The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde - UPDATED REVIEW

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde  Genre : Classics Blurb (on back of book) : Oscar Wilde’s only novel is the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. In this celebrated work Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde's most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind. UPDATED REVIEW MY OPINION : ****** I would like to start out this review by stating that this is undoubtedly m...

Into the Still Blue - Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
Genre: YA Dystopian/Fantasy

Image result for into the still blueBlurb (on back of book): The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate.
Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do—
And they are just as determined to stay together.
Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.
Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble and unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival—he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.
In this final book in her earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

MY OPINION: *****

OK, I have to be honest.

The first book of this series was really good, and I enjoyed reading it. I thought that it had a nice sense of power for readers. The second book was even better than the first, what with its amazing literary flow of words compacted into one.

But I just have to say one thing: the last book surpassed it all.

I think that this book was just plain AMAZING. I know I say it about mostly all of the books I review, but this book literally changed how I thought about the whole series. I must say, I didn't really enjoy the first two books, and I was almost about to drop the series, until my friend begged me to keep reading it with her (we are in a book club together, and she was really enjoying it). So I followed her advice.

This book had an amazing ending. Sure, it was kind of predictable, but it had a true meaning behind it.

In my opinion, the message of this book is love conquers all. I apologize to all who disagree, but there is lots of evidence. Perry and Aria go through many problems, but both of them find that focusing on each other can help them pull through in the end. Sometimes, you have to make sacrifices (Cinder dies, but saves the rest of the people) but if you have someone to rely on, you can find a way to survive through it. LOVE CONQUERS ALL.

I felt really bad for Roar. He didn't end up with anyone at the end. I feel like it is so unfair for him to be lonely, but he didn't have a true written ending. Perhaps we can just imagine that he ends up with somebody. Roar is still my favorite character, and I just feel like he is so brave and strong, despite all that he has been through.

SPOILER ALERT

Cinder dies. I can't say how much this hurt, but I guess it was to be expected. He died a savior though. He saved everyone from the terrible Aether storms. His age was never truly given, I don't think, but he was so young. 

Reef dies. NOOOOOO. It is so sad. Despite his indifference to Aria, Reef was so loyal and amazing. That is definitely not what I expected to happen. I actually was taken by surprise, but now, looking back, I can see why Sable did it.

Sable dies. Finally. I know that it is so rude, but he was a villain. He was power-hungry and cruel. His own men were afraid of him!

Hess dies. It is so sad, also. I did expect his death, though, because I knew that Sable was going to find out about Hess's betrayal.

LASTLY, and this is definitely the most important, Aria finds her dad! I TOTALLY CALLED THAT! I even wrote a note on the page, and wrote down that her dad was going to be Loran, and it happened. I was so proud of that achievement. Loran was an amazing person, and his ending actually suited the story. I can also understand why Aria was so mad at him. I mean, he ABANDONED her, but for good reason, as you will see when you get there. :)

Soren had a good life in the end, I guess. I really cannot see him with Brooke. She is so fierce, and he is so un-fierce, I guess (I do know that un-fierce isn't a word, but nothing else works). But I'm happy that Soren had a good life, though I do see Brooke with Roar. Soren did redeem himself, and I guess that that is all that actually matters.

This was an amazing conclusion. I really wish it didn't have to end :(

I would recommend it to all readers who enjoy romance and action all mixed into one amazing adventure. Please comment and follow!

Main Character: Aria and Perry
Sidekick(s): Roar, Cinder, Talon, Soren, Brooke, Reef, the Six, etc
Villain(s): Sable, power, etc
Dystopian/Fantasy Elements: Realistic world, but unrealistic elements, such as the Aether.

Comments

  1. MIC, I didn't beg you to read the book! I just kept being annoying until you gave in and said that you would read it if I stopped bugging you. Plus, you "begged" me to read Under the Never Sky, so it's technically your fault that I fell in love with the series. It's also your fault that I'm depressed that the series has come to an end!!! Anyways, I kind of have to thank you, because that was the BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly, I am in LOVE with the Under the Never Sky series! if I had to chose a favorite though, it would definitely, 100% be Into the Still Blue. THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING ME TO THE UNDER THE NEVER SKY SERIES!!!

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