Today I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that I've got One Lovely Blog Award from one lovely blog owner DJ's Life in Fiction. I'm reading book blogs for few months now and I started writing one a week or so ago and getting compliment like this one feels really great :)

Getting One Lovely Blog Award means I've got one task: I have to show you 15 more new, fresh blogs that I like. This is not an easy job, especially when I don't know so many blogs and because I like almost every book blog I see :) Though, I will try.

But first, I would like to thank you DJ's Life in Fiction. I'm flattered :)

The blogs I've choosen to award are:

Do you speak life? (great blog about life)
Attention whoreish (karma? no, you deserve it! :))
Bookalicious Ramblings (the best slovenian book blogger)
The Sweet Bookshelf (lovely design and great reviews)
With Love, Ana (great clothes!)
Carol's Prints (because of all the great books she owns!)
Elegant Cakes and Party Dates (for all the great cakes you've made)
Girls Without a Bookshelf (another great book blog)
A Life Bound By Books (another great book blog)
Good Golly Miss Holly (one of my favorite book blogs)
Ivana (the girl with most beautiful nails ever!)
Konadomania (another great blog about nails)
Princess Bookie (who doesn't love that lovely cupcakes and her books?)
The Cozy Reader (great books)
Presenting Lenore (another great book blog)

This is it. They are not all exactly new blogs, but they are all something special. I hope you all like my collection :)

As I understand you don't have too pass the reward or accept it, but is recommended.

Fantasy is the most popular YA gender in last few years. After superman, batman, spiderman and catwoman we got new heroes. Supernatural heroes. I think we could agree that all started with the vampires.

Vampires can be easily described: beautiful, dangerous, forever young, pale, drinking blood, usually going out by night, ... Majority of YA wish they would be bitten by a vampire. Don't you? Maybe not now that fallen angels, fairies and werewolves crashed the party.

If I say vampires, you would immediately think of Twilight, Sookie Stackhouse (aka True Blood), Vampire Academy, Vampire Diaries, Morganville Vampires, Blue Bloods, Evernight and more. With me, all started with vampires. Twilight was the first fantasy book (okay, I admit, I've read Replica, but that doesn't count because I was ten or eleven) I have read. Vampires were the first creatures that pulled me into the reading world.

I wasn't impressed with werewolves (Team La Push Jacob Off a Cliff) at all.

Then came Hush, hush and Fallen Angels. Fallen angels are also beautiful, dangerous, forever young, but they are not so pale, they are not drinking blood and they can walk around whenever they want. Fallen angels are currently winning over vampires. There are so much series coming out with angels as main characters that I don't even keep up anymore. Maximum Ride, Hush, hush, Fallen, The Mortal Instruments, Angel, Grace, Halo, Angel Star, Personal Demons, Knight Angels, ...


In some series heaven are as close to the angels as they are to werewolves.

Werewolves are the shapeshifters, dangerous and hot (I mean temparature ;) ), they live by instincts, they can eat you alive, but no one says they are beautiful by default. Oh, I forgot, they are also furry and they stink. Werewolves are natural enemies of the vampires. The series about warewolves that I loved the most are The Dark Divine, Twilight (Jacob was the only one disturbing, others were great) and The Darkest Powers. However there are others I haven't read or didn't like that much: The Wolves of Mercy Falls, Mercedes Thompson, Alpha & Omega, Sookie Stackhouse, Kitty Norville, ...

The last but not least on my fantasy creature list are Fairies. The cute, beautiful (seriously, why werewolves aren't described as beautiful?), tiny forest creatures, whom I wouldn't messed up with if I were you. Fairies are also known as dancers, they are always having fun, always telling the truth, but with double meaning. You can find fairies in: Wicked Lovely, The Modern Faerie Tales, Need, Wings, Iron Fey, Wondrous Strange, ...

I know I haven't mentioned spell casters, witches, sorcerers, necromancers, immortals, dragons, unicorns, ghosts, zombies, mermaids, sirens and other mythical creatures. I usually don't find them interesting that much, though they are amazing.

The question is. If you could be one mythical creature, what would you be?

At 9 PM I finished with reading Mockingjay (which I started reading at 8 AM and I admit I wasn't only reading today - I also cooked lunch, dinner, watched TV, ...) and my eyes were full of tears.

I've read Hunger Games and Catching Fire a few months ago so I kind of forget some things. However, Suzanne Collins put the facts from the first two books into the last one so smoothly and nicely, I didn't have the problem with remembering. Katniss was still our good Katniss, Gale was still Gale and Peeta... Well, he wasn't so Peeta anymore, but he was still great (maybe even more with a little bit danger and threat in him).

I loved everything about Mockingjay. I loved fashion, I loved hunting, I loved reunion scene between Peeta and Katniss, I loved revolution, I loved all mixed feelings around me, but most of all I love Suzanne's work as writer, she really has ability to show us such a great story through unique choice of words. Each line I've read reminded me of how my own writing have to improve and how few authors can really compete with her.

Fashion: This is just something it goes with every reality show and Hunger Games beat all the shows. I missed Cinna, he was so great, but there were other designers who took the show seriously.

Reunion scene between Peeta and Katnis: This was just the best scene ever. Katniss was full of expectations and I know she was hoping for the kiss and all she gets is cold hands around her neck. I re-read it few times because I was as shocked as she was. It was really a surprise and I love surprises. I don't like the books where you can figure it all out.

Mockingjay: I really liked the symbolic of Mockingjay since the beginning of this series. Also the symbolic of the songs and singing.

Prim: I was really sorry for her, because she was so good, smart and nice girl. She reminded me of my little sister and her dealing with life and that's why I cried for how she ended.

Other Victims: By that I mean all the people that die durring revolution. I feel sorry for most of them, but the most I feel sorry for Finnick. He was really one funny add to the series.

President Snow: It's so hard dealing with the villains as he is. You don't see them as a villains but you know they are. They have their own purposes and they are not using the right tactics to achieve them. They are smart and they cannot be compared to others, evil and bad characters.

Revolution: It was the right thing to do. The Games were not humane and killing children was just wrong. No matter whose children!

Peeta vs. Gale: When there were only few pages left and she still wasn't decided I gave up everything and decided she will die or be alone. Then I reminded myself: this is not a love story.

Epilogue: It's ironic to see how the future goes. Katniss, the girl who was on fire, didn't die and she didn't end up alone. She decided for the guy I was hoping she would. He gave her reasons enough to see how life can still be beautiful and how can she still loves. He even gave her more than she could ever hoped for. More then she could ever wished for. When he asked "You love me. Real or not real?" I started crying. Real.

My last thought would be: Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!

Burning with Hunger Games is really worth your time.

5/5 Stars

I started reading this book a year and a half ago but it wasn't really a good time to started it in a first place, so I put it down and never opened it again. When I first read synopsis I find it very interesting, but there was just so many books and I totally forgot about that one.

Last week I organized a Reading Challenge and we choose Unwind for the book we'll read. Now, when I finished it, I'm really glad the things turned out that way, because this book is really amazing.

The sneak peak into the beggining of the book:

The Second Civil War, also known as "The Heartland War," was a long and bloody conflict fought over a single issue. To end the war, a set of constitutional amendments known as "The Bill of Life" was passed. It satisfied both the Pro-life and the Pro-choice armies. The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen.

However, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, a parent may choose to retroactively "abort" a child on the condition that the child's life doesn't "technically" end. The process by which a child is both terminated and yet kept alive is called "unwinding."

We meet three children: Connor, Risa and Lev, whose parents or trustees don't want them. They are unwelcomed, except Lev, who is teeth. Lev's life is all about being unwind and it was settled before his birth.

Connor, Risa and Lev manage to escape before they reach Harvest Camp (the institution where the procedure of unwinding is accomplished). We meet and hear each one's story and quickly see that all of them are lonely, no matter how many people were in their lifes.

Connor is this though boy who always gets in fights, Risa is the reasonable one and Lev is just like little brother (the spoiled one). However, at the end of the story they are all responsible and impressive young people. Their journey gave them a lot, but it also took them a lot and they still have the will to go on and be even more good as they already are.

Just like Sonia said:

One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have - people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light.

The story is divided in 7 parts. I love how each part starts - it is a mix of mystery and real facts, but it is also an introduction into the coming chapters. The most I remembered the part when one man wants to sell his soul on the Ebay. It was kind of funny but also tragic if you look from the unwind's point of view.

We don't find out immediately what is unwinding, what happens to the kids, what caused it, who are the clappers, who is Humphrey Dunfee, ... We get all answers to our questions just at the right moment, which makes the story even more interesting and readable.

I won't reveal the answers to this questions, because there's no charm in reading it if you knew. What I'll say is that you really should read this book.

5/5 Stars

I had really high expectations about this book. The main reason was that there is a lot of alien theories around us and it's hard to make up a new, fresh one. Altough, this book has the story I've already heard of it or imagine it, it was really good.

I loved how the author told us at the very beginning of the book that all the facts are true. I love alien theories and most of them are absurd, but Lorien really seems like a planet that could exist.

I loved the relationship between Henri and John, it was like every parent-children relationship should be. John really acted as an alien. I don't mean that in a mean way, but if I would be an alien sent to Earth, I would act like him. He is nice and helpful and although this all is hard for him, he knows what he must do. I think he always acted right, no matter what the result was. At the very end I was really sad because of what happened to Henri. Still then, John acted like he should. There is no doubt if there would be an election for Lorien "king" that would be John's place to take.

The relationship he had with Sarah was also really nice written. I've got that feeling in the middle of the book that she is also from Lorien, but she doesn't know yet. My bets are on the theory that she came to Earth with that other spaceship. I hope she did, because it's true what Henri said - they will have to reproduce the race and I know John won't cheat on Sarah, although I've got a feeling he will be tempted.

I also loved Berney Kosar! I want that dog! :D

5/5 Stars

I'm not a violent person but if I could choose, I would be a Shadowhunter.

We met Clary Fray, teenager who loves to hang out with her best friend Simon, when she is confronted with murder. Two boys and one girl claim that they have killed a demon, they claim they are Shadowhunters. When Clary enters the world of demons, vampires, warewolfs, angels and other mythical creatures, she doesn't know anything about it. She was raised as a mundane, but Jace, one of the Shadowhunters, quickly realize Clary is one of them. Shortly after Clary meets Jace, Alec and Isabelle, her mother disappears. More exactly, she is kidnapped by one of the demons.

That sets Clary and her new friends on a mission. Mission that changes her completely.











Currently there are three books: City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass. We are expecting City of Fallen Angels in 2011, City of Lost Souls in 2012 and City of Heavenly Fire in 2013. Also, this month we are expecting Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1) a new series with similar background. I will write more about Clockwork Angel when I read it.

What I love about this series:

* Jace and Clary, of course - The fact revealed at the end of City of Bones doesn't stop you from wanting more and more about them.
* Sarcasm - Who doesn't love Jace's sarcastic comments? Hell, even Simon is funny sometimes.
* Shadowhunters - All fighting scenes, runes and magic behind that is just awesome.
* Seelie Court - The place when my favorite scene happens. The Fairies are just awesome and I love how smart and evil they are.
* Valentine - He is just the perfect villain. You can completely understand him and his actions, but you still see where, how and when he got wrong.

What I don't like about this series:

* I've read it too fast and couldn't put it down because it was just too damn good.
* The fact that I'll have to wait until 2011 to read more about Jace and Clary.
* The fact that my Shadowhunter Rune of Strength isn't as beautiful as it could be.



I loved City of Ashes and City of Glass more than City of Bones, but it's still one remarkably series so my rate is the highest.

5/5 Stars

We live in a world that allows us to express ourselves. There is nothing wrong (or at least shouldn't be) with love between two males or females, there is nothing wrong with love between rich and poor, old and (not too) young, smart and dummy, boring and funny, ...

As long as they are not related.

Lochan (17) and Maya (16) are brother and sister, but they look more like father and mother. Each day they get up, take care of their brothers and sister, go to school, pay bills, cook lunch, ... Their mother is an alcoholic and she didn't ever cared about her children. She is more busy spending time with her new boyfriend and spending money on him. Their father left when they were 11 and 12.

They are doing a great job. But then one day, they start feeling other feelings than just friendship and loyalty. They realize they are in love. And this love is forbidden, no matter what.

Tabitha Suzuma wrote the story from two different POVs - the narrator in one chapter is Maya and the next is Lochan. That connects the story even more. We are able to see the struggle and pain both of them are going through. They are different, but their feelings are similar, strong and clear. They are both scared of getting caught, how shouldn't they be when there is whole family at risk. Social workers would put them away immediately, if they knew what's going on behind those walls.

Reading this book put a lot of feelings in me and none of them were disgust or disapproval. I was happy, sad, angry, full of pain, furious, again happy and that continue till the end of the story when I almost cry. I don't cry because of books, I do laugh, but never cry, so it was really hard to get through all this feelings. I knew the end won't be happy, it couldn't be. Not in their world. However, that didn't stop me from hoping and if you think about it, it was happy. At least for Lochan, who knew his family will be safe.

I recommend this book to each of you. It's not really an easy reading as usual YA books, sometimes gets pretty complicated, especially with Lochan POVs. Remember, you are not reading children or teenagers thoughts, Lochan and Maya are grown ups. But this fact and the whole description shouldn't stop you from reading it, it should encourage you to give it a chance.

Don't judge, love is the most beautiful thing person can do and if it's real, it should be allowed.

5/5 stars

My Goodreads profile says that I have read 86 books and I want to read 311 books. It's not much if I compare myself to some bloggers but it's enough to impress others.

I will introduce a small part of my favorite books and series.

Let's start with series because this is where my reading career started.

Twilight

It was December 2008 when I decided: This is it, I'm going to read Twilight. I borrowed it in out school library and returned it the next day. I was totally into it - so much I wasn't able to wait a month to borrow New Moon and I decided I'll download PDF from web (you didn't read that ;)). In few short days I have finished Twilight series and re-read it again. And then again. It looks like an obssession, right? Well, it was.

It lasted till September 2009. It was then when I become a reading geek.

Vampire Academy

First, I started reading it in my Twilight era and it didn't work. But then one friend told me how really good it is and I decided I'll give it a try. It was worth it. Vampire Academy is one of the best series about vampires and it's one of the best series about everything.

Rose is really kick ass heroine as a lot of people say. Dimitri is, well, Dimitri. And I'm not violent at all, but I just love all fighting scenes. Richelle Mead done a really great, great job.

Mortal Instruments

It really beats the top. The only thing I didn't like about it is... well there is no thing I didn't like. I just love it. It's funny, it's sarcastic, it's full of emotions and I hold my breath every time Jace and Clary were talking or looking at each other.

Hush, hush

Well, there is just something about fallen angels that it's quite interesting to read about them. Sarcasm, for one, and the fact that they had to do something to fall in first place.

The other books I liked

Glass Houses, I Am Number Four, Jekel Loves Hyde, Forbidden, Midnight Sun, Vampire Knight, Shadow Kiss, Before I Fall, Blood Promise, Frostbite, Vampire Academy, Catching Fire, The Hunger Games, Eclipse, Twilight, Breaking Dawn, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Just Listen, The Reckoning, Beastly, City of Glass, City of Ashes, City of Bones, Spirit Bound, Flawless, Pretty Little Liars, The Host, Perfect Chemistry, Hush hush, ...

And there is even more.

First, let me introduce properly.

My name is Niki and I'm 21 years old computer, mathematics and book geek. In that order. I'm a student of mathematics and computer science and in October I'll start my last year on FNM, Maribor. In last years I learned a lot about designing and programming and with help of my boyfriend I manage to create a website about books. It's called Bralnica - in English you could say "reading room" and it's meant for Slovenian readers to find out more about new releases and the books I find interesting.

As I said, it's meant for Slovenian readers and it's written in Slovenian language and that's why I opened this blog.

I'll write in English and I hope I won't make many mistakes. In last year I've read more than 80 books, only in English. It was pretty much YA gender and I know I learned a lot about english, but sometimes I still have problems. I hope you won't be too disappointed about my language and you will find my reviews and posts interesting.

I will focus on book reviews but sometimes I will also show and tell you the projects I'm working on, the stuff I'm interested in and the things I love about my life.

Have fun,
Niki