Author: Yanitta

Yanitta is a writer, blogger, reader, hard-working student, type 8 (Enneagram), big fan of FRIENDS, and a devoted plotter. When she is not writing, you can find her finishing off her homework, plotting her next murder mystery, researching random stuff on the internet, devouring a novel and doing a ton of extra-curriculars until late at night. She runs the Write Between The Lines book blog as well as The Historical Chronicles blog with her brother.
Posted in Book Reviews, Recommendations

10 astonishing YA books that intrigued me in the first chapter.

Posted on by Yanitta

The YA section in the bookstore is gradually increasing its size with many new authors and novels. I’ve been attracted to the YA community for ages (I even started my own bookstagram a while ago; but I stopped due to the lack of time) and here are some book recommendations that made it to my favorites after one read!

#1 Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Image result for caraval cover

Caraval is a game, conducted by Caraval Master Legend. The players compete for a prize and are confused between magic and reality.

The Caraval trilogy is filled with magic. There are warnings of being swept too far away; however, all those warnings are ineffective! I was hooked since the first chapter of the book and I couldn’t put it down. Stephanie Garber’s writing style is whimsical and ethereal. I can never write as good as that! And the romance, OOO, is on FIRE! The two other books are astonishing as well!

Books in the trilogy: Caraval, Legendary and Finale.

Read my review of Finale here.

#2 Everless by Sara Holland

Image result for everless cover

Can we all just sit here and admire this cover? It is EXTRAORDINARY which is the main reason I picked up this book in the new arrivals section in my local bookstore! And I’m thankful for that.

Jules Ember lives in Sempera, a kingdom where time is a currency. The poor live in fear, oblivious to when their time will run out, while the rich live in castles and live for centuries.

I strongly recommend this book to all lovers of Fantasy and hate-to-love romance. This series is a duology consisting of Everless and Evermore.

#3 Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

Image result for five feet apart cover

Can we just sit here (again) and admire the cover? Not only is the cover one of the BEST, but the BOOK is also the best. I literally devoured this book in ONE SITTING.

Stella has Cystic Fibrosis. Will has B. Cepacia. Unfortunately, they FELL IN LOVE. The control freak and a boy who refuses to take his meds. However, there is one thing pushing them apart. CFs can’t go near victims of B. Cepacia. They have to remain six feet apart.

This book is so sweet and sour. I was swelling with tears for the whole book! If you like the Fault in Our Stars, I definitely recommend this. If you haven’t tried the Fault in Our Stars, READ IT!

Did you know that Five Feet Apart has become a major motion picture? And it stars Haley Lu Richardson and guess who? Cole Sprouse! It was in theaters since March 2019. (But I didn’t have a chance to watch it yet. *sobs*) Watch the trailer below!

Turtles all the way down by John Green

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

You’re probably wondering, “where is the rest of the list?” Well, here’s your answer.

In the Knotty Tribe!

Sign up for my newsletter to recieve the password to enter the Knotty Tribe. Then, go to the “Enter the Knotty Tribe” page, type the password and you’re all set!

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What book did you read and say, “gosh, this is the best book I’ve ever read!” Comment below!

Posted in Uncategorized

Beau and Bett ARC Review

Posted on by Yanitta

Title: Beau and Bett

Author: Kathryn Berla

Genre: Romance, YA

Star Rating

Plot: 4

Character: 5

Writing style: 4

Cover: 4

Pace: 4

Overall: 4

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read my first ARC read! This was very worth it and I do not regret reading it at all! I’m glad that this book is being published soon and you all should try to read it.

I requested for the ARC of Beau and Bett on NetGalley after I saw the “a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast” on the cover. I was expecting something like Beauty and the Beast; however, the book didn’t live up to its name.

I was very surprised when I started reading about half the book since that was where the romance part started. Although the book wasn’t quite a modern retelling of B&B, it was a great read.

I usually don’t read YA romance except for John Green’s books. Beau and Bett definitely went to the top of my list!

At the start of this book, I wasn’t immediately hooked. However, there was something going on that started quite late in the book. The pacing is great and all the descriptions and settings were vividly written.

Posted in Book Reviews

Kindle Paperwhite: a bibliophile’s lifesaver

Posted on by Yanitta

The Kindle Paperwhite has saved my life.

This year is different.

I go to foreign countries as an exchange student annually and I pack TONS of books (basically, half my luggage) and that kills me when I arrive at the check-in booth where they weigh my luggage or the day before I go to the airport after months of shopping.

Weeks before I went to the US, I researched about the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. The price and models have a much bigger variety than my local bookstore. It is two times cheaper and there are much more options for me to look at. (My local bookstore only sells the Amazon Kindle fifth Generation.)  

On the day I went to Westfield in San Francisco, I immediately went straight to the Amazon Pop-up store. However, the paperwhite was OUT OF STOCK. Since that was my only chance of getting the Amazon Kindle, I had to find a way to get one. The salesclerk told me to find one in Target. You know what I did. I went straight to the nearest Target.

The Kindle Paperwhite was there, glowing on the white desk in front of me. The price was exactly as I expected (US$129.99 + tax). And you can guess what I did. I GOT ONE.

That afternoon, I went home to set up my Kindle. It was the best (bookish) thing that I could possess.

Pros:

  • Carry thousands of books in one small device.
  • A bookstore right in your hands.
  • Capable of connecting to goodreads.
  • Read personal documents.
  • No eye hurting after reading for too long.
  • The battery lasts weeks.
  • Read ARCs from NetGalley on the Kindle.
  • No distractions (except for Goodreads and the Kindle store).
  • WATERPROOF!

Cons:

  • Black and White (not good for graphic novels).
  • Slow.
  • Doesn’t read epub files.

There were some minor problems that occurred during the first few days of use. And quite a lot of confusion on how to use it (but I learned how to rather quickly).

I strongly recommend the Kindle Paperwhite to all bibliophiles (that means YOU!) However, if you are shopping on a budget, the All-New Kindle works as well!

(This review has no paid sponsorship).

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Thank you for reading my review of the Kindle Paperwhite and I hope you find it helpful! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter and join the Knotty Tribe!

What is your favorite reading device? A physical book, an ipad, a kindle… Comment below!

Posted in Book Reviews

Review: Finale by Stephanie Garber

Posted on by Yanitta

Welcome to Knotty Papers! Here is my first book review for my favorite series of all time. Enjoy!

Finale was one of the first books I’ve crossed out days waiting for the release date and it didn’t disappoint me.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval… all games must come to an end.

Title: Finale

Author: Stephanie Garber

Published: May 7th 2019 by Flatrion Books

Pages: 496

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Star Rating

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Character: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Writing style:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cover:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pace:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finale is the third and final installment in the Caraval series trilogy by Stephanie Garber, published on

May 7th 2019 by Flatiron books. I have an endless TBR list and tend to read the books from the list in

order; however, Finale has been able to cut the queue and make it to my number one.

Find Stephanie Garber here.

Caraval is a game, conducted by Caraval Master Legend. The World of Caraval is ethereal, whimsical

and perfect for YA fantasy aficionados which made me instantly fall in love with. Two sisters, Scarlett

and Donatella Dragna have dreamed to be a part of The World of Caraval. In the first book of the Caraval

series, they had the chance to participate in the game and get whisked away into the magic.

Every story has four parts: the beginnings, the middle, the almost-ending, and the true ending.

Meet the characters

Scarlett Dragna is the oldest sister in the Dragna family. She is brave and always ensures that the people

she care about are safe.

Donatella Dragna is Scarlett’s younger sister and enjoys taking risks. She lives her life to the fullest.

Although Donatella is quite stubborn, she tends to care deeply for the people she loves. (My favorite

character!)

Julian is Scarlett’s love of her life. They have been together since the first book in the Caraval series when

Julian was a Caraval performer. He cares deeply for Scarlett and is willing to take any risks to guarantee

Scarlett is safe.

Caraval Master Legend, formerly known as Dante is a mysterious immortal who hides his feelings well,

leaving Donatella doubtful about his affection for her. He creates illusions, to make people feel like they

are living a dream, from the magic that was given to him by the witch who created all the Fates.

Most people give up at the part of the story where things are the worst, when a situation feels hopeless, but that is where hope is needed most.

Finale is the final book in the series and gave answers to the head-exploding questions from the first two

books. The story takes place in Valenda, where Scarlett and Tella live in the present. The Fates have been

released from the Decks of Destiny. The Fallen Star threatens to take over the kingdom while the other

Fates have been a nuisance to the people of Valenda. Meanwhile, the love story between Scarlett and

Julian is steady and filled with passion. However, Tella’s story isn’t. She remains unsure whether Caraval

Master Legend or the Prince of Hearts is the perfect match for her.

Things I enjoyed:

→ The exquisite world building. The warnings on the back of the books have been ineffective. I have

been swept too far away since Scarlett and Julian entered Caraval for the first time.

→ The depth of the characters. Scarlett, Tella, Julian and Legend have been a delight. The characters

evolved through the story and ended as their true self.

→ Full-packed action. The book is filled with action that makes you crave for more at the end of

every chapter.

→ Word Choice. Stephanie Garber’s word choice is astonishing and opulent. Her way of describing

the scene makes me feel like I am living in the World of Caraval.

Things I disliked:

→ The ending. If you have the Barnes and Noble exclusive edition, it ends with Tella’s letter to Legend.

I am aware that this isn’t actually a flaw but the ending makes me crave for more.

→ Typos. There have been some minor typos throughout the story. They have been a bit annoying; but,

I can understand the story without a problem.

Just because something is real, doesn’t mean you believe in it. The Fates are real, but I don’t put my faith in them. I used to put my faith in you, and I want to do it again.

If you like Finale by Stephanie Garber, you may like:

→ Everless by Sara Holland

→ Heartless by Marissa Meyer

→ The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

This part of the review may contain spoilers from the books in the Caraval series. If you do not

wish to be spoiled, bookmark this post, go read the book and come back for my review!

Now, okay!! We’re past the serious part of the reviews and I can finally be crazy and scream and flail

about how good this book is!!

I really loved the romance between Tella and Legend and I have to admit, I feel a bit sorry for Jacks.

I can’t stop cheering for Legend to win Tella’s heart while Scarlett and Julian’s romance is flamin’ hot!!!

Stephanie Garber did such a good job describing all the dresses, outfits, places and people that I feel like

I am Scarlett or Tella.

My favorite characters are actually Tella and Paradise the Lost! I love the part where Scarlett time travels

back to see her mother and has a short conversation with Paradise; although, I feel like the time traveling

part could have been a bit longer. There is no main reason why I love Tella but I just adore her!!

Thank you for reading my review of Finale by Stephanie Garber and I hope I see you next time in my

next blog post! Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter below!

See my goodreads review here.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun.

Read more reviews here!

Novelknight

Fictiontea

Culturefly

Booksandbeautyaremybag

Nifflerreads

Goodreads

If you haven’t read this series or are unsure whether you should buy it or not, I strongly recommend Caraval! I can guarantee that you will enjoy it!

Posted in Uncategorized

Welcome!

Posted on by Yanitta

Hi! Welcome to Knotty Papers. If you like books, YA, fantasy, writing, traveling and art, then, this is the perfect place for you!

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