Thursday, October 25, 2012

Masque of the Red Death By: Bethany Griffin

Title: Masque of the Red Death
Author: Bethany Griffin
Pages: 400
Level:  Young Adult
Published: April 24, 2012


Everything is in ruins.
A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.
So what does Araby Worth have to live for?
Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.
But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does. And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Review:

Just from reading the synopsis I was enthralled by the plot. I love this style because it kind of reminds me of back in the 1920s when all the girls were flappers. Anyways,this book was absolutely fantastic. I do not think I will ever be able to get over how much I love this book. Normally when I start a book it takes me at least 25 pages to really become interested. Not with this one, I was interested from the very first page. I don't know what it is with adaptations, but I love them so much. This one did not fail to impress me.

I really liked the plot. I didn't find one boring part of the book, ever. There was one problem that I had with this book though. If there is going to be a love interest, at least make it to where it's plainly obvious. I understand that I might be the only one that cannot clearly see who Araby likes, but it should be a no-brainer. The entire time I had to keep guessing, oh does she like Will? Or wait, does she like Elliott now? The end did not clear anything up either.

Everything other than that was amazing. I loved the setting, I mean who doesn't love dystopian books? Overall the best book I have read in some time.

Cover: 4/5
Character Rating: 3/5
Style: 4/5
Plot Development: 4/5
Overall: *****

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

When The Sea Is Rising Red By: Cat Hellisen

Title: When The Sea Is Rising Red
Author: Cat Hellisen
Pages: 288
Level: Young Adult
Published: February 28, 2012


After seventeen-year-old Felicita’s dearest friend, Ilven, kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous, wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it.

Review:

Where to start? I thought at the beginning this book was really weird. I didn't understand a lot of things, I think it would have been better with more background information before the actual plot started. That being said, this book was definitely unique and original.

I didn't find a boring moment in this book. In the synopsis it says that she falls for Dash, so of course I couldn't wait to meet the character. Never have I ever hated a character more. I don't really know how to describe it, but it was like one of those bad boy guys that you like but they're nothing but bad for you. At the same time, at the end of the day I did end up caring for him no matter how much I hated him. 

The ending was also very strange. It was a little hard to follow. I don't know if I would read the second installment if there is one. I would be content just reading this book. Don't let that discourage you though, it was a good book.

Cover: 3/5
Character Rating: 3/5
Style: 3/5
Plot Development: 4/5
Overall: ***

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Sharp Time By: Mary O'Connell


Title: The Sharp Time
Author: Mary O’Connell
Pages: 228
Level: Young Adult
Published: November 8, 2011


Sandinista Jones is a high school senior with a punk rock name and a broken heart. The death of her single mother has left Sandinista alone in the world, subject to the random vulnerability of everyday life. When the school system lets her down, her grief and instability intensify, and she ponders a violent act of revenge. Still, in the midst of her crisis, she gets a job at The Pale Circus, a funky vintage clothing shop, and finds friendship and camaraderie with her coworker, a boy struggling with his own secrets. Even as Sandinista sees the failures of those with power and authority, she's offered the chance to survive through the redemptive power of friendship. Now she must choose between faith and forgiveness or violence and vengeance. From the Hardcover edition.

Review:

Zhanna wrote a raving review about this book, so when I saw it at the library, I had to pick it up. Often times, when she loves a book, I’ll hate it or vice versa. Well, that was the same for this book.

From the first page, I didn’t like the writing style. There wasn’t anything visibly wrong with it, it just didn’t mesh well with me, I found it overly complicated.

I thought that what Sandinista was making a big deal over was nothing. It was something that she should have gotten over more quickly than she did and I found her obsession quite frankly, creepy.

Most of the time when I’m reading realistic fiction there has to be some underlying message to the storyline. I guess it’s a personal preference. With this book,  I didn’t really understand the message. I’m sure other people did understand it though, otherwise there wouldn’t be good reviews. It just wasn’t my type of book. Maybe you’ll have better luck.

If you want to check out Zhanna's review of this book click here.

Cover: 5/5
Character Rating: 4/5
Style: 1/5
Plot Development: 2/5
Overall: **



The Peculiars By: Maureen Doyle McQuerry


Title: The Peculiars
Author: Maureen Doyle McQuerry
Pages: 354
Level: Young Adult
Published: May 1, 2012


This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance. On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

Review: 

If I could rate this book based off of the cover, it would probably be one of my favorite books ever. I absolutely love the cover. Sadly, that’s probably the only thing I loved about this book. 

If I had known that the time period was in the late 1800s I probably wouldn’t have read it because I generally don’t like books in that time era. In my case they’re all usually boring. 

This book wasn’t necessarily boring, but it did take a while to get interesting and by that point I was already turned off by the time period. 

It’s hard to write a review for a book that was just okay. I can’t pick out anything that I hated, but I also can’t pick out anything that made it an amazing book. 

The one couple that I was anticipating to get together, NOTHING happened. I can understand no romance in a book, but it was like McQuerry wanted to tease me by these little hints of romance thinking it would lead up to something and in the end, nothing. That was probably the most upsetting part of the book.

Overall this book was mediocre, it didn’t stand out for being overly bad or good.
Cover: 5,000/5

Character Rating: 3/5
Style: 3/5
Plot Development: 3/5
Overall: ***

The Hunt By : Andrew Fukuor


Title: The Hunt
Author: Andrew Fukuor
Pages: 293
Level: Young Adult
Published: May 8, 2012

In a world where humans have been eaten to near extinction, seventeen-year-old Gene has only managed to survive by painstakingly concealing his true species. If the bloodthirsty creatures surrounding him knew what he really was—a human—he would be devoured swiftly and terribly. When Gene is chosen to participate in the government-sponsored hunt for the last remaining humans, it thrusts him into the fight of his life—and into the path of a human girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible. Now, he must learn the art of the hunt and elude his fellow hunters whose suspicions about his true human nature are growing. But most importantly, Gene and the girl he loves must find a way to forge a life together in a brutal world that’s bent on their destruction.

Review:

This book was magnificently written. From the first page I was captivated by the plot line, it was so unique and interesting, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Eventually I made myself stop for the day when it reached 2:30 AM. I know, it seems most of the reviews I write are full of compliments and praise, but I guess I just happen upon amazing books more than I do dreadful ones. 

I loved the plot, it was so different and original. Some aspects of the vampire way of life kind of grossed me out for example, instead of laughing they would scratch their wrists and they would hug ears. I don’t even know. It was weird to read about. 

Although the entire book wasn’t action packed, it was still extremely captivating and the end was so shocking that I am absolutely dreading the wait for the second installment. 

A definite must read.
Cover: 4/5
Character Rating: 4/5
Style: 4/5
Plot Development: 4/5
Overall: **** ½




Witch & Wizard :The Fire By: James Patterson


Title: Witch & Wizard: The Fire (#3)
Author: James Patterson
Pages: 328
Level: Young Adult
Published: December 5, 2011

YOU WANT A FAIRY TALE, DON'T YOU?
Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the merciless totalitarian regime that governs their world. Its supreme leader, The One Who Is The One, has banned everything they hold dear: books, music, art, and imagination. But the growing strength of the siblings' magic hasn't been enough to stop the One's evil rampage, and now he's executed the only family they had left.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIND ONE HERE.
Wisty knows that the time has finally come for her to face The One. But her fight and her fire only channel more power to this already invincible being. How can she and Whit possibly prepare for their imminent showdown with the ruthless villain that devastated their world-before he can truly become all-powerful?
THERE IS NO HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
In this stunning third installment of the epic Witch & Wizard series, the stakes have never been higher—and the consequences will change everything.

Review: 
These books never fail to disappoint. It was once again a really good book. The thing that really makes me love these books is the relationship between Whit and Wisty. I’m so jealous that I don’t have an amazing older brother that would do anything to protect me. 

The plot was never slow, but when is it ever in this series. I found myself once again not able to put it down. 
There’s really not much to say, it was a great book and I think it ended perfectly.

Cover: 4/5
Character Rating: 5/5
Style: 4/5
Plot Development: 5/5
Overall: **** ½

L.A Candy By: Lauren Conrad


Title: L.A Candy
Author: Lauren Conrad
Pages: 325
Level: Young Adult
Published: June 6, 2009

Los Angeles is all about the sweet life: hot clubs, cute guys, designer . . . everything . Nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts can't wait to start living it up. She may be in L.A. for an internship, but Jane plans to play as hard as she works, and has enlisted her BFF Scarlett to join in the fun. When Jane and Scarlett are approached by a producer who wants them to be on his new series, a "reality version of Sex and the City ," they can hardly believe their luck. Their own show? Yes, please! Soon Jane is TV's hottest star. Fame brings more than she ever imagined possible for a girl from Santa Barbara—free designer clothes, the choicest tables at the most exclusive clubs, invites to Hollywood premieres—and she's lapping up the VIP treatment with her eclectic entourage of new pals. But those same friends who are always up for a wild night are also out for a piece of Jane's spotlight. In a city filled with people chasing after their dreams, it's not long before Jane wakes up to the reality that everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be. L.A. Candy is a deliciously entertaining novel about what it's like to come of age in Hollywood while starring in a reality TV show, written by a girl who has experienced it all firsthand: Lauren Conrad.

Review: 
Generally I can’t stand books that are based around this subject because it seems so fake, but I always end up reading them anyways. 

I did not like any of the characters, at all. I thought Madison was ridiculously fake and couldn’t stand reading about her. Jane was ugh, way too peppy. Gabby was…well Gabby. She wasn’t really in the book and when she was I just felt bad for her. Scarlett, I liked Scarlett at the beginning of the book, but as it progressed she seemed to turn into a snob and it bugged me. 

I have problems with these type of realistic fiction books because they make me feel so bad. When something bad happens to one of the characters I feel it just as much as they do and I think that’s one of the reasons I try and stay away, but I always find them anyways. 

While I was reading the book, I was deciding if I was going to want to read the next one. I really don’t want to get wrapped up in another series like The A-List, but end of the book actually left me wanting to read the next one. I’m excited to pick it up to see what happened. 
Cover: 3/5
Character Rating: 1/5
Style: 4/5
Plot Development: 3/5
Overall: ***



Pandemonium By: Lauren Oliver



Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Pages: 375
Level: Young Adult
Published: February 28, 2012

Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again.

Review: 
Oh lordy, where do I start? When I first read Delirium I was overwhelmed by my love for the book and could not wait for Pandemonium. Once it came out though there was such a length between the two that I forgot that I had been yearning for it. It took me a while before I decided to sit down and read it. One of the biggest mistakes of my life. 

You know when you start reading a book and you’re expecting at least the first thirty pages to be boring before you become enveloped in the book? There was absolutely none of that. From the first page I was mesmerized. You’d think that because it goes from then to now it wouldn’t work…well at least I did. It was so perfect, I loved it. Every time the ‘then’ section ended I would want to get through the ‘now’ section as quick as possible to get back to the ‘then’ , but once I was in the ‘then’ I was thinking about the ‘now’ section.

Gah. I loved this book so much. And I’m kind of sad to say that I liked Julian much more than Alex. 
If you are hesitant to read this book like I was, DON’T. I don’t know how many ways I can convey how much I loved this book. I am going to be waiting for the day the next installment comes out. 

Cover: 2/5
Character Rating: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Plot Development: 4/5
Overall: ***** ( I wish I could award this book more)


Everneath By: Brodi Ashton


Title: Everneath
Author: Brodi Ashton
Pages: 370
Level: Young Adult
Published: January 24, 2012


Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned - to her old life, her family, her friends - before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.
She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back - this time as his queen.

Review:

When I first started reading this book I couldn’t help but compare it to the novel Abandon by Meg Cabot. They are both re-telling the myth of Persephone and Hades. Although they were similar in that aspect, that was the only thing. 

This book was darker and I felt it had more depth to it. I’m not saying that Cabot’s was bad by any margin. They were just so different that it’s hard to compare.  I do feel as though there was more background in Everneath. 

One of the problems I had with this book was how much emotion I felt. I know, that sounds so stupid, but I was so wrapped up in the book and Jack’s and Nikki’s relationship, that I started hating characters because they were getting in the way. 

There isn’t much to say really. I don’t have anything bad to say about it. It was a great book. I’m not going to lie; I enjoyed it so much more than Abandon. I cannot wait for the second. I definitely think that if you haven’t read this, you should. As soon as possible. 

Cover: 4/5
Character Rating: 4/5
Style: 5/5
Development: 5/5
Overall: *****


City of Lost Souls By: Cassandra Clare


Title: City of Lost Souls (Mortal Instruments Book 5)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 534
Level: Young Adult
Published: May 8, 2012


The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.
No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?
Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.
And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?
Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.


Review: 
The wait for this book was so long after City of Fallen Angels came out that when I started reading this one, I was so confused and had no clue what was going on. That didn’t change very much throughout the book. I learned to go along with the plot line of this book, but I was still missing key details from the previous books.
Besides the fact that I was confused most of the book, it was actually good. The plot line wasn’t slow and I was kept interested. 

I have to admit that I actually fell for Sebastian. I felt so bad for him and actually thought it was cute when he wanted to be with Clary. 

I am a little disappointed that Cassandra Clare is still writing books for The Mortal Instruments series though, three books was enough and now she’s just trying to extend the plot even more.
Towards the end of the book I was actually disappointed that all of the loose ends weren’t tied up. I love the series, I do, but I think that five books is way too far. Otherwise, it was a good installment, I personally think it was better than City of Fallen Angels. If you enjoyed the others in the series, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this as well. 
Cover: 4/5
Character Rating: 4/5
Style: 3/5
Plot Development: 5/5
Overall: ***

Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

Title: The Forsaken
Author: Lisa M. Stasse
Pages: 375
Published: July 10, 2012
Level: Young Adult

Synopsis (Goodreads): 
As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

Review: I originally picked this up at the library because I loved the cover and when I read the inside cover I was like

I needed this book. 

So today, guess what I did? 

I read the entire thing. 

That's right. 
The ENTIRE book. 

In eight hours. 

The entire time while I was reading this book, my expression literally was:

AWWWWW YEAHHHHH


Y'all needa read this.
This wonderful piece of dystopian wonderfulness. It's wonderful. 
I can't even compare it to The Hunger Games. 

This is the next big dystopian novel guys. 

Not even joking. 

So when this book gets a movie deal sometime in the future, just remember that I called it. 

GET YOUR HANDS ON THIS BOOK ASAP.

If you are worried about time issues like "Oh, it just came out, I think I'm going to wait because what if it has a big cliff hanger. I don't want to wait long for the second book to come out."
Don't wait. 
Take my word for it, there is no huge cliff hanger at the end. The author doesn't cut the book off in some big fight scene or whatever. 
The author is actually pretty nice. She's a librarian so I guess she can relate to readers' stress about cliff hangers. 
A lot of questions are answered, a lot of fighting takes place, lots of people die. 
But the ending is refreshing. 
Of course there needs to be another book, not all of the problems are resolved by any means. 


Of course I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. The author's writing skills are amazing! She captivated me in the first chapter. 

So please please PLEASE. 
Go read this book. 

Cover: 5/5
Character Rating: 4/5
Style: 5/5
Development: 6/5

Overall: 
*****

Friday, August 3, 2012

The Immortal Rules By: Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Pages: 512
Level: Young Adult
Published: April 24, 2012




"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.


Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of "them." The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked--and given the ultimate choice. Die...or become one of the monsters.


Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.


Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend--a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.


But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what--and who--is worth dying for.


Review:


I don't even know where to begin. From the minute I read the synopsis, this book captivated me. It had an interesting plot line, one I certainly hadn't read before.
As I got into the book it surprised me even more because not only was it a new interesting vampire book (I mean come on, how many are out there thousands?), but it was also in a way a dystopian novel. Which really appealed to me.


At the beginning of the book it starts off with part one, when she's human. I knew that she was going to turn into a vampire, but... I don't know it's hard to explain. The first part of the book was like a small story inside of the book itself. As soon as you got attached to the characters they were ripped away and you had to meet  new ones. As well as in the second part. I mean it's kind of appealing because the plot never fails to remain interesting, but I'm so used to having to leave characters behind at the end of a book or series that it left me kind of heart broken considering it was the first 150 pages.


Eventually that stopped though and there was just one solid set of characters. I have to admit I liked almost all of the characters. By the end of the book I was really attached to each and every one (especially Darren), which was surprising because some of them were extremely obnoxious.


The plot also failed to bore me, which is probably the biggest plus out there. The only issue I had, which isn't even a major issue considering it's my opinion, but I hated the ending. You'll know what I'm talking about if you've read the book or once you do. I don't want to give away spoilers, but I'll just leave with the fact that Allison's and Zeke's relationship status at the end disappointed me. I am going to be dreading the wait for the next installment.


Cover: 4/5
Character Rating: 5/5
Style: 4/5
Plot Development: 5/5
Overall: *****

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Blog Award!

Hey guys!
We've been nominated not once... not twice... but THRICE (thrice? three times?) for the Liebster award. 

The rules for this award are.....
1. Each person must tell others 11 facts about themselves
2. Answer the 11 questions your tagger/s have posted then post 11 question for the people you tag.
3. Choose 11 people to tag and link them in you post
4. Notify the 11 people you tagged
5. NO TAG BACKS (DANG)

Witcha Facts:
1. My favorite show is Supernatural.
2. I love Peruvian food.
3. I collect elephant figurines.
4. I have an obsession with eyes.
5. My favorite season is Autumn.
6. I want to learn Russian and eventually move there.
7. I hate my feet.
8. I want to go bungee jumping badly.
9. I can’t wait for college.
10. Linkin Park is favorite band.
11. My favorite cookie is white chocolate chip with extra vanilla.

Zhanna Facts:
1. I'm a vegan. 
2. I'm an online shopaholic. Literally, that's all I've been doing this summer. 
3. I'm not athletic at all. 
4. I play piano.
5. I train service dogs.
6. I'm obsessed with my grapefruit lotion and soap. 
7. I hate driving.
8. I wish I was artistic.
9. I'm super obsessed with Harry Potter.
10. I have two sisters.
11. My favorite super hero is Spiderman.. but i'm seriously rethinking this. Thor is pretty hot. 

Questions from Candi from Just Can't Beat Books

1. What is your favourite piece of clothing? 
Witcha: Sweaters/Outerwear 
Zhanna: Do boots count?
2. What do you utmost hate? 
Witcha: I can’t stand shortening, it’s super nasty.  
Zhanna: Mean people. 
3. What can you not live without? 
Witcha: Books/Music 
Zhanna: FOOD
4. Who would be your fantasy boyfriend if you could have one? 
Witcha: A mix of Demitri Belikov (Vampire Academy), Adrian Ivashkov (Vampire Academy), Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jensen Ackles. 
Zhanna: Derek from the show Teen Wolf (MTV) His arms. That all I gotta say
5. Who are you most like from a book/ series? 
Witcha: I’d like to think I’m like Sydney from The Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead, just not nearly as smart. 
Zhanna: I don't think I'm like anyone. I wish I was Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games) though :)
6. What book/ stories do you think should have a different ending and Why? 
Witcha:The ending to The Fault in our Stars was super upsetting, but at the same time I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was the most difficult to really come to terms with though, so I’d have to say The Fault in out Stars. 
 Zhanna: I would change the ending of the Mocking Jay. Its not what I though Katniss would ever do. :/
7. Name a song that would compliment the book you are reading right now? 
Witcha: I’m im-between books right now. 
Zhanna: Hmmm, I'm reading Fear by Michael Grant. There's a lot of fighting, hunger, and sickness. So probably something by Slipknot or Breaking Benjamin. Something angry..8. What shouldn't have a series or second novel in your opinion? 
Witcha:I would have been fine with just one book for If I stay by Gayle Forman, I actually only thought there was one book and was completely shocked when the second came out.
Zhanna: I have to agree with Witcha. The ending of If I Stay was fine the way it was. 9. What do you plan to do or have done with your life?  
Witcha: I want to travel the world.
Zhanna: I want to survive high school.10. What book should never be or been turned into a movie? 
Witcha: Twilight
Zhanna: The House of Night series I hear has a movie deal. NO. Please don't. This is a huge mistake.11. What book have you read that you think has been made into a successful movie? 
Witcha:The Hunger Games was pretty good, as well as Harry Potter so either of them.
Zhanna: The Harry Potter movies

Ana from The Adventures Within
1. Name the book that you regret buying and wish you hadn't read?
Witcha: Jars of Glass, my grandma made me buy it because the cover looked nice and it ended up being super boring and depressing.
Zhanna: Across the Universe. Wasn't what I was expecting. The writing didn't captivate me at all. 2. A book that you really want but haven't been able to buy it.
Witcha: Legend By Marie Lu
Zhanna: ^ YES. I need that book. 3. What actor or singer away would you want to meet if they were still alive? 
Witcha: No answer. 
Zhanna: John Lennon 4. Do you have an OCD?
Witcha: Not that I know of. 
Zhanna: I HAVE to use a book mark. I hate dog eared pages.5. If all the hot superheroes asked you out which one would you pick?
Witcha: Definitely Batman, Christian Bale is soooo hot.
Zhanna: MMMM THOR6. Your Phobias?
Witcha: Bugs
Zhanna: I hate going in airplanes. When I was younger I never had a problem with it but now its just scary. 
7. If you had a million dollars what would you do with it?
Witcha: I’d probably donate some, put some away for the future, and then buy books and shoes.
Zhanna: I'd save it for college and my future house. It would have a big library :)8. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?
Witcha: RUSSIA, for sure.
Zhanna: It changes all the time but right now I would say Spain. 9. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor 
Witcha: Lucama (Its Peruvian)
Zhanna:  Vanilla10. Something you can't live without?
(Answers above)

Karen from Karen's Choice Books

1. Do you hate more than 3 people?
Witcha: Nope
Zhanna: LOL What?????
2. Do you own a Britney Spears CD?
Witcha: I actually own three. hah
Zhanna: Its around here somewhere...
3.Name of thing that is always on your mind?
Witcha: Food
Zhanna: Mah boyfriend ^.^
4. The worst book you have ever read?
Witcha: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate was by far the worst book I’ve ever read. I’ll never forgive myself for reading it.
Zhanna: Jars of Glass was pretty bad. It couldn't hold my attention. 5. Do you jugde the book on it's cover?
Witcha:Of course, that’s originally what gets me interested.
Zhanna: YUP
6. Are you sarcastic?
Witcha: All the time.
Zhanna: ^ yup
7. How many books do you own?
Witcha: About 160
Zhanna: Too many. I have two bookcases though :)
8. Ever had braces?
Witcha: Yup
Zhanna: Yep. Gone now though :)
9. Do you own a gun?
Witcha: No
Zhanna: No
10. Have you ever called your teacher mommy?
Witcha: No, I've never called anyone mommy. 
Zhanna: No.
11.McDonalds or Wendys
Witcha: Neither
Zhanna: ^ Same

So now for the blogs we nominate. We could only think of a couple blogs because hey, we can't tag people back which sucks. 

1. The Book Babe
2.  Delibrarie
3.  Diane from Blog that Book out!

Y'all can just choose whatever questions you want from above to answer because this post is just too dang long. 
Happy Summer :)

Monday, July 30, 2012

The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Calling (Book two)
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Pages: 326
Level: Young Adult
Published: April 10, 2012

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is -a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

Review: 


I was beyond excited for this book to be published. After waiting, god knows how patiently after that awful cliff-hanger, I nearly peed my pants when I saw The Calling sitting all lonely like on a shelf at the library. It nearly called my name.... Get it? Cuz you know its called The Calling and you know whatever, that was really bad....


Anyways, I started reading it and I just wasn't pulled into the story like I was with the first book. Or called into the story... Okay, I really need to stop but I just can't help myself. 


The Calling was just too predictable. I wasn't on the edge of my seat like I usually am with Armstrong's books. 


On the bright side, Kelley is blending her two young adult series with the third book of the trilogy. Now that I'm excited for. 


Cover: 3/5
Character Rating 3/5
Style: 4/5
Development: 3/5
Overall:
***.5

(Just cuz I'm nice ^.^)

Friday, July 27, 2012

Clockwork Prince By: Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 498
Level: Young Adult
Published: December 6, 2011




In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.


Review:


I had been dreading reading this book because it had been so long since I had read Clockwork Angel and I couldn't remember anything. I really regret putting it off, this book was extremely good.


The plot development was not slow, I never found myself bored, seeing as to when a certain part was going to be over.


Every time I set this book down, I felt the need to pick it back up and continue on. I liked all the characters, I did feel that Tessa was annoying at some moments, but most main characters are.


Near the end of the book, I'm not going to spoil anything, but my heart broke. I am so upset with Cassandra Clare and her lame decisions. Otherwise the book was great. If you read the book, and want to talk feel free to comment. :)


Cover: 4/5
Character Rating: 4/5
Style: 4/5
Development: 5/5
Overall: ****