piggyreads-blog

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I'm aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive! Or desperately trying to stay alive and gorgeous. 💁😊 Re-reading one of my all-time faves. 'Cause I need to relax and I wanna feel goody-giddy. 😍😍 https://www.instagram.com/p/B7HCNYkpiK_/?igshid=nh19uqdavwrn

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A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas 

Dead. That’s what I am. This book wrecked me, opened me up and laid me bare to all the emotions a person could possibly feel. I don't know how to move forward. Picture me out: sitting in my office, which is luckily a bit isolated so I was kinda fortunate I can allow the tears fall while holding myself in check, gripping control over my emotions so I won’t sob or wail while listening to the audiobook, silently screaming and wiping away the incessant flow of tears. Weak, a huge emotional lump, that’s what I have become. I just wanna stare into blank space and try, operative word TRY, to process all of it. Let all the emotions flow, release the tension my body has been in since I started this book and this series to be honest. Wait for normality to come back. But I know, I am shattered. By ACOWAR and the books before it. Nothing but turbulent emotions roiling within my chest and incoherent thoughts spinning in my head. 💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭 💔 

The writing once again is good! But to be honest, out of the 3 books, ACOWAR is the most cliché one. In the sense that all 3 books so far have contained lines similar to that of other popular fantasy books. I know, or I read somewhere at least that this series’ is somewhat a retelling of various fairytales but way too many lines just sounded a paraphrasing of famous (and cheesy) quotes and even those of adages of old. Though it was paraphrased or rewritten by the author in her own style wonderfully. I just felt like that aspect was kinda not up to par with the series standard.

As for the narrator, let me preface this with the admission that I hate changes. With that said, I might be bias with this but I did not like the new narrator that much. Sorry but I’d rather not name the new narrator in here. I personally don’t feel right about naming her only for me to voice out my discontent with her performance. My apologies but I stand by my feelings as a reader, as a listener. I felt the narration lacking, especially at the beginning. Oh it was emotional at some parts too but mostly it was just…flat? There are some parts where I feel should have more emotion but nothing was conveyed. Also, I had trouble distinguishing the character switch in her portrayal of them. I hope it’s only me being overly critical but I think there are times that the narrator cannot and does not smoothly transition between the character dialogues. I could hear the struggle in the lines. Like I’m hearing Feyre’s dialogue in Cassian’s voice. I don’t know how to explain it in writing that much, I hope you get it. I miss Jennifer Ikeda’s rendering of the charries, especially her presentation of Rhys and Cassian and the whole Court of Dreams truthfully. Her voice and reading is like a lullaby to my battered heart.

But back to the book and the series. For hopelessly romantic me, ACOTAR was about a love found when most needed. ACOMAF was a tale of two types of love. And now, ACOWAR is about a love that sacrifices. Oh I am enthralled with all the mind games and political warring and tactical moves, it made my brain sizzle with excitement! But heavens, it was the force behind those maneuverings, the love and the dreams propelling the warriors forward unto the battlefield that shook me. It called unto the dreamer inside my jaded heart and made it see hope. It’s fiction, it’s fantasy but sometimes, you can’t help but think it is based on some reality thereby hope that it might also become a reality in itself. A wish upon a star. Someday, one might listen and grant the dreamer’s wish.

Piggy Rating: 🐷🐷🐷🐷🐽 (4.5/5)

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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

 WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?????????????????? Ohmyfreakinggeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! *fans self* Yes, that is exactly my reaction. I need air, I might be close to hyperventilating due to ACOMAF. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! I literally just finished reading/listening to A Court of Mist and Fury and aaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Let me try to untangle this mess of emotions that I am right now. I am stupefied, amazed, horrified, hopeful, mourning, terrified, beatific, stunned, exuberant all rolled into one. I am left with not much words and I don’t want to accidentally give out spoilers (don’t want to ruin the BOOM factor for those who haven’t read it and I want revenge tbh) so this will be brief. Again, all my praise to Sarah J Maas for such masterful storytelling and to Jennifer Ikeda for the exemplary narration! Mygeeeee! I was on the edge of my seat for the whole 23++ hours of the audiobook! Both the words and the delivery are delightfully written and delivered that I as a reader/listener was totally absorbed. Like ACOTAR, it wasn’t a pleasant experience in such a way that’s the story (and the horror and pain) becomes so utterly alive, I sometimes wish to pull myself out, compose myself. It sounded amazingly so real, goosebumps have claimed my being non-stop. As for the story itself, despite the war aspect (which I also love!), I see ACOMAF as the tale of two types of love. One that protects and one that supports. A love that coddles to the point of entrapment while another one that provides freedom for growth. I understand both love and I ache for both. I cried for the lovers, all of them, and I know I will cry some more later in the privacy of my room. At the end of it all, hearts just want to love and be loved. Unfortunately, how lovers express that love is what makes or break hearts. Le sigh. Let’s end that there. I wanna stare into space now, stew in all the emotions ACOMAF awakened inside of me before I start the next (audio)book.

 Piggy Rating: 🐷🐷🐷🐷🐽 (4.5/5) 

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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

I’m supposed to be working double time right now, helping the team close our August books and yet, here I am, blabbering my heart out here. But please give me these few moments as I don’t think I can proceed properly with my day without unloading my thoughts and buckets of feelings. This might NOT be a review but more of a shite ton of incoherent introspection and nonsensical ramblings. You’ve been warned, ‘kay?

So I stayed up late last night, slept at half past two just to finish listening to A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Yes, you got that right, listening. For once, I went through the audiobook route as I really don’t have the time to do the traditional reading. So while I’m working my 12hr shift or on the commute or prepping for sleep, I have my earphones in and ACOTAR is being read to me.

In summary, ACOTAR gutted me. I am one huge emotional mess right now. It wrecked me! If only I can call in sick, curl up in bed and stare at nothing the whooooooooooooooooooooole day. ACOTAR has made me emotional to the point of numbness. Or not numbness. Lifeless? How do I even explain it? My body is sooooo tired from the emotional rollercoaster it underwent, it has no more energy, it just wants to be limp while my mind and my heart are venues of turmoil and brewing storm. Or a developing tornado. That’s how it is.

I am at a loss for words how to exactly discuss ACOTAR but lemme try. The story, and the series, has been pushed and pushed and pushed unto me by a dear friend. G loved it so much so the idiot is badgering me to read it since time immemorial. But since I’m a slave to numbers, I did not have the luxury of time to do so. Also, the series is like all-over-the-place-famous and I have my weird aversion of going with the hype. That’s just me being quirky. But, finally I got a little time a month or so back, my team and I were sent to one of our warehouses and one-way travel time was 2hrs long so I figured I can get some reading done. From my treasure chest of ebooks, did a little book bingo and ACOTAR was the lucky drawee so on I read.

At first, I was honestly bored. The pace was a bit slow for me. And as much as it shames me to admit this, I was stupid enough to assume Feyre was a male. It took me two or three chapters to surmise that Feyre is female. One big SHE. face palm I finished 5 or six chapters I think before work intervened and I forgot about the book once more.. Then now, the boss is out of the country, workload has slackened a bit, enough that I can listen to something though still not enough to read it myself, so out came ACOTAR audiobook to the rescue! And lemme tell you it made a whole world of difference!

The reader brought the tale to life for me. What I once thought was boring, now colour me interested, I see all the wonderful aspects to the story. The plot is simple at first glance and confusing at times but the author has given the reader enough bait to latch on and continue reading. The mystery is sooooo well-packed that you can’t help but fall right through the pages and put yourself in their world. Be a part of the tale itself. The skills of the reader no doubt contributed much to this experience for me. The emotions she managed to project with her voice alone, that was masterful narration! Now couple her that powerful narration with well written words and well-executed story and here I am, an emotional reader left raw and open.

I can vividly recall how emotional I was, starting from Chapter 39 onwards, how I was on the edge of my seat with fear and excitement. There were a lot of times I wanted to stop, times that I don’t think I would’ve been able to read had I gone the traditional reading by my eyes method. Thankfully, the AB kept playing in my ears. It was like a nightmare I want to escape from but also a fantasy I wanna finish! I wanted to scream, I wanted to sob, I wanted to lash out, I wanted to run away. I was all over the place and I know for a fact I stopped breathing for periods due to the anticipation and horror I felt. It was such an intense read. Up until the last line, I was crying. Whether for happiness or hurt, I don’t know anymore. All I am sure of, right now, I am in a limbo. With regards to the story itself, I wanna dive right into the next book but I am also scared of how much it will kill me. As for the writing, Sarah J. Maas did an excellent work on ACOTAR. For the audiobook, Jennifer Ikeda did an awesome job narrating! All in all, I can’t call it a pleasant experience but the emotional rollercoaster and the mental puzzles are SUPERB for the lack of word! I don’t think I can express my awe for ACOTAR (story, author and reader) in words so let this emojis speak for me: 🙌🙇🙌🙇🙌🙇🙌🙇🙌

Piggy Rating: 🐷🐷🐷🐷🐽 (4.5/5)

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First of all, waaaaaaah!! Wlabaaihabslsoxwbemlroehwvejwlauaghw!!!! Her voice! Her accent! 😍😍😍😍😍

Now, that that’s out of the way, I can be a little coherent. My heartbeat’s still not normal though. Haha. Anyways, I finally got the time to use my #Passionflix subscription and watch this movie. Tbh, I haven’t read the book but I’m pretty excited starting with a clean, blank page regarding this story. First word and my ears perked up. That beautiful accent narrating drew me in. And then I saw the face behind the voice, I think I found my new girl crush. Summer. Emma Rigby. Her voice, that perfect sultry bedroom voice, then her cute-sexy beauty, oh my heart!! 😍😍😍

I can go on like a lunatic stalker but let’s move on to the movie itself. To say I like it is an understatement. I’m kinda happy w/ not having read the book & diving into this film w/ a clean slate. I don’t have any expectations, except maybe to have a good time. And that I got plus a whole lot more. One of the reasons I love reading is ‘cause I can submerge myself into a myriad of emotions & I can truly feel the connections between the characters. I don’t often get that with films. But since Hollywood Dirt is not only based on a book but was also produced with readers in mind, I got what I wanted: emphasis on emotions & the bonds between the main characters. It’s raw and passionate and all things lovely. A few things could be improved tbh (the scene transition for one) but as the first offering, I am more than happy with this. I love it and for sure would watch it again! And oh, I love the songs and the musical scoring! I’m grinning like a crazy Cheshire cat once again remembering some scenes so Imma end this blabbering here. Congratulations, @Passionflix team! You did a wonderful job!

Piggy Rating: 🐷🐷🐷🐷🐽 (4.5/5)

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Intoxicating Love by Aileen Samson I've been debating whether to post this or not. I'm thinking "shut up if you've little good to say" or "be honest" but wth, I'm feeling chatty so let's do it! Lemme say this in advance though; I don't mean to hurt/insult/discredit anyone, the writer specifically, w/ my opinion. Merely stating my observations which hopefully would be taken as constructive criticisms. ✌ So here we go. Tbh, I don't buy local books from authors I don't know anymore. I'm way behind on the Phil. pocketbook scene so that leaves me w/ only a handful of choices. I don't know nor have I interacted w/ Ms. Aileen but the teaser for Intoxicating Love piqued my interest (and honestly I don't want to deal w/ the 47-page contract on my desk yet) though I was still apprehensive, so for the first time, I utilized Ebookware's 3-chapter preview option. Those first few chapters gave me enough insight and though I wasn't 💯% sold to the story, I bought the book. Mainly because I can't bear to be left hanging. I believe I'm not in the right frame of mind to articulate this coherently so I'll only list down below what I didn't like about it and what tickled my fancy. Dislikes: *The presentation of Yngrid's hobby. I have nothing against ladies who drink, I know I enjoy a glass or two on occasion. However, what's troubling me was how her being a social drinker was depicted. She came off as crass and loose for me. I don't know. Maybe I'm biased but the irresponsibility of her getting wasted in a bar, on her own, tick me off. Perhaps it's my prejudice against "improper unladylike" behavior. It was drilled unto my brain that a lady should be prim and proper or at the very least, well-behaved. So for me, the heroine was slightly immature and could do a bit more refining. *Jack's attitude is bordering on asshole-ness. Maybe the author wanted to project the hero as mysterious, hard-to-reach, alpha male however, to me he was only a push away from being a douchebag. There were points in the story wehre I, as a reader, felt and viewed him a user/kinda like a fuckboy as per modern slang. Pulling in the heroine, making her hope, without the intention of telling her his true reasons and/or the complacations of his life. Could be argued that he only wanted to protect her but that wasn't the vibe I was getting. *Revelation of Jack's dilemma. In continuation of the above narrative, the hero came off as a fuckboy to me due to the late disclosure of his circumstances. I understand mystery plays a big part in the story build up. The puzzle of his status and what was stopping him from pursuing a relationship with the heroine. That was a good reeling point, making the readers curious and wanting them to read more. However, for me, it should have been gradually clued into the story arc so that Jack will have some credible reasons for his actuations. * Story arc. I'm not certain if it's due to the limited word count but the presentation of the plot conflict came on a little too late in the book thereby making the resolution part a few pages short. It felt hurried and could've been expanded a little bit more, imho. Likes: *Yngrid's tongue. The heroine, though at times appears boorish, is a witty lass. Her quips, more often than not, leaves me cracking up. Is it bad that I find her mishaps funny? Sorreeey. *Alcohol-loving outgoing teacher. I like that she drinks and parties. (Note: what I disliked was the presentation and not her being a social drinker.) She isn't your stereotypical educator. Plus she rides a motorbike! (My lifelong frustration right there.) She's hip, she's cool, she's young and most of all, she's fun! What else? I can't think anymore of what else to say. To summarize my rambling, I think the story idea is nice. Maybe too much was cut off/edited out in order to stay within the page/word limit? Could be. All in all, Intoxicating Love is okay as it is rn though it can be vastly improved. Piggy Rating: 🐽🐽/5

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Ayoko Na Sana by Angela Marquez (Dior Madrigal) Before anything else, thaaaaaank you, @bookwarepublishing for bringing this back! That feeling when you've forgotten a book's title/author so you really can't look for it but then fate takes pity on you & by some cosmic twist of events, poof! There's your book! Aaaaaaah! I'M IN HEAVEN!! This is actually the 2nd book in my fave-but-forgotten-info list that I found again. And they're both in ebook formats, uber suitable to my situation rn. Thank you, internet! *tears of joy* Hahaha I'm digressing though. Back to the topic now. This is not much of a review but more of a fangirling post. ANS automatically became my fave back when I first read the story, when it was first published in print around 10yrs ago. I was asked to name some of my fave MSV books for the anniv (or was it the 1st fan's day?) video that a friend was preparing & this was among the first batch that popped in my mind. When asked why, I couldn't justify it though. I can't pinpoint the specific part of the story that made me like it. I guess, I fell inlove with it because it's sweet, simple, innocent, and heartwarming. Idk how to explain it but everytime I read this tale, my chest is filled with warmth and all goody-giddy feelings. You have to read it to understand me! Reeeeaaaad!! I oblige you! Hahaha Rereading it now, one thing I notice though is the writing. Idk if this was among the 1st few works of Ms. Angela/Dior but it has that teen-ish romance aura to it. Reminds me of the works of my batchmates back in late elementary/early high school. Also, the wording of the lines being 99% Filipino gave an old world feel to the book. But I'm not sure if that's partially because I haven't read a mostly Filipino-worded book in a long time so it feels refreshingly weird. I'm still trying to recall other books from the same year to try & compare if the norm back then was this tone/structure of writing. But those points don't hinder the story. In fact, it adds to its charm. It amplifies the sweetness, purity & innocent-ness(?) of the book. Which made me love it all the more. 😍😍 Piggy Rating: 🐽🐽🐽🐽🐽/5 I'm biased, I know. ✌ Sue me. 😝

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The Weekday Brides by Catherine Bybee It's becoming a trend I'm afraid. I can only read during holidays or the rare lazy days off. Sad but it's my reality now. 😢 Eid Al Fitr came so I had a few days off and the chance to forgo sleep so I can read was so tempting to pass up on. Digging up titles from my ebook treasure chest, I found this sweet series. Going by the series' title only, I dove in, not bothering to read any synopsis. Fingers crossed, hoping I'll luck out and it'd be a good story. And I'm not disappointed. It truly was a nice story, the first book, Wife by Wednesday. It was sweet and refreshingly honest. So I went on to the second book, Married by Monday, and I fell in love. Once again, it was sweet and heartwarming though with a bit more action than the previous one. Thinking about it now, the next book always ups the ante of the previous book in terms of the suspense. I like that! Made me think, formulate theories and had me on the edge of my seat, cannot wait to read the next paragraph and move on with the story! It was that curiosity that fueled me to read book after book of this series. But I think, what I love most about this series is the camaraderie, the deep friendship and the strong ties between the group. I think the essence of the series can be captured by loosely quoting Neil & Val here: Neil: "When it comes to any of the women in our circle of friends, we all step up." Val: "For friends. The kind that stick by you... Support you whenever and wherever you need them.” It was truly an alliance! 😍😍 I cannot wait to read the offshoot series, First Wives. I'm wishing there'll be lots of cameos from the Weekday Brides gang! Piggy rating: 🐽🐽🐽🐽/5

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The Thing About Hug Replacements by Tara Frejas Homaygaaaaaaahd!!! Tell me there's more, @tarafrejas, tell me, tell me, please! Have pity on this poor piglet, pleaaaaase! 😭😭😭😭 If there's food on the cover and/or food is a (big) part of the story, I'm sold! Saw this from one of @minavesguerra's posts (she's like my #romanceclass pimp or one of my fairy-book-mothers, whichever way you wanna call it 😁) and so I got it. And I'm happy I did! Or am I really? 🤔💭😝 The intro wasn't a bore nor was it entirely catchy for me. It didn't quiet grab me into the book, I didn't dive inside it head first. Instead, I was slowly waddling into the story, acclimating myself paragraph by paragraph, and then I was deep into it and enjoying it! It was a slow burn, the warmth had me smiling then grinning then giggling like a lovesick fool. I love that! I love the bits and pieces, the little back stories, especially those about the cakes! Ooooooh, I looooooove those! And Kevin! I'm such a sucker for good camaraderie so the Kevin-Sylvie-Aidan trio was so endearing to me. Plus of course, Aidan-Sylvie. Unrequited hidden love between friends, I'm a sucker for that too so of course I like it! Then just when everything was warm and fuzzy within me, the cruel, evil author left me in a cliffhanger. A damned, steep cliffhanger!!! 😡😠😤 Mean, mean, mean writer!! 😭😭😭😭😭I checked Tara's site and books listed there but I can't find any continuation. 😭😭 Somebody please pity this piglet and tell me there's a next book! A longer book with more deets and a better ending! Pleeeeaase!! 🙏🙏🙏 Piggy rating: 🐽! Incomplete! JK. KIDDING! ✌✌😁 TRUE PIGGY RATING: 🐽🐽🐽🐽/5

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If The Dress Fits by Carla de Guzman Another bedtime read, the first #romanceclass book I finished (I think). Time isn't my friend these days. @somemidnights' book had to sit on my Kindle app, waiting for me to open it ever since release day. But now I got some time, I finally read it! And boy am I glad I did, I LOVE IT! For a myriad of reasons, I love it! Lemme enumerate a few. I haven't read Filipino Literature in a while but if my memory serves me right, there's only a handful of stories that I read that had a BBW heroine. It's refreshing getting to know this unconventional leading lady, in a Philippine setting nonetheless, where many are obsesses with model-like body & beauty. Ooooh, I just love Martha! She's not the beauty queen type but heavens, she's authentic! She might only be a fictional character but you know she represents a good portion of the Filipina population. She's REAL! And her attitude towards her larger than normal body, sometimes hating it or parts of it but overall loving herself, yeeeeeees! 🙌🙌🙌🙌 Also, the Philippine setting and the common Filipino traditions, as well as the various daily dilemmas, *ehemtrafficehem*😝, all together they weave a nostalgic reminder of home. It was those seemingly little details that slowly worms their way into the heart, making someone away from the motherland, such as myself, yearn to fly back to the nest. One day. Someday. Hmm... What else do I love? The big, crazy family. The crazier titas and their names, had a great laugh at those! 😂😂 Max. Could he be more endearing? Sheeeeets, he took my undi-- err, heart! He took my heart away! 😉 Enzo is charming and there was a point I rooted for him and Martha but nah. #TeamMaxwell #TeamNerd 🤓📚😍 I'm slightly peeved though with how things "ended" for Martha & Enzo. I felt it was hurried and hanging. I want more details! And then there was also Regina. I wanted to strangle her, I'm still not over her being mean but I soon understood and sympathised with her. I still want to bitch slap her though. 😁😁 I could go on and on but I'll end this here. I love it and people should read it! Piggy rating: 🐽🐽🐽🐽/5

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Roughneck Billionaires 1: Dirty Money by Jessica Clare This is the first and only book that I actually finished reading for this year so far. Yeah, yeah, this piggy is centuries backlogged in reading. But anyhow, here goes my two cents for this book. Learning of another series from @jessicaclarebooks, I was naturally excited! However, I guess I set my expectations too high for Roughneck Billionaires. Covers: I'm so used to the understated elegance of BBC and BAB covers that I expected the same feel for RB. So when I saw the cover, I was a wee bit disappointed. But with much thinking, I realised the cover of course works well with the series idea. The men in this series were not born with silver spoons on their mouths. These are down-and-out labourers who worked their way to the top and they're damn proud of their journey! Thus, it's only right to reflect that on the cover! Storywise, it took a while for me to wrap my head around Boone's "roughness," for a lack of better description. Again, I'll blame BBC and BAB for spoiling me with well-mannered gentlemen. Or I could also cite a part of my strict upbringing for that. The you-should-always-be-formal-and-well-behaved-thinking drilled into my head did not prepare me for Boone's callousness. But once I got used to it, two or three chapters in, I understood where he was standing and had to laugh at his unique ways of dealing with his problems. It was endearing if you think about his intentions and not his means. 😁😁 Overall, I like the story. Not that crazy about it but I like it. The usual alpha male possessiveness that Jessica usually writes in (and I'm a sucker for, sue me 😝) was very much alive and though that seems cliche, she made it work. As always, she makes it work. It was refreshing to see/read about a man from the other end of the spectrum and how he fought for his girl despite her not being his ideal partner. The conflict, which is always a vital part for me, was realistic and not hurried. It had a chance to progress thus moving the story forward meaningfully. The ending was crude but I love it. Made me laugh and somewhat wish I have my own roughneck. 😁😁😁 Piggy Rating: 🐽🐽🐽/5

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This piggy has much too much to say and is profoundly opinionated when it comes to books. Huge shame though, she rarely reads nowadays; work, house duties, whatever, too much alibis. To rectify that reprehensible anomaly in the revered bookworm-way-of-life, this nonsense is born. Rave, rants but mostly just blabbering about books will all be here. Hopefully this inanity will challenge me to read more. *crossed fingers*

Photo found via the interwebs. Ctto.