Review: Eona

Author: Alison Goodman
Pages: 637
Publisher: VIKING
Sequel to: Eon
Source: Library
Synopsis: Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the selfstyled "Emperor" Sethon. Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and power - and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans. . . .

Eona, with its pulse-pounding drama and romance, its unforgettable fight scenes, and its surprises, is the conclusion to an epic only Alison Goodman could create.

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I finished Eona and it was magnificent and perfect and I don't want it to end but it was the perfect ending. I'm telling you right on this review will end up being very gushy on account of this being one of the best books I've ever read.

I was first enchanted with the dragons in Eon, the story of a girl masking herself as a boy so she can be a Dragoneye and link with a dragon to preserve prosperity and peace in the land. Dragoneyes were all men so Eona could never reveal her gender until the last moment. That left many hurt and questioning Eona.

Eona starts with action, brings more action and when you cannot tear yourself away from the pages it ends. The plot was really well woven. I was always interested and I'm sitting here writing this review at home when I should be at the library studying for my test or finishing a big project for school. Eona makes me forget all that; it absorbs me completely. Irresistible.

The story is filled with death, moral dilemmas, war, love, healing, redemption, political maneuvering, betrayal, magic with the cultural aspects of old Japan and China. I wouldn't have thought all that would fit into one novel too, but it does. And it doesn't feel like a mess! The book is really long (and as I said before, it's really hard to put down) so I suggest reading it when you have a lot of time.

The things I love most about Eona are the characters. I love these characters. Eona now ranks as one of my favourite characters ever. She's strong, has values, and realizes sacrifice. At the same time Eona wants power and to be special. She's so relatable and I could understand everything she did. Every character had missteps and had to make hard choices. That was part of their charm and I appreciated them all. Even the the most vile of characters I thought was well done.

So I've probably failed to be coherent and logical. That's okay, the point of this review is to tell you to READ EON AND EONA. I loved them and I recommend them based on fabulous world building, intricate plots and some pretty amazing characters.

Now that I'm done the series I want to cry, and laugh, and jump up and down with joy. I also want to reread it and I will. At some point I will.

5 stars,

*****

Review: Dearly Departed

Author: Lia Habel
Pages: 470
Publisher: Del Rey
Source: Bookurious, for review (Thank you!)
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge
Synopsis: Love can never die. 


 Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 


 The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. 
For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 


 But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire. 


 In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.


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Lia Habel, you're a genius. Seriously, I can not get over how awesome Dearly Departed is. It's this fusion of dystopia, history, paranormal and it totally works! When you read the premise you're probably thinking the idea is crazy, but you're also wondering if she can pull it off. I thought she did!

First, I want to say I think zombies are disgusting. Walking corpses, slowly rotting. It's unappealing to me, so while I'm sure they're all pretty good people I would not go near one. Ever. Miss Lia Habel challenged that. For the first time ever, I fell for a zombie. I'm still grossed out, but I love Bram and the crew. They didn't ask to be undead and they're clever, kind, and just the kind of people I admire.

You know those zombie books where the zombies have taken over and the humans are barely surviving? That was not Dearly Departed. The concept was so original that it deserves a genre of its own. The plot always felt like something I've never seen before was happening. It was action packed, and full of questions. Best of all it ends in a way that is satisfying. No cliffhangers or anything like that though there is indication that there is more to come.

The characters were all relatable and though some may appear weak in the beginning, they all had hidden strengths. I had a huge grin on my face after reading some scenes. The best part is that there are multiple perspectives. I've noticed either people hate that or love it. I love it; it shows much more character development and the story is often more complex and intricate when that happens. I loved being in other character's minds and seeing their part of the story and the action. It really made me relate to them all.

This review is kind of all over the place and I apologize for that. It's just that Dearly Departed is such a complicated, healthy sized book with a lot happening. I'm sure there's at least one character or storyline that will interest someone. There is sweet, taking it slow romance, (finally!!!) military level action, and great, lovable characters. The writing is pretty awesome too- it always left me hungry for more and I found the book very readable.

If you're looking for a book that has it all, look no further than Dearly Departed. I love this book and this is one of those series I'll be most excited to read of more in 2012. Definitely 5 stars,

*****

Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset

Author: Kady Cross
Pages: 473
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Library
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge
Synopsis: In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the "thing" inside her. 


When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch... 


 Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret. 


 Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something, finally fit in. 


 But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

The Girl in the Steel Corset is probably one of my favourite books of the year. The story, characters and plot appeal to me in every way.

The story was written in alternating perspectives which I'm now realizing how much I love. It's great to know what's going on from the mind of numerous characters. It also means the plot is more elaborate and more is happening, which I adore. By the end of the book which I practically flew through, I had a good understanding of all the characters and I at least liked most of them. The cast of colorful characters in The Girl in the Steel Corset was a huge part of the reason why I loved this book so much.

Now as to the characters... Meet Finley, a sweet but rather untrusting girl that has a dark counterpart who's starting to break free. I was so fascinated by her and I don't think I'll forget her. Totally rooting for her. Then there's Griffin, righteous, clever, confident Griffin. He's a very unique character, unlike any other YA boy I've read of. He has this way of getting exactly what he wants while being charming at the same time. Can't help but love him. Next there's Jack the criminal who's sweet to Finley... But there's definite darkness and danger there. He's exactly the kind of character I like to read of and I definitely had a crush on him. There's brilliant Emily, sweet, kind, and the girl you just want to be friends with. Surly and protective Sam who I'm not too fond of yet but I suspect he'll grow on me. Jasper, an intriguing and mysterious character. That's just some of the characters. One or two them alone would make a book great. All of them together is explosive.

Steampunk is a very cool genre. Especially when it's done like this. You get your Victorian era traditions and pretty dresses but with technology and a more dangerous society. Especially with all the automatons wandering around. In The Girl in the Steel Corset, the technology seems to blend with magic-like abilities. The abilities aren't normal for us so if they were o take place in modern society it would be magic but back then it can be traced to science (of the fictional kind). Which is pretty cool.

Then there's the plot. I said the book flew by because even though there are many pages and the story never felt rushed, the book was addictive. There was alway something happening that kept me interested. The idea was original, the plot was suspenseful and full of twists. You'll be enthralled with the mystery. I did guess a plot twist but I still enjoyed getting to the point where it was unveiled so it's all good.

Why should you read The Girl in the Steel Corset? It's a fast paced adventure and mystery happening in a gorgeous setting with enough romance and action to appeal to almost all readers. Honestly, the book was similar to Clockwork Angel (as in the pacing and the kind of story it is, nothing specific) so if you enjoyed Clockwork Angel you will probably enjoy Kady Cross's book. And even if you didn't you should try it out. 5 stars,

*****

Review: On the Jellicoe Road

Author: Melina Marchetta
Pages: 300
Publisher: Penguin
Source: Library
Synopsis: My father took one hundred and thirty two minutes to die. 


 I counted. 


 It happened on the Jellicoe Road. The prettiest road I’d ever seen, where trees made breezy canopies like a tunnel to Shangri-La. We were going to the ocean, hundreds of kilometres away, because I wanted to see the ocean and my father said that it was about time the four of us made that journey. I remember asking, “What’s the difference between a trip and a journey?” and my father said, “Narnie, my love, when we get there, you’ll understand,” and that was the last thing he ever said. 


 We heard her almost straight away. In the other car, wedged into ours so deep that you couldn’t tell where one began and the other ended. She told us her name was Tate and then she squeezed through the glass and the steel and climbed over her own dead – just to be with Webb and me; to give us her hand so we could clutch it with all our might. And then a kid called Fitz came riding by on a stolen bike and saved our lives. 


 Someone asked us later, “Didn’t you wonder why no one came across you sooner?”


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I've finished reading the fantastic Jelicoe Road and all I wish for is to be able to re-read it. It saddens me that I don't have the time.

Jellicoe Road is a story of loss, hope, courage, love, depression and friendship. During most of the last half of the book, my eyes were teary. Awful things happen to these special people but life goes on. Traditions are made, secrets unveiled, families lost and families reunited. I felt their pain. The story was unique in the way that all these people dealing with so much could feel better with each other. It was emotional and true so I loved it.

The characters were a huge part of it. I adored everyone including Webb, Tate, Narnie, Fitz and Jude and Taylor and her friends. These people were multi-layered and their lives were complicated. So many quotes here just made me want to cry and reread them. Their relationships were beautiful and special. I connected with them all: Jessa, Chloe, Jonah, Santangelo, Raffy. The romances had me cheering. Many moments were so sweet that I was filled with that glow-y happy feeling you get when you know how incredible life is.

The way the story was told was in two parts: italicized and regular. Italicized included bits and pieces of Hannah's story and the rest was Taylor's story. These two stories intertwined. How much so wasn't revealed until near the end. It was a cool way to tell the story. I wasn't sure the relevance of each part to the other at the beginning but in the end I understood. Jellicoe Road was so readable that as soon as I opened it I was hooked. I encourage people to not do what I did though. Don't read this book quickly; take your time to savor it.

A heartfelt story that's definitely a must read. 5 stars,

*****

Review: Sean Griswold's Head

Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Pages: 288
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Source: Library
Synopsis: According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object-an item to concentrate her emotions on. It's supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold's head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas-it's an alphabetical order thing), but she's never really known him. 


The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father's newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it's working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking-er, focusing on-Sean Griswold . . . all of him! He's cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own. 


In this sweet story of first love, Lindsey Leavitt seamlessly balances heartfelt family moments, spot-on sarcastic humor, and a budding young romance.


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I love Sean Griswold's Head. The book, I mean, though I'm sure his head is nice too.

I laughed so hard while reading this. Payton has a hilarious voice. She's a believable teenager with the slightly nerdy vocabulary, insecurities, blowing things out of proportion problems and doing stuff for the stupid reason that you're a teenager not an adult yet so you can excuse. I think we'd be BFFs if we met. We're around the same age too so I loved her view of high school. Her need for schedules was brilliant and the guidance counsellor meetings had me picturing my guidance counsellor whom I met for the first time on the last day of 9th grade. She was awesome (Payton, I mean. I don't know much about my guidance counselor yet.)

Not to say there weren't many scene-stealing moments. Jac is an impossible best friend who's amazing and sweet but also has her very annoying faults that besties have. Payton and Jac's friendship was a great part of the novel and I loved that Jac was a complicated, real person, not just the MC's best friend. Payton's bros did made me laugh a lot. Her mom made me think of my dad. Sean was sweet and awesome but in a real teenage boy way. Grady was cool. Every character had more to them and while there were a lot of laughs, there was an equal amount of Serious Stuff happening.

One of those serious things was MS. Like Payton at the beginning I heard about it but I never really knew what it was until I read Sean Griswold's Head. The fact that Payton's Dad has MS was shocking to her and I felt awful too. Her reaction wasn't mature but I also think it was real. When tragedy strikes, we're not all happy-go-lucky. We need time to deal and process and reading of Payton as she did that was important. It was done really well and I'm so glad I read this book.

This is the kind of book that reminds me why I love to read contemporary novels. It's real and funny but serious. It totally deserves 5 stars,

*****

Review: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth
Pages: 489
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Library
Synopsis: Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.


Buy the Book (Amazon, The Book Depository)

Divergent was AWESOME!!! I'm going to attempt a review, but forgive me if it comes out as a gush.

Tris is a character I love. In many book these days I get annoyed with characters' choices because I don't understand or believe in them which makes me think badly of the character. Not in Divergent. I understood Tris's choices and respect them. She's a brave, caring, determined character. Truly divergent from the mold of YA characters often seen.

The idea of the factions worked. It was kind of like Hogwarts and their house to the extreme and I absolutely loved learning about each faction. By the end you could see that the factions were not all good or not all bad. I had the funnest time trying to figure out in which fraction I'd belong (or not). The whole world was really well done with small details that made it real. Not somewhere I'm likely to forget... Ever.

The plot was intense. Fast paced, there was also something cool happening. Divergent was NEVER a dull read. The overall story was addicting to read about and I can't wait for the sequel. The writing pulled me in and I kept reading, enchanted, till the last past.

My point? Discover what readers everywhere have already discovered: an amazing dystopian that is simply a must read. Breathtaking with huge revelations, action, and sizzling romance Divergent is the best of dystopia. I recommend it to all, 5 stars,

*****

Review: Shine

Author: Lauren Myracle
Pages: 350
Publisher: Amulet Books
Source: Library
Synopsis: When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice. 


 Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author.


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Wow. I'm astonished. I had a feeling I'd like Shine, but I had no idea just how good it was!

The book tackles huge issues head on. Shine isn't about one thing. It's about lots of stuff like family, growing up, living, drugs, a bit of everything else. And it ties everything together so well. I stopped often when reading to just think about everything. What did I believe? Who was in the right? Who was in the wrong? How would I act in a similar situation? Shine opened my mind to many new ideas and issues, and I'm thankful for it. Definitely a must read.

Cat starts out as a weak girl with obvious self esteem issues. She's been so passive and alone for such a long time, and it takes the beating of her former best friend (till she dropped him) Patrick to wake her up. She's an amazing character. Timid, but when she's riled up she's ready to fight. And fight she does. I loved Cat's loyalty, and I was cheering for her the whole way. She's had a hard past, but it made her stronger. She's a girl to look up to.

One of the things I loved about Shine was the characters. They had outsides and history with Cat, but they had new insides too, (if that makes any sense whatsoever) and they were interesting. Some of them did unforgivable things, but were on the path of redemption, others were giving up, and others made me sick with their passive attitude. They all acted a certain way that made them memorable and real. It was a pleasure meeting them all.

This is more of a fun comment, but I loved the small southern town setting. I would never want to live there, but I love reading about the South. I think it was really well done and went with the story.

Ultimately, Shine was a tragic, beautiful story of ugliness and the courage it takes to deal with it. It's a thoughtful read and though it deals with huge issues, I would recommend it to almost everyone of the right maturity. 5 stars,

*****

Review: Where She Went

Author: Gayle Forman
Pages: 264
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Source: Library
Other Books in Series: If I Stay Amazon / The Book Depository
Challenge: The Ultimate Reviewers' Challenge Book 11
Synopsis: It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. 


Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other. 


Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.


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Were She Went= Sob Fest. I cried so much, a few chapters in, and then about every other chapter for the most part. I will admit that I'm not one of those people who never cry. Some stories just hit me hard and this was one of them.

I'm glad I read this book. It's not just for entertainment. It's written in a way to make the reader understand what Adam is going through. He's been through a lot and he feels alone. He has pushed everyone away and is on the verge of a breakdown. Then he sees Mia again for one night that will change his life.

In If I Stay, Mia was in a hard place but at the end she made a choice and broke through. In Where She Went, Adam has the same possibility of making that choice. Watching Adam go through all his emotions was powerful. At some parts I hated Mia for what she did, but I couldn't hate her for living her life. There was so much raw emotion pouring out through Adam, the prose, the lyrics to the songs (which I loved, btw) that I was overwhelmed.

I love Adam even more than Mia. There is so much to him and I loved his perspective. He's no saint but he is a genuinely good person. A man. His love for Mia is consuming. The kind of love that can last forever if pruned, the kind of love that can save or take a life.

There were several revelations Adam had but the one I loved the most was the idea of closure. I'm bad at goodbyes. They can be painful for me when I don't think about them, and I always end up upset on the last few days of vacation or when a good thing is happening because I'm scared of letting go. The way the idea of closure was presented here really resonated with me in a beneficial way. I thought closure was being over that pain, that sadness but what it really is is excepting the pain and eventually letting it go.

I'm not going to go more in depth than that. Where She Went made me feel strongly, which is exactly why I love it. In most books you see other people, experience others' lives. Where She Went was a personal read, and exactly what I needed. 5 stars,

*****

Review: Red Glove

Author: Holly Black
Pages: 325
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Other book in the series: White Cat 
Source: Library
Challenge: Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge book 4
Synopsis: Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.


That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.


When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?


Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.


Buy the Book (Amazon)

**Spoilers for White Cat**

Cassel is exactly the kind of character I love. He's sarcastic with a sense of humor, witty, loyal to family, and he tries to be good even though he has done very bad things, even though it's so tempting to do bad. That dilemma he faces makes me love him even more. Evidently, with Cassel as a character I loved Red Glove.

Cassel isn't the only interesting character. Lila, the girl-turned-cat-turned-girl-who's-cursed is back. She's also a very complex character. Lila is put in a place where she will become a killer. She's the daughter and future ruler of a mobster. How about the part where Cassel's mom cursed her to love him? Cassel has to stay away from her because while his feelings are true, he never knows whether hers are.

I loved that romantic tension. Something Red Glove (THANKFULLY) doesn't have is a love triangle. No, relationships in the Curseworker series are very real and raw. The character in Red Glove are among the best I've seen. There are so many of them and each acts differently in a distinctive way. They all have faults and values and all pressure poor Cassel.

The curse-magic is back and even more natural than ever. Holly Black makes curses feel like a part of every day society. Never did I stop reading and wonder or muse about the curses, I expected it as it was.

The best thing about Red Glove was how readable it was. I was easily immersed in the story. I was kept guessing who the murderer was in the end and how Cassel was going to get out of the mess. The cons were amazing. I would love lessons from Cassel on how to read people or make a con. They were elaborate schemes and so well thought out that the failures and successes made sense. I loved that I read every word of Red Glove eagerly. I felt like I was having the most delicious chocolaty treat!

All in all, I love Holly Black's series. Read it. It gets better and better. It's dark but that's just a part of its charm. My only complaint is that I don't want this series to ever end! 5 stars,

*****

Review: Perfect Chemistry

Author: Simone Elkeles
Pages: 368
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Source: Library
Synopsis: A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

 

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

*SQUEE!* A new favourite! I finally read Perfect Chemistry and I love it! The romance, the danger, the family... I was hooked from the first sentence and I cried and laughed and swooned incontrollably while reading this.

Perfect Chemistry will be known in this review as PC.

Brittany is a girl I'll always remember. She's the golden co-captain of the cheerleading team, looks and dresses perfect, is rich and is dating the captain of the football team. She lives a stereotype and her greatest fear is that someone realizes that underneath all that glamour, Brittany is far from perfect. Brittany learns a great deal in PC. Her character is intelligent and deep. She's witty and challenging, plus a really cool overall person.

Brittany's awesome but the real winner in this story is Alex. *sighs* I have never read of a better male lead with more depth and who feels more real than Alex. His love for his family is endearing; his bad boy attitude is a fun exterior masking what a good boy he is on the inside. Alex is brave and courageous. He does what he thinks is right and understands people and how to challenge them. He's street smart and loyal. I think I'm in love.

Alex and Brittany together are magical. I could feel the chemistry oozing from the pages, hot and delicious. They make each other feel more; they're passionate, love fun, and bring out the best in each other. They're a couple that I can easily believe will last forever. I love reading about them and their love.

PC hooked me in, like a drug but better, and never let me go. The characters were enthralling. The story was non-stop romance, tension and action. Probably one of the best if not the best love story I've ever read. Are you one of the few people who hasn't read Perfect Chemistry? What are you waiting for! Read it now! 5 stars,

*****

Review: If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman
Pages: 272
Publisher: Speak
Source: Library
Synopsis (from Goodreads): In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

If I Stay is now number one on my list of books that everyone needs to read.

The story was painful to read. I felt like I was Mia, losing my family— her family was impossible. I felt her uncertainty, her grief. I myself miss her parents and her brother. I feel like I've lost something, but I've also found something special in this remarkable book. I felt Mia's hope and I've finally realized what an emotional roller coaster means. I'm so glad I read this book and I truly feel like I've undergone a journey with Mia. If I Stay does that to you.

Mia's life is real. I can imagine her easily. Her parents were amazing and she loved them so much but they weren't perfect. They had so many great memories with Mia. Mia's love for her brother Teddy makes me think of my own sister. Mia's best friend Kim with all her faults and merits could easily be a girl in my class. Adam could also easily be a boy at my school. And the scariest thing is that the accident that overturned Mia's life could easily happen. If I Stay was real.

When I read books I have a hard time keeping myself interested sometimes. I force myself to slow down and read every single word, but I didn't need to do that with this story. Each word had an amazing purpose to describe what was happening and it also had the power to make you feel what was happening. Often I read books for fun, and that's acceptable but words aren't just about fun. They have power and should be used carefully. I realized this while reading If I Stay.

The story of If I Stay is unforgettable. I'll be thinking of Mia many, many times throughout my life. While reading I had no idea where the story would go. I had no idea what Mia's choice would be or what would happen next. I was guessing till the last page and even now I can't get the story out of my head. The ending was satisfying and I can not wait to read Where She Went.

Overall, If I Stay is a powerful story of love, family and choices. It'll take you to places inside yourself that you've never been to before and it will startle you. It's an important story and a book that needs to be read. 5 stars,

*****

Review: The Lost Hero

Author: Rick Riordan
Pages: 576
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Source: Library
Series: Spin-off of: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson series)
Synopsis from Amazon: After saving Olympus from the evil Titan lord, Kronos, Percy and friends have rebuilt their beloved Camp Half-Blood, where the next generation of demigods must now prepare for a chilling prophecy of their own:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Now, in a brand-new series from blockbuster best-selling author Rick Riordan, fans return to the world of Camp Half-Blood. Here, a new group of heroes will inherit a quest. But to survive the journey, they’ll need the help of some familiar demigods.

WARNING: FAN OF RICK RIORDAN HERE!

It's midnight (or it was when I wrote this review) and I've just finished The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan which I loved. It's a MG level book but it's definitely one of my favorite series. The characters are all mature, cool, and the story has little bits of comedic relief that make me laugh. Plus, it's about Greek myths and it's a spinoff kinda series to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series so what's not to like?

The first thing I love about this book is how it's written. It's fast-paced with action, but it's funny and does a really good job at describing scenes in brief yet informative ways. The story jumps from the point of views of Piper, Jason and Leo.

Our new heroes are strong and each have to overcome different obstacles. I would have liked their characters to be a bit more developed because I still don't feel like I know them well but I'm sure the next books in the series will change that.

The plot is so engaging! There was lots of action, lots of Greek Gods and many new revelations. I completely devoured it and the plot looks epic so I can't wait to read the next book.

The ending: OMG now that's a cliffhanger. It may not seem so exciting to some people, but I absolutely went nuts when I read it. It's a typical Rick Riordan cliffhanger, very similar to the end of one of the Percy Jackson books.

This book is exactly what I hoped a spinoff would be. There's the same world but more of an expansion of it. (Gotta say, it's absolutely brilliant idea.) There are the same characters in the old series who are alive and well. And they're featured a lot in the new series. How much though has yet to be determined. There's a fresh prophecy and even more epic plot. What's not to love?

This series (combined with the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series) has reached a whole new standard of awesome for me. Harry Potter awesome, and if you were a fan of the old series, definitely check out the new series.

5 stars,

*****

Review: Pathfinder

Author: Orson Scott Card
Page: 672
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Library
Synopsis (from Amazon):
A powerful secret. A dangerous path.


Rigg is well trained at keeping secrets. Only his father knows the truth about Rigg's strange talent for seeing the paths of people's pasts. But when his father dies, Rigg is stunned to learn just how many secrets Father had kept from him--secrets about Rigg's own past, his identity, and his destiny. And when Rigg discovers that he has the power not only to see the past, but also to change it, his future suddenly becomes anything but certain.


Rigg’s birthright sets him on a path that leaves him caught between two factions, one that wants him crowned and one that wants him dead. He will be forced to question everything he thinks he knows, choose who to trust, and push the limits of his talent…or forfeit control of his destiny.

If you ask me do I like Sci-Fi, I'll probably say it depends on the book. If you pressure me to say more, do I like Science Fiction in general, I'll say I haven't read enough to be considered a fan. On a blog hop a few weeks ago, it was asked whether bloggers liked Sci-Fi. One blogger said they didn't normally read Sci-Fi, but enjoyed the works of Orson Scott Card. I didn't recognize the name and wondered why I never read a book by him. It turns out that I was planning to when I received my hold of Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card from the library.

This story is epic. I don't mean epic in the sense of "extremely awesome" though it could also be considered that way, but epic in the sense that this is a huge story. It's the kind of story that teaches an important lesson, a world I will always remember. A story that frightens me, but addicts me too. Other epic stories include the Harry Potter series, the Star Wars books, and the movie Avatar.

There are many main characters in Pathfinder. Ram and Rigg mainly narrate though. Ram is on a kind of futuristic space ship leaving Earth to create a new colony since there's no space on Earth. We learn that technology had greatly advanced, and that the humans of Earth are in trouble. On the other hand, there is Rigg, a young boy who lives on the outside of a small town with Father and who has the amazing ability of seeing all paths left by living beings. Hence the name Pathfinder. I found that Ram isn't completely relatable, but by the end of the book I liked him as a character. Rigg is far more relatable, but because we see much more about him, his life and his adventures.

One of the best and worst things about this book is how smart it is. Honestly, the characters were all quick witted and knew a lot. Just thinking about all the stuff the talents brought hurt my head. It's like learning something huge that changes your whole view of the world. Sometimes it's hard to understand. Then there's a click in your head and for a second, it makes perfect sense and you get it, but then a second later you don't understand again. I never fully understand the basis of the story because there was so much to it. So much detail and thoughts. It made me marvel at how clever it was, but I also didn't like that I couldn't understand how the characters reached the right conclusions so easily.

The plot was filled with twists and turns. 600+ pages means there must be a lot of plot to keep the story going and there always was. It was just so much fun to read. I'd call it a masterpiece, and I think Orson Scott Card is some kind of genius for writing this.

It may look like a simple Sci-Fi read, but it isn't just that. I had a hard time calling it completely Sci-Fi since (forgive me for how cheesy this sounds) it was so much more. The story included friendship, family, politics, war, greed, humanity, etc. Pathfinder is probably a perfect story for me. However, this story isn't for everyone. It's long and has a fair bit of adventure in it. Some people may not like that it isn't a light read, but if anyone is interested I definitely recommend they read this.

Overall, I couldn't stop reading this book. It took me by surprise and I loved it. I wish I had more time to read it and digest it all, but I'm definitely looking for sequels. This story gets 5 stars because of it's brilliant story telling, plot and characters.

*****

Review: The Duff

Author: Kody Keplinger
Pages: 288
Source: Library
Synopsis (from Amazon): 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.

The Duff surprised me. It was a story completely different from what I was expecting, and it was awesome.

Bianca was a character I loved right away. She was cynical, bitter, but also smart and loyal. She was a true character with a real life that didn't completely suck, but wasn't so easy either. She had her faults and insecurties, and was overall very relatable for me. She was also clever and witty and her dialogue was hilarious. It was a treat to read from her perspective.

Best of all? She actually swore. A lot. I'm in no way a potty mouth, but what surprises me is how little swearing there are in books about high school students. High school student swear— a lot. Even the people who don't swear much occasionally get mad and do it at least once a week. That made Bianca so much more real. I could easily imagine her as a student at my high school. That level of reality makes me wonder why I don't read more contemporary novels. *I really should and will*

The story was about being a duff. I actually never heard the word before the book, but once I heard it, I completely understood what it meant (out of a group of friends, being the insignificant, least special). The story did an amazing job at showing what a duff is. Of course, it was against the word and the implications.

While reading The Duff, I thought Bianca was really cool. So were her friends. None of them were "duffs". I was explaining this book to a close friend of mine (who kindly pretends to be interested in my bookish obsessions) and she said that she was the duff in our group of friends. I was surprised because she was so pretty and everyone likes her. It made the message of the story so much more true. Everyone feels like a duff sometimes.

The plot of the story wasn't super shocking. I mean, by reading the synopsis, everything that happened was pretty much expected but it was still an engaging read. When I got this book, I couldn't stop reading. It's written really well, as if it were real. All the characters had dimension, and Bianca's reactions to everything was so real again.

This is getting to be a long review, so I'll just cut to the chase. This book has a lot in it. It's not simple. It's not as cute as it looks. It has some very sexy scenes, and it has a new literary crush of mine. I would reccomend this to anyone who ever felt like the duff or ever ran away from their problems.

The Duff is a brilliant story of insecurities, families, love, and the power of words. This story is just something I loved personally because the plot is everything I like in a book, so I'm rating this two ways.

My inner fangirl: ***** LOVE IT!
The more cautious reviewer: **** A great book. ;)

Whatever it is, I reccomend at least trying The Duff out.

Review: Hunger

Author: Michael Grant
Pages: 608
Source: Library
Series: Gone by Michael Grant, book 2
Synopsis (from Amazon): It's been three months since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

Food ran out weeks ago and starvation is imminent. Meanwhile, the normal teens have grown resentful of the kids with powers. And when an unthinkable tragedy occurs, chaos descends upon the town. There is no longer right and wrong. Each kid is out for himself and even the good ones turn murderous.

But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.

The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.

**Beware, I'm a huge fan of this series!**

When I finish reading a book, I ask myself whether I feel like reviewing it. Whether I have a lot to say about it. I don't review books I only like, or the opposite, just a moderate amount of books that I have a solid opinion on. Some books make me need to review them. Hunger is one of these books.

First, oh my gosh I LOVE these books! Sorry, had to get that out of my system. This is such a fabulous, original, interesting story world. Kids trapped in a dome with no adults and superpowers? That alone would makes me like this book. Tie that with the amazing and intricate plot, variety of amazing characters and the easy to read writing and you've got a winner.

Hunger is the second book of the Gone series, and I swear you can feel the desperation of the kids while reading this. Its creepy how this book affected my mood so much while I read it in a single sitting. In Hunger, things are even worse. Sam is trying to be a good leader but the pressure is overwhelming, the society isn't working and the Darkness is on the prowl. Every possible thing is against them and you're left wondering how can our heroes triumph?

One of my favorite things about this series is how real the characters are. Every one of them has faults, but they're all redeemed in at least a small way. The multiple point of views gives room for everyone's story to weave together in the plot. For example, the kids face many challenges in Hunger, mostly relating food and organization. These kids react exactly as I would imagine many people would react: they're scared, they feel like they can't do anything, and they're on the verge of giving up. These emotions lead to chaos and while some kids follow the crowd, there are some kids who step and are leaders. But no, these kids do not save the day, They have their own problems too, so basically everyone has to save themselves. These concept really makes me wonder what I'd do if I lived in the FAYZ.

This book has lots of suspense and action. These poor kids never get a break. There are new heroes and new "villains" and there are either two ways things work: you create a problem, or you solve a problem. Most people create problems and it's written in a way that shows that problems are a way of life. They're always there, people need to learn how to deal with them.

I can't really say much else without spoiling, so I'm just saying that I'm super excited for the next book, Lies, which I'm planning on getting as soon as I can. I don't know what genre of book this may be (dystopian perhaps?) but if you like books about survival, the Gone series is perfect for you. There's a lot to like, though it's a scary read.

I loved Hunger so much that I'm giving it my highest rating, 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend checking this book and series out!

*****

Review: Last Sacrifice

Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 594 (Hardcover)
Source: Library
Synopsis:  She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir’s Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn’t even commit. She’s in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She’ll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose’s life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?

My review:

I need to say first of all that I love this series. Major huge fan girl  here. I'm not sure how objective I am or how helpful this review might be...

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Last Sacrifice begins like the other books in the series: with a bit of calm (or as much calm as there is in that world) while Rose sums what's happened and how she's in the latest mess. After that it's all action.

Rose has really grown as a character. In every book she's matured more and more. She's learnt what love is as the series continues, even more in Last Sacrifice. Yes, Rose does make a choice between Adrian and Dimitri. And I think she makes the right choice for her. Rose's relationship with Lissa also grows. They truly would do anything, even die for each other and all through the series their friendship and bond is there, growing stronger. Last Sacrifice shows both Rose and Lissa's strengths of character, but also their vulnerabilities.

The plot is truly phenomenal. Everything ties up from the past books, and it's obvious that the conclusion that happens is the one meant to be. It makes sense. Previous characters all take part in it. Little bits from the previous books' stories are all there. Was the ending satisfying? Yes, definitely for me. The important issues are solved with many plot twists: though I did suspect a couple of them, some of them were shocking. I'm still absorbing everything.


Was this a good conclusion to the series? Yes and no. It's definitely the perfect plac to end Rose's story, and the ideal place to begin other stories. Many plot lines haven't been concluded and I'm excited to see them in Bloodlines, the spinoff. To be honest, this doesn't feel like the end. With the spinoff, the world will continue and I'm sure we'll see (or at least hear) more of Rose and Lissa.

All in all, this Last Sacrifice is bittersweet. It's am ending in some ways, but a beginning in others. It's the perfect conclusion and leaves me satisfied, if not a tiny bit sad. It's like finishing the Harry Potter or Hunger Games series, you feel like you've lost something, but it's better since there's a spinoff. Due to the action, the intricate plot, the suspense, mystery, romance, and the fabulous characters, Last Sacrifice gets 5 stars,

*****

Bloodlines
I have to say, after reading Last Sacrifice, I'm even more excited to read Bloodlines. I now understand why some characters are chosen to have point of views, and I already miss the VA world. I have a feeling that this will be another fabulous, well-written series by Richelle Mead.

-P.E.

Review: Going Bovine

Sorry it has taken me so long to write a review... I read a few books (The Other Side of Dark, Z) but I couldn't manage to write a good review. I've finally decided to do my best, and since I finished this book today...

Title: Going Bovine
Author: Libba Bray
Pages: 496
Source: Library (I get most of my books here, as you'll soon see...)
Synopsis:

All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.

from Amazon

Going Bovine was a book that I saw at least three times before I finally decided to read it, and I'm glad I finally did. It took me three weeks to read, but I think this is one of the most fun books to read that I've ever read. Cameron, the protagonist is sarcastic and witty, and his point of view constantly makes me laugh.

The story is about Cameron, and all that happens after he gets diagnosed with mad cow disease and learns he will die soon. Dulcie the angel soon appears and offers him a quest that will get him a cure and save the world. He accepts, of course and with the dwarf, mummy's-boy Gonzo and the God of gnomes, he starts following the signs. They're completely random and seem like coincidences, but there are no coincidences as Cam learns early on.

My favourite thing about this book is Cameron's dialogue and thoughts. It sounds so much like a real teens! And I can't say how many times I laughed out loud. But it isn't all funny voice and jokes, Going Bovine deals with serious issues too, like death, love, happiness, and loneliness. 100 pages in and I was hooked. Hell, 30 pages in I was hooked. 

This is honestly one of my favourite books. It's a book that made me laugh and cry, be depressed and giddy with happiness. Overall it's a book I'm glad to have read, and I recommend to others. The ending is satisfying, and not completely random. Though I think it's meant to be a standalone, I wouldn't object to more.

5 stars 

*****

P.S. This book made me feel the same way the Percy Jackson series did. But it's obviously for older audiences. 

P.P.S (sorry) I'm still working on how to write a good review, so if anyone has any suggestions I'd be glad to follow them.

Review: Reaper

Author: Rachel Vincent
Pages: *approximately 71*
Synopsis:
Tod Hudson was a typical teenager. He liked girls, sports, food and tolerated his younger brother, Nash. In fact, he had his whole life in front of him--and due to his bean sidhe heritage, it was going to be a very long life indeed. And then the car accident occurred.

Suddenly Tod's future wasn't so sure, and he had to make a choice. Life... Death... or something Between....

Reaper is a Soul Screamer series prequel novella. It's the story of how Tod died and became a reaper. I personally love the Soul Screamers story. It has drama, action, awesome characters and is addicting. One of my favorite characters is Tod. In every book, we've seen more of Tod and his personality so I was eager to learn more about him.

Reaper made me change the way I think about a few characters. I loved Tod even more, but I started to feel weird about other characters. Tod is a big brother, and I found that I could relate so well to the story. I'm not overly emotional, but it was around midnight when I was reading it and I started to cry because I understood how he must have felt. He is so strong as a character.

Reaper should definitely be read by everyone who loves Rachel Vincent's amazing series. Or by anyone looking for a quick, good read.

Read Reaper off of Rachel Vincent's website or download it for free off Amazon (limited time offer).

I think this may be my favorite in the series, so

Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter # 7)

Harry Potter has been a huge part of my life. I heard about it first during story time in 1st grade where my classmates were talking about Cerberus. The next year, I decided to read the 1st one and I quickly read the whole series in later years. It was the book that made me love to read.

When the 7th book came out, I quickly finished it in a few hours, neglecting dinner and family visits (I was on a vacation then). I'm pessimistic so I had no idea whether the last book could possibly satisfy me. This series was huge! But it did.

Almost everyone has read Harry Potter since then but i still won't post a spoiler in case someone hasn't. The plot twists in the story were so real. After reading it, I kept thinking "How did I not know that?" It was obvious that the whole series was leading up to this ending, whether we knew it or not in the beginning.

All our favorite characters had grown up and were slightly more mature. One of my favorite things about the series was Harry, Ron and Hermione's friendship.

Sometimes when I read a book with a quest or adventure, the characters seem to always know what to do and where to go even though the quest was supposed to be impossible. I was glad that there were slower times in the novel where we could see the trio pondering what to do next. It made it so much more real.

There's not much more I can say without spoiling, but I love this book and series and I'm sure most Harry Potter fans will agree.

Opposite Reviews: Some reasons people may not have liked this book was the epilogue and some concepts weren't very clear.

All in all,