My Dream Cast: Legend by Marie Lou

Recently, many books that we all know and love are being adapted into movies. It's a very bittersweet experience at first because you never know how the movie will turn out but sometimes the movies become new favourites. I've always been interested in the casting choices as soon as I hear of a new movie coming out since I feel almost like the protective older brother of these book characters. So after many of my favourite books have become movies like The Fault in Our Stars, The Book Thief, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, The Great Gatsby, Divergent etc etc... I have decided to have a little bookish fun and really think about my dream cast for some books that have been optioned to become movies and some that I can imagine as movies! 

Here are a few actors and actresses that I would cast for the lovely and diverse cast of Legend!

June was one of the hardest characters to cast because I have a rough picture in my head of this dark brown haired girl with eyes so dark they're black with glinting golden specks (I would love if that was what my eyes looked like!).  Her head is always held high and her eyes are forever scrutinising and calculating but sometimes a glowing warmth exudes from them. I just feel like she radiates intelligence and strength but a slight wariness too. But one thing that always stands out on her proud and unreadable face (except to maybe Day and Metias!) is the undeniable kindness she can't hide.

Nina Dobrev

I think she could be a great June! I don't watch Vampire Diaries but from all the love fans of the show give her, I imagine her to be a pretty capable actress:) Someone who can show all the complex layers of the Junebug we all admire and root for (eventually;)). And she's got a look which suits June's description and can perhaps make it feel like she's broken out of the book and onto our screen.

Kaya Scodelario

You may know Kaya from Skins or Maze Runner and she also unexpectedly jumped into my mind when I thought of June! She still has many physical similarities with June - maybe not as many as other actresses - but after watching her play Effy Stonem during the first generation of Skins I couldn't help but know her acting would do June justice. Effy always seemed to walk around with a black cloud around her end but it was never overdone - she came off as in control, confident and rebellious but also always loved her older brother (*cough* Who does June love? Her older brother Metias! *cough*) and took care of him when he needed her most. And at the same time she was lost and lonely with a deep sadness ingrained in her - the way Kaya played her with quiet and reluctant smiles or anger subtly exuding from her matches with how I imagine June in the beginning. 

I love Day! I'm pretty sure I swooned from the get-go and never stopped. His determination to survive and keep fighting for what's right, his love for his family, his undeniable connection to June and the way he respects her enough to have her give him a chance but also not be intimidated enough to actually get her to crack a smile. I know he has long and almost Rapunzel-like hair (okay... not that long but you get the idea...;)) but I always pictured him with slightly shorter than shoulder length hair. One of my favourite details about him was his sky-blue, seven seas, soul-searing blue eyes - except one eye is coloured differently to the other but I think that shows what he's been through (eyes are the windows to the soul!) and honestly eyes like that are filled with stories and I want to listen to his stories all day.

Alex Pettyfer

There are so many actors who fulfil the whole blonde hair, blue eyes, lean and muscular thing which Day's got going on but Day's different - he's one of a kind - he's the feeling of daylight breaking out in the sky after a long and lonely night - so I tried my best. 

Do you know how hard it is to choose one picture?:) I chose this one because of the way he looks at her- staring at this picture is like watching someone fall in love for the first time (there's this tenderness, awe, realisation and love in his look which I think mirrors how Day looks at June). I think we all know Alex Pettyfer - ever since Wild Child a little piece of my heart belongs to his characters. He would be my number one choice for Day because I think he'd be able to show everyone how strong, loving and loveable Day is.

Mitch Hewer

Another Skins alum here (that wasn't intentional...)! When I saw this picture and remembered how endearing Mitch was on Skins (and how much everyone swooned for him) I couldn't resist pitching this;) He has this gentleness in his face and untamed blonde hair that I can see cascading down like Day's. He's also got a big grin which suits Day's mission to spread joy with his infectious smile.

When June loved Metias we loved him too. He deserves the Best Brother award for the way he's always looked out for June - and he calls her Junebug which is plain adorable! The whole story is kicked off with June wanting vengeance for his death- she needs it to heal and become whole again... or so she thinks...:P I admired his intelligence and the way he rubs off on June - and as the series goes on we learn more and more about him which was as delightful as chocolate. I envision him with this face that makes you just want to hug him, a slightly cheeky and nerdy smile and as someone who almost seems to have light radiate from them like an angel... yup not easy criteria... This one's not in a particular order!

Matt Lanter

He may not have been exactly how I initially pictured him but then I can't help but think he'd be wonderful! He fulfils all the seemingly impossible criteria doesn't he?<3 He just has this radiance (like a permanent pregnancy glow:P) and friendliness just escapes from his eyes. I think he could play Metias well and Metias would be a huge change from his character on 90210 but I wouldn't typecast him due to his most famous role.

Nicholas Hoult

Whenever I think of flashbacks June would have of her brother - the happy moments - I picture Nicholas Hoult as her smiling, modest and composed brother who you can't help but root for and adore. His acting skills are forever golden in my opinion. He would be able to play Metias the way he deserves to be played- with an air of modest confidence and a melody playing harmoniously around him. 

Lastly...

Willow Shields

She popped into my head when I thought of the determined, frail and protective Tess. I always see her as being very lean because of her life so very delicate in a sense and with big eyes reminiscent of Alexis Bledel or Amanda Seyfried. I think Willow Shields (who played Prim in the Hunger Games) embodies the traits of Tess and can play the girl with the broken heart who becomes stronger and stronger each day.

Thanks so much for reading my looooong post! 

Who would you cast?:)

Waiting on Wednesday: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly longing for and anticipating!

My choice is Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon!

This innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more. 

 My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla. But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly. Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster..

Date of Publication: 1 September 2015

This book sounds like as enticing and unique as a Willy Wonka golden ticket! I've never read about a protagonist who is allergic to the world around her - and I cannot imagine the agony of that condition because it means she has to live trapped most of her life... but you know what they say: love can set you free! Her isolation will make this love story beautifully new and something that I can call new territory for me. One thing, other than the premise and the vibrant eye-candy of a cover, that drew me to this book was the rave reviews about it. When so many book lovers swoon for a book - a book that has the potential to be quirky in an enchanting way, emotional, and shocking -it feels like coming across some hidden treasure just waiting to be loved! I just hope it doesn't disappoint:)

Also doesn't the idea sound reminiscent of Rapunzel? The idea of a girl isolated from society finding love - except a much less romanticised/Disney version;)

Thank you for reading!
What's your Waiting on Wednesday?:)

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Recently Added To My To-Be-Read List

Hi everyone!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely book blog: The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic is books I've recently added to my to-be-read list! There are too many amazing books I want to read but I'll try...

1. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab: Everything about this book makes me want to read it! The wondrous writing and promise that the author brings, the unusual plot infused with magic and one of my favourite cities and the concept of parallel worlds. Normally I'm a complete goody two shoes but in this world I can imagine paying Kell to smuggle me through parallel universes to see the different versions of London:)
   
2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo: Firstly, it's my Leigh Bardugo so how could I say no?;) But then I look at the blurb and I think I actually fall in love with the way it burns with the potential to be a five-star book! I mean a criminal prodigy putting together a dysfunctional gang of outcasts I know we're going to love (maybe some anti-heroes too)!? So darkly delicious;) Also all of Leigh Bardugo's covers seem to be hauntingly and subtly gorgeous!
   
3. The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton: The rave reviews of this book make it seem like reading it leaves the reader left in this bubble of magical and lonely and thought-provoking after-shock - and I want to experience that! The protagonist may have wings but they seem to make her more relatable as she struggles to fit in. I just know this story of twirly and poetic writing is going to break my heart.
   
4. The Pretty App by Katie Sise: I am newly obsessed with apps and a guiltily obsessed with reality TV shows so the combination seems enticing! I'm so intrigued by how this app seems to capture society's obsession with outer beauty because the protagonist is voted one of the prettiest girls in America through the app and whisked off to a competitive reality show. Also the protagonist has a story beyond the surface that could be interesting- and its coupled with a potential romance with a guy named Leo (after the Heroes of Olympus series I love that name so I already love this guy!).
   
5. Jackaby by William Ritter: I'm waiting and waiting for Sherlock to return so when the blurb said "Doctor Who meets Sherlock" I couldn't help but jump in excitement! Its fantasy + paranormal + mystery so I hope it ends up being a book I can't put down because I've been craving a unique mystery with a weird and loveable detective! I hope there's a lot of dark humour and wit and that the main characters, Jackaby and Abigail, have a dynamic and quirky partnership.
   
6. We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach: "Four highschool seniors put their hopes, hearts, and humanity on the line as an asteroid hurtles toward Earth in this contemporary novel." Doesn't that just pull you right in?;) It's such a promising premise! Since the protagonists are in high school I feel like I'll be able to relate to them easily so putting familiar characters in this scary and unfamiliar situation and seeing how it plays out will be fascinating and maybe heartbreaking- definitely thought-provoking because can you imagine the concoction of raw human emotions on what is possibly the last day of earth?
   
7. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: Everything about this story makes me want to read it right away! I haven't read much historical fiction even though I loved history last year but this can be the book that makes me love it even more (*cough* The Book Thief *cough*)! I just want to know what happens when the worlds of Marie-Laure, the blind and beloved girl who lives by the sea, and Werner, an intelligent orphan who wants to escape his choices, collide.
   
8. Red Rising by Pierce Brown: I love a good rebellion (in a book;))! The Reds work hard to make Mars habitable only to discover that it already is- and that the Golds already live on Mars. The friction between social classes, the beginning of a rebellion and a infiltration mission will give readers a book that bubbles with intensity and suspense! 
   
9. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas: Almost done with Heir of Fire (the third installation in the series) so can't wait to get my hands on this one! If you haven't tried this series yet, I definitely recommend it- the elements of magic, cruelty, rebellion, love, friendship and mystery burn so fiercely and irresistibly in this series (in my opinion the second book is where it gets AMAZING:))!
   
10. Winter by Marissa Meyer: Final installations in series can go so wrong (don't even get me started!). But they can also go so right! Fairytale retellings are done beautifully by Marissa Meyer and I honestly cannot imagine how her mind crafted all these strange and mesmerising visions of these old fairytales that somehow work (Cinderella's a cyborg everyone!):) I'm excited to learn more about Winter's character because I just from the blurb I admire her endlessly:)
    

Just making this list makes me fall out of my reading slump so yay!;) Thanks for reading! Link me up to your Top Ten Tuesday list!:)

Waiting on Wednesday: Sweet Temptation & The Rest of Us Just Live Here

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly longing for and anticipating!

Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it. 

Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve. 

Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart. 

 Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him. 

 Author Note: Sweet Temptation will encompass the entire trilogy in a condensed version, beginning with Kai's life before he met Anna, and taking readers through the epilogue of Sweet Reckoning. Sweet Temptation is a companion novel, not meant to be a stand alone story. It will definitely be a richer experience for those who have read the original trilogy.

Date of Publication: 8 September 2015

So this is Book 4 of the Sweet Trilogy by Wendy Higgins?! I did not know this existed... But YAY!

Mind partially blown;)

I may not love this cover but this series has been AMAZING! I loved the character development- I love the layers each character had- that it was so easy to adore and root for them through their crazy, intense, intricate and beautifully-done journey.

Also this one is basically a condensed version of the trilogy in Kaidan Rowe's perspective!

Kaidan Rowe seems like the typical 'bad boy' but really there's so much more to him and in this book we'll get to see him fall in love with Anna (aww!) AND we'll get to experience his conflicted, tormented but lovely thoughts...Wow!

What if you weren’t the Chosen One? What if you’re not the one who’s so often the hero in YA fiction; who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death? What if you were like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again. Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Even if your best friend might just be the God of mountain lions...
Date of Publication: August 27 2015

So I love a book with a Chosen One but I still can't wait to read this book and here are some of the reasons why:

• The concept of this book is fascinatingly unique and truly original! A book where the protagonist is so over heroes, superpowers, villains and all the antics that come along with all of the world he lives in because he just wants to live his normal life? YES PLEASE!
• It's like a contemporary novel set in a fantasy world and I can't wait to see how the two worlds reluctantly, explosively and comically collide.
• I tend to love and admire The Chosen Ones in books- especially when they didn't want to be the Chosen One but are still amazing at saving the world etc;) But I never feel like I'd be the Chosen One in books; in fact, I think I'd be a bit of a Mikey - an ordinary teenager in an extraordinary world.
• It's Patrick Ness and I've heard the best things about him and so need to read one of his books ASAP!
• There also seems to be some romance (Henna and Mikey) and I have to admit that I adore a bit or a lot of romance in my books:)
• The cover. Simple. Reminiscent of an elegant graphic novel. Sneakily striking.

Can I please have these books now? Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Try to resist his "pretty please" eyes!

What books are you excited about? 

Thanks for reading:)

2 Mini Reviews: These Broken Stars & Amy and Roger's Epic Detour

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. 

Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. 

Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. 

But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

I read both these books last summer so it's been a while but they've always stood out in my memory as amazing so I thought it's time I review them as I still need to finish the book I'm reading right now!

Cover: Isn't it absolutely gorgeous?

Stars + Two star-crossed lovers trying to hold on to each other + a beautiful silky dress with a seemingly endless train = 

Luckily, the beauty of the story matches the beauty of the cover!

Characters:  Such richly built characters!

  Lilac LaRoux: Tarver goes from rags to riches in terms of status (but not wealth) before the beginning of the book but with Lilac I would also say she goes from rags to riches in terms of strength of character;) 

This is our introduction to Lilac through Tarver's eyes:

What I liked most about her: 

• She begins as a character with so much potential-  she just wants to escape her life because she wants to love who she wants, talk to who she wants and have some privacy (similar to the problems of a celebrity;)).
• All these small moments of connecting with her finally create this feeling of understanding the true Lilac. 
• She redefines herself: initially she reduced herself to heir to the LaRoux empire or the media's darling but later she is finally free to define herself by her own abilities, feelings and inner strength.

There's just one tiny problem...: Sometimes she annoyed me because she basically scowls and complains for half the book (but we see her motivation in her perspective and she remains a sympathetic character through it all!) and I didn't understand why she had to constantly make herself dislike Tarver so much!

Tarver Merendsen:  

We start of with his perspective (there are alternating perspectives which is carried out flawlessly! We even get little glimpses into the future through an interview that starts off every chapter) and he drew me into the story with his deliciously snarky words and quietly beautiful opinions.

What I liked most about him: 

• He's a book lover! Yay!
  
• He's so sarcastic! I swear his words drip with sarcasm sometimes and I catch myself with a little smirk on my face while reading them:)
• He's truly humble. He attributes his success to external factors rather than to his own hard work.
• He's a fighter- but he fights from the heart and with compassion, bravery, resourcefulness and intelligence as his sword.

There's so much that we learn about Tarver! He has so many cracks on his heart that I loved him even more for how brave he was throughout the whole thing. I love him!

Romance:

Lyrics of Enchanted by Taylor Swift
This part reminds me so much of when Lilac and Tarver first meet

If you like hate to love romances then this is one for you because at first there is so much awkward and forced animosity between them which eventually grows into something a lot more lovely and sweet.

Their characters complemented each other really well because they were strong as individuals but brought out the best in each other and were able to deal with a lot of issues/problems, that had always plagued them, together.

I do wish that we saw their love grow from shy but passionate love into intense and "I would die for you" love a bit more slowly but that's a small complaint:)

Plot: This book is perfect way to get into sci-fi YA! I never felt lost or like a fish out of water while journeying through its twists and turns because the descriptions painted a clear and vivid world (some of the most mesmerising and flowing descriptions of setting I've ever read). The survival aspect of this book was interlaced with emotional growth of the characters and let us see how truly scared they were (because who wouldn't be scared if they're isolated on an unknown land and their home just crashed and burned?) and so I enjoyed it! It didn't just stick to the usual path of purely methodical survival because they were interacting with a whole new world.

There are two major twists and I personally adored both of them because I did not see either coming! One of them really spotlights character development while the other is one that should make a sci-fi lover proud because it explains everything through this fantastical world and its creatures.

Writing: One word: Spellbinding!

Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

This book made me feel so much! It's not just a light and purely fluffy read and yet it's so sweet and cuddly!

Me after reading this:

This is the kind of book you just want to hug after reading it because it's sugary sweet but packs an emotional punch!

Amy is a character who you can't help but root for the whole way through:) She is dealing with a lot because her dad recently passed away and she feels guilty. She feels heartbroken. She feels lost.

All she wants to do is recapture who she used to be before the car accident ruined her life- but she can't. To make it worse, she feels alone. Her mom never seems to be there and her twin brother (younger by 3 minutes) is off in rehab after his father's death lead to him abusing drugs out of sorrow.

Her mom decided that they would all move to Connecticut to get away from all the memories that haunted them. She went on this road trip to reach Connecticut for a fresh start but instead found one during her road trip with Roger- because of Roger.

I love Roger! He's a guy with a golden heart. He's so wonderful it's like he's made of rainbows;)

Pretty on the outside and inside!

Their relationship is so real! The slow journey from awkward strangers with shy smiles to friends who can play Twenty Questions and write haikus together and take spontaneous detours to see bears in Yosemite and eat cheesesteak and wear giant socks 'borrowed' from Walmart to run and slide on the gleaming floors of an empty Walmart and eat way too much fast food (so much fun randomness they get up to!) to two people who realize that a simple hug from the other means more than the world sometimes. And the moment they finally realize how right they are for each other had me cheering, swooning and smiling;)

Normally when two characters meet for the first time in books there are barely any awkward silences; in fact, they are more than witty from the first "hello," but not in this lovely book. Every relationship in this book was crafted with a delicate and skilled hand! We meet a whole variety of characters from Bronwyn: the weirdly wise and friendly fashionista, Leonard: the sweet video-game addict with a cool 'Call Me Kevin' t-shirt to Hadley: the girl Roger can't let go of.

Both Amy and Roger have quests of their own. I don't want to go too into detail but just know the way they're there for each other is magic (real magic which we can all find:)). There's this scene which just made me stop for a second and appreciate what an impact someone can have on your life!

Another thing that I loved about this book was that we get to go on the road trip with them too because there are scrapbook pages, restaurant receipts, playlists and little sketches scattered like delightful treats all over this book!

So my reviews weren't as mini as I thought they would be...;)

Both books, of course, get a...

Thanks for reading!