss Everdeen ain't got no time for that! Yes, we have the best friend, but can we call Peeta a mysterious bad boy? I don't think so. But Katniss is too busy trying to overthrow the government to think about who she is going to choose and thus it doesn't overshadow the plot.

• Throne of Glass. There is a hint of a love triangle between Chaol, Celaena and Dorian, but it definitely doesn't overshadow the plot. Celaena doesn't spend one minute thinking about who she likes better, since she's not even looking for a relationship.

I would add The Host, but that's a love square.. that's a great idea too, add another person to the party.

Or be original and just go with a two-person romance:)


What do you think about love triangles? Do you know any other good or bad love triangles? Do you have any advice on how to write good love triangles?

PS: If you really hate love triangles, this post from Eve @ Paper Sanctuary might be more fitting for you:)

A to Z Bookish Survey

I was thinking about what to post today and than I saw this super fun survey at Pretty Little Memoirs. It's originally from The Perpetual Pageturner. Feel free to join in and I hope you like it!

Author you’ve read the most books from:

According to Goodreads I've read the most books from Cassandra Clare, 11 in total. I've read all her books until now (The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices, The Bane Chronicles) and they're all awesome!

Best Sequel Ever:

That's a hard one. There have been very many disappointing sequels (the feared sequel syndrome), but a few were amazing and sometimes even better than book 1. 

I just read Never Fade, sequel to The Darkest Minds, that one was extremely good. (review coming soon!) Other great sequels are Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) , Clockwork Prince (TID #2) and the Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2).

Currently Reading:

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund. Not really loving it yet, it's a bit slow.

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Green tea (preferably with lemon) or diet coke. Yum!

E-reader or Physical Book?

Well, I always buy ebooks first since they're cheaper and handier to carry around. But when I really love a book I buy a physical copy, since those are so beautiful! This also helps keeping my bookshelf tidy:)

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Haha, I would date loads of fictional characters, but well, they are fictional. My favourite book boyfriends are Jace from TMI and Adrian from Vampire Academy/Bloodlines. 

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Hunger Games. I wasn't really a fan of reading when I bought this book, but I'm so glad I did buy it. Ever since I read that book I haven't been able to stop reading!

Hidden Gem Book:

All our Yesterdays by Cristin Terril. Awesome new book about time travel!

 Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Well, the first was rediscovering my love for reading with the Hunger Games. After that, discovering Goodreads. I got so many great recommendations from it and there I started posting reviews, which in turn led me to create my own book blog!

Just Finished:

Reboot by Amy Tintera (review also coming soon!)

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Well, books that only focus on romance or very serious subjects I don't like reading. And there are also some genres that just don't attract me, like erotica, historical romance or new adult.

Longest Book You’ve Read:

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (900 pages). According to Goodreads, Harry Potter 5 and Game of Thrones are longer, but I read Anna Karenina in Dutch and that version has more pages than the English one:) It took me quite a while to finish, but it was absolutely worth it!

Major book hangover because of:

Clockwork Princess. It had such a bittersweet ending.. I love it, but it was still so sad!

Number of Bookcases You Own:

Only one :) I have three long shelves on the wall with my favourite books. My dad has an enormous bookcase with books I like to borrow very often, but I guess that doesn't count;)

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Harry Potter, all of them. I think I've read them about 5 times now, if not more. And they get better every time I read them!

Preferred Place To Read:

In the living room. I don't like reading in bed and just in my bedroom at all.

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

Okay, I have lots of favourite quotes from books, but just everything Dumbledore says is profound and awesome. 

Reading Regret:

Not living in America. All those book conventions, author meetings, publishers.. not for us international peeps. :(

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

When I like a series, I usually finish them all in a row, so there isn't a series that I need to finish. I do still have to read book 3 in the Chemical Garden series, Sever. I didn't like book 2, Fever, so I didn't really have the urge to finish the series.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and The Mortal Instruments

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

J.K. Rowling. She's just an amazing writer and I really respect her for using a pseudonym for her new book.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Crown of Midnight. I loooved Throne of Glass and this sequel got so many great reviews, can't wait to read it!

Worst Bookish Habit:

Trying to scroll too fast in my e-reader, which makes it crash. And then it resets at page one of the book and takes loads of time to get to the right page again.. I need to be more patient!

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Die for Me by Amy Plum, a very good paranormal romance book:)

Your latest book purchase:

That would be the two hardcovers of Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night. Beautiful additions to my shelf:)

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

Pivot Point by Kasie West! I just wanted to know how it would end.

I had so much fun filling it in! I hope you have gotten to know me a little better now:)
Happy Friday!

Title + Cover Reveal of Shatter Me #3!

Today the title and cover of Shatter Me #3 by Tahereh Mafi were revealed.
I absolutely loved the previous two books in this series, so I was super excited for it!

And the title is:

Ignite Me!

I really love the title! Many people had already suggested it, since Warner showed his 'ignite' tattoo in Unravel Me. It suggests a very shocking and sparkling ending of the series:)

And now the cover:

So beautiful! I love the flowers and the colours, it suggests that Juliette is finally going to be happy!

This gif shows exactly how I feel right now!

Full info:

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi

Publication Date: February 4th 2014

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she’ll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew—about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam—was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was “dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

What do you think about the title and cover?

Book Blitz: Creatura - Nely Cab

Book Blitz: Creatura by Nely Cab

Title: Creatura 
Author: Nely Cab 

Publication date: August 6th, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal

Add to Goodreads 

Purchase:

Amazon

Synopsis:

Isis can control her dreams. Or she could-until recently. The creature in her nightmares has been haunting her for months. As if being dumped wasn’t bad enough, now she dreads going to sleep. She decides to confront the creature and win back some of her peace; only, she finds that he’s not a monster and he’s not a dream.

A sacrifice for love, a shocking discovery and a jealous ex-boyfriend blur the lines between reality and dreams, making it hard to tell who the real monsters are.

Who would’ve known…that sometimes love is lethal?

About the Author:

Nely Cab was born on December 9, 1974, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She has lived and resided in a small, quiet South Texas town most of her life. Putting her Computer Accounting skills to use, Nely worked in banking for several years. In 2001, the author relocated to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, where she dedicated time to the study of culinary arts and the art of oil painting. After her return to the U.S., Nely resumed her employment in banking and later transitioned to the field of Social Work.

Today, Nely Cab writes from the comfort of her home, where she lives with her husband and son. Her life goal is to check-off Bucket List Item No. 95,623,351: To conquer the world. While she aspires world domination, Nely continues to work on her debut series Creatura.

Links:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway:

Giveaway for one (1) ebook copy of Creatura. Open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pivot Point - Kasie West [Review]

This review may contain spoilers.

Title: Pivot Point
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Pivot Point #1
Release Date: February 12th 2013
Pages: 343
Rating: ★★★★

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Top Ten Tuesday #10 - Please write a sequel!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers over at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join.

This week: Top Ten Five Books I Wish Could Have Had Sequels

1. Harry Potter. I could have read ten more books about him and his magical adventures:)

2. Delirium. If you've read Requiem you will probably know exactly why I want a sequel, or even an epilogue. Just give me some answers!

3. The Infernal Devices. Yes, I loved the epilogue of Clockwork Princess and I though it was a good ending, but I just want to know more about Tessa's modern life! And Jem :)

4. Unearthly. Please, Cynthia Hand, write a Christian spin-off or just something from his POV that gives me a hint of what happened to him! The development of his storyline was cut off abruptly at the end, not cool.

5. The Host. I heard rumours there was going to be a sequel of this book, but I haven't seen any official confirmation of this. I would love to know more about that new group they meet!

I have read a lot of series, some with good endings and other with less good endings. 
The less good endings make you end up with questions and confused feelings, of those series I'd love a sequel. 
The ones with good endings you would maybe want to know more about, just because they're so good, but a real sequel would be dragging the story out, which already happens a lot too often in book series.

I don't read a lot of standalones, most of those are classics. With those I never really have the feeling that I NEED a sequel, they are most of the time nicely closed off.

Leave me a link to your TTT in the comments!

Classic Love - Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Edition

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic Fiction

In this feature I will portray some of my favourite Classic (thus non-YA) books.

This week:

A dystopia is a community or society, usually fictional, that is in some important way undesirable or frightening. It is the opposite of a utopia. Dystopias are often characterized by dehumanization, totalitarian governments, environmental disaster, or other characteristics associated with a cataclysmic decline in society. 

Post-apocalyptic fiction is set in a world or civilization after a catastrophe. The time frame may be immediately after the catastrophe, focusing on the travails or psychology of survivors, or considerably later, often including the theme that the existence of pre-catastrophe civilization has been forgotten (or mythologized). - Wikipedia

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Tired of their servitude to man, a group of farm animals revolt and establish their own society, only to be betrayed into worse servitude by their leaders, the pigs, whose slogan becomes: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Published in 1945, this powerful satire of the Russian Revolution under Stalin remains as vivid and relevant today as it was on its first publication.

I absolutely loved this book! It is a funny story on its own, but if you know what the story actually mocks you'll appreciate the book even more.

1984 by George Orwell

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening, and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent - even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101 . . . 
Ninteen Eighty-Four is George Orwell's terrifying vision of a totalitarian future in which everything and everyone is slave to a tyrannical regime.

This book's subject of Big Brother and government control is a very actual subject. The society is scary, but unfortunately pretty realistic. 

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Far in the future, the World Controllers have finally created the ideal society. In laboratories worldwide, genetic science has brought the human race to perfection. From the Alpha-Plus mandarin class to the Epsilon-Minus Semi-Morons, designed to perform menial tasks, man is bred and educated to be blissfully content with his pre-destined role.
But, in the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, Bernard Marx is unhappy. Harbouring an unnatural desire for solitude, feeling only distaste for the endless pleasures of compulsory promiscuity, Bernard has an ill-defined longing to break free. A visit to one of the few remaining Savage Reservations where the old, imperfect life still continues, may be the cure for his distress…

Brave New World is a great book! It is one of the few books with a POV of an outsider, someone who doesn't live in the dystopian society.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

William Golding's compelling story about a group of very ordinary small boys marooned on a coral island has become a modern classic. At first it seems as though it is all going to be great fun; but the fun before long becomes furious and life on the island turns into a nightmare of panic and death. As ordinary standards of behaviour collapse, the whole world the boys know collapses with them—the world of cricket and homework and adventure stories—and another world is revealed beneath, primitive and terrible. Lord of the Flies remains as provocative today as when it was first published in 1954, igniting passionate debate with its startling, brutal portrait of human nature. Though critically acclaimed, it was largely ignored upon its initial publication. Yet soon it became a cult favorite among both students and literary critics who compared it to J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye in its influence on modern thought and literature.
Labeled a parable, an allegory, a myth, a morality tale, a parody, a political treatise, even a vision of the apocalypse, Lord of the Flies has established itself as a true classic.

Lord of the Flies may not be the typical dystopian, but it is. The boys form a society on the island, but it is far from ideal and is based on fear. If that is a bit too far-fetched it is definitely a post-apocalyptic story, with stranding on the island the catastrophe for the boys.

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

Bill Masen, bandages over his wounded eyes, misses the most spectacular meteorite shower England has ever seen. Removing his bandages the next morning, he finds masses of sightless people wandering the city. He soon meets Josella, another lucky person who has retained her sight, and together they leave the city, aware that the safe, familiar world they knew a mere twenty-four hours before is gone forever.
But to survive in this post-apocalyptic world, one must survive the Triffids, strange plants that years before began appearing all over the world. The Triffids can grow to over seven feet tall, pull their roots from the ground to walk, and kill a man with one quick lash of their poisonous stingers. With society in shambles, they are now poised to prey on humankind. Wyndham chillingly anticipates bio-warfare and mass destruction, fifty years before their realization, in this prescient account of Cold War paranoia.

From this list this is probably the least known book. It is a post-apocalyptic book with some sci-fi elements.

All of these books did not have any too difficult language and were very intriguing and exciting. I would recommend them to everyone!
Some other examples of Classic Dystopian or Post-apocalyptic fiction:

• Fahrenheit 451
• Battle Royale
• The Road
• Handmaid's Tale
• A Clockwork Orange
• We

Have you read (some of) these books? Do you have any other dystopian recommendations?

Stacking the Shelves #5

Stacking The Shelves is a concept from Tynga's Reviews and it is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! 

Last week a lovely package from Amazon came in the mail. I ordered two beautiful hardcovers, of Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night.

This is how my bookshelf looks now. The top shelf is ready for some new books:)

Look at this awesome mug I got!

What did you get this week?