Saturday, December 22, 2012

Easy
By Tammara Webber
3 out of 5

Book started out strong, plunging straight into the meat of the story. Jacqueline is a college aged girl, who is leaving a Halloween themed party early when a boy, Buck, corners her in her car and trys to rape her. A mysterious boy, Lucas, comes to her resucue and beats up Buck before he can do any real damage. After that, Jacqueline thinks that she can just move on, and forget the whole ordeal, but things are never that easy. Lucas is showing up everywhere, and she can't deny the attraction she feels towards him. But there are dozens of issues for Jacqueline and Lucas to get through if they really want to be together.

I did like this book, I've read a few books having to do with rape,
Speak comes to mind first, and I think that all the ones that I have read are exepctionally well done, including this one. Very well written, and terribly realistic, the makeout/sex scenes are very graphic, leaving nothing to be imagined :)

Monday, December 3, 2012

Wicked
By Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
2.5 out of 5

Holly Cathers was living a happy life until her parents and best friend died in a horrible rafting accident. Now Holly is living with her Aunt, Uncle and her two cousins. Holly just wants to go home, but then weird things start happening. Holly uncovers that she is a Cahors, a long line of powerful female witches, who have been locked in mortal combat with the Devereaux family since the 13th century. Luckily for Holly, the Devereaux are in town, and looking to end their blood feud for once and for all. But maybe there is hope. Jer Devereaux is not interested in his father's plan for total world domination. But will Holly be able to keep her power under control and keep all of her loved ones safe?

This is actually two books bound into one. When I finished the first one (Witch) I felt that the story did not have an ending, but I figured that was because the second book (Curse) was right there. Not so. Curse ended with the same abruptness and awkwardness that leaves the reader questioning what happened, but not begging for the next bit of the story. I liked the fact that the story was told from many different perspectives instead of one main character, but I didn't like that there were long passages of unnecessary description that did not really play into the story line.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Beta
By Rachel Cohn

1.5 out of 5

In some futuristic world, human bodies are taken once they die, and remade into human like "robots" who then serve wealthy humans. Elysia is one of the first teenage line of robots. She is a beta model, meaning that there are still some kinks to be worked out. However everything seems fine with Elysia, and she is soon purchased by a wealthy socialite. But when she gets to her new "mother's" house some weird things start to happen. Elysia takes pleasure in the tastes of food, and when she is underwater, she sees a tan muscular boy, calling to her. These things aren't supposed to happen. What will happen to Elysia?

I have abandoned this book. I will tell you that I have no emotional investment in this book, and i think that the whole premise is just weird. They take dead bodies and bring them back to life as robots?? How does that sound appealing? I don't know. I gave the book over 100 pages, and it just wasn't doing it for me. On to the next one.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
By Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

3 out of 5

Dash is a snarly teenage boy, whose divorced parents both think Dash is staying with the other for the Christmas season. Lily is an excitable teenage girl, who loves Christmas, and whose parents have abandoned her with her older brother while they go to Fiji for Christmas. These two kids would have never met if it were not for the red moleskin notebook.
Lily left it in the Strand bookstore, in the section of her favorite author. Dash picked it up and followed the clues. Then rights some clues of his own. So begins an epic journey all over New York City as the two teens, who have never seen each other face to face, learn more and more about each other in a completely anonymous method. Both develop feelings for the other, but without actually seeing the person and talking to them, hearing their voice, how well can you really know a person?

This book was cute, and definitely put me in the Christmas spirit--especially when it is snowing outside as I read it. Personally, I liked Naomi & Ely better, but I think that's just because I was more like them than I am Dash and Lily. The story was fun and whimsical, as most things around Christmas are, but the message is clear. It's what on the inside that counts, but the outside is still important.

P.S. I am conducting the full swing of David and Rachel. I started with Every Day, By David Levithan. Now I have read their duo number, and I just picked up Beta by Rachel Cohn from the library. After this, I will be taking a prolonged break from these lovely writers, and explore other works.
The Maze Runner
By James Dashner

3 out of 5

Thomas wakes up in a metal box with no memory of how he got there or anything before the box. Next thing he knows, the box is being pried open, and tens of boys are helping him out of the box and into a whole new world. Welcome to the Glade. Thomas is baffled by everything that has happened, but no one seems really keen to answer his questions until he has had the grande tour. The next morning, Thomas starts his tour with Alby, the boys' appointed leader. But then weird things start happening. The next day, a girl comes out from the box. And this girl has a message: Everything Is Going To Change. Now Thomas is more confused than ever, but no one can answer questions they don't know themselves. Add in the Changing, crazy boys, and the burning desire to be a runner, and you're just at the beginning.

I personally thought that this book was pretty good. My dad didn't like it because he said that the book didn't end. But it does end, but it's also part of a series, so not every question is answered, but it definitely ends. I like how the boys have organized their lives, and I like the points of dry humor that are thrown seamlessly into the story. Living under such hard conditions, it is nice to see that the boys can still make some jokes every so often. I like Thomas, even though he can be a little irrational, and I like Newt (mainly because he's so obviously British), even though he can be terribly hot tempered.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Every Day
By David Levithan

3 out of 5

Every morning A wakes up in a different body. Someone else's body. For 24 hours, A lives in this person's body, trying to not disrupt or call attention, and move onto the next person. Everything was going fine until A meets Rhiannon. A instantly falls in love with Rhiannon. All A can think of is her, and for days, A disrupts the lives of teens all over Maryland in order to be with her. But how can a relationship work if you look different each day? If you wake up three hours from your love one day, and in the same time the next day. A can be girls, boys, happy kids, suicidal kids. Rich, poor, how far will A go to be with the one girl?

You can thank Sandy for this one. Stuck inside the house for a few days, I read. The entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking, "I don't know if I like this." In my opinion, this book was weird. I have liked other things that Levithan has written, (Will Grayson Will Grayson, Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List), and I have Dash and Lily's Book of Dares sitting on the desk next to me, but this one just didn't do it for me. The premise is weird, but even if you can accept the premise, the story is still weird. After living hundreds of lives, with no issue, A suddenly wants to throw everything away for one girl he met one day. I don't know, this book just didn't do it for me.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Shatter Me
By Tahereh Mafi

4 out of 5

Juliette has never touched anyone, without hurting them. Now she is locked up, being kept there for death or something worse. But then she gets a roommate. A boy roommate. A boy roommate that she has tried to forget, but could never never never forget. Adam. The Reestablishment has plans to use Juliette as a weapon, but that is not what she wants. All Juliette wants is to be loved. But how can you be loved when everyone you touch suffers? Will Adam be able to help, or will he be part of the enemy?

In love with this book. I absolutely adore the writing style. The descriptions are so vivid and, coming from me, that's saying a lot. 99% of the time, I will choose pages and pages of dialogue over one paragraph of description, but this book. Wow. I felt like I was sitting in that cell, feeling the darkness, the fear, the desperation. I was uncomfortable when Juliette was uncomfortable, alive when she was alive. Again the writing style, awesome. The repetition and crossing out really adds a personal touch to the story, and allows the reader to really get into Juliette's mind. Book two, Unravel Me, comes out in early Frebruary 2013.

Monday, October 15, 2012

All These Things I've Done
By Gabrielle Zevin

3.5 out of 5

Anya (Annie) Balachine is not your normal sixteen year old girl. She is the daughter of the city's most notorious 9and dead) crime boss. In a land where chocolate and coffee is illegal and there are vouchers for everything from ice cream to paper, Anya is trying to keep things simple for her little family. Anya and her younger sister go to a catholic school, which is known for being the best in New York City, and her older brother works at a local animal clinic. But things for the children of mafiya never stay normal for long. Enter a chocolate contamination scandal and a hot new boyfriend, Win, who just happens to be the son of the new assistant DA. How will Annie deal with all of these on going challenges?

This book was not what I expected it to be. i don't know if I had even read a summary of this book,or if I just chose it at random, but I had no idea what this book was going to be about before I opened to the first page.But I really enjoyed the book.There were some spots of humor, as well as sadness. It portrayed the dramatics of a teenager combined seamlessly with the responsibility of a young girl who grew up too quickly in the middle of organized crime. I thought the way Anya dealt with everything was very mature for her age, but honesty who wouldn't love Win! (this is where I stop talking about the book, and just gush about the boy of this book) He is literally perfect. Such a gentleman, and he doesn't let bullshit slide by when he sees it. he knows what he wants, and you got to respect anyone who knows what they want--even if you don't agree with it. And, by all accounts, he's handsome, charming, clever, chivalrous, and gorgeous.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Saving Francesca
By Melina Marchetta

4 out of 5

Francesca is a normal seventeen year old girl going to high school in her Australian hometown. But she just changed to an almost all boys school. Francesca's class is the first class to have girls in it, and there are thirty of them. All of Francesca's friends went to a different school, so she is stuck in a predominantly boys school, with only a few girls--who she only barely knows. All boys school sounds good right? But when these boys have never had to be mature around girls before, it's not the thrill that it sounds like. Plus, Francesca's mom--the driving force in her life--has taken to her bed, and won't leave. How will Francesca deal with her mom's struggles as well as her own?

I am pretty sure that I am Francesca. I have the same sense of humor as her, I found this book hilarious, and I have the same flare for the dramatic rants, which she uses to full extent. I like how normal the book was, how realistic it was. Boys and girls can be friends without wanting to get into each others pants. They can joke together just as well as people from the same sex can. I loved the way the book did that, but also did a little bit of the awkward, romantic, confusion that accompanies high school. I had read another by Marchetta (Jellicoe Road) a while ago, but after reading this one, she has become an author I really like and enjoy. I will definitely be reading more from her in the future.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Code Name Verity
By Elizabeth Wein

5 out of 5

Enter occupied France in the midst of World War II. A British female wireless operator--her code name Verity--has been captured by the Nazis and is being held in a prison of sorts. After being tortured for two long weeks, she finally gives in and says that she will tell them everything she knows, all she needs is an endless supply of paper and ink. With these materials, she tells the story of her and her best friend, Mary, all the way up to how the ended up emergency evacuating their plane over Nazi France.

I loved this book. It was fabulous. I have always been interested in World War II, it was my favorite part of history class, and I really liked the insight on a prisoner of war who knew that she was going to die, but still put on a brave a face as she could. I loved Verity's personality and attitude, even during her weakest moments. I loved her stubbornness that she is Scottish NOT British. My favorite character is Jamie, though his role in the story is minimal. That doesn't mean that I don't love Verity and Mary just as well. After all they make a sensational team. As does this book, sensational.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Delirium
By Lauren Oliver

3 out of 5

Lena lives in a world were love is a disease, and everyone is cured at 18. Lena has waited 17 long years to get to her cure, she only has 95 days to go, and she can't wait. Lena wants to be cured, until she meets Alex. Suddenly everything is much more confusing than Lena ever thought it was. Like the fact that people are out, living in the Wild, uncured and absolutely fine. Or like how the government lies to everyone through their rules and regulations, keeping them caged in, instead of keeping danger out. Will Lena give up everything she has ever known because of love? Will she have the strength to become a resistor, or will she go through with her procedure and become another emotionless clone of everyone else?

Alex is by far my favorite character. In my opinion, he is the only one with a personality. To me, everyone is just so flat and bland, which is the point. They are supposed to be unemotional because of the supposed risks of the disease of love, but really, Lena is flat, Hana, tries but still falls flat. Everyone in Lena's family, flat as hell. But Alex, vibrant, alive, single handily breathing life into this story. Which it is a fairly decent story. Another dystopia, government is lying to us, story, but it was still good. The lack of love was original, and the understanding that there are resistors, people who go against was refreshing. So in summation: good, not great.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment
By James Patterson

3.5 out of 5

Maximum Ride and her five friends/family members are pretty much the only people they have ever known. Being a mutant freak does that to one's social life. Max along with Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel look like normal humans, but with one big difference. They have wings. Ranging from 6-14 years old they live on their own after having escaped from the evil School where they were created by a team of scientists who viewed them only as experiments. They have lived completely alone since their escape, but one day when Angel gets captured and brought back to the school, it falls to the other five to come up with a way to save her. Will they be able to save Angel? And what will they discover at the School if they get there?

Years ago I had read this book with my family. I liked it and always wanted to continue on with the series, but I didn't. Then time got in the way, and I kind of forgot about Max and the others. Then a little while ago, I was over at a friends house, and she had a copy of one of the books hanging around. She told me how good they were and how I should definitely go back and read them. So I did. This book is good, and it lived up to my memory of the story. Once I get a little bit of free time, I will continue on, but right now there is a pile of ten library books in my room, that are all due back within the next month... so it might be a while. But I promise, I will get there. This is a good book, and I want to read more of Max's story.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Hide and Seek (The Lying Game #4)
By Sara Shepard

4 out of 5

Emma has identified a main suspect, Laurel her step-sister. As much as Emma doesn't want to believe it, all signs point to Laurel being the killer. Bu that's not the only thing that Emma has to deal with. Thayer is back in town, and he doesn't understand why Sutton has no interest in him. Mr. Mercer has been weirder than usual, and he's actually starting to scare us. And then there's the Devious Four, four freshman girls who seem to have forgotten who runs Hollier High. Plus Emma, and Ethan are the new it-couple, and they barely have anytime to themselves with the school watching, Thayer skulking, and their ongoing investigation. Will Emma uncover who her sister's murderer is? Or will she end up dead just like Sutton?

This book definitely redeemed the series for me. Two Truths and A Lie I didn't like, but this makes up for it. It's exciting, and enjoyable. I was reinvested in the story, and I am dying to know what happens next.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Equations of Life
By Simon Morden

3 out of 5

Twenty year old Samuil Petrovitch is a seemingly typical university student, with nothing to hide or worry about. That is until he intervenes in a kidnapping of a beautiful girl. A beautiful girl who is the daughter of the most powerful and dangerous man in the London Metrozone. Suddenly Petrovitch has something to hide, his head, and some thing to worry about, more than one thing. What will Petrovitch do? And how far will he really go to save the London Metrozone from total destruction?

In this dystopia, trilogy, with a love triangle (however no vampires, yet) the world is falling to bits, in a very weird way. The beginning of this book is very 1984/Brave New World, and I almost stopped because those books make me want to stab myself in the eye. But i soldiered on, and then the book took another weird turn. Imagine combining 1984, I, Robot, and The Matrix into one four hundred page book and you have the Equations of Life. Not even joking. The book was pretty good, if I have the time, I might consider reading the other two. Didn't like the fact that the book doesn't end, it just stops. Even if there are more books afterwards, I always like my books to end.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List
By Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

3.5 out of 5

Naomi is a straight girl, Ely is a gay boy. They live across the hall from each other in their New York apartment building and they have been best friends for as long as they can remember. They do everything together. They went to NYU together. They chose to live from home together. They have been through each others breakups and makeups as well as the scandal of their parents. It seems like nothing could come between Naomi and Ely. But there is one little problem. Naomi is in love with Ely. And Ely kissed Naomi's current boyfriend. Lets talk about drama.

This book is really cute, and funny, and so typical. Have you ever noticed that whenever there are best friends in books, one is always in love with the other, and the other is completely unaware? Really take a minute to notice. Hunger Games, City of Bones, I Am the Messenger, Virals, Why We Broke Up, and these are just the ones I can pick off the top of my head, and my older posts. It seems so odd to me that this is such a common occurrence. Especially with someone you grew up with. I don't think its going to happen to me. Naomi and Ely are the ultimate best friends, and I would love to be friends with them.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Where She Went
By Gayle Forman

4 out of 5

It has been three years since Mia Hall woke up from her coma to find that the rest of her family had died in the car crash that almost took her life. In those three years, Mia and Adam Wilde broke up, and went their separate ways. Adam, to become a emo-punk rock god, and Mia to become a celebrated cellist. This book, told from Adam's point of view--which shows Adam's world, and the self-made struggles of isolation and anger that Adam has to deal with--tells the tale of one night, where Mia and Adam are reunited, and the hidden pain that they both buried, resurfaces in hopes of closure. Will they get what they want? Or will things be left even more ragged and sharp than they had been?

 This is the sequel to If I Stay. I had read If I Stay maybe two years ago, at most, and really liked it. But being me, I did not immediately go out and find the sequel as I should have. So I spent much of the first few chapters, trying to remember exactly what had happened in If I Stay and whether or not I should be surprised and outraged by the things being mentioned in the book as I read. Having said that, I really love this book. It's funny, and sad, and you can just feel the anger, and frustration, and desperation that Adam feels about his life and his feelings for Mia. The emotions really make the story, because everyone has felt some range of everything Adam is feeling. I enjoyed the story, but was a little disappointed by the ending. I'm hoping another one comes out, so that I have some closure for the story.
I Am The Messenger
By Markus Zusak

4 out of 5

Ed Kennedy is a 19 year old cab driver going no where. He plays cards, drinks, drives his cab, and drinks late night coffee with his foul smelling dog.  He is a dead beat with no college education, and no plans for the future. That is until Ed interferes in a bank robbery. Ed enjoys his brief fame thinking that his life will go back to the way it was, but then the first card arrived in the mail. On each card, all Aces, there are three messages. Three people that need Ed's help. As Ed works his way through the card, he learns about the people of his community, his morals, and himself. Due to these cards, Ed's life will change forever, but only if he makes it to the end.

This book was my summer required reading book for school. I had, coincidentally read the book a few years ago, but thought that re-reading the book would be a good idea. As I re-read the book, I liked it more and more. This is the best summer reading book I have ever read, and as it is my last, I think it is fitting. This book is really good, and moving in a way few young adult books are. It makes you want to get up and change the world, to be more than you are. I highly enjoyed and am glad that I took the time to re-read this book, because my memory was lacking in it's awesomeness.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Flawless (Pretty Little Liars #2)
By Sara Sheppard

3 out of 5

Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily have reconnected because of their best friend's, Ali, death. And the very personal and threatening texts they are all receiving. Each one of them is unwilling to share the their secrets, but they agree that they have to figure out who A is if they ever want to get past this. But then Toby Cavanaugh is back in town, and looking good. Three years away from Rosewoods prying eyes, and now he's suddenly back? Could Toby be A? He does have a reason not to like Ali and her band of friends.

As you know, I am only reading these books so that I can understand what is going on in the TV show. But, I have recently found seasons 1 & 2 online so I will no longer be reading the books. The book is good, but it is too confusing to watch season 1, while reading the book, and keeping up with season 3. I am in Pretty Little Liar overload! I can barely remember who is bad and who is good anymore. So one of them had to go, and the books are getting the boot! There are plenty of other amazing books out there for me to read, I don't have time to read what I can easily see. Sorry

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Tiger's Voyage
By Colleen Houck

2.5 out of 5

Third book in the Tiger's Curse series. Ren's memory has been wiped clean on Kelsey, and he doesn't even want to be around her. As Kelsey deals with heartbreak, their journey must continue on to the next challenge. In this one the team learns how to dive from Texas born, boy next door Wes, who both the brothers detest. Kelsey, Kishan, and Ren also battle a brotherhood of dragons, and the evil Lokesh is hot on their trail at every turn. They will complete the task, but what about Kelsey and Ren's relationship. Will they be able to overcome their obstacles and love each other, or will Kelsey give up on Ren and go with golden-eyed Kishan?

I find Kelsey slightly annoying. She has no self esteem--she never thinks she is good enough for Ren or Kishan--she would rather use the golden fruit and the divine scarf to do all of the work for her--instead of cooking for herself or, god forbid, shopping. And she has no authority over her wants or desires. She just blindly follows after the brothers, doing whatever they want--gushing over their beauty and then feeling infinitely guilty for liking one more over the other. She panics over every little thing, but then she instantly begins to enjoy whatever it is that she was so scared to do. Plus, she is constantly surrounded by gorgeous men (based on descriptions) and yet she is not happy. She flirts endlessly with all of them but if it gets more serious than cute antics, she clams up.  In my opinion Kelsey should get some balls, make a few tough decisions and stop being such a whiny bitch. Thank you for allowing me to rant about this, now I will tell you what I think about the actual book.

I really do like the storyline of this series. The idea of two princes captive in this curse that they are slowly working through and undoing makes for a very good story. I like the different personalities they meet along the way and the different challenges that the group must face together.The interweaving of myth and legend with the princes and Kelsey is balanced perfectly, I never feel like I'm reading a text book, but it also relates directly to what the group is doing. I really do like the story, and that is why I will read Tiger's Destiny when it comes out in September, but I just can't stand Kelsey. If I were her I would either have waited forever for Ren and not been afraid to tell both the brothers that I love Ren more than Kishan, or I would have ditched them both and gone for the gorgeous southern gentleman, Wes, the scuba instructor.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
By Stephen Chbosky

3.5 out of 5

Freshman, Charlie writes a series of letters to an unidentified person, telling this person about his life and the how he feels about his experiences. Charlie is an outcast, with no real friends, and a social awkwardness that makes it hard to be friendly with his classmates. Then he meets Patrick and Sam, seniors who take Charlie under their wing, and show him how the live and survive high school. But is their life the kind of life Charlie needs, or will the smoking, drinking, and drugs push Charlie even farther out of social normality?

My fist thought about this book, without even opening the book was, "I thought it would be bigger" (insert that's what she said joke here). I thought that Perks of Being a Wallflower was a decent book. Everyone always talks about how great this book is because high school students can relate to it even though it is set in 1991, and yes, high schoolers can relate to feeling invisible and doing drugs and smoking and drinking, but it that really what you want high school students to identify with?? This book was ok, but I have read way better books in my life. And maybe this book is actually pretty good, but I'm still high off of The Fault in Our Stars and nothing seems as good. Maybe. I do just have to say that Patrick, Sam, and the rest of their friends are hipsters to their core and they're doing it way better than most of the posers these days.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Fault in Our Stars
By John Green

6 out of 5

Sixteen year old Hazel is a cancer survivor, who attends weeky support group meetings at her local church. It is there where she meets Augustus Waters. Tall, strong, charismatic and exuding health, Augustus is the kind of unatainable boy Hazel had never even thought about. But clearly Augustus has other intentions. So begins a romance, but will it last? Is two cancer survivors dating really a good idea? And what will happen if the cancer returns?

My first thoughts about this book were, "Augustus Waters is such an amazing, perfect character, it is such a shame that he has to die". Mind you, this thought came about on page 20. I will not tell you if my original thoughts came true or not, but I will tell you that I cried.  I love this book. This is the best book John Green has written to date, and I kiss the air this book breathes and I kneel before it in exhultation. I adore everything about this book. I love the story, I love the banter, I love the fact that Augustus calls her Hazel Grace, I love it. I love the fact that it is not a cancer book, and that it does not end in the middle of a sentence. This has become my favorite book, and the only bad thing about it is that it so sad, you don't want to read it. You want to drag out the happy parts, knowing that the sad parts are coming, but denying them the moment of pure writing genious.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Long Way Home (The Homelanders #2)
By Andrew Klavan

3 out of 5

Charlie West is still trying to figure out how one night he went to bed, and the next thing he remembers is over a year later. He's wanted for murder, on the run from the cops and the homelanders, and he has no idea what he is doing. Charlie makes his way back to Spring Hill, his hometown, hoping to find some much needed answers. Hiding out in Ghost Mansion, Charlie gets help from his best friends, Josh, Rick, and Miler, and his girlfriend, Beth, but what if that just puts them in danger too? What if they get hurt becuase they are trying to help clear Charlie's name?

This book is filled with action, and in my opinion, better than the first one. I liked that Charlie's character really developed due to the fact that he finds out more of what happened in his lost year. You can really see the real Charlie, and understand his beliefs better now that we know more about him. I also really like his friends and of course Beth, they all interact together really well, and they seem like real people. Shocker of an ending, but really good.

THe formatting on this post is all out of whack. I don't know what is going on with it, so it looks a little different from the rest.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Pretty Little Liars
By Sara Shepard

3 out of 5

Ali was the leader of five fearless friends, that is until she disappeared. Now three years later, the four remaining girls are no longer friends, and are leading very different lives. Hanna went from loser to Queen Bee controlling all the gossip that flows through Rosewood's halls. But is the old Hanna still there right under the surface, trying to get out? Spencer is all excited about moving into the barn-turned-into-guest-house until her sister suddenly moves in with her super hot boyfriend. But what happens if the boyfriend prefers Spencer to her sister? Aria returned from a year long move to Iceland, and met a nice guy at a local bar. They really connected in the girls bathroom, but what will become of their relationship when he turns out to be her English teacher? And Emily, seems to have everything going for her until a new girl, Maya, moves into Ali's old house. What will happen to Emily if she decides that girls are more her style and she's no longer interested in competitive swimming? Alison has been gone for three years, and she's still holding secrets over these four's heads.

I know that I am so far behind as far as Pretty Little Liars, but I just recently got into the show, and I wanted to read the books. This was actually pretty good. Someone told me that the tv show follows the books pretty closely, which is good, because I am completely lost with the show! So they aren't bad books, but I'm just reading them to figure out what is going on in the show.
Legend
By Marie Lu

4.5 out of 5

In a futuristic time, the United States is no longer. In it's place is the Republic, which occupies the west coast. The Republic is at war with the Colonies and the Partriots, two other civilizations placed in the United States land. Enter Day, a fifteen year old criminal who is the Republics most wanted. To outsiders it seems like Day is just trying to sabotage the Republic in their attempts at victory, but his motives are actually much more personal. Then there's June, the Republic's child prodigy, the golden girl of the future. When June's brother is killed, Day is the main suspect, and June goes undercover in order to find him and bring him in. But will she happen if she finds him? And what if Day is actually the one in the right?

This book follows in the Hunger Games, futuristic footsteps, but that is the only bad thing I can say about it. Full of conspiracy, adventure, and romance, this book is a completely different dystopia. I liked Day right from the beginning, and I just liked him more and more as it went on. The characters really relate well together, and it is easy to understand why they do what they do. One little thing, they describe Day as having long hair, which he ties back in a pony tail. They also describe him as very handsome. Personally, I'm not a fan of long hair on men, but other than that, he sounds dreamy! Second book, Prodigy, comes out late January.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Seizure (Virals #2)
by Kathy Reichs

3.5 out of 5

The Virals are just beginning to adapt to their new DNA, when their parents drop a bomb. LIRI may be shut down, and all of their parents out of a job. When Kit starts looking for jobs in Canada, as the other parents do the same, Tori decides that something must be done to save LIRI and the virals. At a cotillion party, Tori learns about the infamous pirate, Anne Bonney, who supposedly has hidden her mass treasure somewhere in Charleston. Armed with their wits and their flares, Tori, Ben, Shelton, and Hi are going to try to uncover a treasure that has been hidden for centuries. But what about others who are also searching for the treasure? What will happen to the pack if they get in the way?

I thought that this was a good sequel to Virals. The same things I liked about the first book were still present here in the second book. Seizure was funny, clever, and enjoyable to read. And I look a good mystery. But seriously, it's killing me, when are Ben and Tori going to get together? It's driving me crazy! The third book, Code, is coming out in early August, and I am looking forward to reading it.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Tiger's Quest (Tiger's Curse #2)
by Colleen Houck

2.5 out of 5

In the second book of the Tiger's Curse series, we find Kelsey back home in Oregon, heartbroken and confused. She thought she was making the right decision by leaving Ren in India, but then why does she feel so awful? Just as Kelsey begins to move on and start casually dating other boys guess who shows us? With Ren back in her life, Kelsey is even more certain that she loves him and wants to be with him, but then disaster strikes. Ren is captured by the evil Lokesh. Kelsey must team up with Ren's tall, dark, handsome, and younger brother, Kishan, in order to complete the next part of the journey and rescue Ren. But will they succeed in their endevours? Will Ren be the same if they do rescue him? And what about Kishan and Kelsey having plenty of alone time to get to know eachother better?

This book was soooo dreamy I could die! The beginning is so sweet with Ren and Kelsey finally getting to be together after Kelsey grows a pair and admits that she wants, needs to be with Ren. And then the second half is so steamy and dangerous that I don't know what to say. But to be honest, if there was a guy out there that was as open about his feelings as Ren and Kishan are, I would take them in a minute. They are nonstop with their procclomations of love for Miss Kelsey Hays. That being said, I have always been a fan of blue eyes. :)) Great story too. These characters are so complex and real, and the story is amazing the way the Indian Culture is perfectly infused into the story.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

The Enchantress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #6)
By Michael Scott

4 out of 5

This is the concluding book to what has been an epic tale. Dee has taken Sophie and Josh back in time 10,000 years to the day Danu Talis fell. There they meet Dee's Elders, Isis and Osiris, who just happen to be Sophie and Josh's parents! Isis and Osiris want Sophie and Josh to take their rightful place as rulers of Danu Talis and follow Isis and Osiris's plan of action. But what if Sophie and Josh have different plans? And what of the prophecy, one to save the world, one to destroy it? Elsewhere, Scathach, Prometheus, Palamedes, Shakespeare, Saint-Germain, and Joan of Arc also find themselves on the day Danu Talis fell. They work to help bring Danu Talis down, but at what cost to them? Back in present day, San Francisco, the Flamels are stuck on Alcatraz with an island full of deadly monsters. With the help of Niten, Prometheus, Billy the Kid, Machiavelli, Hel, Odin and Mars, will they be able to contain and defeat the monsters on the island, or will they fail and the monsters ravage the city?

What a conclusion to this tale! There were a few books in the middle of this story which, in my opinion, were dragging on. But now I realized how important every little boring detail was. The ending, which was amazing, answered all questions and lived beyond my expectations. Up until it happens, I never saw the twist coming, and that's just how I like it. Many people died, but their deaths were justified, and they died with honor, every single one! What a great way to end this series!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Future of Us
By Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

2.5 out of 5

The year is 1996, and Emma Nelson just got her first computer. With her best friend Josh Templeton, she turns it on for the first time and discovers an amazing website: Facebook! This mysterious web page seems to be about Emma, 15 years in the future! As Emma discovers more about her and Josh's futures, she realizes that she is not happy in the future. Emma wants to make changes to her life, but Josh doesn't think that it is a good idea. But what if just discovering website has changed their futures. As Emma and Josh struggle with this new source of information, they must make decisions about their lives that effect not only their reality, but their entire future.

This book was ok. I read Thirteen Reasons Why, and loved it so that's why I was interested in other Jay Asher novels. However, I didn't think this one was as good. For the first 300 pages, I find Emma to be a whiny bitch, who does as she pleases without thinking about how it will affect others. Emma finally gets her shit together and becomes real just in time for a happy ending, but I still find her  annoying. I found myself relating much more to Josh, who is a conflicted teenage boy with a wide range of emotions and conflicts. What I do love about the book is that it is very 90s. They talk about video recording Seinfeld, and Emma connects to the computer through dial-up. I love the 90s, but the book was just ok. Not bad, but not great.
Insurgent (Divergent #2)
By Veronica Roth

3 out of 5

Dauntless is in shambles. Half of the Dauntless have allied themselves with the Erudite while the other half is desperately trying to find other followers to help them. Tris and Tobias contact the factionless in hopes of their support, but will they get what they want? Candor and Amity and still standing, as well as Abnegation, but will they be willing to help the depleted Dauntless or will they stand by and let Erudite collapse the entire faction system? And on top of all of that will the secrets Tris carries ruin her relationships with friends like Christina, and her romance with Tobias?

So sorry!! I finished this book like a week ago and I just completely forgot to write a review. Well that's my summer mind for you. Anyway, Insurgent. I thought that this was a good second book. It was interesting and it developed the story instead of just setting things up. Tris can be a little whiny at times, and she unnecessarily keeps secrets which only leads her to more trouble--we know she doesn't have an aptitude for Candor but seriously girl, lets not lie to absolutely everyone. But its a good book, bad versus evil, love overcoming all, friendships tested, small trips into family history, this book is all encompassing, and it does it well. Also just found out that the third book, Convergent (unofficial title), is supposed to come out in October 2013. Can't wait!!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Why We Broke Up
By Daniel Handler

3.5 out of 5

Min Green writes a very long and detailed letter to her ex-boyfriend, Ed Slaterton, about the numerous reasons for why they broke up. Min has a large box of things, each one related to Ed, and a reason for why they broke up. Ed, being the super star co-captain of the high school basketball team, and Min being, not arty, but different from Ed's popular typical friends.

This was really, actually, a very good book. The writing style is different from any other book I have read, I really liked it. It was refreshing to read something that does not fall into the typical vampire, love triangel, dystopia style that is so prevelant today, and this book is really good too. However, Min and Ed's relationship is less than two months long, so I don't know how many things could have really been reasons for why they broke up. Other than that, really good. Also the book was mad heavy. I don't why, the pages were thicker or whatever, but I got a workout reading this book.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Silence (Hush, Hush #3)
By Becca Fitzpatrick

4 out of 5

Third book in the Hush Hush saga. Nora wakes up in a cemetary, with no memory of how she got there. Later she finds out that she has been missing for three months, but that's not it. The last thing Nora remembers is April, and now it's September. Trying to figure out what happened to her, Nora is plagued by the feeling of being completely lost and on her own. But she might not be as alone as she thought. And her enemies may be closer than she thinks.

I really liked this book. The first one is still my favorite, but this one stole second place from Crescendo. Due to her memory loss, Nora kind of reexperiences or relives meeting Patch and learning to trust Patch, and I really like that. And the fact that Patch is wholly on her side this time.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5)
by Cassandra Clare

5 out of 5

Fifth book in the Mortal Instruments series, Sebastian has taken Jace away and no one knows where they are. Then one night, they show up in Clary's bedroom ask her to come with them. Knowing that this may be the only chance the Shadowhunters have to finding out what Sebastian's plan is, Clary goes with them. Clary has to figure out what Sebastian is planning before it is too late. Alec, Isabelle, Simon, Magnus, Maia, and Jordan do their best to come up with a way to kill Sebastian, and get Jace and Clary out alive.

I loved this book!!!! At the end of City of Fallen Angels, I was so angry about how it ended, so I was really worried what would happen in this book. But it was amazing!! I loved it right from the beginning, it was fabulous and sexy and great. Cassandra Clare can do no wrong in my eyes, and her two most recent books (this one and Clockwork Prince) have been, in my opinion, her best. I absolutely cannot wait for the sixth book, City of Heavenly Fire.
Grave Mercy
by Robin LaFevers

4 out of 5

Young Ismae has known nothing but humiliation and pain in her short life. The painful scar running down shows that her mother tried to kill her before she was born, but failed. Ismae is marked by St. Mortain, saint of death, and so the night after she is sold to her "husband" the covenant of St. Mortain comes and saves her. At the covenant, Ismae is trained in how to kill a man, with any weapon. She is one of Death's handmaidens, and nothing makes Ismae happier than carrying out her gods wishes. That is until she is assigned to the council of the duchess of Brittany, charged to find the traitors within the duchesses court, and falls in love with a main suspect. Ismae must now choose whether to follow her covenant and it's rules or follow her heart, and discern for herself who are the traitors and who are loyal to the duchess.

This book started off slow, but once it got going it was really good. I liked the twists in the story as well as the moral and emotional struggles Ismae has to deal with. All of her emotion, willingness to serve, and then doubt of motives is easy to feel and is thoroughly well written.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Mockingbirds
By Daisy Whitney

4.5 out of 5

Alex Patrick wakes up in the bed of a boy she barely knows. This boy, Carter, tells her that they had sex. Humiliated, Alex heads back to her own room, where she tells her roommate and best friend, T.S. T.S. tells Alex that if Alex was unable to remember last night, due to being drunk, then Alex was raped. With this, Alex and T.S. go to the Mockingbirds. The Mockingbirds are the student run police of Themis Academy. In a school where the teachers are oblivious, it falls to the students to police themselves and punish those who wronged others. Will the Mockingbirds hear Alex's case? Will they be able to help her get over this ordeal?

I really liked this book. I hadn't known what the book was about when I first picked it, so I was a little taken aback by the subject content, but I loved it. The story is so flawlessly realistic, and at the same time tremendously inspiring. Alex deals with her emotions in a really real way, and I feel like this could be any girl I know. Very good, going to read the next one (The Rivals)!

Monday, May 14, 2012

I've Got Your Number
By Sophie Kinsella

1 out of 5

Poppy Wyatt is living her dream: engaged to a handsome and brilliant man, working her dream job, and her wedding only a week again. Then she loses her heirloom engagement ring. Then her phone is stolen. She finds a phone abandoned in a trash can and takes it. This phone belonged to a former personal assistant of a man named Sam. Sam is rough and impersonal, but Poppy slowly develops a relationship with him by reading his emails and texts before forwarding them to Sam.

I gave up on this book a few days ago, I've just been to busy to post it. I really thought I was going to like this book. I generally like Sophie Kinsella. I like the light, British, cutesy aspects of her writing. The stories are funny and adorable and British. But I really didn't like this. I didn't finish it, I didn't even read half of it. This book reminded too much of Love the One Your With by Emily Giffin. Same thing with Giffin, I had liked her other books but I didn't like that one. I don't like the story line of Love the One Your With and I had a feeling that I've Got Your Number was heading the same way, and I didn't want to read a story like that again.