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: Partials by Dan Wells

Partials (Partials #1) by Dan Wells
Publication: February 28th, 2012 by Balzer + Bray
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary from Goodreads:

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

Combining the fast-paced action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Battlestar Galactica, Partials is a pulse-pounding journey into a world where the very concept of what it means to be human is in question--one where our sense of humanity is both our greatest liability, and our only hope for survival.

Warning:
You may or may not get heart attacks from the addictive quality of this book.  Most likely you will.  I also apologize for the vagueness of my review, it's hard not to give anything away.

Intro
It took me a week to read the first 150 pages.  It took me 4 hours to read the rest.  (This is FAST for me).  The first 150 pages felt more like a prologue (that could have been greatly condensed in my opinion), but after you get through them, the story really picks up.  I literally had to put the book down sometimes because I had to run around and freak out.  It's been a really long time since I've spazzed this much while reading a book.  It feels awesome.

Characters
So I was not a huge fan of Kira at first... she seemed like an overly sentimental and weepy character.  But then, she got pretty badass.  She was also very intellectual and although I felt like the science was a little too dumbed down, it was clear Kira knew her stuff.  I also really loved Samm, hehe.  Even though I liked how the romance between them was subtle, I hope there will be more in the next book.

Plot Twists!!!
Around the middle of the book, I was saying to myself, "This is REALLY good, so I don't mind that it's so predictable."  And then I immediately had to take back my words because Partials is plot twist after plot twist! Eventually I gave up guessing what was going to happen because I was always wrong.

I started off thinking, "Oh, the humans are so evil, this book does a great job showing the corruption and ignorance of humanity.  The Partials are the victims here!"  And then things weren't exactly as they seemed... my opinion of the humans and Partials kept on changing...  Eventually, you just don't really know who the good guys or bad guys are, and Partials definitely kept me second guessing.

Overall
Despite the slow beginning, Partials is a really action packed book that will definitely satisfy dystopian and science fiction fans alike.  And if you're looking for a twisty read full of surprises, Partials is for you!  I will definitely be on the lookout for Dan Wells' other books, and I'm highly anticipating this sequel!

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: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland #1) by Catherynne M. Valente
Format: Hardcover, 247 pages
Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure
Published May 10th, 2011 by Feiwel & Friends
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Rating: *4.5 out of 5

From Goodreads:

Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday. With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland lives up to the sensation it created when the author first posted it online. For readers of all ages who love the charm of Alice in Wonderland and the soul of The Golden Compass, here is a reading experience unto itself: unforgettable, and so very beautiful.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making is a short, but intriguing and charming book. It is the story of a girl named September, who in true fairytale fashion, goes off on an adventure in Fairyland where she is faced with an exciting but dangerous world filled with exciting but possibly dangerous characters.

What stood out most to me was the writing.  It is in 3rd person, with an often ominous narrator.  The writing was similar to the writing in A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket.  In a way, this kind of made me feel like you never really get to know the characters too intimately, they are kept distant from the reader as they go on their adventures.  I was okay with this, and thought it made the reading experience more unique but maybe not as enjoyable as it could have been.

I think what I enjoyed most from this book was the creative and colorful cast of characters that September meets on her journey.  I also really loved the world building in this book, although it take some concepts from traditional fantasy stories, I thought it was still really unique and well done.

Overall, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making is a thought provoking book, that should not be limited to middle grade readers.  It has gotten great feedback from readers of all ages, and I think older readers can appreciate the literary devices the author uses more than younger readers.  I would highly recommend it to fans of the writing in A Series of Unfortunate Events and to fans of middle grade books in general.

*To clarify on my rating, even though I think this book deserves a 5+ out of 5 based on writing, story, and all that literary jazz, it was not the book for me.  You know a book is good if it's blurbed by Neil Gaiman.  But if based on my personal interest in the book, I gave it a 4 out of 5.  Although I can see the book is brilliant and magical, the writing style did not completely work for me.

And just for the heck of it, here's my favorite quote :)

“One ought not to judge her: all children are Heartless. They have not grown a heart yet, which is why they can climb high trees and say shocking things and leap so very high grown-up hearts flutter in terror. Hearts weigh quite a lot. That is why it takes so long to grow one. But, as in their reading and arithmetic and drawing, different children proceed at different speeds. (It is well known that reading quickens the growth of a heart like nothing else.) Some small ones are terrible and fey, Utterly Heartless. Some are dear and sweet and Hardly Heartless At All. September stood very generally in the middle on the day the Green Wind took her, Somewhat Heartless, and Somewhat Grown.”

-Catherynne M. Valente, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making

Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Format: Hardcover, 318 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Published January 10th, 2012 by Dutton Juvenile
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository 
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary from Goodreads:

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Disclaimer: this review is more of a long winded babbling than a review.  Sorry about that.

I think everyone can acknowledge that this book was good.  Some call it John Green's best.  There are countless glowing reviews so if it seems like I'm focusing on the negative things, it's just because I feel like all the fantastic things about this novel have already been said.

If you've read other TFioS reviews, you've probably already heard about the crying and tears... and while I did get teary eyed and cried at one point in the novel, it was not an emotional breakdown kind of book for me.  You would think that a book dealing with cancer would be chock full of overbearing scenes of despair, but it's really not.  I appreciate that John Green didn't try to go all Nicholas Sparks on us. (Nothing against Nicholas Sparks, but really, his books are a recipe for tears).

Although I loved this book, a thing that bothered me was that at times, it felt really... pretentious.  And I know it's slightly pretentious to use the word pretentious, but that's the word that comes to mind.  I'm okay with the fact that Hazel and Augustus aren't exactly your typical teenagers.  It's refreshing to read about witty teenagers who think more about their lives than school, friends, partying, etc.  But some of their dialogue and mannerisms just came off as pretentious to me... Augustus and his unlit cigarette metaphors... like, if I met someone like that in real life, I wouldn't know whether to think he was cool and thoughtful, or a douche.  And some of the profound moments and sophistication in this book felt forced and over calculated.  Just my opinion.

Overall, while TFioS is a beautiful story that I most definitely enjoyed reading, it didn't live up to the hype for me.  (And what I mean by 'live up to the hype' is I was kind of expecting a 5+ out of 5.  Maybe it's my fault for having high expectations.).  This is just my opinion, 99.999999% of the people who have read TFioS LOVED it with their heart and soul.

Okay, so after writing all that, I realized it kind of sounds like I didn't like this book... even though I really did! *pinky promise* While I was reading, there were times where I wanted to sticky note passages and annotate.  And I'm not gonna lie, first thing I did after I finished this book was look up An Imperial Affliction on Goodreads.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:
(Emphasis needed on the word some.  Because I have a lot.)

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all at once.” 

“That's the thing about pain...it demands to be felt.”

“It's just that most really good-looking people are stupid, so I exceed expectations.'
'Right, it's primarily his hotness,' I said.
'It can be sort of blinding,' he said.
'It actually did blind our friend Isaac,' I said.
'Terrible tragedy, that. But can I help my own deadly beauty?'
'You cannot.'
'It is my burden, this beautiful face.'
'Not to mention your body.'
'Seriously, don't even get me started on my hot bod. You don't want to see me naked, Dave. Seeing me naked actually took Hazel Grace's breath away,' he said, nodding toward the oxygen tank.”

-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars 

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 Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star (Shades of London #1) by Maureen Johnson
Format: Hardcover, 372 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Mystery
Published September 29, 2011 by Putnam Juvenile
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary from Goodreads:

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

This was one of those books that I really wanted to love, but didn't.  It was a good book, and I definitely enjoyed it, but I wish it had a bit more... oomph.  Something that could have changed it from an okay-good-read book to an OMGTHISISSOAMAZINGILOVEITTODEATH book.

I liked the whole Jack the Ripper mystery that went on throughout the book, it was one of the main reasons why I wanted to read the book in the first place.  I'm one of those geeks who can spend hours watching the History Channel so I really appreciated all the research that went into this book.  And it was a good mystery book that kept me second guessing at the clues the 'Ripper' would leave behind and what not.

What I enjoyed most from this book is the writing voice.  This was my first Maureen Johnson book (and definitely not my last) but I loved how much the characters and writing had Maureen's quirkiness that I've come to love from stalking following her on twitter.  Maureen is very clever and funny online, and her book is no different.  I kind of want to say it's eccentric, but it's mostly unique and very original.

The Name of the Star has a fantastic cast of characters who are all quirky and fun to read.  Although they made me laugh and I generally liked them as characters, I kind of wish they had more depth... or that we got to know them better... This was a mainly plot driven book in my opinion, which is great, but really love getting to know the characters in a book... and I felt like it didn't really happen with this book.

Overall, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped, but I think this book is worth a read if you are a fan of Maureen's other books or Jack the Ripper-esque mysteries.  And because it ends on a little cliffhanger, I'm curious enough to read the next book in this series.  :)

Review: How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Format: Hardcover, 341 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary/Realistic Fiction
Published October 18, 2011 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Rating 5+ out of 5

Summary from Goodreads:

Jill MacSweeny just wishes everything could go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. And when her mom decides to adopt a baby, it feels like she's somehow trying to replace a lost family member with a new one.

Mandy Kalinowski understands what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, one thing she's sure of is that she wants a better life for her baby. It's harder to be sure of herself. Will she ever find someone to care for her, too?

As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn to both let go and hold on, and that nothing is as easy--or as difficult--as it seems.

Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about the many roads that can lead us home.

If you don't know what the 5+ out of 5 rating means, that means it's probably one of my favorites of the year or of all time.  (I believe I stole the 5+ idea from the awesome Ficticious Delicious blog).  So yeah, I really really really loved this book.

First off, this book was NOTHING like what I expected.  SO MUCH better than what I expected.  So with the title, I went into this book thinking it would be about suicide.  After reading the synopsis, I thought it would be one of those typical teen pregnancy books.  This book was neither of these things.  This was a story of two very different teenage girls who both find love in family and their place in a world that frankly, sucks.

The story started off a little slow, but once I became more attached to the characters, I couldn't stop reading.  I literally read this 300 something page book in one sitting.  I know people say that all the time, but this NEVER happens to me.  I maybe got up once to pee/eat or something, but besides that I couldn't tear my eyes away from this book.

Jill lives in a typical middle class home with her mother, but her father's death has affected her life so much she's isolated herself from her friends and has grown slightly bitter about life.  Out of Jill and Mandy, Jill felt like the more relatable, rebellious teenage girl who grows up in a typical home.  Mandy lived with her mother and whatever boyfriend her mother would have at the time.  In the flashbacks, Mandy's mother made me SO MAD how she was always putting down Mandy, and always saying things like "Girls act like this... girls act like that...".  Once Mandy realizes she's pregnant, she decides that she wants to keep the baby and get away from her old life.  She is letting Jill's mother to adopt the baby, so until the baby is born, Mandy goes to live with Jill and her mother.  And that is where the book begins.

Admittedly, this is a very character-y book rather than plot-y, so I'm mostly talking about the characters. I really love the alternating POVs, both Mandy and Jill felt so real to me and although they both annoyed me a bit at first, I grew to love both of them.  These girls are so different and grew up in such different backgrounds, but I  definitely identified with both of them.  I felt their joy and I felt their pain.  Now that I think about it, it's a little weird.  But good weird, definitely good.  I can only imagine what reading would be like if I felt like this for every character I read.

Of the two girls, Mandy was my favorite.  Although I legitimately thought she was crazy at first, once I got to know about her and her background I realized how wrong I was.  Mandy was a truly sweet and strong character, I loved seeing her grow throughout the novel.  Even after everything she had been through, she still trusted people and didn't give up, and wanted a better future for her child than the one she knew she couldn't give it.

I was very satisfied with the ending.  It's crazy how much I wanted these non-existent people to be happy after all the grief they've experienced.  I loved how both Mandy and Jill come to terms with their struggles and eventually find peace and comfort.  I realize that my incompetence through this review makes this book sound really lame, but I just cannot express how awesome it is!

Sara Zarr writes a beautiful, raw, and poignant story in How to Save a Life, and I highly recommend this book to everyone!  Whether you're a guy or girl, young or not so young (maybe best for not too young), like contemp or not, like books or not, etc.  I dare you to try not to become emotionally attached to the story and it's characters.  This was my first Sara Zarr book, but now I know she is such a GENIUS writer I will be sure to read ANYTHING she writes now!

Review: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Sweetly (Fairy Tale Retellings #2) by Jackson Pearce
Format: Hardcover, 312 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural
Published August 23, 2011 by Little Brown
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Goodreads Summary:

SWEETLY is a modernization of Hansel and Gretel and a companion book to SISTERS RED.

Twelve years ago, Gretchen, her twin sister, and her brother went looking for a witch in the forest. They found something. Maybe it was a witch, maybe a monster, they aren’t sure—they were running too fast to tell. Either way, Gretchen’s twin sister was never seen again.

Years later, after being thrown out of their house, Gretchen and Ansel find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina, a place on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They move in with Sophia Kelly, a young and beautiful chocolatier owner who opens not only her home, but her heart to Gretchen and Ansel.

Yet the witch isn’t gone—it’s here, lurking in the forests of Live Oak, preying on Live Oak girls every year after Sophia Kelly’s infamous chocolate festival. But Gretchen is determined to stop running from witches in the forest, and start fighting back. Alongside Samuel Reynolds, a boy as quick with a gun as he is a sarcastic remark, Gretchen digs deeper into the mystery of not only what the witch is, but how it chooses its victims. Yet the further she investigates, the more she finds herself wondering who the real monster is, and if love can be as deadly as it is beautiful.

I believe I may have a new Jackson Pearce favorite.

Admittedly, she's only published 3 books (that I know of) but even though they're all fabulous in their own way, I really really really loved this one.  It's one of those rare books when I really had no idea where it would go, kept me second guessing, and the conclusion was 100% satisfying.

Sweetly is the second book in the Fairy Retelling series after Sisters Red.  Although there is a completely new protagonist and storyline, you see some familiar names and creatures from Sisters Red.  Pearce creates a world and story that you think you already know, and then changes it into something more beautiful than the original, and yet still recognizable.  And not gonna lie, the candy descriptions had me drooling lol.

Often with Young Adult books these days, I feel like the main focus on the book is the romance.  There is nothing wrong with this, in fact I ADORE books with romance and swoony boys (I'm a teenage girl, sue me).  But I thought it was very refreshing that in Sweetly the romance was a little off to the side, and the growth of Gretchen's character and self confidence was front and center.  Gretchen starts off as a meek girl who is controlled by her fear of the past and the unknown, to an independent, bold, and adventurous young woman.

What I loved most about Sweetly was how the author doesn't paint Sophie as an outright, evil villain; even though being a chocolatier, she falls in the "evil witch" role of this fairytale.  Throughout the book, I was always wondering whether she was genuinely sweet, or was it all an act.  I loved how she, and all the other characters, are all multi-dimensional and dynamic and change throughout the book.

I cannot really express how much I loved the ending without spoiling it... but I really loved it.  It was satisfying, but bittersweet.  I was a little sad to let these characters go, but to sum it up, the ending had everything I look for in an ending.  It also redefined my definition of happily ever after.

I am eagerly waiting for Jackson Pearce's future works, and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.  As a slightly irrelevant note, Jackson Pearce is also hilarious on Youtube and Twitter, and she is giving away an ARC of Purity when her video about the loneliest whale in the world reaches 5,000 views, so you should go check out her and her books :)

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
 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Yep it's been a while... I apologize for my rustiness.  I have not written a review in about 6 months, so I've pretty much forgotten how I wrote them...

Notice how this review is going to be extremely long (for me, the minimalist) and then they will get progressively shorter.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Hardcover, 310 pages
Published April 6th, 2010 by Dutton Juvenile

Goodreads Summary:

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them both legions of faithful fans.

My Incoherent Review of Rambling:
"Funny, rude, and original." -The New York Times Book Review

No, that's not my review.  That's one of the blurbs on the cover of my version of the book.  And I think it definitely sums up the book in those three (technically four) little words.

I'm gonna start off by saying I am definitely not a big contemporary reader.  I don't often review contemporary because I've realized it's a bit unfair of me to read and review a book for a genre I don't like.  I can read phenomenal contemporary books and in the end say, "Oh.  That was nice." and then never think of that book again.  However, there is always the rare contemp that comes around, steals my heart, and makes me eye the other neglected contemp books on my shelf.  Will Grayson, Will Grayson is the perfect example.

If you are wondering about the title, Will Grayson, Will Grayson is about two teenage boys both named Will Grayson.  Will Grayson deals with his sometimes overbearing gay friend named Tiny.  He also forces himself to live by the rules of 1. Don't care too much and 2. Shut up.  will grayson deals with depression but the one bright light in his life is his online boyfriend Issac.  I loved seeing them both grow throughout the book, and really liked comparing the Will Graysons of the ending to the Will Graysons of the beginning.

This book is in it's own realm of originality while remaining in the borders of realism.  Yes, it can be a bit ridiculous and unbelievable at times, but not so ridiculous that you can't understand what the characters are going through or why they act the way they do.  And even though it deals with depression and some darker bits of growing up, I like how it looks at it with almost a light hearted attitude.  Because those who have read this book would definitely not describe it as dark.

Even though the voices are completely different (Will Grayson written by John Green and will grayson written by David Levithan) the chapters in will grayson's point of view are written in all lower case.  I also loved how both Wills were so blunt and truthful, I kept on mentally saying *quote this*  in my head.  As I was reading, I also thought to myself, *This may be the funniest book I've ever read*, I was laughing pretty much every other page.

And because I suck at writing (if you haven't noticed) here's a quote by David Levithan in the back of the book interview about the voice of will, who happens to be my favorite of the two Wills. 

"I wanted my will to be very much in the middle of things, because I don't feel there are enough books written about teens caught in the middle of things.  I didn't want him to be full of self-loathing about being gay--he's fine with being gay but wants to keep it to himself...  He's lost a dad, and he's not completely over it; but he's not hung up on it either.  And, most important, he lives with depression, but he's at the stage where he's living with it, not discovering it.  So many novels--many of them excellent--are written about teens who first grapple with their depression and get help.  There are very few about what happens next, when you have to live the rest of your life."

-David Levithan

5+ stars :)  One of my favorite reads this year (even though it was released last year).  Super excited for both John Green and David Levithan's future works, which I will most definitely be reading.

As a side note (You're saying this whole review is not one big jumbled side note?!):  Me being a nerdfighter did not influence my review or opinion of this book at all.  As much as I love John Green, I've only read 1 other book by him, Paper Towns, which was one of those "Oh.  That's nice." books for me.  So I was a bit surprised at how much I loved Will Grayson, Will Grayson.  Hurray for too long, possibly run on sentences.  DFTBA.

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