Review: Divergent + Movie Trailer Thoughts

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Published: April 25, 2011

Format: Paperback
Pages: 487

Goodreads Summary:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Thoughts:

I actually put of reading this book for a very long time. It was up and coming, the new biggest hit. Then it was going to be made into a movie and I couldn't help but think by how it was going to be the next The Hunger Games, or worse, the next Beautiful Creatures. Don't get me wrong, The Hunger Games was an excellent novel to film adaptation that not only satisfied the movie critiques but also the loyal "tributes" (the name The Hunger Games fans call themselves). Whereas the same couldn't be said for Beautiful Creatures. The point I'm trying, and failing, to make is that I didn't want to read another popular book. I didn't want to read another book one of four in a series.

But there are even times when a college students finds themselves with nothing to do (or avoiding actual work) and roommate's book. And then in a flash, five hours of your life are gone and you're in front of your laptop having feels moments and shipping.

I'm not going to lie, Veronica Roth's Divergent wasn't totally new and exciting. I found myself being able to predict upcoming plot points. Whether I've finally fulfilled my dream of being an oracle, or I'm getting better at picking up on the clues the author leaves, the fact remains that I did find myself skimming over a section and having to force myself to go back and read it. But Roth has excellent writing skills because I did find myself viewing the plot like a movie. So much so that when I got up to do quick things, I had a moment where I would wonder what TV show I had just been watching before returning to the book.

There is a beautiful moment in the book when the protagonist, Tris, and Four are having an intimate moment. It goes back to how I love it when writers make their characters real rather than perfect.

Tris: "Don't pretend," I say breathily. "You know I'm not. I'm not ugly, but I am certainly not pretty." (page 103 of my ebook version)

I won't spoil the rest of it for you, but I really find this one line very truthful. Everyone has this expectation to be pretty, to have pretty features. Yet, some people just don't. Their prettiness comes from the personality, their mind, not their facial structure. And Tris understands that. She's not trying to get compliments by shooting herself down. And I love it! These are the kind of female literary heroines we need to see more of.

Long story short, I really like this book. The idea is intriguing and it captivates the reader. It's not too complicated but it's not just a simple read. Reading it closely, you can see the mirror struggles we face in society now as they face in the book. It's relatable and the characters have a slow development that will no doubt keep occurring through out the rest of the novels.

Rating: 3.92/5

Oh wait, there's more!

As mentioned above, Divergent is being made into a movie, set to release March 21, 2014. Here's the teaser trailer if you  haven't seen it yet.
 

                         

Can I just say that I don't like it? These are definitely not the characters I imagined in my head. Shailene Woodley just isn't the Tris I envision. From the short parts we did see her act, she just didn't give that Tris-esque vibe I got from reading the book. She seemed more, complacent.

What are your thoughts on the movie? What are your thought on the book? What fraction do you think you belong to ? (I personally see myself living as an Amity or an Erudite in a different time.)

Review: Infinte Days by Rebecca Maizel

Title: Infinite Days
Author: Rebecca Maizel
Pages: 336
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, Paperback 2010

Goodreads summary:

“Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you... no one.”

Those were some of Rhode’s last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn’t Rhode.

But Justin was... daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again... then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

My Summary:

Remember when this book was in my awesome stash of books that I got from Borders? (Here's the IMM if you don't remember) Well, I finally got around to reading it!! Yayayay!

We should all thank Spring Break and Second Semester Senior= senioritis for this chance.

Anyway, I'm a bit rusty in the whole review thing, so I hope you guys take it easy on me.

I was tentative when I started reading it, because it was about a vampire, a genre I'm trying to shy away from (but it's really hard!) So I'm reading this book and I'm already getting excited. There's a love!! Ahhh!! I love love!!!! Rhode is so dreamy, and what he did for Lenah was so sweet! Sorry, getting of track.

Okay so the beginning was how I expect it to go. You know, trying to fit in, they whole culture shock kind of deal. I really liked what Rebecca Maizel did with the ritual. Intent, it's important. It was clever.

I was a little confused on bringing in The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I liked how Lenah said she didn't like it, because I read it last year and I didn't like it either. But I'm having a hard time seeing why dedicating about a page to the book and what it means has to do with the book. In no way to do I see Lenah being an Edna Pontellier. It's a really big stretch, with the two women being trapped by the norms of their society. Yes, Lenah didn't want to be a vampire anymore; she didn't want to have vampire thought and lack of sense. Edna didn't want to be the kind of woman she was expected to be. And their ends (trying to be vague because I don't want to ruin either book for the readers) are prompted by very different feelings, and lead to different results.

Character shpeal: I LOVE TONY!!! ahhh he's such a cute guy. But once more my winning boy theory has been proven correct. Tony, was a great character, and it was only through Lenah's obliviousness that he wasn't able to go in for the win. His part in the end of the book made me sad, but it also made me happy. We all know I love a tragedy.

Also, I wish the book had just ended. I was really hoping that it was a stand alone book (we need more of those these days) and I thought it ended well enough for an ending to be a stand alone. But I guess I should read my own blog (lol) because April posted a Waiting on Wednesday post with the second book! So there's a series guys! Go forth and read them!

Alright, this is really bad. My thoughts aren't really in order for this book, but I know that if I don't do it now, I never will.

Karina

Rating: 4/5 stars

Review: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Publication: April 22nd, 2008 by Viking Juvenile
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 4 out of 5

Ruby, where is your mother?

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.

Introduction
I devoured this in one day.  Which is normal for all you speedy readers, but it takes me forever to read a book.  So that's really saying how much I loved this book.  I will admit that Lock and Key does have it's cheesy, predictable moments.  And that it's not the most action packed book in the world.  But I think the characters is what makes it a memorable and inspiring read.

The Characters
I enjoyed Ruby's complexity in this story.  I could really relate to her and her trust issues, and I really enjoyed the reading experience from her point of view and her thought process as she grew to trust others.  I also really liked Nate and Ruby's relationship, and wish that there was more of it... especially towards the end... but I'll get to that later.  I adored Jamie and Cora, and subconsciously I know they're the cheesy, quirky, happy-go-lucky characters that Dessen inserts into her books, but I loved them anyway.

The Ending (AKA What Killed Me)
It kills me inside that I couldn't give this a 5+ out of 5, because up until the last 75 pages or so, I was in love with the story and the characters.  Around the last 75 pages, there is a very noticeable lack of Nate (the romance), and you feel like Ruby's issues have been dealt with and resolved.  The book also shifts from focusing on Ruby's development to Ruby trying to help Nate... which, in my opinion, could have been done better.

Oh geez, I'm gonna write another paragraph on the ending.  The ending, although realistic, just wasn't enough for me.  I'm not gonna spoil it, but I really wanted the happily ever after, with everything tied in a neat little bow... and in my opinion, we got a messy, scrambled, and slow ending that lacked a lot of resolution.  I think if the book ended maybe 100 pages earlier, I would have gotten the happy ending I wanted, but *shrugs*, as usual, just my opinion.

Overall
Lock and Key is another fantastic and heart felt story by Sarah Dessen.  Even though the ending was a bit of a let down, these characters will stay with me forever.  Now that I have a greater appreciation for contemporary books, I'll definitely be on the lookout for the rest of her books.

P.S. This is the first time I categorized the paragraphs with headers... any thoughts on that?  Personally I think it's easier to read/skim through.  

There's not really a fixed set of paragraph headers I was planning on using, just whatever I talked about in the review.  So for this review, I didn't talk much about plot because it wasn't a huge part of the book for me.  For another book, I may not talk about characters and just talk about plot.  

What do you guys think? Feedback would be great! ;)

Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope #1) by Maureen Johnson
Format: Paperback, REPRINT, 317 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publication: August 23rd, 2005 by HarperCollins (originally)
Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 4 out of 5 

Summary from Goodreads:


When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

So, after reading The Name of the Star, I wasn't sure how I would feel about 13 Little Blue Envelopes.  But a couple pages in, I was in love with Ginny's voice and her adventures.  Ginny was really funny and random, and I think everyone can relate to her occasional awkwardness.

Admittedly, the story is a bit fantastical... you get almost no back story on Ginny's parents allowing their 17 year old daughter go on this crazy journey.  The book starts off with her taking a plane to London, without giving much back story.  But once you ignore the impracticality of everything, the book really sucks you in.

On a nit-picky note, I wish that Ginny's relationships with the people she met were more substantial. Sometimes it felt like the people she interacted with throughout the journey didn't leave an impact on her.  Even Keith, the love interest, seems to be on the sidelines for most of the book.  And while I understand this book is meant to focus on Ginny's growth and independence, I've also noticed this in The Name of the Star, so it may just be a result of Johnson's writing style as well.

At the beginning of the book, I was sure I was going to give this book a 4.5 or 5 out of 5.  But as the story progresses, especially with the last couple of envelopes, the story really drags.  Some of Ginny's travels seem pointless, some of the people she meets seem random and insignificant, and you're just lost.  I feel like there were some subtle things that Johnson was trying to put in, but I... just didn't see them.  Even though I enjoyed Ginny's growth, I was unsatisfied with the ending.

Overall, 13 Little Blue Envelopes is a fun and quirky contemporary read that will keep you hooked as you follow Ginny's adventures through Europe.  A charming read sprinkled with romance, adventure, and humor, I'd recommend this one to fans of contemp.  I'll definitely be reading the sequel!

Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

Tempest (Tempest #1) by Julie Cross
Format: ARC, 334 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance
Published January 17th, 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

Hooray for my FINALLY reading my first book of 2012!  I heard some mixed things about this one, so I was surprised by much I liked it :)  Looking at other people's reviews, it seems like a love-it-or-hate-it book... I'm glad to be part of the love-it group!

I really liked how it was written from a guy's POV, it's been a while since I've read one!  I thought the author did a pretty good job at writing in first person from the opposite sex.  Jackson was a great protagonist, he was relatable and really matured throughout the book.  He starts off as a typical, immature teenager and by the end he learns about self sacrifice and not taking things for granted.  And I liked how Jackson and Holly are technically in college, since most of the YA books I've read are based more in high school and the 15-18 age range.

While I thought the first half of the book was a bit on the slow side, it really got better for me once I became more attached to the characters.  Even though the entire book is pretty action packed, in the beginning you don't really know the characters that well, so it's kind of hard to 100% care about what is happening.  And for some reason in the beginning, although Jackson's journal entries helped to fill in some of the gaps, I felt like it was a bit unnecessary and kind of interrupted the flow of the story.

I thought the way time travelling is done in this book was unique, although a bit confusing at times.  Which is to be expected since I'm not a big science person, and I suppose if time travelling was simple we'd have figured it out already.  However, once I kind of ignored the technicality of all of it and focused on the story, I really loved it!  I don't read a whole lot of sci-fi, especially sci-fi with a lot of romance, but I'll definitely be on the lookout for now on!

Overall, I thought Tempest was a fantastic debut by Julie Cross, and I'll definitely be reading her future books!

Also check out an excerpt of the audiobook provided by the awesome people at Macmillan Audio! I really love the guy who does the voice for Jackson, he's exactly how Jackson sounded in my head!

Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Title: The Way We Fall
Author: Megan Crewe

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Published: January 24th, 2012
Read as: An ARC, December 2011

Pages: 309

Goodreads Summary:

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.
When sixteen-year-old Kaelyn lets her best friend leave for school without saying goodbye, she never dreams that she might not see him again. But then a strange virus begins to sweep through her small island community, infecting young and old alike. As the dead pile up, the government quarantines the island: no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for the island’s dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Poignant and dizzying, The Way We Fall is the heart-wrenching story of one girl's bravery and unbeatable spirit as she challenges not just her fears, but her sense of what makes life worth living.

My Review:

Oh my gosh this was soo good!

If there's one type of book I really like, besides fantasy, it has to be books like this. The kind with major catastrophe. Where all hope seems lost until one beacon appears and changes it all. It's different than dystopian, because stories like these take place in current times and manipulates current events and fears to entice the reader.

I could not stop reading this book! I'm sick with the flu and I still kept going even though I was half falling asleep. I woke up early so I could finish reading, that's how good it was.

Written like a journal, The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe is a written, first-person account of what's happening in the small island near Canada. I like journal type books because it gives you a different insight to the story, since characters have the chance to look back reflect on past posts, bringing everything into a bigger picture.

The characters were good, the plot even better and the writing super.

I hope it's a series, because this book leavings you wanting to know more!

Rating: 4/5

Review: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Forever
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Pages: 386
Publishers: Scholastic Press, Hardcover

Goodreads Summarry:
The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

My Review:

An end to a marvelous series.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater is the epic conclusion to the Wolves of Mercy Falls series.

Forever is a tempting book. I read it in spurts between homework, school and application writing because after each read it just left me renergized! This book is an emotional rollercoster, espcially near the end. I can not tell you how many times I was just holding my breath and waiting to see what would happen. The characters are as lovable and the story is as enrapturing as before. I'm sad to see the end to the series.

At the beginning, I thought it was going a bit slow, but I didn't think too much of it. Maggie Stiefvater is a wonderful author and writer and I knew she wasn't going to let me down. I don't enjoy many books that are in multiple POVs, but this is just perfect! You get into the mindset of each character and learn their fears and secrets. You see their love at first hand and it just makes you bond with the characters even more.

The story ties up nicely, answering questions and finishing things unsaid in the last books. It does what every book does, giving each character their deserved ending. Of course, not before sacrafices are made.

I just wish we knew in more detail about the wolves and the ending. Which ones?! I want to know, even though I have to believe, that Cole was right in the end.

Oh my gosh! Cole! He's such a great character! You learn his story and get to know him so much better in this book that by the end you have to say "oh Cole" with a smile.

Forever is the perfect way to end the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, and I'm just slightly saddened that this is the end of Sam and Grace and the rest of the characters.

Rating: 4.23/5

Overall:

Do I love this book? Maybe. It's really good and I know I'll most likely be reading it again.

Would I reccomend it to others? Yes! Why wouldn't I?

Review: Watched by Cindy M. Hogan

Title: Watched
Author: Cindy M. Hogan
Pages: 348
Publisher: Createspace, paperback, ARC version

Goodreads Summary:
It takes more than a school trip to Washington, D.C. to change fifteen-year-old Christy's life. It takes murder.

A witness to the brutal slaying of a Senator's aide, Christy finds herself watched not only by the killers and the FBI, but also by two hot boys.
She discovers that if she can't help the FBI, who want to protect her, it will cost her and her new friends their lives.

My review:

Don't read this book if you don't have an entire sitting to read it!

Sadly, I learned that the hard way. This attention grabbing novel was really good and I kept wanting to turn the page to find out what happened next, even if I was in class.

What I liked about Watched, was the reality of it. Taking place in D.C., Watched is about a girl and a group of seven students who were on a two week trip to the Capitol. Being witness of a murder scene, they're thrust into the dangers and mystery of it all.

Not a unique plot, but Cindy M. Hogan adds her own details that extract it from the rest.

The characters were unique in their own way. I didn't like how there was the sudden enrapture with "the hot", Alex, but I guess I like to see the slow progress of the relationship. Which is why I liked how the relationship was kind of forming with Rick. But then Christy had already been there for a couple days, and there is always that unexplainable attraction to someone. I know, I am deeply and totally in love with Alex Pettyfer, and other characters whose name shall not be revealed because I don't want to fight you for them. :)

I also loved how the relationship wasn't all intense. I mean, the girl is 15 years old! She doesn't have to know that she's meet the love of her life. Which of course, made me connect with the book so much more. You see the difficult decisions she makes between choosing, going about them like any 15 year old would do.

Now the story wasn't all romance. Cindy M. Hogan has written a book for both genders. Being a crime-mystery, there was danger and action. Heroics and disappointments. This book had everything one could ask for. It was well written, enjoyable and a real page turner.

Rating: 4.02/5

Did I fall in love with the book? No, but I will definitely be reading it again! It's one for the bookshelf
Would I recommend it to others? Of course, especially if you're into government plots, spies, action, and a little love.

Review: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Title: The Son of Neptune
Author: Rick Riordan
Pages: 511
Publisher: Disney Hyperion, hardback

Goodreads Summary:
In the first pages of this standalone sequel to The Lost Hero, Percy Jackson remembers only his name and the name of Annabeth, a mysterious woman he associates somehow with the city of San Francisco. From those sparse clues, he must somehow complete a mission for the leader of the Roman camp even as he is being pursued by the two sisters of Medusa, who possess an apparently unquenchable thirst for vengeance: Even when killed, they spring back to life. Rick Riordan's second Heroes of Olympus promises even more excitement than the first.

My Review:

I swear, series like these are going to give me heart attacks, or diabetes or something!

Another great story to the Heroes of Olympus series has been added. Rick Riordan's newest book, The Son of Neptune, was certainly worth the year long wait.

Percy Jackson has been asleep for eight months and has finally awoken, without memory of his past. Similar to Jason Grace's story, The Son of Neptune takes place in the Roman Camp, and is told in the point of view of three different characters: Percy, Frank and Hazel. It tale starts with how Percy, son of Neptune, gets to find the Roman camp to the long awaited reunion. Only not quiet.

Personally, I don't like the whole 3 different character POV thing. I know it's in 3rd person, but I'm just so accustomed to one POV from the Percy Jackson series. At least these characters are much more tolerable than last books. Okay, that's a lie. The only I couldn't tolerate was Pipper, but there's no Pipper in this book!

Frank, newly recruited Roman demi-god, he's kind of that awkward, shy kid that is really nice, but is always messing things up on accident and no one really talks to him. His parentage kind of comes in a shock, but not really if you pay close attention to his description. And don't trick yourself into believing that Frank is the underdog, because this guy is full of secrets and surprises. Just wait, you'll get to like him!

Hazel, she has some secrets of her own. I'm starting to think that all Hades' kids have the same kind of story, because there really seems to be some kind of repetition going on. At first, her curse might not make much sense to you, but just hang in there! The truth will be told! And she's not annoying like Piper! I found that really exciting! There were only little hints of romantic thoughts and I really liked the way we got to learn about her past. But come on Rick Riordan! This girl has gone through a lot, and yet you do that thing, with Leo?! Cruel. Just cruel.

Percy. Our hero has not changed! Well, only a little. I found that he made kind of silly comments when he first arrives at camp, and for a moment I was afraid he'd been dumped down. But quickly the reader gets to see flashes of the good ol' Percy and everything is made right with the world. He quickly rises to his true leadership position, which is great. You learn a lot more about what the future has in story of this kid, and of course, his love of Annabeth was still strong! What else would you expect? But I swear, this guy knows like everyone. So watch out for those cameos! Let's see if you can guess who they are before their identities are revealed (and in some cases they aren't!)

Octavius. The bad guy we all love to hate. Couldn't have made his character any more easier. I mean, this guy kind of gave me the bad vibe just from his description. The second he opened his mouth I knew I wasn't going to like him. And I don't! So well done Mr. Riordan, you have written your story well.

Reyna. She's so cool! She's that girl I wish I was, strong, cool, collective, smart and athletic. She's a great praetor and I wish her the best of luck. Hopefully, we'll get to see more of her in later books.

The writing wasn't much different from the last book. There were definitely parts were I felt the story was lacking something. I felt this one was less exciting that The Lost Hero, but it was good in its own way. Of course, there were parts were I was like freaking out and hyperventilating, but there were also others were I kind of just skimmed the paragraph because it wasn't that interesting. There are references to books from the PJO series, so I hope you guys remember what happened. And I'm not saying references from the last book, some maybe be as early as the first three books. I also didn't think the gods were as funny in this book, but that's also because their Roman forms are much more serious. The difference between Greek and Roman way is definitely noted. It's even pointed out to the reader, to prove the point. Their lifestyles are so much different! I mean, they're like polar opposites! Questions campers have had about the after-life of campers will surely be answered. And by after-life I mean life after camp, if they're not killed by a giant or a gryphon before hand that is.

Let's thank the gods that Rick Riordan added a glossary to the book. I mean, near the beginning I was rather lost with all the Roman talk. Sure, I'm widely educated in the civilization of the Ancient Greeks (I wrote many term papers on them) but my Roman knowledge was lacking a bit. And it just seemed so odd to me that there was Roman talk. After six Greek books, you get used to Greek terms.

The ending will keep you shocked. Mostly because you can't believe it just ended right there! Then you get past the glossary and there's that little note that says The Mark of Athena, Fall 2012. That's one whole year away. I'll be a senior then...wow. Sure, the time will fly by, but still...a whole year. Four whole seasons have to pass before I get to read what happens next. How the meeting between the two groups goes, if there's tension in the air or if they're accepted. I've probably already said enough, so you guys will just have to read it to find out what I mean.

I got the Barnes & Noble's version, which by the way cost me like $17 dollars with tax. Can we say expensive? But since it's the B&N version, it's got a cool little extra to it: a pamphlet! It's much cooler than it seems, because it's like an introductory pamphlet to the Roman camp. So it was kind of worth spending my allowance this early in the month for it.

Overall: It was a good book that I enjoyed reading.

Did I fall in love with it? No, as I said before, I felt like it lacked a little something. But I will definitely be rereading it.

Do I recommend it to others? Yes! Especially those PJO/HO fans. The adventures continue!

Rating: 4.2/5 stars

Review: Crocodile Tears and Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz

Short reviews for two books! Better than no review at all, right?
Alright you caught me. I having an update because Panem October is experince another crash, so I can't get on. (ps: add me! username: karyn link: http://www.panemoctober.com/citizen/karyn )
Title: Crocodile Tears
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Pages: 385

Goodreads Summary:

It's just another day in the life of an average kid. If you're Alex Rider, that is.

A con artist has realized there is big money in charity - the bigger the disaster, the greater the money flow! So that is what he will produce: the biggest disaster known to man, all thanks to genetically modified corn that can release a virus so potent it can knock out an entire country in one windy day. But Alex Rider will face whatever it takes - gunfire, explosions, hand-to-hand combat with mercenaries - to bring down his most dangerous adversary yet.

Often imitated, never equaled, the series that triggered a reading phenomenon is back, exhilarating and addictive as ever.

Mini-Review:

Oh it's been a while since I read this series. For the first couple pages, I was completly lost in what was happening. It referred to the Australia mission, which I guess was the Snakehead book, which I read a while ago. But then it started coming back to me in little bits and I remembered!

So of course, once again Alex gets pulled into work for MI6, which isn't much a surprise. The surprise is that now I think the mission is more dangerous. So much more is invovled, with different factors that could all go wrong. Because now, there are two (kind of) bad guys.

For a moment, I started to think that Alex actually liked doing all this. I mean, of course he doesn't, since he was kind of forced into the whole spy thing, but in a way, it seems kind of right. Like a family legacy, or a family gene.

The book definitely kept me on my toes, waiting to see what would happen at every page turn.

Rating: 3/5

Title: Scorpia Rising
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Pages: 402

Goodreads Summary:
Scorpia has dogged Alex Rider for most of his life. They killed his parents, they did their best to con Alex into turning traitor, and they just keep coming back with more power. Now the world's most dangerous terrorist organization is playing with fire in the world's most combustible land: the Middle East. No one knows Scorpia like Alex. And no one knows how best to get to Alex like Scorpia. Until now.

The chases have never been more intense, the fights more treacherous, or the risks so perilous to mankind. And this time, Alex won't get away.

My review:

I read it right after Crocodile Tears and I was kind of freaking out.

I mean, if you read the little flap on the inside it's kind of scary. "This may be the one mission Alex won't be coming home from." That was kind of freaking me out.

Oh my gosh! What an end to the series! I can not believe it ended like that! I mean, Mr. Blunt, really! How could you do that to Alex!? I thought you had a conscious, especially near the end of Crocodile Tears. But apparently not. See what you did?! Do you see the pain you have caused?!

Okay, done talking to fictional characters now.

But honestly, I was happy and not with the ending. Personally, I'm the kind of person who likes epilogues, but this ended kind of suited the series.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Accomplice by Eireann Corrigan

Title: Accomplice
Author: Eireann Corrigan
Pages: 296
Published: Hardcover, Scholastic Press 2010

From Goodreads:

They've gotten good grades - but that's not good enough. They've spent hours on community service - but that's not good enough. Finn and Chloe's advisor says that colleges have enough kids with good grades and perfect attendance, so Chloe decides they'll have to attract attention another way. She and Finn will stage Chloe's disappearance, and then, when CNN is on their doorstep and the nation is riveted, Finn will find and save her. It seems like the perfect plan - until things start to go wrong. Very wrong.

My Review:

Much better than I originally thought it would be. I guess this means I should stop assuming things about books before I read them.

Accomplice was good, and intense. I couldn't set the book down once I started it, so that means I was up reading till about one in the morning. Thank goodness school hasn't started yet or else I'd be dead.

What made Accomplice such a great read was basically it's story. Personally, I've never read a book where two girls planned their own kidnapping to get famous, and then get into good colleges. It helped that it was just filled with good and interesting characters.

In a way, I almost seemed to connect with the book. Being a junior in high school like the characters, the idea of college is kind of stressing me out. And that essay I'm supposed to write is even more stressful. To write about something you're really good at/or compassionate about but haven't mentioned it in your transcript is how my college counselor put it.

But it would have never occurred to me to plan my own kidnapping.

Let's talk about the characters:

Finn. At first, I thought she was a girl. Then I found out her name was Finley, and went by Finn so then I thought she was a he due to the name (another assumption) and then I just settled with Finn being a girl because of the way she spoke, the friends she hung out with.

I felt like Eireann Corrigan wrote this character well. Constantly, Finn was having internal struggles about doing what was right and her loyalty to her best friend. She went from being sort of naive to truthfully understand of situations.

She wasn't perfect. She didn't lead the student body, didn't have a boyfriend, didn't have boys secretly fawning for her. She was just Finn, just a country girl and I liked that. I liked how Finn felt invisible, the one cut out from the frame. It made her more realistic.

I just wish she had more guts to say no. I honestly do. But then, I guess the book wouldn't have turned out the way it did.

Chloe. Oh Chloe. She was a special character. I figure her as being slightly insane. Honestly though, I didn't really like her that much. She had this obsessive personality and I secretly think she was just doing anything possible to get out of the country.

Dean. I loved Dean! He was my all time favorite character! I hated how they were mean to him. Stuttering Dean. Stupid children, calling people names. This guy had real dreams and honestly he was such a good guy. I wish things had turned out better for him.

I categorize this book as realistic-fiction, because it goes through the story, then it goes through the afterwards and it reminds you that stories don't always have HEAs (Happily-Ever-After).

Overall:

Did I fall in love with this book? Honestly I didn't fall in love with it, but I really liked it. Definitely going on my wish list.

Would I recommend it: Hell yeah!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Karina

Review: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Sorry we didn't get this posted earlier. I finished reading it a while ago actually, and was waiting for April to write her review so we'd have one post, but someone has been busy with school/SAT/True Blood (:D) so you guys only get one review today.

Title: Iron Knight
Pages: 386
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN, ebook ARC (Netgalley)

From Goodreads:

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.

My review (and re-summary):
Julie Kagawa has done it again! Her latest and final installment to the Iron Fey series is just as good as we all had been waiting for.

Told in the point of view of the ex-Winter Prince Ash, the story depicts his journey to do the near impossible: find a way to live in the Iron Kingdom with Iron Queen Meghan.

Along the way, Ash re-finds things about himself that he's kept locked up for a long time. And having Puck with him is not making the journey any easier.

Together with Grim and new characters, they work together to help Ash acheive his goal.
The journey itself is difficult, but when they reach their destination, Ash finds out what it truly means to be mortal. So which path will he end up choosing?

One of the reasons I love reading the Iron Fey series, besides Puck, is that Julie Kagawa has a way of making me always want more. While I read, I was constantly having freak out attacks because I got so excited about what was happening. Or I was just so upset over their desicions or just about to cry. Julie Kagawa is able to do what little authors having a talent of doing, stirring up emotions that one wouldn't dare display in public.

This book really tied up any loose ends and all questions I had, especially the ones I had during this book were all answered through out the story. It was like Julie Kagawa knew what I was going to ask, no matter how ridiculous it may sound, and answered it one way or another. Some books, sadly, do not do that. The author gets side-tracked and just don't return, or it seems that they forgot what they even mentioned before hand.

I'm not going to lie, I would have been okay if the Iron Fey series had ended with The Iron Queen. It would have been close to the old fairy tales, the ones that the Grim Brother's told in which happy endings did not always happy.

I'm also not going to deny that I'm glad she did right this book, becaue I do enjoy happy endings.

Overall: I enjoyed this book a lot, and I'm thankful that HarlequinTEEN allowed me to read it before being published. Julie Kagawa's story keeps you searching through the brambles, just barely being able to see what's ahead, while managing to through a dragon you didn't see for you to fight.

Rating: 3.78/5 stars
Would I reccomend it to others?: Yes! Especially if you were unsatisfied with the ending of book 3.

Did I fall in love with it?: Sadly no, but it will be in my bookshelf for me to reread, so that must count for something.

Karina

Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Title: Crossed
Author: Ally Condie
Pages: 384
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, ARC paperback

Goodreads summary:

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

My review:

I don't know where to start.

First, I definitely recommend you re-read Matched before hand, especially if you don't remember much about it. Because Crossed definitely refers back to events that took place in Matched.

I liked it, though I can't help but think why dystopians have become so popular all of the sudden.

And I wish the main character, Cassia, wasn't from the Society! She's so naive about a lot of things and that, to me, just makes her an annoying character. Especially when it is in her point of view.

It's also in Ky's point of view! That surprised me, but I totally loved it because it let you see more of Ky and how his mind works. I think I get him a little bit more, which makes me feel much closer to him as a character. I do wish he wasn't so in love with Cassia though! He should have stuck to his beliefs, but I guess it does make him a better person by letting go.

New characters! Yay! I love new characters because they always bring in a variety of flavors. They all have different stories and different contributions to the book that make it more exciting to read. Favorite new character: Vic. Then Eli. I don't really like Indie, but she kind of reminds me of that female helicopter pilot in Avatar. You know, the one that joins the avatars in the end?

Xander continues to be my favorite character of the series, though don't expect to see much of him, even though he's kind of an important figure in this book. Didn't actually see Xander's bigger role until about half a page before Ally Condie actually states it. I will continue to hope that Xander will win out in the end.

I feel like Cassia does like the Society, in a dark, secret way. It's all she's actually ever known. I think Ky was right near the end, where Cassia liked the idea of there being the Rising more than she liked the idea of being a part of it forever. And he's right. You can't love/miss something you've never had. Which was something I saw in the book through Ky's point of view! How he would pity Cassia for not knowing about certain things, like dancing! But there really wasn't a need for him to pity her at all, because she wasn't effect at all by not having it. That came out really confusing, so I hope you get it.

I liked the writing! There were so many times where I was like "Oh! I know what's going to happen! It's going to be X, then Y, then Z! Ha! I know the end of the book before I even read it!" And then like ten pages later my theory would be destroyed by a new, unexpected detail! It defiantly had me guessing until the end.

Guess I'll just have to see what the third, and final, book brings.

Overall:

Did I fall in love with the book? No, but I really really enjoyed reading it!
Would I recommend it to others? Yes! Especially if you've read Matched, this will not disappoint!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Karina

Mini Reviews: Shift, Blood Red Road, The Demon's Surrender

I clearly have a problem.  We can call this problem, "April takes forever to write reviews and eventually forgets everything that happened in the book".  So I'm just going to write mini reviews that aren't gonna be too in depth and maybe a little random because I have the memory span of a goldfish.  I also have this problem called "April sucks at writing" but we can save that discussion for another time.

Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready
Published May 3rd, 2011 by Simon Pulse
Hardcover, 367 pages

(Summary from Goodreads)

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

My Review:
Shift is an emotional roller coaster that you may not want to read in public, due to people giving you strange looks when you bust out laughing, blurt out "OMFG", and grin like a loon.  Not that I would know from personal experience, or anything like that.

In Shade, you are introduced to Aura's world where she and everyone born after her are able to see ghosts.  Shift explores more of the mythology of the world, which I loved!  The author does an excellent job with the ghost mythology, this coming from someone who generally doesn't like ghost books.  As much as I love the romance in these books, I hope to find out more of the mythology in Shine.

I just realized that in almost every book review, I talk about boys.  This one is no different.  I think the key to a great love triangle is you don't know who the girl/guy is going to end up with.  And Jeri Smith-Ready definitely knows how to write a great love triangle.  Even though this is the 2nd book in the series, I STILL can't figure out if I like Zachary or Logan more... but I think I'm starting to lean toward Zachary.  Love love love the prom scene ;)  I was a little confused with the introduction of Dylan and Aura making this awkward love quadrilateral.    Although looking back now I can kind of see where the author was going with it, I didn't really know what to think of it while I was reading.  It felt a little out of place and random in the book.

I really liked the usage of heritage and culture in these books.  Aura isn't just randomly Italian, Zachary isn't just randomly Scottish, etc.  The author incorporates history, ancestry, and culture into almost every character.  Personally, I think these give the characters more depth and they are more realistic to read.

4.5 out of 5 stars :)  Highly recommend this series to all readers, no matter what genre you prefer.

Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young
Published June 7th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Hardcover, 459 pages

From Goodreads:

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

My Review:
One of the first things you notice about this book is the writing and the voice.  Although it takes some effort to tone down your inner editor, the way it is written allows Saba to have a really clear, distinct voice that stands out.  And it really helps you get into the mindset of the world of Blood Red Road.  I can understand how this could be a turn off for people, but I really liked it and thought it made this book unique.  Props to Moira Young for turning off the spell check.

Something that threw me off a little was Saba's relationship with her brother Lugh.  They were really close and Saba was willing to do anything to get Lugh back, but I couldn't really figure out why besides that they're twins.  Although this is a minor issue, it was at the back of my mind for the entire book because the main reason Saba even has this grand adventure is because she's trying to get Lugh back.

I really liked Saba as a character and her growth throughout the novel.  You can definitely see her mature at the end of the book through her relationships with other people.  I liked how she and Jack didn't exactly have instalove, they had issues like normal couples do.  A character I wished there was more of was DeMalo.  I really liked him, and although this doesn't really seem like a love triangle kind of book, I wouldn't mind if DeMalo was part of it. :)  I get vibes that he's gonna be in the next book, so April is happy.

What I appreciate is that Blood Red Road had a resolution, and didn't leave you with a heart in your throat cliffhanger.  Although it could have been an action-packed standalone, I really liked the ending and it probably gave this book rating half a star.

4 out of 5 stars.  Although it didn't exactly live up to my expectations, I still thoroughly enjoyed Blood Red Road and anticipate any upcoming books in this series :)

The Demon's Surrender (The Demon's Lexicon #3) by Sarah Rees Brennan
Published June 14th, 2011 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Hardcover, 400 pages

From Goodreads:

The Goblin Market has always been the center of Sin’s world. But now the Market is at war with the magicians, and Sin’s place is in danger. Thrown out of the Market she loves, Sin is thrown together with brothers Nick and Alan—whom she’s always despised.

Alan has been marked by a magician and is being tortured so that the magicians can get to Nick. As Sin watches Alan struggle to protect the demon brother he loves, she begins to see him in a new light—but she and Mae are locked in a fierce rivalry over who will inherit the leadership of the Goblin Market, and a decisive battle with the Aventurine Circle is looming. Mae’s brother, Jamie, is holed up with the magicians, his loyalties in question. And Nick—well, who knows what a demon might do to save his brother? How far will Nick go to save Alan—and what will it cost them all?

My Review:
Honestly?  I don't think there was a possibility of me NOT liking this book.  Simply because I am completely in love with these characters and the author's writing.  The Demon's Surrender is from Sin's perspective, and I really came to love her despite her not being a prominent character in the previous books.  She was wholly devoted to her family and the Market.  And I liked how she grew to love Alan, despite how they felt each other before.  Somewhat random, but I really admire Sin and Mae, and pretty much every female in this series for their strength and refusal to let people walk all over them.

Because I am such a shallow person, we cannot leave this review without mentioning Alan and Nick.  Gotta love those Ryves boys.  From page one of The Demon's Lexicon, I was in love with Nick even though I describe him as a demonic sociopath frequently.  Demon's Covenant being from Mae's perspective, I was pretty smitten with Nick still.  Not gonna lie, the demon mark (hickey of death) scene was hot.  But in Demon's Surrender you get a closer look at Alan, and I fell in love with Alan.  He has the whole broken boy thing going on which makes me want to give a hug.  It's official.  Alan makes it onto the list.  Alan Ryves for life.  And Nick too.  Because there is no such thing as teams in this book, for me at least.

As usual, SRB gets all plot twisty, but I'm not gonna give anything away ;)  But I seriously love the title The Demon's Surrender, it fits this book perfectly.  I'm seriously getting teary eyed knowing this is the last book, but I am so glad that I picked up this series last year.  Will forever be one of my favorites.

5 out of 5 stars :) A perfect ending to a freaking amazing series that will never leave me.  I'd highly recommend this series to anyone, including my grandma, my goldfish, my biology teacher, etc.

Review: Delirium

Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver

Published: February 3, 2011
Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 441
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:

Amazon Best Books of the Month, February 2011: Lena Haloway is content in her safe, government-managed society. She feels (mostly) relaxed about the future in which her husband and career will be decided, and looks forward to turning 18, when she’ll be cured of deliria, a.k.a. love. She tries not to think about her mother’s suicide (her last words to Lena were a forbidden “I love you”) or the supposed “Invalid” community made up of the uncured just beyond her Portland, Maine, border. There’s no real point—she believes her government knows how to best protect its people, and should do so at any cost. But 95 days before her cure, Lena meets Alex, a confident and mysterious young man who makes her heart flutter and her skin turn red-hot. As their romance blossoms, Lena begins to doubt the intentions of those in power, and fears that her world will turn gray should she submit to the procedure. In this powerful and beautifully written novel, Lauren Oliver, the bestselling author of Before I Fall, throws readers into a tightly controlled society where options don’t exist, and shows not only the lengths one will go for a chance at freedom, but also the true meaning of sacrifice. --Jessica Schein

My Review:

It deffinatly wasn't what I thought it was going to be.

Which is good, because I can't even remember what I used to think of this book before I read it. I just know that I was deffinatly surprised.

There were some things in this book that were pretty obvious. The chain of events sometimes made it seem like the classic Romeo and Juliet story of forbidden love. Which is kind of ironic since love is forbidden in the book "Delirium".

Yet, the basic problem of this book made it exactly the opposite of the classic R&J story line. It kind of gives forbidden love a whole new meaning.

I didn't really like Lena as a character. Sure, she went from believing deeply in the teachings of their society to a memeber of the resistance, but I still didn't like her. She was kind of plain, nothing that could really distinugish her from other female protagonists. And maybe that's how she's supposed to be.

I really like Hana. She seemed like the basic rebel girl who in the end is just content rebelling against society. But its the way she thought and just her overal personality that made me like her even more. It may have been that was the way it was supposed to be, that you would like Hana over Lena.

I'm so glad that this is a series! For a moment I was afraid it was a lone book, but of course not. Lone books don't really exist anymore in this consuming society, because a series means selling more and making more and overall gaining more. (Just read Brave New World for all those who got that). I can see the sequal not being about Lena though. Sure, we all want to know whats going to happen to Alex, but I kind of want it to be that the next book is about someone else breaking from society and meeting up with Lena and the Invalids.

Who knows? All we have to do is wait for the next on. I hate waiting.

Overall Rating: 4/5

The Wondrous Strange Trilogy by Lesley Livingston

So last weekend, I participated in a readathon, which was loads of fun! I unfortunately did not make it all 24 hours, and only read half the books I planned on, but I did read the Wondrous Strange trilogy which I've had for a while now.  And because I'm just a lazy person, and I read the whole series in one day, I'm just going to review the series as a whole.

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages

Published September 22nd 2009 by HarperCollins Canada / Cdn Kids Mm

"17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye."

Darklight (Wondrous Strange #2) by Lesley Livingston

Hardcover, 310 pages

Published December 22nd 2009 by HarperTeen

"Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt.
Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.

When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power.
Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart.
With breathtakingly high stakes, the talented Lesley Livingston delivers soaring romance and vividly magical characters in Darklight, the second novel in the trilogy that began with Wondrous Strange."



Tempestuous (Wondrous Strange #3) by Lesley Livingston

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published December 21st 2010 by HarperTeen

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."

That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.

The intrigue and romance that began with Wondrous Strange and Darklight come to a stormy head in Tempestuous, the breathtaking conclusion to Lesley Livingston's ravishing urban Faerie trilogy.

My Review:

I'm not really sure how to review 3 books at once... but I'd like to start off by saying this trilogy had plenty of action, an original and captivating story line, and was extremely well written.  There were also plenty of Shakespeare references which I loved.  Honestly, I think this series had EVERYTHING that you need in a good series.  Like, I can rank the plot up there with Harry Potter's storyline.  Yeah, I just compared it to Harry Potter.    

But despite all the obvious awesomeness and plenty of reasons for me to fall in love with this series... I couldn't.  I'm not really sure why, but the main characters didn't really click for me.  Kelley, the protagonist, seemed a little... blah sometimes.  She definitely wasn't boring or annoying either, but I couldn't really care about her for some reason.  And Sonny... yeah, his name bothers me, but don't get me wrong, I liked him.  I actually preferred it when the book was in his POV.  But as the series went on, I didn't really care for his and Kelley's relationship, it was kinda mushy, full of drama, etc.  However I LOVED all the other minor characters, especially Fennrys (is that how you spell his name?) and I wish there was an extrapolation of the love triangle that was kinda there, and at the same time, wasn't.  I liked Maddox and everyone else in the Janus Guard, it was interesting to see how they changed and their different personalities.  

Reading Lesley's bio, it says she has a master's degree in English and specialized in Shakespeare, which I think is awesome.  Kelley is an actress in New York and in Wondrous Strange, she takes part in A Midsummer Night's Dream.  An ironically, she is introduced into the faerie world, and you even get to meet *Puck(!!!)  In Darklight, the main Shakespearean theme is based around Romeo and Juliet, and in Tempestuous, it's The Tempest.  And on the first page of each book, there is a page off the script that Kelley has in her plays, which foreshadow events in the books.  I sound like a dork, but I love how Lesley Livingston uses Shakespeare and the predominant themes in his play to set up the basis for each book.  

Overall: I give this series as a whole 4 out of 5 stars :) If you want me to be specific, I'd give Wondrous Strange 3.5 out of 5 stars, Darklight 4 out of 5 stars, and Tempestuous 4 out of 5 stars.  I'd highly recommend this series to fans of the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr and other faerie books.  This series is definitely one of the better faerie series I've read so far.  I definitely look forward to Lesley Livingston's other works, she's a fabulous writer!

*If you were unaware, I am OBSESSED with Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series, and I'm completely in love with Puck.  Puck in the Iron Fey series is of course, a completely different character than in Wondrous Strange, but it's neat how he plays a role in both series's. 

Review: Possession by Elana Johnson

I'm writing a review for the first time in like 6 months! Summertime + sickness makes you do crazy things.  Sorry that this is the only review we have for May I lied, Karina posted a review! (Obviously she's procrastinating.)  Finals and end of school schtuff has been hectic.

Possession by Elana Johnson
416 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: June 7th 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself. 

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn. 

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book, was NOT what I expected, especially from a dystopian novel (in a good way!).  There were plenty of twists and suspenseful turns that kept me reading.  I loved Vi and Jag, their relationship felt realistic to me because it wasn't perfect.  Jag wasn't the perfect boyfriend, and the "love triangle" (I'm just using that term loosely) isn't a typical love triangle because it isn't a decision of Perfect Hot Boy #1 and Perfect Hot Boy #2 because both Jag and Zenn aren't perfect.  Hot, but not perfect.  Vi was also a great main character, and even though it was a difficult to follow her thought processes sometimes, her voice and perspective were fun and unique. 

What I loved most about this book is how it managed to be light hearted and funny, and still had all the dystopian elements.  I've read some really awesome dystopian books that have left me shell-shocked and sobbing at 2 in the morning, but after I read this book, I realized none of the dystopian books I've read before have really made me laugh.  So Possession is an awesome read if you're looking for some refreshing, quirky, original dystopian!

I hate being a downer, but I have to add that although the story is brilliant, the writing was a bit hard to follow at times.  The writing is very fast paced and sometimes I had to stop and reread a passage several times, and then getting confused when something was mentioned that I didn't remember being explained.  This may just be me though.  Although this is the author's debut book, so I'm sure that her writing will be smoother and flow better in the future! I am excited to read whatever Elana Johnson has in store if there is a sequel to this book :)

I'm such a hypocrite, I always complain when people review the covers as part of their overall review of the book, and yet I'm gonna be gushing about the cover in a couple seconds. However, I'd just like to point out, the awesomeness of the cover has no effect on my review of this book.  I love how simple it is, and yet I feel like it completely embodies the basic concept of a dystopian.  I love how the ice cube is cracked and starting to melt, and how the butterfly inside is vibrant and just waiting to break free.  Wow, that sounds cheesy.  But yes, I love love love it!

Overall: LOVED this book.  I give it 4 stars :)  I really really really wish I could give it 5 out of 5 stars, but I feel like I would be discounting that it is a bit hard to follow despite it's awesomeness.  Still, I strongly suggest checking it out once it comes on June 7th! 

You can also enter to win my ARC copy of Possession in our Splash Into Summer giveaway along with some other awesome YA and MG books Karina and I have compiled :)