Tag Archives: Romance

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Captured by Erica Stevens (review by Anushka D. ’15)

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Captured (The Captive, #1)Captured by Erica Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Aria, daughter of the head of the human resistance, is captured by members of the vampire race, she hopes for a quick death. Just as she is about to be sold to a malicious vampire, however, a member of the ruling class claims her for himself. Although she is curious as to his reason — he has no need for a blood slave — Aria is determined to hate him for the destruction his race has caused and for his princely title. But as he opens up to her and reveals a side that she never believed could exist in a vampire, she cannot help but fall for him even as she struggles to maintain her identity as a member of the resistance. Captured takes on a typical plotline: Human girl and vampire boy fall in love. While building a strong romance, Stevens maintains a focused, fresh and surprisingly interesting story line and fully develops her characters. Readers looking for a twist on the clichéd human-vampire love tragedy will enjoy Captured and will likely be hooked to follow up quickly with the second in Stevens’ series, Renegade. – Anushka D. ’15

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Frostbite by Richelle Mead (review by Tiffany Z. ’17)

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Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2)Frostbite by Richelle Mead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The second book in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, Frostbite continues Rose Hathaway’s adventures with her best friend, the Moroi princess Lissa Dragomir. Mead introduces many fresh new characters and revisits old ones in a different light. The constant threat of a mass encounter with the evil Strigoi heightens suspense, and in fact, the novel culminates in a dramatic, definitive battle that leaves readers curious for what will come next in the series. Although there is less action than in the first book, Mead tells the story with the usual wit and precision. What lacks in physical conflict is wholly made up with intriguing complications in relationships, especially a romantic one between Rose and her mentor Dimitri Belikov. The significance of the relationship between Rose and her mother, however, is less clear. Also, many less significant events receive unwarranted attention. Overall, Frostbite assumes the role of a bridge to further titles and simultaneously delivers the excitement and vivid storytelling of a centerpiece of the series. – Tiffany Z. ‘17

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Camille by Alexandre Dumas-fils (review by Meilan S. ’17)

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CamilleCamille by Alexandre Dumas-fils
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Camille, by Alexandre Dumas Jr., is a perfectly fine book. It follows the story of love between a young nobleman, Armand Duval, and a “lady of the city,” Marguerite Gautier. At first Gautier is cold and refuses Duval’s advances, but she quickly opens up to him and falls in love. Although the novel is lush with descriptions of 19th century Paris and makes some valid observations on society, it is emotionally lacking. This is especially disappointing given the potential storyline. Unfortunately, the book, like a glass of warm milk, is nice and nothing more. Parts are told too quickly or in a style that makes some events seem unbelievable and the characters unsympathetic, especially Duval who seems like a flat caricature. By the end of the book, I found myself not caring all too much about Marguerite and Duval. It has several redeeming qualities like plot and theme, however, so it makes a good read, though not a fantastic one. – Meilan S. ’17

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The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (review by Samyu Y. ’15)

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The Luxe (Luxe, #1)The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The year is 1899, and the place is New York City. A glimpse of satin, silk, taffeta, or lace is visible around every corner of each gilded mansion, and fine carriages dominate the roads where the wealthy live. Gossip follows every eligible young person like a cloud – a cloud that others are only too delighted to darken. Illicit affairs, social impropriety, and scandal are the entertainment of the day. In this world, the Holland family works to elevate two daughters to perfection: Elizabeth, seemingly pious but secretly defiant, and Diana, an outward rebel but romantic at heart. Godbersen’s language weaves its way elegantly around thwarted romances, atrocious rumors, and secret abhorrence to reveal the unhappily tangled lives of the 1900 New York elite. A light read, this first novel of the Luxe series is expressed in pretty but unremarkable writing — though the description of the dresses and the parties is extravagant. Readers of Gossip Girl and The Clique series or watchers of Pretty Little Liars will be swept away in this bracingly different version of catty cliques and damsels in distress. – Samyu Y. ‘15

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Divergent by Veronica Roth (review by Anushka D. ’15)

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Divergent (Divergent, #1)Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Imagine a dystopia in which everyone at the age of 16 must choose one of five factions: Dauntless, Amity, Abnegation, Candor, or Erudite. Created at first to balance and seam together society, the system soon threatens to fall apart because of greed and corruption. Veronica Roth frames the story through the eyes of Beatrice Prior, a girl who must choose her faction and deal with the decaying structure of her world. Beatrice captures the hearts of readers easily; she is incredibly brave, selfless, and intelligent. While the book presents a wonderfully unique and fascinating society that is struggling to keep itself upright, it also ensnares readers through the battles Beatrice fights with herself, her family, her friends, and the boy she grows to love. Divergent is beautifully written and extremely hard to put down. I am definitely looking forward to its sequel: Insurgent. Recommended for fans of The Hunger Games. –Anushka D. ‘15

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Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (review by Tiffany Z. ’17)

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Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1)Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead is the first book in a series that explores the life of Rose Hathaway, the guardian and loyal friend of royal vampire princess Lissa Dragomir. Rose and Lissa are just returning from an escape from their school for vampires, St. Vladimir’s Academy. Upon arriving, however, they face not only trouble with the school clique but also potential boyfriend problems. The conflicts heighten when Rose falls in love with her mentor Dimitri Belikov and discovers dangerous secrets about Lissa’s powers. Finally, the friends are suddenly faced with imminent danger from the evil Strigoi. The plotline is intriguing; circumstances and events flow together seamlessly, and characters are depicted fairly realistically, though near the end loose plot ends are tied up very hastily. Some elements of the book are bland or predictable. However Vampire Academy is a thrilling friendship drama and romance combined with plenty of action, and this first installment promises an exciting series. – Tiffany Z. ‘17

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A Countess Below the Stairs by Eva Ibbotson (review by Sophia S. ’15)

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A Countess Below StairsA Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Although Eva Ibbotson’s matter-of-fact writing takes some getting used to, I wish more authors would adopt her unique style of frank writing. The narrator’s humor is understated – not unlike a terribly funny joke delivered with a poker face. A Countess Below the Stairs delves into a servant’s world in the early 1900’s and revolves around Anna, an impoverished Russian countess posing as a housemaid in household of an engaged English earl. Unsurprisingly, the earl and the countess fall in love. In the meantime, the inhabitants of Mersham Manor discover that the earl’s fiancée’s glamor is only skin deep. The gem of the book is the delightfully wicked plan a determined butler concocts to drive the shallow woman away. Although the plot is captivating, the romance is not. Anna and Rupert’s love blooms from so astonishingly few meaningful encounters as to render it unreal. While it’s unlikely Ibbotson’s title will resonate for long, readers will enjoy the story. – Sophia S. ‘15

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Fire by Kristine Cashore (review by Anushka D. ’15)

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Fire (Graceling Realm, #2)Fire by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first picked up Fire, I was expecting a typical story dealing with a girl with magical powers who is suddenly embroiled in an action-packed plot to fight evil with a gorgeous male by her side. However, although the book does feature a girl with magical mind-reading powers, Cashore manages to create a wonderful and unique fantasy world of her own full of princes, dragons, and magic. In the land of Dells, Fire, a monster in the shape of a beautiful woman, is forced to face hatred and jealousy because of her supernatural abilities. When asked to help the king defeat his enemies, Fire must face her fears and prove herself, not as a monster, but as a human. The plot grasps the reader with its innovative and emotional personality, and the characters each find their own space in the reader’s hearts. Although there is a gorgeous male, Cashore sprinkles in just the right amount of romance to keep the readers entertained. This book is a companion book to Cashore’s debut novel, Graceling, and definitely a worthy sequel. Fans of fantasy, magic, and mystery will enjoy both books! – Anushka D. ‘15

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Altered by Jennifer Rush (review by Sophia S. ’15)

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Altered (Altered, #1)Altered by Jennifer Rush
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The plot of a romance between genetically enhanced, mentally and physically, super-human boy and a girl whose memories have been altered without her knowledge vs. the secret organization that experiments medically on human subjects has so much potential, but this book simply does not measure up. I understand what the author is trying to accomplish in the scenes where characters discover hidden truths about their lives, truths that impact their views of their place in the world, but as a reader, I am unaffected. This book also is unsuccessful in the romance department. The subtleties between the protagonists are so understated and nuanced as to be negligible. The style is similar yet inferior to Lauren Kate’s writing. All in all, not recommend except for fans devoted to supernatural romance. – Sophia S. ‘15

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Slammed by Colleen Hoover (review by Anushka D. ’15)

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Slammed (Slammed, #1)Slammed by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although Slammed begins with the cliché love tragedy between teacher and student, the plot quickly unravels itself to reveal an intriguing and efficacious twist of broken hearts, beautiful poetry, and tear-jerking misfortunes. While interesting, at times the story becomes a bit too chaotic: the main characters are both too lucky and unlucky at the same time, and the story a bit too whimsical. The poetry Hoover infuses into the book is, however, inspiring, and poignant, and effectively grounds the rather overwhelming plotline. The romance is uplifting and the ending, a neatly tied bow. Although I am not ready to experience the turmoil of the sequel, it is sure to be just as emotional and stimulating as this tumultuous start! Readers looking for both laughs and tears will be rewarded. – Anushka D. ’15

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