Wednesday, December 25, 2013

My Life Next Door
By Huntley Fitzpatrick

4 out of 5

Samantha has always listened to her mother. Every step of her life, she followed without question. She went to private school, she worked the posh summer jobs, she attended all of her mother's political events, and she stayed away from the Garretts. The Garretts were Samantha's lively next door neighbors. With eight kids, the Garrett's house is always messy and loud and welcoming. In comparison, Samantha's house is a museum. But her mom said no, so Samantha never met her neighbors. But it didn't stop her from watching. She watched for years, until one son, Jase, decided to get to know her. Jase and Samantha begin a relationship, but will it last? Or will the differences in their lives, and Samantha's disapproving mom keep them apart? Or with something much worse, a dangerous secret, tear them apart when they need each other most?

This book, which starts out at just an adorable summer romance turns out to be so much more. Samantha and Jase's romance reminds me a lot of my own relationship, and I found it very easy to relate to the characters. But the other characters were great too. No one was flat. Everyone had so many layers and dimensions, even the baby, Patsy. Every character was full of personality, my personal favorite being George. The emotions and problems that Sam and Jase deal with are very real and they way they deal with them is very realistic. This book is called Contemporary Fiction, and I like it so much that I am planning on reading more Contemporaries. Marry Christmas y'all!

Friday, December 20, 2013

The Final Warning (Maximum Ride #4)
By James Patterson

 

2.5 out of 5

We catch up with the flock in Washington D.C., where they are talking to national representatives and trying to decide what to do next. Luckily--or not so luckily--they don't have to wait very long to decide. Their safety in D.C. is short lived and the flock is on the run again.  But then an interesting opportunity comes about. The flock is invited to work with a team of scientists to  stop global warming. The only downside, the research takes place in Antarctica! The flock must bundle up if they want to have any chance of saving the world. But even at the bottom of the planet, our favorite flock of flying kids isn't safe for long. Can Max and her friends get out alive, or is this the end of the road?

I cannot believe James Patterson turned this story into a call to action about Global Warming! Are you freaking kidding me? Not happy. This was definitely the weakest book in the series for me. The book is short, the plot is, loose, and the characters are thrown in willy-nilly without any development. Like this Uber-Director. What was his story? Why didn't he have a body? How did he create this "army" of robots to carry out his dirty work? And the scientists, I never even bothered to learn all of their names. When something would happen to one of them, I wouldn't know if that was the one Fang was crushing on or not. And I'm not even go into the exploding pizza box that was NEVER resolved! Honestly I felt like James Patterson was tired with this series--and wanted to move onto The Dangerous Days of Daniel X which I have read and liked--and he just gave up on Max and her story. It was disappointing, and I'm sad that it had such a downfall.

Now, that being said, I am too invested in this series to just give up. And plus I have to rest of the series here with me, so, why not? I will carry on, and finish the series. Even if that means I have to post bad review after bad review.

Monday, December 9, 2013

The Way We Fall (Fallen World #1)
By Megan Crewe

3.5 out of 5
        
Kaelyn is writing a diary to her estranged friend Leo. She is apologizing for ruining their friendship, and she talks about how she is trying to be a better person. Then things get knocked off track. Rachel's (Kaelyn's friend) dad gets sick with a crazy virus. Then Rachel gets it, and then it explodes. On a small island in Canada, the virus is spreading quickly and no one knows how it's spread, what started it, and how to cure it. Kaelyn tries to help in every way she can, but will it be enough? and will she end up sick, or will she be one of the lucky ones?

 
I had my doubts about this book in the beginning. It started out really well. Kaelyn is writing a diary to her estranged friend Leo. She is apologizing for ruining their friendship, and she talks about how she is trying to be a better person. Then things get knocked off track. The virus is all over the place, and I thought that it would get bad. But luckily, it didn't. Kaelyn is an excellent character with a very mature personality, but at the same time she is very scared. However, she knows she can't show it because people, like Meredith, are looking to her. She is an extremely complex character, and a good one at that. I really liked Gav, and the role he played in the book. I will admit, I cried at the end, but I think that made the book even better because it had such a powerful ending.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride #3)
By James Patterson

3 out of 5

Saving the World picks up just four days after Schools Out leaves off. The flock is heading west, away from the destruction they left in Florida and towards... they don't know. For the first time ever, Max doesn't have a plan. But don't let the rest of the flock know that. Max wants to stay hidden, but of course the others have different ideas. Fang's blog has taken off and he wants to gain more attention by being seen in public. Of course this means letting Itex and the Erases know where they are. But there are no more Erasers. Except Ari. When the flock finds Ari, Max can't just leave him there. But not everyone agrees. For the first time ever, the flock breaks up. And then, all hell breaks loose.

To be honest, I didn't like this one as much at the others. I think that may be because I am a hopeless romantic and I really wanted Fang and Max to have more time together to figure out their feelings, but that's not completely it. Maybe it's my maturity finally showing, but it felt a little juvenile when Fang was "organizing protests" through his blog. I run a blog, and I have 15 amazing followers, but I don't think any of them would start a riot if I told them to. That being said, it was a fine story. Plenty of parental twists though. There were so many changes in who Max's parents were I started to wonder if I had birthed Max. I didn't like that the flock split up, but I would assume that you weren't supposed to like that, so, good job there. All in all, I am going to finish the series. I am this deep, and I do not give up on things like this. I am just hoping that this is the common "middle of the series lull", and that the books will get better from here on out!


*Sorry this post is super sassy. It's late and I can't control the sass*

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

White Cat (Curse Workers #1)
By Holly Black

3.5 put of 5

Cassel Sharpe is the only person in his family who is not a worker. Everyone else has a power, luck, physical, emotion, death, but not Cassel. Or so he thinks. But lots of things aren't going well for Cassel. He gets suspended from school because he was sleep walking and he almost jumped off the roof of his building, and then he gets roped into cleaning his mom's house by his grandfather, and now he's having dreams about a white cat. But not just any cat. This cat might just be the lovely Lila, the girl Cassel thought that he killed years ago. And if it is Lila, Cassel's entire life is going to fall apart.

This was a really interesting book. As I usually do, I had no idea what this book was about when I chose to read it. All I knew was that Holly Black and Cassandra Clare are friends, and Jace was briefly mentioned in the book. Now I view Cassandra Clare as my religion so I will literally read anything she suggests, reads, thinks about, or breaths on. So Holly Black was on the to-read list. Luckily, this is a good book. I really like Cassel as a character. He is complex and real and you can sympathize with him about his struggles of teenage love. Now his struggles of curse workers and lost memories and crazy non-dead girls are a little harder to relate to, but it doesn't hamper the story at all. I never saw some things coming, but at the same time, some things were clearly set up to happen. I will definitely have to check out the next books in this series, and other Holly Black books in the future. out o

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

School's Out--Forever (Maximum Ride #2)
By James Patterson

3.5 out of 5

The second book starts pretty much where the last book left off. The flock is heading to Washington DC to search for the parents and find out some answers. But of course, they run right into some Erasers. Flying Erasers. Fights ensue and Fang ends up injured. With nothing else to do, they have to take him to a hospital. There they meet Anne. Anne is an FBI agent who seems to want to help the flock. But is she really trustworthy? And how much does she actually know about the School, the flock, and the whitecoats? Will the flock be safe with Anne? Max doesn't think so, but she just doesn't have much of a choice.

It has been a while since I read The Angel Experiment so I was a little rusty when the story started, but I was able to jump right back in. I was worried that I would be too mature to read these books, which are told from the point of view of 14 year old Maximum Ride, but it wasn't an issue. Max is wise beyond her years and it shows in everything she does. I still like the story and everything that happens. An enjoyable read, that reminded me of my family, and the first time I read the first book in this series. I love the interactions between Fang and Max and I can't wait for that to build, and hopefully come to a happy ending!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Les Miserables
By Victor Hugo

4 out of 5

The classic novel about the unfortunate life of Jean Valjean and the people he meets along the way. The stories of Fantine, Cosette, Marius, the Bishop, Javert, and the Thernardiers are all tangled together in this story, and it is a story full of pain, love, and self sacrifice.

Finally!! After almost an entire year, I have conquered the mountain that is Les Mis. While I don't regret reading it at all, I do regret how long it took me to finish it! I thought about giving up multiple times--100 pages about the Battle of Waterl00--but I am so glad that I didn't. The story of Les Mis was one that I enjoyed and I am proud to say that I have read every single word.

I really like the idea of reading "classics", and so I think that, every summer, I am going to choose a classic to read. This will be a way of broadening my reading horizons, and also getting to learn about what makes a classic, a classic. I hope I can follow through on this goal, and I will revisit the world of classic literature next June when I get out of school.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Buddha in the Attic
By Julia Otsuka


4 out of 5

This is the story of the lives of several Japanese women as they grow up, move to America, get married, and realize that the American Dream is not all that it is cracked up to be.


I really liked this book. It was such an enlightening story and it was an amazing journey that I got to take with these young women. While the story is told through the view point of several Japanese women, no one person ever has their own point of view. They always said we, or some of us, and I think that this is really enlightening. For their whole lives, these women were taught to think of others, and not themselves. These women never thought of themselves so much, that they didn't even think of themselves as individual people, just as a group of women who have experienced the same things. I loved the story, and it is such a different view of the story of Japanese women growing up during the time that they did. Incredible.

Monday, October 14, 2013

The Name of the Star
By Maureen Johnson

3.5 out of 5

Rory is a Louisiana girl who, due to parents work transfers, is now going to school in London, England. Rory is a complete outsider, but she soon befriends her roommate Jazza, and the cute prefect Jerome. And then the murders start. Exact replicas to the Jack the Ripper murders, but it couldn't be Jack, could it? After a severe choking experience, Rory starts seeing people no one else can: ghosts. Is it possible that Jack the Ripper's ghost is on the prowl and recreating his own killings? And if he is, how do you kill a ghost?

Really good and really interesting. I didn't really know what was going on until about half way through the book, but I feel like in a good ghost story, you're not supposed to know what is going on. I liked all the characters, especially Jazza and Jerome, and it made me really interested in the story of Jack the Ripper. Being American, the story of Jack the Ripper is not as well known as it is in England, so it was cool to read about something unfamiliar. Also, I felt that I could relate to the book because like Rory, I am also living at school, away from everything I have ever known. I understood Rory's reservations and nervousness, and I liked the way she dealt with it and put herself out there. All in all, a very cool book, with suspense, and moments of humor, and a little bit of teenage snogging. It did seem to end on a bit of an abrupt note, so I am wondering if it could become a series, or if a sequel is planned.

Friday, September 27, 2013

The Fine Art of Truth or Dare
By Melissa Jensen

3.5 out of 5

Ella Marino has survived two years of high school with her bottom of the social hierarchy position and her unrequited love for her schools founder, Edward Willing, who has been dead for 100 years. Ella understands that she doesn't have a chance with Edward, him being dead and all, but to her, Edward seems to be the perfect man. In the real world, Alex Bainbridge is the one who holds Ella's affections, but he is dating the psycho bitch, Amanda. But things are never all they seem, and everything is about to change. Alex is tasked with tutoring Ella in French, and Ella is tasked with researching Edward Willing for her thesis paper. Will feelings and  relationships change due to all of this alone time?? God we sure hope so :))

A cute book, with a great story about a young girl growing into her own skin, literally. The story of Ella is charming, but in a predictable kind of way. The quiet girl who has no self confidence, snags the high school hottie, who turns out to be a great guy and not some airhead dick. Of course the girl has the two best friends, who help her through every struggle and feel that she is way better than the hottie who has stolen her heart.

But having said all this, I still adored the book, and I squealed with joy whenever Ella and Alex had their cute romantic moments. Such a cute chick flick, and it was a perfect escape from an emotional rollercoaster of the first month of college.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Room
By Emma Donoghue

3.5 out of 5

Jack has just turned five and that is now his favorite number. In the morning Ma makes him breakfast, and then they shower and run laps around the bed, then they watch tv, but not too much. Then at night, Jack has to stay in the closet, while Old Nick comes and makes the bed squeak with Ma. Jack and Ma are living in Room, and it is all that Jack has ever known. Ma was kidnapped seven years ago and she has been held captive in a metal shed ever since. Jack has never been in the Outside world, but if all works out, he will be in the Outside soon enough.

Definitely a very different book, than anything I had ever read, and it was such a different story from anything else. the story line is amazing, and it was really unique to take the story from the point of view of the child, and Jack has such a fresh perspective on everything we have ever heard from the news. Because the story is a serious topic, and really is an adult book, so Jack's perspective is something completely different from what is typically going on in our minds. Really a very interesting book, and it is thought provoking in a way that is good for everyone, from time to time.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The Distance Between Us
By Kasie West

4.5 out of 5

Caymen Meyers works at her mom's doll shop, and sells dolls to the rich on a daily basis. She doesn't enjoy it, but Caymen understands their financial situation and she isn't making any vocal complaints. Xander Spence is a pretty rich boy who comes into her store to buy a doll for his grandmother. Xander is charming, and very rich, but Caymen has spent her entire life not trusting rich people, why would Xander be any different? Together they strike up an unlikely friendship, that could be leading to more than just some laughs, but things keep getting in the way. Can Caymen learn to trust Xander, or will he turn out to be like every other rich snob she's ever known?

This book is so cute, it was the perfect end of summer read. Light and easy, it was relaxing and a quick read. I really liked Caymen, she is really sarcastic, but I love sarcasm and I found her really funny and relatable. And of course, who wouldn't love Xander? He is dreamy and charming and he has a great smile. Their story is adorable and I only wish that there was more of it.

In my opinion the book ends kind of abruptly. There are so many things that are left unsaid that I feel should be answered. What's going to happen to Caymen's mom and the store. Will Sean and Vivian be a part of Caymen's life now? Will they pay for college? What happens next with Xander and Caymen? I'm calling for a sequel because I want to know what happens!


P.S. I don't understand the cover photo, at no time during the entire book, does Caymen wear a pink dress. She wears a black dress, but no pink.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Pandemonium (Delirium #2)
By Lauren Oliver


4 out of 5

This book is written in two story lines that are delivered in alternating chapters.

Lena has made it into the Wilds, but that doesn't mean that her struggles are over. Far from it. Lena makes it to one of the resistance homesteads and joins the resistance. There she has to lug water and help the group survive the hard and cold winter that is quickly approaching.

Lena is part of the resistance living in New York City with Raven and Tack, two fellow resisters she met at the homestead. Her mission, to learn as much as possible about Julian Fineman: the son of the nations leader for the pro-cure movement. But Lena's about to get a lot closer than she ever thought. When Julian and Lena both get captured and thrown into a cell together, who knows what is going to happen.

Very good. The going back and forth was confusing in the beginning a little bit. The book alternates between present Lena in the resistance, and past Lena in the Wilds, which get a little confusing because Lena makes references to things that haven't been explained yet, but I did like both sides of the story. I liked the present Lena chapters better though because there was more action and more character development. It was kind of like you knew that this was the important part of the story, so more time had been spent on those sections than on the other sections. And the ending! Wow! I liked it, but all I can say is, ITS NOT FAIR ITS NOT FAIR ITS NOT FAIR ITS NOT FAIR ITS NOT FAIR ITS NOT FAIR.

Needless to say, I need to get my hands on
Requiem as soon as possible, because I do not approve of cliff hangers, EVER.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Awakening (Hope Trilogy #1)
By Lauren Ashley

3.5 out of 5

Emma Hope is a normal teenage girl, living her life quietly without any drama or mystery. If only this were true. When a new student comes to school, and has his sights set on Emma, things begin to change very quickly. But Connor's not into Emma for her looks, he's interested because she is a descendant of a godlike being known as the El-ahren. With this realization, Emma is thrust into danger, and she has no choice but to comply to her new life. With a small group of loyal protectors, Emma must leave everything she has ever known, and begin a journey that will awaken her powers and fulfill her destiny, no matter the costs.

This book was definitely a good read. I don't think I've ever read anything like this. Lauren Ashley's story is completely original, and it is exciting to read such a fresh idea.
In the beginning, Emma is such an introvert, that it kind of makes me uncomfortable. I think that I am kind of an introvert, but Emma is so extreme I didn't know how to deal with her. But then the craziness which is Connor comes along. I really liked that part of the story, because it was so unexpected and it really gave me an idea of what this book was going to be like. And then of course the truth comes out. If I were Emma, I would have asked more questions and I would have voiced my opinions about the whole thing, but I guess that she is an introvert, so she wouldn't have done that.
Then Jordan shows up. From what I've gleaned from the story, Jordan and Emma were just friends before he left? (Correct me if I'm wrong) And Emma thought that they were heading towards a relationship before his unexpected disappearing act. And then he shows up again, and she is furious--as she should be. In my opinion, Emma lets Jordan off too easily. And then suddenly they are a hot and heavy couple. What? That was quiet a turn of emotions. Speaking of this relationship, I don't feel that they are dating. From what is in the book, all they do is make out. That one night when Emma is nervous, and she goes to Jordan's room, she doesn't talk to him about her feelings, she just kisses him to make herself fee better. That is not a relationship, that is a traveling hook-up. But if they're both good with it, whatever.
I don't know if I trust Sebastian and Griffin. They kept doing things that seemed shady to me. I will just have to see what happens.

All in all, it was a good book, and I'm glad I read it. It was action packed, with plenty of twists and some heartbreaking scenes. And of course, the ending leaves you dying to know what happens next!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Because it is My Blood (Birthright #2)
By Gabrielle Zevin

4 out of 5

Anya Balachine is released from Liberty, but that doesn't mean that her problems are over. She has been expelled from Trinity, so she has to find a new high school to go to for her senior year. Her best friend, Scarlet, seems to be getting far too cozy with the awful Gable Arsley, and maybe the worst thing, Win has a new girlfriend. Annie feels that she is all alone, and the family is looking to her for direction. Annie doesn't know what to do, but luckily she doesn't have to worry for long because Charles Delacroix seems to still have it out for her, and before long, Anya finds herself back in prison. But not for long, Annie manages to escape, and has to go into hiding for a period of time. What will happen to Natty while Anya is away? And what of the chocolate? Who will try and take power while Annie is out of the picture? And maybe, they want to make Annie's disappearance more permanent? Anya Balachine has plenty to do, and she has almost no time to do it.

There is so much action in this book, I was never bored. I like Anya and I feel her very relatable even though her life is so different from mine. She is an amazing young girl, who has so much on her plate and she deals with all of it so well. Yes she makes mistakes, but she is smart enough not to let one mistake her ruin all of her plans. She is strong and independent but she does love Win and they really are so cute together. If there I was one thing I would change, is that I would add more scenes of Win and Annie alone. Everything was so business, business, business, that sometimes, I forgot that she had a boyfriend. Crazy twists in the story, and I can't wait to see what will happen next!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Beautiful Souls
By Sarah Mullanix

3 out of 5

Becca thinks that she is a perfectly normal teenager, living her boring life, having an adorable crush on her best friends, normal. But things are about to get very not normal. First come the weird notes and the unexplainable visions and dreams. And those new kids are definitely not normal. Soon Becca is entered into a world of warlocks and witches, and Leo, Becca's best friend and boyfriend, is a warlock too! Everything seems fine, Becca is having fun with her newfound powers, but danger lurks around every corner and she has to keep herself and her family safe.

This took me forever to read, which I feel really bad about because I was asked to review this, but I just really struggled with reading this.

The beginning of the story was just, in my opinion, really not good. The characters were shallow and they seemed to flit from emotion to emotion without much of a second thought. Also I felt that Sara Mullanix had a lot of great ideas for the story but she just kind of threw them all out there at once and didn't really give them time to develop. I kept with the story because I did like the story and because I was asked to, but I really didn't enjoy it.

Then at some point, the story got better. The second half of the book is way better than the first half of the story and I really found myself enjoying it and wanting to read it instead of forcing myself to read the book. All the different plot points came together and the story and the characters really deepened and became something with a lot of potential.

I feel like as I read this, I saw Mullanix grow and mature as a writer. The story is so much better at the end than it is at the beginning, and now that I am done, I am interested in reading the next book in the series and continuing with this story.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Breaking Point (Article 5 #2)
By Kristen Simmons

4 out of 5

Ember and Chase have joined the Resistance in Knoxville and are hoping to lie low until the FBR forgets all about them and they can make their way to the coast and safety. But that plan goes awry when Ember is named as one of the FBR's most wanted and one of the top suspects for the sniper taking out the MM all over town. Now Chase and Ember have to decide, what are they going to do? Chase wants to run for safety, but Ember still needs to help Sean get Rebecca back. And then everyone's least favourite  MM guard shows up in the middle of everything. Tucker Morris is back and nobody knows what he's going to do. Can Chase and Ember stay together, stay safe, and accomplish all of their goals?

This was such a great sequel to Article 5. It had the same gripping, amazing quality that the first one did, but the story is different and mature and fabulous. I really like all the action and all the complex emotions that go on in this book. The fact that sometimes, you do have to work with someone you don't trust is such a valuable life lesson and we see Ember learn that in every page. Also we see Chase and Ember's relationship really grow and mature, which is so cool because I love those two and I think they are so cute! I am really excited to read the finale, Three, which comes out in February 2014!

ok also, here is my favorite quote from the book which I think completely sums up Chase and Ember's relationship and reminds everyone that even though they are both carrying guns and on the run and have Tucker Morris riding in the back seat of the car, they are still to teenagers who are in a relationship together.
    

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Article 5
By Kristen Simmons

4 out of 5

Ember Miller is a seventeen year old girl living with her single mom in this post apocalyptic book. The police and the Bill of Rights are no more, instead there are soldiers and the Statutes, and those who don't follow the rules usually don't hang around for long. Ember and her mom are surviving until a knock on the door changes everything. The soldiers have come to take Ember's mom for violating article 5, and one of the officers is none other than Chase Jennings, Ember's used-to-be next door neighbor and boyfriend. Ember is taken to a reformatory school and her mom is taken who knows where. But Ember won't give up hope, she will find her mother, even if it means having to work together with Chase.

I thought that this was really great! I have been wanting to read this for a while, and then my sister finally got it for Easter and of course she instantly hid it away from me, but I have at last gotten my hands on it. I love the premise of the book. And I know that sometimes the post apocalyptic world is a bit overdone and everyone's just dying and there's no hope, but I never get tired of it. I love the end of the world books. And I love Chase and Ember's relationship. Their relationship is so complex and there is so much going on between them, but at the same time, the reader is never confused. They can relate because everyone has had someone in their life who they were close with and then they dramatically changed and you're just left so confused about what happened. That's how Ember feels, and probably Chase too. And they just don't know how to get back to where they were after so much has happened. I thought it was so good, and I am getting the next one, Breaking Point as soon as I can.

If you liked
Legend, I would recommend this book.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Obsidian (Lux #1)
By

4 out of 5

Katy thought that her life was going to be boring when she moved from Florida to West Virginia. But she didn't anticipate her neighbors. Dee and Daemon Black are both beautiful and very different. Dee is warm and outgoing and instantly becomes friends with Katy. But Daemon, is moody and dark and he doesn't seem to like Katy, at all. After several warnings to stay away from them, things start to get weird. Katy notices strange things about the Black siblings. Like lightning out of nowhere, and strange breaks of time, and those glowing eyes. Are the Black siblings even human? And how much danger are Katy, Daemon and Dee getting each other into?

I thought it was really good! I read the book in 3 days and I stayed up late all of the nights that I was reading. I have read so many good reviews about this book, and I just decided that enough was enough and I had to read it. I loved that Katy was a book nerd and kept a book blog--sounds like she would fit right in. I really liked the few chapters that were in Daemon's point of view, they were great. But overall, I liked all the characters, and I think the story was really solid and worked really well together. And I really liked the chemistry between Daemon and Katy, even though they clearly did not.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Not that any of you care, but I changed the name of my blog. The old title was just getting too old and boring for me. I'm still not completely sold on the current name, so it might change again. We will see.
Ok so I have a serious question for everyone that has finished the Hush, Hush saga. If you haven't read the books, don't continue reading this post, there are spoilers.

I finished these books quite a while ago, but I really love them and tend to reread them whenever I have nothing else to do. And one question has always bothered me.

At the end of Finale, when Patch gets the sense of touch and everyone is happy, does he now age like a person? Cause isn't Nora still aging? I understand that she is Nephilim and everything, but that means that she ages until she swears fealty. So is Nora still getting older and Patch is just staying the same age?

Now if this is the case, I have no judgment. I've read Clockwork Princess and I'm all for the Tessa & Will love story--always have been, always will be--but that relationship was fully explained. And I'm just not sure what's going on with Patch and Nora.

If anyone has any insight they would like to share with me, I would love to hear it. I don't care if you make it up, or if Becca Fitzpatrick said it herself, I just want someone to break this down for me, real slow.

Thanks Loves,
keep reading!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

My Beloved World
By Sonia Sotomayor

3.5 out of 5

Memoir. A personal account of Sonia Sotomayor's life from when she was diagnosed with diabetes at age eight, until she is appointed as a judge in New York City.

I really liked this book which was a surprise because I expected it to be dull and boring and a very slow read. This is the book all incoming freshman at my school have to read for our freshman seminars, and when I found out I was kind of dreading reading it. But once I actually opened the book and started to read, I really liked it. It is an incredibly personal account and I feel like I really know Sonia now, and that if I saw her on the street we would have tons to talk about. I will admit that I knew very little about her life before reading it and I was amazed at what I found out.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Beautiful Redemption

Beautiful Redemption (Caster Chronicles #4)
By Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

5 out of 5

Ethan Wate is dead, but this is not the end for him. Stuck in the Otherworld, Ethan is desperately trying to get back to Gatlin and Lena and everything he left behind when he jumped off the water tower. But can he make it back to the land of the living? And what terrible dangers will he have to overcome to do so?
Lena is mourning the loss of Ethan and is handling it just as awfully as Amma is. But then she gets a sign. Ethan is still alive. And so with the help of Amma, Link, Macon, and even a little Ridley Lena waits for the signs and tries to help Ethan any way she can. But will it be enough? Does their love really have to power to bring back the dead?

This was probably the best book in the entire series! I loved it, I think partly because I thought it was over after the third book Beautiful Chaos I was just so excited that there was another one. I thought the characters really worked well together and came up with a great ending that suited the story line and satisfied the loyal readers who stuck it out until the end.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Between Shades Of Gray
By Ruta Sepetys

This is NOT a part of the Shades of Gray series! I don't know how many people gave me disgusted looks while I was reading this, and I had to explain to them that I was not reading porn in school, because it is not. The shades of gray in this case refers to the areas between right and wrong, sometimes called the gray area.

4 out of 5

Fifteen year old Lina Vilkas was a happy child living in Lithuania, that is until they came for her family. Taken in the middle of the night Lina, her brother Jonas, and their mother are marched out of their house by the NKVD (Soviet police) and put on to a train with other people on the list. This story explains Lina's journey across Russia and Siberia as the NKVD take them from prison camp to labor camp to worse.

I thought this was really good! It really showed a part of WWII that doesn't get talked about a lot and I thought that was amazing. When I was reading it, it reminded me a lot of Code Name Verity because it discussed things that did happen, but that we don't learn about in school. I thought Lena was an amazing lead character, and she was so brave and she never gave up hope of living through her ordeal. If you like WWII, which I do, this is a great book to read.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

The Rivals (Mockingbirds #2)
By Daisy Whitney

4 out of 5

Alex Patrick has recovered from her trauma last year, and she seems to be doing just fine. She is the new leader of the Mockingbirds, she has a great boyfriend, and she is preparing her application for Julliard. But then her first big case comes in: and it is big. A cheating ring that is using prescription drugs to get an edge on their competition. And the worst part is, everyone Alex loves and cares about seems to be involved. Maia, Alex's roommate, is the number one suspect, and Alex is being pulled every which way trying decide who to believe, who to prosecute, and whose relationships are worth keeping.

This book was just as good as the first one. It was full of tension, red herrings, twists, and revenge. I really liked it, and the ending perfectly sets up for another book to come!

Monday, June 3, 2013

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2)
By Michelle Hodkin



4.5 out of 5

Mara wakes up in the hospital. Scared and alone, and all she wants to do is talk to Noah. So begins the mental treatment of Mara Dyer. She has been roped in, by her parents, to attend a group therapy in order to deal with her "PTSD and other traumas". Luckily, she still has Noah to help her really deal with everything that's been going on. But as they dig for answers, ones that they can't find, what will happen to them? Where is Jude, and what does he want? And, how far will he go to get it?

I just-
This book-
How can-
I have no words to describe this. It was spectacular. Absolutely splendid, I did not see the ending coming, I didn't even expect it to be coming. It was great. Let me start at the beginning. The beginning was perfect, Mara wakes up in the hospital, she's confused, she's scared, she needs Noah. She comes home Noah's there, but he seems a little distant, tentative. That first time Noah came up close to Mara and told her about his empty bed, I knew: this book was going to kill me. I have had a love affair with Noah Shaw pretty much since his first words in
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and he did no disappoint. Actually, he was better. He opened up to Mara, and let her see the real person underneath. And he allowed her to try to kiss him, multiple times, and he restrained himself when Mara got freaked out, multiple times. He never rushed anything or pushed her, but at the same time he was completely there and supportive of every decision she made. This book was a lot darker than the first one, but it was also a lot sexier! (oh la la) I'm excited to read the last book, but just saying this better be some sort of Jace Lightwood bullshit, and everything better work out in the end for Mara and Noah, or I will go Inkheart on this book, jump in there and kill everyone myself.

Saturday, June 1, 2013


Once Upon a Tag
By Anna Adams

4 out of 5

When David, a young French painter, unexpectedly meets Rita, an infamous Parisian street artist, his convictions are shaken to the core during a night he is unlikely to ever forget.

I read this short story a few weeks ago, but I decided to post it here because I did really like it.

First I would like to thank Anna Adams, I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
I thought that this was a really good story. It is very short, 18 pages total, so it was a quick 20minute read, but I completely enjoyed it. Rita and David seem to be completely opposite, but really they are quite similar. They both love art, but just in different forms. Rita is the infamous street artist, "terrorizing" the streets of Paris, and David is the preppy, and prestigious art student. Together they set out on a wild race through the French subway system, with twists and turns you'd never expect.

It was really amazing how much actually happened within the few short pages. So cool.
The Great Gatsby
By F. Scott Fitzgerald

4.5 out of 5

Great Gatsby takes place in the roaring 1920s. Nick Carraway has just come east to New York City from the Midwest. He moves into a small house on West Egg, next door to the mysterious and infamous Gatsby. Nick is distant cousins with Daisy Buchanan, and friends with her husband Tom. Due to this Nick gets wrapped up in one scandal of a summer involving secret affairs, heartbreak, tears, and murder. This American classic is the perfect representation of the lives of the wealthy and privileged in the '20s, and everything that they stood for

I absolutely loved this book! This was assigned for me to read in school, and I liked it so much that I stole my copy. It was at a high reading level, and it was a little confusing at times, but I really liked it. The characters were terribly realistic, and also the entire story is reflective of the times. There are so many quotes and descriptions that I liked, and I have them underlined in my book. I particularly liked Jordan Baker, don't really know why, but I admired her style and attitude. Overall, a very good book.!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Warm Bodies
By Isaac Marion

2.5 out of 5

R is a typical zombie. He eats people, he grunts, he moves slowly around his airport habitat. R may be a bit more expressive with his emotions than the rest of the zombies, but nothing out of the ordinary. That is, until he meets Julie. Julie is alive and passionate and vibrant, and everything R wishes he could be, but can't quite reach. With Julie's help, R will be able to regain some of his humanity, but will it be enough. And how will the others react, undead or alive, to these changes going on inside of him?

This book was ok, I wasn't gripped by it at any point. There were a few quotes and things I likes, but I just felt kind of zombieish towards it. I think that I am definitely more of a Shadowhunter/vampire girl than a zombie girl. There was one quote that I really liked, and it stood out to me. On page 51 (hardcover) I found this quote, "I want to change my punctuation. I long for exclamation marks, but I'm drowning in ellipses."

Monday, May 6, 2013

Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)
By Ally Carter

4.5 out of 5

Third book in the Heist Society series, we meet up with Kat, Hale, and Gabrielle as they are working a job in Argentina. But right at the most important part, Hale announces that he has to leave. Kat is furious, but when she finds out why Hale left, she feels so sad for him. Hale's grandmother, Hazel, has passed away, and her will, the company goes to him. But Kat has a sneaking suspicion that the will is a fake. Can Kat fix this wrong, and keep her boyfriend?? Or will she lose both of her marks?

I thought this book was really good. I liked the fact that this job was more personal to Hale because it forced Kat to admit her emotions for him and make decisions with him in mind. There was so much going on, you have trouble keeping up--but that's the point. You're not supposed to know what's happening, and you're getting tricked right along side Garrett and Natalie. Chapter 33 was adorable! Absolutely my favorite part of the book!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)
By Cassandra Clare


4.5 out of 5

The final installment of the Infernal Devices starts out with Tessa and Jem planning their wedding. But that soon gets derailed by none other than Gabriel Lightwood and his father, the worm. From there everything spirals out of control. The Consul doesn't trust Charlotte and wants to use the Lightwoods to get her out. Jem's health is deteriorating, and Will and Tessa will do anything to save him. Will has to stand on the sidelines as he helps the two people he loves most in the world be happy together. And then Mortain shows up. Things are going crazy, and everyone does not make it out alive. Who lives, who dies, and who ends up happily ever after?

oh Lord! This book. I finished it last night, and honestly I am only just starting to be able to think about it in realistic terms. This book was great! it was fantastic, it was magic, it was everything. But then came the ending. I would have liked the book if there was no epilogue. I did not enjoy the epilogue. I liked what happened, but I didn't like how it was written. I felt it was long winded, with lots of description and not a lot of anything happening. I understand that Tessa is remembering her life, and that she isn't talking to anyone, just thinking out loud, but I think it could have been better. But that is the only reason this book didn't get 5 stars It was great, I loved it, and now I unfortunately have to wait 10 months for City of Heavenly Fire to come out, Hopefully I can get a copy in Scotland.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Cross My Heart, Hope to Die (The Lying Game #5)
By Sara Shepard

4.5 out of 5

From the outside Sutton Mercer couldn't seem to be happier. She has a great group of friends, a loving family, and a doting boyfriend. But looks can be deceiving. Because Sutton Mercer is actually Emma Paxton, and she is definitely not all right. Things wrong with Emma's life? One, Thayer Vega, Sutton's boyfriend, is back in town, and he's having a little trouble figuring out why Sutton isn't with him anymore. Two, Emma's mom just showed up, and her dad--check that, her grandfather--wants to keep this information secret. But is Becky a danger?? Mr. Mercer says that she's unstable, but does he even know the half of it? What if Becky was the one who killed Sutton, and then has been watching Emma, making sure she plays her roll correctly.
Yay!! I'm so excited to finally read this! This book was so good!! Emma has really stepped into Sutton's spot so well, and you get to see the repercussions of constantly pretending to be something you're not. But whenever Emmas starts to lose herself, Ethan is right there to save her. Oh Ethan!! I have always like Ethan, but I like him even more now that we have a Thayer threat. Which I would be totally fine if Emma wanted to try out Thayer for a while too! All in all, I really liked the story, and I can't wait until the next one comes out!