After the terrorist witch coven known as Moonset was destroyed fifteen years ago—during a secret war against the witch Congress—five children were left behind, saddled with a legacy of darkness. Sixteen-year-old Justin Daggett, son of a powerful Moonset warlock, has been raised alongside the other orphans by the witch Congress, who fear the children will one day continue the destruction their parents started.

A deadly assault by a wraith, claiming to work for Moonset’s most dangerous disciple, Cullen Bridger, forces the five teens to be evacuated to Carrow Mill. But when dark magic wreaks havoc in their new hometown, Justin and his siblings are immediately suspected. Justin sets out to discover if someone is trying to frame the Moonset orphans . . . or if Bridger has finally come out of hiding to reclaim the legacy of Moonset. He learns there are secrets in Carrow Mill connected to Moonset’s origins, and keeping the orphans safe isn’t the only reason the Congress relocated them . . . (from Goodreads)

Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

Granted, Moonset does not have witches of the kind in Macbeth. But this line came to mind unbidden when I was thinking about the book. Readers won’t find any cauldrons here, but there’s fire and toil, and there’s definitely trouble – all of it centered on the magical legacy left to five teenagers by their parents. Intrigued? I certainly was… and I’m pleased to report that I really enjoyed Moonset! The characters were a bit flat, but the story completely offsets that by being really addicting – so much so that I finished the entire thing in one sitting.

The book shares the story of five teenagers – Justin, Jenna, Malcolm, Cole and Bailey – who are all children of the witches/warlocks who made up the coven of Moonset. Being a part of a coven is technically normal in witch world. But to be associated with Moonset is a scandal, as they’re known as the terrorist coven that used dark magic for their abominable acts. It’s a lot for them to deal with, especially as it leads to being ostracized, feared, and attacked.

The novel follows Justin Daggett, who has two important roles as part of the Moonset coven’s legacy: the peacemaker and the leader. He irons out all the conflicts, and tries to take care of all his siblings (older and younger). He basically is the best representative for Moonset. The variety of problems he faces as a witch, as a teenage boy and as a sibling makes for an interesting mix. I didn’t connect completely with his character, though I certainly sympathized with a lot of what he went through.

What slightly disappointed me about this book, apart from my lack of connection with Justin, was how the characters just didn’t completely pop off the page for me. Justin’s siblings, for instance, are present, but not nearly enough for my tastes. We catch glimpses of them here and there, and get to know them on a surface level. Hopefully, as this is a series, we’ll get an opportunity to get to know them more intimately as the series progresses.

The story, really, is what blew me away about Moonset. Scott Tracey managed to come up with a completely believable set of facts about witches, their history and the world. Through little snippets at the beginning of each chapter, we learn about the coven of Moonset, their actions and what the impact of those actions was. Not only was the history fascinating (and very well-presented), it was also cool that he managed to integrate the current politics of the witch world into the story as well.

There are a few things going on in this book, but the main thing can be broken down into two parts. First, there’s a warlock loose in the town of Carrow Mill and he’s coming after the Moonset kids to recruit them into a second Moonset terrorist coven. This, in itself, is already a terrifying idea, especially when you have to watch the group fight hard against the darkness that threatens to overwhelm them.

Second, there’s the mystery surrounding the history of Moonset and how they began and ended. Justin embarks on a pretty intense, confusing journey to discover new facts, but I thought overall that the reveals were done really well. There’s still a lot we don’t know, of course, but what we do discover by the end is enough to whet my appetite.

I really enjoyed Moonset, even though I wish I could have connected with the characters more. It’s a strong start for the Legacy of Moonset series, with a world that’s unique and nicely executed. I’m very curious about the next adventure that the (new) coven of Moonset finds themselves involved with, and I’m crossing my fingers that we follow the narration of a different character (though there’s nothing wrong with Justin, of course). If witches and strong world-building is your thing, I’d definitely suggest giving Moonset a try.

First of all, I can't believe I didn't post a retrospective for March! It makes me sad (since I'm a teensy bit OCD about stuff like that, and I'm disappointed I failed). But, since this is my blog and I can do whatever I want - I'm doing a double retrospective for March & April today!

March was a month that blew hot and cold for me. There was a mix of wonderful and awful things going on during that time, and I was super homesick for the Philippines and family and friends. It ended on a high note though, since the Teen Author Festival happened towards the end of the month and I got to hang out with awesome people.

April, on the other hand, was a total treat! This, of course, is in spite of the awful back-and-forth weather and the battalion of pollen that has just now arrived. I enjoyed a few author events, hung out with a lot of friends and generally just felt more positive about life. There are a few more big things in the works, but I'm feeling hopeful and excited.

Okay, so since this is a double retrospective, please see my top 5 for March + April. March's top 5 is located on the top of this collage, while April is on the bottom.

Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home ... or so he believes. Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been taken roughly and lovingly in hand by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper with a warrior's discipline. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds in its surreal royal court. Soon he must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad princess in this barren and mysterious place. It is in Charyn that he will discover there is a song sleeping in his blood ... and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen. (from Goodreads)

Don't you love it when the second book in a series you've started is even better than the first one? That happened for me with Froi of the Exiles, the second book of The Lumatere Chronicles. It certainly has something to do with the fact that I was already invested in the characters and their world after reading Finnikin of the Rock. But, more than that, it was the fact that the novel boasted an epic adventure that I had the hardest time putting down for breaks.

Right off the bat, I was pleased with the fact that it is a story we experience through Froi's eyes. His character was very fascinating in the first book, and his story just furthered my appreciation for him. There were still a few qualities that remained from when he first appears in Finnikin, such as his temper and his impulsiveness. However, thanks to his life in Lumatere, he possesses a bit more maturity, control and discipline when it comes to his actions. His loyalty to his king, queen and the guard was unparalleled, and the fact that he really persisted in keeping his bond was testament to that. What really got to me in this book though, was the fact that Froi demonstrated quite a bit of compassion and unselfishness, even when it came to the Charynites.

I won't say too much about Quintana here, as I'm sure I'll have more to talk about after I read the third book. But she struck me as a strange, complex, cursed character. It was really confusing to first meet her, but upon learning more about her and her situation, my heart just really went out to her. That's quite a burden for anyone to have to deal with, and I'm dying to see how it all plays out.

As with Finnikin, the secondary characters also get a chance to shine. While it was a pleasure to revisit Isaboe, Finnikin, Tesadora, Perri, Beatriss and Trevanion, my favorite characters from this time around were Lucian and Phaedra. They begin the book completely misunderstanding each other, but to watch how their relationship develops over time was pretty wonderful and heartbreaking.

While I loved the characters, the story was definitely the reason I gave this one a 5 star rating on Goodreads. Unlike Finnikin, it was jam-packed with action, reflection and interactions and I loved that. The story is intense, fraught with revelations that made me drop my jaw and moments that had me holding my breath. While we mostly follow Froi's experience in Charyn, we're also given little glimpses of the others: Finnikin, Isaboe dealing with things in Lumatere, Beatriss dealing with the problems of her people and Lucian dealing with the Monts and the Charynites seeking refuge. Though this could have potentially been confusing, it was  easy to follow and not lose track of the story for each character.

I got so swept up in the story that the ending of Froi of the Exiles nearly killed me with how much of a cliffhanger it is. Unlike Finnikin, which felt resolved at the end, there was still a lot hanging in the balance at the ending of this book. I can't imagine how it must have felt for the people who read this when it first came out and had to wait for Quintana because just the idea of having to wait makes me squirm. There are so many unanswered questions - and I'm so glad that I don't have to wait since Quintana is releasing in the USA today!

Froi of the Exiles was obviously an excellent follow-up to Finnikin of the Rock. I loved it a whole lot, especially because it was reminiscent of fantasies I've read and loved before. I loved getting to know the characters from Finnikin a lot better, as well as meeting the new characters. I loved exploring Charyn, which sounds like a place that's foreign and strange and very, very interesting. I loved, most of all, the twists and turns of this story and how Marchetta seems to have carefully fixed everything into place  for this tale. This is such a wonderful fantasy novel, and I'm eager and nervous to read Quintana of Charyn.

(If you're a fantasy lover and haven't started this series yet, please do. And if you've started it, but haven't read Froi of the Exiles, please do. Based on my gushing in this review, I'm sure you can tell that I'd totally recommend this series.)

While I did enjoy doing A Sunday Retrospective, I've made the decision to stop posting on the weekends. I rarely open up my laptop during that time, and I'd prefer to keep it that way. The only thing that made me really sad was the fact that I would no longer have an outlet to share my favorite links from the past week. I mourned that for all of ten seconds before realizing that I could just start a new feature - and so, The Monday Mix was born.

The Monday Mix basically gives me the opportunity to share with all of you the links I loved online from last week, everything from reviews to articles about writing and perhaps other things too. I've always valued the opportunity to share the great things I've read or seen, and this is my way to share the love.

Today, I'm going to be getting a bit personal. 

After all, it's a special occasion - Macky is celebrating his birthday today!

Since I can't be with him in person (as I'm in NY and he's in Manila), I'm dedicating this post to him.

Macky and I have been together for 7 years and 4 months. This is a spectacular accomplishment for us both, especially because we've been dealing with being in a Long Distance Relationship (LDR) for 2 years and 10 months (and counting). There have been countless moments of joy, of sorrow, of anger, of drama - but every single one was worth it. Our relationship is one of the best parts of my life, and I love the stability and strength that it possesses. We're currently in the middle of plans and details for our September church wedding, which is being held in Bacolod (my hometown in the Philippines).

Quite simply, Macky happens to be the one for me, the love of my life. It almost feels like he was made just for me, as he possesses many of the qualities I wanted in a partner. These are things like loyalty and affection, respect and trust, honesty and faithfulness, humor and kindness, and many more. We even have a running joke that he meets all my requirements for the perfect husband - except that he doesn't quite know how to do laundry (though he's willing to learn!). 

I happen to love him with all of my heart. It absolutely thrills me that I get to spend the rest of my life learning, growing and loving with this amazing, wonderful man. 

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I do love writing personal posts and sharing parts of my life with you. I love it even more when there's something that ties them in with my love of reading and writing. This post is no exception.

One of the things that Macky and I share is a deep, deep love of stories. We both enjoy reading, though I read far more than he does. He's picky about what he chooses to read, but he loves the books he loves with an intensity that far surpasses even my craziest fangirling moments. I, on the other hand, devour books like there is no tomorrow - mostly because I love getting lost in stories and worlds and characters. 

[One thing we absolutely agree on: Harry Potter - books and films - is amazing.]

One of the best things about this mutual love is that he gets it. He understands when I tell him I am sobbing over something that happened to a beloved character in a book. He understands when I tell him that reading kept me up until 5AM because I just couldn't put the book down. He understands when I get completely lost in a book and forget to do other things or pay attention to my phone. He's that guy who will make me tea or bring me snacks and just keep me company (silently, possibly reading his own book) when I'm in the middle of a book I love.

He's also incredibly supportive when it comes to the book blog, both in terms of promoting the darned thing to his friends (which always makes me feel shy!) and in terms of contributing to the blog (and you should look out for more posts from him!). And he's my number one supporter/critic when it comes to my writing.

So yes, I'm incredibly lucky to have this incredible, supportive man in my life - and that I get to have him forever.  

Happy birthday, my love. 

I love you, always and forever Macky.

It will come as no surprise that I am a binge reader. Reading is certainly a part of my daily routine, especially during my 45 minute commute in and out of Manhattan. But what I really live for are my "reading days". Those are the days when I dress in the comfiest, stay at home clothes, prepare a warm blanket and cup of tea or cocoa or coffee and choose a pile of books that I can read and devour at my leisure. Sometimes, I plan out these awesome days of reading. Sometimes, they fall into my lap unbidden, like when I'm down with a mysterious ailment. But whenever they do happen, you can bet that I'll end the day with at least 2 books read in their entirety.

I've become a homebody who stays in on Saturdays lately. This is due to a mix of laziness, inclement weather, a lack of funds and illness (which was just last weekend). This is very good indeed for my binge reading tendencies, and so, I've knocked out quite a few books over the course of the past few weeks.

However, I picked up on something odd in my binge reading. It was odd enough to get me thinking about it long and hard, and analyzing the whys behind it for a couple of days prior to this post. Even though it might be a little random to some, I thought it was strange since I normally, next to never do this.

I have been series binge reading.

So not only have I been binge reading in general, I've been focusing on book series and not just standalone books. I've managed to finish a couple of series I'd started a year or two before [The Forest of Hands and Teeth series by Carrie Ryan and the Summer series by Jenny Han], finish a series I started this year [the Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand], start and finish a new series [the Perfect Chemistry series by Simone Elkeles] and am in the middle of one more series [The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta]. Heck, you can probably even throw in the first book of a series that I'm participating in a read-along for [A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin].

When I realized I'd subconsciously been reaching for all my series books lately, I had to ask myself why. I've come up with a few possible reasons* for this phenomenon:

Honestly though, the reason is really simple and nothing all too special: I'm a touch quirky about being organized with my reading.

Subconsciously, I had already put my mind to finishing a few series this year. Add to that some challenge and read-along goals, and obviously, I had made myself a list even before I recognized the fact. I also like reading things in order, and I'm advocating reading the books that are currently threatening to make my shelf collapse... All these things added up into an answer that told my brain subconsciously that I must read all the series (which I have, and then some).

There really is no point to this post other than to celebrate the phenomenon of me reading five series back to back over the past few weeks. I thought that was pretty neat, really.

So tell me - Do you ever series binge read? Or are you more likely to binge read stand-alone books? What are your favorite series that you've been reading lately and that you think I MUST pick up and read soon?

In case you were interested, here are the links to the first books in the series I mentioned above:

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan || Review

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han || Review

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand || Review

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta || Review

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

(There's also a great post by my friend Gillian debating series versus standalone books. Check it out!)

* The three reasons are all song titles. I just felt like it, so roll with me!

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world. (from Goodreads)

When I finished Strands of Bronze and Gold, I sincerely thought I did not like this book. But after a couple of days had passed, I realized that I couldn't simply dismiss this book as something I didn't like. Yes, it was very creepy. Yes, it made me uncomfortable. Yes, there were elements to it that totally disturbed me. Thing is, that is the way that this book is supposed to read. While it's certainly not a favorite, it certainly had me caught up in the story and curious to see how it would all end.

I really like the way this book is written. I enjoyed Nickerson's writing quite a bit, especially when she would describe the setting. While there were definitely fantastic elements to it, it was mostly realistic. I felt the authenticity, and enjoyed imagining what the abbey and the surrounding grounds looked like. I also liked the isolation of the setting, and thought that it contributed to the creepy, trapped feeling the novel gave me.

As far as story goes, it was a lot creepier than I had expected it to be. Technically, this is my fault for not doing my research and checking out the fairy tale that it's based on (which is horrific, by the way). But, since I had no prior warning, I was really caught up in the twists and turns and odd moments. I had a feeling it was going to be a bit of a train wreck to read about, but I didn't realize how intensely awful and scary things were going to get. Nickerson did a commendable job with the spooky atmosphere and the pacing of her story; both were key in my horrified fascination with what would happen to Sophia.

Oh, and then there's Sophia. I cared very little for her character. At the beginning of the book, I thought her silly and gullible, her head easily turned by the wonder and splendor of her surroundings and the gifts her uncle gives her. I also had issues with how indecisive and passive she could be, even when she felt like something was wrong or unfair or needed to be acted upon. It was good to watch as she realizes that it is up to her to take action and make the most of her situation. She became clever and interesting the more agency she demonstrated, and I enjoyed seeing her figure out how to work around her uncle's mood swings and rules. Eventually, she does do a few things that I can applaud her for.

Obviously, I cannot write this review without mentioning Sophia's godfather, Bernard de Cressac, who is the Bluebeard character of this story. He is, without a doubt, a creepy, twisted man. It fascinated me to hear about his travel adventures and to see his occasional kindness to other people. But from the very start, he disturbed me a great deal. It was not just the temper tantrums or the abrupt changes in mood; it was something about the way he interacted with Sophia. Just thinking about it makes me tense up with discomfort. The fact is that Nickerson was able to write his character in a way that had me very disturbed yet fascinated - and that's pretty great.

Strands of Bronze and Gold is actually a really strong debut novel. While I don't think I would revisit it (mostly because I'm a scaredy cat and it made me very uncomfortable), my experience reading it was an interesting one. It is a compelling "train wreck" type story (where you know something bad will happen but you just can't look away), and I thought the writing was very atmospheric and wonderful. I don't think everyone will appreciate it as much as I have, but I do think fans of fairy tales retold and gothic stories will probably want to give it a try.

For Grace Parker, surfing is all about the ride and the moment. Everything else disappears. She can forget that her best friend, Ford Watson, has a crush on her that she can’t reciprocate. She can forget how badly she wants to get a surf scholarship to UC San Diego. She can forget the pressure of her parents’ impossibly high expectations.

When Ford enters Grace into a surf competition—the only way she can impress the UCSD surfing scouts—she has one summer to train and prepare. Will she gain everything she’s ever wanted or lose the only things that ever mattered? (from Goodreads)

There are so many reasons why Riptide could have been a book I fell head over heels in love with. It's about a girl who surfs, and surfing has always been a sport that fascinates me. The girl appears to be experiencing the problems of a typical teen - dealing with her parents, chasing her dreams, falling in love. While Riptide's story includes all of these things, the execution simply fell flat for me and I finished feeling slightly disappointed in what I'd just read.

What I Liked

Surfing was a big part of the novel. Like I already mentioned, I love surfing (even though I think I'm too much of a chicken to try it myself). The way that the sport is woven into the novel as part of Grace's life is really well-done, and it's so clear that Grace is dedicated to the sport that she loves. The best parts for me, however, were the descriptions of what it was like for Grace when she was surfing; it made me feel like I was right on the board along with her.

Grace's determination to follow her dreams was admirable. There's a lot of opposition in Grace's life when it comes to her dreams of surfing, particularly from her parents. I really admire the fact that she persisted in doing what she wanted to do, what she knew she loved, in spite of everything.At the start, she was pretty hesitant to disobey them, but that just held her back. It was nice to see her finally fighting for what she wanted, instead of going along with what they wanted from her.

Ford (and his parents). Ford's story is actually told in bits and pieces here and there, since the POV shifts from Grace to him for some chapters. He was really intriguing, especially with his interest in immigration law and helping people he knew. I would have loved to read more about this particular part of the story. (Also, his parents are included because they are basically warm and wonderful, especially his mother.)

What I Didn't Like

There are so many different things going on all at once. There's Grace's quest to enter and place in the surf competition. There's the matter of Grace's issues with her father. Grace's issues with her mother. Ford's dealing with something in his past that haunts him. Ford's internship at the firm where Grace's father works. Ford and Grace's friendship-more than friends dance. Other romantic interests. I mean, if these things had been properly woven together, I feel like I might have enjoyed the story more. But I felt like it was pretty scattered and all over the place, especially since a lot of them were either too easily concluded or never concluded at all.

The multiple point-of-views didn't work. While I enjoyed reading from Ford's perspective, I wish it had been fleshed out more. There definitely wasn't an equal balance to the book, as it was primarily about Grace. Ford's parts ended up being very sporadic and jarring and just out of place to me.

Grace has the worst parents. I absolutely hated Grace's parents. Sure, they had little moments where I started to soften towards them, but in the end, they were simply horrible people. Her father's behavior was just nuts, but it was her mother who I hated even more as the book ended.

The romance. You know, to me, if they'd just both been honest with each other from the start, they could have avoided all the potholes in their budding relationship. I suppose that was going to add another dimension to Grace's situation, but it seriously backfired for this reader.

I really wanted to like Riptide more than I did, but it inevitably was a book that disappointed me. I couldn't connect with the characters to the level where I truly cared about what became of them. The story had too many plot threads, and the execution just didn't work when it came to weaving them together. While it had a lot of potential, Riptide was essentially a novel that I was disappointed in.

Andi Alpers is dealing with a lot of things, but they all stem from just one - the death of her brother Truman. When he discovers that she's nearly going to be expelled, her father whisks her off to accompany him on a trip to Paris. 

Alexandrine Paradis dreamed of becoming of the greats on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her into the role of her life - and one she couldn't escape. 

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine's diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There's comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal's antique pages - until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine's words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present. (adapted from book flap)

The appeal of historical fiction lies in the author’s ability to give readers an alternative look at history, and Revolution certainly does that. Donnelly takes the experiences of two different teenage girls – Andi, who lives in the modern world, and Alexandrine, who was alive during the French Revolution – and somehow manages to weave them seamlessly together. There’s a satisfying combination of historical facts and fictional imaginings to be had, and the book simply awed me with its beautiful prose. Though it might be hard to get into at the start, the book is fantastic and I’d highly recommend it as a prime example of historical fiction in YA.

Andi Alpers has a lot to deal with: her mother’s spiral into depression, her father’s non-participation in her life, her requirements for school, the classmates she’s forced to face every single day at her exclusive school. But the one thing that overshadows them all is the death of her little brother Truman – an event that’s left Andi feeling guilty, depressed and contemplating more than once about ending her own life (and having a few close calls). She’s suffering from severe emotional trauma, and that makes her prickly and obnoxious and a bit self-centered.

But the longer we read about Andi, we learn more about her: her passion for music, her love for her family, her intelligence and odd sense of humor. Readers realize that she’s put up a wall against any emotions in order to prevent herself from feeling the pain and the guilt – and that’s when I began to form a connection with her. She might not be the easiest main character to like, but she’s certainly one that readers will warm up to and certainly sympathize with.

I was definitely able to connect with Alexandrine. Even though we only really learn of her through the entries in her diary, she felt like a real person. Her story began simply enough, with her as the underdog fighting for a way to help feed her family. But as she began to rise up in her own life, she had to go through so many different things. Her story is fascinating, almost as much as it is heartbreaking, and I fell in love with her bravery, loyalty and intelligence. Donnelly did an incredible job bringing her to life, and I do like that she took the time to do so.

Donnelly writes both these stories with a deft hand. There’s enough detail in the lives of both girls for me to really be invested in discovering what they’d do. I was fascinated in seeing how parts of Alex’s story seemed to evoke certain emotions and reactions from Andi, and Donnelly was clever enough to keep both stories going on simultaneously.

Various tidbits about the French Revolution were inserted into the novel, which were done in a way that offered a fresh perspective (from Alex). While it’s obviously important to know the facts about it, it’s also interesting to read a fictional account of what it might have felt like for the people who were in the thick of it.

Music was another aspect of this book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Andi is obsessed with music and has decided to do her outline for her senior thesis on a musician named Malherbeau, who added a whole new dynamic to music with his pieces. Even though he’s a fictional musician, I was fascinated by all the other real musical artists that were mentioned in relation to him. Apart from that, we also see some original songs from Andi and two boys she meets while in Paris, which is pretty cool too.

There’s a little portion of the book that bothers me, and it happens towards the end. I thought it was an interesting turn of events, but I also questioned its necessity. It seemed a bit too fanciful for my tastes. Still, Donnelly surprised me with the turn she took with the plot, and I suppose that must count for something.

Even with its lengthiness, Revolution was a book that thoroughly delighted me. On the one hand, it tackled the story of a girl who was grieving and learning how to deal with it. On the other, it shared the inventive tale of another girl who changed the world for at least one person in a completely different historical period. The combination of these two stories, along with a shared thread of history and music, is what makes this novel unique. It may start slow, but Revolution is a well-written, well-executed novel that I’d definitely recommend to lovers of historical fiction. 

 This review was posted as part of It Takes Two.

For more information about this feature, click here.

Welcome back! This is the last post of the series that my friends Estelle, Rachel, Jamie, Tara and I were a part of all last week. In case you’re wondering just what this series is all about, it’s where each of us offers suggestions, tips and tricks about New York City and BEA. This is not, of course, just for folks coming up for BEA; it’s for everyone who is planning a visit to New York!

For a full recap of all the posts last week, you can scroll down to the end of this post.

I moved back to the USA in 2010. While I did try it out for a month or so in my old hometown area (Virginia/Washington DC), I ended up settling on living in New Jersey. That meant I was basically a hop, skip and throw away from New York City! Since I’d never really ventured that far up the East Coast, even as a child, you can bet that I’ve spent the last few years getting to know this city.

Obviously, one of the first things I did was tackle what I like to call the “tourist checklist”. I’ve visited a lot of the tourist spots that New York is known for, though the list still remains unfinished. I’ll be sharing ten of my favorite tourist spots today, and hopefully, it will give you some idea of what you’d like to visit when you come in to the city!

There are a few spots in particular that I think you ought to visit: the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Terrace and Fountain (which you’ll recognize from Gossip Girl or the movie Enchanted), , the Hans Christian Andersen sculpture, the lake (which is gorgeous with all the foliage), the Romeo & Juliet sculpture, Shakespeare Garden, Sheep Meadow, Strawberry Fields (for the Beatles fans out there!) and the William Shakespeare sculpture.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral – One of the first things I wanted to do when I came to NYC was see this cathedral. It’s so majestic, and larger than any other church I’ve been in. Even if you’re not Catholic, it’s still wonderful to visit, walk through the cathedral and soak in the peace and solemnity of the atmosphere.

Rockefeller Center/Top of the Rock - This is a particularly popular spot around Christmas and summer (during the concert series). I like walking in the area, because there’s a lot to see and a few places to sit. I’ve never personally gone up to the Top of the Rock yet, but I have heard that it’s pretty darn epic.

Radio City Music Hall – Concerts and shows are held here on a regular basis, but I think it is fun to just drop by and see it from the outside. You’ll recognize the iconic façade from films and advertisements and you can totally pretend you went in too and saw the gorgeous show area (and I promise I won’t tell!)

Grand Central Terminal – This is yet another stop where you just pop in for a quick look and can leave right after. This terminal is known for the numerous times it’s been featured on television shows (Gossip Girl!) and movies (No Strings Attached, for example). Apart from that, it’s also got a stunning ceiling, and a variety of shops and food places.

New York Public Library – I love this library’s outer façade. It’s strong, classic and memorable. For booklovers, you may want to get your photo taken on the steps or with the two lions that stand guard. Plus, the inside of the library is quiet and grand and sometimes they have really wonderful exhibits or events going on!

Times Square – This is one of the busiest spots in New York City! There are always people around this area, a combination of tourists and shoppers. There are stores and restaurants surrounding the square, as well as a few theaters. Obviously, this is one of the spots most representative of New York!

Empire State Building – I haven’t been up to the top of the Empire State Building since I was a kid, but it's always worth a visit just to saw you have. Personally, I think it’s best to view this one from a distance, just so you can see its profile. One of the best spots to do this? Madison Square Park, where Shake Shack is.

Highline Park – This is such a lovely little park! It's basically a long walkway that you can meander up and down, and a few trucks and food spots. It offers a wonderful view of the Hudson River from a former freight rail line.

Statue of Liberty – This is yet another I have not gone to see in person. I have seen it from afar though, so I do suppose that counts! It's one of the landmarks. My friend has been to it and says it's worth a visit at least once, so you guys are going to have to take her word for it. Just bear in mind that it's one of the sights that might take you a little more time to visit as compared to the others.

Brooklyn Bridge – I just crossed this one off my list! Though I have been in the area before, I’ve never walked the bridge. It’s such a fun experience. It’s a pretty long walk, but if you do it with friends, it goes by quick. Plus, you can reward yourself with Grimaldi’s at the end of your walk!

There you have it folks, my suggestions for a few touristy things to do while you're in New York City. These are places that you shouldn't have any trouble finding, since most people (such as cab drivers, or people on the street) will be able to tell you where they are. Have lots of fun on your trip, and be sure to tell me which of my suggestions you decided to take, if any at all!

4/16: Bookstores for Bookworms (by me!)
4/17: Quick Bites and Sweet Treats for BEA-goers (Jamie of The Perpetual Page-Turner)

4/18: Tips and Tricks (Tara of Fiction Folio)

4/19: Spirits + Caffeine (Estelle)

4/20: Shopping Spree (Rachel)