Reading 'Red Queen'

I first saw the book cover and blurb in my newsfeed a few months or weeks ago but easily dismissed it as some typical dystopian novel which is all over nowadays. I even thought that it was already published then. Then a few days ago, I saw National Bookstore's post in my feed again announcing that the book is finally out. This confused me and somehow prompted me to look for the book in Goodreads. As obsessive-compulsive as I am, I read the author's short bio first, then the book description, and finally bought the kindle edition. Then all readers would surely know what will follow next, right?

Oh boy was I sucked into reading. I stayed up all night and until noon the next day(?) just to finish it. Somehow I am not even sure when I finished the book because my mind was still reeling when I fell asleep and my dreams were all filled with Mare, Cal and Maven.

Here's the book's blurb in Goodreads:

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the center of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

To me, the story was definitely engaging and I think this is one of the most important things in YA books. That feeling that where you would want to keep turning the next page, wanting to find out more. And it also helps that the sentences were not long, droning, and yeah, boring. 

After reading the book, I even hunted down the author's twitter and blog. It amazed me that this is her debut novel. Congrats Victoria! I also read her entire blog (it wasn't that long) which chronicled her way from being a new BFA grad to being signed to a literary agent and to the book being published and the fun craziness and everything in between. Perhaps it's because I also want to write that I find her blog inspiring and very informative.

Now, for the spoilers.... I am sorry I just can't help myself... all book nerds can't huhu. So you can close the page now if you haven't read the book.

Reading My First Non-Fiction Book This Year (And Rediscovering Ada Lovelace)

The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As part of my 2015 Goodreads Reading Challenge, I decided to read more nonfiction books this year. Then I also read about the book's synopsis from National Bookstore's Facebook page. I do not know what struck me with that post, but I purchased the ebook.

I have learned most about computer history stuff at school; but, sadly, it wasn't taught as interestingly as how the author wrote it in the book. It made me wonder, how I would've wanted to become a computer engineer or theoretical physicist if I had read this book or was taught this way in high school. The book made me look back at the different figures, forgotten footnotes, and figure out how the connections between them all fit together. At some points, I felt like I was reading a script from a very interesting kdrama.

Yet, perhaps it is with the storytelling and the narrative I was hooked with.

This is honestly my first foray into nonfiction reading in the past years. (Sadly, I was a book snob like that). But I resolve to be otherwise from now on. :D



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