Review: Lie

Title: Lie

Author: Caroline Bock

Series: None

Release Date: August 30^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 224

Publisher: St.Martin’s Griffin

Source: NetGalley

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Everybody knows, nobody’s talking. . . .

 

Seventeen-year-old Skylar Thompson is being questioned by the police. Her boyfriend, Jimmy, stands accused of brutally assaulting two young El Salvadoran immigrants from a neighboring town, and she’s the prime witness. Skylar is keeping quiet about what she’s seen, but how long can she keep it up?

 

But Jimmy was her savior. . . .

When her mother died, he was the only person who made her feel safe, protected from the world. But when she begins to appreciate the enormity of what has happened, especially when Carlos Cortez, one of the victims, steps up to demand justice, she starts to have second thoughts about protecting Jimmy. Jimmy’s accomplice, Sean, is facing his own moral quandary. He’s out on bail and has been offered a plea in exchange for testifying against Jimmy.

 

The truth must be told. . . .

Sean must decide whether or not to turn on his friend in order to save himself. But most important, both he and Skylar need to figure out why they would follow someone like Jimmy in the first place.

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I’m seriously not sure about this book. The thing is, there was too thing that annoyed me to really enjoy it.

I think the subject is something we should talk about. Racism, white-power.... It is still present, even if we don’t hear much about it anymore. I just think theirs is better way to present it.

One of the things that really got on my nerves was the multiple points of view. There was too many of them. I couldn’t follow at some point whose point of view I was reading. I would have liked it a lot more if it had been Skylar and Sean’s point of view only, because they were the one I really wanted to know about. The girlfriend and the accomplice. It would have been interesting to know what was going on in Jimmy’s head too, but I didn’t really care about knowing about the parents, coach, and principal. It was simply too many.

Lisa Marie really annoyed me. I wanted her to just disappear. She seemed so brainwashed by Jimmy. Even Skylar isn’t as brainwashed as her.

I had trouble reading it. As much as I was curious and excited about reading it, I simply couldn’t get into the story. Maybe if it had been longer and it didn’t had that many points of view.  For me, the point of the book was more about the consequences of telling Lies to protect someone. Someone who’s guilty. This is what disappointed me. I really thought it would focus more on the White Supremacy movement. After all, I feel like Jimmy and his father were all for white power. It just happens that they were mainly hating Hispanic people.

If you don’t mind the multiple points of view, you may enjoy with. For me, it didn’t cut it.

If like me, you were looking for this kind of story, you should check out American History X. It deals with white supremacy. It is an excellent movie starring Edward Norton and Edward Furlong.

Review: The Beginning of After

Title: The Beginning of After

Author: Jennifer Castle

Series: None

Release Date: September 6^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 432

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: NetGalley

Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Jennifer Castle’s debut novel is a heart-wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment.

I don’t really know what to say about this book. Thing is, I enjoyed it. I wish I could simply say that and be done with it, but I can’t really. The problem is that I thought it would be a book that I would connect with, having felt that kind of grief myself, yet I didn’t really feel anything. Why? I felt like most of the story would have played out better if it had been set a couple of months after the incident, not right after. It was too much about her date to prom, her falling for the son of the man she blames for her family’s death. Not that much about the grieving I thought I would see.

Yes, Laurel doesn’t keep on living her life as if nothing had happened. Yes, we see her acting out sometime her pain. Yet, all I could think is “oh, this is sad”. It didn’t make me feel her pain, nor made me want to cry for her. That annoyed me a little because losing someone in an accident is ten time worst to me than losing someone to an illness, because I feel like you realized that letting them go is letting them be free of their pain.

I connected more with David’s pain. He’s looking for a way to get control of his life, of his pain. He’s looking for a place to belong, because he can’t seem to find it with those who used to be around him. That’s something I can understand. That’s something I can connect with.

One thing this book does show the reader is how drastically something like that can change one life. It changes the way you see life, the way you see the others around you and the way you even see yourself. For a debut novel, Jennifer Castle gave me something worth coming back for more. Yes, I do recommend checking it out. The only thing I would say to you is not to read it as a book about grief. Read it as a book about life after a tragic event. After all, it is called The Beginning of After.

Sweet Venom #2 Title Hunt!

Hey Guys!

Have you heard about this book by the amazing Tera Lynn Child?

Well, it's her new book that will be coming out September 6th. Still, we're not here to talk about this one, we're here to talk about the next one!

I can't tell you its title, because I honestly don't know....
Would you like to find out?

Go to her website HERE to find all the letters that will be posted on different blogs to form the secret Title!

What can you win?

One out of FIVE SIGNED copies of Sweet Venom or the grand prize: 50$ bookstore gift card!

Amazing right?
You know what's even more amazing? This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY!
What more can you ask from this?

Good Luck!

Here's the LETTER!

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

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Review: Paper Town

Title: Paper Town

Author: John Green

Series: None

Release Date: October 16^th, 2008

Number Of Pages: 305

Publisher: Speak

Source: Bought

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life--dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge--he follows.

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues--and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer he gets, the less Q sees of the girl he thought he knew.

Printz medalist John Green returns with the brilliant wit and searing emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of readers.

First, I have to start this review by saying that I have only read Looking for Alaska, and that I’ve liked it. Not loved it, liked it.

Again, this book is more centered on the personal journey of the main character, even though have a lot of actions, and this book is probably not for you. Paper Town was more captivating for me than Looking For Alaska, simply because I was really curious to know where she was. I wanted to understand her.

Margo is not the kind of character I usually like, simply because I can’t recognize myself in any parts of her. Yes, she seems like a fun character, but I couldn’t connect with her in anyway, which is something I like in female character. I don’t connect easily with male character most of the time, yet I found myself understand Quentin a whole lot better than Margo, and really enjoying following him around has he try to solve the Margo mystery.

There are so many things in this book that I wouldn’t usually enjoy. This isn’t my favorite kind o book. Yet, John Green has made me fall with love with his writing and characters, even the one I can’t seem to understand, nor connect with. I’m already wishing for An Abundance of Katherines, and of course, The Fault in Our Stars.

If you like John Green, you’ll like this book. If you haven’t read any of his book, you should definitely read one, because there is something that is simply addicting in his writing.

In My Mailbox 21

In My Mailbox is a Meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. It is a way to share with other bloggers what you got during the week.

So, I went a little overboard in the last three weeks, but you’ll understand.
(Because I have over 40 books, I'm too lazy to put the Goodreads Links. Sorry about that. )

First, I bought 5 books at Indigo:

Papertown by John Green (Loved it! Review coming this week!)
Exile by Rebecca Lim (Review Here!)
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Bargains and Betrayals by Shannon Delany
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (Review HERE!)

Second, the books I bought at BookCloseOuts.com, which is an amazing website for cheap books:

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson (4.49 UK)
Mercy by Rebecca Lim (2.99 UK)
Wish You Were Here by Catherine Clark (2.99 US)
Jinx by Meg Cabot (3.99 US Hardcover)
Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn (2.99 US)
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (3.99 US)
Rumors by Anna Godbersen (3.99 US)
Envy by Anna Godbersen (3.99 US)
Splendor by Anna Godbersen (3.99 US)
Darklight by Lesley Livingston (2.99 US)
As You Wish by Jackson Pearse (2.99 US) Review HERE!
Spells by Aprilynne Pike (8.49 US Hardcover+Signed)
Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harisson (2.99 US Hardcover)
The Amanda Project by Amanda Valentino (3.49 US)
Once In A Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber (6.99 US Hardcover)
The Return: Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith (4.49 Aus)
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (2.99 US)
The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson (2.99)
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (2.99 US)
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley (3.99 US)
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (4.99 US Hardcover)
The Karma Club by Jessica Brody (8.49 US Hardcover+Signed)
The Betrayal of Nathalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate (3.99 Aus)
Breathless by Jessica Warman (2.99 US)
Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors (2.99 US)
Skinny by Iby Kasilik (1.99 US)
Elixir by Hilary Duff (3.99 UK)
You Against Me by Jenny Downham (5.99 Aus) Review this week!

Now, I was at New York last week, and I went to The Strand. I completely fell in love with it. I had enough self-control to only buy 5 books, 2 of which I had already read:

The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird (Review HERE!)
The Vespertine by Sandra Mitchell (review HERE!)
So Shelly by Ty Roth
Exposed by Kimberly Marcus
Dark Parties by Sara Grant


On our way back to Montreal, we stopped at the Borders in Albany, just to see if they still had some good stuff. I ended buying 6 books!

Twilight, the Graphic Novel (only 2.50)
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
The Morganville Vampires Volume 4 by Rachel Caine
A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

I won’t tell you what I got on NetGalley, I think it will wait until next week. Isn’t there enough books already?

So, What did YOU get this week?

Review: As You Wish

Title: As You Wish

Author: Jackson Pearce

Release Date: September 1^st, 2009

Series: None

Number of Pages: 298

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Bought

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

One of the things I adore about Jackson Pearce is how present she is on the net. Honestly, I was a fan of hers even before reading her books, simply because I enjoyed her youtube’s video and tweets way too much.

I ended up getting this book online, because my nice bookstore never seems to have it. So while waiting for my copy of Sweetly, I thought, “Why not read this book on my way to New York, it seems like a fun and light book! It should keep me entertained for the long hours spent in the car!”

Well, I ended up loving it! It is cute, fun and perfect for a summer read. I just love summer read. They are the best when you have a lot of time to read, with the wind in your hair, because it makes you smile. It is one of those books that make you smile a lot.

Viola, the main character is absolutely fun to follow. She just felt real, without all the superficial stuff. I could get the why behind her actions, even though I wouldn’t have needed that much time to make my wishes…. Hey, I know what I want, what else can I say. It reminded me of high school, how it felt to sometime feeling invisible, to be something wishing for more. Lawrence was great, but I have to say that my heart goes to Jinn. I liked Jinn. I want a Jinn. Not only can he grant wishes, but also he is so amazing with Viola. Wish jinns were real…

If you liked Sisters Red, you should read this one, because it was better to me! If you haven’t read any books Jackson Pearce and are still wondering if you should, you should check her out on twitter or facebook to realize how funny and amazing she is. Seriously.

Review: Flawless

Title: Flawless

Author: Sara Shepard

Release Date: March 15^th, 2007

Series: Pretty Little Liars #2

Number of Pages: 330

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Bought

Spencer stole her sister's boyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her new friend Maya . . . as much more than a friend. Hanna's obsession with looking flawless is making her sick. And their most horrible secret yet is so scandalous that the truth would ruin them forever.

And why shouldn't I tell? They deserve to lose it all. With every crumpled note, wicked IM, and vindictive text message I send, I'll be taking these pretty little liars down. Trust me, I've got enough dirt to bury them alive.

If I thought this books series could get farther than the TV series, I was wrong. I really enjoy this series, but I do prefer the TV show.

The thing is that I can’t connect with any of the characters. They all seem too bratty for me. I wanted to smack them so many times! They annoyed me, yet I couldn’t put the book down, because I was curious. It wasn’t that it was captivating, I was simply curious about what would happen.

The thing that really got me freaking out in this book is probably the Toby story line, simply because I adore him in the show. In the series, he now really freaks me out. It’s probably one of the things I wish was the same as it was in the TV show.

Also, I can’t forget the story line between Spencer and Melissa. I don’t know which one of them is the cruelest one. I probably would say that HE is the horrible one. They both are victims of love in a way. Sigh.

I enjoy reading Sara Shepard’s books, simply because they feel like such a great summer read. It is short, fun and easy to read. It probably wouldn’t be the series I would recommend first when people ask me what they should read next, but it is still fun and light. Perfect to read at the beach.

Maybe I would have enjoyed this series a little more if I hadn’t watched the series before, because I honestly really like the TV show.  

Follow Friday (3)

*Don't forget to enter my super giveaway! It ends on Monday!

The question of the week:

In books like the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series the paranormal creature in question "comes out of the closet" and makes itself known to the world. Which mythical creature do you wish would come out of the closet, for real?

Vampires, fo course! Who wouldn't want vampires to be real. Not the Edward Cullen kind of vampire. I want the Vampire Eric kind of vampire. Imagine a world where there are vampires like him. Ahhh, so dreamy. It's not that I would be unhappy if werewolves came out too. They are after all really hot too, but vampires just always felt sexier to me. 
What about you guys?

Review: Bloodlines

Title: Bloodlines

Author: Richelle Mead

Release Date: August 23^rd, 2011

Series: Bloodlines #1

Number of Pages: 421

Publisher: RazorBill

Source: Bought

The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.

 

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.

 

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.

I was both excited and nervous about reading this book. Why? Simply because I adore the Vampire Academy series, and I wasn’t sure if I would have loved it as much. It may be the same world, but this series isn’t about Rose. And I absolutely loved Rose. Even if Sydney is no Rose, she was fun to follow.

Okay, I was totally team Dimitri in the Vampire Academy, but I was falling more and more for Adrian with every page I read. He was just so witty, funny, arrogant, sarcastic and loveable. Sigh. I now officially adore him too.

Sydney is a great narrator, even if she sometime sounded like a mom to the others. Still, I could identify with her, with her fear of not being good enough, of failing her assignment. She is struggling with the belief she has grown up with (the facts that moroi and dhamphir are evil) and what she is learning by actually spending time with them. Her biggest flaw is probably that she has zero social skills, which is understandable, having been home schooled and having been around mostly other Alchemists.

I liked how Jill really felt like a little sister at some points. After all, Sydney wanted to protect hers by doing this mission, and I think it made being with Jill easier. Many things Jill told Sydney reminded me of the few moments we saw Zoe.

I love how Richelle Mead keeps you guessing. You simply can’t trust any characters! They always end up surprising you, either in a good or bad way. She’s a master at creating beautifully captivating story. For those of you how loved Vampire Academy and are looking for more, you have it here. Yet, be aware, it isn’t Vampire Academy part two. It mainly about Sydney, Adrian, Jill and Eddie, with a couple appearances of characters we know.

Of course, Richelle Mead leave us begging for more. What kind of end is this?!? This last sentence is simply cruel. It makes the way for The Golden Lily extremely long and cruel.

Review: Exile

Title: Exile

Author: Rebecca Lim

Release Date: April 28^th, 2011

Series: Mercy #2

Number of Pages: 289

Publisher: Harper Collins

Source: Bought

An electric combination of angels, mystery and romance, EXILE is the breathtaking sequel to MERCY in a major new paranormal romance series.

Mercy’s search continues ...

Mercy is an angel with a shattered memory, exiled from heaven for a crime she can’t remember committing.

So when she ‘wakes’ inside the body and life of eighteen-year-old Lela Neill, Mercy has only limited recall of her past life. Her strongest memories are of Ryan, the mortal boy who’d begun to fall for her – and she for him.

Mercy soon discovers that circumstances have forced Lela into waitressing at the Green Lantern, a busy city café frequented by suits, cab drivers, strippers, backpackers and the homeless, while caring for her terminally ill mother.

Just as Mercy is adjusting to Lela’s life, her beloved, Luc, reappears in her dreams, and she begins to glimpse her true nature and true feelings for Ryan. What she does not know is that her attempts to contact Ryan may have explosive consequences for everyone around her.

Meanwhile, ‘the Eight’ — the angelic beings responsible for her banishment — remain determined to keep Mercy and Luc apart, forever …

I’m really enjoying this series.  Because I enjoyed it, I was excited to read Exile. The thing is, event though I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it.

I couldn’t connect with Mercy in this one. One of the thing I enjoyed in the first was how selfless. She was trying to really trying to help people. Yet, in Exile, she is thinking more of herself than anything.

The other thing is how she presented Sulaiman and his religion. I felt like there were too many mistakes in how she presented his religion. (Since when do they talk while praying? Seriously?) They were so many stereotypes used through this book. As much as I wanted to love it, all those stereotypes got on my nerves.

Mercy ended up annoying me in this book. I don’t understand how she cannot realize how bad Luc is. Come on, what can Luc be a nickname for. It is kind of obvious. Plus, I hate that she seems able to just ignore the reason she is placed in Lena’s body. She doesn’t do much to help her. She is just obsessing with Luc and finding Ryan because of Luc.

One character I liked was Ryan in Mercy. I’m really sad that he isn’t more present. Okay, I don’t like the fact that he would be ready to give up everything for her when all she is thinking about is how Ryan will get her closer to Luc. Meh. Come on Mercy, can you remember one of he only great thing about your own life?

I enjoyed the writing, maybe a little less than in the first book, but it is still an enjoyable read, once you go past all the stereotypes used. 

Review: Rage

Title: Rage

Author: Jackie Morse Kessler

Release Date: March 15^th, 2011

Series: The Horseman of the Apocalypse: The Rider's Quartet #2

Number of Pages: 213

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Source: Bought

Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different.

That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a new kind of blade—a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control.

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

I bought both Hunger and Rage at the same time. I didn’t enjoy Hunger that much, and I started Rage unsure what to expect. I ended up enjoying Rage a lot more than Hunger. I could connect more with her feeling than I did in Hunger. It’s probably because I can easily remember high school and how cruel teenager can be. Even though I’ve never been a cutter myself, I could relate to her rage against those who are constantly making her life living hell. I could understand why she was acting the way she was, where it was coming from.

The story pace was faster than Hunger, which made it a lot more exciting for me. I enjoy reading about the characters, especially Death. I didn’t like that much the War character itself, but I like the way Missy ended up reacting to it. I found it fascinating to read her struggle with this new part of her. Death was simply perfectly fun to follow again. I wish we could get a book only about him. It would so much more interesting for me!

This short book is packed with a lot of emotions and a powerful message. I wish it could have been even longer, because I enjoyed it. A really great and powerful story, even if it is a little short.

Review: Infinite Days

Title: Infinite Days

Author: Rebecca Maizel

Series: Vampire Queen #1

Release Date: August 3^rd, 2010

Number of Pages: 308

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Source: Bought

"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."

 

Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

 

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

 

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.

But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

Oh my god. I devoured this book in only a couple of hours. It was simply too good to put down. I was surprised by how well Lenah was able to pass as a teenager. After all, she had been asleep for a hundred years, and had only been a teenager almost 500 years before that. Yet, she was able to pass easily as one. Maybe too easily?

I like how the book was constructed with the flashback of Lenah’s life. Yet, I think the whole love between Lenah and Justin happened a little too fast for me, especially since he had a girlfriend when they met. I still thought they were cute together, but I didn’t think it should have happened that fast.

I’m so sad that we couldn’t have that much scene with Rhode. I really wanted to know more about him. I love the few scenes we got to see between Lenah and Rhode, because there was a beautiful chemistry between the two of them. The character I wish we could have seen less is definitely Vicken. I just don’t like him. He annoyed me, even if we didn’t see him that much.

The writing was beautifully captivating. I simply couldn’t put the book down. I’m already excited for the sequel, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I can’t believe it took me a year to read this one. I loved it.

Review: Halo

Title: Halo

Author: Alexandra Adornetto

Series: Halo #1

Release Date: August 31^st, 2010

Number of Pages: 484

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Source: Bought

Three angels – Gabriel, the warrior ; Ivy, the healer ; and Bethany, the youngest and most human – are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness. They must work hard to conceal their luminous glow, superhuman powers, and, most dangerous of all, their wings, all the while avoiding all human attachments.
Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and neither of them is able to resist the attraction between them. Gabriel and Ivy do everything in their power to intervene, but the bond between Xavier and Bethany seems too strong.
The angel’s mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?

Sweet, Sweet, Sweet! I fell in love with the story. I feared I would be put off by the God sent mission, as I’m not a big fan of book with religious undertone, but I really liked it! I didn’t really know what to expect. Yet, I was surprised.

I like Bethany. She was sweet, and I love how human she felt. She really wanted to learn about what it is to be human. I loved her innocence. Through her eyes, we can see the world differently, as she never has experienced most of what we take for granted. I didn’t really like her friends. Except Xavier. I absolutely adored him. He was so good with Bethany. Also, I really liked his relationship with his family. It was nice to see such a great dynamic in a family. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Gabriel, Bethany and Ivy.

The story is good. Slow, but interesting. There isn’t that much action in this book, because it is more about Bethany struggle with living the human life without losing her way from her angel “rules”.

The writing was okay and engaging. I really wanted to know what would happen next. 

I enjoyed it, and I definitely will check out the sequel Hades. Great summer read for me!

Review: Morganville Vampires Volume 3

Title: The Morganville Vampires Volumes 3 (Lord of Misrules and Carpe Corpus)

Author: Rachel Caine

Series: The Morganville Vampires #5-6

Release Date: March 1^st, 2011

Number of Pages: 464

Publisher: NLA

Source: Bought

Now in one volume-two of New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire novels.

Lord of Misrule

In Morganville, violent black clouds promise a storm of devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements the unexpected happens: Morganville's vampires begin to vanish. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice: swear allegiance to the evil master vampire Bishop- or die...

Carpe Corpus

An underground resistance is brewing, and in order to contain it Bishop vows to obliterate the town and all its inhabitants. Claire and her friends are the only ones who stand in his way. But even if they defeat Bishop, will the vampires go back to the old rules, after having such a taste of power?

I love this series. Seriously, if you haven’t started this series yet, and you love vampire stories. You should definitely check it out now. I love it.

The story is simply excellent. Every pages surprise you. There is so many twists in these books. Every time I think I know what will happen, I’m surprised by how unexpected things turns out.

Claire is such a strong character. She has this courage and loyalty that is suprisingly present for a 16-17-years-old. I simply adore her. I love following her through all her adventure. Then, there’s Shane. How can someone not like him. He is adorably funny and sweet. I’m so jealous Claire has a guy like him. Michael is like the big brother I wish I could have. There is something soothing in him. Finally, Eve is like the annoying but loveable best friend you couldn’t live without. She makes me laugh so hard sometime with her strong personality.

Rachel Caine is a master at writing a captivating story. I already can’t wait to read the next books. Seriously, you have to read it. It’s simply too good.

Review: Switch

Title: Switch

Author: Tish Cohen

Series: None

Release Date: May 9^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 251

Publisher: HarperTrophy Canada

Source: Bought

Good girl, honour-roll lifer, Berkeley-bound, mildly neurotic, high strung twelfth grader Andrea Birch just wants a bit of privacy. Oh, and perhaps a bit more of a social life. Or just a life in general. But when your mom and dad are foster parents who can’t turn away a child, trying to carve out a little space for yourself while tending to the needs of everyone from twin toddlers to angst-ridden adolescents is nearly impossible. And then Joules Adams, daughter of internationally famous rock star Nigel Adams, jumps into Andrea’s car, setting off an improbable car chase and ending in detention.

 

For Andrea, it’s the last straw. Why is it that Joules, breaker of all rules, living a life of luxury, gets off so easy? Why does she have everything, including a cool famous dad, and Andrea has nothing, not even her parents’ full attention?

 

In a modern, hip take on the classic Freaky Friday story, Tish Cohen delivers a fresh look at wishing your life was someone else’s.

The story wasn’t as cliché as I thought it would be. Yes, it is a Freaky Friday kind of story. Yes, both girls envy the other’s life. Still, I find it really enjoyable.

The story was predictable. I found out really fast how the answer to most of the small mysteries that were thrown our way.

The characters were okay. I like Andrea best between both girls. Joules just felt fake to me, which annoyed me. Joules’ dad was probably the only character I really wanted to disappear. He was self-centered, selfish and annoyingly naïve. I hate the way he treated his daughter. I prefer Andrea’s parents, that’s for sure. The relationship between Nigel and Joules is tricky. It seems like a lot of fun from the inside, but it may not be the same from the inside. I really liked that part of the book, even if I didn’t like him. The eding concerning Nigel was predictable for me. From the first day Andrea spent with him, I knew. Will was simply so sweet. I wish I could know I guy like him. *Sigh* He was so sweet with Andrea…

I can’t really say much about this book, beside that it was a cute story, with a little moral at the end. It was a nice summer read, enjoyable and easy to read. Not my favorite, but still fun to read.

Review: Nine Lives of Chloe King

Title: The Nine Lives of Chloe King (The Fallen, The Stolen and The Chosen)

Author: Liz Braswell (writing as Celia Thimson)

Series: Nine Lives of Chloe King #1-3

Release Date: June 7^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 771

Pubisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Bought

Chloe King is a normal girl. She goes to class (most of the time), fights with her mom, and crushes on a boy…or two. But around her sixteenth birthday, Chloe finds that perhaps she isn’t so normal after all. There’s the heightened night vision, the super fast reflexes – oh, and the claws.

As she discovers who she is – and where she comes from – it is clear she is not alone. And someone is trying to get her.

Chloe has nine lives. But will nine be enough?

The reason why I got this book was really simple. I had heard about the series and really wanted to check to book out before watching it. In the end, I ended up reading it after watching half the first season. Where I loved the TV show, I just liked the books.

The thing is, I was expecting a story line similar to the TV show. Reality is, that is the same basic ideas, used differently. I felt like the way Chloe King reacted to what was going on was more logical in the TV show than in the book.

The biggest problem I had in the book was the characters. Chloe ends up coming up a little bitchy. She also has two guys in the book, but she chooses one simply because he will kiss her when the other wont. Blah. Alyec was extremely annoying in the book to me. Yet, the same character in the TV show made me swoon from the beginning. In the book, he sounds like a complete idiotic jerk. A little too full of himself too. I don’t really like Brian in both stories, but they are so different that it annoyed me. In one, he doesn’t know anything about what Chloe is, and in the other he is completely aware of her true nature.

The other thing that was missing for me in the book is a character they had added in the TV show; Jasmine. I love her character, so it made me sad that she wasn’t there. Yet, I ended up finding an other character in that book that I really liked, Kim. Please appear on the TV show!

The writing was easy to follow, and the pace was perfect to keep you captivated. The only thing that annoyed me in the writing is the mistakes in the French she used. I hate when authors use a language they don’t know and don’t proofread it by someone who does. Here’s an example:

“ “Il faut que nous parlous,” Kim repeated patiently.”

It should have been: Il faut que nous parlions.

It is so easy to go online and find the present subjunctive of a verb; I don’t understand why she kept making the same mistake for the “nous”

Anyway, I still enjoyed the bind up. I still think the TV show was better, which is why I hope it will be picked for a second season.

Don’t forget to check out the season finale tomorrow on ABC family!

Michael Grant's New Story Experience!

I was contacted about two weeks ago about Michael Grant's new project. I decided that I had to share it with you, because I felt like it was a really interesting project. It isn't only a book, it is also an interactive experience. Curious? Here's more about it!

A Q&A with author Michael Grant.

What is “Go BZRK”? Is this a book or some kind of interactive story?

Both. The book comes out this winter, but the interactive part starts now.  One leads up to the other, but they're part of a complete package.

Why “transmedia”?

There are different approaches to transmedia.  Most people take a single story and reproduce it on various platforms.  My philosophy has been to make each element - ARG, app, web, book - a thing unto itself, each revealing some aspect of the world of BZRK.  I've been fascinated with this is as a new way to tell stories.  The book remains central, but now I can reach beyond the book and create a much more complete world.  I can tell stories that enhance the book, and stories that parallel the book, and stories that are offshoots of backstory.  I guess the answer to "why" is "because it's fun."

How long is this running? Is this part of a larger picture?

We'll be running this in several chunks between now and the book release this winter. Because these things have a hard start/stop point, August is a ramp-up phase. There'll be a lot of content coming out, but the experience really gets underway at the end of the month… just in time to distract the kids from their schoolwork.

What if someone wants to follow the story but doesn’t want to participate?

You don't have to do anything.  You can do one thing and not another.  But the deeper you plunge the wetter you get.  I think every part of this is fun, I think people will enjoy the ARG, the app, the site and the books.  

What can you tell us about the story? What is “BZRK”?

It's a battle for the soul and freedom of the human race carried out simultaneously in the world we know, and in a world that you're not going to expect. It's a world where if you make a false move, you're going to lose your mind.

What’s this other world thing all about?

Do you really want spoilers? I'll tell you this. We'll be going "down in the meat." It's going to be vast, bloody, and beautiful. 

Wait… isn’t this supposed to be for kids?

Adults like to flatter themselves that kids won't get, won't understand, won't be able to handle, more intense, more complex stories. That's nonsense.  It's the adults who are easy to creep out or scare.  Say the word "biopsy" in a room full of adults. Or "audit."  See?  Easy to scare.  Kids are a tougher audience because kids think they're immortal. 

Want to join?


Check these sites!


Nexushumanus


Societytwins




Can't wait to learn more about it! 

Review: Forever

Title: Forever

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3

Release Date: July 12^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 390

Publisher: Scholastic

Source: Bought

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

I wasn’t really that excited about this book when I first picked it up. There’s a simple reason to that: I didn’t enjoy Linger. The multiple points of view in the last one really got on my nerves. I felt that 4 were too much. There’s even more in this one, yet, it didn’t annoy me that much.

The story was better than Linger. I felt like I was more intrigued by the mystery around what would happen. It made a perfect ending to this series, because it made me like it as much as I had liked Shiver.

I liked Sam and Grace’s romance; at I wish we could have seen more of what was going on between Cole and Isabelle. I wanted them to be happy together, even if it wasn’t an easy task for both of them. It felt more real to me than the perfect love between Sam and Grace, where they fell so easily for each other.

Maggie Stiefvater is a captivating writer. Yes, I don’t like every choice she made for this series (read here: Point of View…) but I like how real it felt, and how easily I could imagine the story coming to life. I had no trouble seeing what was going on, feeling what they were feeling… I love it when an author can do that, and it is one of the reasons I had to give this series a second chance, even if I had been disappointed before. This time, I wasn’t let down.

If you liked Shiver, you should give this one a chance. Even if you didn’t really liked Linger. The ending was beautifully, in my opinion.

Follow Friday (2)

*Don't forget to enter my super giveaway! 

The question of the week:

Q. How has your reading habits changed since you were a teen? or If you are still a teen what new genres are you in love with currently?

The big difference in my reading habits in the last few years is that I now read a lot more of YA than I used to read. When I was younger, I thought I was cool because I was reading adult books when all my friends were reading children books instead. I was reading a lot of Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark and Chuck Palahniuk Now, I read mostly YA, because it is the kind of book that I connect the most with.

The other big difference is that I now read mostly in English, simply because I prefer to read the authors' words instead of the translators' words. 

What about you?

Revew: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Title: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Series: None

Release Date: June 7^th, 2011

Number of Pages: 348

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Source: Bought

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

I had hoped to love this book. I was fascinated by it at first, as I love the idea of incorporating the pictures in the story. Yet, I couldn’t get into the story. As interesting, original and well written it was, it didn’t captivate my interest.

The thing is, I felt like it was a heavy read, that I would have probably enjoyed more during the winter. I always get the feeling that summer is for lighter read to enjoy in the sun.

I didn’t fall in love with any characters. Jacob was okay, I liked him best, but there was simply something missing in him for me to completely love him as a character. His parents seriously annoyed me, but I wished we could have seen and learned more about the grandfather. I was curious about him. Yes, we do learn a little through the book, but I wanted to see him in action a little more. We only hear what others can tell us about him. Emma really got on my nerves. I hated that she was in love with the grandfather, and after she’s after his grandson. A little creepy, no?

Another thing I wish we could have learned a little more about are the other peculiar children. I wanted to know more about where they were from, about what made them peculiar.

I really was hoping for more information. There are so many questions left unanswered for me. I was also curious to know if there was supposed to be a sequel, because the ending does leave an opening for that. Yet, I can’t find out for sure… If you know, tell me! 

Review: Hunger

Title: Hunger

Author: Jackie Morse Kessler

Series: The Horseman of the Apocalypse: The Rider’s Quartet #1

Release Date: October 18^th, 2010

Number of Pages: 177

Publisher: Harcourt Graphia

Source: Bought

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.”

 

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

 

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

I had heard little about this series, and I was really curious about it. I started reading it, and I must say I wasn’t that impressed with it. It was simply okay for me. The thing was that it was really slow paced for me, and considering how short the book is, I was really disappointed by that.

Don’t expect this book to be full of action, or anything like that. This book isn’t filled with suspense. It is more about her personal growth of the Main Character, Lisa. It is also about her anorexia, as she is becoming Famine, because of it. Because of that, the story felt heavy for me. The struggle she was facing because of anorexia wasn’t a subject that is easy to read. I just didn’t feel like I got any thing out of her struggle. Even thought it felt real to me, there was so little information given to the reader to really make a big impact.

I couldn’t really connect with the characters. There was nothing in them that really made me love or like them. The only one I enjoyed reading about was Death. I found him to be the funniest.

The writing was great, that was one of the great aspects of this book. It simply wasn’t captivating enough. The idea was interesting; there simply wasn’t enough action to keep me entertained.

I really have Rage, the second quarter of this series. I’ll probably read it, but not right now. Summer makes me want to read lighter books, to go with the weather.

Review: Supernaturally

Title: Supernaturally

Author: Kiersten White

Series: Paranormalcy #2

Release Date: July 26th

Number of Pages: 336

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Bought

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

I was so excited about reading this one, because I really had enjoyed the first one. Yet again, this sequel wasn’t as good as the first one. The thing is, even though it was fun and entertaining, Evie wasn’t as fun and bubbly as she was in Paranormalcy.

The story in this sequel was more about Evie learning about living the real life, and getting used to not having Lend with her as often as before. With Lend, it annoyed me that she couldn’t really be honest with him. He deserved that much after everything they went through in Paranormalcy, no? I simply felt a little left down by Evie, because she wasn’t the girl that made me fall in love with this series.  Where is the independent Evie from the first book?

One of the things I liked about Supernaturally was that Evie finally get some answers. She learns a little more about what is going on. The other thing that I really liked was Jack, even though he was often annoying for Evie, he made me laugh so often.

If I could have added one important thing to this book, it would have been Lend. I know he is away for school, and it is really important, but come on! He is such a great character. I love the way he acts with Evie. Much more than I like the way she acts with him.

The story was surprising, that I can say without any problems. It was well written, fun and captivating. I love how well the humor is included in this book. Kiersten White has a talent to make me smile and laugh everytime I end up reading in public, which is really often.

Can’t wait for the third book! I really want to know what will happen next in this series.

In My Mailbox 20

In My Mailbox is a Meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. It is a way to share with other bloggers what you got during the week.

Hi guys!

I’m posting my In My Mailbox a little early, because I won’t be home tonight and tomorrow morning. I’m really excited with what I got this week, but mostly for the DVDs I bought. Let’s start with the books I bought:

-Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

-The Morganville Vampires Volume 3 by Rachel Caine

-The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson

-Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel.

I also got from NetGallet:

-The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

Now for the DVDs, I got

-Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Ultimate Edition

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret Ultimate Edition

-Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Edition

-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Edition

-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Ultimate Edition

-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Ultimate Edition

I bought the first one during the weekend and completely fell in love with this edition. I simply had to have them all. If you want me to show you what’s inside, just tell me and I’ll do maybe a video to show you exactly what it is all about.

Also, don’t forget to participate in my 6 months bloganniversary giveaway!

So here is what I got this week! What did you get?