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Monday, December 31, 2012

BOOK REVIEW: Breathe by Sarah Crossan


Summary:
Inhale. Exhale.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe . . .
The world is dead.
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen–rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

Rate: 2.5 out of 5 stars

My thoughts:
    I'm a little stuck with this one, so I'll keep this short. I was really looking forward to this book, but I was kinda disappointed. This book is good, for the most part, but it feels like it's one of those books, that you forget about, after you finish reading it. The concept and story where interesting and well written, but I found the character really annoying, alot of the time.
    Bea and Quinn have been BFF's forever, and Bea is in love with him. And like most stories, Quinn is clueless about her love toward him, yet it's pretty obvious. Quinn, who I found really annoying, is your typical  oblivious rich boy. I found him to be really whiney. I don't know why, I just did... A whiney person isn't very attractive in my eyes, so I had a  pretty hard time trying to think of him as "HOT" like most male protagonists. It was actually a real downer!
     It seems to me that Alina was always mad and selfish. Now, not everyone is perfect, but I just didn't care for her character much. Sorry. 
    Dea was actually a little different. I kinda like her character. She was smart & selfless & she was more compassionate. The small part that I found a little annoying, was that she loved Quinn. Now, let me explain! It's alright to have a crush on some guy (or girl), but the person she loved was suppose to be her best friend, yet he didn't even know her friggen eye color. They've known each other for years and years, yet he looked her in the eyes, and didn't even know her eye color. Like...WHAT? I really thought that was a stupid moment for both of them.
    So, basically this book is one of those books that I will probably never think of again, or probably not put on my FAVORITE'S list. The wasn't a "NO WAY!" moment in this book, or a moment where I was gasping at the turn of events. This book was actually quite predictable. As much as I didn't like this book, I really liked the whole idea of the book. I  most likely WILL read the next book, just to see if it gets any better, and cause I almost always finish a series, but I highly doubt that. Either way, it will be interesting to see how it all pans outs in the end.

Quotes:

“I allow myself to be right here, in the moment, savouring the peace. All the millions and millions of stars remind me, too, how small and fragile I am. And unimportant, really. If this branch were to creak and moan and break under my weight, and I were to plummet to the ground, the stars in the sky would continue to decorate the world. And even if the last tree disappears from our planet, the stars will still be up there.”
― Sarah Crossan, Breathe

Saturday, December 29, 2012

BOOK REVIEW: MONUMENT 14 by Emmy Laybourne



Summary:
Your mother hollers that you’re going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don’t stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don’t thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not—you launch yourself down the stairs and make a run for the corner.
Only, if it’s the last time you’ll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you’d stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.
But the bus was barreling down our street, so I ran.
Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.


Rate: 4 out of 5 stars

My thoughts:
    I loved the idea of Monument 14 - fourteen kids across a wide age range stuck in a superstore in the midst of a tsunami, earthquake, and a chemical spill . And it is a great idea that for the most part is well executed.
    I kind of a sucker for in-progress-apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic books. I don't really remember from where I heard about Monument 14, but I thought I'd add it to my list of books to check out.
    A  thing I found fault with was the world building ......or, well, complete lack of it. Now and then we'd get little tidbits of information that told us the story was set in a somewhat nearby future (The Network, mini tabs, TVs being retired, etc.) but that's where it stops. The natural disasters and chemical spills give us a little bit more, but after the first few chapters, we don't get to hear much about that either. The novel goes on to highlight more of the relationships between the teens - which is one of the things I can rave about instead of whine about!
    Even though i had that problem with the book, I still got really into it. The characters where very real, and they all had there faults (Jake gets high, Brayden is a jerk for a good chunk of the story, even the main character, Dean, spies on Astrid and Jake doing.......stuff)! But they also have really awesome and lovable traits, so you sortta HAVE to forgive them for there "not so great" moments.
     I have something to confess...I wasn't sure if Dean was a boy or girl the first few pages of the story! But I really did connect with his character after the first chapter. Alot of people said that his character was boring.He wasn't BORING, just... average. He was an average kid thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Because in reality, if this were to happen to any of us, we certainly wouldn't be acting like Arnold Schwarzenegger. We would be scared! And probably peeing our pants.
 I also really loved Dean and Alex's relationship. They saw alot of things differently, yet we see underneath that nothing they do can tear apart their brotherly bond, the way they fit together so well. (Alex is analytical but frightened, but Dean is stable-minded). The two balance each other out.
    I can honestly say, that I really liked this book. I am happy looking forward to the next book coming out next year!

Quotes:

“Your mother hollers that you’re going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don’t stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don’t thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not -- you vault down down the stairs and make a run for the corner.
Only if it’s the last time you’ll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you’d stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.
But the bus was barreling down our street so I ran.”
Emmy Laybourne

“My mom believed that you make your own luck. Over the stove she had hung these old, maroon painted letters that spell out, “MANIFEST.” The idea being if you thought and dreamed about the way you wanted your life to be -- if you just envisioned it long enough, it would come into being.
But as hard as I had manifested Astrid Heyman with her hand in mine, her blue eyes gazing into mine, her lips whispering something wild and funny and outrageous in my ear, she had remained totally unaware of my existence. Truly, to even dream of dreaming about Astrid, for a guy like me, in my relatively low position on the social ladder of Cheyenne Mountain High, was idiotic. And with her a senior and me a junior? Forget it.
Astrid was just lit up with beauty: shining blonde ringlets, June sky blue eyes, slightly furrowed brow, always biting back a smile, champion diver on the swim team. Olympic level.
Hell, Astrid was Olympic level in every possible way.”
Emmy Laybourne







Friday, December 28, 2012

GIVEAWAY: CHIME by Franny Billingsley


Summary:Briony has a secret. It is a secret that killed her stepmother, ruined her sister's mind, and will end her life, if anyone were to know. She has powers. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and a great mane of tawny hair. He is as natural as the sun, and he treats her as if she is extraordinary. And everything starts to change . . . Chime is a haunting, brilliantly written novel that will stay with you--its magic, its romance, its world like none other.

About the author:
While Billingsley's first novel, Well Wished (1997), was warmly received by critics, a year ago she was a virtual unknown within a publishing climate that regarded fantasy as a specialty genre. Today, her name is on the lips of booksellers and reviewers throughout the country.

Franny Billingsley was not always a writer. She graduated from Boston University law-school in 1979, and worked for 5 years as a lawyer — a profession which she “despised.” In 1983, Billingsley visited her sister in Barcelona, Spain where she was “entranced by a lifestyle in which people did not make a lot of money yet lived richly and artfully.” Realizing that she needed to change her life, Billingsley quit her job and moved to Spain with all of her favorite children's books. “Books like A Wrinkle in Time, Harriet the Spy, and The Narnia Chronicles seemed like the perfect antidote to hideously wearisome legal documents,” remembers Billingsley, who began writing children's books while living in Spain.

When Billingsley returned to the United States, she took a job as the children's book-buyer at 57th Street Books, a major independent bookseller on the South Side of Chicago. “I worked at the bookstore for twelve years and I loved it because it helped me get back to the things that matter to me: people, ideas, and imagination. I wrote throughout this period. My early books were simply awful, but I did not let rejections and criticism stop me from writing. I worked hard at learning how to write and finding my strengths. It was not until I began writing fantasy that I found my voice. I believe that, ultimately, talent is less important to writing a good book than is determination.”

Franny Billingsley lives in Chicago with her family and currently writes children's books full-time.


                            NOW TO THE GIVEAWAY


US ONLY
Winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.
Must be 13 and older.
I am not responsible for lost packages.
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Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter below. THANKS! :)

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BOOK REVIEW: School's Out - Forever (Maximum Ride #2) by James Patterson


Summary:
Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride and the other members of the "Flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It seems like a dream come true--except that they're being hunted by half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" who can fly, too.

In Book 2 of the series, the Flock members are taken under the wing of an FBI agent and try to live "normal" lives by going to school, making friends--and continuing their relentless search for their parents. But the Erasers return, forcing the Flock to abandon their search and make their escape once again. The voice inside Max's head keeps telling her that it's up to her to save the world, but this is especially challenging to do when she is faced with her ultimate match: a newer and better version of herself, Maximum Ride II. Max's heart-stopping quest to investigate the mind-blowing mystery of her ultimate destiny continues in the scariest, strangest, and funniest James Patterson novel yet.

                                                               Rate:5 out of 5 stars
My Thought:
OMG! I'm just gonna get this off my shoulders! The guy on the cover (Fang) is amazingly HOT! I can still remember me and my best friend joking around and saying he was a "GOOD LOOKING LAD!". You can just feel the attractiveness radiating off of him! HAHA
    The second Maximum Ride novel is just as jaw-dropping as the first! It begins immediately after where The Angel Experiment left off, and it doesn’t take long (maybe one chapter) for action to resume in the story. If one thing can be said of the Maximum Ride series, it’s that there is never a dull moment. I have never found myself bored reading these books. The series thrills and entertains. Like a horse running a derby, Maximum Ride doesn’t stop.
     Just to add to Max and the Flock's problems, they have to go to the most horrifying place in all of earth.......SCHOOL! The flock soon begins to attend regular school and finally start to have a normal right, but of course their lives can never be normal....cause they have WINGS, for gods sake! Even though they are trying to live a seemingly normal life, there problems seem to be following them everywhere. So, now that they are at school, they are being chased and chased by Erasers (genetically modified humans with wolves). Oh, and there is a clone! STUPID CLONE!
    Always stick together! <-------that is the message that this book is trying to send to everyone. i'm pretty sure thats also the message from book #1, but let do one book at a time.
    Seriously people! these books are addicting! READ!! READ THEM NOW!
    
 Quotes:

“Did you know that wasn’t me, the other Max?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“When?”
“Right away.”
“How?” I persisted. “We look identical. She even had identical scars and scratches. She was wearing my clothes. How could you tell us apart?”
He turned to me and grinned, making my world brighter. “She offered to cook breakfast.”
James Patterson, School's Out—Forever

“You...are...a...fridge...with wings,' Fang ground out, punching an Eraser hard with every word. 'We're...freaking...ballet...dancers.”
James Patterson, School's Out—Forever

“I can talk to fish!" Angel said happily, water dripping off her long, skinny body. "Ask one over for dinner," Fang said, joining us.”
James Patterson, School's Out—Forever

“Guy:How did you become blind, uh, Jeff is it?"
Iggy:Yeah, Jeff. Well, I looked directly at the sun, you know, the way they always tell you not to. If only I had listened.” 
James Patterson, School's Out—Forever





BOOK REVIEW: The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride #1) by James Patterson




Summary:
In James Patterson's blockbuster series, fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time...like when Angel, the youngest member of the flock, is kidnapped and taken back to the "School" where she and the others were experimented on by a crew of wack jobs. Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley, CA, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare--this one involving fighting off the half-human, half-wolf "Erasers" in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father-figure Jeb--now her betrayed and greatest enemy--that her purpose is save the world--but can she?
                                              
                                                       Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

My thought:
"If you dare read this story you become part of the Experiment. I know it sounds a little mysterious- but it's all I can say for now," - Max.
That line right there, was the start of my love for books. This series was what braught me to the world of books! And i am pretty freaking happy, let me tell you!
Now, to the review! This book is sooo cool! There are always books about people being half wolves, half vampire, or something. But in this book, there are kids who have WINGS!! They can fly and they are stronger then any usual person! As crazy as it seems, i never thought about kids having wings. I've thought about kids with magical powers or vampire kids, but not wings. No no no no no. I have not!
     James Patterson proves to be an expert with making great characters. Max has a sarcastic sense of humor that I love. Max is such a strong and grown up character. She is only 14, yet she is the leader, and the caretaker of a bunch of kids. I have 2 younger brothers, and even then, I cant seem to keep them both straight. Yet, she has five kids to take care of! FIVE! The five other members of her Flock (family) areIggy, The Gasman, Angel, Nudge, and Fang. and they are all fantastic.
      I loved the whole Flock. So so much. They all brought something to the table, something vital to the story. They were all alive - I can still picture them perfectly, as though I've known them all my life. It's a pretty neat feeling.
    Oh, and the irony of this story.... Geeeee it kept me on my toes. Max was often put in ironic situations that she couldn't get out of, or that reminded her of something terrible from her past, or both.The book has good laughs to even out the action. There're good scenes and lots of action. My favorite character has to Fang or Iggy. Something in this book is bound to make you smile! :)

Quotes:

“I took a bite of cookie and chewed. “Hmmm,” I said, trying not to spit crumbs. “Clear vanilla notes, too-sweet chocolate chips, distinct flavor of brown sugar. A decent cookie, not spectacular. Still, a good-hearted cookie, not pretentious.” I turned to Fang. “What say you?”
“It’s fine.”
Some people just don’t have what it takes to appreciate a cookie.”
James Patterson, The Angel Experiment


“Popcorn for breakfast! Why not? It's a grain. It's like, like, grits, but with high self-esteem.”
James Patterson, The Angel Experiment


“Dr. Martinez: "I take it you don't want me to call your parent?"
Max: "Uh, no." Hello, lab? May I speak to the test tube please?”
James Patterson, The Angel Experiment

“Feeding a crowd?' the woman behind the counter asked.
Yes, ma'am ,' Fang said sweetly.
Yeah, him and all his split personalities, I thought.”
James Patterson, Maximum Ride The Angel Experiment




 

 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

BOOK REVIEW: I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) by Pittacus Lore





 
Summary:
"Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books - but we are real.

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

But they know.

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

I am Number Four.

I am next"

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Book Haul!!!!

    HELLO, People of Earth! I was originally planning on writing this tomorrow, but I soon realized that I had waaaaayyyyy to much time on my hands! So, as a result of this, I'll be doing this post tonight! Now, the books I have today were actually baught a couple days ago! So technically I didn't  haul them today! But, anyway, lets get started!

                                   ****The first book I got is Breath by Sarah Crossen:****

"Inhale. Exhale.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe . . .
The world is dead.
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?"



                        ****The second book I got is Dust city by Robert Paul Weston:****


"IN A CITY AS MEAN AS THIS, EVEN A BIG BAD WOLF SHOULD BE AFRAID.

And Henry Whelp is that Big Bad Wolf. Or will be, someday. His dad is doing time for the double murder of Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother so everyone assumes crime is in Henry's blood. For years, he's kept a low profile in a Home for Wayward Wolves on the outskirts of Dust City--a gritty metropolis known for its black market, mind-altering dust. And the entire population of foxes, ravens, and hominids are hooked. But it's not just any dust the creatures of this grim underground are slinging and sniffing. It's fairydust.

When a murder at the Home forces Henry to escape, he begins to suspect his dad may have been framed. With a daring she wolf named Fiona by his side, Henry travels into the dark alleyways and cavernous tunnels of Dust City. There, he'll come face to snout with legendary mobster Skinner and his Water Nixie henchmen to discover what really happened to his father in the woods that infamous night...and the shocking truth about fairydust."



                                  ****The third book I got is Until I Die by Amy Plum:****

"Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series."



                              **** The fourth book I got is City of bones by Cssandra Clare:****


 "When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end."




So...yeah! Those are my new books! And I am sooo excited to start them! Wish me luck! <3






 

Friday, December 21, 2012

City of Bones!


I finally got my own copy of City of Bones! I had checked the book out from my school library, and absolutly loved it! Ever since then, I've wanted it to be part of my book collection! And I finally have it! Yaaaayyy! For those of you, who haven't read it, I really recommend you get your hands on this one!! :) Anyway, I'll be doing a review on City of Bones, later this week! So, stay tunned!


Monday, December 17, 2012

BOOK REVIEW: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Summary:
"In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her."-Goodreads
Rate: 5 out of 5 stars
My thoughts:
O-M-G! Word cannot explain how much I loved this book! Hunger Games left you craving more? Try Divergent! I had to re-read Divergent after I realized that I never reviewed it the first time. What can I say? When a book takes your breath away as easily as this one does, it's hard to write a coherent review. Now that I've taken another shot at it, well....... it's not going to be much easier but I'll try to make sense! Let the fan girl reviewing commence!
Veronica Roth has built an entirely new dystopian society. One that relies on factions to keep things at peace. Unfortunately for everyone involved, that peace is only a superficial sham. What follows is a story that made me burn through these 400+ pages in a matter of hours. Divergent isn't something that you should start to read before bed time. It's the type of book that you'll want to finish once you start, whether you have the time or not. The writing is gorgeous, the society is perfectly built. Let's face it. There isn't a single thing that I didn't love about this book.
Which brings me to the characters. Seriously, the best part of this story. Tris and Four!! Realistic in their flaws and strengths.Tris isn't a shrinking violet. She isn't someone who sits around and waits for other people to take care of her. No! Tris can take care of anything that comes her way, even when she's terrified while doing it. She may be selfish and temperamental at times, but that just shows the reality of who she is. To be honest, Tris is bad-ass!
And then ther is Four. Tris' equal and opposite all rolled into one. Strong willed, and yet with a heart. I really loved how his realationship wasnt like most realtion ships in books. He doesnt go around protecting her or acting like she is a weak-willed girl. He knows she's bad-ass, and he loves that about her. Oh, and you wanna know what the best part is??? NO LOVE TRIANGLE! Feels refreshing to know that right? This was a huge part of why I loved Divergent so much.
I've been looking for a series to fill the hole that The Hunger Games series left behind. Something with a driven plot and a kick-ass heroine. This book? Completely filled that hole! This book is just addicting!
Quotes:
“Moths," repeats Will. "You're afraid of moths?"
"Not just a cloud of moths," she says, "like...a swarm of them. Everywhere. All those wings and legs and..." She shudders and shakes her head.
"Terrifying," Will says with mock seriousness. "That's my girl. Tough as cotton balls."
"Oh, Shut up.”
― Veronica Roth, Divergent
“What did you do, memorize a map of the city for fun?” says Christina.
“Yes,” says Will, looking puzzled. “Didn’t you?”
― Veronica Roth, Divergent
“I feel like someone breathed new air into my lungs. I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless.
I am Divergent.”
― Veronica Roth, Divergent

BOOK REVIEW: Insergent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Summary from goodreads:
"One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature."-goodreads
Rate: 4.7 out of 5 stars
My thoughts:
Note to everyone: This is not a book you want to stick at the bottom of you TBR pile. You should read it straight away!!!
Insurgent picks up directly where Divergent left off. It's almost like they're not two separate books at all. Just different parts of the same book. It's full of action, intensity, lies, betrayal, romance and heartbreak. It had me feeling all the emotions! I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to punch, kick and jump off stuff.
Tris and Four/Tobias are trying to navigate their way through the war that has begun between what's left of the factions. He has ideas about which side they should choose but Tris is conflicted about who to trust especially after secrets are revealed that leave her questioning everyone around her. The only thing she knows for sure is she'll have to fully embrace her Divergence if there's any hope of saving those she loves or herself.
She is struggling with her guilt and grief (over her parents and Will) and it's affecting all of the decisions she makes as well as her relationship with Four/Tobias. (This broke my heart for her.) As she learned in Divergent, our choices can transform us but they also have the ability to destroy us and everything that's important to us.
The relationship between she and Tobias feels strained most of the time. There are things they withhold in an effort to protect one another but instead of helping it only hurts them. It's obvious that he loves her and would do anything for her but he feels a responsibility to help and serve too which is all the more reason to *heart* him. (I LOVE YOU FOUR!!) The things these two characters have to endure both together and individually, are truly heartbreaking. *CLUTCHES CHEST* However, they also share some pretty swoon worthy scenes too.
I was prepared for an intense sequel but I was NOT prepared to have my heart in my throat the entire time I was reading. There are a few twists and surprises and plenty of loss but you can't have growth and new life without loss. I am soooo excited to see how it all ends in book #3!
Quotes:
“Got that gun?” Peter says to Tobias. “No,” says Tobias, “I figured I would shoot the bullets out of my nostrils, so I left it upstairs.”
― Veronica Roth, Insurgent
“I pout my lower lip for a second, but then I grin as the pieces come together.
"That's why you like me!" I exclaim. "Because you're not very nice either! It makes so much more sense now.”
― Veronica Roth, Insurgent
“Can I ask why you’re throwing knives at cheese?’
‘Caleb came by to discuss something,’ Tobias says, leaning his head against the wall as he looks at me. ‘And knife-throwing just came up somehow.’
‘As it so often does,’ I say, a small smile inching across my face.”
― Veronica Roth, Insurgent

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Hi, again! I really want to do another giveaway. So I need you guys to tell me what book you think I should have in the giveaway! It can be any book. Just let me know in the comments below, or email me!

BOOK REVIEW:The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen

Summary:
"What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?
Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander.
In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over.
But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction"-Goodreads
Rate: 5 out of 5
My thoughts:
Imagine me, walking through Barnes and Nobles trying to deside which book to pick. Trying to deside between 2 hardcovered books! But I only have 34 dollars on me. so I could only pick one of the hard coved books! But I still had enought for a paperback, right? Now, you'd think I'd take my marry time trying to deside which paperback book I want, right? WRONG!
My impatient mother, who was waiting in the parked car outside, kept calling me and telling me to hurry up. So what did i do? I picked up the first pretty paperback I saw, and sprinted to the register. SOOOO, I didnt have vary high hopes for this book.
Have I ever been in love with a fictional character? Uhhhhh....HECK-TO-THE-YES! I always end up loveing at least one character in each book. If the book is good, that is!
I haven't come across anything like this. Such a refreshing read. Yes its about Vampires and yes there's so many vampires around now .......BUT, I think there is always room for one more and this is it!The beautiful scenes between Amy and Alexander are so captivating and gripping. It will leave you swooning for days. I love their relationship, and Allison has written it so well.
I really enjoyed that I was on my toes the whole entire time, wanting to know when Vigo’s next victim would come, and who they would be. Especially when he started threatening Amy, and her family and friends. It was interesting watching the development between all the characters. I really also enjoyed how the police reacted to the, “vampire murders” and how they were willing to accept the impossible. I don’t think that would happen in real life. But I also really enjoyed that they were willing to work with Amy on how to defeat him.
The ending was interesting as well. I don’t want to spoil it but I really hope that there will be a second or third book to this novel. But I haven’t heard anything about it. I also really enjoyed that I was on my toes the whole entire time wanting to know when Vigo’s next victim would come and who they would be especially when he started threatening Amy and her family and friends. It was interesting watching the development between all the characters. I really also enjoyed how the police reacted to the “vampire murders” and how they were willing to accept the impossible. I don’t think that would happen in real life. But I also really enjoyed that they were willing to work with Amy on how to defeat him.
The ending was interesting as well. I don’t want to spoil it but I really hope that there will a second or third book to this novel. But I haven’t heard anything about it. AND....The cover is really interesting!
Quote:
“You shouldn't have told them you were my fiance."
"I thought if I were your fiance, they would let me see you immediately."
"It just made you sound weird. Nobody my age gets married.”
― Allison van Diepen, The Vampire Stalker
“being bitten by a vampire is not sexy”
― Allison van Diepen, The Vampire Stalker
“I must do whatever I can to find the best partners possible."
"Did you kick their butts?"
He frowned. "The buttocks are among the least sensitive places to hit someone."
I laughed. "It's a figure of speech."
"To kick butts. Interesting.”
― Allison van Diepen, The Vampire Stalker

BOOK REVIEW: Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy #1) by J.A. London

Summary:
"Only sunlight can save us.
We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.
After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.
Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever."-Goodreads
Rate: 5 out of 5 stars
My Thoughts:
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! When I first saw the book cover, I was like, "That looks alot like the Fallen Series cover!". So, I thought they was gonna be about the same thing. Angels, and boarding schools, and blah blah BLAHH! Well.....once again, i was wrong! This is vampires, inside-out!
Now I know what your thinking! "Not another Vampire book" or "Uggghhhhhh, her comes another Twilight book. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH" . But I honestly liked this book. Keep in mind that I also like the twilight series, so unless you like switching up the original vampire (Dracula), this book is not for you!
Anyway, I just loved the concept of Darkness Before Dawn! Vampires + Dystopian world clearly seems to be equaling a brilliant idea. All the characters play an important role in the story as well. Tegan, Dawn’s best friend, is very important throughout the book, and thankfully, wasn’t the annoying secondary female lead like some authors usually write them out to be, although she did have her moments! Lord Valentine plays a fierce and frightening villain and I love how he’s an old-style vampire, with rules and etiquette.
There were a lot of surprises and “hold your breath” moments in this book, and I loved it! i was totally diving into the world that L.A London created! The ending, not quite a cliffhanger, definitely left me wanting more. MORE MORE!! I knew how it was going to end, like, halfway through the book, but getting there was an amazing rollar-coaster ride! I just loved it, and I can't wait until book 2, "BLOOD-KISSED SKY", comes out!
Quotes:
“I like you, Dawn. I've seen a lot of humans, from far away and up close. I've never met one like you. I think you're the closest thing to a sunrise I'll ever see.”
― J.A. London, Darkness Before Dawn
“In four hundred years, I’ve never dreamed. Vampires don’t. But after I saved you on the trol ey that night, you invaded my sleep. In my dreams, we’re the same. We can touch, kiss, love. And every dream ends with us … being together forever.”
― J.A. London, Darkness Before Dawn

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Update!!

Hey guys! So, i recently went on this website called the YA BOOK EXCHANGE. It is fantastic. You can trade books that you have and already read, for books that you want to read that are owned by people all over the world. I have already participated. 3 times to be  percise. And my books are being mailed soon! I recomend you go on! i'll have a link to the website down below! :)

Link: http://www.yabookexchange.com/

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Let me know!!

So far, i've only had one giveaway. I want you guys to let me know what new books you would like me to do a giveaway for. Any book you think would be good. I will probably even do a review for it, if you would like. Leave a comment below, or email me! :D

Monday, December 3, 2012

Hey guys! I'm doing a giveaway for The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox. Victoria was so kind to offer 3 ebooks of her latest release The Magic Warble for an us/international giveaway. The giveaway starts December 4, 2012 and ends on December 18, 2012. If you want to enter, just click the link below! All the information is in the link. If you have any questions, just email me. :)

The Giveaway: http://bookaholiccorner.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html

Sunday, December 2, 2012

I finished "The Selection" by Kiara Cass a a couple days ago. And I have to say  I LOVED IT!! I cannot wait till  her second book "The Elite" comes out on April 2013! I really do recommend it! <3 This is what they look like!

BOOK REVIEW: After Osession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel

Summary:
"Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them.
They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.
Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession".-Goodreads
Rate: 2 out of 5 stars
My thoughts:
Where to begin?? Well, i'm gonna be 100% honest with you all. I did not like this book very much. The second I saw it at the Barnes and Nobles book self, I thought, "Wow! What a beautiful cover!!". then I the summery for this novel and I was very intrigued, yet slightly wary about reading it because I didn't really think 'scary' books were my thing.i had read "Need" by Carrie Jones and disliked it so much i couldnt finish reading it. So when i saw this book, i decided to give Carrie a second chance.
Unfortunately, all the problems I had with "Need", I had with "After Obsession", but more so. Oh god, I really disliked it. It was really hard to finish, and its a pretty small book. :/ I almost didnt make it to the end, but i made myself a promise that i would at least finish one of her book.
Problem #1: Alan and Aimee have one of the most awkward love affairs I've read in awhile. They fall all over each other almost instantly. They know nothing about each other before they're proclaiming love.
Problem #2: You can't take a caring single mom, who you're supposed to like, and then have her say hateful things about her son to his face and still like her, let alone buy she'd say it in the first place. Alan is half native and there is a lot of talk about how his mom doesn't "like" the traditions he's tryed to adopt to understand that half of his culture.
Problem #3: Exorcism should not be easy. Come on people, with books and movies like the Exorcist and the Exorcism of Emily Rose you know the bar has been set pretty high for demons, exorcisms and scary. So why try a fluffy version where its neatly wrapped up in a few chapters, there's no real damage outside of some furniture, and every one is A-OK, 5 minutes later? I wanted to read some seriously creepy words on the page to make up for all the sickening lovey doveyness, and I was not rewarded.
Problem #4: The front cover of the book is beautiful, but it nothing to do with the actual book itself. And neither does the title. In the book, it says that Amiee has red hair. Not blonde hair. So.......who's the girl on the cover. And the title.....after what obsession? Can someone explain it to me? I didn't notice anyone with an unnatural obsession in this book. At all.
There were two characters I loved. Gramps and Aimees brother Benji. They were sweet, funny and had a wonderful side story going about a Marilyn Monroe shaped Cheeto that they were selling on ebay. Anywho, they missed their opportunity for a great and funny story when they decided that Gramps, Benji and the Cheeto should be a secondary side story. I'm just saying. Cheetos are good.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

TO READ LIST

I've had a bunch of books just sitting in a pile, in the corner of my room. UNREAD! *GASP* i have to find a way of reading all of them, without completly tossing them to the curve (like i've been doing lately), because of newer books that just came out. Anyway, here are the books that i have YET to read! Comment on your oppinions on the books! :)

Chime by Franny Billingsley
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Sunshine by Robin McKinley

BOOK REVIEW: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Summary:
"Meghan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…
Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.
When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.
But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart."-Goodreads
Rate: 5 out of 5
My thoughts:
I first saw this book at my school library, and fell in love with the cover, but I didnt quite wanna read it, because it was around the time I was still reading the Hunger Games trilogy, and I didn't think I would be able to read both book series at the same time.When I had finally finished the Hunger Games trilogy, I had gottan my paws on the first book in the series, and started reading it, but in the back of my mind, I still had the hunger games wispering, "Came back! Come back to me!". And so, I flung the book as far away as I could, (Not literally. I actually set it down on a very comfertable pink pillow) picked up the hunger games, and read it again.
One of my best friends, Jenny, had asked me for a book to read, and so I told her to read this perticular book. After she finished the book, she told me that she absolutly LOVED it. So I desided to give it another try, and I have to say, I LOVED IT! Thank you Jenny, for unknowingly bringing this book back into my life. :)
I think I must first talk about Grimalkin, and how he is the coolest cat ever. Julie Kagawa manages to perfectly capture the spirit of a cat in Grimalkin (or at least what seems what a cat would be like to me). He had attitude, and was downright awesome. Then there was Puck and Ash. Puck was so much fun! Everything was always a joke, and things he did had me laughing so hard! Ash was more serious and cold, but the little things he did felt really heartwarming.Now I must talk about Meghan. Major props to Julie Kagawa for making Meghan a strong and intelligent female protagonist who remains dedicated to whatever she does. She stands her ground for what she believes in, in this world where pretty much everyone's trying to sway her to their side.
The romance in The Iron King was perfect in the setting. There was none of the gooey, love scenes which sometimes don't seem real. Romance in The Iron King had sparks flying off the page. There was so much anticipation, so many almost moments. I kept thinking they'd finally kiss, and then something else would happen.
Now, now I know you're reading this review and wondering out loud "Well where does she stand on the Puck vs. Ash debate?" but hold on, I'm getting to that! It's just a matter of explaining to you what I love about each of them. Puck is funny, he's wild and one of those characters who just oozes charisma without even trying. On the opposite side of the spectrum (or love triangle if you will?) is the cold, hard, and yet still deliciously attractive Ash. My final verdict? Well, I love them both equally. I'll admit I am leaning a bit towards The Team Ash side, but puck is just soo funny. Once I finish the whole series we will see who I pick. Oh yes, we will see. >:D
Quotes:
“Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?”
- Julie Kagawa, The Iron King
“My closet!" hissed the figure. A spiderlike hand darted out and grabbed the doorknob. "My closet! Mine!" And it slammed the door with a bang.”
-Julie Kagawa, The Iron King

BOOK REVIEW: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Summary:
"Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.
But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone."-Goodreads
Rate: 5 of 5 stars
My Thoughts:
I have to thank my bestfriend Katie and her cousin Molly for bringing this book into my life! <3 I love you guys so much! And I absolutly loved the book. First off: I felt like the love-hate relationship between Bianca and Wesley was both adorable and hilarious. I felt like this book was very well writen.
Bianca is a character that every girl can relate to in some way. she mught be a bit cinicle, but her character was flawed, yet believable. Bianca has some hard times in life and it all seems to double when the school hottie and playboy, Wesley Rush, tells her she is The Duff. Then nicknames her Duffy. After that, things snowball into one big ball of mess! Bianca doesn't like Wesley very much. She actually hates his guts! Her home life isnt all that great and you sympathize for her, so you kinda get the picture that her life isnt exactly going very well. And how does she find a way out, you may ask? Well............by sleeping with the guy she hates the most.....Wesley.
Wesley, oh Wesley. Where do i begin? well, at first i thought that Wesley was a stuck up, man whore-ish jerk who doesnt care about anyones feeling, but wesley has just as much problems as Bianca. Plus he's hot, so brownie points to Wesley! I dont wanna spoil any of the ending, but Wesley does change. So don't think he's a COMPLETE asshole.
Every teen girl should read this. They may see that they are not alone in the world. Everyone thinks they are a Duff, at least once in their life.
Quotes:
“Spanish, huh?" he said, glancing down at the scattered papers as he grabbed them.
"Can you say anything interesting?"
"El tono de tu voz hace que queria estrangularme." I stood up and waited for him to hand over my papers.
"That sounds sexy," he said, getting to his feet and handing me the stack of Spanish work he'd swept together. "What's it mean?"
"The sound of your voice makes me want to strangle myself."
"Kinky.”
― Kody Keplinger, The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend