Stray Reads

What's happened with this blog and what will happen now...?

2011-09-25T20:20:00.003+01:00

I've been a bad little blogger, I know I have.

I haven't been very active, I know.

I've been neglecting my blogging duties, but now I have an explanation.

You see, this is more of a combination of factors than just a single reason. Firstly, I've been seriously busy: with Advanced Maths, Advanced Physics and Chemistry, Advanced Biology and Geology, Portuguese, English and German- not to mention the bane of my existence, Philosophy, I simply haven't had the time to review and blog as much as I did, which is to say, at all. However, those of you who are familiar with school breaks and terms know that school has only started... a few weeks ago. Really, that first reason is just an excuse. The truth is, blogging simply isn't that much fun anymore, and I'm not the kind of person who keeps doing stuff willingly without gusto, so that is the real reason this has been, well, dead for the past few months.

HOWEVER, I doubt this will be like this forever, so I will not delete this blog because I'm way too lazy to start another one when I'm tired of being tired so I'll just keep this one, maybe write a post or two occasionally, change the blog layout (that is definitely a must) and eventually keep going like nothing's happened.

Meanwhile, even if I post nothing in here, know that you can read my magnificent,wonderful, very unique point of view (insert sardonic coughing) on my other blog, the group blog, the one I'm incapable of abandoning (unless they kick me out, which would be a pity), the blog I like to visit to read my co-authors' very interesting and often insightful POVs, For the Love of Reading.

I am writing this because of the emails that come occasionally from authors and publishers which I don't have the guts to answer, and (mostly) because of the people who may come here and check this out even though it is only one tumbleweed roll away of being officially deserted.

So, this is what happens, and what will happen. I think you should know.

What's Your Status Contest @ Butterfly Feet

2011-05-25T13:56:00.002+01:00

Hey all!

My For the Love of Reading co-author Zakiya is hosting a contest at her blog about What's Your Status. WYS is her meme. This is how she describes it:

This post was inspired by, well, my previous Reading Status posts. I wanted to make it something that everyone could particpate in. Every Saturday (and sometimes Sunday), I will post what I've finished in the past week, what I'm currently reading and where I am in the book/s, what I plan to read next, and possibly what I want to buy/get.

If you're interested, go here, if you're not, be nice and share the message ;)

beijos

Stray

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

2011-05-23T08:00:00.004+01:00

Book Name: Awaken
Author/s: Katie Kacvinsky
Language English
Publisher, year: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011
Page total: 352
Date Read: December 5-8 2010
Genre/s: YA, Dystopia, Future, Fiction
Synopsis/Description: Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.
First line of Book:My mom gave me an old leather-bound journal for my seventeenth birthday.

Review: The moment I heard of this book, I knew I had to have it. The concept is amazing: in the future everything will be lived through the computer. It’s at the same time scary and strangely not that hard to see, considering our growing dependence of computers and technology. So I was really curious of how it would be like to live in a place like this. And I have to say I really enjoyed this book.
The main character, Maddie, is sweet and likable and as independent as the can be (which is not that much in the beginning, but that changes throughout the story).
Justin is quite likable too, but sometimes I was confused of his feelings, but then it all got cleared up really nicely ad his dorky side is so. Cute. (It wouldn’t hurt if we got a more detailed description of how he is either ;)
I really liked Kacvinsky’s writing, the plot is not entirely unpredictable, but it flows really well and makes sense; The ending, though, killed me. I can’t think of another way to end that book, but it really killed me. Overall, I’d recommend Awaken, and though it’s obviously about the people’s constant and growing need of technology, and it gets a little preachy about that, it’s really good.
Rating: 4/5
Quotes from book:
"Intuition works closely alongside fate, like they're business partners working together to alter the course of your life."

"I used to think talking was all about words. But you can say so much more with your eyes and your fingers and your touch. Words just make us one dimentional."

"It's like our bodies. We're a chain of veins and organs and they're all interconnected. If something isn't going right in one area, the whole system can get out of whack. Tha's the way I see the world. We're all connected. I don't see myself as this separate entity. i see things in a much larger scale. Everything I do directly affects another person, all the way down the chain. Every person I help can help another; we're all connected. Change happens one person at a time. And i want to commit my life to seeing that through."

New name, new...

2011-05-15T20:28:00.002+01:00

Hi, sorry I've been MIA, but I haven't had time to blog at all! I HAVE been reading though, just nothing worth reviewing, some non-fiction books, and IO don't review those because they're not fiction. Those things really happened and though I can review the writer's way of expressing him/herself, I just don't like to.

Anyway, my blogoversary is getting closer and closer, and there are a few changes I'd like to make:

Blog name and URL:

I'm so tired of Books are like People

Layout
Posting:

I don't want to just post reviews. I want to be more... unique than that

if I remember anything else, that too, will go to this list

Why don't ou tell me what you think? Got any suggestions?

Track My Covers (1) - Portugal

2011-04-20T11:07:00.013+01:00

Hi!

First of all, let me explain what this is. I know authors like to see the international covers for their books (which is totally understandable) and if you follow me on Twitter, you know I sometimes tweet the authors their Portuguese covers (I live in Portugal, after all...) but the other day I went to the book shop and noticed the amount of new books (famous books in the blogosphere and the YA world) and I decided to make a blog post about it because there were so many! Hopefully, this is the first of many.

Enjoy!

Wish, by Alexandra Bullen

(I'm reading this right now, so I decided to post it)

Wings, by Aprilynne Pike

(I think this cover is a lot prettier than

the original, don't you think?)

Spells, by Aprilynne Pike

(Same as Wings)

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo, by Becca Fitzpatrick

(A new release with many fans,

there was even an angel with black wings and no

shirt in the mall once)

Evernight, by Claudia Gray

(In some reviews I read, people complained about

the US covers. This is me showing the prettier one)

Paranormalcy, by Kiersten White

Comes out this month!

(Kiersten posted about the Italian cover

on her blog. i think this is also pretty)

A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray

Firelight, by Sophie Jordan

(loved the book)

Matched, by Ally Condie

(they changed the title a little. União is more correct for Union.)

I hope you liked. If you have a post with more international covers, please put your link on the comments section

Rage (Horsemen of the Apocalypse #2) by Jackie Morse Kessler

2011-04-19T09:50:00.000+01:00

Book Name: Rage
Author/s: Jackie Morse Kessler
Source: NetGalley
Publisher, year: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011
Page total: 228
Date Read: April 03 to 04, 2011
Genre/s: YA, fantasy, Paranormal
First line of Book:The day Melissa Miller killed her cat, she met the Angel of Death.

Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.
That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a new kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, Rage is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power and refuses to be defeated by the world.

After reading Hunger (and not enjoying it that much), I wasn't really sure whether I'd want to read Rage, but since I usually give things second chances, and I got this from NetGalley, I decided to give the author another chance. Well, I am really happy that I did, because this is so much better than Hunger!
It deals with an almost completely new cast of characters (I don't think Death could be replaceable anyway), and we're introduced to Missy, a girl who cuts herself to escape to the pain. Personally, I liked Missy a lot more than Lisabeth; while Lisabeth was really flat to me, Missy was truly alive to me. She had so much emotion and it was a lot more realistic, I think. I also appreciated that her life outside her Horseman job was more developed, it was great to see why she had her problems. Sometimes I was just as outraged as (or even more than) Missy. her sister, especially mad me want to pull off some hair... her hair. She was SO obnoxious! And it really pissed me off that her parents were blind to everything (though not as much as knowing there are parents like that in real life). The things I loved the most, though, were how she ended up finding her inner strength, no matter how cliché that sounds, and the ending. It was so much better than Hunger's. And I could see it happening with Missy!
The writing was also a lot better, and it didn't bore me to death. Personally, I don't think you need to read Hunger to appreciate Rage, but if you want to anyway, go for it.

4/5

"If Melissa Miller were an artist, she would have painted the world in vicious streaks of red. Nothing like Picasso's rose period, all soft and cheerful and so optimistic that it made you want to puke. Missy's red phase would have been brutal and bright enough to cut your eyes. Missy's art would have been honest."

Need by Carrie jones

2011-04-16T00:01:00.000+01:00

Book Name: Need (Need #1)
Author/s: Carrie Jones
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, 2008
Page total: 306
Date Read: April 03, 2011
Genre/s: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
First line of Book:Everybody has fears, right?

Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear.

When I started reading this book i wasn't really sure of what it was about. I'd refrained from reading all the reviews and the synopses of the other books in the series and this one's blurb wasn't that clear. What I wasn't expecting, though, were the pixies.
Yes, your eyes aren't failing you, I mean PIXIES. But not those cute little Tinkerbelish things you'd imagine. Apparently pixies are evil, even more than fairies. I have to admit I wasn't expecting that. (And by the way, I'm really sorry if this has already spoiled part of the book to you!)
I wasn't sure if I liked Zara, I'm still not. In one hand, she's all goody-goody with her Salvation Army thing but at the same time it just felt off. It was weird. Despite that, I really liked the other aspects of her personality: she's brave, unselfish and she's got spunk. Her hollowness in the beginning, though, and her gradual normalization were not very clear to me, and I think that could've been better written and explained.
Nick and Ian were kind of obvious. I mean, they were notoriously against each other since the beginning and when a certain piece of information came up it was completely obvious! Of course I can't say much about it, otherwise I'd be spoiling the book but it was SO. DAMN. OBVIOUS. And even they, individually, were OBVIOUS.
And I just have one more thing to mention. Zara's obsessiveness with phobias is amazing! I had no idea there was a phobia of having peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth (and, dude, I checked)

"The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage."

"There are people who like cute, furry things and people who eat cute, furry things "

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

2011-04-05T00:01:00.001+01:00

Book Name: Where She Went
Author/s: Gayle Forman
Source: NetGalley
Publisher, year: Penguin Group, 2011
Page total:208
Date Read:March 26 to 27, 2011
Genre/s: Contemporary Fiction, YA
First line of Book:Every morning I wake up and tell myself this:' It's just one day, one twenty-four-hour period to get yourself through. '

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the futureÑand each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

After reading If I Stay (okay, I reread it because of WSW, 'cause it sounded so incredibly awesome!!) I immediately got my hands on Where She Went (and I do mean immediately) and started reading it.
In case you've been in space/on a desert/ under the sea/hiding under a rock and living like an eremite, or if you simply have not been on the Internet much, you don't know how much hype this book's been getting. And it is a lot. But it sure is deserved...
Anyway, although the writing style is pretty much like If I Stay, while it was Mia's story, this is all about Adam and I'm really grateful for that. Sure, Mia still appears, but now I got to know Adam a lot better (if you've read my review of IIS, you know I thought Adam was underdeveloped. Well, that's fixed now!) and I LOVED him! I understood what drove him, why he acted the way he did, I understood how his life'd become so empty when he understood it, I felt his anger, his loss, his betrayal, his hurt, his emptiness and his love. And a lot more, because Adam's this lovely messy and tangled emotion ball.
I admit it, I was mad at Mia for leaving Adam, but once I knew why, I couldn't stay mad anymore. And I must say I'm very satisfied with the ending of the book.
Other than that, what I really, really liked in the story was that the characters, as characters and as people, all were very realistic- they didn't stay the same they were in IIS, and there were some awkward moments between A and M because of that. Basically, I could imagine it happening in reality, right here, right now*.

5/5

Needle and thread, flesh and bone
Spit and sinew, heartbreak is home
Your suture lines sparkle like diamonds
Bright stars to light my confinement
"STITCH"
COLLATERAL DAMAGE, TRACK 7

She left for Juilliard the day after Labor Day. i drove her to the airport. She kissed me good-bye. She told me that she loved me more than life itself. then she stepped through security.
She never came back.

My first impulse is not to grab her or kiss her or yell at her. I simply want to touch her cheek, still flushed from the night's performance. I want to cut through the air that separates us, measured in feet—not miles, not continents, not years—and to take a callused finger to her face. I want to touch her to make sure it's really her, not one of those dreams I had so often after she left when I'd see her so clear as day, be ready to kiss her or take her to me only to wake up with Mia just beyond reach.

But I can't touch her. This is a privilege that's been revoked.

------------

* That was a compliment, by the way

The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

2011-04-04T08:00:00.004+01:00

Book Name: the Lipstick Laws
Author/s: Amy Holder
Source: Netgalley.com
Publisher, year: Graphia, 2011
Page total: 240
Date Read: Read from January 05 to 12, 2011
Genre/s: YA, Chick-Lit, Contemporary fiction

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her. For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity. But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?

First line of Book:Sitting near Darci Maddison on the school bus is enough to put anyone with woman-sprout issues over the edge.

This was a really cute book!

For some reason, when I read the book's title, I thought it would be like a teen version of Sex and the City, but it was not. I was very surprised because it was very different from what I was expecting. This was a cute, humorous, girly read I really enjoyed.

April was a believable character, though maybe not as a high school student, she seemed younger to me, more like a Middle Grade heroine. I thought it was so cute that she was a bra-stuffer! Okay, wrong expression. What I mean is, I'm glad she did that because there are girls who do it but I've never seen a character who does, so this was really nice. And since she looked like a sensible girl, I was extremely disappointed when she didn't stay away from Britney, who she knew was a total..err, baddy.
Britney, as I said before, is a baddy and huge control-freak, which annoyed me, as it should. Yet, I liked that there was a reason for her to be that mean.

When April decides to stand up for herself and creates The Lipstick Lawbreakers, and they make all sorts of plans to get back at Britney, that's the best part! There were so many hilarious moments!

What I loved though, was the end, when April understands what matters the most- is it getting back at someone or just living your life and having fun?

If you like fun, light, girly reads, this is for you.

4/5

If I Stay by Gayle forman

2011-04-03T12:51:00.002+01:00

Okay, so first of all, I'm really sorry I haven't been posting lately, but I've been really busy with school and music and running and exams and whatnot. I'll make it up to you all, I swear!

Book Name: If I Stay
Author/s: Gayle Forman
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Dutton Juvenile, 2009
Page total: 234
Date Read: January 23 to 26, 2010 and March 26 2011
Genre/s: YA, Death, contemporary fiction, Realistic Fiction
First line of Book:Everyone thinks it was because of the snow.

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...
A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

This is actually the second time I read this book. The first time I thought it was a really boring, really depressing story I couldn't wait to get over with. Not now, though.

If I Stay was a terribly sad story (which I'm sure you know already- in fact there's not much I can say about this book that has not been said before in other people's reviews) but also a beautiful one. And though I'm not a big fan of the whole spirit-out-of-body thing, it worked here.

I think what I liked the most about the characters is that they were like real people- not characters, but real people I could have met or not at some point of my life. They had their own characteristics, their flaws and qualities, their fights and day-to-day conversations... (By the way, that was also really well showed in the flashbacks) It was like I was Mia and I was living what she did, though to me Adam and Kim were... I couldn't call them flat because I could see there was ore to them that what I read, it was more like I knew them, but I didn't know them very well, like we were acquaintances. That was a pity.

The story is told from Mia's perspective -as I'm sure you've guessed by now- both in the present in the hospital and with flashbacks from her life before the accident and I think that really works: even though I knew what he ending would be, I wanted her to like, because thanks to the flashbacks of her former life, I cared for her, and that is a very important thing to me, character-wise.

Anyway, the hype turns me off, but not enough for me not to enjoy this book. It shouldn't turn you off either.

4/5

"I realize now that dying is easy. Living is hard."

"And that's just it, isn't it? That's how we manage to survive the loss. Because love, it never dies, it never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it."

"But I'd understand if you chose love, Adam love, over music love. Either way you win. And either way you lose. What can I tell you? Love's a bitch."

Sloppy Firsts by megan McCafferty

2011-03-08T21:00:00.003Z

Book Name: Sloppy Firsts
Author/s: Megan McCafferty
Source:Bought
Publisher, year: Crown, 2002
Page total: 304
Date Read: February 08 to 09, 2011
Genre/s: YA, Coming of Age
First line of Book: Tonight I've been thinking about the mosaic Hope gave me the night she U-hauled ass out of Pineville.

“My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.”

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment--from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart. Like a John Hughes for the twenty-first century, Megan McCafferty taps into the inherent humor and drama of the teen experience. This poignant, hilarious novel is sure to appeal to readers who are still going through it, as well as those who are grateful that they don’t have to go back and grow up all over again.

When I started reading this book, I wasn't very sure of what to expect. Okay, I knew what it was about, and I had been told it was really good, but the first chapters didn't get me convinced. At all. However, my opinion did change as read further into the book.

Jessica is not your usual heroine. She is sarcastic, cynical, pessimistic, fatalistic, and could sometimes be a bitch. Those were the things that made me dislike her at first, but as I got to know her better, my opinion changed drastically, and those same things were what made her become one of those characters I'm sure I'll not forget. Because Jessica is also honest. She is fresh. And she is not afraid of expressing her opinions. I think that to me that was the breaking point, when she finally decided to let people know what she thought, because, honestly, her psyche is quite amazing.

The plot is simple. It's pretty well explained and summarized on the book's synopsis so I won't explain any further. Usually this would have bored me to death. The reason it didn't was- you guessed it- Jessica Darling. As she went through (and snarkly commented) all of her situations, I couldn't help but either laugh or worry or simply care because of the girl herself!

Megan McCafferty's debut was great, and she succeeded in creating a very unique character who I'm sure i'll not forget easily. Now excuse me, because I want to start Second helpings.

4/5

"You can only be in a bad mood for so long before you have to face up to the fact that it isn't a bad mood at all; it's just your sucky personality."

"It just makes me wonder what subject you blame for talking to me every night.'
I'm still settling on an answer for that one. Probably Chemistry.
Jesus Christ. I can't believe I just wrote that."

The false Princess by Eilis O'Neal

2011-02-12T08:00:00.001Z

Book Name: The False Princess
Author/s: Eilis O'Neal
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Egmont USA, 2011
Page total: 336
Date Read: January 28 to 31, 2011
Genre/s: YA, High Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Romance
First line of Book:The day they came to tell me, I was in one of the gardens with kiernan, Trying to decipher a three-hundred-year-old map of the palace grounds.

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

The first thing that caught my attention on this book was not the magic (though that was also awesome) but the "false princess" part. All I thought was Cool! It's like Princess Diaries reversed!. Though then I found out that it was just a small part in the beginning. I don't mind though, because the story is really complex and that's even better.

Sinda was a likable character, and I appreciated that she was not a snotty cocky princess and that when she found out she was not a princess, she was mad (and admitted it) but not vengeful.
Kiernan was a great friend and I have to admit I loved his extroversion.

The plot was good, and though some things were obvious from the beginning, it was still quite twisted. Still, what I liked the most was a question made somewhere during the course of the story:If there are two possible candidates to the throne, one of them raised as a commoner but of pure royal blood, and other with blood not so pure but with a better education, and if they both had good ruler qualities, which should sit on the throne? Would it make a difference? and I didn't stop thinking of it till the end of it.

Overall, I'd recommend this book if you like fantasy, and I think you'll like it even if you don't like princesses.

4/5

Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal

2011-02-09T08:00:00.000Z

Book Name: Other Words for Love
Author/s: Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2011
Page total: 368
Date Read: February 01 to 02, 2011
Genre/s: YA, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Coming of Age
First Line of Book:In 1985, just about everyone I knew was afraid of two things: a nuclear attack by the Russians and a gruesome death from the AIDS virus, which allegedly thrived on the mouthpieces of New York City public telephones.

"When an unexpected inheritance enables Ari to transfer to an elite Manhattan prep school, she makes a wealthy new friend, Leigh. Leigh introduces Ari to the glamorous side of New York—and to her gorgeous cousin, Blake. Ari doesn't think she stands a chance, but amazingly, Blake asks her out. As their romance heats up, they find themselves involved in an intense, consuming relationship. Ari's family worries that she is losing touch with the important things in life, like family, hard work, and planning for the future.
When misfortune befalls Blake's family, he pulls away, and Ari's world drains of color. As she struggles to get over the breakup, Ari must finally ask herself: were their feelings true love . . . or something else?"

I have so much to say about this book I don't know where to start. There were so many things I loved, and others I didn't like so much, but overall it was a lot better than I expected.

New York in the eighties was a lovely background to this story, and though I wasn't born yet back then, I could imagine and see myself in there- that was fantastic.

I don't know how to describe Ari properly, she's perfectly average, but she's got something I couldn't help but like; she has problems, she's not perfect, she's talented but she doesn't know if that's enough, she's the good girl and has a naughty best friend, and she's never been in love.
That's when Blake enters the scene. I have to admit I really liked Blake- he was sweet, nice, respectful, and caring -but eventually he got on my nerves. The boy doesn't know what he wants. That was so annoying. I felt so bad for Ari because of that.
But it's not just Ari and Blake I want to talk about though, because all of the characters were really well written. Ari's mother was very believable and so was her sister, her brother-in-law and her friends. And since it's set in 1985, I found myself wondering how they'd be nowadays.

I also liked how STDs were talked about in here. I mean, from all I've been told, thirty years ago people didn't know how they could get AIDS, and it was really interesting to read about it too, even though it was only a very, very small part of the story.

Rosenthal's writing is really good, I'll probably read whatever she writes from now on, and I loved that the story wasn't just set in a short time period, so it was great to see Ari mature during those years the story goes. The only thing I didn't like was the title of the book and the synopsis: none of them do this book justice (and they could've been more appropriate, I think)

I'd most definitely recommend it, especially if you like the eighties (or even if you don't, it's a good book nonetheless) or just good realistic fiction.

5/5

"The memory of tonight was as unblemished as new-fallen snow that I had to protect from careless footsteps."

"She was wearing her fuzzy pink had and she was happy, which was so obnoxious. She'd become one of those people who waltzed through life without so much as a split end, and I was still one of those people who changed diapers for free but still got treated like a rented mule."

XVI by Julia Karr

2011-02-06T08:00:00.001Z

Book Name: XVI
Author/s: Julia Karr
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Puffin/Speak 2011
Page total: 325
Date Read: January 16 to 17, 2011
Genre/s:YA, Romance, Dystopia

First line of Book: Panic clutched at my throat; I glanced around, looking for anyone out of the ordinary, but everyone appeared normal- except for their confused looks.

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

I've been trying to put my thoughts about this book into coherent sentences for the past week and I'm still not sure if I got to the point.

Nina was a likable character, though I wanted to hit her when she didn't think! I admired her for not believing in everything people and the media told her too. A different thing about this book is that Nina's mom had raised her (better yet, had willingly created all the right conditions for her to be a rebel). Yes, Nina herself had to rebel but I'm glad it was because of her mom that she was not like the other girls who only wanted to have sex when they were sixteen. Usually in dystopian novels, the heroine has to understand the world she lives in all by herself, this was not the case.
Sandy wasn't a very original character (the airhead bff, reminds you of something?) but I really liked her anyway, and I was especially happy when I found out she was a true friend, even if she was very silly.
I also liked the other characters though I'd like to know more about one of them (Mike).

The world portrayed in XVI is more believable than what one might think at first. Sex is already a business anyway and the media's influence in people's lives was kind of frightening because I can almost see it happen.

The ending was a cliffhanger so I'm pretty glad there is a sequel. I'm really curious about the nonCons and what will happen to Nina and her friends.

4/5

"I'd choked back so many tears, they'd become a lake of sadness in my belly."

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2011-02-01T08:00:00.003Z

Book Name: Delirium
Author/s: Lauren Oliver
Language English
Publisher, year: HarperCollins 2011
Page total: 440
Date Read: December 12th-17th 2010
Genre/s: YA, Dystopian Fiction, Romance
Synopsis/Description: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.
First line of Book:It has been sixty-four years since the president and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientists perfected a cure.
Review:
After reading Before I Fall, I decided I’d read anything Lauren Oliver wrote. She writes amazingly , you know? Well, now you do.

I love Delirium’s concept, especially because love does sound like a disease, in the way it is described by the authorities, and the symptoms... my God! That part was so cool! I also liked the way even huge love stories (think R+J) and poems were distorted to prove the Government’s point of view, and that there are scientific articles about amor deliria nervosa (aka ”love”, though I think the first it way cooler) and its relation with other problems of Mankind. (Speaking of which, if you go to LO’s website, there are some pretty great “testimonials” of cured people and other things like that. Just so that you know...)

Lena was a likable heroine. She was brave (even without knowing it) and strong-minded and stubborn. She matured so much from the begining of the story, though in a believable way, I think.

I loved Alex, the way he showed Lena the good things of the world, his patience and rebelliousness and when he tells Lena why he loves her... that was so sweet!

The plot had some predictable (or maybe obvious) things, but there was a huge twist that left me gaping open-mouthed at the screen.

The ending was a cliffhanger, but I guess that’s the point – it’s a series, after all, but if you, like me, are afraid it will end like Uglies... I can’t tell you how it ends but it is not like Uglies (thank God for that).

So if you’re looking for a futuristic, anti-love society, with a couple of star-crossed lovers and some fantastic quotes, this is the book for you.
Rating: 4/5
Quotes from book:
"Hearts are fragile things. That's why you have to be so careful"

"Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger than an edge. That's what it is: an edge; a razor. It draws up through the center of your life, cutting everything it two. Before and after. The rest of the world falls away on either side.
Before and after-and during, a word no bigger or longer than an edge."

"Love, the deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it, and when you do not.
But that isn't it, exactly.
The condemner and the condemned. The executioner; the blade; the last-minute reprieve; the gasping breath and the rolling sky above you and the thank you, thank you, thank you, God.

Love: it will kill you and save you both."

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

2011-01-29T14:43:00.000Z

Book Name: The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3)
Author/s: Julie Kagawa
Language English
Source: Netgalley
Publisher, year: Harlequin Teen 2011
Page total: 384
Date Read: December 22 to 23, 2010
Genre/s: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Synopsis/Description: My name is Meghan Chase.
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.
First line of Book:Eleven years ago, on my sixth anniversary, my father disappeared.

Review:You have probably read all the gushing reviews in the web about this book. How it is so much better than the others. Well, it is.
The Iron Queen has more action, intrigue, drama, comedy, love, pain, tears and sacrifice than the rest of the series.
I cannot tell you how much Meghan has grown on me. I could hardly recognize her, she’s much braver, tougher and more mature than before, and I could really notice the diferences.
Ash... oh my goodness, Ash. You rock. Your love for Meghan was so beautiful, and the things you did...
And the Iron Fey! That was genious, and so was the Iron King! I felt so stupid once I found out who he was, it was a total facepalm moment!
And the end, it was PERFECT! It was grand, and painful and full of sacrifices and love, and yet it fit perfectly with wha I knew was coming.
I can’t wait for The Iron Knight, I simply can’t.

Rating: 5/5

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

2011-01-19T08:00:00.000Z

Book Name: Across the Universe
Author/s: Beth Revis
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Razorbill, 2011
Page total: 398
Date Read: January 15 to 16, 2011
Genre/s: YA, Sci-Fi, Romance, Future

As the spaceship Godspeed travels toward a new earth, the lives of 100 cryogenically frozen settlers hang in the balance after someone endeavors to quietly murder them. The other passengers aboard the ship have never known life outside its walls and are enslaved by the machinations of Eldest, their tyrannical leader, who divides them into three distinct classes. When Amy, a frozen settler from earth, survives being thawed in a murder attempt, she immediately bonds with Elder, Godspeed's lone teen and future leader. Amy’s individuality, her rebellion, and her fierce desire for freedom, inspire Elder to act on his own doubts and defy Eldest--his mentor and keeper--with shocking results. Eldest’s methods of twisting history and altering the lives of this captive community are a frightening echo of tyrants in our own history, and Across the Universe challenges readers to consider the impact of unchecked power, blind trust, and the ability of one dissenting voice to make a difference

Daddy said, "Let mom go first."

I'm not sure of what to say about this debut, really. I adore its concept, the characters are well written, the plot is layered and it has a terrifying message. What else can I ask for in a YA novel?

As I said before, I love this book's idea. It caught and held my attention throughout the whole story. Having a whole ship on its way to a new planet is not exactly original, but I loved it anyway, especially the way everything was done, it was quite believable.

Since the chapters alternate between Elder and Amy's perspectives, we get to know each of them really well.
Eldest was a very likable character, and he was very believable as a boy (as someone else said, he sometimes thought with his chutz, not his brain) and I loved that he ended up doing the right thing, most of the time.
Amy was also character I liked, especially because she didn't just sit there, doing nothing. And she's got spunk! I loved her! I liked how she kept thinking of her life on Earth, I think that's what most people would have done.
These were not the only characters I liked. I actually liked every single one of them, even the bad guy. But I think you should know them yourself, so read the book.

The plot was also very enjoyable, though the last pages were, without a doubt, the best. Do not think this is predictable, because it is not! In the end you will be completely awestruck, this is a warning.

The way the ship was practically made of lies also held my attention. I swear, the way History was altered, how human minds were manipulated, how everything was kept in order by not-very-honest means, I was alternating between wanting to put this book down and not being able to and actually putting it down to think about it.

And the end, THE END! Gosh, how can I explain to you how good the ending is!? You get to know everything, and it's amazing! Though I guessed some of the things that happened, the rest was pretty mind-blowing, and I still can't take it out of my mind.

4.5/5

"More than the sound of my own beating heart, I miss the sound of a ticking clock. Time passes. It must pass...."

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

2011-01-16T08:00:00.000Z

Book Name: Revolution
Author/s: Jennifer Donnelly
Language English
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2010
Page total: 496
Date Read: January 01 to 09, 2011
Genre/s: YA, Historical Fiction

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present. Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

First line of Book:Those who can, do.

This was a very unusual Historical Fiction book. I admit I love stories in which one of the characters never knows the other but their stories intertwine anyway, so this was obviously a must-read to me. Of course it didn't hurt that it was set in the French Revolution either, or that the main character studies music.

Revolution confused me quite a bit. Some of the diary entries seemed sketchy at best, and even Andi's story bothered me most of the time. Sometimes she was a okay, but others she made me want to pull out my hair because she was being so immature. I know she's been through a lot, she can't seem to stop talking about it but did she really have to be so stupid? And I didn't like her relationship with Virgil either. Usually I really like the love interest but not on this case. We get to know about him, but not...him, and that's what really matters, right? To me, it was as if she just saw him and immediately decided she liked him because he was so cute.
In the first journal entries, I didn't like Alex that much, but then she really grew on me. I liked that she was not good in the beginning, that all she did was to survive and because of her ambition, but that she grew up and learned and changed her mind. It was a really nice thing to see from her journal entries. I also loved that she was close to the dauphin, that was awesome!

I was expecting some Paranormal influence in this book, and it exists, just not in the way I was expecting it. Okay, maybe it's not Paranormal at all, the truth is I don't know what it is. It's actually kind of strange and hard to explain.

I'd recommend this if you enjoy reading Historical Fiction, though this is not one of the best in the genre I've read. I love the journal idea though. Maybe it's just Andi's present life that annoys the crap out of me. Maybe.

3/5

"Life’s all about the revolution, isn’t it? The one inside, I mean. You can’t change history. You can’t change the world. All you can ever change is yourself."

"Stop yelling. If everyone’s yelling, no one can be heard."

"I'm wishing he could see that music lives. Forever. That it's stronger than death. Stronger than time. And that its strength holds you together when nothing else can."

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

2011-01-13T08:00:00.002Z

Book Name: Ink Exchange
Author/s: Melissa Marr
Language English
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: HarperCollins, 2009
Page total: 352
Date Read: January 02 to 03, 2011
Genre/s: YA, Fantasy, Faeries

Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

First line of Book:Irial watched the girl stroll up the street: she was a bundle of terror and fury.

This was an interesting, albeit weird continuation to the Wicked Lovely series.

In case you don't know, I really like this book's world, with faeries around us without us knowing and royal intrigues and lovers and affection and that kind of things. However, during most of the book I was very very lost, which is odd and should not happen since this is a second book. Yet, most of the time I simply did not know who they were talking about or where they were going, even though I remotely remembered the names from WL. I was very, very lost.

The main character, Leslie is quite likable, though I like Ash better. She was (often) brave, though in the end, her careless attitude really pissed me off. Her relationships with Niall and Irial were flat sometimes and at times I couldn't understand what they saw in her. Especially because they were using her. Please. The romance aspect was underdeveloped- so, one of them uses her, and while he's using her, he falls for her? Does it make any sense?

Leslie's story was a lot darker than Ash's, and that's what made me give this four stars instead of three. I enjoyed reading about the Dark Court and it was also nice knowing what had happened to all the characters from WL. I'll definitely read Fragile Eternity- especially because it seems to be even darker than Ink Exchange -but not on the near future.

4/5

"Sometimes love means letting go when you want to hold on tighter."

"What does it mean when nightmares dream of peace? When shadows wish for light?

Other by Karen Kincy

2011-01-11T13:09:00.000Z

Book Name: Other (Other #1)
Author/s: Karen Kincy
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Flux, 2010
Page total: 336
Date Read: December 16 to 19, 2010
Genre/s: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Synopsis/Description: Feathers unfurl from my skin. My plummet curves into a swoop, and I tuck my talons beneath my body. From girl to great horned owl in about a second. Pretty good, huh?

Gwen Williams is like any other modern teenager with one exception: she's a shapeshifter. Never having known her Pooka-spirit father, Gwen must struggle with the wild, wonderful magic inside of her alone—and in secret. While society may tolerate vampires, centaurs, and "Others" like Gwen, there are plenty of folks in Klikamuks, Washington, who don't care for her kind.

Now there's a new werewolf pack in town, and Others are getting killed, including Gwen's dryad friend. The police are doing zilch. In the midst of terrible loss and danger, Gwen meets a cute Japanese fox spirit who's refreshingly comfortable with his Otherness. Can Gwen find the courage to embrace her true self and find the killer—before she becomes the next victim?
First line of Book:I can't last much longer.

Review:I think what made me read other was not the romance, nor the Others, but the mystery. Because supposedly, this is a mystery/thriller. And it Is a mystery/ thriller, it simply has some other things in the middle, like the Others (which I really liked) and some relationship drama (which I liked too).
Gwen was a likable character, and I loved her need for shapeshifting, the way it called for her. Tavian was also a very likable character, and I appreciated the fact that he was not something you usually see (like werewolves, vamps, shapeshifters *yawn*) but a Japanese fox-spirit. How cool is that? I also think he balanced out Gwen's lack of comfort with her Otherness pretty well, and that he was so sweet!
Now, to the plot. I admit I was completely pissed of at Gwen when I was reading the story because - lets face it - it's obvious she was wrong. But I was not expecting to be wrong too. That I simply adored, it's so good when a book surprises us right?
The ending was good, and I can't wait for the next book, which I just read won't be about Gwen, which is great in my opinion because if you read the book, you know there's not much to go with. Just sayin'.
Rating: 4/5

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

2011-01-09T08:00:00.001Z

Book Name: Prom and Prejudice
Author/s: Elizabeth Eulberg
Language English
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: 2011, Point

Page total:231
Date Read: January 3-4 2011
Genre/s: YA, Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis/Description: After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.
First line of Book: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single girl of high standing at Longbourn Academy must be in want of a prom date.

Review:I got this book the other day (it's a freaking new version of P&P, how could I not get it!?) and I read it and I LOVED it. Most of classic retellings suck, especially if you like the classic, but this is definitely not the case.

P&P's story was very well incorporated in this new modern setting. Apart from some word choices (affections? prospects?), it was all remarkably well written, and all the characters were well rounded and believable. I honestly found myself saying (in a very high voice- some people might call it a squee, something I never do), every time a new character appeared ,something like this:Look, there is a LONGBOURN academy and a PEMBERLEY Academy, how cute is that! or this OMG it's Lizzie, mom, it's Lizzie, she just appeared, and Jane too!!! or even something like this Oh look it's Bingley and Darcy's with him, ohmygoodness I LOVE Darcy!!!

It's not pretty, but it's just so that you know how good this book is. And yes, it IS that good.

Lizzie was a likable girl, and I think if she were real I'd love her to be my friend. She's so honest and sweet and selfless! Oh and smart and talented too!! And man, she's got spunk! Jane was a great person too and she's very kind and gentle and good-hearted (reminds you of another Jane?).
Charles was really cute, very nice and good too.
And Darcy, must I really explain Will Darcy to you? Hot, kind, sweet, generous Darcy... Ah, I'll shut up.
I also loved his sister, Georgiana, her not-so-subtle attempts to put D+L together were so sweet, and I liked that she was slightly different from the other Georgie.

As I said before, this is basically a modern retelling of P&P, but this is actually a good one. Not to fluffy, not to old fashioned and with the perfect amount of drama. All in all, this is similar enough to the original P&P for Austen fans to like it, but it's also different enough for it to stand out on its own. I know the year has just begun, but I know it'll be hard for any contemporary book to surpass this one. This is a definite read and reread. Enjoy.
Rating: 5/5
Quotes:
"Caroline got up from the couch. 'Is it time for dinner, or are we going to have to listen to more pounding? I already have a headache from the drive.'
Darcy laughed. 'I guess Bartók's not for everybody.'
'You knew that was Bartók?' I was surprised.
He shrugged, 'I pay attention in music class.'
Please,' Charles began to say, 'It's more like-'
Darcy shot charles a look, which made it clear he didn't want him to continue."

Cover Love Challenge

2011-01-08T10:57:00.008Z

My other blog, For The L♥ve of Reading, is hosting its own challenge, and I just had to participate. It's called Cover Love Challenge and it's awesome!!

Rules:

Open to - International residents
Must be 13 years old to participate
Review must be posted as proof of reading during the designated color month(Blog, Goodreads, Shelfari are exceptable places for reviews to be posted)
Link must be added in through the Mr. Linky to be added to the spreadsheet
Chosen book(s) must be covered with 50% of the color
Get pumped and have fun!

And these are each month's colors:

January: Wild Cherry (Red)

February: Pineapple Pashionfruit (Blue - Darker Blues)

March: Sour Mandarin (Orange)

April: Melon Berry (Green)

May: Grape (Purple)

June: Peach Pear (Light Greens)

July: Orange Mango (Light Peach)

August: Milk Choclate (Brown)

September: Lemon (Yellow)

October: Brownie Batter (Black)

November: Cotton Candy (Baby Blue-Lighter Blues)

December: Peppermint (White)

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

2011-01-07T14:47:00.001Z

Book Name: The iron Daughter (Iron Fey #2)

Author/s: Julie Kagawa

Source: Bought

Publisher, year: Harlequin Teen , 2010

Page total: 359

Date Read: December 14 to 15, 2010

Genre/s: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Faeries

Synopsis/Description: Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

First line of Book:The Iron King stood before me, magnificent in his beauty, silver hair whipping about like an unruly waterfall.

Review:After reading The Iron King and really enjoying it, I was looking forward to reading The Iron Daughter. I'm glad to say this was a great follow-up to the series and that you'll not be disappointed by it (if you liked the first installment, of course).

The Iron Daughter starts pretty much where the previous book ended, so Meghan is in Winter Court, stuck. I thought the differences between the courts were awesome, like, one is tricky but the other is even trickier. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I really like these books' mythology, and the Iron Fey, but this time I'll add that the Royalty really won me over. I don't know why but I like their cruelty, iciness and aversion to emotions. Somehow I think that fits.

Now, about this book, my only major complain is the love triangle. Or, better explained as: "What love triangle?" The only thing I saw during most of the book was Meghan and Ash, Ash and Meghan. No Puck. No mixed feeling of "I think love him, but what about the other? I have feeling for him too!", just like in the first book. There was only one tiny exception. Basically, I was expecting more Puck. Honestly, I don't even know how can there be two teams.

I know I said in my review of The Iron King that I thought Meghan was quite sensible. In this book, she still makes some understandable decisions but sometimes I was thinking What the hell is she thinking?. Also, there were some things she could have figured out earlier, especially about the Iron Fey. Sometimes I was practically screaming to her DON'T YOU GET IT?!! because, really, she didn't.

In this book, Ash is more developed, and that is FANTASTIC. Now I love him, because I finally got to know him better and I loved what I found out.

The ending was amazing and it is one of those things you think you should have seen coming but you really don't. So don't even try.

Damn, I've got to read The Iron Queen.

Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:

"I was minding my own buisness long before you and the princess started humping like rabbits."

"She pulled up Ash's shirt, revealing a layer of gauze that was just beginning to seep blood onto the mattress."At least the bandaging was done properly," she mused."Very nice, clean work. Your handiwork, I presume, Goodfellow?"
"Which one?"
"The bandage, Robin."

"Yeah, that was mine, too."

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

2011-01-03T10:10:00.001Z

Book Name: Forget-Her-Nots
Author/s:Amy Brecount White
Language English
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Greenwillow Books, 2010
Page total: 384
Date Read: December 11-14 2010
Genre/s: YA, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy
Synopsis/Description: Something some power is blooming inside Laurel. She can use flowers to do things. Like bringing back lost memories. Or helping her friends ace tests. Or making people fall in love.

Laurel suspects her newfound ability has something to do with an ancient family secret, one that her mother meant to share with Laurel when the time was right. But then time ran out.

Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother had also boarded as a student. Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent every day? Or will she set the stage for the most lovestruck, infamous prom in the history of the school?
First line of Book:Lily reread the letter to her daughter and signed her name at the bottom.

Review:Are you crazy about flowers? If the answer is yes, you should read this book.
What made me read Forget-Her-Nots was its original concept. Flowerspeaking is so cool, and it immediately attracted me. I really enjoyed reading about the different meanings of the flowers, and I think that was perfectly explored in here. The writing is pretty good, and though I had some problems with the characters, I liked the plot.
Laurel was weird to me. Sometimes she seemed older, sometimes younger, sometimes she was so mature, but others... not so much. Some of her choices and actions struck me as childish and sometimes stupid. And it really annoyed me that she did some very bad choices and didn't even understand it and then was so whiny about it.
I thought her relationship with Justin was also quite underdeveloped: I didn't get what she saw in him, and how they'd be together, IF they'd be together, I didn't even like him! Well, not that, I simply didn't get to know him that well, as a character. To be honest, I think Everett is better developed than Justin. I actually liked him, till he became a jerk and did something I hated. Ugh, boys! :P
So, this is a really cute debut novel filled with friendship, awesome family secrets and, surprise surprise, flowers!
Rating: 3/5

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

2011-01-02T09:00:00.000Z

Book Name: The Mockingbirds
Author/s: Daisy Whitney
Language English
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010
Page total: 332
Date Read: December 11 2010
Genre/s: YA, Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis/Description: Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.
Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.
First line of Book:Three things I know this second: I have morning breath,i'm naked, and I'm waking up next to a boy I don't know.

Review:I got The Mockingbirds because date-rape is a serious thing and, honestly, I love books that talk about serious things. They're not only entertaining, they're also helpful. And I had never read a book about date-rape, (if you don't know what that is, go here) so this was quite new and fresh.
There were so many mixed reviews about this book I didn't know what to expect. And this turned out to be a book with an awesome concept (The Mockingbirds), a likable heroine (Alex) and love interest (eh, lets leave that blank for now) and a great message.
The characters were well developed and seemed real to me, even the secondary ones, like Amy, who turned out to be my favorite of them all.
The writing was good too, and though I wouldn't say the plot's pacing was perfect, it was still a very enjoyable read. The ending was really good, and though the main thing was definitely predictable, there was still a minor twist I think was perfect.
What I really loved, though, was The Mockingbird's concept. It was awesome, and I thought it was even more awesome that it was Alex's sister who created them.
So, if you're looking for a book that is not fluffy, but not that darkly written either, and are interested in this date rape issue, or if you simply want to know about The Mockingbirds, read it.
Rating: 3/5

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

2010-12-31T09:00:00.001Z

Book Name: Fixing Delilah
Author/s: Sarah Ockler
Language English
Source: Bought
Publisher, year: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010
Page total: 320
Date Read: December 7-10 2010
Genre/s: YA, Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis/Description:Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Rich with emotion, Sarah Ockler delivers a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery.
First line of Book:"Claire?"

Review: A little while after reading Twenty Boy Sumer (which I loved, by the way), I heard Sarah Ockler had another book coming, called Fixing Delilah. As you can deduce from this review, I obviously got it.
I wasn't sure of what it would be like. Okay, I knew it would be about three women and a family secret and an old house. But I wasn't expecting it to be more than that.
As it turns out, this was a great story about self-discovery, romance, family, and strong emotions. The writing was beautiful and sad and... you know, beautiful.
Delilah was a likable girl, even though she made her fair share of mistakes. I love main characters who make mistakes, it makes them so human. Patrick was also very likable. He was so talented and sweet and so cute! I just didn't like the way their romance flowed. So, she goes back, find that boy almost immediately and they hang out and then what? I thought it was so fast - too fast - even though they'd known each other for their whole lives.
I also loved Delilah's mom's evolution. I loved the ending. And I loved the Hannaford girls.
So if you're looking for a great, beautifully written, tear-worthy contemporary fiction, this is for you.
Rating: 5/5

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

2010-12-29T09:19:00.004Z

Book Name: Once in a Full Moon
Author/s: Ellen Schreiber
Language English
Source: netgalley
Publisher, year: Katherine Tegen Books, 2010
Page total: 304
Date Read: December 24-28 2010
Genre/s: YA, Fantasy, Werewolves, Fiction
Synopsis/Description: Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.
First line of Book:It began underneath the haunting glow of a full moon.

Review:In case you don't know, I really like the Vampire Kisses series, I think it's really cool. So I was expecting a bit more of this book. I was really disappointed.
Celeste was kind of a likable character- with that I mean that I really liked her in the beginning (she's a good person) but then she became incredibly obnoxious (with that I mean that her goody-goody attitude became too much and that she became one of those girls who is dependent of her boyfriend), I even got to the point of reading her name and asking myself Uh, who is this girl and what the hell is she doing here? so, yeah, it was THAT bad.
I didn't get Brandon. I mean, they hardly know each other and they're kissing already and he saves her life and then what? It seemed to me he was just there to be the Knight in Shiny Armour or something. Flat, flat, flat.
Now, Nash. Okay, so imagine a good-looking immature boy. Yes, that's it. Now wipe out almost every other aspect of his personality except his lack of immaturity and some kind of sick determination to get what he wants and voilà, you get Nash! Doesn't sound very appealing, does it?
However, I do admit that it is a light and sometimes funny read, and I really liked Mr Worthington and his werewolf stories.
Rating: 2/5

2011 E-Book Reading Challenge

2010-12-27T20:44:00.006Z

Okay, so, in case you don't know, I just got a Kindle (actually, it's coming tomorrow, I'm so excited, YAY!) so I decided to enter this challenge (and in case you don't know, I LOVE challenges) because, you know, Kindle, e-books, challenge, myself... it's all a lovely mix.

This particular challenge is hosted at The Ladybug Reads (which I think is a lovely name, by the way) and these are its guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

--Non-bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1, 2011 and lasts until December 31, 2011.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post about the E-Book Reading Challenge. Include the URL so that other participants can join in and read your reviews and post.

I'll be participating on the Obsessed level (for obvious reasons ;)

What about you? Have you signed in for this challenge yet?

A movie review by Priscilla Sumner

2010-12-22T14:26:00.004Z

Hey, so, this is a movie review by a great character, Priscilla Sumner, from Sybil Nelson's book Priscilla the Great. (If you want to read my review, go here)

Hope you like it!

-----------------------------

My Twilight Book Review by Priscilla Sumner a.k.a Probably the Last Person on the Planet who has Neither Read the Book Nor Seen the Movie.

I admit it. I’m probably the only 13 year old girl who has completely stayed away from Twilight. I’ve never read a single sentence of the book, and God knows I have not seen any midnight viewings of the wildly popular movies. But I still wanted to give my summary of a book that I’ve never read to see how close I come.
Okay, so Bella is a small town girl who apparently never smiles and who obviously can’t get a date with a normal boy thus her only two options are a vampire and a werewolf. Seriously, are there no jocks at her school? Anyway, she meets Edward and it’s love at first sight or something. Or maybe she’s blinded by his skin which I hear glitters in the sunlight. A hot and heavy romance begins with probably some really awesome make out scenes. Maybe I should read the book just for the make out scenes.
Now Edward is not all he seems to be. He’s hundreds of years old, but apparently he has the same sort of syndrome as Matthew McConaughey’s character from Dazed and Confused where he has a thing for teenage girls. He “keeps getting older, they stay the same age.” Gross.
Edward’s family doesn’t like Bella. They probably want to eat her or drink her blood or whatever. But Edward has found a soul mate in this girl who is a fraction of his age and I’m sure he swears to protect her or whatever.
Enter furry little Jacob. I think Jacob is poor and homeless or has an upper body allergy to clothing, thus his lack of a shirt in all the Twilight promos I see. Anyway, I think Bella at one point had a puppy she loved as child and therefore she feels some sort of attraction to a werewolf. Just so you know I’m not completely out of it, I know that later on he turns out to be a shapeshifter. I think that is even less appealing to me as the only shapeshifter I know is that weird looking guy from Star Trek Deep Space Nine.
Jacob and Edward hate each other. I’m not sure why. I guess Vampires and Werewolfs have some kind of long standing rivalry like the Red Sox and the Yankees or maybe they just don’t enjoy the taste of each other’s saliva on Bella’s tongue.
So a bunch of stuff happens but what it really comes down to is that Bella has to choose between Edward and Jacob. Of course, she chooses Edward and they live happily ever after on his retirement benefits.
So that’s Twilight from the perspective of a girl who has not read the book. Am I close? Let me know.
____________________________________________________________________________
Priscilla is a character from the new book Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson. Visit her website www.priscillathegreat.com for more info.

Buy Priscilla the Great
Visit Priscilla's Website
Visit Sybil's Website

Priscilla the Great by Sybil Nelson

2010-12-22T11:30:00.005Z

Book Name: Priscilla the Great
Author/s: Sybil Nelson
Language English
Publisher, year: WorldMaker Media 2010
Page total: 276
Date Read: December 21, 2010
Genre/s: MG, Action, Fiction, Sci-Fi
Synopsis/Description:Meet Priscilla Sumner, an ordinary seventh grader with extraordinary gifts. As if middle school isn’t hard enough, not only does Priscilla have to fight pimples and bullies, but genetically enhanced assassins trying to kill her and her family. Armed with wit, strength, and a genius best friend, Priscilla must defeat the Selliwood Institute, an organization dead set on turning children into killing machines.

Add an older brother annoyingly obsessed with Christina Aguilera, mischievous baby twin brothers who could scare the sin off of Satan, and parents more puzzling than a Rubik’s cube in the Bermuda triangle and expect a smoking page-turner!
First line of Book:I awoke tied to a chair.

Review:I have to admit I wasn't sure of what to expect with Priscilla. It sounded awesome, but would it be awesome? I wasn't very sure.

Boy, I was wrong.

I found myself liking Priss from the first chapter - literally. She is, in one word, awesome. (I know, I need to broaden my horizons vocabulary-wise, but this is works really well in here). If she were real, I'd want her to be my friend. She is a fun, feisty, determined, and really cool girl, and the way she dealt with everything was very realistic (with that I mean she was neither too mature nor too immature) and I really liked the mix of action and Middle School drama. I thought that was so. Damn. Cool.
About the boys, I can't say much, but it's pretty obvious from the beginning someone has a thing for her, and I absolutely adore when boys do't know what to say when they like a girl. It's so endearing.
Now, to the genius bff. I can't say this is very original, but it really works with the storyline, and Tai definitely won me over.

This book is full of action and I was always either laughing like crazy, or awing like crazy (is that even a verb?) or giggling like crazy. I was never bored, never pissed off at anyone. This is a highly entertaining read, and though it's obviously aimed at Middle Grade audiences, I think older people would enjoy it too.

Now, when is the next one coming?
Rating: 5/5

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2010-12-08T15:24:00.003Z

Book Name: Anna and the French Kiss
Author/s: Stephanie Perkins
Language English
Publisher, year: Dutton, 2010
Page total: 372
Date Read: December 6-7 2010
Genre/s: YA, Romance, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction,Contemporary Fiction
Synopsis/Description: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?
First line of Book:Here is everything i know about France: Madeline and Amélie and Moulin Rouge.

Review: I first read about this book on Gayle Forman's blog and it immediately caught my attention. Not only the synopsis sounded great but Gayle herself said it was really good too. After that, I started noticing that every time Anna and the French Kiss was mentioned, it was always highly praised by both authors and bloggers everywhere. So of course I got curious and had to get it myself!
Going with the flow is not very original, but this time, the flow is right. Damn, this book is good.
Anna is sweet, funny, smart and didn't annoy me at all. Her voice is unique and hilarious and I laughed so hard I had to stop reading and just enjoy the moment (actually, this happened several times throughout the book). Her relationship with St Clair really got me on the edge of my seat and I kept wondering whether they'd be together or not.
Étienne St. Clair was such a great boy/love interest. I loved that he was not perfect physically (but still beautiful) and that he made lots of mistakes himself.
I also loved the setting. Man, you don't see that many novels set in France, at least not American ones so I liked that too.
The prose is good, and the plot - oh my, it was nearly perfect! A great mix of fluffiness and that finding-yourself thing. Perkins really got me waiting for Lola and the Boy Next Door, which is a companion novel to Anna and the French Kiss. Hmm, can I wait that long?
I'd recommend this to teens and YA book-lovers. Honestly, I don't usually like this kind of romantic intrigues but this is good. Now get up and get it.
Rating: 5/5
Quotes from book:
"Boys turns girls into such idiots."

"Why is it that the right people never wind up together? Why are people so afraid to leave a relationship, even if they know it's a bad one?"

"I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it."

My 2011 YA Historical Fiction Challenge

2010-12-05T16:03:00.009Z

I heard of this challenge at The Story Siren and I was immediately interested. It is hosted at YA Bliss, and there are 3 levels:

Level 1: 5 YA HF books in 2011
Level 2: 10 YA HF books in 2011
Level 3: 15 YA HF books in 2011 <--- this is the level I'll be participating in

it runs from January 1st to December 31st 2011.

Here are my books*:

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Envy by Anna Godbersen
Splendor by Anna Godbersen
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
Wildthorn by Jane Eagland
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
The Season by Sarah MacLean
Deadly by Julie Chibbaro
The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller
~~Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly~~ - Reviewed

* bold: own

~~striked:~~ read

This is my first list. It will probably be edited as the challenge progresses

What are your YA HF books for 2011?

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

2010-11-22T08:30:00.000Z

Book Name: Infinite Days (Vampire Queen #1)
Author/s: Rebecca Maizel
Language English
Publisher, year: St. Martin's Griffin 2010
Page total: 310
Date Read: October 24th 2010
Genre/s: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Vampires
Synopsis/Description: Lenah Beaudonte is, in many ways, your average teen: the new girl at Wickham Boarding School, she struggles to fit in enough to survive and stand out enough to catch the eye of the golden-boy lacrosse captain. But Lenah also just happens to be a recovering five-hundred-year-old vampire queen. After centuries of terrorizing Europe, Lenah is able to realize the dream all vampires have -- to be human again. After performing a dangerous ritual to restore her humanity, Lenah entered a century-long hibernation, leaving behind the wicked coven she ruled over and the eternal love who has helped grant her deep-seated wish.

Until, that is, Lenah draws her first natural breath in centuries at Wickham and rediscovers a human life that bears little resemblance to the one she had known. As if suddenly becoming a teenager weren’t stressful enough, each passing hour brings Lenah closer to the moment when her abandoned coven will open the crypt where she should be sleeping and find her gone. As her borrowed days slip by, Lenah resolves to live her newfound life as fully as she can. But, to do so, she must answer ominous questions: Can an ex-vampire survive in an alien time and place? What can Lenah do to protect her new friends from the bloodthirsty menace about to descend upon them? And how is she ever going to pass her biology midterm?
First line of Book:Those were the last words I could remember.

Review: After my vampire spree, I thought I couldn't see another vampire book in front of me, but when I saw this one I though Oh, screw that, this one's mine so I got it anyway and read it. A few weeks ago. And this is the review...

Anyway,

Infinite Days turned out to be better than I thought. The thing I liked the most, and the reason I bought it was that Lenah WAS a vampire but IS human. Like, thats so cool right?

I think this book's vamps are some of my favorites so far. No one sparkles, AND they're vicious bloodsuckers AND Lenah was the worst of them. No humaneness, no cheesy lines (except Rhode's last ones, but that's understandable), no promises of forbidden love. I thought that was so refreshing! And the way Lenah described vampirism could easily dissuade the most enthusiastic of vampire wannabes. Even their LOVE was excruciating. At this point I think you understood I really liked these vampires.

Now, Justin. This may sound odd, but I didn't like him that much. I'm tired of guys that mock and play and, you know, have that tough you-can't-get-to-me look in the beginning and in the end are completely transformed in that I-can't-live-without-you kind of guys. It pisses me off.
I really liked Lenah. Her struggle for humanity was awesome, and her vampire past too and Evil be him who thinketh evil even more. I also liked to imagine the aura of mystery she seemed to have, and it was so much fun to image other people's faces when she did some things.

So, I recommend this book, especially if you like vampires.
Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:
"Lenah?"
"Yeah?" I replied.
"Will you go to winter prom with me?"
"Of course," I whispered, sure I would fall asleep in moments. "Justin?"
"Mm-Hmm?" he said, moments from sleep himself.
"What's a prom?"

"Library? That sounded reasonable. As my thoughts revolved around my days surrounded by books, something miraculous happened. My anger subsided. It ebbed away as the thoughts of books, pages, and comfort entered my head."

My 2011 Debut Author Challenge Post

2010-11-20T14:30:00.023Z

Hello fellow bloggers!!

In case you haven't noticed yet, Kristi, from The Story Siren has already made a post about 2011's DAC, and this is my list. I haven't finished this year's list yet, but I'm almost done and hey, there's still time right?

So, here's my list. Since this time I'll start in January, I'm sure I'll read all of those, or at least, most of them. The links go directly to the books' goodreads page.

WARPED by Maurissa Guibord
THE LATTE REBELLION by Sarah Jamila Stevenson
~~ACROSS THE UNIVERSE~~ ~~by Beth Revis~~, reviewed
~~XVI~~ ~~by Julia Karr~~, review
TIMELESS by Alexandra Monir
~~THE FALSE PRINCESS~~ ~~by Eilis O'Neal~~, review
VESPER (DEVIANTS #1) by Jeff Sampson
THE WATER WARS by Cameron Stracher
THE TROUBLE WITH HALF A MOON by Danette Vigilante
CHOKER by Elizabeth Woods
~~OTHER WORDS FOR LOVE~~ ~~by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal~~, review
RIVAL by Sara Bennett Wealer
HAVEN by Kristi Cook
~~DARKNESS BECOMES HER by Kelly Keaton~~, review
EXPOSED by Kimberly Marcus
FALLING UNDER by Gwen Hayes
WAKE UNTO ME by Lisa Cach
WITHER by Lauren DeStefano
ENTWINED by Heather Dixon
THOSE THAT WAKE by Jesse Karp
TEN MILES PAST NORMAL by Frances O'Roark Dowell
THE LIAR SOCIETY by Lisa and Laura Roecker AND Laura Roecker
UNLOCKED by Ryan G. Van Cleave
THE END OF THE LINE by Angela Cerrito
ENCLAVE by Ann Aguirre
~~THE LIPSTICK LAWS~~ ~~by Amy Holder~~, review
I'LL BE THERE by Holly Goldberg Sloan
~~AWAKEN~~ ~~by Katie Kacvinsky~~, review
MOONGLASS by Jessi Kirby
DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum
DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth
VICIOUS LITTLE DARLINGS by Katherine Easer
POSSESSION by Elana Johnson
FORGOTTEN by Cat Patrick
BAD TASTE IN BOYS by Carrie Harris
~~LOST VOICES (LOST VOICES#1)~~ ~~by Sarah Porter~~, review
FALLING FOR HAMLET by Michelle Ray
~~POPULAZZI~~ ~~by Elise Allen~~, review
DARK PARTIES by Sara Grant
THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin
DEARLY, DEPARTED by Lia Habel
VIRTUOSITY by Jessica Martinez
STARCROSSED (STARCROSSED #1) by Josephine Angelini
NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic
GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS (FIRE AND THORNS #1) by Rae Carson
HUMAN.4 by Mike A. Lancaster
DEAD RULES by Randy Russell
CLARITY
ENTANGLED
THE FAERIE RING
FLAWLESS
A BEAUTIFUL DARK
BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY
HALF-BLOOD
THE REVENANT
MAY B.
WHAT CAN'T WAIT
ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD
BURN BRIGHT
A LONG SLEEP

Okay...these are a lot of books! I didn't want to let any good book escape so I checked every single one of them in Kristi's list. Yeah, I'm a geek.

What are your books for the 2011 DAC?

(Bold: I own; ~~Striked~~: I've read)

bjs

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

2010-11-18T06:00:00.000Z

Book Name: Twenty Boy Summer
Author/s: Sarah Ockler
Language English
Publisher, year:Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010
Page total: 290
Date Read: October 23rd 2010
Genre/s: YA, Romance, Fiction
Synopsis/Description: "Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.
First line of Book:Frankie Perino and i were lucky that day.

Review: I had wanted to read this book for AGES. Unfortunately, every time I ordered my books, I forgot this one and only remembered it later that day, which is always frustrating. So when I did get it, I was ecstatic because I had read so many great things about this book.

This book can only be described with one word. Beautiful. Ockler writes so beautifully, and the story itself is so beautiful and heart-breaking I couldn't not give it a 5-star rating.

The book is wonderfully written, and the story is said in Anna's perspective, and Ockler somehow makes Anna's sadness show, in fact, the whole writing exhales sadness and grief. That alone would have made me love this book. But adding to the fantastic writing, there's also a fantastic story.

Anna and Matt's romance, which was only shown in the beginning of the book, was very sweet and my favorite kind-they childhood sweethearts! Even I felt the magic element, and understood what Anna was feeling about her friendship, not only with Matt, but also with his sister, her best friend, Frankie. So when the accident happens I'm sad, and once again Ockler's writing only augmented my sadness. The way it's written...it's simply heart-wrenching.
When Anna and Frankie go to Zanzibar Bay... I admit, I had no idea of what would happen. Anna was so afraid to erase Matt of her head... I don't want to give anything away because it would certainly ruin your reading experience, but when Anna understands she'll always have Matt with her, I teared up a little. I just didn't start crying because I was not alone, and it was hard. Hard not to cry, hard to read, but even harder to stop. And impossible to forget.

So, all in all, I really, really, REALLY recommend this book to teens, but beware: your emotions will be felt very strongly while you're reading it.
Rating: 5/5

Quotes from book:
"Every story is part of a whole, entire life, you know? Happy and sad and tragic and whatever, but an entire life. And books let you know them."

"Nothing ever really goes away--it just changes into something else. Something beautiful."

"He loved to read. He loved words, the way they string together into sentences and stories. He wanted to study them, to know and create them, to share them with the world. "

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

2010-11-15T22:30:00.003Z

Book Name: The Replacement
Author/s: Brenna Yovanoff
LanguageEnglish
Publisher, year: Razorbill 2010
Page total: 352
Date Read: November 6th-7th
Genre/s: YA, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Faeries
Synopsis/Description: Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.
First line of Book:I don’t remember any of the true, important parts, but there's this dream I have.

Review:I was really excited when I started reading The Replacement, because it seemed to have a pretty original storyline, with the Changelings and all that, and Maggie Stiefvater's blurb was really making me curious and eager to start. I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint.

Mackie Doyle is, indeed, one of the sweetest, strongest, most magnetic heroes I've met, as others put it, and I couldn't agree more. His relationship with Emma was also very good and warm and sweet and one of my favorite things.
Tate was a strange girl. She totally kicks ass but sometimes she is so unreasonable it pisses me off. I didn't get Roswell either. He just seemed to be along for the ride, you know?
The character I was surprised to like though, was the Morrighan. I couldn't not like her.

The writing was pretty good too, and easy to read. I would recommend it if you like fantasy and paranormal novels and that kind of thing.
Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:
"Do you really want to know where we come from?" she said. "In every century, in every country, they'll call us something different. They'll say we're ghosts, angels, demons, elemental spirits, and giving us a name doesn't help anybody. When did a name change what someone is?"

"I'm not normal, Tate."
"I know." Her hand was working its way under my shirt, then touching my skin, sliding over my chest and stomach. "Does this feel good?"
I closed my eyes and nodded.
"You're normal enough."

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

2010-11-07T12:00:00.000Z

Book Name: Hex Hall
Author/s: Rachel Hawkins
Language Portuguese
Original Title: Hex Hall
Publisher, year: Gailivro, 2010
Page total: 240
Date Read: October 17th 2010
Genre/s: YA, Fantasy
Synopsis/Description: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.
First line of Book:Felicia Miller was crying in the bathroom.
Review: This is NOT my type of book. I don't like witches very much (read: at all) but the books I had ordered hadn't come yet and this was right in front of me, in Portuguese, in the store and my instincts took over, ie, I grabbed the book and ran to my parents to beg them for it. So, yeah, I was desperate.

So I was surprised to find out I kind of liked Hex Hall. Hawkins created a really cool place for Prodigium to be, and a really nice love interest.

Sophie is a likable character, and she is very funny, which is always a bonus so she's a good heroine. Her decision in the end surprised me, but somehow it sounded a little bit forced.
Archer is odd, from the beginning, I wasn't understanding him, but then a piece of foreshadowing made my brain work and it all fit in, which means in the end, I was not surprised. Needless to say, I thought it was quite predictable.

Overall, it was enjoyable, but I have read some other better things. It is very funny so I'd recommend it if you want to laugh. And if you like this kind of things, of course.
Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:
"Good luck explaining to God that you used to spank one of his heavenly beings."
Mom gave a startled laugh. "Sophie!"
"What? You did. I hope you like hot weather, Mom, that's all I'm saying."

"Sophia Mercer," Elodie intoned, "we have come to induct you into our sisterhood. Say the five words to begin the ritual."
I blinked at her. "Are you freaking kidding me?"
Anna gave an exasperated sigh. "No, the five words are 'I accept you offer, sisters."

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

2010-11-06T12:43:00.003Z

(just watch this trailer!!It's perfect-the music, the photos, EVERYTHING!)

Book Name: Paranormalcy
Author/s: Kiersten White
Language English
Publisher, year: Harper Teen, 2010
Page total: 335
Date Read: October 19th 2010
Genre/s: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Synopsis/Description:Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.
First line of Book:"Wait - did you - you just yawned!"
Review: This was such a cute book!

After reading all those reviews that said Paranormalcy was great and beautiful and very good indeed, I was very curious. What kind of book could inspire so many awesome reviews?

Turns out, Paranorlmalcy has earned all of those reviews.

All of the characters in the book were likable and, simply put, well-written.
Evie is a likable, believable, witty heroine I couldn't help but love. Her obsession with pink was truly endearing, as is her use of tasers. Lend is completely swoon-worthy and very original too. he's not human, not vampire, not a werewolf. What is he then? Read to find out. Reth was an intriguing character I sometimes hated, but others I was just trying to figure him out. I hope there's more Reth in Supernaturally, I really do.

The writing was fantastic, easy to read, and incredibly funny at parts (read: during most of the book) so I was never bored.
The supernatural concept was very interesting too. The glamour thing really kept me interested and now I want more. More of Evie, more of Lend, more of Reth, and more of Kiersten.
Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:
"Do you have a driver's license?"
He laughed. "That's important?"
"Oh yeah! I'd kill for a driver's license! Hey, maybe that's what the poem means! I'm going to go berserk and start attacking people because they won't let me drive..."
"Could be, you never know. But yes, I have a driver's license."
I leaned back against the wall, sighing. "Man, that must be so cool."
"It ranks right up there with lockers. In fact, sometimes I put my drivers license inside my locker, and it's so cool I worry that the whole thing might explode with the sheer coolness of it all."

"I scooted over, patting the bed next to me. "No such luck. And now you get to watch forty straight hours of Easton Heights with me!"
He turned on the first disk, shaking his head, then got onto the bed next to me. "Small price to pay for getting to hold your hand."
I wasn't cold anymore."

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

2010-11-03T08:00:00.002Z

________

(this is the movie trailer, which comes in 2011)

____________

Book Name: I AM NUMBER FOUR
Author/s: Pittacus Lore (Pseudonym for James Frey and Jobie Hughes)
Language English
Publisher, year: HarperCollins 2010
Page total: 440
Date Read: October 30th-31st 2010
Genre/s: YA, Si-Fi, Aliens, Romance, Action
Synopsis/Description:
Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next.
First line of Book:The door starts shaking.

Review:Do you know why I read this book? Catchy title.
And...

I'm a sucker for aliens.

Really. So I couldn't resist getting this book right away when I found out about it. The premise is spectacular and it sounded freaking awesome!

But I was quite disappointed. It was pretty boring, even (read: especially) on the action-packed part, the part we're supposed to love and read without being able to avert our eyes from the pages.
But the opposite happened. I was so. Damn. Bored. That is NOT supposed to happen!

Four (aka John) is a likable character, even though he sounded too...human. He's an alien, should he think like that? And why did he fall for a human girl? I liked her, but I'm sick of half-bloods (except Riordan's), hybrids and half-somethings. Ugh.
His Legacies were awesome though. And the Chest. And anything remotely Loric.
And Henri. Gosh i liked Henri. He was so sweet and protective and fatherly.

The writing is pretty good, easy to read and - have I said the whole concept is amazing? Because it is.

Anyway, if you like aliens and don't mind some slow pacing and lack of action (in the first half of the book NOTHING happens), this is the book for you.
Rating: 3/5

Quotes from book:
"When you have lost hope, you have lost everything. And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope."

"I am an alien, I have extraordinary powers, with more to come, and I can do things that no human would dream of, but I still look like a fool."

"Those things that are the most obvious are the very things we've most likely to overlook."

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

2010-11-02T08:00:00.003Z

Book Name: The DUFF
Author/s: Kody Keplinger
Language English
Publisher, year: Poppy, 2010
Page total: 288
Date Read: October 31st 2010
Genre/s: YA, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Synopsis/Description: Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.
First line of Book:This was getting old.

Review:I wasn't really sure of what to expect when I started reading The DUFF.

I was disappointed when I found out there's lots of meaningless sex in the beginning, and that its just after that then feelings come. Like, WTF?

Appart fro that "minor" thing, I really liked this book.
Bianca is one of those girls you either love or hate. Personally, I wasn't very sure till more or less the middle. Then I started loving her. She is, as Toby says, "...pretty great, Bianca. You tell it like it is, you don't seem like you're afraid to be yourself, and you're a Democrat. That makes you awesome in my book." I completely agree with him. Well, except with the Democrat thing but you get the point.
Wesley was odd. He was funny too, but he was mostly odd. I wasn't sure if I'd like him or not, and I'm still not sure. Though I think I'm liking him more now.

The whole book was pretty well written, and the whole message was also good. So, I'd recommend it for teens who like realistic fiction and who - uh - don't mind some cursing, because Bianca curses a lot.
Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:
"Wesley Rush was the most disgusting womanizing playboy to ever darken the doorstep of Hamilton High… but he was kind of hot. Maybe if you could put him on mute… and cut off his hands… maybe—just maybe—he’d be tolerable then. Otherwise, he was a real piece of shit. Horn dog shit."

"You're a disgusting, shallow, womanizing jackass, and I hope that soda stains your preppy little shirt." Just before I marched away, i looked over my shoulder and added, "And my name isn't Duffy. it's Bianca. we've been in the same homeroom since middle school, you selfabsorbed son of a bitch."

Bloodthirstly, by Flynn Meaney

2010-11-01T08:00:00.000Z

Book Name: Bloodthirsty
Author/s:Flynn Meaney
Language English
Publisher, year: Poppy, 2010
Page total: 240
Date Read: October 28th-30th 2010
Genre/s: YA, Fiction, Humor, Romance
Synopsis/Description: Some vampires are good. Some are evil. Some are faking it to get girls. Awkward and allergic to the sun, sixteen-year-old Finbar Frame never gets the girl. But when he notices that all the female students at his school are obsessed with a vampire romance novel called Bloodthirsty, Finbar decides to boldly go where no sane guy has gone before-he becomes a vampire, minus the whole blood sucking part. With his brooding nature and weirdly pale skin, it's surprisingly easy for Finbar to pretend to be paranormal. But, when he meets the one girl who just might like him for who he really is, he discovers that his life as a pseudo-vampire is more complicated than he expected. This hilarious debut novel is for anyone who believes that sometimes even nice guys-without sharp teeth or sparkly skin-- can get the girl.
First line of Book:"Turn me," Jenny demanded, looking up at me, her eyes so intense they could have bored me into the brick wall behind me.

Review:First of all, LOOK AT THIS COVER! I don't usually write about covers but this is just so cute. Even my mom (who is fed up with vampires even though she's never read a single book about them) smiled when she saw it. Whoever designed it has great taste. Now, to the review.

Have you read what's written in the back cover?I read it once and immediately wanted to read this book. What's better than a FAKE VAMPIRE in literature? Especially after this vamp spree going on! And let me tell you, it didn't disappoint!

The concept of the story is very original and I was instantly interested. Finbar is a likable and funny character. I'm not sure how a teenage boy's mind works but as far as I know, Meaney seems to have got it right. I love it when the character learns something by the end of the book, and I really liked this book's message, it's very useful for teens.
The writing is good, it's an easy read, great if you want something light and comic that still has a message.

Even though it looks like the story is pretty much all that's in the blurb, it is so not true. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out some cute little twists in it I wasn't expecting.

All in all, it is a great book that is worth reading. Hmm, if it were made into a movie, it would be a helluva romantic comedy ;D
I surely recommend it!
Rating: 4/5

The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa

2010-10-30T12:56:00.005+01:00

Book Name: The Iron King
Author/s: Julie Kagawa
Language English
Publisher, year: Harlequin Teen, 2010
Page total: 363
Date Read: October 20th-21st 2010
Genre/s: YA, Fantasy, Faeries, Romance
Synopsis/Description: Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.
First line of Book:Ten years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared.
Review:The Iron King is a novel I was not sure of. Faeries were never my thing, but this seemed so interesting. So I got it anyway.

As it turns out, it was very entertaining.
I found myself liking Meghan from the beginning. I thought she was sensible, most of the times, and not whiny. I really started respecting her after she talked to her father for the first time.
Puck sounds like a very interesting character, though we don't get to know him that well, but I'll have to wait and see.
ash was another character I didn't fully understand. In the beginning, all I saw was a mask, but I knew he was more than the cruel, cold-hearted bastard he showed. I don't know how, because he didn't to anything...special - if you know what I mean- but I still liked him, which was odd.

I really liked Kagawa's writing and though the story was not entirely unpredictable, it was still enjoyable.

The fairies were based on Shakespeare's A midsummer Night's Dream, and though I've read it, I don't remember it very well, so I can't tell you how close and faithful they are to the original ones. However, in terms of myths, they were not very original, with the exception of the Iron Fey.

I want to know how it will turn out in the end, I really do. If you like faeries stories, you might like it.
Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:
"Bravo," said Grimalkin, peering down from Cold Tom's chest. "The Winter prince and Oberon's jester agreeing on something. The world must be ending."

"Technically, I was trying to kill Puck. You just happened to be there. But yes, if I'd had the shot, I would have taken it. "

The Lost Hero

2010-10-26T20:40:00.008+01:00

Book Name: The Lost Hero

Author/s: Rick Riordan
Language English
Publisher, year: Hyperion Books for Children
Page total: 557
Date Read: October 21st 2010
Genre/s: Middle Grade, Mythology, Fantasy, Fiction
Synopsis/Description:

Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up on a school bus holding hands with a girl. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper. His best friend is a kid named Leo, and they’re all students in the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids”, as Leo puts it. What he did to end up here, Jason has no idea — except that everything seems very wrong.

Piper has a secret. Her father, a famous actor, has been missing for three days, and her vivid nightmares reveal that he’s in terrible danger. Now her boyfriend doesn’t recognize her, and when a freak storm and strange creatures attack during a school field trip, she, Jason, and Leo are whisked away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood. What is going on?

Leo has a way with tools. His new cabin at Camp Half-Blood is filled with them. Seriously, the place beats Wilderness School hands down, with its weapons training, monsters, and fine-looking girls. What’s troubling is the curse everyone keeps talking about, and that a camper’s gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist they are all—including Leo—related to a god.
First line of Book:Even before he got electrocuted, Jason was having a rotten day.

Review: I have to admit that I, as many of other people, I'm sure, wasn't sure if i'd like this new story with new demigods that were NOT Percy.

However, after reading the first chapters, I was very happy to know he would be a part of it, even though he'd not be one of the main characters anymore.

But what i didn't expect was to like this new set of characters as much as the ones from PJ- this is written from Piper, Jason, and Leo's POVs in the 3rd person, which gives us some distance but still allows us to really know them. I really liked Jason, Piper and Leo, and the other characters too- and imagine what I felt when I found some old characters in here!! I was thrilled!

Jason is a likable hero, who, even though knows nothing of his past (and future), keeps going and is a great leader.
Piper, who I really admired and liked - apart from a minor thing that kept bugging me in the beginning about her dream - was a great heroine, even after all that happened to her throughout the story.
And Leo, who thinks he's nothing but is very wrong.

Riordan manages to create a new twist on the demigod world, which I loved. And it still has his trademark humour, though it's written in a more serious tone.
Though the plot was somewhat predictable - what would happen next, who the villain was, who would betray them, the ending, all of these were easily perceived - and repetitive, overall, it was very enjoyable and now, a few days after reading this, I still can't take the characters out of my head, thinking of what will happen next, in THE SON OF NEPTUNE, which will be released in the fall of 2011.

I can't wait.
You won't either.
You'll want to know how it'll turn out in the end, how it will all be resolved.
Rating: 5/5

Quotes from book:
"Can we just call them storm spirits?” Leo asked. “Venti makes them sound like evil espresso drinks."

"No, no,” Leo said. “Rainbows. Very macho."

"Destroy it?' Leo was appalled. 'You've got a life-size bronze dragon, and you want to destroy it?'
'It breathes fire,' Nyssa explained. 'It's deadly and out of control.'
'But it's a dragon!"

In My Mailbox (2)

2010-10-24T16:56:00.003+01:00

Hi, IMM is a weekly meme hosted by the story siren and it's for us to show the books we got each week.

These are the books i got:

HEX HALL (HEX HALL #1) by Rachel Hawkins

THE FALL (CHERUB #7) by Robert Muchamore

PARANORMALCY (PARANORMALCY #1) by Kiersten White

THE IRON KING (THE IRON FEY #1) by Julie Kagawa

TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler

INFINITE DAYS (VAMPIRE QUEEN #1) by Rebecca Maizel

THE MAZE RUNNER (MAZER RUNNER #1) by James Dashner

I AM NUMBER FOUR (LORIEN LEGACIES #1) by Pittacus Lore (Pseudonym)

THE LOST HERO (HEROES OF OLYMPUS #1) by Rick Riordan

THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger

THE REPLACEMENT by Brenna Yovanoff

INSIDE OUT (INSIDE OUT #1) by Maria V. Snyder

FIRELIGHT (FIRELIGHT #1) by Sophie Jordan

NEVERMORE (NEVERMORE #1) by Kelly Creagh

That's all - All but the first two -which I bought in Portuguese - came from Amazon this week.

Book Blog hop and FF!!

2010-10-15T17:47:00.006+01:00

It's time for another round of Hopping!!!

our first candidate is crazy-for-books's Book Blog Hop:

"When you read a book that you just can't get into, do you stick it out and keep reading or move to your next title?"

hmm, that's tricky. If the book shows potential, I may give it more time, but if after 1/3 of boredom, I move on. If I completely dislike it, then I move on. I do that very rarely though. I'm not going to waste my time (I don't have much to spend anyway) in unworthy things.

__________

and our next candidate is...Follow Friday, hosted by Parajunkee!

What is your reading suggestion this week?

hmm, this week I'd suggest The Sky is Everywhere because, for some reason I really want to re-read it. Maybe it's because of the beautiful writing. Nah, it's probably because of Joe; I absolutely love Joe ;)

(read my review here)

Have a great weekend and don't forget to leave your link so I can follow you back!!

Evermore

2010-10-14T18:14:00.004+01:00

Book Name: Evermore
Author/s:Alison Noël
Language English
Publisher, year: Macmillan, 2009
Page total: 356
Date Read: October 3rd 2010
Genre/s: YA, paranormal romance, urban fantasy
Synopsis/Description: Sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom is the sole survivor of a car accident that killed her family. Exiled to sunny California. Ever is haunted by her little sister and by the ability to see people's auras, hear their thoughts and know their entire life story by touching them. She wants to hide from the world, but when a stunningly handsome guy arrives at school, she can't seem to keep away. Falling in love with Damen is dangerous - he's not what he seems. But if Damen is her destiny, how can Ever walk away?
First line of Book:"Guess who?"

Review:This was a disappointment. A huge disappointment.

Where can I start? I'll start with the bad things.
Our dear heroine completely pissed me off. She was whiny, boring and a wuss. Really. I was so tired of her after the first 50 pages or so. Her attitudes almost made me pull my hair off, seriously. I'm not even going to tell you what she did, because we'd be here all day long.
And Damen. Are you kidding me? Why the hell couldn't they just be together? It was way too much drama.
Now, Damen is totally not like Edward. Because, you know, a guy who is over protective, that breaks into a girl's room and that is completely, inhumanly gorgeous, yet aloof and sometimes strangely bipolar is so not Edward-y Because a guy who says "I cant stay away from you" is not. Edward-y. At all.

Right...

The plot was predictable, and, not surprisingly, I was not surprised by what they are (the series is called The Immortals, do you want any more hints than that?). However, I did not dislike the writing and, even though Ever (who names their kid Ever, anyway?) doesn't like her psychic abilities, I thought they were pretty cool. I'd skip school, like some people in the story too! They were very underdeveloped, and that was a pity.

I would recommend this for Paranormal Romance lovers and...that's all.
Rating: 2/5

Quotes from book:

"I guess by now I should know enough about loss to realize that you never really stop missing someone-you just learn to live around the huge gaping hole of their absence."

"You never know what you have till you've lost it"

Iron Kissed

2010-10-13T15:03:00.002+01:00

Book Name: Iron Kissed
Author/s: Patricia Briggs
Language English
Publisher, year: Ace, 2008
Page total: 287
Date Read:October 1st-3rd 2010
Genre/s: Adult Fiction, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Synopsis/Description: When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to shapeshifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she'll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life-whether she wants to or not.
First line of Book:"A cowboy, a lawyer and a mechanic watched Queen of the Damned", I murmured

Review: I have to say, this is my favorite so far.

We don't get much of vampires in this third installment, but we get lots of werewolf and faerie action.

I like the faeries in this series, according to the little I already knew about faeries, they were the closest to the myths and it is always nice. I really like the way fae speak, and the way you have to speak with them because you don't just have to pay attention to what they say-you also have to pay attention to what they don't. Creative truth-telling is awesome like that.

I also like pack dynamics. It's just like with real wolves. Cool. *nods appreciatively*

The plot was not unpredictable, dome things I suspected would happen. Like the villain. To me it was pretty obvious that it wasn't ____________ but ______________.

I love the way Briggs writes, it's easy and descriptive, condensed but not in a boring way.

The ending, I loved. I mean, the last 50 pages or so. Very dramatic and full of action, and we get to know more about Ben!!! I like him more now.

I recommend this series to fantasy lovers and people who like adult fiction.
Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:
"Some people are like Slinkies.They aren't really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to my face when I push them down a flight of stairs."

"Cheeses crusty, got all musty, got damp on the stone of a peach,” I agreed. He looked blank, so I repeated it with proper emphasis. “ ChEEZ-zes crusty. Got Al -musty. Got DAMp on the StoneofapeaCH."

"The warmth of his body shouldn’t have felt good. He was angry and every muscle was tense. It was like being leaned on by a very heavy, warm brick. A sexy brick."

Blood Bound

2010-10-10T14:46:00.003+01:00

Book Name: Blood Bound
Author/s:Patricia Briggs
Language English
Publisher, year: Ace, 2007
Page total: 292
Date Read: September 29th-30th 2010
Genre/s: Adult fiction, urban Fantasy, Romance
Synopsis/Description: Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.
But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.
First line of Book:Like most people who own their own businesses, I work long hours that start early in the morning.
Review:Briggs did it again. Really, I already love this series!

The story was never boring, the characters were realistic and it had action and humour and romance and I loved it!

We get to know Stefan better, and the vampire society too, and let me tell you, I really, really like Stefan. Sure, he's a vampire but he's still sweet and as humane as possible.

The villain was very interesting too. I'd never thought of sorcery as demon possession, but it is kind of right, I guess. The fact that he was not only a sorcerer, but also a vampire was also really cool.

Anyway, this is a great book, as good as the first, and Mercy still totally kicks butt. I'm just sayin'.

Now seriously.

Read it.
Read the darn book.
Rating: 4/5

Quotes from book:
"Never trust a mechanic who drives new cars. They're either charging too much money for their work, or they can't keep an old car running - maybe both."

"Damn it" I said "I don't suppose you have any ideas on how to kill Littleton" He smiled at me, his teeth very white in the darkness of his face "Eat him" he said."

"Now, I'm not very vain. If I'd ever been, making my living covered in various grease and dirt mixtures would have cured me quickly. Still, I wasn't up to facing two sexy men when I had one eye swollen mostly shut and half of my face black and blue."

One Hundred Followers!!!

2010-10-09T13:12:00.002+01:00

Hi,

I am so happy because I now have more than 100 followers!!!

To celebrate I'm probably going to host a giveaway so...yeah, stay in tune!!

*happy dance*