Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would give this five stars if I didn't have such a hard time staying focused and concentrated on the first 1/3 of the book. I think the beginning wasn't interesting enough for me to want to keep reading. However, it gets better, much better; and I think that maybe if I had just finished the second novel in the series, it wouldn't have been as boring to me.

This is the third and final story in the Divergent series. The way this book is written is very different from the previous two. It is written from two points of views, switching back and forth. I'm not much of someone for change when the first two weren't written in the same way, but it grew on me. In the end, it all makes sense as to why it was written that way.

There is a lot going on: There is a whole new colony/government outside the walls that we never knew existed, I got to know Evelyn a tiny bit more, and most of all, I finally get to feel what Tobias is thinking and feeling. I didn't have a problem connecting with his character at all and I think that's why it wasn't too difficult to switch back and forth between Tris and Tobias.

When Tris dies, it doesn't seem real to me. I kept thinking that there was going to be some sort of magic spell that they find or that it was all a bad dream and Tobias wakes up finding her next to him. It didn't happen that way. I liked that actually. I liked that she died because it made this fictionally story more real. Things don't always end up easy or happy or good.

This entire series was a favorite of mine and I am definitely interested in reading more of Veronica Roth.



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Ipsy Bag, November 2013

Ipsy Bag, November 2013

If you don't know about Ipsy, let me tell you about it. It is a beauty-based company that was created by Michelle Phan. She created a company for those that were interested in trying out different beauty products of all kinds, for a small fee. This fee is $10 for a monthly subscription. There is a basic quiz which allows you to answer questions based on your interests and coloring, etc. If you don't know about Michelle Phan and how she got started, check her channel out on YouTube.

The variety and sizes of the products that you receive each month, vary. I have been a monthly subscriber for a couple of months and I have never received less than 4 products. I have also never received only just samples. I have always had at least one full-size product in my Ipsy bag. I have tried many different kinds of products such as: Mascara, lipstick, lip gloss, bronzer, blush, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, nail polish, skin-care mask, lotion, perfume, eyeliner, hair spray and other hair-care items. The brands have varied also. Also, each brand that is featured for the month always has great discounts, just in case there was an item that wasn't received and you were just itching to try it out.  If you happen to receive an item that you don't want, there is a trade forum where ladies trade items with other ladies. I have not personally done this but it is an option.

Here is what I received this month:

• 1 full-size EM lengthening mascara in black. Em Cosmetics, is Michelle Phan's newest cosmetics line. She just launched this not too long ago and all Ipsy members received a full-size product from her line. This mascara retails for $20. I love the way the little hairs on the wand separate my lashes. I put two coats on and I could definitely see the "lengthening" effect. It also dries pretty quickly.

• 1 full-size bronzer from Pixi in Subtly Suntouched. This retails at Target for $18 but comes with a small kabuki brush that did not come with my bronzer. However, still a great deal. It's a beautiful pressed powder. 

• 1 full-size (2.4 g) eyeliner Gem Pencil from Starlooks in Amethyst. This is a metallic gorgeous lavender color and is very creamy. It lasted on my eyes for about 6 hours, but I did have eye shadow primer on.

• 1 full-size lip crayon in Hot Damn from Be-A-Bombshell. This is described as a bright red. I tried it out this afternoon and it is definitely, RED. It has great staying power though. It's almost like a stain because the staying power is fabulous. I drank too 8 oz glasses of water and nothing came off on my glass. It doesn't dry out my lips and I like the twisty at the bottom so I don't have to use a sharpener. This is another great deal because it retails for $14. 

• 1 full-size nail (.5 fl oz) polish from Nailtini in Caviar. This particular polish retails for $13. It is a dark gray with a little bit of shimmer. It's a beautiful color.

• My last product was a sample of GlamGlow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment. I found a small size at Sephora for $21, which is probably why there is only a sample. However, I've heard fabulous things about this mask and I am very excited to try it out. 

This month was hands-down the best bag that I have received so far. This month's retail total, excluding the sample, was about $79. That is amazing to me! Granted every month isn't going to be as fabulous, but it's awesome that I get to try out new brands and new products. Here is a link to Ipsy if you are interested in trying it out.

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

One of the things that I love to do is read. I love how my mind is able to escape into a small fictional world and I am able to be stress-free. Maybe you like to read? Maybe you don't. If you do like to read, check out Goodreads. It's a free website to rate books and to find possible new stories and/or authors to check out. My latest review from Goodreads is below.
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

My thoughts on this book were that; the story was interesting enough to keep reading to find out what happens, but there were definite parts that I could have done without specific details.

I did like how we saw many different characters and their individual stories. I liked how it all tied together. There were characters that I felt connected to. I liked some and I disliked some. I do like that this book felt real and dealt with situations that really do happen.

I didn't care for the specifics on certain situations; the rape for instance. My personal opinion is that I don't really like to read about it. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I think there was a lot of political bullshit that went on, which isn't my thing. It is what is happening in real life, but it was a little too much for me. I found myself skimming through certain pages because I was bored.

I don't feel that anyone under the age of 17 should read this book. There are too many adult-type situations, which I'm sure that teenagers now-a-days know about but don't need to read about.

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