This Dark Endeavour, by Kenneth Opel

Title: This Dark Endeavour

Author: Kenneth Opel

Rating: 4/5 stars

Release Date: May 11, 2012

Publisher: HarperTrophy Canada

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.89

Age Group: 11+

  What a great novel! This Dark Endeavour was everything I needed for this dark, rainy night. Kenneth Opel has created some fine excellence that readers are bound to be lurking for in the future.

   In this wonderful novel, we have Victor Frankenstein, who truly lives a charmed and privileged life with his twin brother, Konrad, and their beautiful cousin, Elizabeth, in the Chateau Frankenstein where they all take lessons and live a happy peaceful life. 

   When they discover a Dark Library in the home along with their friend Henry, they discover that the library is full of spells and potions written in different languages, but their father forces them not to visit the place again, until Konrad becomes deathly ill. 

   Elizabeth and Victor go off to seek for the recipe of the Elixir of Life, that only needs three ingredients, but Victor knows that if something goes wrong, his life might change forever.

   

   

   I loved the whole idea/concept of this book, it truly was different from the rest, and interested me greatly throughout the story. Opel has created a world where a lot of us bound to live in.

   I was hardly ever uninterested throughout the story, and it was fast-paced, and had just enough of that wow-factor.

  Then we had the marvellous characters, Victor, Elizabeth, Konrad, and Henry. These guys made us readers think that we belong in the world where the story takes place, and that they need that good rating, I imagined them as real people living the dream, well sort of.

  Overall, I enjoyed this novel a lot, it made me laugh, and constantly think, how could someone come up with such an interesting idea for a book?

  

 

Fated, by Alyson Noël

Title: Fated

Author: Alyson Noël

Rating: 2/5 stars

Release Date: May 22, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.75

Age Group: 12+

  This is how I'm feeling right now. Peter Griffin might have a point here.

  What was wrong with Alyson Noël, a fantastic author? I enjoyed Evermore and the rest of her novels, but Fated just really surprised me, I thought that it could've been much better.

  

 The Story: 

    This is what a lot of reviewers concentrate on, and I am definitely one of them. The storyline is the thing that's the main point, what everyone focuses on. This was the thing upset me the most in this novel.

    This idea isn't unique, many novels have this kind of concept, that people can see spirits, this is a little like Noël's Radiance.

    I was bored throughout the novel, nothing huge happened, and the details were upsetting, the author added too much to places where things shouldn't be needed.

   By the time Daire found out that she was a Soul Seeker, half of the novel was already over and we couldn't get to see the sunshine come out. If the novel was a little longer with more happening events, I'd sure give it a higher rating.

  Okay, Peter Griffin, you've done enough here, just get out!

  

The Characters:

  

 Huh? Ohh.. right.

  Again, I wasn't so pleased with these guys either. I didn't feel a spark, or a like toward these characters, to me, they really were fictional, I usually get some feelings towards them, and I imagine them walking on this very planet. These guys.. nothing.

  Daire really was an insecure, weak character toward me. She was confused for half of the book, it's like she was walking for no reason, I guess she was just taking a stroll in the town of Enchantment?

  The only character that I ended up liking was Daire's grandmother, Paloma. This lady was wise, insensitive and strong, she acted like she had a whole lot of experience in life and that we also have to enjoy it.

   

Overall: 

  Fated wasn't everything that I was looking for, I'd call it an okay, bleh 2 star novel. I'm going to read the second novel anyways, I got it even before I read this one, so hopefully, it will be much more enjoyable, and Alyson Noël will please me like she always did.

Mutilate My Heart, by Emily Godwin

Title: Mutilate My Heart

Author: Emily Godwin

Rating: 4/5 stars

Release Date: July 9, 2013

Format: ebook

Goodreads Average Rating: 4.44

Age Group: 12+

  After reading Emily's Behind The Wooden Door, I knew that I wanted more from this fantastic author. 

   Mutilate My Heart was the perfect YA paranormal romance. I wish that more people could realize that we have a terrific novel right here in front of ours hands.

   Becca is the ultimate Mutilated Arteries fan, a rock band known for their wacky names and deep lyrics. When Becca and her best friend, Carli, go to their concert and get to meet the guys themselves, each girl starts a relationship with one of the guys and their journey is just getting started. All that they don't know is that the guys are keeping a deep dark secret within. 

   Emily has done it again! 

    Right from the start, I knew that I would enjoy this novel so much, after reading American Girl on Saturn, by Emily's sister, Nikki, I wanted another Godwin novel! 

I loved how the two stories related. In American Girl on Saturn, the character of Aralie's favourite band was Mutilated Arteries, and Spaceships Around Saturn was vaguely mentioned in this story. You could tell that the two Godwin sisters have a sisterly bond that many siblings long to have.

I couldn't put this novel down. Emily created a beautiful story that quickly went past, the events were unique and fun. 

Becca and Carli had a likeable friendship that you don't see very often in novels, they were always there for each other and were alike in a lot of ways. I especially liked the men of Mutilated Arteries, especially Sketch, he's a Milo from another story! 

Another summer read that will satisfy readers from the start. Loved it! 

American Girl on Saturn, by (the amazing) Nikki Godwin

Title: American Girl on Saturn

Author: Nikki Godwin

Rating: 5+++++/5 stars

Release Date: August 29, 2013 (copy provided for honest review)

Format: ebook

Goodreads Average Rating: 5.00

Age Group: 11+

  This is how I'm feeling after reading this original, beautiful, amazing (I could seriously go on and on) novel.

  Words To The Marvellous Author: Nikki, you have written a stupendous fantastic novel that all readers will sure remember forever. I loved American Girl on Saturn so very much, I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us readers. You certainly deserve an applause.

  

   Chloe Branson sure does expect the best summer of her life, the one right after graduation. But not for long. When her secret-service-agent dad drops the bomb that gunshots were heard at her little sister's favourite boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn's concert, the boys are in hiding immediately and have no other place to stay other than at the Branson house. Soon after, the three Branson sisters and Spaceships Around Saturn are in lockdown, right in the Branson House. Little do the girls know that they are in for the summer of their lives.

   Nikki, this one's for you! A boyband tribute!

  

   I thought that Nikki's Chasing Forever Down was terrific, but boy, each novel of hers gets better and better! 

   I have so many things to say about this novel, and how much I adored it. Right from the moment I saw the cover, I have been going crazy to get this novel, and now when I finally have it, I am fangirling more than I expected.

  Right from when I started reading this late last night, I couldn't put it down. From page 1 I knew that I will adore it and that it's a keeper. Sadly, I couldn't read this all night long, I had to get my beauty sleep so I could read this during the day, today.

  This story is so different from the others, and different is good. I had to take a break from the dystopian novels, and this one was the one that met that category that you could read anytime and you'll be hooked in.

  Now, the characters.

  I've never seen a group of characters so impacting before. 

  The Branson sisters are the group of girls that I wish to know. Each of them have something special about them, and you could see that Nikki put special meaning to each of them.

  My favourite Branson would probably have to be Chloe, she reminds me of myself in a way, the oldest sister of two, and the one who believes that everything happens for a reason.

  I saved the boys for last, just because I WISH THAT THEY WERE REAL! I'D BE A SATURNITE FOR LIFE!

  Okay. There. I said it.

  I love One Direction, I really do, but sorry lads, Spaceships Around Saturn are my new favourite!

  Okay, so I'm going to separate the 5 boys here, just so I can say what I like about each of them.

  Tate: First of all, when Aralie kept of putting his face on Chloe's door, that was hilarious. Now, Tate was that silly goose kind of character. He's like my sister in a way, always trying to make a laugh out of anything but has a good heart.

  Jules: I loved that he was the bad boy of the group, and surprisingly ended up with...  He had that personality that many people long to have and I think that he'd make a good friend.

  Benji: He's the Harry Styles of the group, there I said it. I imagine him as the guy who's always fixing his hair and keeps a mirror in his pocket, lol.

  Noah: This is the guy that I'd love to have as a friend. He's sweet, caring, and willing. Ahh..

  Milo: ASDFGHIKLASDFGHIKLASDFGHIKL. Team Milo for life! I love these type of guys, well dressed, mature, but fun and caring all at the same time. I love him sooooo much, even though I have no particular chance with him! 0%, unless there is a Milo in this world...

 I loved American Girl on Saturn so much, it's one of my top favourites, definitely.

  

  

  

Generation Dead, by Daniel Waters

Title: Generation Dead

Author: Daniel Waters

Rating: 4/5 stars

Release Date: April 7, 2009

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.62

Age Group: 12+





     When I chose my next to-read pile, this novel was the one that I was looking forward to be reading the most, and in fact, I really enjoyed it!

     All over the country, teenagers who have died are coming back to life again. Phoebe Kendall is just one of those girls who has a crush on the undead. Oakville High is one of the high schools that are beginning to welcome the differently biotic, and some people in the school aren't so happy about the decision. Phoebe and her friends, Adam and Margi have to keep the undead safe before things get worse...

    I mainly enjoyed this novel because it was different from the rest. You don't see a novel about zombies and teenagers coming back to life these days, and how we see many obsessions (The Walking Dead for example,) you'd really think that this novel is a great start for those teenager zombie lovers.

   Phoebe was a good lead, she was different, I mean in the goth way, and I really saw what she was trying to show everyone in this novel, and she showed it exceptionally. The zombies/undead were really different from what I imagined them as, which surprised me.

  Generation Dead was a novel thats sequel I am sure to read.

Keeping The Moon, by Sarah Dessen

Title: Keeping the Moon

Author: Sarah Dessen

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Release Date: May 11, 2004

Publisher: Speak

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.86

Age Group: 12+






   I've been looking for that Sarah Dessen novel that will end up in my favourites shelf. I think that I've finally found the one.

   When Colie goes to spend the summer in Colby, North Carolina to visit her Aunt Mira, she expects the worst summer of her life, while her infomercial workout mom tours Europe. When Colie gets a job in The Last Chance Bar & Grill and meets Morgan and Isabel, two best friends with two different but wacky personalities, all that Colie doesn't know that she's in for the best summer of her life.

    This was the perfect summer novel of all time, from what I think. Sarah Dessen has done it again! Keeping The Moon kept me guessing and flipping the pages, I just couldn't leave it behind at all.

    Colie was a rebelic lead, but also one that stands out from them all. She's very confident, and learns what friendship really means in this novel, and how people may be.

    I can't wait for more Sarah Dessen, she's the "summer" author.
 

A Midsummer Tight's Dream, by Louise Rennison

Title: A Midsummer Tight's Dream

Author: Louise Rennison

Rating: 2/5 stars

Release Date: June 26, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.99

Age Group: 11+






   I was very surprised with how this one ended up, because I really enjoyed Withering Tights.

   Tallulah Casey is back at the Performing Arts College, where her Irish Dancing is back for another term. Many things are on her mind, from her snogging skills, to the Woolfe Academy boys. Can she ace her performance for The Midsummer Night's Dream?

   So what was the problem with this one? Let's get right to it...

   This story was so boring! I felt like I just skimmed through it, nothing big happened at all, and I just wanted to put it down, even though I finished it by the end.

  I just feel that this one could've done a much better job. I'm speechless!

I'm Not Her, by Janet Gurtler

Title: I'm Not Her

Author: Janet Gurtler

Rating: 5/5 stars

Release Date: May 1, 2011

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.92

Age Group: 12+





  I knew that I was in for a good sad read, but I didn't think that it would affect me this much!

  I'm Not Her was unbelievably unstoppably amazingly, you think I'm done here? good. I couldn't believe how many good books there are in this world, it's unbelievable.

  Tess is known as the smart one, while Kristina is the sporty one. When Kristina is diagnosed with bone cancer, Tess' life flashes toward her eyes, and she can't believe what's happening. Wanting to keep it a secret, Kristina thinks that it's worth to hide away, when her family knows that sharing it is the right thing to do. Suddenly, Tess is the popular one, and is taking after Kristina's old life, she's making new friends and memories to keepsake in her heart forever.

   I love cancer stories, they just break your heart, but in a good way. This story reminded me of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars in a way, both stories shared a friendship and bond between the characters that I just can't explain.

   Once I started reading this phenomenal novel, I couldn't leave it behind. Janet Gurtler truly showed us the true meaning of friendship and sisterhood in this beautiful story.

    Tess and Kristina both were beautiful characters whose stories I will remember forever, just because of how gorgeous characters they were and how I wish to know them.

    Janet Gurtler is the author whose name is to be remembered, I can't wait to read her others.

Stealing Parker, by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Stealing Parker

Author: Miranda Kenneally

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Release Date: October 1, 2012

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.85

Age Group: 12+





    After I finished Catching Jordan, I began seeking for the sequel everywhere, around where I live, and then I finally found it!

    Stealing Parker had just the right amount of that goodliness we usually see in our favourite novels, and I never wanted it to end.

    Parker Shelton had the perfect life until the accident. She was in the softball team, became valedictorian, and had many of friends. When her mother's scandal hits the town, nobody wants to talk to her except the guys on the baseball team. When her best friend Drew signs her up for being assistant coach for the boys' baseball team, Parker thinks that she's up for the job, what can be better than having a full team of hot guys watching her moves? Adding to that, the new coach seems a little flirty...

  I loved these type of chick-lit novels. They make it unstoppable to put down, and you feel all gooey inside. Ahh.. just what I need for those wet, rainy days.

  I think I liked Parker better as a character than Jordan. I'm not sure if I'd take her risks, but she seemed very loving and wild at the same time, she had everything I would want in a character.

  Brian, Corndog, Drew, Ryan and all of the characters that made this book a book were really a good crew that I would love to be around with. I wish that I lived in the world of the Hundred Oaks!

Falling in Love With English Boys, by Melissa Jensen

Title: Falling in Love With English Boys

Author: Melissa Jensen

Rating: 3/5 stars

Release Date: December 23, 2010

Publisher: Speak

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.41

Age Group: 11+





   From this moment on, I will no longer trust my instincts. That's all that I will say on that matter.

   Falling in Love With English Boys was worse than I expected, I mean I thought that it will end up being one of my favourites, I guess I was wrong the whole way through.

   Catherine Vernon is flying all the way to London, England for the summer with no friends, no ex and nothing to do. When she starts a blog about her boring life, she also discovers the diary of Katherine Percival, a girl who lived in 1815. Cat discovers that both of their lives are fairly similar, except for the fact that Katherine parties, and lives a royal life. When Cat meets Will, everything changes...

   I really thought that I'd enjoy this book as much as I thought I would, but I really didn't. For more than half of the time, I was fully bored, realizing that the plot wasn't everything what it seemed to be.

   Cat could've been a better character, but I liked Katherine and her story a lot, especially how the author wanted the two girls to relate in some ways.

   Overall, this was just a plain average novel for me, what about you?

Give Up The Ghost, by Megan Crewe

Title: Give Up The Ghost

Author: Megan Crewe

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Release Date: September 15, 2009

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Format: Hardcover Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.54

Age Group: 11+





   I'm glad that I read The Way We Fall before this one, I think I'd have a different opinion on reading her other novels if this one came first.

   I liked Give Up The Ghost, I can't deny that. It was different, I never read anything quite like it, but I can't say that I loved it.

  Cass McKenna has no friends, nobody except the ghosts, who have the dirt on everyone in school. Cass rather hear the inside scoop on all of the drama rather than living it or being part of it. When the vice president of the student council finds out her secret, Cass doesn't know what to do, other than helping Tim speak to his mother. When Cass finds a new human friend, she might find out that they have more than a friendship together...

  So yes, I might've preferred to have read something different, but overall, this was worth the read. It was interesting, and mostly met my expectations.

  Cass was an okay lead, she wasn't the best because of her laziness and confidence, but she was likeable, and that's really what matters in having a good MC.

   A good read and debut, one to keep.

The Madman's Daughter, by Megan Shepard

Title: The Madman's Daughter

Author: Megan Shepard

Rating: 5/5 stars

Release Date: January 1, 2013

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.74

Age Group: 11+






    By the time I started reading this novel, I was tired of the same old, same old novels. I was looking for something different, for something accomplished that no other author has written about. If you're looking for something like I was, The Madman's Daughter is the one.

  Juliet Moreau is living a tough life in London, working as a maid and living in a college with other medical students. Apparently, her father and mother have both passed away, but when Juliet finds out that her father still may be alive, she goes on the lookout to find the man full of secrets. She goes out to the island where her father is experimenting on different medicines, accompanied by her father's assistant, Montgomery, and a castaway, Edward, on the journey that will change their lives forever.

    You see why I was hooked in?

    I couldn't drop this novel down. I kept flipping and flipping the pages until I could find the truth about Juliet's father and the island, and to see the love triangle unfold. This book left me breathless.

    Juliet was such a strong lead. She seems like the one that I'd want to live with, her daring, selfless sense really will cause readers to obsess over the novel, another reason why anyway.

    Another reason why I was captivated was because of this stunning love triangle. I fell for both men, right from the beginning, and like Juliet, I couldn't seem to leave them behind any other way.

    Megan Shepard has created a beautiful novel that will satisfy readers from years to come, just like myself, who can't wait for the sequel.

Kisses and Lies, by Lauren Henderson

Title: Kisses and Lies

Author: Lauren Henderson

Rating: 4/5 stars

Release Date: January 13, 2009

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Format: Hardcover Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.98

Age Group: 12+




 

   Surprisingly, I was totally hooked to this novel. Mysterious, surprising, and fresh, Kisses and Lies was a book worth reading, in fact, I should have read the novel a long time ago.

  Scarlett's life is only getting worse. Recently, she has discovered a mystery fro her to solve, so it doesn't look like she is the suspect. Dan has died, and if he had his EpiPen with him, he'd be okay. When Scarlett spotted one in Plum's handbag, she might have found her main suspect. Then having to travel to the McAndrew estate in Scotland, Scarlett must decide where the truth lies.

  I've read reviews where people said that you shouldn't read this novel if you haven't read the first. I am totally against that. I didn't read the first novel, and here I am, done with the second, and I had no confusion problems at all, and if you have read my other reviews, you'd know that I get confused easily. The story recaps in what happened in the first novel, so you're safe to go.

  Everything happened very quickly here. The story itself was very interesting, unique, and reminded me of Nancy Drew in some ways, with a more interesting twist.

  This story has made me want to get the next novel, a true fact that this really was a one to remember.

Forever in Blue, by Ann Brashares

Title: Forever in Blue

Author: Ann Brashares

Rating: 4/5 stars

Release Date: January 9, 2007

Publisher: Delacorte Books

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.77

Age Group: 13+





   "Some people fall in love over and over again while some people can only do it once."


   Seeing the series leaving off here was the right thing, but at the same time, I was disappointed, mainly because I loved this series so much. Ann Brashares has created one of the best chick-literature series I've ever read, and the one that introduced me into reading YA novels.

   The Traveling Pants are in for one last, glorious summer where Lena, Carmen, Bridget, and Tibby are all ready and settled in college, where they all are finding who they are, and who they want to become. Each girl will have to make the decision to leave the pants behind, including their memories, or to keepsake and treasure them inside their hearts forever.

   I found that the third and fourth books of the series weren't the strongest, as the first two novels were. Maybe it was because of my experience, from the first novel to the last, I've squeezed many, many novels in between, hundreds for that matter, and I probably have found better ones that succeeded my expectations and more. Although the first two books were glorious five star rating novels, the last two didn't meet that up, stayed at a good four.

  This story, like I said ended in the right place, and was very interesting. Us readers knew that we had to say our last (not technically) goodbye to the series and its characters, and the story quickly went to that place.

  These girls have truly grew up from where they started. Obviously, the pants helped them grow to where they landed, but in another way, the pants grew within them. The girls were once insecure best friends who never knew that they were all somewhat alike in a way. The pants brought them together, and helped them deal with their issues when they didn't have each other, in person.

  Once upon a time, in a fictional world, were four beautiful teenage-soon to be adult girls, who never knew that one pair of jeans could change their lives forever.

Girls In Pants, by Ann Brashares

Title: Girls in Pants

Author: Ann Brashares

Rating: 4/5 stars

Release Date: June 13, 2006

Publisher: Ember

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.79

Age Group: 12+

   

   I love this series so much, it's one that I will always remember, one of the first chick-lits I've ever read before, and obviously, the winner takes it all...

    Girls In Pants left me speechless. It was so good. Not as good as the rest, but equally fantastic. 

   “When you feel someone else's pain and joy as powerfully as if it were your own, then you know you really loved them.”

   This story was amazingly written most of the time. I was very pleased with how everything flowed together swiftly, and the impact each character caused on us readers.

  

  Okay, I didn't cry, but you know what I mean.

  My favourite character out of the four lovely ladies has to be Carmen. She is one of the strongest characters that I've read about, and I loved her in the movie as well. She's the one that's got to be remembered as a soulful, strong female character.

  Overall, this book was really good. Lena, Bridget, Tibby, and Carmen all showed us girls that we have to enjoy life while it lasts, because we only have one chance.

   

 Yes, Niall!!!!

Hunting Lila, by Sarah Alderson

Title: Hunting Lila

Author: Sarah Alderson

Rating: 3/5 stars

Release Date: August 5, 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 4.12

Age Group: 12+





   

  Oh hello, I didn't see you there. 

  I was trying to keep my mind off this novel, Hunting Lila. What a disgrace!

  Lila lives in upstate London, where she has many problems on her mind, her unusual ability, her feelings for her brother's best friend, and her mother's death. When she gets mugged, Lila heads straight to Los Angeles to her brother, Jack, and hopes for the best to hide away from her problems, and to find Alex. Lila discovers that Jack and Alex work for a secret organization and that they're hunting down the men that killed her mother years before. It all adds up to her finding out the truth..,

   

   I liked the idea of this novel, at least in the beginning. Different and exposing us in what's in the real world, I enjoyed reading the beginning, and how Lila got to where she is. Getting in the middle towards the end, the author really bored me out of my mind.

   

    What was the point here? They knew who the killers were, just finish the story and that's all! Create some other dramatic thing, something that will be useful here!

    Excuse me for my anger, but that's the truth. (The Glee gif up there describes a lot of my emotional feelings here!)

    Lila was a good lead, I can say that. She was an interesting type of girl, and probably one of the main reasons why this book had a three-star rating for me.

   Then we have the males, who really didn't make a difference for me, whatsoever.

   I really don't have much to say about this novel, other than that I wasn't so happy with out it ended up being.

  

The 5th Wave, by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave

Author: Rick Yancey

Rating: 3/5 stars

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Format: Hardcover Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 4.11

Age Group: 12+






     How many times have I told myself this! I shouldn't always trust the reviewers on what books to read! This was one of the cases that I regretted. The 5th Wave was a book that practically ruined my day, even though it's still an average/okay rating.

    “But if I'm it, the last of my kind, the last page of human history, like hell I'm going to let the story end this way. I may be the last one, but I am the one still standing. I am the one turning to face the faceless hunter in the woods on an abandoned highway. I am the one not running but facing. Because if I am the last one, then I am humanity. And if this is humanity's last war, then I am the battlefield.”


     Cassiopeia also known as Cassie is one of the last people on Earth left after the 4th Wave, at least she thinks she is. Now, on the dawn of the 5th Wave, she has to fight for her survival, and has to remember that no one can be trusted, anyone can be an Other. When Cassie meets Evan Walker, he may be the key for finding her brother that may be alive.

   

    

     So, I have three main problems with this novel, lets separate them to make it easier.

   

   

Problem #1: The Point of Views (POVs)

     

    This was the worst problem I had, and probably a lot of readers would agree with me on this one. 

  I like reading different point of views, I really do. I'm the type of person who needs clarification when things are confusing. Yancey created about 4 or 5 different POVs, I really didn't keep track. Sure, keep it that way dude, but next time, maybe you could write who is who under the chapters or parts? Because every few chapters, the point of views changed, and you really couldn't tell who the heck was telling their story.

     

   

   The only character's view I only looked forward in reading and who I wanted to see what happens to was Cassie's. She was the type of character that I love, she reminds me of a mixture between Katniss in The Hunger Games, and rebel Tris in Veronica Roth's Divergent. Without her, this book would probably have a very low rating. Thanks author, at least for that.

   

Problem #2: The Romance

   If you've read my other reviews, you probably have found out that I'm a sucker for romance. I love it! Now, the romance between Cassie and Evan, or Cassie and Ben, whatever it was, sucked! 

  This was so unexperienced. One minute Cassie and Evan are just talking, the next they're making out. It happened way too fast! The hardly even found out things about each other, Cassie said that she trusts no one, how come she trusted Evan in the beginning?

  

   Usually romances in novels give me chills or butterflies in my stomach, this gave me nothing. Not one squeal.

  Okay. I'm using way too many gifs.

  Problem #3: Reviews

   One of the only reasons why I picked up this book was because of the good reviews written about this. Most people said that it was a 5 star rating novel, the next Hunger Games, yeah right.

  

  Jennifer, no one will ever beat your story, don't worry.

   I've learned that I can't trust my fellow bookworms all of the time.You all are wonderful, but that doesn't mean that I will trust your instincts 24/7. From now on, I will buy books that look interesting to me, not from what I heard is good.

  

   Okay, everyone! Later!

  

 

Reality Check, by Jen Calonita

Title: Reality Check

Author: Jen Calonita

Rating: 4/5 stars

Release Date: June 14, 2010

Publisher: Poppy

Format: Hardcover Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.63

Age Group: 11+





    I've always loved Jen Calonita's novels, they always were fabulous, and made my day. I guess that this one could also be added to the list.

    Charlie, Hallie, Keiran, and Brooke are four best friends who live in an unknown small town in Long Island. When Charlie is suddenly offered a spot in her own reality TV show, with her three besties also starring, she is glad to take the offer. All she doesn't know is that friends shouldn't let friends do reality shows, because they could sure ruin friendships, some for forever...

   I left you hanging there, didn't I?

   I really liked this book. It seems that the author has a lot of experience with celebrities and reality TV, some of the things mentioned were surprising to me, I didn't even know them!

  The writing was settled down great, everything that happened was supposed to happen, and the author added just enough of details to catch the readers attention. To tell you the truth, at some moments I got bored, but the story was really interesting, and caught my attention, that's for sure. I'm glad I picked this one up.

   I felt that Charlie was a strong lead. She wasn't shy, she had confidence, and just enough of that girl-power in her. Hallie and Keiran were also great, (I loved the ending!) but that brat, Brooke, just went above and beyond, in a bad way. I couldn't stand her! I knew that the author probably was trying to make her sound selfish and snobby, but for me, she just went over the line! I'm glad to see the story ended the way it was supposed to, at least in my opinion.

  This was a strong, fun summer read for all of those who get bored easily.

Glow, by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Title: Glow

Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Release Date: September 13, 2011

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Format: Hardcover Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.57

Age Group: 12+






     From this whole summer, this is one of the most unique and interesting novels that I've read. Glow has a concept and idea that I've never read about.

     “There is a design working behind the curtain of the stars, and we are fulfilling it, drawn toward the future on the tide of time, toward our destiny as the first settlers of a new world."

The room was still. He has them, she thought.”

      Waverly was one of the first who were ever conceived in deep space, as well as her boyfriend, Kieran. Both are happily living on the Empyrean, a ship bringing hundreds to the New Earth, where everything will be safe and good for the human beings. When they find out secretive things about their enemy ship, the New Horizon, they ought to seek for more information, but even worse, an attack is preformed on their ship, and all of the young girls are "rescued" by the attackers, and taken to the New Horizon. Waverly and Kieran are instantly separated, and both are wondering if they'll ever make it out alive.

     As you can see, I enjoyed reading this novel so much. It's my first time reading about the future in space, and I loved it. 

     In the beginning, this book was really hard to pick up. The whole idea was new to me, and I really didn't know what to expect. I'd say that this was a sci-fi dystopia romance, something that I'm always looking forward in reading a book. 

    After the incident happened, I began becoming more and more interested, until the point where I couldn't put this down. The author creates such a huge impact on us readers, and we'd never want to let Glow go.

   The author has created a great female lead, Waverly. This girl knew what she was in for, and very brave, in my opinion. Waverly showed that girls could change the world, and the way we humans think, naturally. 

    The males in this novel weren't all amusing. I found both Kieran and Seth both cruel and selfish. Waverly should've accepted the proposal in the beginning of the novel, everything would've changed between the relationships between the two. I felt that there really wasn't a love triangle here, Seth and Waverly technically just met, they really didn't have much contact in this novel, hopefully something will start to pick up, and I will realize that Seth is a heartthrob after all.

    Glow was a fantastic novel, and I can't wait for more. A perfect dystopian, sci-fi read for all of the teens out there.

Skinny-Dipping, by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Skinny-Dipping

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Rating: 4/5 stars

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.80

Age Group: 12+






      Melissa de la Cruz seriously is a brilliant author, I can't wait for more from her!

      After reading the terrific Beach Lane, I couldn't wait for the next summery one, Skinny-Dipping. What can be more fun than spending a few hours with my three favourite Hampton gals, Eliza, Mara, and Jacqui?

     “That was the thing about pictures--they were worth a thousand words, but sometimes they weren't the right ones.”

      Eliza, Mara, and Jacqui are back in the Hamptons for another hot, skinny-dipping summer. Eliza isn't back as an Au Pair, she's applying for a job in the hit new club, The Seventh Circle. Could she keep her Palm Beach secret away from Mara, who's still heartbroken from her breakup with Ryan? Jacqui has sworn off boys, but when Phillipe, the hot new French Au Pair shows up, she may be regretting everything she said. Boys, revenge, and secrets, the Au Pairs are back for a summer to remember.

       I can say this--the first novel was absolutely better, but I really can't complain about the story/writing in this one. I was mostly captivated, there was so much drama in this one I couldn't hold my horses. De la Cruz really knows how to spice things up, especially for teen readers like myself.

       What happened with my favourite character, Mara? I think I felt the same way about her as Ryan did, that the Hamptons really came to her and changed her. She seemed bratty and snobby, I don't know what to say. Eliza and Jacqui of course are darlings, their personalities make this novel even stronger without them.

       Sun-Kissed, and Crazy Hot, here I come, because I just can't enough of the Au Pairs!

How My Summer Went Up In Flames. by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Title: How My Summer Went Up In Flames

Author: Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.76

Age Group: 12+





   Expecting better, How My Summer Went Up In Flames was an okay novel.

   “Sometimes when you don't know what to do, it's okay to do nothing.”

    Crazy Rosie now is on a restraining order away from her ex-boyfriend, Joey, after she supposedly "lit his car on fire." Not knowing what to do with her life, Rosie has no choice but to go on a road trip all the way to Arizona with her next door neighbour and his two friends, who are also brothers. Rosie seriously doesn't know that she's in for a wacky, fun summer.

    Maybe it was just me, I don't know, I really didn't feel for this novel in the start. The plotline seemed very mainstream, and I knew that it would obviously turn into one of those cheesy summer-road trip romances where the main character (girl) will fall in love with one of the guys who is also traveling with her to wherever they're going. And to tell you the truth, that's all that it was.

    Now, you're probably asking, why then do I give this a three-point five star rating? Well, let me tell you. The story picked up, and I ended up liking it by the end. I began to read it much quicker afterwards, and it didn't turn out so bad after all. That's good I took the chance.

    I found Rosie to be a little whiny. She kind of made a dumb decision to actually do what she did in the beginning of the book, I would never have done that, like it or not, and seriously? She got a restraining order for that and a little following around? If the ex actually stood up to her and told her that she's going mad, maybe she would've listened. Ugh, that's what bugs me the most, and that she also didn't know what she wanted.

   Logan wasn't the oh-my-gosh guy that I happen to fall for in many novels. He just seemed... okay. I didn't get butterflies listening to him speak, or think, I want him!

   Spencer and Matty were good characters, they sure were hilarious at times! I wish that those guys got their own point-of-views!

    So, overall, this novel was okay, a good read, not that I would pick it up again anytime soon.


 

All These Things I've Done, by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: All These Things I've Done

Author: Gabrielle Zevin

Rating: 5/5 stars

Release Date: September 6, 2011

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Format: Hardcover Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.74

Age Group: 12+





      I had low expectations for this novel, but it ended up being much better than what I thought it would be. In fact, it was amazing!


     “Stop saying that! You sound absurd, and I don't even think you mean it. Besides, I'd never marry you," I told him. "I'm sixteen, and you're a slut, and you can't stop saying preposterous things!"

"True," he admitted. He kissed me on the lips and then I closed the door.”

     You see what I mean? This book was hilarious, in its own way, it had its own "thing" that will cause readers to fall in love with the realistic characters.

    Anya Balanchine is a sixteen-year old, living in the year of 2083, in upstate New York City, where she is known as the city's most notorious crime boss of the Balanchine Chocolate, who is dead. When her ex-boyfriend is poisoned by the chocolate, everyone seems to blame her. Anya is then faced by her absurd family, the reporters, and the people in her school.

    I was obsessed with this novel. The author's voice is so incredible, you can't seem to leave the world. 

   I especially enjoyed how the narrator (Anya) would say the events in present-time, this especially caused us to feel what she's feeling, and to imagine the world of this novel coming to life.

   When I found out that this took place in the near future, (2083) I found myself thinking to be the same age as Anya's grandmother, Galina. The way she said OMG and nobody knew what it meant, it was hilarious and incredible to see how the author imagines this world, and how ours might change unbelievably. 

   Anya is a true rebellion heroine. She was strong, slick, and super-intelligent, I wish that I knew her personally. She came to her senses when it was time, and knew right from wrong. All she cares is about saving her family, she's like the role model that many people should take after in this world we have today.

  Then we Leo, Natty, Scarlet, and of course, Galina. These guys really made an impact on this novel, they were who Anya had to save, who was worth living for. 

   Last but not least, Win. We obviously knew that with his flirty personality, he would definitely end up with Anya, eventually. I loved him! He was always there for his gal, holding her hair when she was sick, or taking her to the prom. 

  I loved this book so much, and I can't wait for the sequel. Powerfully gorgeous.

Breathless, by Jessica Warman

Title: Breathless

Author: Jessica Warman

Rating: 4.5/5

Release Date: August 31, 2010

Publisher: Walker Childrens

Format: Paperback Edition

Goodreads Average Rating: 3.64

Age Group: 13+





Quote:

“You know, I believe that people need to find what they love to do most in the world, what they're best at, and then they need to use that ability to make the world better.”

 
   After reading Warman's Where The Truth Lies, I knew I wanted more from the extraordinary author, and look what I got!

   Breathless was one of those books that actually literally took your breath away, adding to the title. I never wanted it to end, despite its thrilling, tragic plot.

   Katie Kitrell doesn't have the easiest life around. She hardly sees her dad, also known as "The Ghost," her brother is mentally sick, and now, she's sent to a boarding school where things can't get possibly worse. instead, they get even better. Katie is now known as the star swimmer, fighting for the captain. Meeting Drew, the boys' team captain, her days really make her feel breathless.

   This book really couldn't possibly get any better than it was. I mean, a few tweaks could've been taken away, or added, but that's really about it.

   I couldn't drop this novel down. I wanted to be in this world forever, even though it's exactly the same as ours, the events are fictional, right? Apparently, they're actually based on the author's experiences.. Hmm...

   Katie was a strong female lead, and a good one, for that matter. That girl was unstoppable. I loved how the author made her realize something in the end, and how we got to see what happened ten years later, it was so unexpected.

  Drew was one heartthrob, that's for sure. You really hardly get to read about swimmers these days, and the star couple in this story was a perfect example to show that more authors should feature them, instead of cheerleaders, football players, or soccer players.

  This story is unique, and definitely one to remember.