Book Review: Hello, I Love You by Katie M. Stout

ARC received in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

If you know me, you know I love KPop. And I was so flipping pumped when I got approved for this book. But then the negative reviews started and I got a little bit apprehensive about it. But I charged ahead and I read this book anyways.  Let's just say that the negative reviews are well deserved.

Quick Summary: Grace moves to South Korea to get away from the drama of her family. It's spontaneous and crazy but she can't handle life anymore with her mother and her past. She enrolls in an international boarding school and finds herself immediately taking a liking to her exuberant roommate, Sophie. But Sophie's twin brother is a music star and is cocky beyond belief. He has a right to be though. He's famous, gorgeous and obviously talented. 

But Grace moved to Korea to get away from the music industry that her family is so entrenched in and she wants nothing to do with Jason. Being friends with Sophie means that she has to get along with her brother though and soon a grudging alliance forms. Grace realizes, after spending so much time with Jason, that not all is as it seems and not everything in his world is perfect. Their bonding sparks a romance that crosses language barriers and obvious fatal flaws in each other.

I'm just going to come out and say it: Grace is a ridiculous spoiled brat of a bitch. She's blonde, skinny, pretty, and is a princess in the music industry. She can't sing or play instruments but she's *awesome* at composing and is fantastic at everything.

She has trust and panic issues but it isn't really enough to make her relatable as a character. I wish someone in the book would have told her to lay off and actually be respectful of Korean culture and her friends but that never happens.

Grace repeatedly bashes Korean culture and shows such American elitism it made me want to gag.

"So people do play Western music"

She never really makes an attempt to dive in headfirst and opts to complain about everything that they do in Korea. Women wear skirts during winter? *Judgement* Girls are skinnier than her? *Judgement* They like to listen to bubbly pop music? *EXCESSIVE JUDGEMENT*

"I’m not sure what I expected--that they would be good? Pop is in the name of the genre. That never bodes well for the quality of the music. But I guess I’d hoped since they’re a big deal, they would be more than your average bubblegum band. After ten songs, my brain is ready to explode."

Get off your high horse. You sound like a baby. And it's not that I don't like her music taste. It's actually pretty good stuff in my opinion. But there's no need to be that person that judges everybody based off of what they are playing and listening to.

I guess that out of everything about Grace that bothers me, the worst is her obvious disdain for everything that she hasn't been exposed to. She tries to flaunt her hipster cred at every opportunity and it made me want to punch her in the face. 

Moving on now to some other flagrant flaws in this book.

Jason flip flops. He doesn't have any real personality to me. One second, he is cold and removed and then he is apologizing. This author started with what could have been a strong character in him but seemed to sort of give up and try to make him nice. I like him mean and rude. I liked how he pushed Grace and made her lose her cool. Jason clearly just didn't care and that was part of his character and all of that changes very quickly. He turns from outwardly aggressive to making snide comments and trying to push everybody away.

Sophie is obnoxious as well. She's happy and bubbly (which is fine) but for being a "best friend" she abandons Grace for a guy. And then tries to hide it from everyone. I can understand hiding a relationship with your brother's best friend from him just so it doesn't get awkward, but don't sneak around and act like nothing is going on and lie to your roommate. Everybody knows. Just be honest.

Honestly, out of all the characters, I liked Yoon Jae the most. He came closest to what I expected out of a book about KPop and he is thrown under the bus as far as character development goes. Yes, he's the drummer of the group but maybe he got roped into something he didn't want too. Everybody treated him like he was the one that caused the tension but really, he was just as unhappy as Tae Hwa and Jason in the band. Doesn't anybody else consider his dreams too? He wanted to be an Idol and he had to play backup to a sexy singer. Yoon Jae could have grown so much more and could have competed a bit more for Grace but he is one of the most passive characters I've ever encountered.

It's telling when your favorite character is a secondary character that has little to no personality. But hey, he danced and he sang and he was what I wanted when it came to a Korean star.

The plot was rather weak as well (now that I've raged about the characters). Grace helps Jason with a music project and somehow ends up being her Korean tutor despite not being able to read Korean. And then later, magically, he can write in Korean. It doesn't make sense. Sophie drags Grace around the country following the guys like a groupie and it came off as desperate. Yes, you're there to support your brother but it's borderline stalker for the guy in the group you like. It seemed awkward and forced.

Grace's mother and father are obviously a point of contention throughout the book and Grace has some baggage that she's carrying around but it never felt real to me. It felt like a plot device throughout and it was too dragged out. She focused on it too much while there was other stuff going on. What about the concern for your roommate? Does she not matter anymore?

Ugh...sorry for the rage filled review. When I hate a book, I always find I have a lot more to say about it. I wanted sexy KPop. I got a little bit of drama and a whole lot of whining. Whatever, I'm over it. Crash and burn.

So this book definitely deserves the negative reviews. It portrays Americans as elitist and self centered. It barely shows any of the Korean culture. The main character is a complete bitch and her love interest is so contrived it's ridiculous.

All of that being said, if anybody has any suggestions for other books based on KPop, I'd love to hear them. I watch Korean dramas a lot and I love stuff like that so I would love some more input!

One Star

Book Review: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater (The Raven Cycle #2)

Every once in a while, you run into a series or a book that dares to be different in this world of homogeneity, How many young adult books are out there where the problem is self inflicted or menial? How many paranormal books are there that only use worn out worked over cliches that rarely feel like there is something unique happening? I'm personally a little bit sick of vampires, werewolves and demon hunters. I've heard it all before.

The Raven Cycle is a series that is entirely unique in its genre and is beautiful to read.

First, let's start with the cover. I'm drooling over it to be honest. I love that this author puts the characters on her cover and uses them in a recognizable and interesting way. Ronan and Chainsaw are the pivotal players in this book and there they are... Ronan looks absolutely unapproachable and the multiple birds suggest later plot elements. It's wonderful. And the colors are perfect. This is how covers should be done. 

I'm a sucker for books written in the South and this series is no real exception for me.  This book is set in some of the most beautiful country out there. 

Can't you see all of this mystic stuff happening here? Can't you see a family of psychics thriving in this beautiful isolation in the mountains? The Dream Thieves and the other books in the Raven Cycle incorporate the setting in a seamless way, such that you truly believe that the characters are interacting with the landscape and that this town could really exist.

But what really drives this book are the characters. And not just Blue, Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah but also the supporting characters. Kavinsky has depth. He has motivation and he has reasons for the way he acts. The same applies for The Gray Man. It gives the characters life outside of the plot and that is what makes them believable, at least for me. 

Secrets and cockroaches-that's what will be left at the end of it all.

Ronan is wonderfully tortured throughout this book. You come to understand his desperation and angst over everything. Ronan is not just some stereotypical hard edged rich young man.  I mean, can you imagine the emotional scarring of not only losing your father but also your mother and your home all together? But he is also gentle, if need be. He isn't all glares and tattoos. The character growth that Ronan goes through in this book is monumental and the reader gets to watch him transform. And his little revelation at the end? Perfect. It doesn't change the character in my eyes but it gives another element of explanation.

And Ronan was everything that was left: molten eyes and a smile made for war.

Adam is another character that shows his stripes in this book. He tries so desperately to be independent but he comes off as whiny sometimes. Sometimes, you have to have someone else to lean on but he sees every favor that someone does for him as a handout. Adam broke away from his family and lives alone in a church. He can't take what he perceives as charity from his rich friends. I can understand that but it is overwhelmingly frustrating when just being a little less proud would benefit him a great deal.

Sometimes Ronan thought Adam was so used to the right way being painful that he doubted any path that didn't come with agony.

 The development of the romance between Blue and Gansey is subtle and perfect in this book. It isn't one of those books where the characters fall in love and everything else, including the plot, disappears in the background. Blue is independent, strong and first and foremost, wants to be friends with the boys.

In that moment, Blue was a little in love with all of them. Their magic. Their quest. Their awfulness and strangeness. Her raven boys. 

She acknowledges their flaws and accepts them, just like they accept her and her unconventional family without question. They don't treat her like a girl when they are out and about in the fields and helicopters. She is just as much part of their adventure as they are. Adam and Gansey's relationships with her do not affect her quality of character but rather, enhance it.

I wish you could be kissed, Jane,' he said. 'Because I would beg just one off you. Under all this.' He flailed an arm toward the stars.

And finally, Noah. My favorite out of all of them. He wants so much what he cannot and will not ever have. It's so easy to take being alive for granted but he is their ever present reminder that life is fleeting.  That doesn't stop them from doing stupid things but it at least reminds them that they are indeed mortal. I loved his interaction towards the beginning with Ronan and it actually made me laugh out loud because Ronan would do that. And the way Noah pouts afterwards is absolutely perfect. Noah's interaction with Blue nearly had me in tears because it is so sad and yet so liberating for both of them. Both of them gets to experience something that they otherwise wouldn't and that's bittersweet for both of them.

Come here Noah...let me give you a hug!

There is a subtle humor in this book that doesn't have you laughing uproariously but rather chuckling at the play of words or simplicity of it all. There isn't snark and played out one liners. There is beautiful prose with a thoughtful plot line as well as humor and that's important.

The fantasy elements of this series is so unique that is almost impossible to compare it to other books. Has anybody else encountered something like this? I loved how the ley lines are close to being tangible but one little change in the system makes it so they are disrupted. Adam treats the lines like water where one dam or diversion can cause a massive effect downstream.

It's marvelously well planned out. It's unique. It has strong characters. What more could you want?

I can't stop talking about this book.  This review could go on for pages and pages but I still wouldn't be done with it.  So overall, wonderful.

I can nitpick about the Gray Man and his absolute necessity to the plot but it doesn't take away from the book itself. When you can disagree or dislike a major character but still enjoy the book, that means you are reading something great.

Go out and get this series. Right now. I'll be reading the final book right away because I have to know what happens next. 

Insta-Love is Insta-Boring

We've all read those books. You think it is going to be a story about a young heroine, overcoming massive obstacles and fighting for what is good and right in the world.  And then they find the guy of their dreams and OMG he is so hot and I am already in love with him even though I barely know him and he may be a rapist or a murderer or have weird fetishes about feet and I don't know but he is perfect for me for ever and ever! 

In some ways, Disney sort of had the corner of the Insta-Love market for a while. Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, Aladdin...all of them fall under the same balloon of the girl making her first impression of a man, mostly by looks or outward charm, and going "Yup! This is it!"

I never really minded it in animation.  It simplifies the plot for kids in many ways and the target audience is generally not looking for a long drawn out courtships.  Disney has even started to roll back this idea of falling in love with a guy as soon as you meet him with movies like Tangled and The Princess and the Frog.  It was refreshing to see these role models for girls more concerned with their future than some handsome guy who randomly pops up.  They are grounded girls who have goals.  Those are the kinds of characters that modern girls should be looking up to.  That is not to say that the old Disney movies are completely without merit because they aren't.  Many of them were revolutionary in the animation world but their plots are dated now and have been rejected by many because of their emphasis on a man making your world complete.

But insta-love has worked its way into books and it sucks. Not a fan. Will never be a fan.

Instant attraction is real. Once again, we have all been there and it is pretty much based on first impressions.  You are at a party and you see someone across the room and your first reaction is somewhere along the lines of "Hot damn!". That's normal.  People do that all the time and can be the start of a relationship but probably shouldn't be the basis for one.  It is not normal for your first thought when seeing someone to run along the lines of "MINE FOREVER!" 

I can respect books that have instant attraction but this whole falling in love with a guy you have talked with once or twice is ridiculous.  The words "lamb to the slaughter" come to mind.  Insta-love is often paired with a girl that "isn't judgmental" or is an outsider in some way which is even worse.  So not only are you dangerously naive, but you are a hypocrite and this is the one that is supposed to be the heroine and fix everything?

One of the few books where insta-love has worked for me is Shatter Me with the character of Warner.  You know why it works well?  It's because he is a broken and obsessive guy with human interaction issues.  He isn't normal and his immediate possessiveness of Juliette is a symptom of his problems.  Also, Juliette doesn't love him back instantly and he has to work for what he wants.

The stories where people have to work for each other are the ones that capture my attention and admiration and many of the classic love stories focus on that.  Pride and Perjudice and North and South are two stories that contain wonderful love stories that took time and energy to come to fruition.  Those are the stories that stick with you and should be examples for writers.  Other more modern examples include the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning even a book like Austenland where the idea in the long run is about making a connection and finding love but the kicker is finding the right love for you.

All of these cliched stories of people finding their true love and happily ever after are unrealistic in a way that makes me want to throw things.  What is the worst book for insta-love that you have read? Have you read a book where it actually worked? (Outside of fairy tales) I'd love to hear your opinions on it.