Brooke Jean's Book Reviews

Crossed

2012-02-13T14:28:00.000-08:00

by Ally Condie

Dedication: "For Ian, who looked up, and started to climb"

First paragraph: "I'm standing in a river. It's blue. Dark blue. Reflecting the color of the evening sky."

Review: This is the second book in the Matched series. However, before you read any more of my review, I'd highly suggest going out and getting a copy of that book and reading it since I can't really review this book without spoiling at least part of the plot of Matched and this is definitely a series worth reading.

---

Crossed picks up right where Matched left off. There is no extensive reintroducing of characters or reminding you of what is going on. I think that's a good thing (unless you had to wait a year for the second book to come out) because I hate reading a series where each book spends the first 50 pages retelling what you really should have already read.

Cassia has been sent to a work camp to help squelch her rebellious attitude that developed after her Match Banquet, or at least that's what The Society believes. Little do they know, Cassia wanted to be sent away - to be given a chance to find where Ky was sent and bring him home. Cassia is cunning, smart and knows it won't be easy so she leaves behind the safety of Xander and her future and teams up with a girl named Indie to set out on the adventure of her life. It doesn't take long to realize she's searching for more than her stolen love - she searching for a rebellion.

I have an intense love for Utopian society stories. Of course they are never as perfect as they seem and it's always fun to see what the author's imagination can create for the futuristic perfect society. Condie creates the perfect image of this for me. I feel like each detail is carefully thought out and The Society is definitely trying to do good but has lost sight of some of the most important characteristics of a successful leadership. They've decided to bind their citizens to them through lies and deception rather than inspire loyalty through commitment to do good and make the world a better place.

The characters - Cassia, Ky, Xander - are further developed. We get a chance to get to know more about Ky's history. Something I've been dying to discover since I first read Matched back in May. Cassia's development was lacking but I feel like we spent so much time learning about her in the first book that it didn't detract from this story. As for Xander - I still don't know what to think about him. I'm confused. He's a mystery that I think will be discovered in the final book. Even Condie's less prominent characters were developed as much or as little as they needed to be to make this story great.

Finally, I love the strong female role Cassia plays. She relies on others and trusts them as much as someone with her upbringing would trust. She makes her decisions based on this upbringing but she pushes herself harder than normal citizens would and she is determined to right the wrongs she has committed. She's determined to give others the life they deserve and not the one they were assigned.

The only flaw: the final book in the series isn't released until Fall 2012 and this book does not have a satisfying ending! It leaves you with questions that need answering now - not in 8 months from now!

Oh well. Until then you can click here for Ally Condie's official Matched series website.

The Book of Lost Things

2012-01-22T13:28:00.000-08:00

By John Connolly

Dedication: "This book is dedicated to an adult, Jennifer Ridyard, and to Cameron and Alistair Ridyard, who will be adults all too soon.

"For in every adult dwells the child that was, and in every child lies the adult that will be."

First paragraph: "Once upon a time--for that is how all stories should begin--there was a boy who lost his mother."

Review: In the middle of WWII, David is struggling with the death of his mother and his father's remarriage. It isn't that Rose is unkind or that she's constantly forcing him to do things he'd rather not--it's just the dilemma many young children face when they feel their parent is being replaced by someone else. It doesn't help when Georgie, David's new half-brother, enters the picture.

Soon, David's precious books start whispering and before long he finds himself in a world where the fairytales he loves to read have come alive. Unfortunately, they all seem to have taken a dark twist from the "Happily Ever Afters" he's always known.

I love a twist on a fairy tale. I don't think there should be one way to tell them. Connolly definitely managed to re-write a few of the stories and I loved that aspect. However, before you go stick this book in front of your child, you should know that this was a dark book.

I started reading it thinking it might be for kids around 12-14+ but by the time I finished I'd upgraded the age to about 16 or 17. In fact, I might even say this is more of a "Adult Fiction with Teen Allure" than a YA Fiction book. My reasoning? This is a nightmare inducing story. It's disturbing and dark and cynical and it takes happily ever afters and says, "Happily ever after means getting eaten really fast". So, pretty much every story ends with someone being eaten. From the Louts (werewolves) to the 30 foot long slimy beast, this is not a childhood bedtime story. But it was a great story. Connolly managed to create a whole new world where every story was tied together into one land. And Rumple- I mean the "Crooked Man" has corrupted the land for his own pleasure and gain.

Excessively gory but well written. Connolly did what all authors should do; he created a world the reader could escape into. Unfortunately, this particular book has the side-effect where the stories may follow you back and become nightmares you'd rather not remember.

Click here for John Connolly's website for The Book of Lost Things.

The Book of Three

2012-01-07T23:25:00.000-08:00

By Lloyd Alexander

Dedication: "For the Children who listened, The grown-ups who were patient, and especially for Ann Durell"

First paragraph: "Taran wanted to make a sword; but Coll, charged with the practical side of his education, decided on horseshoes. And so it had been horseshoes all morning long. Taran's arms ached, soot blackened his face. At last he dropped the hammer and turned to Coll, who was watching him critically."

Review: This is the first book in the Chronicles of Prydain and we quickly learn of Taran and his dreams of heroes and adventuring instead of being just a simple Assistant Pig Keeper. What Taran forgets to realize is that heroics is more than slaying dragons and saving damsels in distress. His first realization that it may be less glamorous than expected starts with a bad nights sleep on the ground and quickly becomes a tale of follies and one misadventure after another. But he his nothing if not determined to finish his quest to the end to find Hen Wen, the pig left in his charge.

Along the way he picks up one interesting companion after another and soon the band of travelers prove invaluable to Taran and all the land of Prydain. (One of which pays a marking resemblance to a certain creepy crawly fellow from the Lord of the Rings series).

I was asked to read this book to determine if it was appropriate for a nine or ten year old. Some of the parts are intense, and there is one quick scene where there is mention of men being burned alive inside wicker baskets, but overall it's not too graphic and it avoids going into any great detail about the death that comes with battles. Even the wicker basket scene only got mentioned in half a paragraph or less. As such, this story was definitely written for a younger audience but it was still enjoyable for me. Every good book, according to my husband, starts off with a map. And this book started off with a map so it must be good.

It only took a few hours to read and it was full of action and adventure from start to finish. Taran may have frustrated me at times but I absolutely loved Eilonwy. She was a bit of comic relief and made Taran so much more bearable while, at the same time, absolutely refusing to be a damsel for Taran to rescue. I can't help but love her for that.

I did have a hard time getting past the fact that certain aspects felt like they were stolen right from Lord of the Rings then dumbed down a bit for younger kids. For example, a Gollum character, along with some other situations that I'll avoid mentioning in order to keep from spoiling any of the plot. But if you do decide to read the story I'm sure you'll catch them as well.

The next book in the Chronicles of Prydain series is The Black Cauldron.

Pride and Prejudice

2012-01-04T23:40:00.000-08:00

by Jane Austen

First Paragraph: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

Review: I'd give you a synopsis of the story but I think every person alive - or at least most - has to know what this book is about. It is, after all, one of the greatest love stories ever written. How Austen managed to do this in 1813 and still make her characters relate-able almost 200 years later is remarkable.

Other than that, I don't think there is much to be said about this book other than, "Why did it take me 26 years to read it?" I get that I had to learn how to read first so the first few years of life are excused. But I remember reading Sense and Sensibility in High School and loving it. I should have known this book would be no different.

Now, the only thing left to do is go rent the BBC movie again from the library.

The Hunt of the Unicorn

2011-11-10T14:13:00.001-08:00

by C.C. Humphreys

Dedication: "To Aletha, Tamer of Unicorns"

First paragraph: "Thunderstorms rumble nearer, the air charged with static, as sticky-hot as only a New Orleans night can be. Arcana knows that the werewolf is going to come. She prays that all the precautions she's taken are not in vain. Prays that he's brought the goal of her quest---

'Elayne?'"

Review: Elayne is struggling to come to terms with reality as she watches her father's health steadily decline due to the cancer that plagues his body. Trying to imagine life without him is impossible. So, when her father starts to tell her about their family history, she can't help but be skeptical. Unicorns and Manticores only existed in fairytales and her life was anything but a fairytale.

Or so she thinks.

This book was a fun read. The first part of the book was great; I couldn't put it down. Then something happened and it lost that edge and fell into a lull. Luckily, I kept reading because it definitely picks back up and I felt the story rewarded me for persevering until the end.

Some of the fantastic beasts Humphreys described were beyond my comprehension but it was still a fun story about a land beyond this one. And, in a weird way, it almost makes sense. No wonder we have stories about Unicorns and three-headed-dogs, they used to travel from our world to theirs before the doorways were sealed forever.

I did get a sense of an agenda at a few points in the book but I'm not against taking care of our planet so it didn't bother me too much.

My only real complaint is that Mormons don't have multiple wives and I hate it when authors (even jokingly) throw that into their stories. It's probably silly to be so bothered by it but lots of people, more than I could possibly imagine, actually believe it when they read seemingly innocent sentences like the one I found in the story. I'm sure most people wouldn't even notice that sentence or think twice about it but ... it bothered me.

Other than that small and albeit pretty petty complaint this was a fun book to read and I would highly recommend it to the unicorn lovers or the fantasy readers out there.

Three stars to The Hunt of the Unicorn.

Click here for C.C. Humphreys' website for The Hunt of the Unicorn.

The Ghost's Child

2011-10-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

by Sonya Hartnett

Dedication: "For Julie Watts"

First paragraph: "One damp silvery afternoon an old lady came home from walking her dog and found a boy sitting in her lounge room on the floral settee. The boy hadn't been invited, so the old lady was surprised to see him. It wasn't a large boy, and he looked annoyed and bored, as if he had been waiting for her for some time. The lounge room was cold, and the tip of his nose had turned softly pink, which made the old lady feel sorry for him. 'You should have lit the fire,' she said, and pressed a button and twisted a dial, causing flames to jump up like cancan dancers inside the silver chest of the heater. Her guest didn't answer, but looked more aggrieved: being a boy of a certain age, he had a taste for suffering manfully, and preferred not to be given advice. 'Would you like a cup of tea?' she asked him. 'I'm about to make a pot.'"

Review: An old woman arrives home one day to find a boy waiting on her floral settee. As they visit over tea, she tells the stranger of her life long ago, when she was known as Maddy and longed for a future as enchanting as a fairy tale. In her story, young Maddy falls desperately in love with Feather, a boy "tousled and tameless as a flash of lightning," and they live happily in a little cottage by the sea. But one day Feather doesn't come home, and Maddy must follow him on a fantastical journey across the waves, seeking the answer to a burning question.

I was about 70 pages in and I thought I knew exactly what my review would say: "Boring". But once Maddy quit describing every little thing that she had seen or experienced at different points in her young childhood (and I'm talking pages of things listed one after the other) it got better.

This still wasn't a fascinating read by any means but there were things that I connected with, the imaginings of a young girl trying to make her life into a fantasy. And that is exactly what Maddy's life was--half fairy tale and half reality.

I think my favorite part was how difficult it was to discern which parts were her imagination and which parts really happened.

My only other complaint is the passage of time. There are parts when I could have sworn 4 or 5 years had passed with all the things they were doing and how she described the time passing and then suddenly it's only a year later.

That sort of things rips me out of the story. It's hard to be immersed in something when you can't get a grasp on how quickly things are unfolding.

I wouldn't really suggest this book to anyone. If you happened to be bored and grabbed it at the library because the book cover looked interesting, then you might as well give it a shot but ...I've read much better.

Oh, also. I think the title is sort of a huge spoiler alert - which I don't find to be a good thing. Or maybe I'm just brilliant and no one else will figure it out.

Library Dilemma

2011-10-10T09:57:00.001-07:00

The book I want to read currently has 546 holds. .... Oh the joys of using a big city's library system.

The Truth About Forever

2011-10-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

by Sarah Dessen

Dedication: "For Jay, as ever, and for my cousins who, like me, know by heart the view of the river and the bay, the complex rules of Beckon, and all the ways you Can't Get to Heaven.

To name you all would be a book in itself: you know who you are."

First paragraph: "Jason was going to Brain Camp. It had another name, a real name, but that's what everyone called it."

Review:
    A long, hot summer. That's what sixteen-year old Macy Queen has to look forward to. Her boyfriend, Jason, is going away to Brain Camp. She's stuck with a dull-as-dishwasher job at the library. And all of her free time promises to be spent studying for the SATs or grieving silently with her mother over her father's death.

      But everything changes when Macy is corralled into helping out at one of her mother's open house events, and she meets the chaotic Wish Catering crew...

Maybe this says something about my "intellect", but I never get tired of the boy/girl/forbidden-love story. Probably because it can be told a million different ways. As long as it's entertaining to read, even if I know exactly how it will all end, I love it. In fact, I might go as far as to say that I prefer it.

Anyway, this book kept me turning the page. A total "chick-flick" in terms of the heavy emotional baggage mixed with the tempting, always present, eye-candy. I thought it was a great story. It hit on issues real people have and those issues were handled in real world ways. The characters, just like so many of Dessen's other characters, were believable. I don't doubt that they exist. That they are out there acting just the way Dessen described in this book.

I enjoyed this book a tad bit more than the last Dessen novel I read, Just Listen; although, I couldn't tell you exactly why. Maybe I just enjoyed the supporting characters a little bit more or maybe Macy was easier for me to relate to since she felt the need to get the perfect grades, have the perfect job and deal with her emotions privately where no one else was affected. Whatever the reasoning, despite the basic storyline being one I've read a hundred times before, I enjoyed it thoroughly and Dessen was able to throw in a little bit of her own flair to make the story hers.

Plus, as a side note, I just really liked Wes. Like Macy put it, he really has the whole, "Tall, Dark, and Tormented thing going for him".

Click here for Sarah Dessen's website for The Truth About Forever.

Just Listen

2011-09-30T14:25:00.001-07:00

by Sarah Dessen

The best way out is always through. - Robert Frost

First paragraph: "I taped the commercial back in April, before anything had happened, and promptly forgot about it. A weeks ago, it had started running, and suddenly, I was everywhere.

Review:

Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least, that's what she portrays in her modeling shoots. But Annabel's life is far from perfect. Her friendship with Sophie ended bitterly, and her older sister's eating disorder is weighing down the entire family. Isolated and ostracized at school and at home, Annabel retreats into silent acceptance. Then she meets Owen---intense, music-obsessed, and determined to always tell the truth. And with his guidance, Annabel learns to just listen to herself and gains the courage to speak honestly. But will she be able to tell everyone what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?

Had I read this book two years ago I probably would have given it five stars. I think I'm starting to be more picky with my books. It was well written, interesting, the story kept you turning the page, but it lacked what my "five-star books" have.

You have to be pretty oblivious not to figure out what happened to Annabel the night her and Sophie stopped being friends. And maybe that was the point -- that particular event wasn't the plot device that was meant to keep you reading. But there weren't a whole lot of other unexpected things that happened either. You sort of knew where things were going and how they'd end. But the great thing about this book is that it was still pretty entertaining to read regardless.

In Adult Fiction there are usually a lot of F-bombs. I don't really like seeing them in YA Fiction but this book had a few. I guess it was to help build the the impression you were supposed to have of one of the characters but I don't buy it. I think there are ways to make someone a rough and tough teenager with out using that word. But that's just my opinion.

I really did enjoy the way Dessen handled the more serious topics that were broached in the story. She was able to show that everyone handles certain situations differently and just because one person did it one way doesn't mean they did it wrong. They did what they thought was best for their family and most importantly themselves at that point in their lives.

Anyway, I enjoyed this book. I think it'd probably rate at about three stars nowadays but that isn't a bad thing. It just means there are other books I've enjoyed more.

Click here for Sarah Dessen's Just Listen website.

The Swiss Family Robinson

2011-09-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

by Johann Rudolf Wyss

First paragraph: "For six days the storm had raged wildly, and our situation became more dangerous every hour. Driven out of our course, we no longer knew our position, and the ship had lost her masts and was leaking."

Review: I don't plan on saying much about this book. Most people know the premise so I'm not even going to give a synopsis.

It's a classic but it's not interesting. I was bored. And I kept asking Ben if it would get interesting. Ben of course lied and said that indeed it would because he knew I would quit if he said no.

Let's just say that, as a girl, I have no interest in reading about people camping for 5 years and killing lots and lots and lots and lots of animals. Pretty much that's what I got out of this book.

Also, what was the point of having their housemaid, or whomever she was, with them if they only mention her around three times throughout the whole book? Even when they're *SPOILER* --- rescued, she's not mentioned. I doubt she'd want to stay on the island but they never do say she left.

Maybe she was eaten by that lion.

Anyway, this was much more of an assignment read than anything else I've started and finished since I graduated college. I'm more than ready for a book with a gripping and fun storyline.

Exile (Aurelia Series, Book 2)

2011-08-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

by Anne Osterlund

Dedication: "For Tease, who I promised, and Dance, who made certain I followed through."

First Paragraph: "Hoofbeats thundered from behind. Imminent. Aurelia flung herself farther forward, low against the neck of her mare. Go, Bianca! she urged. The muscles beneath her shifted into a smooth firing of movement, and the gray horse burst into a more rapid pace, soaring over the stones and sand. The spring air turned cold as it sheeted across the exposed section of Aurelia's face, and the thinning fir trees along the road blurred into solid walls of forest green as the sounds of Bianca's hooves blended to a single continuous roar."

Review: I recently read and reviewed the first book in this series, Aurelia. This book review may contain some spoilers for the first book, which I highly recommend reading.

Exile starts right where Aurelia left off. Aurelia is on her way to learn more about her kingdom and its people, even if her leaving is not completely by choice. She'd always dreamed of traveling, exploring her kingdom. And now, she's more determined than ever to see the land, live as a commoner, and, most importantly, survive. Unfortunately, she never thought the surviving part would be so difficult.

Where to start? Oh yeah. Read Aurelia. Once you've read that pick of Exile and get started!

I really did enjoy this book. Aurelia is a very likeable character and she's always doing the right thing even if that means risking her own life to make it happen. Getting to see the way the main characters struggle with their choices they made in the first book can be frustrating and rewarding at the same time. You know it's not their fault but it's nice to get a sense that they are real. That they struggle with things any normal person would struggle with.

The only thing I did not like, just like in Aurelia, was the end. So far another book has not been announced but I can't imagine this series just ends the way Osterlund has it ending in Exile. At least with Aurelia there was some sort of closure. We figured out what was going on and who was responsible. At the end of Exile all we found out was that there has been a lot going on we weren't aware of and that Aurelia has a long fight ahead of her.

I'm just hoping this final book (assuming there will be a final book) is released sooner rather than later so I can read about it and hopefully remember what was going on.

Click here for Anne Osterlund's website.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

2011-07-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

by Mary E. Pearson

Dedication: "For my wonderful husband, Dennis, and my precious children, Jessica, Karen, and Ben"

First Paragraph: "I used to be someone. Someone named Jenna Fox. That's what they tell me. But I am more than a name. More than they tell me. More than the facts and statistics they fill me with. More than the video clips they make me watch."

Review: Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a year-long coma, and she's still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. Her parents show her home movies of her life, her memories, but she has no recollection. Is she really the same girl she sees on the screen?

Little by little, Jenna begins to remember. Along with the memories come questions--questions no one wants to answer for her. What really happened after the accident?

I read this book almost a week ago and forgot to do a review! It was good. It reminded me a lot of another series of books I'd read before but it still had some twists that were unique to this story alone. It was an easy read, interesting, but nothing too exciting or new.

It was set at a point far in the future after disaster had struck in more than one way. Part of California had collapsed into the ocean and several thousands of people had died because antibiotics had been over-used by doctors and patients. It made for an interesting setting, if nothing else.

I didn't especially love the mom; she was annoying. I thought the grandma was awesome after disliking her intensely for the first half of the book. And finally, I didn't understand the neighbor-kid's place in the story--other than to just be different.

It was an interesting story, made you ask some questions: How far would you go to save someone you loved? At what point do you just have to accept that someone is gone and let go?

Other than that, I don't really remember much -- good or bad.

If you're looking for a short, easy read, this is your book.

Click here for the website for The Adoration of Jenna Fox.

Devil's Kiss

2011-07-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

by Sarwat Chadda

Dedication: "To my wife and daughters"

First paragraph: "Killing him should be easy; he's only six. Then why the bilious, twisting feeling deep in her guts? Why the cold clammy dampness down her back?"

Review: Billi (Bilqis) SanGrael is a part of the Knight Templars. She's a part of them but not by choice. Her father is in charge. What he says goes. And he said she'd be one of them at the age of 10. She's sacrificed her social life, normality, sanity and now it looks like her father will require the greatest sacrifice of all. ... But you'll have to read the book to figure out what that is.

This was not the best story I've ever read but it was also far from the worst. The writing was decent although, I did notice quite a few typo's.

The story itself was almost entirely predictable; however, it was a gripping book. It keeps you turning the pages just to confirm what you already suspect in the back of your mind. It was an interesting use of vampires, werewolves, ghosts and all-powerful beings, done in a way I hadn't read before - which doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't been done.

I enjoyed that there was a tiny bit of religious education taking place while reading. Not enough for me to consider this a religious book but it is about a fallen angel trying to redeem himself by bringing people back to God through various insane means.

I will have probably forgotten all about this book in five months from now but I'm still glad I picked it up. I definitely didn't feel like the time I put into reading it was a waste at all. I just wish Billi herself was a bit less whiny. I did think that for someone who grew up in this environment she would be better accustomed to it all and have less to complain about. But that would have ruined a big part of the story, I guess.

There is another book follow Billi and her adventures called Dark Goddess.

Click here for Sarwat Chadda's website and more information about Devil's Kiss.

The Iron King

2011-07-12T11:13:00.001-07:00

by Julie Kagawa

Dedication: "To Nick, Brandon, and Villis. May we continue to beat those dead horses into the ground."

First paragraph: "The Ghost Computer

Ten years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared."

Review: Meghan Chase's father disappeared - vanished without a trace. After that her mother picked them up and moved them to a remote town where her mother married a pig farmer and tried to forget the past - only the past couldn't forget her. Suddenly Meghan is seeing strange things and soon her half-brother, Ethan goes missing and a strange doppelganger has taken his place. Meghan has to risk everything to get him back.

Oh and there's some love story in there somewhere too.

The first 150 pages did not really pull me in. They were okay - not great, but not bad. Just okay. I'm still not quite sure why I was so indifferent about this part of the book. My only explanation is that the premise of the story spoke more to younger readers but the story itself was much too dark for someone of that age group to be reading it. Or maybe 150 pages is how long it took Kagawa to get going with her writing?

Either way. The last two-thirds of the book was great. I couldn't put it down until I was finished. There was a lot of creativity put in to describing the Nevernever, faery world, and the characters within it. Speaking of characters, Puck. While I do feel sort of bad for Puck at times, he annoyed me. Maybe I just dislike people who have to crack a joke whenever tension is running high. I still like him but I like Ash better, I think.

That being said, there are three books in this series - The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, and The Iron Queen.

They've all been released and are ready for reading today!

Click here for Julie Kagawa's website and the books in The Iron Fey series.

Plain Kate

2011-06-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

by Erin Bow

Dedication: "To the memory of my sister Wendy--artist, friend, and fierce good soul"

First paragraph: "A long time agao, in a market town by a looping river, there lived an orphan girl called Plain Kate."

Review: I don't really know where to start on this one. I liked it but I didn't love it. I was sucked in by the story and I couldn't put the book down from page one but there were times where I was still sort of bored. I've never experienced that before. Maybe I'm just feeling overly critical right now?

Anyway, Plain Kate grew up in a market town with her father, the master carver. He taught her everything she knows and she's certain she could carve before she could walk. Because of her innate ability with a knife, some people believe she's a witch carving spells and magic into her wood. When her father catches the witch-fever and passes away her world changes and everything she hoped she'd have in her life is thrown out the window. Her life continues to be turned upside down and a real witch is making it impossible for her to stay unnoticed. At the center of the town's gossip she's forced to flee, fearing for her life.

Well, her adventures are really quite remarkable. I have no idea how much time lapses from the beginning of the book to the end. I do know that she's not yet twenty when the book ends but that is all I know. I think this undistinguished time lapse is one of the things that turned me off. I am not a cat, and therefore time concerns me. (You'll understand that when you read the book).

Which brings me to another point. I like cats. They are cute and soft and fun to play with but I think I'm more of a dog person. I think I'd have connected more with this book if I was a cat person. I saw how well the author did portraying a cat. The cat really was a cat. He thought like a cat. Acted like a cat. Demanded he be cooed and preened like any cat I know would demand. Writing the cat was probably a lot of fun and I wish I could have connected more with it.

Speaking of things that kept me from connecting, there was a lot of death in the book. Unnecessary, unneeded death in my opinion. I think that's really the thing bugging me most right now. Maybe the author was trying to convey something with all the death but I thought it was over the top. There was a curse. There were witch hunts, hangings, and burnings. There was extreme superstition and the first response was always "kill first, ask questions later".

Speaking of death, I cried. A lot. Maybe I was having an extra emotional day today but even on a very unemotional day I think it still would have still been a tearjerker. Bow does a great job at breaking your heart.

Anyway, if you're looking for a quick summer read I'd still suggest this. Although, for such a seemingly light-hearted book it had a lot of death. So I may not suggest it for younger teens even though I felt like that was more who the writing was geared towards. The death in the book is not gruesome by any means, but it is extensive and there are a lot of witch hunts and witch burnings taking place throughout the book as well.

Click here for Erin Bow's website for Plain Kate.

Aurelia

2011-06-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

by Anne Osterlund

Dedication: "For Mom and Dad--without whom nothing would ever have been written. And for Shandi--who will write her own one day."

First paragraph: "Death disturbed the night. The sound of squeaking wheels grew louder, as did the clicking of horse hooves scraping across cobblestones. A rickety old wagon, its simple board bed held together with rusty screws, pulled up against the back of the palace."

Review: Aurelia, the Crown Princess of Tyralt, has never been one for rules. She's grown up defying her father and doing her own thing. She's aware of the hardships her kingdom faces because she makes herself a part of them. What she doesn't realize is that somewhere, someone is trying to have her killed and the only hope for finding this assassin is her childhood friend.

My only complaint about this book is that I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to properly say her name. The story is intriguing and I couldn't put it down. I was absolutely submersed in the world Osterlund created. Aurelia has a personality that I'm sure I would clash with but it makes a great character. Someone who isn't afraid to tell you exactly how it is without fear of hurting your feelings because she knows it's the truth.

Some of the characters, especially toward the end, you couldn't help but love and hate all at once. How can someone be so stupid? Yet, the people you respect most respect them so you can't help but share those feelings to some extent. Maybe, just maybe, it's wrong and the real truth will come out. And then there are the people you just love to hate. The ones you want to be evil. I found myself mentally hoping they were the "bad guys" just because it would further justify my distaste.

Anyway, I guess I wasn't a huge fan of the ending but I still liked it. To better clarify what I mean, things can't always end "happily ever after". I think it was a realistic ending and that made it even better despite the fact that it wasn't what I would have preferred. I have a feeling, it was probably even harder to write that ending than to read. If I was a writer I'd only want the very best for the characters I wrote into existence.

Moral of the story, I'm definitely giving this five stars. It's probably been my favorite read this summer ... although, that may be in part because it had a solid ending. It was a stand alone book even though there is a sequel (which I found out about just a few seconds ago).

Click here for Anne Osterlund's website and more information about the Aurelia series.

The Giver

2011-06-06T00:20:00.000-07:00

by Lois Lowry

Dedication: "For all the children to whom we entrust the future"

First paragraph: "It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be frightened. No. Wrong word, Jonas thought. Frightened meant that deep, sickening feeling of something terrible about to happen. Frightened was the way he had felt a year ago when an unidentified aircraft had overflown the community twice. He had seen it both times. Squinting toward the sky, he had seen the sleek jet, almost a blur at its high speed, go past, and a second later heard the blast of sound that followed. Then one more time, a moment later, from the opposite direction, the same plane."

Review: I think a lot of us have read this book for school. I'm almost certain I did at some point; however, I did not remember the story at all. So maybe I just "read" the book for school. Who knows.

Jonas lives in a perfect community. Perfect matches are made for spouses, careers, and children. Starting at a young age children are taught the importance of the community and its rules. What they aren't taught is true emotion. True understanding. They lack what I think makes a human truly human. They lack love, hate, anger. Sure, they probably feel small annoyance and mistake that for anger but anyone who's truly known rage, knows annoyance is nothing like it.

At the age of twelve the children are given their adult work assignments and begin training. Jonas receives the highest honor someone in their community can receive. With that honor comes wisdom beyond his twelve years and suddenly he knows the secrets. Secrets that, when accompanied with the emotions he's been taught by his mentor, he can't let go unnoticed.

This book really makes you think. Maybe even a little bit more than I had bargained for in a late Sunday afternoon read.

How often have you claimed to be 'starving' when, in fact, you're merely a little more hungry than you were that morning? Do we take for granted the things around us. Simple colors? What would life be like without them. If everything was the same; if our world was flat and there was no more sunshine or rain; the climate was controlled for optimal agricultural production.

Doesn't sound very fun to me. I guess if it's all you knew then you wouldn't realize what you're missing.

This book was a great read. In fact, I am pretty sure I finished it in under 5 or 6 hours. I don't remember exactly what time I started reading it at but I do know that once I started I couldn't put it down. I had to find out more about Jonas and his world and how they functioned on such little stimuli.

Earlier I'd read another book review that mentioned the ending of this book. She, or he, didn't understand it. Didn't get what it meant. They talked about how they wished it had ended differently. At first I couldn't help but be like, "Yes! I feel the exact same way!" But after having had a little while to mull it over I'm not so sure I agree.

Yes. It would have been nice for an exact, "and this is what happened to them", but instead we're left to interpret the ending for ourselves. Whether you look at it optimistically, pessimistically, or pessimistically with a hint of optimism there are a lot of things the ending could mean. I still haven't decided what the ending means to me but I do know that it signifies how important choice, freedom, and love are for the human race. What's the point in living if you don't have those?

If you haven't read this book I'd definitely suggest it. If you've read it but don't remember the story very well, go read it again. It's simplicity in writing makes the complexity of its words that much more poignant.

Click Here for a Lois Lowry Website on The Giver.

Firelight

2011-06-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

by Sophie Jordan

Dedication: "For my very own Catherine"

First paragraph: "Gazing out at the quiet lake, I know the risk is worth it."

Review: Jacinda is unique even among her own kind - the Draki, a descendant of the dragons. Her life is planned out for her as though she's a possession for the pride she grew up in. Her ability to breathe fire makes her a rare commodity and there are certain Draki that aren't willing to risk losing her talent.

When her mother realizes the extent of the pride's plans for Jacinda, she packs up what little she can fit into a car and flees into the mortal world, hoping Jacinda will leave her Draki to die and accept the fate of becoming entirely human. Something her mother doesn't count on is Will, a hunter of the Draki. A boy Jacinda is instantly drawn to. A boy, that despite all logics, keeps her Draki alive despite the arid conditions of her new home.

I'll come out and say it, there were a few similarities in dialogue between this and Twilight. "Bad Boy" tells the protagonist to stay away from him but can't stay away from her, etc. etc. However, I think that's where the similarities end.

The struggle Jacinda has with remembering herself while trying to hide who she is from those that would destroy her is constantly present. The decisions she makes are not always logical or rational but they're completely emotion based and anyone who's been a teenager knows that logic and rationale rarely play into thought processes.

On a separate note, I love the idea of this story. Draki hiding in human skin. Longing for a chance to set their inner-self free and fly above the rest of us.

I enjoy these magical stories and it was really well done. It wasn't too cheesy to the point of me rolling my eyes and thinking, "that could never happen". And yes, I do know that could never happen but Jordan did a great job of writing this story in a way that kept you from really questioning the logicalness of it all. The only time I felt removed from the story was when she was shifting. Unfortunately, my mind just isn't creative enough to imagine a human turning dragon and vice versa.

If you enjoy dragons, fantasy, a bit of romance, and/or a tiny bit of high school drama this is probably the next book you'll want to read.

Unfortunately, like many books, this is not a stand alone novel. The next novel in this series, Vanish, is set to be released September 6, 2011.

Click here for more information about Firelight and the next book in the series, Vanish.

Hattie Big Sky [Audio]

2011-05-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

by Kirby Larson

Read by: Kirsten Potter

First paragraph: " December 19, 1917
Arlington, Iowa

Dear Charlie,

Miss Simpson
starts every day with a reminder to pray for you--- and all the other boys who enlisted. Well, I say we should pray for the Kaiser---he's going to need those prayers once he meets you.

Review: Set in 1917, Hattie's parents died when she was very young. Since then she's been bounced from here to there among distant relatives. Finally, fed up with her current living situation and told she has no choice but to serve at a bordering house and abandon her studies just months before the end of the year, Hattie receives a mysterious letter. This letter opens up a whole new world to Hattie. She immediately sets off for Montana to help settle the land and prove her late Uncle's claim.

What a cute book! It was such an interesting way to learn about the history of the early American settlers and the racism that existed during the world war.

You really never know what you're going to read next. There were twists that obviously happened back then but you'd never expect Larson to do to one of her own characters.

But it's just further proof that these characters are real. They aren't all bad or all good. I really wanted to hate one of the characters in particular but he kept doing things that were decent. So I couldn't quite hate him but I definitely didn't like him.

The reader also did an amazing job. Her voicing never took me out of the story and made me feel detached like some readings do. I could just imagine the story taking place as I listened and drove along the endless stretch of road.

My only complaint was the ending. It was left so open-ended. But, at the same time, it was appropriate. She didn't give Hattie a big "AND SHE LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER". It was a real ending with the possibility of the rest of her life stretched out before her.

Click Here for the Hattie Big Sky website.

Linger [Audio]

2011-05-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

by Maggie Stiefvater

Read by: Jenna Lamia as Grace, Pierce Cravens as Sam, Dan Bittner as Cole, and Emma Galvin as Isabel

First paragraph:

• grace •

This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one.

Just a few months ago, it was Sam who was the mythical creature. His was the disease we couldn’t cure. His was the good-bye that meant the most. He had the body that was a mystery, too strange and wonderful and terrifying to comprehend.

But now it is spring. With the heat, the remaining wolves will soon be falling out of their wolf pelts and back into their human bodies. Sam stays Sam, and Cole stays Cole, and it’s only me who’s not firmly in my own skin.

Review: This is the second book in The Wolves of Mercy Falls series. This review will have some spoilers for the first book so stop reading if you plan on reading Shiver any time soon.

Shiver leaves off just after Isabel's brother dies, her dad goes on a wolf hunt, Sam is cured and Grace is madly in love.

Linger, book two, delves into the psych of Grace, Sam, Isabel and Cole.

Cole is one of the new wolves that Beck brought back from Canada. He was ready to end his life and thought becoming a wolf, void of thought and emotion was a good way to do that.

Isabel is struggling with her family life as her parents spend the days arguing or mourning the loss of their son and she's left feeling as though his death is her fault.

Grace is dealing with her own problems. She feels wrong but she doesn't know what is happening to herself. All she knows for certain is that she still has Sam and Sam didn't turn when the weather turned cold.

And then there's Sam. Each time he feels the cold he's afraid his life will revert to what it used to be. He's happy being a boy, a man, a human. He never wants to go back to the thoughtless, emotionless life of the wolf again and he'd do almost anything to keep it that way.

I listened to this book on a drive home. There was a different reader for each perspective so that helped me keep track of who was who but I think it would have been more confusing if I'd been reading. I feel like the switching back and forth from one character to another keeps you from really getting to know any of the characters. I don't like it when a book has more than one or two perspectives it's written from.

The readers did an alright job but it wasn't my favorite book reading ever. I'd probably rate the reading around a 3 and a half.

As for the story itself ... it's interesting but it's not really a page turner. If I'd been reading it I probably would have taken a while to get through it. In fact, I started reading this book several months ago but didn't finish it before it was due back at the library. I think it's just the different perspectives that keeps you from becoming invested. You might get to an interesting part but then it's going to switch to another person's thoughts and story and you won't read about whatever it was you were interested in for another 30 pages.

Don't get me wrong, it's a decent enough book, especially if you like reading about werewolves but it won't make my top 10, or even 50, books ever read.

Finally, there is one more book in this series, Forever. It's due to be released on July 12, 2011.

Click here for Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver series website.

The Scorch Trials

2011-05-18T14:21:00.001-07:00

by James Dashner

Dedication: "For Wesley, Bryson, Kayla and Dallin. Best kids ever."

First paragraph: "She spoke to him before the world fell apart."

Review: Wow.

First, this review is probably going to have spoilers for the first book in the series, The Maze Runner, so go read that book then come back.

Thomas went to bed feeling safe for the first time since he woke up in the Maze. He had food, shelter, people who said they were there to protect them. He had the voice of his best friend in his head as he slowly dozed off to sleep. And then, in a moment, everything went wrong.

Now, I don't really remember the exact details of The Maze Runner off the top of my head but I do remember thoroughly enjoying it. I can't say for certain whether it surprised me quite as much as this book did, but ... wow.

Dashner knows how to write a story. The twists that he comes up with are so completely out there that I don't think anyone could see them coming. It's just one bad thing after another and these poor "Gladers" that you've come to love and cheer for are on constant attack and you never know when it will be their last scene.

He also manages to make you more paranoid then the characters themselves. I thought every person these guys encountered was a bad guy just waiting to attack. And usually the "bad guys" weren't bad at all and then as soon as I thought they'd be safe, all hell breaks loose again.

This is one of those books you don't want to casually start reading just before you go to bed. You won't be able to put it down. There is never a really good stopping point. Each chapter holds a key to figuring out what is going on and each chapter does an amazing job of leaving you even more confused about who and what WICKED really is.

The only other thing I can say is, go read this book. It's not for the weak-stomached. It was definitely a bit dark but I thought it may have been less-so than the first book. Maybe. I don't know. Decide for yourself.

And, for your information, Book Three, The Death Cure, goes on sale October 11, 2011.

Click here for The Maze Runner Series' official website.

Matched

2011-05-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

by Ally Condie

Dedication: "For Scott, who always believes"

First paragraph: "Now that I've found a way to fly, which direction should I go into the night? My wings aren't white or feathered: they're green, made of green silk, which shudders in the wind and bends when I move -- first in a circle, then in a line, finally in a shape of my own invention. The black behind me doesn't worry me; neither do the stars ahead."

Review: Cassia lives in a world where the Society makes all the important choices for its citizens. When they marry, who they marry, what they do for a living, and when they die. There are banquets held for some of the more important decisions and the book starts off with Cassia on her way to be Matched with her future husband.

However, one moment of seeing the wrong face on her microcard sets Cassia's actions and thoughts into an unpredictable course. Before she knows it, she's doubting everything she's ever known. Finally, she has to choose but the decision isn't easy.

I'm starting to see a pattern behind the books I most enjoy. A post-apocalyptic world where a government has been created that rules its citizens with an iron fist. Where choices are limited and the citizens are complacent. Or are they?

This is the first book in the trilogy. Once again, I didn't realize it was a series until after I started reading it but it wraps up nicely so I can't really complain. The next book, Crossed, is released November 2011.

The characters in this book are fantastic. I really can't decide who I want Cassia to be with. Boy number one is always there for her, always has been. But boy number two is the choice that goes against what the Society insists. He's "dangerous" in the same way knowing one poem that isn't on the hundred-poems list is dangerous. It's knowing more than they want you to know. If they can't control your knowledge they can't control you.

I didn't get a chance to blog my thoughts about this book right away so some of the other things I thought while reading have faded and I can't remember everything I wanted to address but the moral of my thoughts was that I loved this book. It was a page turner. It kept me interested. Its characters were realistic. Some of the choices made were infuriating and, at the same time, the choice any normal person would have made.

While there are some similarities, it's not The Hunger Games. There's less action and more thinking/feeling going on. Cassia is barely discovering that the Society isn't all it's cracked up to be. She's never doubted them until now; where Katniss grew up always hating her government because of the living circumstances she had to endure.

Matched was about Cassia deciding who and what she would become. I think the decisions she made in this book will play out on a much larger scale as we read our way through the rest of the trilogy and I cannot wait to see what happens.

Click here for more information about Matched and Ally Condie herself.

Library Loot Dregs

2011-05-05T10:19:00.000-07:00

Books that were brought home but they were either never started or never finished.

1. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler (Never had the desire to open the book. Yes. I judge books by their cover.)

2. Be Mine by Laura Kasischke (Too many mentions of dead animals. I really didn't understand what that had to do with a secret admirer. I made it 30 pages in and there were 5 different dead animals in that time)

3. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (I plan on checking this out again some other time. The due date snuck up on me and it's a BIG book with lots of holds so renewing wasn't an option)

Awakened, House of Night Novel, Book 8

2011-05-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast

Dedication: "Kristin and I would like to dedicate this book to LGBT teens. Gender preference does not define you. Your spirit defines you. It gets better. We heart you. No matter what "they" say, life is really about love, always love."

First Paragraph: "A disquieting sense of irritation awakened Neferet. Before she had truly departed that amorphous place between dreams and reality, she reached out with her long, elegant fingers and felt for Kalona. The arm she touched was muscular. His skin was smooth and strong and pleasing beneath her fingertips. All it took was that small, feather-like caress. He stirred and turned eagerly to her."

Review: This is the eighth book in the House of Night series. Books One and Two were definitely my favorites. Books Three, Four, and Five were still pretty fun and entertaining. And then Book Six and Seven came around.

What I'm trying to say is ... I'm done with this series. It's a day-time soap opera in book form and I wish I'd never started it because it will never ever end. I'd tell you about my feelings for this book but I'm pretty sure my review for Book 7 is the exact same. The book is entertaining and some crazy stuff happens that you'd never guess but I just want to be done with the story. I want to see how it all ends.

Will it ever end?!

As a side note, if I didn't want to see the end of the series so much I probably would have written a pretty good review for this book. There were a lot of insane, unforeseen twists and some good resolutions. Unfortunately, the writing was still "bullpoopie" as Zoey would say. It almost makes me prefer Neferet's point of view because then, at least, it's decent writing. I wish they wouldn't have made the characters thoughts and personality decide the voice of the writing in each point of view.

And on that note, I bid you ado.

The Lost Saint (A Dark Divine Novel, Book Two)

2011-03-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

by Bree Despain

Dedication: "In loving memory of Mildred Coy Rane. I don't know how much you cared for my fantastical stories of werewolves and demon hunters, but you were always supportive and proud. I miss you daily. You're granddaughter, Bree"

First paragraph: "'Do what he wants, and you might survive,' a harsh voice said into the boy's ear before he felt a sharp blow to the kidneys. He fell forward onto the concrete, his arms spayed out in front of him."

Review: If you haven't read The Dark Divine yet, spoilers lie ahead. Tread carefully if you dare.

Grace made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel. She became infected with the werewolf and lost her brother in the process. Now, her family is falling apart and the only thing she has to hold on to is Daniel and their love for each other. Unfortunately, Grace is desperate for the normalcy her life used to hold and she longs to see her brother again. As hopelessness starts to set in she meets and befriends Talbot. Clinging to Talbot's promises of the Hounds of Heaven and becoming who she was meant to be, the two grow closer; however, as her relationship with Talbot grows, her relationship with Daniel starts to crumble. Before she knows it she's losing herself and all she's been fighting for.

I was a bit harsh with the first book in the series. It seemed like a re-make of Twilight except with Werewolves as the main bad guys instead of vampires. I did enjoy the over all story but there were a few things that I couldn't quite forget about. Grace Divine's name being one of them. I still think that Despain pushed the irony/symbolism a bit too far with that one.

Anyway, as far as Book Two, The Lost Saint, is concerned - I loved it. It became it's own book. It stepped away from the Twilight parallels and branched out into something that could stand on it's own.

Talbot is a great character - you get to be with him from moment one of his friendship with Grace. It makes her relationship with him easier to comprehend, as opposed to the relationship she has with Daniel that was forged years before these books take place. Seeing the feelings and relationships develop right in front of your eyes makes them so much more real.

I was, however, able to better appreciate the Grace/Daniel relationship in this book. They're in love. We already know that when the book starts, so we just accept it. The events that transpire throughout the rest of the story are things that build or destroy a relationship and the reactions to those events were realistic. I approve of the direction Despain took it in. Especially considering the age of the main characters.

Finally, let's talk about the plot. It took me awhile to read the book but that was my own fault. Everytime I picked up the book I had a hard time putting it down, getting it open that was the hard part. Had I not been busy with other life stuff, I'm sure I would have had it read in 2 days. There are a lot of twists to the plot but you'd probably be able to guess what they are about fifty to seventy-five percent of the time. Despite that, I still found it very gripping and entertaining.

Until I read the last page.

Yeah, this book is one of "those" books. You know, the ones that end without actually ending. Pet Peeve of the century!

Book 3 comes out in December of 2011 and I've already added it to my list of books I'm anxiously awaiting. Thefore, I think it's safe to assume I would definitely suggest reading this series but I might suggest waiting until Book 3 has been released so you don't have to go, "WHAT!" as you read the last paragraph.

Click Here for more information on The Dark Divine novels.

The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle

2011-03-09T14:47:00.001-08:00

by Deva Fagan

Dedication: "To my parents, Paul and Cynthia, for their love, inspiration, and steadfast support"

First paragraph: "All I wanted was to charm a single stinking wart onto my face. Yes, onto, not off. A good bog-witch should have at least one. Grandmother had eleven, and a hooked nose to boot. Of course, there were rare witches who could pull off a certain dark and terrible beauty. My mother was one, according to Grandmother. Maybe that's how I got stuck the way I was."

Review: Prunella dreams of being a proper bog-witch but her curses always end up being a complete disaster. Take the time she chased off a mob of angry Uplanders with Alligator spoor and ended up giving them the best crops in years, for example. Things only get worse for Prunella when a thief, Barnaby, winds up in her Grandmother's garden and she can't turn him into a toad. Seeing this as Prunella's last chance, her grandmother kicks her out of the bog until she can prove she belongs. As Barnaby and Prunella set out across the Uplands to prove themselves to different people they're thrown into disaster, curses, and the like. But what they set out to accomplish changes as they learn the truth about the history of the Uplands and the story of Prunella's ancestor, Esmeralda.

This was a book written more for older children than young adults but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing was simple but not to the point of boredom. The story was entertaining and it was easy to get attached to the characters as you read more about them.

I especially loved the underlying message of the story, just because something or someone is different doesn't mean it's bad. Several times it was mentioned that what you see is not always what is underneath. I like stories with wholesome uplifting messages like this one, but it's not so obvious that it distracts from the story itself.

This story was full of fantasy and magic and predictable yet surprising turns. It was gripping and once I got into the meat of the story I couldn't put it down for long. The best part was, once I finally got back in the reading groove I was thoroughly entertained despite the age group it was intended for. I think that alone says a lot about the book.

I would definitely suggest this book. And to think, it was found by my friend's 13 month old daughter at the library! Luckily the cover was cute enough that my friend ended up taking it home instead of just putting it back on the shelf.

For a better book Synopsis and more information about the book, click here.

The Dark Divine

2011-02-04T02:57:00.000-08:00

by Bree Despain

Dedication: "For Brick, Because you brought home that laptop all those years ago and said, 'You'd better start writing.' I.L.Y.R.U.T.T.M.A.B.A. Always, Bree"

First paragraph (aka Prologue): "Blood fills my mouth. Fire sears my veins. I choke back a howl. The silver knife slips--the choice is mine. I am death or life. I am salvation or destruction. Angel or Demon. I am grace. I plunge the knife. This is my sacrifice--- I am the monster."

Review: Grace, daughter of a pastor, has a great life. Her family looks perfect to the outside viewer. Unfortunately, things aren't always as they seem.

Ever since that night three years ago, the last night Daniel was seen, when her brother, Jude, came home covered in his own blood, things have been strained. Her family refuses to talk about that night and Grace has tried to forget Daniel. Forget the lifelong friendship she'd had with the boy next door. Then, suddenly he's back and he's giving her the answers her family withheld. But his answers are making her choose between her feelings for him and her own brother.

I'm just going to come out and say what I'm thinking, this is a ripoff of twilight. It's perfect for the "Jacob fans". When you look at this cover what do you think of? Think pale, white skin with red object. The only difference is that instead of a red/black/white color scheme it's Purple/Black/White.

Don't mistake my intent with that last paragraph, I was very entertained. I know how easy it is to have an idea someone else created and then to create your very own character and world based off of that already established idea. Unfortunately, if the character is too closely tied to the original idea you can't sell it as your own, regardless of how much effort you put into creating a completely separate story. That's where Despain managed to succeed. She was inspired. She used the inspiration to create an idea. And she separated the idea just enough to make it her own from start to finish. Also, I'm admitting I could be completely wrong and this is just my own hypothesis, derived way too late at night, or rather way too early in the morning, depending on how you look at it.

I did find the 'irony' of the story to be a bit much. I mean, her name is Grace Divine. Her dad's a pastor. The book is all about having Grace and being Divine. I just felt like she could have had a less "Divine" last name. heh. Anyway, every time her last name was mentioned, which was quite frequently, I cringed a little and felt like it was forced ... a lot.

As for the romance, the relationship between Daniel and Grace feels like it's lacking something. The reader doesn't get enough of a chance to feel what Grace feels towards him. She spent almost her entire life growing up with him living next door but the story starts in the present. So it's hard to understand exactly how she feels since the development of the relationship happened when we weren't watching (or reading). I don't think this is a fatal flaw, I just think it makes it harder to connect with Daniel and Grace.

The more I type the more it sounds like I didn't like the book but it was very enjoyable. I just think that books I like more, I tend to pay more attention to and it's easier to write/talk about things you dislike rather than things you do like.

So, don't let the negatives fool you. Grace was a fun character and the story kept me up late 3 nights in a row reading - each night a little bit later. So my suggestion is, don't start reading this book just before bed, you won't be able to put it down, especially once you make it past the half way mark.

My second suggestion, go grab a copy from the library. If you liked Twilight, you'd definitely like this book. If you like fantasy books about demons, vampires, werewolves, etc. You'd probably enjoy it as well. It's no Mortal Instruments but it's still a fun, easy, entertaining read.

Click here for Bree Despain's website for The Dark Divine.

Princess of Glass

2011-01-25T12:41:00.000-08:00

by Jessica Day George

Dedication: "For my own Princess, who danced before she could crawl"

First paragraph: "'Perfect," the Corlet said, lips stretched wide in a smile. She took a shallow pan of molten glass and set it in the air over her head. "Yes, everything is perfect this time."

Review: After her brother-in-law Galin defeats the evil Lord Understone in Princess of the Midnight Ball. Princess Poppy, one of the twelve dancing princesses, has done her share of dancing and vows that she'll never do it again. This makes participating in the Royal exchange program a bit uncomfortable at times. Luckily, Princess Poppy finds a way to pass the time and she becomes close friends with another visiting prince.

Things seem to be looking up for Poppy until the hapless maid, Ellen, starts showing up at balls wearing elaborate gowns, adorned in the most expensive jewels. Poppy knows firsthand the price of making bargains with creatures not of this world and she fears Ellen, and possibly all of Breton is about to pay the price.

George had me hooked with her last book. I love a good re-telling of a classic children tale. She put a great spin on The Twelve Dancing princess in her last book and she adds a whole new perspective to this retelling of Cinderella.

Poppy is the perfect Princess to face The Corley and Poppy's strong-willed nature and stark contrast to most young ladies obviously sets her apart. I love a good heroine and Poppy fits the bill quite well. She has her weaknesses but they aren't condemning. I especially love that she isn't fawning over the prince. He's cute. She enjoys his company. But it isn't constant love-sickness and jealousy.

As for the rest of the story. I really enjoyed the twists. Since it is a re-telling of Cinderella you sort of know how it all will end. Unfortunately, I think the ending was the weakest part. It needed more description, more character. I found it lacking something that the rest of the story had. To me it felt forced, like George wrote 15/16th's of the book then hit a metaphorical wall and just wrote something to appease the publishers.

Despite my complaint, I definitely still enjoyed the book. It was an easy read, it kept me turning the page, the characters were fun to read about, and their conflict was exciting. Another thing I found amusing about this book is that George adds at the end the instructions on how to knit a few of the important 'charms' used to break the enchantments.

If you're a knitter it might be fun for you to read the book then knit a few of the things after the fact. If you aren't a knitter, but enjoy a fairy-tale or two you should go pick up a copy of, The Princess of the Midnight Ball then immediately set that one down and pick this one up. You won't be disappointed. (Until maybe the end).

Click here for Jessica Day George's website for Princess of Glass.

The Body Finder

2011-01-17T14:41:00.001-08:00

by Kimberly Derting

Dedication: "To Amanda, Connor, and Abigail, for letting me love you"

First paragraph: "Violet Ambrose wandered away from the safety of her father as she listened to the harmony of sounds weaving delicately around her. The rustling of the leaves mingled gently with the restless calls of birds and the far-off rushing waters of the icy river that lay beyond the trees."

Review: Violet is a gifted girl who seems to have inherited some of her grandmother's special talents for seeking out the dead. When I say, "dead" I'm not talking about ghosts. She has a sense for when things or people's lives have ended unexpectedly, brutally. This is something Violet is having a hard time coming to terms with. It's almost too much to handle and that's before factoring in her normal, complicated teenage life. One such normal life issue is the butterflies that appear in her stomach each time her long time best friend, Jay Heaton, comes around.

Have you ever seen the show Medium? This book is like that show but a lot different. I guess the similarities lie in the dealing with dead people and tracking down bad guys. Unfortunately for Violet, her gift is specifically with finding the dead. If someone is still alive it's a hopeless cause. This could have given the book a more morbid feel but I think that there was enough of Violet's teenage angsting going on to keep it lighter.

I enjoy this sort of thing. Catching bad guys. Correcting the wrongs for lives that ended too soon. There were definitely some unexpected twists. And the romance angle was sweet, enticing. I did, however, have a hard time connecting with Violet's friends, other than Jay, but they were background characters so I don't think you were meant to know a whole lot about them.

I think the worst part, and maybe the best, was knowing what was coming and having no idea how to tell Violet what she was about to walk into. If I hadn't been worried about people judging my mental sanity, I would have been yelling at the pages trying to warn her, regardless of whether or not she could actually hear a word I was saying.

My only other complaint was in regard to the romance aspect. But it wasn't a huge complaint and I can't say anything without posting spoilers so. I guess you should let me know what you thought about it all once you read it!

So, read this book. My "Warnding" is that it is on the darker side but Derting was able to keep it from being too sinkingly morbid with silly light teenage humor, something I really appreciated.

The Body Finder was a nice mix of excitement, intensity, suspense, and romance. Something you should definitely consider reading if paranormal or sci-fi are a genre of choice.

For more information about The Body Finder, click here!

Post note: Reading this book will make you either an overprotective parent that never lets their girls go anywhere without a body guard or a super paranoid woman. Read the book if you want to know what I'm talking about.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella

2011-01-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

by Stephanie Meyer

Dedication: "For Asya Muchnick and Meghan Hibett"

First paragraph: "The newspaper headline glared at me from a little metal vending machine: SEATTLE UNDER SIEGE -- DEATH TOLE RISES AGAIN. I hadn't seen this one yet. Some paperboy must have just restocked the machine. Lucky for him, he was nowhere around now."

Review: First, if you plan on reading Eclipse and don't want to know how that book ends until you read it, do not read this book.

Now that we've got that out of the way let's get down to business. Bree Tanner makes a brief appearance at the end of Eclipse, the third book in the Twilight Saga. The little information you do know about her before this book is that she was smart enough to surrender but not smart enough to get lost before it was too late.

Bree has spent the last three months of her new life craving blood and avoiding the rest of the newborns. Her only thought has been to hunt and survive, until she spends a day with Diego. Her one day with him makes her look at her situation with whole new eyes. If you've read Eclipse you know how things end for Bree but her story is one you might be interested in reading.

I'll admit it, I enjoyed the Twilight books. The most important thing while reading a book is that I'm entertained and they entertained me. The first and fourth books were my favorite and book three came somewhere after that and book two was ... well, don't get me started on my dislike of book two. But, in the grand scheme of things, book 4 would have made absolutely no sense without books 2 and 3 so I guess I'm grateful for them in some odd way.

Anyway, enough about my feelings for books I read ages ago. Let's focus on Bree and her story.

It was a quick read. I think it took me 2 1/2 to 3 hours, maybe less. There isn't a single chapter in it. It's almost like a journal except there aren't dates and it's linked directly to Bree's mind rather than her writing her thoughts down on pieces of paper.

I actually, once again, really enjoyed the brief glimpse into one of Meyer's other characters. She brings a whole new perspective to the entire series. I liked that Bree was blood thirsty but not to the extent that some of her other "peers" were. I don't know that I would have enjoyed a book that focused specifically on hunting down and eating non-stop. It was a good mix of thought, hunger, thirst, desperation, love, and longing. And it was done in a book you can read in less than a day. Short and sweet, just the way I like it.

Honestly, if you've read the Twilight Saga books, you should read this one. I mean, if you don't you're not missing much, but ... it's something to read and Bree is an interesting character in her own right. Plus, you get to learn a little about Freaky Fred and who doesn't like learning about vampires with abnormal super powers?

If you're looking for something to read while you wait at the dentist/doctor or just something to pass some time, this is a great choice. As a side note, I think I might even go as far as categorizing this as a short story so it's not like you'll be neglecting important life tasks for too long if you do decide to read it.

Click here for more information about Bree Tanner's life.

Love Beyond Time

2011-01-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

by Nancy Campbell Allen

Dedication: "To my parents, who always told me I could achieve anything I wanted to and to my husband, who told me to go ahead and do it."

First paragraph: "The tension was thick in the small office. Tyler Montgomery's face was a barely controlled mask of fury. 'I told you never to set foot in this office again. Either of you,' he said through clenched teeth."

Review: Amber Saxton, a bright young LDS doctor, and Tyler Montgomery, an overworked accountant, find themselves in an impossible situation. Amber has a head-on collision with a swinging door and Tyler's head meets the butt of a sawed-off shotgun but neither of them wakes up with anything familiar around them.

They're thrown into a time 137ish years in the past. Both Tyler and Amber want nothing more than to go home but neither one knows what they need to do to make it happen. Instead, they find themselves facing the wounded soldiers straight off the civil war's battlefields and meeting some of their ancestors as well as coping with things from their own past that might rather be left forgotten.

So let's get straight to the point of this stuff - I liked the book. It wasn't completely gripping or oozing with unpredictable plot lines, but it was entertaining. Both characters had a lot going for them and might be a bit on the "mary-sue" side but it worked. There was a reason for it. Plus, parts of their odd relationship reminded me of my favorite fictional relationship. It might be because the girl in that relationship is a smart, young doctor and the guy is a cocky, egotistical soldier. To say the least, their personalities shared a lot of similarities.

Anyway, since it was a LDS novel there were some things in it that might not make sense to people that weren't at least a little familiar with the religion. I think, for the most part, Allen managed to write it without too many unexplained customs and whatnot but I figured I should add that as a prerequisite just in case.

Like I said before, the story isn't really a page turner but you do want to keep reading to find out what exactly happens, or rather how it happens since I called the entire underlying plot before I even read the first page (LDS Fiction is nothing, if not predictable). But it is an entertaining read and I think that the LDS doctrine that it shared was a nice touch. I think that Allen really put her own beliefs out there and that takes some courage and I respect her for that and I appreciate her willingness to share them with the world.

It was a nice, fun, easy read. If you're in the mood for something short-ish and sweet, may as well read this one.

Click here for other books by Nancy Campbell Allen.

Pegasus

2011-01-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

by Robin McKinley

Dedication: "To the Wonder-Mods*: Ajlr, B_twin, Black Bear, Gryphyn, Ithilien, Jodi, Maren and Southdowner, with love from a grateful hellgoddess.

*Does anyone recognise you without your capes?"

First paragraph: "Because she was a princess she had a pegasus. This had been a part of the treaty between the pegasi and the human invaders nearly a thousand years ago, shortly after humans had first struggled through the mountain passes beyond the wild lands and discovered a beautiful green country they knew immediately they wanted to live in."

Review: Princess Slyvi and her pegasus Ebon are changing history. Their bond is unlike anything her country has seen before. For so long there has been a language barrier that only Shamans and Magicians were able to close, and even then it was only slightly.

As soon as Slyvi realizes she can speak to her pegasus the kingdom becomes divided. Some believe there is a reason why they cannot, aren't, able to communicate clearly with pegasi and Slyvi and Ebon have to fight to keep stay together.

I have so many mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed it but the beginning was slow. We had to learn the history, the tales, the stories about how the humans met the pegasi and why the alliance between the two races was formed. To say the least, history is never really gripping. The same goes for this book. However, once things get going you become immersed in this world that Mckinley has created and it's beautiful and almost impossible to tear yourself away from.

A lot of times a character acts too much like a teenager. Always whining or complaining or just being annoying. In this case though, she acted like a princess and her occasional self-conscious thoughts or actions made her entertaining and yet she was still real. She still had simple twelve year old worries. As the book progressed she had more mature but still fifteen-year-old worries. McKinley wrote her characters well.

One of the things I had a problem with was keeping everyone straight. There were a lot of characters constantly coming and going and that made it hard to remember which ones were human and which ones were pegasi. This made the book a little confusing but I was still able to follow the story just fine. Occasionally, someone I thought was human would sweep their wings in a bowing fashion or something and I'd realize I'd gotten them confused with someone else (obviously).

So my only other complaint, and a huge one it is, is the ending. As in, there isn't one. I hate it when I read a book only to find out that there's another book, or in this case that the story hasn't even actually started yet. What the heck! It turns out Pegasus II is planned to be released in 2012. Yeah, you read that right. 2012! Gah. I really, really hate it when this happens. Kind of makes me mad I read the book at all but ... it was a good book other than that.

So, if you don't like waiting for books to come out, don't read this book ... yet; however, I'd definitely suggest reading it when the second book gets closer to being published.

Click here for Robin McKinley's website and more information about Pegasus and the other books she's written.

2010 Wrap Up

2010-12-31T22:04:00.000-08:00

I did not read nearly as many books as I was hoping to this year. Here's a summary of what I accomplished:

I read 33 books this year.

3 of those were Graphic Novels.

1 was a collection of short stories.

4 were some genre of Adult fiction.

The other 25 were Young Adult Fiction that probably fell into the category of Fantasy or Science Fiction with an occasional one thrown in that was of a more serious nature.

Here's a list of those books, in order of most to least recently read:

My 2011 goal is to read at least one book a week. Or, at the very least, 52 books total.

Here's to hoping next year this list includes those 52 new books!

Burned, House of Night Novel, Book 7

2010-12-08T22:07:00.000-08:00

by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Dedication: "P.C.: This one is for my Guardian. I love you."
"Kristin: (She means you, "Shawnus.")"

First paragraph: "Kalona lifted his hands. He didn't hesitate. there was no doubt whatsoever in his mind about what he had to do. He would not allow anything or anyone to get in his way, and this human boy was standing between him and what he desired. He didn't particularly want to kill the boy; he didn't particularly want the boy alive, either. It was a simple necessity. He didn't feel remorse or regret. As had been the norm during the centuries sine he'd fallen, Kalona felt very little. So, indifferently, the winged immortal twisted the boy's neck and put an end to his life."

Review: This is the seventh book in the House of Night series. Books One and Two were definitely my favorites. Books Three, Four, and Five were still pretty fun and entertaining. And then Book six came around and it looks like I enjoyed it but I was really ready to find out how the whole thing ended. Then I came to the end and it said, "The End for now" or something like that. Turns out there was going to be Seven books in this series. I was not so pleased. So I waited and the book came out in April. And I reserved it from the library but there were 100+ holds and when I finally got it I was swamped with other books so I never managed to pick it up. Then I reserved it again and the same thing happened. Finally, I reserved it and managed to read it!

To understand anything that is going on in this book you'll definitely need to go back and read all the other books. This book is not about Zoey. Well, in a way it is but not like the last ones have been. I think the main focus was on Stevie Rae. Turns out she didn't learn anything from Zoey's mistakes and it appears she's now going make all the same mistakes herself. So frustrating!

Also, I can't remember if this is how the last one was written but this book was being told from around seven or eight different perspectives. Fortunately, they pulled it off without confusing me too bad but it did make it feel a bit like a daytime soap opera to me. I was really excited to find out how things were going to wrap up for Zoey, Stevie Rae and the "nerd herd" but it appears that the Casts still need ~~a little more money in their wallets~~ at least one more book to finish their story.

I love the characters, the story, I really do, but I'm losing interest. I think the fact that it took me 8 months to manage to get the book from the library explains that clear enough. I'm sort of getting bored of the same conversations over and over again and different people making the same mistakes. And listening to the horrible dialogue between certain characters with their awful "accents" and "teen speak".

Finally, my last complaint. Is it really necessary to use the F-word so much in a YA Fiction novel? I "understand" seeing that type of language in Adult fiction. It's adult fiction. People talk like that in adult fiction. But I did not think it was necessary in this book. At all. I think of my younger sister who is obviously reading these types of books and I don't want her seeing all that filthy language. I know it could have been worse, thankfully it wasn't, but it could have been a lot better too.

I feel like this review was sort of harsh and negative. Maybe it's because I'm still a little annoyed by yet another, "The End for Now. Stay tuned for the next installment of The House of Night. Awakened."

Overall, I have really enjoyed this series. It provided me with lots of pages of entertainment. If you've started the series and want to find out what is going on with Zoey and her gang, read this book. Hopefully they'll wrap up this series sooner or later so we can finally figure out how it all ends. If you haven't started the series, I guess a few bad, dragged out books may be worth the entertainment quality of the first ones. Besides, if you enjoy vampire-esque books you'll probably like these. If you like fantasy books you might enjoy these. But don't have my head if you don't.

Click here for the House of Night website.

The Dead-Tossed Waves

2010-12-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

by Carrie Ryan

Dedication: "To Roberta Hatch the light on the horizon that means home. To Douglas Keith Kidd for loving her, and all of us, so much. And to love at first sigh (and Chiquita bananas)"

First paragraph: "The story goes that even after the Return they tried to keep the roller coasters going. They said it reminded them of the before time. When they didn't have to worry about people rising from the dead, when they didn't have to build fences and walls and barriers to protect themselves from the masses of Mudo constantly seeking human flesh. When the living weren't forever hunted."

Review: A short while ago I read and reviewed The Forest of Hands and Teeth. You may recall me mentioning how much I loathe zombies and yet, for some strange reason, I really enjoyed that book. This book, The Dead-Tossed Waves, is the companion book to that one. The main character from the previous book is the mom to the main character of this one. There are a few slight references to the book and it sort of made me sad/excited when I caught on to them.

While the previous book focused on Mary finding out answers and dreaming of finding the ocean, this book focuses on Gabrielle's life. All she's ever known has been a lighthouse and her mother's love. She's felt safe and secure and has never had any desire to look beyond the barrier. She leaves the bravery and heroics to others, to her friends. Until one night when her whole world comes crashing down around her and she's forced to discover who she really is and all she is capable of becoming.

This book was great. The zombies, aka Mudo, aka Unconsecrated, were freaky as always but I think I'm building up a tolerance to them. I was able to read it late at night without getting freaked out. Gabrielle, or Gabry for short, is not a strong, fearless character. She's really weak and pitiful at times, but she always real. She's whiny and selfish and can't figure out what she wants but Ryan figures out a way to make this a good thing. She makes Gabry very relate-able. If there were "Mudo" lurking around nowadays, I'd definitely be a Gabry. Especially the girl at the beginning of the story who didn't care about what was past the barrier as long as I got to go to bed warm and fed and safe each night.

Without giving too much away, there was one detail, one thing I couldn't wrap my mind around. I couldn't see her doing. I still can't quite understand why it was in the book. I think Ryan could have carried on the story and left it out but I guess she felt that that moment was critical for Gabry. Although, I don't feel like she wrote enough about Gabry's emotions to justify the act.

Other than that the story was well done. There is a lot of stuff that happens that is really unexpected. I was constantly taken by surprise with the twists that Ryan threw in. Also, unfortunately, I discovered that Ryan really likes to leave her stories hanging. She gives you closure, but not really. I can't really explain it except to say, I really hope things work out for my favorite characters. The fact that I care enough to write that sentence says enough to me. It's an emotionally engaging story and it is well worth the read. ... Assuming you can get passed the fact that there are ZOMBIES. Mwahahaha.

Alright. I'm done. But seriously. Read it. It's a chick-flick with lots of action.

Click here for Carrie Ryan's Website on The Dead-Tossed Waves.

If you click that link, watch the book trailer. I love book trailers. They're always so ... cheesy/dramatic and the acting is so awful but they're definitely good for a laugh.

The Unnameables

2010-11-05T12:49:00.001-07:00

by Ellen Booraem

Dedication: "For Rob, who gave me the Goatman and the courage to write about him"

First paragraph: "It is an orderly island. Anyone can see that, even from a distance."

Review: As a baby, Medford Runyuin was orphaned and washed ashore an island with strange beliefs. He was taken in by a Carver and taught the ways of the island. His life was not always easy but he tried to fit in and ignore the taunting comments from others about his useless name. There were the Carvers, the Weavers, the Bakers, the Tanners. Everything on this island was named for its purpose. Anything useless, destroyed and cast off. But what to do with someone like Medford, Someone who had a skill deemed unnameable? Things take an even more interesting turn when a goatman turns up on the island, helping medford to uncover secrets some people would prefer stay hidden.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't intense or suspenseful but it was entertaining. The characters in it lacked depth but they were still interesting enough to keep you reading. I wish Booraem would have delved into Prudy's story a bit more but this was a story about Medford so I can understand why that didn't happen.

There was one thing that sort of drove me a little crazy while reading. I can't complain about it too much though because it has to do with the story. On this island, there is a book that teaches them all the things they need to know. It uses weird wordage to describe things and people refer to this wording as "Book Speak". When people are thinking in normal words and then speaking in this Book Speak it gets sort of annoying and hard to follow. Eventually my brain just accepted it for what it was and I stopped noticing it as much, but it was really annoying at first.

Finally, I loved that the story was so hard to figure out. That is, you can't really guess what will happen next because the thinking on this island is so obscure and odd from normal every day thinking. This kept you turning the page. Kept you trying to figure out what the people were thinking when they made their decisions.

Final opinion: Read this book. It should keep you pretty entertained.

Click here for Ellen Booraem's website for The Unnameables.

Library Loot

2010-10-07T22:10:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to spice things up a bit, I decided to follow suit with some of the other book review blogs and do a library loot post.

Here's what I've got checked out of the library right now (and I've managed to tame my list from a few weeks ago)

For Me:

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren by Wendy Toliver
Girl Meets Boy: The Myth of Iphis by Ali Smith
When Then Is Now: Three Greek Tragedies by Brendan Kennelly
Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Ancient Greek Civilization: Ancient Civilizations and Their Myths and Legends by Cleo Kuhtz and Hazel Mary Martell
The Ancient Greeks: Myths of the World by Virginia Schomp
The Unnameables by Ellen Booraem
Ransom: A Novel by David Malouf
Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner
The McElderry Book of Greek Myths Retold by Eric A. Kimmel and Illustrated by Pep Montserrat

For Ben:

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

And just for the heck of it, Books I forgot to get from the library before my hold expired ... again:

Burned by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

As you can tell, I have a lot of Greek Mythology related books checked out at the time. I'm starting to miss the bizarre fantasy books I usually read though so hopefully next time I do this there will be lots more wizards or vampires or demon slayers on the book list.

The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren

2010-10-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

by Wendy Toliver

Dedication: "For Lynn Gray: my mom, my inspiration, my hero"

First paragraph: "I want to kiss Zach Parker. Just once. Is that too much to ask?"

Review: Roxy Zimmerman is just a normal teenage band geek trying to survive high school until her 16th birthday rolls around and transforms her into a beautiful siren. She is told that the sky is the limit with her new powers and that there are only two rules. One, don't tell anyone about being a siren. And two, never fall in love.

This book was exactly what I expected it to be. Totally cheesy, a bit far-fetched, and yet, it was still entertaining. My only problem was that there were way too many typos in the book. I'm not an editor by any means, but I think this book had more typos than any other book I've ever read.

Other than that this book was cute. There were even some things that were a bit unexpected. I don't think it gives off the best message. It focuses so much on getting what you want because you're beautiful. It also talked about having inner beauty, etc. but the focus was definitely on the idea that beauty=success.

I did like the greek references to Thelxiepia, the Siren. As stated before, I love Greek mythology so reading about it in modern form is always fun. Besides it brings back great memories of 6th grade recess. Also, did I mention she's a band geek. Yeah, I related to this story way too much. Minus the whole, being a siren thing, that is.

The passage of time in the book isn't very clearly stated. What I thought was a day turned out to be weeks, etc. So that threw me out of my immersion a bit but not enough to make me stop reading.

Not much else to say. Average story with less than average editing but still an enjoyable read if you've got it lying around.

Click here for Wendy Oliver's website of The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren.

North of Beautiful

2010-10-01T22:48:00.000-07:00

by Justina Chen Headley

Dedication: "For Mama, who is everything true and beautiful"

First paragraph: "Not to brag or anything, but if you saw me from behind, you'd probably think I was perfect. I'm tall, but not too tall, with a ballerina's long legs and longish neck. My hair is naturally platinum blond, the kind that curls when I want it to and cascades behind my back in one sleek line when I don't. While my face couldn't launch a thousand ships, it has the power to make any stranger whip around for a second look. Trust me, this mixture of curiosity and revulsion is nothing Helen of Troy would ever have encountered."

Review: I'm infinitely impressed with this book. Terra, a mostly typical teenage girl, has spent her life hiding from her own face. Seeking treatment after treatment for a way to finally become beautiful and losing her self more and more with each failure. Terra is defined by her birthmark, a port wine stain, that covers half her face. Throughout this story she learns that Beauty isn't just skin deep and Headley conveys this message in a beautiful and touching way.

I'll admit. I was very skeptical when I first started this book. It seemed to me like Terra was just going to whine and complain throughout the whole book and never do anything to help herself. And then, suddenly, it all makes sense.

Having had some amateur experience at developing a character that, to some, comes off as immediately unlikeable if you don't know her or the story, I was able to see the courage it must have taken Headley to write the story the way she did. Of course, if you'd been introduced to the Why's before the Who, I don't think it would have been as impacting. There really was just one moment when it finally all clicked and I thought, "Oh. So this is why she is the way she is." The rest of the story sort of revolves around that moment. Why does Terra tick the way she does and will she ever be able to change her perspective.

There were a few moments when Terra describes her feelings of being in another country, being a foreigner surrounded by foreign customs and foreign life. The wording she uses is so beautiful and humbling. It made me tear up and want to immediately get on a plane and make my way to other parts of the world. Who cares if I don't know the native language? Enjoy the world that's out there because there is so much to see.

Finally, I loved the ending. Without saying too much, I teared up again when she was visiting an orphanage and saw a girl there. The things she said. The feelings she expressed.

Good book. I'm so glad I didn't stop reading it after the first few pages. Terra's story is one I'll remember for a long time.

Click here for Justina Chen Headley's website.

Love Sucks

2010-09-23T23:18:00.001-07:00

by Melissa Francis

Dedication: "To my sons, Ian and Rader; It makes me proud to know you would fight evil vampires to protect me. And for the record, I'd do the same for you, if you'd just clean your rooms.".

First paragraph: "My mother's baby shower.

Okay, this is horrifying news on many levels. First of all, I'm eighteen. (Okay, I've only been eighteen for a week, but that means I'm no longer seventeen and therefore technically I'm an adult.) I know how she got pregnant. There is no way I want to think about that, yet it seems to be all I can think about. And let me just say---ew. Seriously, ew."

Review: This is the sequel to the book Bite Me. It picks up right about where Bite Me left off. AJ is still battling mystical evil, trying to keep her family safe, and attempting to live a normal teenage life. She's still trying to get over her ex-boyfriend now step-brother, Ryan, while planning her senior prom and dealing with her two best friends that want nothing to do with each other. As her world starts to crumble and her family's past sneaks up on her, AJ is forced to make decisions and betray those closest to her in order to save someone she loves.

I love these kinds of books. Entertaining and easy. I managed to read this book in between multiple distractions and finished it in less than a day. AJ is a developing character. I think I liked her a bit more in this book than I did in the last. She's not as self-centered and she really is looking out for those around her.

The book has a few surprises and twists that you might not have seen coming and it answers many, if not all, of the questions you may have had at the end of the first book. I think the infuriating character in this one is Ryan. What is he up to? What is he thinking? Where does he run off to and why? But since this story is from AJ's perspective, most of these things are never really answered. Too bad.

Also, this book has a vampire version of Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He looks different but every time he would open his mouth I heard Spike's voice. And to make it even better, Ryan nicknames him Buffy.

So, overall not many complaints about this book. It was exactly what I expected it to be. Not a deep read but entertaining and equal in comparison to the first book.

If you like Vampire stories or fantasy books and you don't have a lot of time to spare, this might be a fun one to pick up.

Click here for the official site for Bite Me and Love Sucks.

The Chosen One

2010-09-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

by Carol Lynch Williams

Dedication: "For the Cliff-hangers and for Julie, Margaret, Rita, and Uma; But most especially for Christian Green"

First paragraph: "'If I was going to kill the prophet,' I say, not even keeping my voice low, 'I'd do it in Africa.'"

Review: Kyra, a thirteen-year-old girl, has grown up in a confined polygamist compound. She's spent her years loving her family and trying not to question her father and three mothers. That all changes when Prophet Childs announces her impending marriage to one of the Apostles, her sixty-year-old uncle. The rest of the story is about Kyra's struggle - her struggle to figure out what she should do, how she will leave her family to become her Uncle's seventh wife, and how to let go of the boy she loves.

Work today allowed me to read all but the last two pages of this book. I was hooked from page one. The only thing I did not like about this book was that Kyra seemed more like a fourteen, almost fifteen, year old rather than a thirteen almost fourteen year old. Yes, I think there is a huge difference in those two ages. I remember being almost fourteen and I remember being almost fifteen; she definitely falls into the almost fifteen category.

Other than that, this story is infuriating, it's tear-jerking, it's beautiful. I couldn't believe how angry I was with some of the people in the story and how anxious I was for Kyra's decisions.

I can't really imagine what it would be like to grow up in Kyra's world. Everything about it seemed so awful and yet, she'd managed to be content, maybe even happy sometimes. It was all she knew and yet she showed such strength and courage to stand up for herself, which of course resulted in severe beatings.

Kyra's story, while built on the idea of polygamy, is actually more about self-respect. It's about making choices that are right for you. This book didn't make you hate Kyra's family simply because they were polygamist. In fact, you really learn to love her family, despite the fact that they are choosing to live such a different lifestyle then the rest of us.

Which reminds me, another favorite thing -- Kyra's family. Usually when you have a story like this the parent's are awful, it's all their fault their children are miserable, etc. But not so with The Chosen One. Kyra's parent's are very loving. They care about her a great deal and they actually hate to see her suffering the way she is. Unfortunately, like most the other people/families in this compound, the only thing they know is that you follow the words of The Prophet or you lose everything - children, home, etc.

Like I said before, there are some completely loath-able people in this story but on the opposite spectrum there are people you can't help but love. People that risk their life to help protect Kyra, a girl they barely know. I love these characters because each time I read about them in any story they renew my faith in society.

Anyway, this is a great book and I would definitely suggest reading it at some point. In case you missed it -- READ THIS BOOK!

Click here for a preview of The Chosen One

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

2010-09-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

by Jaqueline Kelly

Dedication: "For my mother, Noeline Kelly; For my father, Brian Kelly; For my husband, Robert Duncan"

First paragraph: "By 1899, we had learned to tame the darkness but not the Texas heat. We arose in the dark, hours before sunrise, when there was barely a smudge of indigo along the eastern sky and the rest of the horizon was still pure pitch. We lit our kerosene lamps and carried them before us in the dark like our own tiny wavering suns. There was a full day's work to be done before noon, when the deadly heat drove everyone back into our big shuttered house and we lay down in the dim high-ceilinged rooms like sweating victims. Mother's usual summer remedy of sprinkling the sheets with refreshing cologne lasted only a minute. At three o'clock in the afternoon, when it was time to get up again, the temperature was still killing."

Review: Set in late 1899, this story follows six months of Calpurnia (Callie Vee) Tate's life. I'd go as far as saying that it could be the most important six months of her life - her world begins to take shape and her future lies before her. During this book she begins the process of becoming the person she hopes to be. I think my favorite part of this story was her budding relationship with her grandfather.

It took me a long time to read this book. It wasn't that the book was boring, hard, or bad in anyway. It was just written a bit like any book you'd take and read when you have spare time. Take it to the park, the beach, or pull it out while you're waiting for dinner to finish cooking in the oven.

I was surprised by how interesting Kelly was able to make the summer/winter adventures of a young eleven/twelve year old girl. More improtantly, I was impressed by how interesting she was able to make learning a tiny bit more about evolution from an eleven/twelve year old girls perspective.

Callie Vee is a loveable character and I immediately connected with her. I especially felt for her when her parent's failed to understand what it was that made her tick; her Christmas gift was heartbreaking. And, while she may come off as a bit spoiled, she was definitely a great character to get attached to. I don't know what being the only girl of 8 children would be like but all of her "flaws" and quirks made sense. Why would a girl surrounded by so much male energy want to sit inside knitting?

Finally, did I mention how much I loved the relationship she found with her grandfather? It was definitely my favorite part of the book. I guess it's because I love the relationship I have with my own grandfather and I felt that it mirrored hers to an extent. Sometimes I feel like, although he has plenty of grandchildren, I'm the only one he sees. Calpurnia was able to learn so much from Captain Tate, an unexpected source for mounds of information, and that had me smiling from beginning to end.

Click here for Jaqueline Kelly's official website.

The Beautiful Stories of Life: Six Greek Myths, Retold

2010-09-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

by Cynthia Rylant

Illustrations by Carson Ellis

Dedication: "For Hermes -C.R." "For Colin and Hank -C.E."

First paragraph (of Pandora): "Zues was ruler of the universe, and if there were only one thing to remember about him, it was this: Never cross him. But someone did."

Review: This is a compilation of six short stories. It includes a simple retelling of Pandora, Persephone, Orpheus, Pygmalion, Narcissus, and Psyche.

This book is perfect if you want to brush up on a little Greek mythology. It was also written simply enough that it would work for some quick bedtime stories. As far as the stories themselves go, not my favorite. I guess it's hard to get the interesting details into a story when you're trying to write six different stories in such few pages.

If you're looking for something to read that will inform you of a few Greek myths or you just want something to read for a half hour or so to pass the time, this might be just the book for you. If you are looking for a book for your child to read, this wouldn't be a bad choice. If you want a detailed account of any of these six stories, however, I'd probably suggest looking elsewhere.

Mockingjay

2010-08-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

by Suzanne Collins

Dedication: "For Cap, Charlie, and Isabel"

First paragraph: "I stare down at my shoes, watching as a fine layer of ash settles on the worn leather. This is where the bed I shared with my sister, Prim, stood. Over there was the kitchen table. The bricks of the chimney, which collapsed in a charred heap, provide a point of reference for the rest of the house. How else could I orient myself in this sea of gray?"

Review: POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST TWO BOOKS so read them before you read this. Click the titles for my previous Hunger Games or Catching Fire book reviews.

Where to start? This is the third book in The Hunger Games series. What to say? Guess we'll find out. Did I love the book? Yes. Am I absolutely torn up inside about some of the events that took place? Definitely. What about the end? Argh. It had a good ending. Just not the ending I was hoping for. Although, I think that reading all three books back to back might make me appreciate the final ending more.

I guess that doesn't leave much else to say so let's get started.

Once again, Katniss Everdeen is the face of opposition against The Capitol. So much is required of this seventeen year old girl. In this book you start to see her wall breaking down. She spends almost as much trying to heal either emotional or physical wounds as she does trying to lead the rebellion. You start to see Katniss more as a mortal, doing every day things. There are no games for her to compete in. There is no constant surge of adrenaline. Just her, her friends, her enemies, trying to shape what their world will look like and how it will function in the years to come.

The book picks up just after Catching Fire ends. Just after you're made aware that District 12 has been completely annihilated and no longer exists - it's nothing more than a heap of smoking ruble.

Almost all of the star players in the past two books make another appearance. That is, unless they're dead. I actually felt my heart-aching when some of the names were listed off.

One person in particular. I guess I want people to be able to read my review with out ruining the book so I'll just leave it at that. But to actually feel heartache when a person dies in a book, someone who isn't the main character, or even that close to the main character, shows some good writing. All I could think when this took place is, "Who will take care of [insert important people to this person]. They were so young. I can't believe Collins killed them!".

Each character has a story, a life. Collins did an amazing job of creating a real world with her characters. One where life matters. They aren't just characters in a story anymore, they're people who matter to the reader.

Collins didn't focus on the boring strategy of war; however, she didn't pretend there was no war either. Somehow I think she portrayed just enough of each key element to leave you satiated while still making the reader cling to the possibilities of what may lie in wait on the next page.

Just like the other two books you really never know what will happen. You never know what tricks the rebels and The Capitol had up their sleeves. Never knew who to trust. Unable to really see how it would all end. I guess that is why I do not write books. I'm pretty certain that if I tried, everyone would know the ending three or four chapters in. But Collins ... she has suspense and intrigue down to an art form.

I just finished reading and I'm still so emotional from the whole thing. Maybe I should have waited a few hours to let the rush wear off but I figured I should get it out now before my opinion changes for one reason or another. I think this is probably my least favorite book in the trilogy, but not because I didn't enjoy it. It's just that the other two were more my style - intense, and completely action packed. I'm guessing this one could have tied for second until the end. I just can't wrap my head around that right now. Maybe if I read and review the book again sometime I'll change my mind.

Until then, this trilogy needs to be added to everyone's "To Be Read" list. The first book is probably the darkest. But each book after it becomes a bit more hopeful. I promise that even if you don't love it and add it as your "favorite books ever read" like me, you'll still find it entertaining and enjoyable.

Click here for the Mockingjay website.

Goddess of Yesterday

2010-08-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

by Caroline B. Cooney

First paragraph: "I was six years old when King Nicander came to the island of my birth, demanding tribute and a hostage."

Review: Anaxandra is taken from her family and sent to live with King Nicander as his crippled daughter's playmate. Six years later Nicander's island is attacked by pirates and everyone is slaughtered except for Anaxandra since she stays hidden in the ocean - taught to swim by her father years ago. After several days a ship pulls up to the island where she remains stoic and stalwart near her king's shallow grave. She unintentionally misled the sea captain and his men to believe she was the King's daughter and decided it was a reasonable course of action to assume her name. The sea captain was actually King Menelaus who took her home with him to play with his children and meet his beautiful wife, Helen. The rest of the story is about the events leading up to the great trojan war.

When I picked this book up I actually had no idea it was about Greek and Roman mythology. So that was a fun little surprise.

I've never actually bothered to read any of the stories of Troy or the Trojan war. I've read lots of the stories before and after but never this one itself. I knew the general story and figured that was good enough. I did enjoy this creative retelling. The addition of the main character Anaxandra as well a few others made it possible to see the story from a fresh new perspective.

That being said, this story lacked a very important key aspect. It missed that suspense that makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens. This aspect should generally be introduced in the first few pages of the story but I never really found it.

So while the characters were interesting and the story creatively unique, you are not in anyway, attached to the book. It probably would have taken me a lot longer to read but I had a deadline so it forced me to keep at it. I'm glad I did because there were several aspects to the story of Troy that I'd either forgotten or just never read about.

If nothing else this story definitely reignited my passion for Greek mythology. I've already gone and checked out several mythology books from the library.

Oh. One thing I almost forgot. I really enjoyed the protagonist in this book. She was kidnapped, made hostage, came to love her kidnappers who were then killed, then forced to travel across the sea to what would most likely be her death and not once did you get the "Oh. I have such a horrible life" whiny dialogue from her. She held her head high and took it like a pro. The only time she ever really let her spirit fall was when she was forced to cut off all her "glory", aka hair (twice), by Helen.

If you want a refresher course in some Greek mythology or you just want an easy read on the Trojan war this is probably a good book to pick up. I wouldn't, however, suggest this book as a thrilling page turner.

Can't stand the wait ... It's coming soon!

2010-08-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

This is not, in anyway a book review. I'm just really excited, is all.

So I've been waiting two years for this and finally, in three days, Mockingjay, The third Hunger Games Series book comes out. Cannot wait to see how the story unfolds.

Just to give you an example of my excitement ... I pre-ordered the book over two months ago. As soon as I get it I will dissolve into the couch, or bed, and be non-existent in this reality until the book is done.

If I Stay

2010-08-19T15:29:00.000-07:00

by Gayle Forman

Dedication: "For Nick. Finally ... Always"

First paragraph: "Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I suppose that's true."

Review: Mia's life is turned upside down in an instant. This book takes you through the most important day of Mia's life. One that pushes her into a reflection of her past and contemplation of her future, if she chooses to have one.

Before I start to actually review this book I just have to say one thing about the cover. The USA Today statement on the front, "Will appeal to fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight", is ridiculous. It's possible that it -could- appeal to people who enjoy Twilight, yes. But the only similarity between the two is that they take place in the Pacific Northwest.

Anyway, now to tell you my thoughts. Good book. Easy read. Interesting story.

I like stories like this. Ones that make you think a bit more about your own life while reading about someone else's. It allows you to put yourself in Mia's position and wonder a bit at what your decision would be.

In order to keep the book from being completely morbid, Forman did a great job at bringing Mia's past to life. You come to love music just a bit more because you see how important it is to her. You learn about her friendships and I found myself secretly cheering for her life. Hoping she'd choose to stay even though life would be hard with all she'd lost.

The only thing I didn't really like was how abruptly the story ended. Although, I guess it makes sense. And it's probably a good sign for the book in general.

Click here for If I Stay's official website.

A Great and Terrible Beauty

2010-08-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

by Libba Bray

Dedication: "For Barry and Josh"

First paragraph: "Please tell me that's not going to be part of my birthday dinner this evening."

Review: This is the first book in a trilogy about a young girl, Gemma Doyle, whose life changes unexpectedly after her mother's murder on her 16th birthday. She spends the first book trying to get over the loss of her mother, trying to fit in at her new school, and coming to the realization that no matter how hard she tries, she'll never be like the other girls.

I'll come out and say it. Not my favorite book ever. I'm guessing the second book will be a lot more interesting. The problem with this book was that it was 400 pages of a girl whining about not fitting in and trying to find her place in the world. The only intense, mysterious moments were the first and the last two chapters. The rest was character and or future story line development.

However, due to all the character development you really get a chance know the characters. You get to know each and every one of them. Felicity, Pippa, Ann, Miss Nightwing, Miss Moore, Madame Le Farge, etc. You loathe Felicity and Pippa until you come to understand them more. At which point you still want to shove their head in a bucket but at least you understand a bit more where they are coming from. And you get a chance to have a favorite teacher, and a least favorite. You get to know their sad stories.

As for the story, it's a great start. I'm guessing the the other two books will be filled with a lot more action and hopefully not so much "I'm whining because I just want to have friends but life sucks".

Now I may have given you the wrong impression. While this book was not my favorite I still really enjoyed it. I would definitely rate this book as "I liked it". It just wasn't one you pick up and can't put down until it's over. In fact, I sort of needed to take a break from Gemma every once in awhile.

The only other complaint I had was in regards to Gemma's friendship with Felicity and Pippa. These two girls were absolutely awful to her and yet, for some strange reason, she just kept going back for more. I just find that whole thing highly unlikely but I guess I wasn't desperate for friendship at her age.

Anyway, the next book in the trilogy is Rebel Angels. So I'll be reading and reviewing that as soon as I get it from the Library.

Click Here for Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty website.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

2010-08-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

by Carrie Ryan

Dedication: "to jp for giving me the world"

First paragraph: "My mother used to tell me about the ocean. She said there was a place where there was nothing but water as far as you could see and that it was always moving, rushing toward you and then away. She once showed me a picture that she said was my great-great-great-grandmother standing in the ocean as a child. It has been years since, and the picture was lost to fire long ago, but I remember it, faded and worn. A little girl surrounded by nothingness."

Review: I hate zombies. I hate zombie movies, I hate zombie video games ... but it turns out ... I don't hate zombie books. Who would have thought.

It's a post-apocalyptic world and Mary lives in her small caged off world growing up with three absolute truths. First, the sisterhood knows best. Second, the guardians protect and serve. And third, the unconsecrated will never relent. But as her curiosity gets the better of her and her desire to see the ocean grows, she learns things that turn her world upside down.

This book was gripping. It was a decent, easy read and it was hard to predict what would happen next ... for the most part.

It took me about 6-7 hours to read this book. Once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I think the beginning was a little slow, trying to get the reader to understand the dimensions of Mary's world, but as soon as you're really immersed in the story, it is action and suspense until the end.

There were some questions about the characters themselves that were left untouched. I wish there would have been more character development for Jed, Harry and Travis so that you can better understand the decisions they make, but I guess the story isn't theirs, it's Mary's and you can almost predict her thoughts because you know her so well.

There is a companion book to this one titled The Dead-Tossed Waves and I plan on reading it as soon as possible. If it's anything like this book, I think I'll be more than entertained.

Click Here for Carrie Ryan's website for The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Mass Effect: Revelation

2010-07-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

by Drew Karpyshyn

Dedication: "To my wife, Jennifer

While I'm in the throes of creative madness, you never nag me to do my laundry. You never get upset when I forget to wash the dishes, or get mad when I forget to help out around the house. You're always there to read and review everything I write, and you always listen as I rant about all my crazy hopes and fears, even when I wake you up in the middle of the night to do it.

It's all these things you do to help and support me that make you so special. And that's why I love you."

First paragraph: "Approaching Arcturus. Disengaging FTL drive core."

Review: For anyone who knows me, even a little, you'll probably know that I play video games from time to time. Mass Effect is my all-time favorite video game, ever. This book was written as a prequel to that game.

After a classified Alliance research base is destroyed, lieutenant Anderson is sent after the only survivor - Kahlee Sanders. What he doesn't realize is that finding her will only result in more questions and very few answers. He has to figure out who attacked the base and what they're planning before time runs out.

Ben's dad read this book awhile ago and he seemed to really enjoy it, even though he'd never played the game. But my review is an opinion formulated on the book as an actual prequel to playing the game.

I loved that I was able to learn more about Captain Anderson and Saren Arterius. This book takes a look at the mission Anderson talks about briefly in the game; a mission that was supposed to be his big break into Spectre status but ended up being a betrayal. It also explains how Saren ever got involved with Sovereign in the first place.

It answers questions little questions you have like why the Volus wear their space suits constantly while playing the video game by putting it into a much more exciting action packed novel then the codex available on the game itself.

As for the writing style, I thought there were some parts that were a bit too excessive when it came to the description of the violence taking place and that in some ways it lacked the depth Mass Effect was able to establish. But I wouldn't dare say it made the book any less enjoyable. It just didn't compare to the original.

Finally, the characters in the book aren't really well developed but I think that's because, if you do play the game, you know more about them then the book could ever explain. Basically, you're given enough knowledge to know why the people are important and that's still plenty for a compelling, action driven, story.

So if you want to read this book without ever having played the game, I think you'll really enjoy it but I think you might enjoy it more if you have played, or are planning on playing, the game.

Click here for the official Mass Effect website.

Driftwood Summer: A Novel

2010-07-11T23:07:00.001-07:00

by Patti Callahan Henry

Dedication: "To my dearest friends, who just happen to be my sisters: Barbi Callahan Burris and Jeannie Callahan Cunnion"

First Paragraph: "Bookstore owner Riley Sheffield believed that even the most ordinary life was like a good novel, a tale to be told. Her own life was full of twists and turns, secrets and surprises, with narrative threads that intertwined with the fabric of other people's lives. Her story revolved around a two-hundred-year-old cottage on the beach--Driftwood Cottage Bookstore."

Review: I went on a reading hiatus in case you hadn't noticed. I don't know that my reading hiatus is over yet but I did manage to sneak in a book while on vacation. So here it goes.

Riley Sheffield has spent her life in a small tourist town located on the coast. Her past is riddled with missed opportunities, regret, and loss. She's resigned to her fate and now she is on the verge of losing her home and her life love - her family owned bookstore. In an attempt to save the bookstore her mother has organized a week long calendar of events to celebrate the two-hundredth birthday of the bookstore building. This event forces her sister, Maisy, to return home and begin to mend their distant relationship after thirteen years of absence. It's a book about healing, friendship, sisterhood, love, life, and dreams.

I'm obviously out of the reviewing groove so I'll do my best to express my thoughts on this book. I enjoyed it. It was entertaining. It was not, however, my favorite book. It was a good summer read. Something to do to pass the time. The story wasn't gripping but there was enough mystery to keep me interested.

At the beginning there was some very cheesy dialogue and as I read the reunion of long separated friends I was reminded of another horribly written reunion. Mostly for my own personal use, the reunion in this book went like this:

"She nodded, unable to find the words she'd stored up to say to him. 'Hey', she said.
'That's it?' He reached forwared and pulled her into a hug.
'Hey? that's all I get after thirteen years?'"

I think my biggest complaint about this book was the reason for Maisy's separation from her family for 13 years. I guess, in real life, people have left for dumber reasons. Possibly. But it seemed so unrealistic to me that I had a hard time immersing myself into the rest of the story since so much of the story is centered around this "betrayal".

Now that I've told you the things I hated, I suppose I should share some of the things I enjoyed. The idea of the life Riley lived, while not ideal, was realistic. She had struggles but she realized that her life was still wonderful despite those things. There was a great moral/message behind the overall story and if nothing else, it was uplifting to be reminded that there are more important things to life than how much money you're making.

So in the end: would I suggest this book to you? Probably not. However, if you found this book on a bookshelf at a family reunion and were considering reading it, I wouldn't say it would be a complete waste of time. I would probably give it around three stars.

Click here for Patti Callahan Henry's official website.

The Loser's Guide to Life and Love: A Novel

2010-04-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

by A.E. Cannon

Dedication: "For Betsy Burton, with affection and respect"

First paragraph: "You look like a total dork, Ed," says my eight-year-old sister, the Lovely and Talented Maggie McIff, as I prepare to go to work at Reel Life Movies."

Review: Ed McIff has stumbled into the middle of a major identity crisis. He's been forced to wear the name tag of Sergio, an old employee at his part-time job. One day a beautiful girl walks into the store and the lies fly forth from his mouth about his birth in Brazil and his explorations of the world. All the while his best guy friend is crushing on his best girl friend and his best girl friend is crushing on him.

I picked up this book and finished it in one day. It is a very simple read but it has a an interesting story. It is a "re-imagining" of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It focuses on Ed and his best girl friend, Scout, but it also throws in some thoughts from both his best guy friend and the beautiful girl he met while pretending to be Sergio. While this writing style could potentially be quite confusing, I think Cannon handled it very well.

As for the characters themselves - because of the simplicity of the story you don't get too attached or connected to any one of them; however, that does not mean I didn't have opinions on them. I was annoyed with Ed for most the book. Yeah, he's a teenage boy and teenage boys are confusing and confused. As for Scout, I found myself relating with her on several different levels. I think if we'd gone to school together we'd have been friends, or at least we wouldn't have hated each other. We both have a lot in common - our taste in boys, not so much (which further makes me think we could have been good friends).

Anyway, I thought this book was an enjoyable read. It's job was to help me occupy some time and it fulfilled that duty ten-fold.

Click Here for Harper Collins Publisher's The Loser's Guide to Life and Love website.

Princess of the Midnight Ball

2010-04-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

by Jessica Day George

Dedication: "For Jenn, finally"

First paragraph: "Because he had once been human, the King Under Stone sometimes found himself plagued by human emotions. He was experiencing one now, as he faced the mortal woman before him, but it took a moment for him to give it a name. After a pause he labeled it 'triumph.'"

Review: This was a beautiful take on the famous and classic story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

After the war and losing his mother, father and younger sister, Galen makes his way to his aunt and uncle's home. Shortly after arriving Galen finds work in the family business as a gardener at the royal palace and he starts to hear strange rumors of worn out dancing slippers. More questions are formed as he watches Princess Rose struggle each day with some mysterious unseen burden. Eventually after witnessing prince after prince come and go with no success at solving the worn-out dancing shoes mystery, Galen decides to take it upon himself to rescue Rose and her eleven sisters from whatever forces drag them from their beds night after night.

I really liked this twist to the original story. There were several things I enjoyed about the book. It was complex and slightly twisted. It was entertaining and while I knew what would happen with the story, there were still twists along the way that caught me off guard and pulled me further into the fantasy world that the author had created.

Also, Galen is also a very complex character. He's a soldier through and through and yet he has a side to him that is completely unexpected and yet quite pleasant. His upbringing and slightly unusual skills for knitting are, in the end, vital to the success of his "mission".

I would suggest this book for anyone that is looking for a slightly complex entertaining read. I especially recommend it for those people who enjoy reading new takes on old fairy-tales. Definitely glad I decided to get this from the library and it only took a few days to read.

Click here for Jessica Day George's website for Princess of the Midnight Ball

The Time Traveler's Wife

2010-04-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

by Audrey Niffenegger

Dedication: "For Elizabeth Hillman Tamandl May 20, 1915-December 18, 1986 AND Norbert Charles Tamandl February 11, 1915 - May 23, 1957"

First paragraph: "CLARE: It's hard being left behind. I wait for Henry, not knowing where he is, wondering if he's okay. It's hard to be the one who stays."

Review: Henry's life has been anything but normal. From the age of 5 he has defied the rules of science and time. The only thing that keeps him going is his wife, Clare. And while he is gone she is left waiting, wondering, and wishing he'd come home.

When I was about half-way through the book, I picked up the movie from a Red Box. I was planning on waiting to watch the movie until I was done with the book but things worked out a little differently then planned. I think it was a good thing. The movie was good. It told a good story. But the book was so much better. I am glad I watched the movie before I finished the book because I was able to actually enjoy the movie. If I had read the book first I think I would have loathed the film a lot more.

Anyway, the book tells a complicated intriguing story but it's delivered really well. There were a few times I had to flip back through the pages to remember what point of time was being lived. But it was a great story. The story is told through a first person point of view, alternating from Henry to Clare and back again. The emotions that the characters feel are so well described and even though they are living pretty normal lives the dialogue and situations are written well enough that even normal life is an interesting read.

This book took me awhile to get through because it's the type of book you read on the beach, you take to the park, or you just read on the bus. It isn't really suspenseful so you just pick it up when you are feeling bored and you read it for a bit until there's something else to do. That doesn't mean it wasn't enjoyable - it was.

If you have seen the movie and liked it, or you saw the movie and didn't like it but you like love stories, or haven't seen the movie but you are looking for a book that is a little more adult themed with good characters and an interesting over all perspective, then I think you'd probably enjoy this.

Be advised this book does have a decent amount of language and sexual references. And while normally that might turn me off of a book, for the most part it added to the mood or setting of the story.

Click Here for Audrey Niffengger's website.

The Last Unicorn

2010-03-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

by Peter S. Beagle, Illustrated by Mel Grant

Dedication: "To the memory of Dr. Olfert Dapper, who saw a wild unicorn in the Maine woods in 1673, and for Roebrt Nathan, who has seen one or two in Los Angeles"

First paragraph: "The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless color of sea foam, but rather the color of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were still clear and unwearied, and she still moved like a shadow on the sea."

Review: After living her life alone in a beautiful forest where it is always spring and the creatures around her are better for her presence, the unicorn hears two hunters discussing the disappearance of her kind. Their words intrigue her and she finds herself discontent until she decides to find out what has happened to all the others. Shortly after leaving her peaceful forest she encounters all sorts of fanatical creatures and joins up with a failed magician in hopes of finding the answers to where all her people have gone.

This book is a tough one to review. I really didn't like it, and then I got over not liking it and it was okay and then once I got used to Beagle's writing it got a lot better (or maybe the story just got better?).

This book was nothing like I was expecting it to be. The story was really hard to follow at the beginning. I think it might be because too much is left up to the imagination. There isn't enough description about what is going on and then all of a sudden a tree is falling in love with a human and the human can only talk in tree. And as quickly as that part of the story started it ended with no real reason or purpose, besides confusing the crap out of me.

One part of the story that I really enjoyed was in reference to getting too much of something. In this case it was in regards to miracles. The King has one of the finest wizards that ever was. This wizard can do almost anything and yet the King is discontent with the wizard. Here is that little snippet from the book:

"But that also is nothing to me," King Haggard went on. "In the past, you have performed whatever miracles I required of you, and all it has done has been to spoil my taste for miracles. No task is too vast for your powers - and yet, when the wonder is achieved, nothing has changed. It must be, that great power cannot give me whatever it is that I really want. A master magician has not made me happy. I will see what an incompetent one can do. You may go, Mabruk." He nodded his head to dismiss the old wizard.

So my overall review is that this book left me unsatisfied for reasons I cannot explain except that I felt it just could have been so much more than it was. It was like I was reading something that had the makings for greatness but was in fact put together all wrong. It had a lot of symbolism in it and once you can understand the story, the story is pretty entertaining; unfortunately, it's lost in all the madness that makes no sense.

Anyway, if you like unicorns, or randomly talking animals, or stories of that genre you'll probably like this pretty well. And if you don't, you're not alone.

Click Here to get to the Amazon page for The Last Unicorn.

On the Go with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe

2010-03-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

by A. E. Cannon, Illustrated by Elwood H. Smith

Dedication: "For Pirate Geoffrey - A.E.C. For Maggie - E.S."

First paragraph: "This is Pirate Pete! He is tall and thin."

Review: This story is about Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe and their quest to become true pirates.

Alright, I don't know a lot about Children's books and I haven't read a picture book in a VERY long time. So this review may be a moot point but I'm doing it anyway.

I thought this was a cute book. There were even parts that made me laugh out loud.

It probably only took me 10ish minutes to read so it would make for a fun bedtime story or just an entertaining anytime story.

I think any child reading this book or being read this book would enjoy the story and the pictures inside.

Click Here for A.E. Cannon's On the Go with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe website.

Prom Dates from Hell

2010-03-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Dedication: "To my dad, Robert Wallace Clement, who never forgot how to tell a story"

First paragraph: "As an interactive horror experience, with beasts from Hell, mayhem, gore, and dismemberment, it was an impressive event. As a high school prom, however, the evening was marginally less successful."

Review: Maggie Quinn never wanted to attend her high school prom. In fact, she was doing everything in her power to just avoid having to hear about it when things in her little town started to become a little paranormal. Now, to save everyone she knows and loves she has to put on a brave face (and a pretty dress) and dance her way through a night from Hell.

I really enjoyed this book. I don't remember where I heard about it from but it took me awhile to look into getting it from the library. But, the stars aligned and the library had it on the shelves so I picked it up and was pretty hooked from page 10ish.

It's a fun story with some great characters and an underlying moral to the story. It's set in a high school and the author really touched on all the classic stereotypical groups you find in the high school doors. And she was spot on with them. I had people from my own high school pictured for several of the characters that appeared. I especially enjoyed the idea of taking this one night that so many people either love or dread and turning it into something so other-worldly.

Maggie, the main character, is a lot like the average high-schooler. I think it makes her easy to relate to. There were things that she did that I would never have been able to muster and other things that I could have done with ease that she really struggled with and as a result, overall, she seemed like a real person who could have easily been my friend.

I guess the one thing I didn't quite understand was in regards to the sudden onslaught of men in Maggie's life. I just find it odd that one minute she is all, I'm ok looking and there aren't any guys, and then the next minute they are coming from every direction. It could happen, it's just not very likely.

And with that, I bid you ado and say .. read this if you're in the mood for some laughs and a good mysterious ghost hunting.

Click here for Rosemary Clement-Moore's website.

Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies

2010-03-10T20:00:00.000-08:00

by Erin Dionne

Dedication: "For Frank, with all my love. You were right."

First paragraph: "'No way', I hissed through the slatted dressing room door. 'I am not coming out.'"

Review: Celeste Harris unexpectedly finds herself enrolled in the HuskyPeach modeling competition. The thought of being a plus sized model is almost too much for her twelve year old self to bear so she decides to purposely lose the competition. As she plots her own defeat she makes some startling discoveries about herself and who she wants to become.

I'll be honest, it was the Oreos on the front cover that drew me in to this book. And while it wasn't the most interesting, entertaining, or educational book ever read, I'm glad I read it. I thought this was a cute book that had an interesting and different story to tell.

Junior high is tough no matter who you are and being overweight makes for some easy jokes. There are some really mean characters in this book. At first I thought it might be a little far-fetched and then I thought back to my junior high days and realized it was probably a pretty good depiction.

This book is probably best suited for those around 12 years old but it wasn't written so simply that I was bored by it. It isn't a real deep read but I think it has a great overall message and focuses on doing things because they make you happy, not because of what people around you might say or think of you.

Click here for Erin Dionne's official website.

Along for the Ride

2010-03-05T17:58:00.000-08:00

by Sarah Dessen

Dedication: "For my mother, Cynthia Dessen, for helping me to learn almost everything I know about being a girl and my daughter, Sasha Clementine, who is teaching me the rest."

First paragraph: "The E-mails always began the same way. Hi Auden!! It was the extra exclamation point that got me. My mother would call it extraneous, overblown, exuberant. To me, it was simply annoying, just like everything else about my stepmother, Heidi."

Review: After receiving a gift from her brother, Auden decides to step a little out of her comfort zone and spend the summer with her father and step-mother in the small beach town, Colby. After fate intervenes she embarks on a quest to take back her childhood and the summer shapes up to be nothing like she expects and everything that she needs.

I really liked this book. I thought it was the perfect blend of teenage angst, girly fluff, and sappy love. The plot is pretty predictable and you know who the love interest is going to be from the first time she runs into him but this book was written to be suspenseful so I wouldn't really say that knowing what is going to happen is a bad thing.

Also, I thought it was really well written. The story just flows and each character was well developed. So much so that I actually related more with one of the supporting characters. I think it takes skill to allow the readers to really connect with anyone besides the protagonist.

The only thing I didn't really like about this book was the ending. The story was going along and then it was over. There wasn't really much of a wrap up. I guess some people might like that sort of ending. I, however, am not one of those people.

I have more to say about the book in my head but it's just not coming out right in the words I type so ... maybe you should read it yourself and let me know what you think.

Click here for Sarah Dessen's Along for the Ride website.

Calamity Jack

2010-02-22T12:58:00.001-08:00

by Shannon and Dean Hale. Illustrated by Nathan Hale.

Dedication: "For Max and Maggie, the best teammates a couple of schemers could ever hope for. - S.H. and D.H.

To Greg, Riley, and Rebekah. Three in-laws, three outlaws. And with thanks to Shannon and Dean - no relation, but a lot of admiration. - N.J.H."

First page: "Part 1: The Beanstalk Bonanza - I think of myself as a criminal mastermind ... with an unfortunate amount of bad luck."

Review: This is the sequel to the graphic novel, Rapunzel's Revenge. This time the main character is Jack and he is on a mission to save his home town from the giants and the ant people. After planting a giant beanstalk things in Jack's town take a turn for the worse. The beanstalk uprooted his home and his mom's bakery and the giants have taken over. So Jack has to do whatever he can to right his wrongs. All the while, he's trying to keep Rapunzel from realizing his shady, thieving ways.

I loved this one just as much as the first. There were several times where I laughed out loud. I love Jack. He thinks he's such a bad person and since he's the one narrating the story, it adds a humorous touch. I'm also really glad Rapunzel is back because I loved her in her graphic novel and this just let me enjoy her strong character a little longer. Plus, she really compliments Jack's personality.

The pictures in this book are so fun to look at. Some of them were so perfectly drawn to match what was going on. They definitely added to the humor of Jack's personality. Loved it!

This book is definitely for the younger age groups but I enjoyed it as an adult as well.

Click Here for Shannon Hale's official website.

If I don't read books, I guess I can't blog about them

2010-02-16T11:05:00.001-08:00

I haven't been reading a whole lot of books lately, which means no new book reviews. I've been reading online short stories - aka Fan Fiction (and no, that's not short for Fantasy Fiction) - that people have written in response to an awesome video game. Their way of filling in the gaps and expanding an already awesome story. So, I am still reading but if I were to review every short story that I read online, I would be doing about 20+ reviews a day.

Anyway, I will hopefully quit reading my fan fiction here shortly and get back to the real world and books. Until then.

Forest Born

2010-02-12T12:20:00.001-08:00

by Shannon Hale

Dedication: "For Magnolia Jane, who has heart-speaking"

First paragraph: "Ma had six sons. The eldest was big like his father, the middle boys were middling. By the time Razo was born, all the family's largeness must have been used up. The brothers called him runt and made him feel that word. He spent winter nights longing for a younger sibling, someone he could call runt, someone he could push and pinch."

Review: This is another Books of Bayern. Once again, this book could stand on its own but reading the other books in the Books of Bayern first, helps build a relationship with all of the characters you meet in the book. Forest Born is about a forest girl named Rin. The youngest of seven children and the only girl. She has spent her life among the trees but lost her connection with them and has since been filled with dark thoughts and a gnawing for power. In an attempt to figure out what is wrong with herself and who she is, she embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.

Once again, Shannon Hale wrote an awesome book. I won't say it's my favorite book she's ever written but I enjoyed it all the same. I think I especially enjoyed it because so many of my favorite characters of previous books were back and each character's history and background was made a little stronger or clarified and the magic of the book was really able to catch hold and drag me into the story.

There was a very big surprise about half way through (not quite so big if you haven't read Goose Girl). In fact, I don't think I would have ever predicted what that surprise was or how it would shape the story.

I think one of my favorite parts of the Books of Bayern, is the strong female characters in each story. (Except Razo - who is obviously male but he meets another very strong female and she is a big part of his story). Without them things would have been horrendous and desperate but because of them and who they have become over the course of these books, things are much more interesting.

Anyway, read Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secrets first then hop on into this story and get lost in the world that Hale has created. It's an exciting place to be.

Click Here for Shannon Hale's Webiste to Forest Born.

Thirteen Reasons Why

2010-02-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

by Jay Asher

Dedication: "For JoanMarie"

First paragraph: "'Sir?' she repeats. 'How soon do you want it to get there?' I rub two fingers, hard, over my left eyebrow. The throbbing has become intense. 'It doesn't matter,' I say."

Review: Clay Jensen's life is turned upside down with one package left on his front porch. Inside the package are seven cassette tapes which have recorded a voice he thought he'd never hear again. The voice of a girl who killed herself only a few weeks ago. The voice of a girl who is explaining how each person who will hear these tapes played a part in her decision to end her own life.

This book is a very interesting take on teen suicide. I think it touches on an important fact that many teenagers fail to understand - their actions can have long-lasting effects on themselves and those around them. This story could have ended so much happier if one person had been more mature, more empathetic, more kind. A great story - depressing, but great.

Hannah Baker, the girl who made the tapes, is someone you can really get to know. Her story is all laid out there for you and you really can empathize with her. I am not saying her choice to commit suicide was rational by any means but you can see how someone, going through what she was going through, could think that was her only option.

I think my favorite thing about this book was the last chapter/epilogue of this book. It's only a few pages long but it shows that we can learn from our previous mistakes and while we may not be able to right things in our past, we can take advantage of our future.

I would suggest this book to all and I would especially suggest this book to parents to suggest to their teens. This could be a book that leads into some important discussions with your children, take advantage of it. (That means parents should probably read it too).

Click here for the Thirteen Reasons Why website.

The Compound

2010-01-27T22:06:00.000-08:00

by S.A. Bodeen

Dedication: "For Bailey"

First paragraph:
"This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
- T.S. Elliot

T.S. Eliot was wrong. My world ended with a bang the minute we entered the Compound and that silver door closed behind us. The sound was brutal. Final."

Review: Eli's world ends at the age of nine, when his family is rushed to an underground compound his father had built in case of a nuclear fallout. Things might not have been so bad but his twin brother and his grandma didn't make it before they were shut in. Their new home for the next 15 years while the world outside falls apart, or so Eli, his siblings, and his mom think.
Eli's dad, Rex, is really easy to loathe. He's bordering on insanity in some of the things he is making his family do, all in the name of survival. It's hard to imagine someone like him could really exist, but at the same time, without him this story would be quite boring.

This book was an interesting read. It was easy to get into and it flowed pretty well. I think the only thing I would have liked the book to have was, more. It seemed like it skimped on some of the elements that may have built up the other characters and their situation. Usually, I'm all about a book being right to the point but I enjoyed the story and I thought there could have been more twists and story to it. But I still really enjoyed it.

I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a bit of a different story. Something to make you think, what if. I read it in a few hours so it's not a book that will take days of your time.

Click here for The Compound website.

The Maze Runner

2010-01-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

by James Dashner

Dedication: "For Lynette. This book was a three-year journey, and you never doubted."

First paragraph: "He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air."

Review: Thomas wakes up with a knowledge of the world but no memory of ever living in it. All he can remember is his name. Before long he is thrown headfirst into a bizarre world where everything is centered around solving the maze that surrounds him and 50 other teenage boys. He doesn't know why but things about this new home seem familiar to him, like he's been here before, and he has the strangest desire to become a runner - the most dangerous job he could possess in this new place. The day after his arrival things start to really change. Everything that the other boys know about this place comes crashing down and they find themselves needing to solve the puzzle before time runs out.

This book was really good. Dashner tells a captivating story and uses creative elements to make it bizarre and "other-worldly" while still taking place on Earth. I don't think an actual time frame was ever given in the book but it's definitely a point in the far future.

One of my favorite things about this book is that you want the boys to escape but along the way things happen that make you almost think the world outside of their little maze is worse. But you never know for certain which is the best choice, not until it's already been made - or not.

A great story coupled with interesting characters made for an intriguing read. Even the characters you hated you still felt sorry for at times and the ones you liked you got annoyed by. I wouldn't say they were the strongest characters ever written into life but they were great, nonetheless.

One of my favorite reads in quite awhile. I would definitely suggest this book if you are looking for a great read you won't be able to put down until you get to the end. And then you'll just wish it was October 2010 so that Dashner's next book in this series, The Scorching Trials, was released.

Click here for The Maze Runner's official website.

Rapunzel's Revenge

2010-01-22T20:33:00.000-08:00

by Shannon and Dean Hale, Illustrated by Nathan Hale

Dedication: "For Christine Hale, aka Mom, who, but for a lack of mile-long hair and spiteful imprisonment by a witch, could have been the hero of this story. -S.H. and D.H.

To Lindsay, Leigh, and Layna: three cowgirls, my sisters - N.H."

First frame: "Part 1: Upon a Tower Once upon a time, there was a beautiful little girl."

Review: An adventurous take on the Rapunzel story with several entertaining twists, including a certain side-kick named Jack who happens to have a special goose and a lucky bean.

This is the first graphic novel I've ever read so it's hard to do a review on it and I guess I don't have much to compare it to but, I loved it!

I am a sucker for new twists on classic stories and this was just perfect. I am also a sucker for female heroines and female heroines don't get much better than Rapunzel and her whipable long braids.

There were certain parts of the story that were really cheesy but it was entertaining all throughout. I think I'll have to get the next Graphic Novel by the Hale's, Calamity Jack, from the library now!

Click Here for Shannon Hale's Web site for Rapunzel's Revenge.

The Secret Life of Bees

2010-01-21T18:29:00.000-08:00

by Sue Monk Kidd

Dedication: "For my son, Bob, and Ann and Sandy with all my love"

First paragraph: "At night I would lie in bed and watch the show, how bees squeezed through the cracks of my bedroom wall and flew circles around the room, making that propeller sound, a high-pitched zzzzzzz that hummed along my skin. I watched their wings shining like bits of chrome in the dark and felt the longing build in my chest. The way those bees flew, not even looking for a flower, just flying for the feel of the wind, split my heart down its seam."

Review: Lily Owens lost her mother at a very early age and has spent her life trying to fill that void. At first she thought maybe her father could give her the love she desired but she learned early on that T-Ray (her father) wasn't born to love. On her fourteenth birthday a turn of events send Lily out on a quest to find her mother's past and a little of herself along the way.

This book is based in 1964 in South Carolina. That means you get a small glimpse at life after the civil rights movement but before things had really started to change. This coupled with the fact that there is an entire book full of characters you really learn to either love or loathe makes for a great read.

This book is full of thought provoking moments and even more wisdom. It really gives you something to consider. I think my favorite part of this book is the realization that often what we are looking for in life can be found either right inside of ourselves or in the places we least expect but visit often.

I had a hard time getting into the book but once I got into it, I was hooked - urging Lily to give up her fears and ask the right questions. Prodding her to move on. Etc. Etc.

Click here for Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees website.

Coming Attractions for 2010

2010-01-20T22:40:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of books that will be published this year, but these are the ones I'm most looking forward to (in no particular order):

1. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting - scheduled to be released March 16, 2010

2. Burned, House of Night Novel, Book 7 by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast - scheduled to be released April 27, 2010

3. Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 3) by Maggie Stiefvater - scheduled to be released July 20, 2010

4. Love Sucks by Melissa Francis - scheduled to be released July 2010

5. The Hunger Games series, book 3 by Suzanne Collins - scheduled to be released August 24, 2010

6. The Scorching Trials, The Maze Runner Series Book 2 by James Dashner - scheduled release is October 2010

Anyone know of any other books that I should add to this list? Most of these are a book in a series I've already started, which is why I know of them. So, suggestions are welcomed and encouraged.

The Lost Symbol

2010-01-14T15:42:00.000-08:00

by Dan Brown

Dedication: "For Blythe"

First paragraph: "The secret is how to die. Since the beginning of time, the secret had always been how to die. The thirty-four-year-old initiate gazed down a the human skull cradled in his palms. The skull was hollow, like a bowl, filled with bloodred wine. Drink it, he told himself. You have nothing to fear."

Review: Robert Langdon is summoned to Washington, D.C. at the last minute in order to help out an old friend. He arrives just in time to be sucked in to a night of chaos, secrets, mystery, and action. This book is another in the series featuring Robert Langdon and it takes place some time after Angles and Demons, and The Da Vinci Code.

I had a hard time getting into the story. It may have been because the story wasn't awesome, or it may have been because I wasn't feeling to awesome and I felt like sleeping more than reading. Either way, the beginning of the book wasn't the greatest. But once it really gets the ball rolling the story is filled with action, intensity, and lots of mystery.

Brown throws in his usual curve ball which leaves everyone thinking, "Hmm ... didn't see that coming." Only this time, I think it was easier to see it coming. There was a lot of intense moments and there were twists that you really didn't see coming but it seemed like the book ended up righting itself back on the exact course you predicted.

As far as the characters, it was hard to really get into their stories because every time you are starting to get attached it switches to another character's situation. I think this writing style is used to keep you reading until you get back to whatever Langdon was doing but at the same time, it kept me from ever REALLY getting into the story.

So, final opinion = middle of the book is great. Beginning of the book is kind of boring and the last 50 pages of the book was completely dragged out. I couldn't wait for it to end. (That's a bad sign). Anyway, the book was entertaining for the most part and if you read it, you won't feel like it was a waste of time but it is a little less action and a little more talk than any of Dan Brown's other books I've read.

Click Here for Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol Website.

After

2010-01-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

by Amy Efaw

Dedication: "To 'Baby Nick' and 'Baby Vaughn,' and to the countless babies who were never found and have no names AND To the girls at Remann Hall"

First paragraph: "The TV's on, some lame morning show. The reception's lousy, and the sound's off. But Devon isn't really watching, anyway. More like staring blankly at the screen, the figures passing before her eyes in pantomime, signifying nothing."

Review: This book is about a fifteen year old girl dealing with her denial. Her denial that lead her to believe she was never pregnant and in turn, on the day she gave birth lead her to put her baby in a garbage bag and throw it away. This book is about her remembering her mistakes, and coming to terms with the consequences. Will someone believe her when she says she never knew or will she be tried as an adult and receive life in prison?

As soon as I started reading this book I thought "I don't know if I am going to be able to finish this. It's just so depressing". Not to mention that the last book I read was pretty depressing as well. I think I needed a little happy book in between. But, I'm glad I kept reading. This was actually a really great read. Once Devon starts acting slightly normal again it was easier to read - It was easier to be in her head.

The story is really sad. It's really hard to comprehend how someone could throw a baby away, their baby away. But this delves a little in to the psyche of one such person. At times you really feel badly for her. You wonder why she didn't just ask someone for help. Tell someone, anyone. But then you find out why. She couldn't even tell herself, how could she tell someone else.

Loved the writing style of this book and the educational value of it. It is a more depressing read but I am glad I read it all the same.

Click here for Amy Efaw's website.

Wintergirls

2010-01-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Dedication: "To Scot - for building the fire that keeps me warm when the blizzard rages outside."

First paragraph: "So she tells me, the words dribbling out with the cranberry muffin crumbs, commas dunked in her coffee. She tells me four sentences. No, five. I can't let me hear this, but it's too late. The facts sneak in and stab me. When she gets to the worst part ... body found in a motel room, alone ... my walls go up and my doors lock. I nod like I'm listening, like we're communicating, and she never knows the difference."

Review: Lia and Cassie have been friends since 3rd grade. Lia and Cassie have been both good and very bad for each other. Lia and Cassie weren't speaking anymore when Cassie died - in a motel room, alone. Now Lia has to decide if she wants to join Cassie or create a future for herself.

This is a story about a girl who has a lot of issues. Her eating disorders are just the chip of the iceberg. It took me almost the entire book to "enjoy" the story. But towards the end I realized how important all the chapters that came before were to the final result. You have to understand everything about Lia before you can start to understand why she has such a struggle with food and more importantly, life.

This book touches on an issue that affects more people than I think we could imagine. I don't know how accurate the story is but I'm guessing Anderson did her research because it all makes sense. It enlightens me. It helps me better understand what people with eating disorders might experience.

I am glad I read this book but it wasn't a happy story at all. It was educational and slightly inspiring but it took reading it to the end to really get into. So if that is what you are looking for I'd give this book a try.

Click here for Laurie Halse Anderson's website.

Shiver

2009-12-29T22:47:00.000-08:00

by Maggie Stiefvater

Dedication: "For Kate, because she cried"

First paragraph: "I remember lying in the snow, a small red spot of warm going cold, surrounded by wolves. They were licking me, biting me, worrying at my body, pressing in. Their huddled bodies blocked what little heat the sun offered. Ice glistened on their ruffs and their breath made opaque shapes that hung in the air around us. The musky smell of their coats made me think of wet dog and burning leaves, pleasant and terrifying. Their tongues melted my skin; their careless teeth ripped at my sleeves and snagged through my hair, pushed against my collarbone, the pulse at my neck."

Review: Grace has been obsessed with the wolves in the woods outside her house since she was attacked nearly six years ago. More specifically she is obsessed with "her wolf" - a wolf with beautiful eyes. The wolf that saved her life.

There is something more to these wolves than meets the eye. They aren't always wolves. During the warmer months of the year the wolves get to be human, live their human lives. They become wolves with the onset of winter and the freezing temperatures. Grace's wolf, Sam, has longed to talk to her for years but only just gotten the chance and now he may be ripped from Grace's grasps forever.

So this book was interesting. I thought it was well written but it had a lot more romance than it did plot. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it - I most definitely did. I'm just saying that it might not end up on everyone's favorite book list.

The story does a great job at linking Grace and Sam - at telling both their stories. You really connect with both characters equally and long for their happiness. I think I especially enjoyed the fact that it was about teenagers without all the foul language and sex obsession as other books involving teenage love. It was sweet, precious and passionate without being crude.

The words are really well put together. It pulls at your emotions. Every single one of them. Joy, Sadness, hope, fear. It pulled at them so much so that my emotions were all conflicted and I had to shed a few tears for the ending while I was laughing to try to keep from crying more - My husband may have been contemplating my sanity for a moment there.

Click here for Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver website.

Fire

2009-12-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

by Kristin Cashore

Dedication: "For my little sister Catherine, the (Corinthian) pillar of my heart"

First paragraph: "Larch often thought that if it had not been for his newborn son, he never would have survived his wife Mikra's death. It was half that the infant boy needed a breathing, functioning father who got out of bed in the mornings and slogged through the day; and it was half the child himself. Such a good-natured baby, so calm. His gurgles and coos so musical, and his eyes deep brown like the eyes of his dead mother.

Review: Fire, a human monster living in the Dells, has spent her whole life avoiding her powers for fear of becoming like her power hungry father. She only uses it for self-defense until the rumors of war are too strong to avoid. The King and Prince of the Dells recruit her to see into the minds of their prisoners in order to find out what plans their neighboring enemies have in regards to conquering their kingdom. She battles with herself and those around her in order to avoid using something she's feared for so long.

Fire is the prequel to Graceling. There isn't much in common between the two books except a graceling boy who appears in the prologue of the book.

Fire was an adventurous story with another strong female protagonist fighting for what she loves. This story wasn't as good as Graceling but it was still better than a lot of books. There were a few characters who irritated me but I guess it wasn't all their fault seeing that Fire can do things to people's minds and cause them to become irrational creatures. I just wished they wouldn't have been so clingly.

There was one character I thoroughly enjoyed - the Lord Prince's character and his gradual change from bitter enemy to strongest ally really made this story for me.

There were times when I wanted to kick Fire and tell her to quit acting like a teenager, but let's be honest, she is a teenager and she handles her responsibility quite gracefully for a 17 year old.

All in all it was a page turner that I finished in about a day's time. It had a decent plot, a decent spread of characters, a decent amount of heartache and joy, it even had some unseen plot turns that I never would have expected. Glad I picked it up.

Click here for Kristin Cashore's website on her books Graceling, Fire, and soon to come out Bitterblue

Band Geek Love

2009-12-16T23:56:00.000-08:00

by Josie Bloss

Dedication: "For my family, who taught me how to love books and music and to not be afraid of occasionally stepping outside the lines"

First paragraph: "My section was having trouble following directions, and it was totally not something I wanted to deal with on the most important day of my marching band career."

Review: Ellie is a senior in high school and she is a loyal band geek. She lives her life for marching band and she has worked hard to get her section in order. She practiced hours on end to make it to where she is today - trumpet section leader - and then a boy comes along and throws a wrench into all her plans and she has to deal with high school drama and figuring out who she is.

I saw this book at the library and had to check it out. I'm a band geek myself and I saw and experienced first hand band geek love. Can you pass up something as perfect as your high school life summed up in a title of a paperback book? I think not. Well, I wish I had.

It was an alright story. There really wasn't much of a plot. A lot of whining, and crying, and lying. I guess I couldn't relate with Ellie's issues. I thought she was making everything much worse for herself. And then her boyfriend reveals his big secret and she freaks out at him and the whole time I was thinking, you're really mad about that? Seriously? Who would be mad about something like that?

Anyway, my point is, if you are like me and the title of the book resonates with you then you might want to pick it up and read it for a few inside jokes (like trumpet players thinking they are God's gift to marching bands everywhere, etc.). I really enjoyed that part of it but that's about it.

Click here for Josie Bloss's official website.

Tempted, House of Night Novel, Book 6

2009-12-10T15:20:00.000-08:00

by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

Dedication: "Kristin and I would like to dedicate this book to our fabulous editor, Jennifer Weis, who is a pleasure to work with and who makes rewriting bearable. We heart you, Jen!"

First paragraph: "The night sky over Tulsa was alight with a magical crescent moon. Its brilliance made the ice that coated the city, and the Benedictine Abbey where we'd just had our showdown with a fallen immortal and a rogue High Priestess, shimmer so that everything around me seemed touched by our Goddess. I looked at the moonlight-bathed circle that stood in front of Mary's Grotto, the place of power where not long ago Spirit, Blood, Earth, Humanity, and Night had been personified and then had joined to triumph over hatred and darkness. The carved image of Mary, surrounded by stone roses and nestled within a ledge high in the grotto, appeared to be a beacon for the silver light. I stared at the statue. Mary's expression was serene; her ice-covered cheeks glistened as if she wept in quiet joy."

Review: Zoey and her gang are still trying to conquer the fallen angel, Kalona. Zoey struggles with knowing what is truth and how to stop Aphrodite's visions from coming true. She is also struggling with the bonds her soul has to Kalona. She realizes a part of her is A-ya reincarnated to once again conquer Kalona and bring him to his end. The problem is that, the same part that is meant to help destroy him is also made to love him.

Zoey continues to be pushed into a leadership position in order to save those around her. I don't necessarily love all of her decisions but if I was put into her spot at age 17 (or however old she is nowadays) I'd definitely be making much worse decisions.

Now for my rundown on the other characters in this book - For some reason I really love Stark. He's probably my favorite character. In fact, I think he may be the reason I think some of Zoey's decisions are dumb. Also, Heath annoys me. I'm not really sure I am supposed to think that about him but I do. And I think Stevie Rae is doing the exact same thing I would do. I can really relate with her.

I really enjoyed this book. It was suspenseful and interesting. It kept me turning the pages all night long. My least favorite part about this book is that it ended with quite a cliffhanger. There still another book that I am going to have to wait to be published - Burned. It's due to come out April 27, 2010. That's not so long from now but it's still too long to wait.

Click Here for The House of Night Website.

Shift

2009-12-08T14:29:00.000-08:00

by Jennifer Bradbury

Dedication: "For Jimmy - always my first, best, and favorite reader"

First paragraph: "The nose of the seat bit into my shoulder as the toe clip scraped the back of my thigh. I wrestled the bike through the dorm's gaping front doors, the derailleur cable snagging on the knob as I stepped inside. I lurched, swore, and hoped none of the half-dozen people hanging around the sweltering lobby were watching. I tried to block out the lingering smells of puke and cheap beer as I headed for the row of mailboxes along the far wall."

Review: The day after high school graduation Chris and Win set off on a cross-country bike trip. Their plan is to make it from West Virginia to Seattle. But before they get all the way there Win leaves Chris behind. Chris decides he's better off without him, reaches the west coast and takes a bus back home and starts his freshman year of college, figuring Win did the same. Only now he's finding out Win didn't make it back and people are starting to ask questions.

This book is about more than just finding out what happened to Chris's best friend. It's about Chris finding out who he is. I love how Bradbury was able to write two very different stories and yet make them connect and become one. The story of the bike ride across America - two young men doing something they love, and the story of growing up and becoming adults - making decisions and doing things you never thought you could do. Becoming a person you always wanted to be.

As you travel across America with them you really get a feel for what they are going through (as much as is possible without actually doing it yourself). You become connected to them and as the story progresses so does your friendship with them.

I really enjoyed this book. I don't remember why it made my reading list but I'm glad it did and it should make your reading list too.

Click Here for Jennifer Bradbury's website.

Also, just a fun fact I learned off the book jacket - Jennifer Bradbury rode her bike across the country for her honeymoon .... Wow.

TwentyTen Reading Challenge

2009-12-07T10:38:00.000-08:00

I found the challenge here - Read 2 books from each category, making a requirement of 20 books total.The categories are intended to be loose guidelines only, if you decide it fits, then it fits. (Apart from those marked **) Categories marked with ** have tighter rules, and these must be followed. Each book can only qualify for one category. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed. Books read from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2010 are eligible. So, on with the categories And the books I chose:

1. Young Adult: Any book classified as young adult or featuring a teenage protagonist counts for this category. This one should be easy enough since most the books I read are considered YA anyway.

1. After by Amy Efaw
2. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Nelson

2. T.B.R. **: Intended to help reduce the old T.B.R. pile. Books for this category must be already residents of your bookshelves as of 1/11/09.

1. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
2. Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Pionne

3. Shiny and New: Bought a book NEW during 2010 from a bookstore, online, or a supermarket? Then it counts for this category. Second-hand books do not count for this one, but, for those on book-buying bans, books bought for you as gifts or won in a giveaway also count!

1. TBD
2. TBD

4. Bad Blogger’s ***: Books in this category, should be ones you’ve picked up purely on the recommendation of another blogger count for this category (any reviews you post should also link to the post that convinced you give the book ago). *** Bad Bloggers: Is hosted by Chris of Stuff as Dreams are Made on.

1. The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine (I got this from The Book Nut's Blog)
2. The Mailbox by Audry Shafer (I got this from The Book Blog)

5. Charity: Support your local charity shops with this category, by picking up books from one of their shops. (Again, for those on book-buying bans, books bought for you as gifts also count, as long as they were bought from a charity shop.)

1. TBD
2. TBD

6. New in 2010: This category is for those books newly published in 2010 (whether it be the first time it is has been released, or you had to wait for it to be published in your country, it counts for this one!)

1. Love Sucks by Melissa Francis
2. MockingJay by Suzanne Collins

7. Older Than You: Read two books that were published before you were born, whether that be the day before or 100 years prior! Guess that means I'll be looking for books with a publish date before April 2005.

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien published September 1937
2. Stillwatch by Mary Higgins Clark published 1984

8. Win! Win!: Have a couple of books you need to read for another challenge? Then this is the category to use, as long that is, you don’t break the rules of the other challenge by doing so!

~~1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd~~
~~2. The Compound by S.A. Bodeen~~

9. Who Are You Again?: This one isn’t just for authors you’ve never read before, this is for those authors you have never even heard of before!

1. Hero by Perry Moore
2. Saving Zoe by Alyson Noel

10. Up to You!: The requirements for this category are up to you! Want to challenge yourself to read some graphic novels? A genre outside your comfort zone? Something completely wild and wacky? Then this is the category to you. The only requirement is that you state it in your sign-up post.

I am using this section to challenge myself to read a couple of graphic novels. I won't know if I like them if I never try them.

~~1. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale - Illustrated by Nathan Hale~~
~~2. Calamity Jack by Shannon Hale~~

Book of a Thousand Days

2009-12-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

by Shannon Hale

Dedication: "For Victoria

To the girl and the geese nine others said, Nay!
But you poured me some tea and asked me to stay
And built me a cottage at Bloomsbury Place
With pillows on chairs and sun on my face.
Our fifth together is me hugging you;
May dozens more follow before we are through."

First paragraph: "Day 1 My lady and I are being shut up in a tower for seven years. Lady Saren is sitting on the floor, staring at the wall, and hasn't moved even to scratch for an hour or more. Poor thing. It's a shame I don't have fresh yak dung or anything strong-smelling to scare the misery out of her."

Review: Dashti was born a mucker but after her mother's death made her way to the city to find work. Because of her knowledge of the healing songs she was taught to read and write and then sworn in as the Gentry's maid. However, on the day of her arrival to serve Lady Saren there was quite the bustle going on. She sat in a corner for awhile until she was overcome with boredom and she went searching for the lady her self. She quickly learned Lady Saren was being banished to a tower and decided that since serving a Gentry was the best honor ever given to her she would gladly give up her life to accompany this women to be sealed in a tower for seven years. This is "A book of thoughts kept by Dashti, a mucker and a Lady's maid. Containing an account of our seven years in a tower and our adventure thereafter."

Another great book written by Shanon Hale. Lady Saren is something else. I never really knew whether I hated her or just felt sorry for her. There were times when I really loathed her but once again I couldn't figure out if it was just because I was a little bit tired of thinking she was downright pathetic. I think it takes a lot of skill to write a character like that - someone who isn't a bad person but you still have a hard time not hating them.

As for Dashti, she was brilliant. Strong-minded, obedient/loyal, daring, etc. I have a place in my heart for characters like her and I think they all deserve a happily-ever-after but you'll have to read the book to find out if she gets hers.

Click here for Shannon Hale's official website on Book of a Thousand Days.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

2009-12-05T17:00:00.000-08:00

by E. Lockhart

Dedication: "For my college friends Kate, Polly, Cliff, Aaron, and Catherine, who know all about golf course parties and midnight adventures."

First paragraph:
"December 14, 2007

To: Headmaster Richmond and the Board of Directors, Alabaster Preparatory Academy

I, Frankie Landau-Banks, hereby confess that i was the sole mastermind behind the mal-doings of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. I take full responsibility for the disruptions caused by the Order - including the Library Lady, the Doggies in the Window, the Night of a Thousand Dogs, the Canned Beet Rebellion, and the abduction of the Guppy."

Review: Frankie Landau-Banks is tired of being 'bunny rabbit'. No one acknowledges that she has indeed grown up. She knows her new boyfriend likes her but he won't acknowledge her for her brilliance and it becomes a bit taxing. She starts to put bits and pieces of her boarding school's secret society together in order to form a brilliant plan that will ensure her legendary status in the minds of those around her.

Frankie is probably one of my more favorite female protagonists that I've ever read about. She really goes out on a limb and holds nothing back. I think I like her so much because a part of me wishes I could have been as brilliant at her age. I was someone who completely succumbed to the idea of the panopticon. As for the other characters in the book, I never really connected with anyone else but there was a certain person I wanted Frankie to finally hit it off with but I won't mention any names (Alpha) or the outcome (I really won't tell you how it ends).

Anyway, I thought this book was great. There is a little romance, lots of girl power, and plenty of adventures. It was an easy read that kept me coming back for more. I think this was the perfect book to get me back in the reading spirit.

Click Here for E. Lockhart's official website.

Crashed

2009-11-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

by Robin Wasserman

Dedication: "For David Mayer, Ruth Wasserman, and Philip Wasserman, whom I never knew, but suspect I would have liked."

First paragraph: "When I was alive, I dreamed of flying. Or maybe I should say: When I was alive, I dreamed. Sometimes it was flying; more often it was falling. Or burning - trying to scream, trying to run, but frozen and silent and consumed by flames. I dreamed of being alone. Of my face melting or my teeth falling out."

Review: This is the sequel to the book Skinned. Lia Kahn was in a car crash and her body died but she woke up - in a different body that wasn't even human. BioMax has found a way to take the brain, copy it, and then transplant it into a computer inside a machine that is then controlled by the new "brain". There is a lot of controversy over this procedure. People who don't believe these machines should exist and are trying to do anything to get rid them. Lia has to figure out what is going on and how to stop it before it's too late.

I enjoyed this book but it was hard to get in to. There was a lot of whining and recapping at the beginning. Even though it's been awhile since I read the first book it hadn't been long enough for me to need all the intro that it gave. Once she quit whining about how life sucks and she wishes she could feel like she used to it got a lot more interesting.

Wasserman created a futuristic setting with great moral questions. This book gets you thinking. Makes you wonder what you would do if you had the same options. If you could keep your child "alive" even a little longer, would you? If you had to choose between food, shelter, and no freedom, or complete freedom and struggling for food, and a safe place to live, what would your option be?

Although the book was slow at times it kept me interested enough to keep reading, which is good enough. Also, I don't know if there will be another sequel to this book but it ended in a way that there could be but you aren't left hanging, if there is. An overall good read!

Click Here for Robin Wasserman's Skinned/Crashed Web site.

River Secrets

2009-11-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

by Shannon Hale

Dedication: "For all the boys in my family. But especially, triumphantly, adoringly for the one and only Max Stonebreaker Hale"

First paragraph: "Ingridan was an ancient city. Memory ached in its stone arches, crept down its narrow alleys, sluiced through its seven rivers. And its newest memory still burned, raw and sore - a failed war, a nation shamed, and an army dishonored."

Review: This book was the third book of Bayern, following Goose Girl and Enna Burning. It's about Razo's journey to Indigran to create post-war peace with the rival country and allow the two countries to live peacefully side-by-side. In this book Razo has the world thrown at him, including punches, kicks, swords, rocks, tangerine pulp, etc.

Razo really resonated with me. It was like he was my annoying, adorable, gross little brother. He just did things that boys do. He blamed people for farting, he was constantly obsessed with where his next meal was going to be coming from and he found his first friendships in the pastry kitchen.

I think my favorite thing about this book was the that I got to spend more time with Isi, Enna, and Finn. These characters are so lovable and the adventures they take me on are always exciting, dangerous, and super fun-filled.

Shannon Hale did it again. Another book success.

Click Here for Shannon Hale's website for River Secrets.

The Actor and the Housewife

2009-11-07T22:17:00.000-08:00

by Shannon Hale

Dedication: "For the Bryner and Bronson clans - sixty grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins - who lent their names to the characters in this book in a completely random fashion and under no circumstance resemble their fictional namesakes. Except for that one. You know who I mean. No, not you, silly, the other one. Riiight ..."

First paragraph: "Becky was seven months pregnant when she met Felix Callahan. She was on her first trip to California that didn't include Disneyland, and by a twist of luck, selling a screenplay."

Review: Becky, an LDS (Mormon) housewife finds herself falling into a friendship with the famous actor, Felix Callahan after a chance meeting in an incredibly unbelievable string of events. This story is about that friendship, her marriage, her family, her religion, and most importantly, her love.

I felt a lot of things about this story while I was reading. First I felt bored. My first reaction was, "This wasn't Hale's best work". Then I got further into the story and I was thinking, "I'm not even halfway through this story but it feels like it should be ending any minute". Then, the story really started and I was captivated. I will admit that I cried my way through several pages (maybe, 20?) and then there was the ending - didn't see that coming.

I could connect so easily with Becky. I felt what she felt and I cried when I knew she was crying, laughed when she laughed. The other characters didn't have as strong of a presence but I still knew them. I was able to really live the story towards the end.

This wasn't Shannon Hale's best work but it was still great. It was a lot different then what she's done before but it was still enjoyable on so many levels. I loved it.

Click Here for Shannon Hale's website on The Actor and the Housewife.

Bones of faerie

2009-10-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

by Janni Lee Simner

Dedication: "To Larry: 3333, 4556, 5645. But you knew that, right?"

First paragraph: "I had a sister once. She was a beautiful baby, eyes silver as moonlight off the river at night. From the hour of her birth she was long-limbed and graceful, faerie-pale hair clear as glass from Before, so pale you could almost see through to the soft skin beneath."

Review: Liza lives in a world of post-apocalyptic war between humans and the faerie world. As a result magic has taken over and Liza's father lives by the rule "anything/anyone magic must be destroyed" including her newborn baby sister. The trees and plants are predators, rocks glow, and nothing remains as it was Before.

This book was very intriguing. It was a different take on a post-apocalyptic world then I had ever heard before. Simner did a great job at forming this 1800 setting - dirt roads, simple, poorly put together houses, no electricity or running water - except it happens at some point in the future (Maybe late 2000's?) but not so far in the future that things were much different, well they weren't too different Before.

Some parts of the story were a little hard to grasp - vegetables vines and fruit trees attacking humans - but the rest was pretty easy to get into. I loved the courage that Liza was able to gain throughout the story. Her character was really able to develop throughout the story and her personality flourished. The Liza at the beginning of the story was one of my less favorite characters but by the end I had really grown attached.

I really enjoyed this book and how different it was then a lot of the books I've been reading lately.

Click Here for Sumner's Bones of Faerie website.

Austenland

2009-10-28T22:51:00.000-07:00

by Shannon Hale

Dedication: "For Colin Firth. You're a a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends."

First paragraph: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a thirty-something women in possession of a satisfying career and fabulous hairdo must be in want of very little, and Jane Hayes, pretty enough and clever enough, was certainly thought to have little to distress her. There was no husband, but those weren't necessary anymore. There were boyfriends, and if they came and went in a regular stream of mutual dissatisfaction - well, that was the way of things, wasn't it?"

Review: Jane has a secret - she's very in to (some people might call it obsessed) with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Or more specifically Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice made into the BBC double DVD movie. The Pride and Prejudice starring the all too handsome and charming Colin Firth. Her obsession has been a measure for all past relationships and it takes a forced lunch with a dying great aunt to make her realize that she is self sabotaging. Because of her obsession she is given a chance to live her dream or maybe a nightmare? Three weeks submerged into the 1800's to take part in acting, romance, dancing, a ball, and maybe more ...

The characters in this book were very well developed. While I couldn't completely relate with the book or the submerging yourself in another time due to some suppressed fantasy I enjoyed it all the same. I loved that the main character struggled with the idea of Austenland. How even though she was very into Mr. Darcy, she wasn't sure she could be in to the acting and becoming someone else. That was something I could relate with. But I rejoiced with her as she made her self fit in and become a part of the story.

There were other characters in the book that I came to love as well. I think that maybe they were a bit obvious and I predicted a lot of things but that is sort of how it goes in a story about romance. You figure either everyone will end up a miserable horrible life, or they will live happy with their ending. I always choose happy - that's just how I am.

This book was so good. I have never been obsessed with Jane Austen's work but I have enjoyed it when I've read it and I thought that Hale's book really did her justice. Hale used the Colin Firth fantasy to her advantage and it really worked out. I would definitely suggest this book to the hopeless romantics, the starry-eyed dreamers, or even just someone who is looking for some laughs and a new take on Jane Austen without the zombies.

Click Here for Shannon Hale's official website on Austenland

P.s. Just a side note on my admiration for Shannon Hale. I love that she can write several books without the stories all being basically the same like some authors. I have been able to read several of her books over the last few weeks/months without feeling like I'm repeating and I love it.

Enna Burning

2009-10-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

by Shannon Hale

Dedication: "For the Bryner Sisters (perhaps you've heard of us) Melissa, Katie & Jessica"

First paragraph: "The woman bore a scorch mark from her chin to her brow. The vision in her left eye was still blurry, as though she were looking through a scratched pane. She had been walking away from the burning for a few weeks by now and so supposed the eye would never heal, even if she lived long enough to give it time. Closing her bad eye, she squinted to see where she was going. There was a patch of greenness on the horizon that stretched into the east. A forest. Perhaps that would be far enough away."

Review: As always Shannon Hale has written an amazing story. Enna's brother, Leifer, has found a way to control fire. After his discovery he starts to change. Enna fears for him but soon realizes she may need to use it in order to save her country, Bayern, who is at war. She struggles with the knowledge of fire but has her friends to support her along the way.

This book is a pseudo sequel to the book The Goose Girl. It has all the same great characters, is set about 2 years after The Goose Girl, but it is told from another character's perspective. I really enjoyed the chance to get to better know another character from a great story.

Hale has a real knack for getting you into the story. They way she writes draws you in and allows you to surrender to an alternate reality. I believe her greatest feat is the reality she gives to things that are impossible. She gives wind a voice, and yet, it still reminds me of wind - it isn't human. It's simple. I love that.

Enna Burning is a fun, adventurous story about friendship, love, and discovering who you are.

Click Here for Shannon Hales website. This link will take you to her page about Enna Burning.

The Graveyard Book

2009-10-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

by Neil Gaiman

First paragraph: "There was a hand in the darkness and it held a knife. The knife had a handle of polished black bone, and a blade finer and sharper than any razor. If it sliced you, you might not even know you had been cut, not immediately."

Review: Nobody, also known as Bod, Owens has been raised and educated by ghosts. His home is the graveyard and his parents are ghosts and his friends are ghosts and his life is surrounded by ghosts. He's learned to haunt, to dreamwalk, and to fade. Now he wants to learn about the living but it will come with all the dangers of the world - including the man who killed his family and wants to kill him as well.

I loved this book. It may be a little dark for younger children but the world that Neil Gaiman is able to create is imaginative, abnormal and completely unique. The things that popped up during Bod's adventures were unpredictable and enjoyable.

I think my favorite part about this book was how smart Bod was. He was afraid when the need arose but he was always so practical about things. He thought things through and seemed to have others' interests at heart in almost every adventure he went on.

If you or your kids are looking for a good book to read to get into the Halloween spirit this is definitely the one I would pick for you.

Click here for The Graveyard Book website.

The Summer I turned Pretty

2009-10-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

by Jenny Han

Dedication: "To all the important sister women in my life and most especially Claire"

First paragraph: "We'd been driving for about seven thousand years. Or at least that's how it felt. My brother, Steven, drove slower than our Granna. I sat next to him in the passenger seat with my feet up on the dashboard. Meanwhile, my mother was passed out in the backseat. Even when she slept, she looked alert, like at any second she could wake up and direct traffic."

Review: Belly spends her life looking forward to the summers. She has spent each summer at the beach with her mom's best friend's family - Susannah, and most importantly Conrad and Jeremiah. Each summer has been like the last, but this summer is one she'll never forget.

I would give this book 2 1/2 stars. It was an easy read but it was from the perspective of a 15 year old girl and I felt like she was so whiny that I wanted to just punch her sometimes. I guess that equals good writing on the author's behalf because I really could imagine some 15 year old out there telling this story. Unfortunately, her other characters weren't as well developed so I had a harder time believing in them.

As for the plot, it could probably be much more enjoyed by a teenager - Summer love, cute boys, etc. It does skip around from one summer to the next and there was one jump that I got kind of confused by but that was probably my own fault for missing something. Mostly, I didn't like the ending. I can't really talk about it though without "spoiling" the book so I'll just say, I think it could have had a better one, maybe more concrete.

Anyway, I was able to finish the book in a day so if you are looking for something that you can read quickly, this is definitely an option.

Click Here for a Jenny Han website and more information on this book.

The Girls

2009-10-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

by Lori Lansens

Dedication: "For my mother and father"

First paragraph: "I have never looked into my sisters eyes. I have never bathed alone. I have never stood in the grass at night and raised my arms to a beguiling moon. I've never used an airplane bathroom. Or worn a hat. Or been kissed like that. I've never driven a car. Or slept through the night. Never a private talk. Or solo walk. I've never climbed a tree. Or faded into a crowd. So many things I've never done, but oh, how I've been loved. And, if such things were to be, I'd live a thousand lives as me, to be loved so exponentially."

Review: Ruby and Rose Darlen are craniopagus twins which means they are joined at the head. Rose has found a love for writing during her life and has decided to write an autobiography. This is her story. Well, it isn't just her story since she is never alone.

I thought this book was great. It was definitely interesting. It was not, however, exciting or intense. It's not a page turner but it's a book you want to read to the end.

Lori Lansens did an amazing job at writing the story of these conjoined twins. She had to have done months of research to write the story so convincingly. If she hadn't had her name on the front cover I would have thought it was truly an autobiography. The characters were described in such detail you couldn't help but believe they had to exist - and I'm not just referring to the main characters. Each character in Ruby and Rose's life was given so much character that they have to be real. They have to be out there somewhere wandering around Leaford.

On top of the great story is also some great inspiration. The sisters are an inspiration to the world around them and as a result they are an inspiration to the reader. If they can do it, why can't I? (Yes, I know they aren't real but there are conjoined twins out there that are).

Click Here for Lori Lansens' website.

Radiant Darkness

2009-09-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

by Emily Whitman

Dedication: "For Kate and Sam - And for Richard: His arm will be my home."

First paragraph: "'PERSEPHONE. Daughter of DEMETER, the harvest goddess. Kidnapped and forced to --'"

Review: Ever heard the Greek myth about Persephone and how she was kidnapped and dragged to the underworld to serve by Hades side as his queen? Well, this is a different version. One that clears up the myth part and tells you what really happened. For starters, Persephone was kind of sick of her eternity trapped with her mother's constant lecturing, scolding, and protecting. She was ready to grow up and her mother wouldn't let her. Well, when a handsome stranger shows up in Persephone's paradise prison she's more then happy to sneak around chatting with him and eventually he asks her to come away with him - to be his queen.

The story is a fun take on the old myth. I think it's a better version and Whitman did her research to make sure all the loose ends were taken care of. She did a great job at creating a picture of Persephone's new home and really made you understand why Persephone wouldn't mind staying in the Underworld for 6 months of every year.

I thought the relationship between Hades and Persephone was fun as well. This book gave Hades a different personality then I've ever imagined for him myself. I guess I always just assumed that the God of the Underworld would have to be pretty grim, dark, and deadly. But this book gives him a side that I quite enjoy picturing him with.

My favorite part of the book was that it is set in a time long ago but it has a very modern feel - It could have happened just a few years ago or centuries before now. This book will definitely go on my list of books I enjoyed reading.

Bite Me

2009-09-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

by Melissa Francis

Dedication: "For my mother. The strongest woman I know. Thank you."

First paragraph: "My Mother's wedding day. I should be thrilled she's getting hitched to the man of her dreams. And don't get me wrong; part of me is truly happy for her. Mr. Fraser - I mean, Rick - is a great guy. I like him. A lot."

Review: Sometimes I need a nice easy read for when the TV is on, my husband needs occasional attention, and other little distractions are going on all around me. This was the perfect book for that situation.

AJ's mom just married her boyfriend's dad and now they are forced to break-up. She's struggling with that when it seems her whole world comes crashing down. Oh, and by the way, she's a vampire. A vampire who passed out on her last night of summer and is afraid she might have bitten a classmate and turned him into a vampire as well.

This book was cute. It's kind of predictable but only when it comes to AJ's bad choices. You know what she is about to decide is just a bad idea, but at the same time it's probably what you would have done if you were a teenager. I thought the ending was really quite perfect except it left a lot hanging for the sequel, Love Sucks which comes out July 2010.

The Goose Girl

2009-09-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

by Shannon Hale

Dedication: "For Dean, Best Friend, Companion and Squeeter Keeper You are Home and For Mom and Dad, Happy days to you. Love, Shannon"

First paragraph: "She was born Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she did not open her eyes for three days."

Review: Crown Princess Anidori-Kiladra (aka Ani) has never been excited to fill the roll of Queen but she has prepared her life for it. Just as she is starting to accept her future roll her life is turned upside down.

Shannon Hale is one of my favorite writers. She does an amazing job at creating a world of princes and princesses that are fun for all ages to read. Her characters are easy to fall in love with and really care about.

Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down, except to go to sleep and church, then I had to come straight home and find out how it all turned out. The story is kind of hopeless at parts and it still turns out so well. Some people might not like books that end so perfect, but they are my favorite and I loved it. I would definitely suggest reading this book if you are looking for a fun read.

Click here for Shannon Hale's official website.

After the Moment

2009-09-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

by Garret Greymann-Weyr

Dedication: "For Katie and Matthew, who fed me during the bad year."

First paragraph: "Leigh Hunter thought he'd said goodbye to her almost four years ago. Yet here she was, close enough for him to see that he was not mistaken. He was staring at Maia Morland, and not a woman who simply looked like her."

Review: Leigh Hunter runs into his high school love, Maia Morland, and finds himself reminiscing on their romance and all the strangeness and then tragedy that embodied it and it's end.

It was an ok book. I thought it was dragged out too much. There was a lot of anti-war propoganda which helped in the dragging out of the book and it also just bugged me. If you are going to do that, I think you should do so less obviously. The story was a story. There were parts I really enjoyed and then parts I got bored with reading. I think the beginning of the book is much better then the end. If it had ended about half-way through I would probably say it was an awesome book, but since it didn't ... I can't say that now.

Finally, I think the reason I came to dislike the book is because of the main character, Leigh. I felt like his indecision at his future was overly dramatic - I never figured out what I wanted to do with my future while I was in college, let alone high school. I thought his constant complaining and worrying about this aspect was a bit overboard and therefore unrealistic, but some of the authors other characters were really loveable. It was easy to attach to Millie, Leigh's sister, and Maia. So for all it's bad, the book definitely has it's good as well.

Psyche in a Dress

2009-09-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

by Francesca Lia Block

Dedication: "For Joanna"

First paragraph: "I am not a goddess I am my father's"

Review: This book tells the story of a girl's life. It starts with her young, in school, and being forced to be a part of her father's business - making movies - and then progresses through her life's bad decisions and on into her late life. The story is very short. It took me 45 minutes to an hour to finish.

The book is written in verse (I think that's what it is called). The entire book is written in symbolism and since that was one of the reasons I came to loathe English class, I can't really say I understood a whole lot about it.

Several Greek God's are referenced, including Hades, Persephone, Demeter, Eros, Aphrodite, Orpheus, and Eurydice. That made it kind of fun and at the same time still harder to understand.

I think my favorite part of the book was the last paragraph of the book. It just points out perfectly how important it is to love yourself and to know that you are good enough. I was skeptical when I first started to read but the ending made me decide it was definitely worth it.

Speak

2009-09-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Dedication: "To Sandy Bernstein, who helped me find my voice, and to my husband Greg, who listens."

First paragraph: "It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache."

Review: Melinda has suffered and is now entering high school with no friends and withdrawn from the world around her. This book addresses her struggle within to find someone worth talking to, and, when that person comes along, to figure out what exactly she should say.

This book is amazing. The author does an amazing job at describing what Melinda is going through and her pain becomes your pain. As you read, you are actually willing Melinda to spill her guts to someone, anyone. But she doesn't. It's frustrating, infuriating, and yet that makes it all the more real. I found this book to be educational even in the way the author approaches the trauma that Melinda has faced. It's out there and there are monsters and demons in everyone's lives that must be faced and conquered.

There is a movie based on the book. I'm not sure if it's any good but I'll be watching it at some point in the weeks to come and it will be interesting to see how they make a movie about a book which is about a girl who barely speaks.

Click here for Laurie Halse Anderson's official website.

The Minotaur: A Novel

2009-09-20T16:58:00.001-07:00

by Barbara Vine

Dedication: "To Jill Pitkeathley with love"

First paragraph: "One of the women buying amber was so much like Mrs. Cosway that it gave me a shock to see her. She seemed shorter, but people shrink with age. Otherwise the likeness, from her curly white hair to her spindly legs and fine ankles, was almost uncanny. She was holding up a string of pale yellow beads, looking at them and smiling with that excitement you only see on the faces of women who love shopping and pretty things."

Review: This story starts out with a small clip from the present and then quickly goes back 35 years to when a young Kerstin is employed by the Cosway family to oversee the middle-aged "mad" John Cosway. While living with the Cosway's she learns that this family is nothing like a normal family. Constant bickering between the mother and her four grown daughters escalates and Kerstin gets to be a witness of things she wishes she'd never heard or seen.

While there were aspects of the book that I enjoyed, for the most part I was bored. I considered ceasing my reading of this book but I was interested in what exactly the end would hold. It definitely wasn't what I expected but it still wasn't very exciting. I won't ever suggest this book to anyone, but it wasn't a complete waste of time so I was at least able to finish it.

The Most Dangerous Game

2009-09-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

by Richard Connell

Dedication:

First Paragraph: "Off to the right - somewhere - is a large island," said Whitney. "It's rather a mystery -" "What island is it?" Rainsford asked.

Review: It was also published as The Hounds of Zaroff. This is a short story - 48 pages. I think it took me around a half hour to read it.

Rainsford and his hunting friend Whitney are heading through the Caribbean on their way to their next hunting opportunity. Due to some misfortune Rainsford falls overboard and no one hears his cries for help. He makes his way to an island where he encounters a very strange man with even stranger ideas.

This wasn't my favorite story ever and yet, at the same time, it was kind of intriguing - the idea of it all. If you have a few minutes you might as well pick this up and read it. If you don't ever get around to it, you won't be any worse off.

On a side note, this short story has been adapted to film several times, but according to others, the most successful was the 1932 version. I can see why it would be a popular story to make into a film. Easy to adapt. Everything in the book is possible and it would make an interesting movie.

Catching Fire

2009-09-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

by Suzanne Collins

Dedication: "For my parents, Jane and Michael Collins. And my parents-in-law, Dixie and Charles Pryor."

First paragraph: "I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air. My muscles are clenched tight against the cold. If a pack of wild dogs were to appear at this moment, the odds of scaling a tree before they attacked are not in my favor. I should get up, move around, and work the stiffness from my limbs. But instead I sit, as motionless as the rock beneath me, while the dawn begins to lighten the woods. I can't fight the sun. I can only watch helplessly as it drags me into a day that I've been dreading for months."

Review: This is the second book in The Hunger Games series. It picks up a few months after The Hunger Games end. I don't want to say to much in way of the plot in case you haven't read The Hunger Games yet. If you haven't, go now and pick up a copy and start reading. It is amazing.

Now for Catching Fire - Katniss and her hunger games victory has caused quite a stir in the districts across Panem. I can't say much more without giving away a lot about the first book so I won't talk about the plot anymore.

As for the story. Absolutely amazing. Collins does an amazing job at writing great, intense books. The only time I put this book down was to let my heart stop racing or to let out a little wail to my husband. But the breaks didn't last long. I could only leave it alone for a few minutes at a time and then I was back.

Collins has a real ability to get you attached to the guys in Katniss' life. I honestly don't know who I want her to be in love with. She just creates these people that are so real, honest, and good and yet they are definitely not perfect that it's hard to dislike or choose between either of them. Maybe she could end up with both of them? Just kidding, but not really.

As for Katniss, she is written as a teenage girl who has to deal with major life issues like keeping her family alive but at the same time she is still a teenage girl who struggles between being a selfish teenage girl and helping all of the people in Panem rise up in rebellion against The Capitol. To me she could easily exist. She wouldn't be my best friend, but she'd be my younger sister's friend's best friend - someone I know, but not really well.

I think Collins' greatest character was a girl that you loved to hate and yet she was on the good side. How hard is it to write a character that you hate? Not too hard. But to write a character that is on the good side that you hate? Now that is talent.

I could ramble on and on about this book and how amazing it was and how unexpected everything is. I started reading the book with some possibilities for the book in my head. Let's just say I was SO far off. There is no way I could have guessed a single thing that happened in the book. Nothing was at it seemed. Things happening at the turn of every page. Awesome. I think I liked this book even better then the first, and that's saying something because I loved The Hunger Games.

.... (Edit: I just noticed part of my original review got cut off ... I'm not quite sure what I was going to say but I do know it's all praise all the way for this book, in my opinion)

Click here for Suzanne Collins' website for Catching Fire.

Put everything on hold

2009-09-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

I just got home from the store with the new book in The Hunger Games series - Catching Fire. All other books are getting put on hold, in fact, life in general will stop until I have finished this book. I am already so anxious about what will happen to Katniss, Peeta, and Gale and I haven't even started it yet.

A book that can keep you in this much suspense for almost a year has to be pretty awesome. Guess we'll see.

A Dangerous Dress

2009-09-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

by Julia Holden

Dedication: "To my daughter Rachel and the Jane in all of us"

First paragraph: "This is the story of a dress. A dangerous dress. A magical dress, I think. My Grandma's dress. And it is a true story."

Review: Thanks to her grandma's mysterious dress Jane is taken on a series of life changing journeys. Including, but not limited to, getting to know her grandma's secrets and why her grandma had such a magical, mysterious, sexy, dangerous dress.

I have mixed feelings about this book. For the most part I loved it. It was a simple, fun, easy read. It had a lot of things in it that I wish I could do. In fact, I got a passport so that if I should need to leave the country at a moments notice I'd be able to. (Yes, I am a bit of a dreamer). It was about clothes which I would love to know more about but don't. It was about being strong, being brave, and finding that article of clothing that really gives you the strength to do anything. While I don't know much about clothes I do believe that those types of clothes exist. I loved that about this book.

The worst part was being so frustrated with the lovely Jane. She just made some choices/assumptions that were so obviously going to cause trouble that I had a hard time reading on. But I plugged along and eventually got through those parts and continued to enjoy the story. I did hate the nickname she gave her hometown. It just seems so ... unclassy, but I guess that was the point.

If you love reading about clothes, fashion, etc. I'd probably suggest you at least take a look at this book.

Click Here for an interview with Julia Holden as she talks about A Dangerious Dress and many other things.

Come Back Soon

2009-09-05T20:20:00.001-07:00

My husband and I arrived in Seattle on Tuesday. We are making this our new home.

The first thing on my to-do list was, "Get Library Card". When I pulled up the Seattle Public Library website I was informed that the library was closed from August 31 - September 7 in order to help with the city-wide budget cuts. If you're wondering why it's been awhile since I've posted a new book, that's the reason. I've been sitting around the apartment unpacking and counting down the days until I can go to the library and check out a new book.

I'll be back after Monday, September 7!