Jan
05

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Book Title: Sisters Red
Author:
Series: #1
Genres: , , , , ,
Publisher: (Imprint of )
Release Date: June 7, 2010
Format: Paperback (336 pages)
Dates Read: September 20 to 29, 2011
Rating:
Goodreads | Amazon

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?


Sisters Red is about two sisters living in the modern day world and they hunt Fenris (Pearce’s own twist on the big bad wolf) after one killed their grandmother when they were younger. Scarlett and her younger sister Rosie are two awesome characters. Scarlett is the more determined one who doesn’t want to waste time and mess around. While Rosie sticks by her sisters side, there is a part of her that just wants to have a normal life.

I loved how there was so much action. There are quite a few scenes where they come across fenris and it’s interesting to see how they lure them in and how they kill them. These girls are pretty bad ass for being able to handle themselves so well.  And they notice more fenris around and it turns into this mystery that you’re trying to solve right along with them. It even leads them to learn the history behind how these fenris came to be.

Of course there is also a cute boy and a romance that has you squeeing at some points. What book would be complete without that?

Overall, Pearce did an amazing job keeping some elements from The Little Red Riding Hood , while giving you a whole new story of her own. It’s such a intriguing read and you feel like you are right there with them throughout the whole book.

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Jan
04

Desperately Wanting Wednesday (1)


Desperately Wanting Wednesday is hosted by Parajunkee

Debut Young Adult Authors 2012


Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.


Tempest by Julie Cross

The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

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Jan
03

Top Ten Tuesday (1)


Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top 10 Books I'm Excited to Read in 2012



Destined by Aprilynne Pike

This is the final book in the series and I can't wait to find out how it ends. Illusions ended on such a cliffhanger that I can't wait to pick this up!


The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

I absolutely love the Iron Fey series, I know I'll instantly love this. I love the way Julie Kagawa writes. And the synopsis is just awesome.


Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

The last book in the trilogy. I haven't read Wolfsbane, but I'm can't wait to pick these up. I love this series so much.


The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

I instantly fell in love with this series since I already love Vampire Academy and I can't wait to see where this goes.


Tempest by Julie Cross

This sounds like such a unique idea. I've never come across something like this. Apparently it's already being made into a movie and I really want to read it before the movie comes out.


The Statistical Probability of Love... by Jennifer Smith

I'll admit, I'm not completely sure what this book is exactly about, but the title is what caught my attention. I'm very curious to see what it's about.


Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

I've never read a book like this before, but something about it caught my attention. Especially with the way things are going in the real world, I think this will definitely be interesting.


Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep

I'm currently on the second book, and I really wish I could just jump right into this once I finish. I'm so caught up in this world and I just love it.


Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

This is already just one of my favorite series because I love witches and magic.


The Last Echo Kimberly Derting

This is another unique idea for a series, and after reading the first book, I just can't wait to read the next two!

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Jan
02

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Book Title: Nightshade
Author:
Series: #1
Genres: , , ,
Publisher: (Imprint of )
Release Date: October 19th 2010
Format: Paperback (454 pages)
Dates Read: November 27 to December 03, 2011
Rating:
Goodreads | Amazon

Calla is the alpha female of a shape-shifting wolf pack. She is destined to marry Ren Laroche, the pack's alpha male. Together, they would rule their pack together, guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But then, Calla saves a beautiful human boy, who captures her heart. Calla begins to question everything - her fate, her existence, and her world and the orders the Keepers have asked her to follow. She will have to make a choice. But will she follow her heart if it means losing everything, including her own life?

I absolutely loved Nightshade and this is definitely my new favorite series already.

There was never a dull moment at any point from the first page to the last. I loved how there was a history and so much detail for not only the main characters, but the supporting ones as well. And the mythology was so well thought out. I was so on edge the entire time, especially because nothing was predictable. Once you think you have something figured out, something completely different happens.

I heard so many good things about Nightshade, but it was never a book I was dying to read. I just happened to see it when I was out and so I grabbed it and I think that’s what made it so much better. I didn’t have my expectations high so I wasn’t disappointed at all (not that I think you could be!)

I love all the characters and how they are all different from each other, but they fit so well together and balance each other out. Calla is such an amazing character and I think she is perfect for being an Alpha. She is strong, she does (for the most part) what she is suppose to, but she also is able to do what she thinks is right and I think that’s what being a leader is about. Some times certain situation don’t exactly work out according to rules, and you need to do something else.

While I love Shay, I don’t think he and Calla should be together. I them more as the best friends who are able to work together and help each other through anything. Calla and Ren seem to just fit together more. And even though Ren act like he’s this big tough guy, you can tell when he is around Calla, that he really cares about her and he acts so different. He would do anything for her.

The plot was just so fast paced and filled excitment and anticipation that you can’t put this book down. You get a balance of romance and action. Everything is so well written and thought out that it just fits together perfectly.

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Jan
01

In My Mailbox (4)


In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren

This is all the books I got for Christmas.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow (Goodreads | Amazon)
Betrayals by Lili St. Crow (Goodreads | Amazon)
Jealousy by Lili St. Crow (Goodreads | Amazon)
Defiance by Lili St. Crow (Goodreads | Amazon)
Reckoning by Lili St. Crow (Goodreads | Amazon)
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep (Goodreads | Amazon)
Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep (Goodreads | Amazon)
Cemetery Girl by David Bell (Goodreads | Amazon)
The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson (Goodreads | Amazon)

2 Comments on In My Mailbox (4)
Dec
08

Announcement and catch-up

Hey guys. I know I haven’t posted reviews lately and I apologize for that. I kind of went through a funk with reading and when I did finish a book I just had no idea what to say about it. If you read my last review, you could probably tell. I have so many books that I’ve read though that I’m going to work on reviewing. I finish with this semester of school and since it’s Christmas time, my excitement with a lot of things is increased so I’m hoping to pop out some good reviews for you.

Also, apparently Google Friend Connect is being discontinued for non-Blogger users and I am self-hosted and using WordPress. Now with me being gone for awhile, I’m not sure how many of you still even read my blog. But if you wish to continue, I suggest either liking my Facebook Fanpage, subscribe to my RSS Feed, sign up for email notifications, or follow on Twitter. You will get notified on all those when I post an update/review.

I will probably end up removing GFC and link to all of the above instead so then later on I don’t have to worry about moving everyone over. But I hope you all are willing to stick around because I hope to have a lot up in the next few weeks. I enjoyed having a break to get a pile of books in through so if I go through another funk, there hopefully won’t be such a gap in between reviews/books I’ve read.

I really want to try and post more than just book reviews and maybe hold another contest at some point. What are some of you favorite things to see on book blogs that you would like to see here on Escape to Wonderland? :)

Update
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Nov
05

Beauty Queen by Libba Bray

Book Title: Beauty Queens
Author:
Genres: , , ,
Publisher: (Imprint of )
Release Date: May 24, 2011
Format: Hardcover (390 pages)
Dates Read: August 31 to September 10, 2011
Rating:
Goodreads | Amazon

The fifty contestants in the Miss Teen Dream pageant thought this was going to be a fun trip to the beach, where they could parade in their state-appropriate costumes and compete in front of the cameras. But sadly, their airplane had another idea crashing on a desert island and leaving the survivors stranded with little food, little water, and practically no eyeliner.

What's a beauty queen to do? Continue to practice for the talent portion of the program--or wrestle snakes to the ground? Get a perfect tan--or learn to run wild? And what should happen when the sexy pirates show up?

The synopsis of Beauty Queens definitely catches your attention. I mean, 50 beauty contestants stranded on a deserted island? Sounds like it would be a pretty interesting and funny plot as well as being unique. Sadly, while this book is funny at points, I had a hard time getting through it.

When I started reading Beauty Queens, I had pretty high expectations. I was disappointed at how slow the story moved and it just felt like there was some big piece missing. I was hoping for there to be something more, but it just fell flat. And just the way it was written… I don’t know, it just wasn’t something I was use to and it didn’t keep my attention. It didn’t have a realistic feel to it the way I was hoping it would. I felt like I was just watching some fake reality show and the people were really bad actors and not even slightly convincing.

I didn’t love Beauty Queens, but I didn’t hate it either. I’m on the fence about it because there are things I didn’t like, but there were somethings that I did. This is the first book I’ve read by Libba Bray, but I plan to give her another shot.

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Sep
18

Top 100 Most Popular YA Books

I found this list over at Reading Teen and I thought it would be fun to see what books I’ve read. I put the books I read in bold and italized the ones that are in my reading pile.

  1. Alex Finn – Beastly
  2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
  3. Ally Carter – Gallagher Girls (1, 2, 3, 4)
  4. Ally Condie – Matched
  5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
  6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
  7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
  8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1, 2, 3, 4)
  9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe (1, 2, 3, 4)
  10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
  11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1, 2, 3)
  12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1, 2)
  13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
  15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1, 2, 3, 4)
  16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
  17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth (1, 2, 3)
  18. Christopher Paolini – Inheritance (1, 2, 3, 4)
  19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles (1, 2, 3)
  20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga (1, 2)
  21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1, 2, 3)
  22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
  23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
  25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars (1, 2, 3)
  26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
  27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
  28. Holly Black – Tithe (1, 2, 3)
  29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner (1, 2)
  31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
  33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember (1, 2, 3, 4)
  34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
  35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
  36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
  37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
  38. John Green – Paper Towns
  39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus (1, 2, 3, 4)
  40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1, 2)
  41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1, 2, 3)
  42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms (1, 2)
  43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1, 2, 3)
  44. Lemony Snicket – Series of Unfortunate Events (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
  45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle (1, 2, 3)
  46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1, 2, 3)
  47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
  48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
  49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1, 2, 3)
  50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  51. Maria V. Snyder – Study (1, 2, 3)
  52. Markus Zusak – The Book Thief
  53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
  54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
  55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
  56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope (1, 2)
  57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl (1, 2)
  58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
  59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
  60. Meg Rosoff – How I live now
  61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief (1, 2, 3, 4)
  63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
  64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  66. Michael Grant – Gone (1, 2, 3, 4)
  67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
  68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
  69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
  70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
  71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
  72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
  73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1, 2, 3)
  74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
  75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick; Norah’s Infinite Playlist
  76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
  77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
  79. S.L. Naeole – Grace (1, 2, 3, 4)
  80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
  81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
  82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
  83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
  84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
  85. Scott Westerfeld – Leviathan (1, 2)
  86. Scott Westerfeld – Uglies (1, 2, 3)
  87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
  88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
  89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern (1, 2, 3, 4)
  90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
  91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry (1, 2, 3)
  92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host
  93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1, 2, 3, 4)
  94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
  95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors (1, 2, 3)
  96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games (1, 2, 3)
  97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching (1, 2, 3, 4)
  99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl (1, 2, 3)
  100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped
Uncategorized
3 Comments on Top 100 Most Popular YA Books
Sep
17

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

Book Title: Chain Reaction
Author:
Series: #3
Genres: , ,
Publisher: (Imprint of )
Release Date: August 16, 2011
Format: Hardcover (308 pages)
Dates Read: August 30 to 31, 2011
Rating:
Goodreads | Amazon

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?

The Perfect Chemistry trilogy is one of my top five favorite series. I actually was putting off reading Chain Reaction because I wasn’t ready for the series to be over.

I absolutely love Alex and Carlos, but Luis is by far my favorite Fuentes brother. He was a good guy who didn’t want to get caught up in the same trouble his brothers got into. He ended up getting sucked in because he wanted to keep the ones he loved safe but didn’t know how else to do it. He was young and still trying to figure out who he was.

It melted my heart the way he treated Nikki. He put on this whole ‘player’ act but you knew that’s all it was. He really did respect her. I understand why he lied to her, but I really think he should’ve been honest with her or not been friends with the wrong people. He did what he did to protect her and not scare her or make her her feel like she was a problem.

I couldn’t get enough of Chain Reaction and just couldn’t put it down. I forced myself to put it down a few times, but I couldn’t keep myself from reading it for very long. I just didn’t want to say goodbye to the brother and wanted it to last as long as I could get it to.

I never reread books, but I plan to read the entire series again. I will never get sick of them.

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Aug
31

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Book Title: The Iron Knight
Author:
Series: #4
Genres: , , ,
Publisher: (Imprint of )
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Format: eBook
Dates Read: 8/23-8/30
Rating:
Goodreads | Amazon

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I absolutely love The Iron Fey series and I was so excited when I saw that The Iron Knight was coming out. When I saw it was from Ash’s point-of-view, I was definitely a bit hesitant because I was so attached to Meghan.

Once I started reading The Iron Knight, I fell in love with Ash even more. I ended up loving be able to get into his head and see how he really felt and what he was thinking. He is really good hearted but he was raised not to be “weak” and to not care.

I had know idea where the story was going to go or how it would end up, especially with the was The Iron Queen ended. I didn’t want to get my hopes up and then get let down in the end. It started off a bit slow, but it quickly picked up and I just couldn’t get enough.

I loved how all the characters came together and ended up becoming friends. You could see that through their tough exterior, they all really did respect one another.

And the twist in the story! I totally wasn’t expecting that character to come into the story at all. It was cool, but at the same time I was so angry because I thought they were going to mess everything up. But in the end, I think it really helped Ash to become not only a better person, but to be sure of his decision.

All in all The Iron Knight is absolutely amazing and a perfect ending to the series. There was so much action and adventure that kept you all hyped up and excited. And the ending leaves you overwhelmed with happiness that it all turned out good.

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