The End of An Era

As many of may have guest, this blog has gone dead. With my partner in crime gone away, I lost the temp to the blog.

But a new year has started, a new school year and a new aspiration. But I couldn't continue this blog.

Instead I have started another. It's starting as a sort of English project but I hope to actually continue it after the semester ends. They say it takes about two weeks- sixty days to make something a habit, which is the perfect amount of time I have left. If it works out, I'll come back and update and share the link.

More importantly, thank you.

Thank you to everyone who has followed us for years. From those who were with us when it started out as Aly's Book Away, who went through and stuck around after our hiatus'. Thank you to everyone who has ever commented and to everyone who has even bothered to read one of our posts.

Thank you and I hope to see you around!

Karina

Review: Insurgent & Allegiant

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Published: May 1st, 2012
Pages: 525
Format: Hardcover

Summary from Veronica Roth's blog:
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

My  Mini-Review:

My theory that the second book is never as good continues.

Starting off where Divergent left of, Tris and Tobias are on the run from the Erudite traitors to Amity and other stuff happens and then they're in trouble again and yeah. Okay I can't even put a lot of effort into this because I just didn't really like the story.

There was a lot of arguing and Tris and Tobias fighting. And Tris feeling guilty. I swear a lot of this book can come down to this:

Tris: I'm going to do the thing. It's obviously the right thing.
Tobias: Don't do the thing. Don't be dauntless.
Tris: *promises doesn't do the thing*
Tris: *does the thing anyway*
Tobias: Why did you do the thing?
Tobias: We should have done the thing. But I don't trust you.
Tris: You have to trust me where together
Tobias: You're a human being and therefore do things that make me not trust you, like keep things to yourself.
Tris: Look. I love you. But I'm going to do this thing you don't want me to do because I feel guilty about the things, even though they were the right things, of my past. But you should trust me anyway because you keep secrets to.

I feel like that's what the book was. I just couldn't get into it. I kept finding myself skipping sections where nothing was happening, forcing myself to go back and read them and then being like, yep nothing happened.

And then you have the Factionless which kind of have numbers that came from nowhere and you know they're the child you keep locked in the closet during a dinner party because they're just going to cause trouble. (HMU if you got that reference)

Also there were so many people that did not need to die in this book! Oh my gosh no Veronica Roth. You cannot be trigger happy, literally. Stop it. We get it, guns kill people.

I was so glad to have that done with. I also changed my mind. I don't want to be Amity. I think I would choose Eurdite.

Rating: 2/5

                                                                                                                                                                 

Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books/ Harper Collins
Published: October 22, 2013
Pages: 544
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent

My Rant (w/Insurgent Spoilers):

It was so much better than the second one, yet also tiresome to read.

Told in two perspectives, Tris and Tobias, Allegiant goes forward with the story by going back. Back to the roots of how their world came to be.

So first you know that the Factionless are taking over the city and aren't letting anyone leave. And there is this group that arises called the Allegiant, and they're now the rebel group of the city. They want to leave/return to the ways of the faction. Tris and the gang join the Allegiant and make it out of the city. That's basically the last time you hear about the Allegiant until the end of the book.

Then you find out that it's all a genetic experiment. And that the Divergent as basically the chosen ones/genetically superior. And you finally, officially, know that they're in Chicago. But that just sets up the stage for a really social problems book. There as so many connections you can make from this book to today's society, too many. I actually had to stop because it kept repeating the social issue.

I also had to stop because I couldn't remember who was narrating the chapter. Tris and Tobias tell a similar story, because they're living the same events. So it's tiresome to have to read the same thing more than once in a different point of view. They also have semi-similar voices so that just confused the issue.

I also had to stop because they trigger happiness continued! SHE KILLED MY  FAVORITE CHARACTER! I am not going to say who it was, because I'm trying to keep this spoiler free. But I did not see the point of my character's death. I really didn't help the plot move forward. It just sent other characters into depression. Not necessary/character developing depressions either.

I would just like to take this time and appreciate the ending of the this book. At first, I was like the rest of the fandom; so angry and confused because I didn't understand what had just happened. But then, after some relaxation exercises, I came to this conclusion: Veronica Roth is one brave woman. I've always wanted a book to end they way it did, and she fulfilled my dream! She did it because she knew it was a fitting end for the character, not what the fans were expecting. In a way, she was writing for herself, not to make money and I think that is such a brave thing. Bravo Veronica Roth. Bravo.

Overall, I think it was a decent ending to the series. The ending of the book itself was excellent, but the rest of the book leads to a lower score.

Rating: 3.5/5

I'm sorry these may not be as coherent as I hoped, but I just really needed to get these done with and out there.



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: Girl Parts

Title: Girl Parts
Author: John M. Cusick

Published: August 10, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press

Page Count: 218
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:

What happens when a robot designed to be a boy’s ideal “companion” develops a will of her own? A compulsively readable novel from a new talent.
David and Charlie are opposites. David has a million friends, online and off. Charlie is a soulful outsider, off the grid completely. But neither feels close to anybody. When David’s parents present him with a hot Companion bot designed to encourage healthy bonds and treat his “dissociative disorder,” he can’t get enough of luscious redheaded Rose — and he can’t get it soon. Companions come with strict intimacy protocols, and whenever he tries anything, David gets an electric shock. Parted from the boy she was built to love, Rose turns to Charlie, who finds he can open up, knowing Rose isn’t real. With Charlie’s help, the ideal “companion” is about to become her own best friend. In a stunning and hilarious debut, John Cusick takes rollicking aim at internet culture and our craving for meaningful connection in an uberconnected world.

My Review:

It definitely wasn't what I had expected it to be.

Girl Parts, by John M. Cusick, seems to be a book about how disconnected people are coming in this new era of technology. And as always, there are people trying to make money off solutions. And from there the company Sakora takes a part of this tale. It designs female machines, which are bought by families whose son's seem to be disconnected from society.

It sounded like it could be a good book, and it was an okay plot. I just think that the book just wasn't for it. It didn't really click to my liking. I really liked Rose's character though. It was excellent. You could see the transition from machine to human-like. It showed (if sometimes a little extreme) how a girl can get hung up on a guy then the aftermath when jerks just dump them to the side when they get (or don't get) what they want.

Overall, I give it 2.43 stars out of 5
 

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: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Scorpio Races
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Pages: 407
Publisher: Scholastic Press, hardcover

Goodreads Review:

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

My review:

Oh my gosh! This book was amazing! Just brilliant and amazing! I could not set it down for a second.

I don't know where to begin. I literally just finished this book like five minutes before I had to open up my laptop and begin this review. I am just in awe of it.

The Scorpio Races is the story of two people, Puck Connolly and Sean Kendrick who live on the island of Thisby. Told in their point of view, the tale entraps the reader with how their lives are on the island. But more importantly the Scorpio Races. Horse races that are held on the first of November along the Scorpio ocean, which always end with the sand tinted red.

Okay, so in the beginning I was slightly confused. Mostly because I jumped to conclusions and assumed the story wasn't taking place in current times. With the coloring and letters for the title, I assumed that it would take place a long time ago. Like when there were gods. Then I started to get slightly confused because the eldest brother worked at the hotel. But then I just got really confused when Puck was reading a magazine. I don't think it actually hit that it was taking time in present day until there was talk about a car. The tale just seemed so unlike these times that I couldn't help but think that I had been transported somewhere else.

Here's a question for everyone whose already read the book: do we know how old Puck is? Was it not said or did I just miss that?

The idea of water horses is just fascinating! For some reason I thought it was going to be about seahorses, but it wasn't. It was about horses that came from the sea. I'd never heard of such a thing! It blew my mind the entire time.

Okay so we all know that I'm a sucker for romance and I have to say that even though there really wasn't  any, I was extremely satisfied. The relationship that you see in the book are so profound that there really isn't a need for display. And by relationships I don't mean coupling. Like the relationship between Sean and Corr, man and beast, is just astounding.

The characters are great. They're not too mature for their age but their not like too naive either. For the kind of life they live, they were just right. I'm glad everyone got what was coming to them. *mumbles darky about Malvern*

Here's another question: Where exactly is Thisby? I mean, it's an island but how far is it from America? To me it sounded pretty far, because everyone in the book was just in awe of George Holly, the rich American from California.

It goes without saying that the writing is superb. I mean, it's Maggie Stiefvater!! Her writing it capturing that it makes the reader feel as if they were immersed into the world of the book.

I have a feeling that this maybe a single book, not the first of a series book, and if so I'm going very upset! Forever I shall be pondering the lives and how things turn out for our beloved characters.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Overall:

Did I fall in love with this book? Yes!!! I wish so badly that it wasn't a library book because I want to keep it next to my bed stand to read it forever and ever and ever!

Do I recommend it to others? YES!!! READ THIS BOOK! It's wonderful!

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: Mastiff by Tamora Pierce

Title: Mastiff
Author: Tamora Pierce
Pages: 560
Publisher: Random House Books, Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:
The Legend of Beka Cooper gives Tamora Pierce's fans exactly what they want—a smart and savvy heroine making a name for herself on the mean streets of Tortall's Lower City—while offering plenty of appeal for new readers as well.

Beka and her friends will face their greatest and most important challenge ever when the young heir to the kingdom vanishes. They will be sent out of Corus on a trail that appears and disappears, following a twisting road throughout Tortall. It will be her greatest Hunt—if she can survive the very powerful people who do not want her to succeed in her goal.

My Review:
Oh goodness, I definitely needed a refresh on what happened in Bloodhound, because I was pretty lost through some of it. (please excuse any misspelling errors, I'm half asleep as I write this) Nevertheless, Mastiff was eloquently captivating, from the funeral to the epilogue which made the series come full circle.

Mastiff was a good weekend read, especially since I got to see the author on Friday! But that's not what I'm here to write about.

Okay, so there's this really big surprise near the end which devastated me. Absolutely devastated me. I mean, I could see it coming but I never want it to be real! So be prepared for heartbreak.

There were just little things that bothered me, like the name Farmer. Don't get me wrong, I totally loved his character and I'm so glad he gets a HEA, but really, his name? I get it, but honestly, who wants to read about a mage named Farmer? And the lack of romance. Not gonna lie, that kind of bothered me. I know Tammy Pierce doesn't usually have a whole bunch, but after the last two Rebekah Cooper books, I was expecting some more. And just how it all ended. It was too quick, like tying up all the loose ends at once and just sudden. Also, Bekah really didn't speak much to the dust spinners or the dead, which made me sad.

Now, what I did like about the book.

Farmer. Oh he's just an amazing new character! I love him! He's so adorable! I can't get enough of that guy. I was so worried about him, all the time.

Achoo!! She plays a major role in this book and she's by far one of my more favorite characters.

How the book took place outside of Corus. The story takes you to places you've read in other Tortal books, while also taking you to places you've never heard of. It's kind of like visiting this new kind of Tortal.

The names! Oh my gosh the names, some are the same used in other books and I got really excited. Like how Gary came to be short for Gareth. Now that was definitely an interesting tale.

The tale itself was interesting. Not entirely original, but it came with its own spin to keep it interesting and true to the style of writing we expect from Pierce.

Overall, I give it three stars/five.

Did I fall in love with the book? No not really, but it was good story.
Would I recommend it to someone else? Of course, especially if your're a fan of her writing.

Don't forget to check out the giveaway! We're giving away a signed copy of Terrier, the first book in the Bekah Cooper Series.

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: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Title: Bloodlines
Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 421
Publisher: Razor Pill (Penguin), 2011 Hardcover

Goodreads summary:
When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

My summary:

First, let me state immediatly that if you haven't yet read Last Sacrifce and plan on doing so, do not read this book. I know that it stands apart from Vampire Academy, but it often goes back to what happens in that book. So that would be some major spoilage.

Secondly, I don't think you actually have to read the Vampire Academy series to read this book. As I just said, it does tell you the vital things that happened in the last series so that you understand what happened, but you just won't get that connection to the characters, since most were introduced through out VA.

Now, let's get this review started shall we?

Definitely better than I was hoping! But then again, I kind of had set it at a low standard to begin with. Not that Richelle Mead's writing is bad, it's just that I didn't think anything would be as good as the Vampire Academy again.

I'm so glad I was proved wrong!

The writing was excellent, once more drawing you into the mystery of what was happening. The book engulfs your attention, making you turn the page over and over again until you reach the end. It was wonderful!

The characters definitely played a part in it. Since most were reaccuring characters, I already had that bond with them. Their personalities weren't much different that Vampire Academy, so it wasn't liking they had been rewritten completley. Of course, actions and events change a person in real life, so they were a tiny bit different from the Vampire Academy series.

Eddie, continues to be my favorite! Though now he's a bit more serious.

Jill, Oh you'll love (or not) the plot twist in this one with her.

Adrian, still in love with him. Though possibly now even more! Alas, his heart still seems to be yearning for Rose. But I wonder if that will change soon.

Sydney! The main character of this story, she's by far the most interesting. Her conflicts seem so real, the eternal battle she has with what she knows and with what she grew up with. I feel like this happens often, in the real world and mostly with religion. I have the conflict myself at times, which makes it so much more interesting and personal.

The plot: interesting, though it would seem to have been done before. But of course, the little things Richelle Mead adds to the story makes it interesting and unique in its own way. The setting is great! I always wondered how they would fit in. The problem, interesting.

The new characters are some you're going to love and hate! Just as its meant to be. They're great, and I can't wait for all of you to enjoy them!

Overall: It was a good book, well written and definitley something all Vampire Academy readers will enjoy.

Rating: 4.3/5

Did I fall in love with the book: No, but close.
Would I reccommend it for someone else: Yes! Especially if you read VA.

Here's the book trailer for it. When I first saw it, I thought they were making a TV show. Then I kind of freaked out. So enjoy the USA TV Spot.

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Pages: 432
Publisher: Paperback, Little, Brown & Company (ARC)

From Goodreads:

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My review:

This book was sooo good!

Now I'm here to tell you why.

Laini Taylor is an amazing writer. The way she added so much detail so that you could everything in your head was just amazing. She has a unique style of writing, which at first I was a little mystified by but then loved. Seeing everything was just made easier when she described it against something we already know.

For example: Eye's like a tiger.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone isn't just written in one point of view either, which is great because you get that chance to see the situation in the eyes of another person. I love when authors do this because it allows you to see what's going on in the character's head and therefore lead you to understand them better.

The big issue of the story on it's own isn't that unique, and it's something we've read more than once, but when it was added with all the different elements of the story it seems like its own unique story. It really goes well with the book since it allows you the see how the different sides of the war view not only the war itself but also each other and themselves.

I enjoyed how the different parts had their own little sentences to tell you what you could expect of the segment. It was great when you got to read about what happened in the past, so that you understood why characters were acting they way they were in the present.

The characters stay true to themselves, they didn't just magically change their way of speech or manner when something drastic happened. Sure, they adapted to the changes, but they did it in their character like way. It's something hard to describe, but I hope that made some sort of sense. They were also great characters to read about. Each one had a unique personality that made them stand out in the story and of course you just loved them (or hated them). I feel like some characters, such as Kaz, were suddenly forgotten about, their own little story either didn't end or just wasn't tied up nicely. But seeing as this is going to be a series (we can expect at least one more book since that could not have been the ending) I hope that Laini Taylor is going to bring them back in some way and tie it up.

Or not. It could be that Karou's journey in the human world is done and that for now on it'll take place elsewhere.

A few things confused me though, like the location of Elsewhere (mostly likely not called that). And where exactly is the shop? Is it in this intersection between Elsewhere and the Human world? And how the chimera's world is connected to the seraph's? Because if they were in the same world, I don't understand why the serphas went as far as they did with the door and the hands. (Don't want to spoil it! So that may sound confusing).

*mini spoiler: skip till end of spoiler if you don't want to read*

Karou and Akiva are so cute together! I knew that something was going to keep them apart though, their relationship(if that's what they had) just started off way too fast and without issue for it to keep going smoothly.

*End of mini spoiler*

The title of the book makes perfect sense by the end, and so does the cover! (The cover pictured here, in case they change it when they really publish it.)

I'm definitely going to have my eyes out for the next book.

Overall:

Did I fall in love with this book? Heck yes! I loved this book. I put off summer reading, which is due on Monday, to read this book. I spent consecutive hours reading this book, missing most of dinner, because I was just so captured and enraptured in it.

Would I recommend it to someone? Of course! Why wouldn't you read Daughter of Smoke and Bone?

Rating: 4.73/5

Karina

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: Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have)

Title: Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have)
Author: Sarah Mlynowski

Published: June 7th, 2011
Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Summary:

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house - parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.
If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.
In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

My Review:

This book was a great easy, summer read.

April, the main character, has decided to leave her family in order to stay in the life she's always known. With a father in Cleveland and a mother in France, April stays to live with her best friend Vi.

The only catch is that Vi's mother is on tour, leaving the house to the girls.

Things start going out of hand from there, with late night marathons, parties and boys, it was only a matter of time before April came to the realization that living alone wasn't as grand as she thought it would be.

From the beginning I knew this wasn't going to be a book I would fall in love with. It was cute, but it didn't have much depth to it.

Some points were very realistic, others (like getting away with living alone for 4 months without parent supervision) weren't. And in a way that's what keeps as a reminder that it was a fiction book.

What I did like about this story was how April would mention something about her past, then there would be like a mini chapter within the big chapter to explain it. It was like each backstory was its own little story and it showed you just how essential it was to the story as a whole.

Rating: 3/5

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

Review: The Ivy by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Title: The Ivy
Author: Lauren Kunze with Rina Onur
Pages: 320
Publisher: Greenwillow Books, hardcover

Goodreads summary:
Congratulations! You have been admitted to the most prestigious university in the world. Now what are you going to do?

Callie Andrews may not have money or connections or the right clothes, and she may have way too many complications in her love life, what with

Gregory
the guy she loves to hate ...

Evan
the guy she'd love to forget ...

Clint
the guy she'd love to love ...

and Matt
the guy she really should love ...

all vying for her attention.

But she has three fantastic roommates (best friends or her worst nightmare?) and a wholesome California-girl reputation (oops) and brains and beauty and big, big dreams.

Will it be enough to help her survive freshman year at Harvard?

My review:

I didn't really know what to expect from this book when I first picked it up. Sure, I was attracted to it by its cool cover and it's little slogan on the front: "Get In or Get Over It". Since I've been starting to look at random colleges, I know about the 'big' Ivy Leagues. And since the book was written about Harvard, and the authors went to Harvard, I thought it would teach me a little about the school and be interesting.

All I learned was that this book was very confusing. And that college seems to be a lot like high school.

The book mostly follows the social life of female protagonist, Callie Andrews. Written in third person, the book mostly took place in her voice, but it was very confusing to follow along when it wasn't her voice.

It talks a lot about the 'secret societies' and how they work. That I found really interesting. It gives you the typical portryal of the rich and priveleged. Which is sometimes correct and incorrect, based on my experiences. And of course, the love shapes. I'd like to call it a triangle, but I think it was more like pentagon or and odd shaped star.

I really didn't see much of a character development. And some characters were hardly ever seen. The big problem was way in the background, and brought up about every fifty pages or so.

It reminded me a lot like high school because there are all these cliques: JAQ (Jewish American Queens), Preps (those who came out of prep schools) and many more. Also, Callie changed who she was, just to be accepted into these friend groups. Sounds a lot like high school to me, which makes me fear that high school will never end.

Oddly enough though, it made the book seem more realistic, which maybe a reason I'm confused about how I feel towards it. Callie changed to fit in, like many of us do in real life, and in most books the main character figures out she's changed and goes back to being herself, or never changes. Also, the book didn't end on a very happy note (which makes me glad that there's a book two) and well in the real world, life doesn't always end on a happy note either.

So I suppose I'm confused by the book because I've always enjoyed reading about worlds that are possible, yet not and The Ivy was just so realistic. And if that's what the authors intended, then they did a really good job.

Overall:

Did I fall in love with this book? No.
Will I read its sequel? Probably, to be rid of my confusion.
Do I recommoned it? Sure. Mostly to readers of books such as Gossip Girl, The Clique, etc.

Rating: 3.5/5

Review: Anatomy of a Boyfriend

Title: Anatomy of a Boyfriend
Author: Daria Snadowsky

Published: January 9, 2007
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 272
Format: Hardcover
Age: 17+

Goodreads Summary:

Before this all happened, the closest I'd ever come to getting physical with a guy was playing the board game Operation. Okay, so maybe that sounds pathetic, but it's not like there were any guys at my high school who I cared to share more than three words with, let alone my body.

Then I met Wes, a track star senior from across town. Maybe it was his soulful blue eyes, or maybe my hormones just started raging. Either way, I was hooked. And after a while, he was too. I couldn't believe how intense my feelings became, or the fact that I was seeing—and touching—parts of the body I'd only read about in my Gray's Anatomy textbook. You could say Wes and I experienced a lot of firsts together that spring. It was scary. It was fun. It was love.

And then came the fall.

My Review:

It turns my face red when I read this book.

Actually it was mostly because I was hanging upside down while I read this. But honestly, people who are sensitive to certain...subjects are forewarned.

The story itself was alright. I felt like the relationship may have been a little rushed, but it is also realistic to the times.

My favorite character was Amy! I loved her personality and how she changed. Dom was annoying. Sometimes I wonder if reading the main character's thoughts annoy me because they turn out to be too close to my own and I read to escape, not to relate. Actually sometimes I read to relate, but that's a totally diffrent subject.

Overall all, it was a good, quick, summer read.