"Landry Park" (a Lexi review)

Dear Reader,

Hello, again! Happy Saturday! Hope yours is going well!

God, I love this cover! One of the best in awhile!

Summary: "Downton Abbey meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal

In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire." (Gratzi, Goodreads!)

I really liked this novel. From the characters who were interesting and surprising, to the awesome plot, it's like this novel transports you both back and forward in time at the same time! Think Victorian age, but in the present/future. The caste system is still alive, but there's more technology. I love that Madeline -- the main character -- challenges the life she's always lived. From the very beginning, she's wanting more than being given away in marriage by her father, wanting more in her life than what she was to have. I liked how the characters were relatable in a sense. I love how you feel connected to this story through Madeline, cheering for her from moment one when she's declaring she wants to go to university. The story is summed up beautifully above, so I'm stepping cautiously around what's going to happen. So I'm going to stop here. All I can say is that this novel is great.

In Conclusion: Read it! It's awesome!


Rating:

4/5 Victorian houses


Till next time!!!


Yours truly,

Lexi

"The Edge of Falling" & My (Temp) New Job (a falling review by Lexi)

Readers,

Why have I not written? I started a new job that it turns out I don't need, and that I'm allergic to (well, the cleaner they use). Starbucks. Yep. Yes, they started me a week early with long shifts on both Tuesday and Thursday. Thankfully I got today off, but my computer refused to work at my brother's school where I took him and waited for him. Oh, and no, I don't drink or like coffee at all, nor do I know a cappuccino v. an espresso, and I'll never get why people would want so much dang caramel in their drinks... However, the people rock, and I've already made some awesome friends. I just still suck at some drinks, but I rock the frappachinos!

Anywho, today's book was an interesting one. It's The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle.

Summary: "Growing up in privileged, Manhattan social circles, Caggie’s life should be perfect, and it almost was until the day that her younger sister drowned when Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Stricken by grief, Caggie pulls away from her friends and family, only to have everyone misinterpret a crucial moment when she supposedly saves a fellow classmate from suicide. Now she’s famous for something she didn’t do and everyone lauds her as a hero. But inside she still blames herself for the death of her sister and continues to pull away from everything in her life, best friend and perfect boyfriend included. Then Caggie meets Astor, the new boy at school, about whom rumours are swirling and known facts are few. In Astor she finds someone who just might understand her pain, because he has an inner pain of his own. But the more Caggie pulls away from her former life to be with Astor, the more she realises that his pain might be darker, and deeper, than anything she’s ever felt. His pain might be enough to end his life…and Caggie’s as well." (Thank you, Goodreads! You are amazing!)

Caggie has many secrets. She's the everygirl that's trying to hold everything together as a teen while everything is falling apart in her world. Her thinking is reminiscent of myself, and I say this because she can't see what's going on with herself. She thinks that she's standing tall and fooling everybody, but how far can she go with that without people finding out the truth(s)?

The story is complex, and you'll want to read it all the way through to get down to the bottom of everything. This story touched my heart, and I'll never forget the way Caggie's life has been portrayed, because it feels all too real. This also shows how many people grieve, and how everybody has their own way to do so. Also, it shows how families and people can be torn to pieces because they don't get eachother's grieving, and see it as ridiculous or nonexistent. This really is a great novel that is relatable whether you've lost somebody or not. It's one of the best fiction books -- without fantasy -- that I've read. I kept wanting to get through the novel, and noticed that, at the end, I was wrong in thinking the novel was tedious/bad. Just hold on during parts that seem boring, and read the book from beginning to end. I promise you won't regret it.

In Conclusion: Please read this one!


Rating:

4/5 skyscrapers



Till next time, Lovelies!!!

XOXO,
Lexi