Book Spoiler : The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Synopsis :
Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

This book has a really slow pace and lack of romance. It took me months to finish this book.
I dislike slow-paced books.
The story started with..
Kestrel is a Valorian and Arin is a Herrani.
Valorian won a war over Herrani hence Herrani became their slaves.
Arin is a spy sent by the auctioneer, Cheat.
Arin's auction was meant for Kestrel only. Kestrel did not realize that and bought Arin.
The Herrani do not want to be slaves anymore.
They want to be independent. They planned to fight the Valorian back even though they know they will not win.
The Herrani leader was Cheat for a moment until Arin killed Cheat because Cheat was dangerous for Kestrel.
This book is full of lies, betrayal, and definitely not for me.

Favorite Quotes
“Isn't that what stories do, make real things fake, and fake things real?” ― Marie Rutkoski, The Winner's Curse

“The truth can deceive as well as a lie.” ― Marie Rutkoski, The Winner's Curse

“Your promises are worth nothing.” ― Marie Rutkoski, The Winner's Curse

Rate 
★★★

Let's Get to Know GERD!

GERD adalah singkatan dari GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease atau simplenya adalah asam lambung atau maag. 
Namun asam lambung ini berbentuk batuk dan harus mengeluarkan "dahak" (baca: asam lambung).
Orang tua saya juga punya penyakit maag. Namun, yang mereka alami adalah dalam bentuk sakit perut, tapi tidak batuk.
Kalau yang saya alami adalah dalam bentuk batuk, tapi tidak sakit perut.
2 tahun saya batuk, dibawa kedokter kesana-sini, diberi obat ini itu, tidak membuat saya sembuh2.
Orang tua saya selalu berpikir batuk2 ya karena paru-paru. Oleh karena itu, saya selalu dibawa ke dokter THT.
Selama saya ke beberapa dokter THT di Indonesia, tidak ada yang mention GERD ke saya.
Sampai saya ke 1 dokter THT Singapore (saat itu kebetulan saya lagi sakit radang tenggorokan dan studi di Singapore), dokter mengatakan mungkin saya GERD.
Saat itu saya belum mengerti GERD dan saya hiraukan itu.

Sekitar setelah 9 bulan dari dokter Singapore itu, saya mulai research tentang GERD di google karena saya sudah mulai lelah batuk2.
Saya baca-baca dan saya merasa kok deskripsinya pas banget sama apa yang saya alamin.
Saya dibawa ke dokter internis yang ayah dan ibu saya sudah langganan daridulu.
Dokter itu kasih saya obat yang sama dengan yang ayah saya minum bertahun-tahun lamanya yaitu OMZ.
Saya minum obat itu dan merasa kok sama aja, gak ngurangin batuk saya juga.
Ternyata, orang yang mengalami asam lambung itu cocok-cocokan dengan obat-obatnya!
Ayah saya cocok dengan OMZ, belum tentu saya juga cocok.
Berkali-kali saya merengek-rengek ke orang tua untuk membawa saya ke Malaysia untuk mengobati GERD saya.
Lalu ayah saya menawarkan, mau gak ke Professor dulu di Indonesia? Untuk membandingkan hasilnya dengan dokter di Malaysia.
Saya iya-in aja. Professor ini bekerja di Rumah Sakit Pluit.
Dia mau cek keseluruhan, periksa darah banyak banget, CT scan, endoscopy dan colonoscopy.
Biayanya tentu bengkak! (untung saya ada asuransi)
Tapi menurut saya semua itu worth it.
Dari colonoscopy diketahui bahwa saya juga radang usus.
Untungnya, tidak ada tumor terdeteksi di badan saya.
At first, menurut saya, professor ini recommended banget! Obat dari dia ampuh dan saya merasa tidak perlu ke Malaysia lagi.
Namun ternyata, obat dia hanya ampuh sekitar 2 minggu buat saya dan detik-detik terakhir obatnya mau habis, saya merasa mual dan tidak bisa makan. Hanya bisa makan 3-4 suap. Lalu saya demam dan warna urine saya gelap.
Lalu saya periksa darah dan hasilnya liver saya melewati batas normal karena obat yang saya minum terlalu berat dan efek sampingnya ke liver.
Puji Tuhan, 2 minggu ke depan saya periksa darah lagi, semua sudah kembali normal karena saya minum temulawak.

Suatu hari, saya menemukan grup GERD Indonesia di facebook. Saya join.
Saya sangat bersyukur karena saya menemukan grup itu. Saya mendengar banyak pengalaman orang lain, keluhan mereka, dan yang sudah sembuh juga pada share resep mereka bisa sembuh. Mereka sangat supportive karena kita sama-sama berjuang melawan penyakit GERD ini.
Yang awalnya saya selalu putus asa dan pasrah, tapi saya bisa semangat lagi karena itu semua.
Melihat yang sudah pada sembuh, saya jadi ingin cepat sembuh juga.
Lalu saya membaca ada yang posting, suaminya bisa sembuh dengan resep sinse dari tiongkok. Resepnya adalah: 11 siung bawang putih tunggal, 2 siung bawang bombay sedang, dan 3 jeruk nipis. Semua itu di blender. Jeruk nipis nya berikut kulit dan bijinya juga. Bisa di simpan di dalam kulkas selama 5 hari. Konsumsi itu 1 sendok makan 2x sehari sebelum makan.
Saya coba itu dan so far, ramuan ini lah yang paling ampuh. Baru pertama kali saya makan aja, saya tidak batuk-batuk lagi. Luar biasa, bukan?
Katanya, sinse bilang ramuan ini obat penyembuh segala penyakit. Penyakit apa pun yang dokter vonis tidak bisa sembuh lagi, bisa sembuh dengan ramuan ini.
Saya juga membaca cerita orang yang gagal ginjal, gejala kanker lidah dan asam urat nya sampai angka 14 juga sembuh dengan ramuan ini. Wow.

Menurut saya, tidak banyak orang Indonesia mengetahui tentang GERD. 
Proses penyembuhan asam lambung memakan waktu cukup lama. Bisa bertahun-tahun dan berbeda-beda setiap orang.
Ayah saya sembuh dari maag nya juga 5 tahun.
Orang yang menderita asam lambung juga harus pantang makan : coklat, kopi, bakmi, santen, nanas, nangka, durian, fried food, etc.
Perut juga tidak boleh dibiarkan kosong terlalu lama. Harus ngemil setiap 2-3 jam.
Bila asam lambung dibiarkan atau telat ditangani, lama-lama bisa berpotensi kanker lambung atau kanker esofagus.
Ada pula yang sudah terlalu kronis sampai tidak bisa masuk makanan dan minuman dari mulut lagi, sehingga harus memakai feeding tube dari perut.

Buat kalian yang batuk tidak kunjung sembuh2, boleh mempertimbangkan GERD dan kenali lebih dalam penyakit ini.

Semoga bacaan ini membantu! :)

One of My Ways to Avoid The Glamor of This Life

I live in a society where people use branded stuffs around me.
Therefore, I like branded stuffs.
But my love towards branded stuffs is getting smaller and smaller thankfully as I grow up.
I can control it even though I can't fully control it yet.
I want to be someone who does not enjoy the glamor of this life.
I used to always look 'up' (if you understand what I mean).
If I saw someone who has it, I wanted to have it too. Like there was an envy feeling.
But now, I can differentiate between what I want and what I really need.
It's easy. Just look 'down'. Look below me.
There are so many people who work so hard to get a penny to eat, for their living, and many more.
I feel beyond lucky with my life.
I am in the progress of learning to cherish everything that I have and be more humble.
I should not let my environment influence me.
I admit that I still buy branded stuffs for myself.
But I buy it with my own money. I never ask my parents to buy branded stuffs for me. They work so hard. They can do whatever they want with their own money to satisfy themselves but I don't want them to buy unnecessary stuffs for me.
If I really want it, I have to save my own money and buy the affordable brand. So simple!
I haven't worked and I should use what I can afford. That way I appreciate the value more. 

INTP personality

I took a personality test and the result was I have INTP personality.
I've blogged and said that I am an introvert person. So, here's a little bit deeper about introvert. I like to read about this kind of thing/psychology things.
Here's a link that explain INTP personality:
http://www.16personalities.com/intp-personality

Have you ever wondered why…

• …you feel energetic in some situations and exhausted in others?
• …you are not quite sure how to reach your full potential in the world that sometimes seems so foreign to you?
• …you find it easier to talk to some people, but not others?
• …your friends sometimes say that you are special and mysterious?
• …you have difficulties studying certain subjects? 

All of them is YES!

I will highlight some parts that best describe me:
INTP personalities are usually very shy and reluctant when it comes to meeting other people. However, INTPs can also be very friendly and confident when they interact with people they know well or talk about things that interest them. INTPs are flexible and relaxed in nearly all situations, except when their beliefs or logical conclusions are being criticized. In those cases, the INTP is likely to become very defensive and argue tirelessly.

People with this personality type may also find it quite difficult to explain their thoughts to others, even when it becomes obvious that their theories are not easily graspable.

INTP personalities tend to be very loyal and faithful partners. INTPs are also unusually direct and honest, even if they have just started dating someone. People with this personality type always stick to their commitments and are actually quite easy to date and live with – they have simple daily needs and do not demand much from their partners. However, despite seeking simplicity in dating and romantic relationships, INTPs do not lack passion or romantic feelings. On the contrary, people with the INTP personality type tend to be extremely creative individuals whose vivid imagination allows them to always remain very enthusiastic and passionate in romantic relationships. Anyone dating an INTP may be quite surprised by this sometimes. (yeay!)

It is not surprising that INTPs are likely to have a very small circle of good friends. That being said, INTPs will value and respect their friends greatly, and work hard to keep these relationships strong.

(-) Very private and withdrawn. INTPs are often reluctant to let anyone inside their minds, let alone their hearts. They may often come across as shy in social settings and even the INTP’s friends are likely to have a difficult time getting to know them well.

Talent

I always think that I do not have any talent.
I can't cook.
I can't do any kind of sport.
I can't play music.
I can't bake.
Sounds pitiful, right? I have been desperately searching for my potential talent. Where is it?
At school, I used to be told that every person has talent, it's just maybe you haven't found out yet or you don't realize it.
Well, I can play piano a little bit (until grade 4, I guess?)
I used to hate piano so much because it was hard to learn classic songs (I'm still thinking the same).
I coaxed my mom to quit my piano course for years. My mom never wants me to stop.
Whenever I went to my piano course, my steps always felt so heavy to enter the room.
I hate going to concert and the exam.
I'm a shy person. I always get nervous when I'm on stage or people look at me.
I want to have a piano course if I don't have to go to a concert or do the exam.
I love to hear piano's sound. Sometimes I do miss piano. Guess I waste my skill, uh?
I think I give up on piano easily.
My mom's friend's daughter also like me.
She was forced to learn piano since little, she hated it, but maybe her parents are more stubborn than mine so they never allow her to quit or she didn't try to coax harder (?) I don't know.
Now she can be a piano teacher. All of the hatred towards piano and hardships, she can pass it through all. It what makes her today.
I hate myself.
Why am I so stupid? Why do I waste my only skill? Why do I give up so easily?
I know it's all my fault. I always blame myself for being so stupid.
I asked my parents that I wanted to have a baking course but they never give me the chance. They said, "What for? You don't like to cook. You rarely go to the kitchen. You don't have the hobby of it."
The impact now that I envy a lot of people who able to cook, play music, bake, and what-so-ever!
What can I do to make me have something special in me?

Book Review : The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

Synopsis :
As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

A lot of people say this book is similar to Divergent and Hunger Games. I will say yes, it does, but don't worry! The similarities are just a few. Really! At the beginning, the story starts every child, one by one, sits on a reclined chair and ends up stay in U.N.A or The Wheel. That! The similarity to Divergent. Just it.
And The Wheel is the similarity to Hunger Games. It is the arena that the story takes place. The plot and the story itself are different inside the arena.
The story starts a little bit slow, made me kinda bored. But in the middle of the book, I can feel the suspense and got hooked up.
The Wheel takes plenty of people to be sacrificed. 

Rate 
★★★★

20th December 2013

I have been very busy because of my internship and final project.
20-12-13 was my 19th birthday and also my final project presentation. Oh-ho! What a great present for my birthday. What worse was.. I was the first one to do the presentation!
I can't even sleep.
Luckily, you know what? I was told I was the best presenter. Yeay!
And I really wanted to go home faster. I had a reason for that.
Because Ochan was waiting for meeee!!! Special guest on my birthday!
I never get this excited on my birthday.
I requested my brother to bring Ochan to home. I feel it is a must to meet Ochan again before I leave.
My second family (read: best friends) also came to my house. Stefanie gave me a necklace.

She has her necklace from long time ago. She just put it there to take a photo of it together. We have our friendship necklace now! This is the most precious gift from the most precious person.
Ah!
My best friends gave me a surprise on 19-12-13. We went to karaoke. Stefanie got a call and she went out. She did not come back for quite a long time. I wonder what took her so long. When Kevin Ong and I sang 'Hunter Hayes-Wanted', it stopped in the middle we were singing. The whole room was in bewilderment. What happened? Suddenly, Stefanie came and held a cake. Of course, the others grasped the situation and then sang a happy birthday song to me. It was not an usual birthday song. It was Jambrud's song (an Indonesian band).
Why she gave me the surprise on the wrong date? Why earlier?
It was because I already knew the cake. That was her reason.

It was said, that was Ariel cake. However, the barbie did not have the red hair.
But, whatever! That was the most beautiful cake so far on my birthday.
My crush *ahem* and my friend also came to my house. He brought a cake for me. However, he forgot to ask the candle because he was in a rush. He had a class on that day and skipped the class. I really appreciate his effort. He did not need to do that though. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it. I cut it right away!
I asked him to come inside my house but he refused because there were my friends. I felt terribly sorry to him.
To conclude, my birthday in this year was so satisfying!

Book Review : Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Synopsis :
One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

I think I expected too much from this book.
The story is quite boring and not really necessary.
What's with the fuss, everybody in Allegiant?
I keep reading it because of my favorite characters, Tris and Tobias.
I wish they had a happy ending after all the struggles they've been through.
Too bad.. The author wants it another way.
I don't know whether I should be happy or not with the ending.
Too many sacrifices in this book..
Tris always sacrifices herself and prioritizes someone else first. I respect her decisions. She did it because of love.
I love Tris. She is a very likeable heroine for me. I will miss you, Tris........and Uriah.
[Uriah is my third favorite character]

Well, I didn't really understand the point of the story. But I understand now!
Someone explained to me in goodreads's forum. Perhaps some of you don't understand too, here's the explanation:

"The way I understood it in the book was that a long time ago, people got the idea that they could improve people by messing with their genes.
The plan backfired and resulted in what they now call the genetically damaged (GD) people. Which is who they blame for the Purity Wars that wiped out over half of the world's population.

The Divergent people are the ones they think are the genetically pure people - like the original people who's genes weren't altered.

They look at the GDs as a lower class of people and say that because of their bad genes, they can't help the bad things they do. But they also don't really care if they live or die since they aren't what they want in terms of genes to pass on to the future generations in their goal to attain a perfect humanity again.

I don't really get it. It's not really necessary I think.

That's the whole point of the last part of the story when they want to change things by erasing the scientist's memories. Tris and the people who want to rebel against the system don't believe that the GD stuff is true. They blame bad things on human nature and think that the experiments are cruel and unnecessary. And result in a lot of unnecessary death."

And I will be good enough to rate this 4 stars because I love the first two books so much!

Favorite Quote
“You don’t believe things because they make your life better, you believe them because they’re true.” - Veronica Roth, Allegiant

Rate 
★★★★

Book Spoiler : Fast-Tracked by Tracy Rozzlynn

Synopsis :

Study hard, do well on your assessment, and you’ll be rewarded.

The phrase had been repeated throughout Alexandria's life. A person’s ranking on the assessment test determined everything. Their job, where they lived, and even who they could marry. At least that’s what Alexandria though before she received the results.

Everything Alexandria believed was a lie. Fast-trackers run the country. Anger one of them and your whole world could fall apart. Anger one of them and the people you love would suffer.

Alexandria was elevated to fast-tracker status while her best-friend turned true love was plummeted to the lowest possible rank - a guaranteed life of hardship and misery. She plunges herself into the fast-tracker’s world in hopes of helping Byron. But can she help Byron before she completely loses herself to the allure of their lifestyle?

Alexandria got the highest society status, gold. She is fast-tracked.
Meanwhile, Byron got red. He became a garbage man.
Not only Byron who live in misery, Alexandria too because Byron is not with her.
Alexandria met Avery at the air-tram. Avery was totally a nice guy. I loved him! However, Alexandria did not like him. She keep insisting she is not interested in romance right now. Her mind still thinking about Byron, Byron, and Byron!
Her goal is to rescue Byron to get his proper status. She is in the advantage position and situation because Avery's father has the power to arrange the status. If any one messes up with his father, get ready to be sent to low status. Well, it is so unfair. Byron's father did have a problem with Avery's father at work.
I got mad with Alexandria. Like, seriously?! I was at lost of words. How can she be that selfish after all Avery's sacrifices for her? Avery does everything to help her. He always pampers her with luxury dates.
Fortunately, she did not choose Avery.
At the end of the book, oh my.....gawd! I can't believe it, Avery!
He is the baddest man tantamount to his father! Like father, like son. It broke my heart.
I was wrong. He does everything not to help her but to win her heart even if it has to hurt her. Such an evil bastard. I thought he had a healthy battle with Byron.
The twist in this book is very unexpected!
I am sorry Alexandria, I judged you too fast. I like her a lot now. She is a very strong character, independent, and loyal.
The flaw of this book is too many narratives. The author is too detail and I do not think that all of the things she stated was very necessary. I like more conversation in a book.

Rate 
★★★★

Annoying Personality

After fraternize with some of my friends, I sum up some personality that I dislike from people.
First, sensitive person. Whenever I am with this person, I have to be careful with my words. I am a sagittarius and I talk bluntly. It's like whatever I say to them is wrong, and they get hurt. They get offended easily. I prefer to be quiet then.
Second, nosy person. I had this kind of situation : I was having fun chit chat with my friends and then suddenly my uninvited friend came to us, sat there, listened and the ambiance got awkward abruptly. Well.. I thinks it's better if the person who comes to us is talkative or extrovert one. What are you doing come to a group suddenly and just listen the whole thing? Are you a spy?
Third, liar. I believe everybody in this world hate this type. But still, depends on each individual. There are some kind people who still giving them another chances after they are deceived. For me, I will mention it again, I am a sagittarius and I will not give a second chance for a liar. I will not trust a liar forever and ever again. If a liar confides in me, my role play will be turned on. I have to be a hypocrite in front of them. I will pretend to listen to your story when I don't even care a single tiny bits of your story. Just hear them. Let their words come into the right ear, and come out from the left ear. Not forget to mention, better don't lie to some people! It will be the best if you don't lie to all of the people though. Just avoid those 'some people' (read:Sagittarius) like me. We will find out the truth eventually. No kidding. We are so persistent to know the truth. We are a great detective wanna be!
Sometimes, I think why should I have these kind of friends? May be God is testing me and my patience?
For now, I think that's all I can share. I will update if I meet another annoying personality.

Bag Review : Michael Kors' Jet Set Travel Tote

I bought this bag earlier than Coach's Mini Tanner.
It's neverfull style!

 

I was hesitating about what size should I buy, small or big?
Ended up bought the big size! This color is called Zinnia Pink.

The flaw of this bag is.. there is no zipper closure!
It's quite dangerous to use this bag.
It provokes 'naughty hand' action when you are not aware of your surrounding.
For me, I use it to go to campus since I can put all of my necessity inside. Like macbook's charger, mobile phone's charger, scarf, bottle, hair roller, and miscellaneous.

I'm thinking to buy Coach's North South City Tote because it's slimmer and has a zipper closure. Safer, right?

So, what do you guys think?

Bag Review : Coach's Mini Tanner

This is my very first time reviewing a bag.
So..I bought this bag by myself from my pocket money and I'm proud of it!
Well, this is not the first bag I bought by myself though, but I want to share it because I love it so much!
The model looks a little bit similar with Celine Mini Luggage.
I want Celine Mini too!
Due to the expensive price, I can't afford it yet by myself since I still am a college student and haven't worked.
And...this is it! Mini Tanner by Coach.
I love blue, that's why I picked this color! This color is called Robin.

Well, this bag is quite spacious for a "mini"

See what I can put inside it

I will take 'em out from Mini Tanner

Those are things that I carry all the time : Band-aid, make-up poach, wallet, wet tissue, power bank or portable charger, and 2 mobile phones.

Lastly, here is the close-up picture of my baby♥

See you in the next post!

Book Review : The Disappeared by C. J. Harper

Synopsis :
In a future where children are segregated into institutions that range from comfortable “Learning Communities” to prison-like “Local Academies”, seventeen-year-old Jackson is an academic high flyer, living in a top Learning Community and destined for a position in the Leadership. But when he is sent with his best friend Wilson to deliver a package to a factory block, the two boys are attacked, leaving Jackson badly beaten and Wilson dead.

Confused and upset, Jackson returns to his Learning Community only to be dismissed by his teachers who claim not to know him. Sent to an Academy, an institute set up to train factory workers, Jackson finds himself immersed in a world that couldn’t be further removed than the comfortable life he’s used to; a harsh, violent, semi-articulate society where the students have created their own hierarchy based on fighting ability.

Using his wits to survive, Jackson starts to realise that his whole life has been based on half-truths. And in order to survive he needs to expose the lies that surround the Academy and find out the truth about who he really is. As he builds alliances and begins to educate those closest to him, a plan for rebellion and escape gradually comes into shape...

Fast-paced, page-turning, moving, yet with a streak of dark humour, The Disappeared is a very British dystopia, with shades of Orwell and Huxley.

Bumped into another mediocre novel again. The romance in this book is meager.
In The Academy, all the students are called Specials.
They have their rank based on how they fight in the arena on friday night.
The highest level for male is called Rex and for female is Dom.
They get extra food and Specials respect them.
Below them are Red and Hon Red.
Out of all that just normal Specials and of course all of them strive to get into one of the category above.
The Academy is a very dirty, horrendous, and uneducated place.
They are not taught how to read and write,
they are allowed to have sex and babies, moreover the enforcers encourage them,
the food given have drug in it, and
they will be punished with a little bit of electric shock and for the worse case, they will be sent out to the Wilderness.
Wilderness is a deserted place with feral boys in there. They hunt you, they eat you.
I can't imagine if that place did exist in this world!
But basically, the suspense in this book is not high, just mediocre.
I feel nothing towards the characters too. I don't know if I really need to read the second book or not.

Rate 
★★

Book Review : Fractured by Teri Terry

Synopsis :
How do you know where to go when you don't remember where you came from?

Kyla's memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

Or so she thought.

Kyla shouldn't be able to remember anything. But she can - and she's beginning to realise that there are a lot of dark secrets locked away in her memories. When a mysterious man from her past comes back into her life, she thinks she's on her way to finding the truth. But the more she learns about her history, the more confusing her future becomes...

Set in a disturbing future world, FRACTURED is an engrossing, fast-paced read that establishes Teri Terry as a master thriller writer.

This is the second book of Slated Trilogy and yeah.. I don't read the first book. Based on some people's reviews, I bet the first book will make me bored. The first book is all about Kyla goes amnesia and she has to learn every single thing from the very beginning again. From the synopsis of Fractured, I guess the suspense starts from here.
This girl, the main character, has three names. She was Lucy until when she was 10, she was Rain when she was 14 and now her name is Kyla.
What I dislike from Kyla/Rain/Lucy (whatever you call her) is she is very obedient to a man, she is like a puppy and a puppet for that man.
This man is indeed mysterious, I have no idea who he is. I think I will get to know this man in book 3, Shattered.

Rate 
★★★

Book Review : Aberrant by Ruth Silver

Synopsis :
In the future Dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system.

With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

I love the cover! Isn't she beautiful?
However, behind the beautiful cover..the story is too mediocre for me. It does not catch my interest. I expected there would be some actions in this book, but there is none. This book is just filled with romance. Boring for me. I am quite sure, in the book 2, Moirai, there will be some actions! I will not blurt out the spoiler here, but after you read the end of the book, you will agree with me. A war is waiting in book 2 and so do I!

Rate 
★★★

Book Review : The Elite by Kiera Cass

Synopsis:
The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

I prefer The Selection's cover over The Elite's. Much better.
And again the story still mediocre, but I look forward to The One, the conclusion of The Selection trilogy. Hoping a good result!
I'm a little bit dislike Maxon here. Maxon is not loyal to America anymore. He is waver with his choice. So, he is trying to get closer with other contestants rashly because his choice is lesser.
As for Aspen, well.. he will always be there for America after he regrets of what he had done. It seems like Aspen learns from his mistake very well. Ha! He decides to stay with America. 

Favorite Quotes
"It turns out I'm absolutely terrible at staying away from you. It's a very serious problem.”
― Kiera Cass, The Elite  

“You know that you’ve found something amazing, and you want to hold on to it forever; and every second after you have it, you fear the moment you might lose it.”
― Kiera Cass, The Elite  
  
“Love is beautiful fear”
― Kiera Cass, The Elite  

Rate
★★★

Book Review : The Selection by Kiera Cass

Synopsis:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

As you can see, the cover is so appealing. A princess with gorgeous blue gown. At first, I did not want to read it since it is romance. Not so my kind. But, due to I don't have books to read anymore, I borrowed my friend and read it eventually. It is okay to be read, mediocre. It is not boring and not very good either.
I'm kinda irritated with Aspen, America Singer's secret love. He insisted America to sign up for The Selection. I know it was for America's sake, her happiness. But then, after America fell a slightly in love with Maxon, he doesn't want to give up on America. After he let her go easily, then he wants to catch her again? Ludicrous!
As for Maxon, he is okay. Nice and sweet. He can control his temper quite well. He did not mad when America was harsh and scolded him when they first met. America was a stranger after all. Who doesn't mad when a stranger being harsh and scold you after you treat them nicely? Maxon can kick out America from the palace immediately, but he did not.     
If you like medieval-kind-of-things mixed with romance, you'd most probably like this book.

Favorite Quotes

“Is this a good time to pat your shoulder?”
― Kiera Cass, The Selection 

“Do you think, that I could still call you 'my dear'?”
― Kiera Cass, The Selection 

“Castes never meant that much to me”
― Kiera Cass, The Selection

Rate
 ★★★