Prom Impossible, by Laura Pauling

Prom Impossible, by Laura Pauling

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit, Contemporary

Rating: 4/5 stars

Publication: May 1, 2014, by Redpoint Press

Format: ebook







Goodreads Summary: 1 girl + 1 prom + 3 guys = Prom Impossible!

Cassidy decides her senior year, including prom, will be about Michael Greenwood, the boy destined to be her soul mate. One problem. He hasn’t figured that out yet. 

But certain events meant as innocent pranks—that weren’t completely her fault—introduce her to Zeke, the reformed bad boy. And cutting deals in the boys’ bathroom with Jasper, the hottest guy in school, lands her in a complicated web of half-truths that spirals out of control. 

At the end of the year, she’s dateless the day before the big night but risks a lot more than her pride if she can’t find a way to fix her mistakes. 

PROM IMPOSSIBLE is a modern-day Shakespearean romantic comedy in the world of teens, true love, and life.

Review:

 Expecting a cheesy prom read, I was hoping for the best, with crossed fingers of course. But then, BOOM this is what this book came at me with in the end:

   So our lesson over here is don't judge a book by their cover.. or summary/look. We all expected a book that has to deal with a disaster prom, but this is something else. This book deals with true and pure reality, and about days in the life of many teenagers out there who struggle and try to deal with popularity problems and boy issues. This book isn't 100% accurate (no book is) but I even have to admit that some of these things that occurred have had me struggling the same way as Cassidy did. 

    This author featured a book that has so much depth and thought put into it that it's just not even believable, and it's all smushed into a perfect chick-lit book. 

     In some ways, this book kind of bored me because it wasn't so amazingly unique that I'm wondering how the heck someone can come up with this idea, but in others, it was great. I enjoyed reading it, seeing the drama, and gushing over the adorable romance. It's a book we want all in one, in some ways.

     This is about Cassidy. All she has ever wanted is to be seen as normal and special. She wants to be popular and so, she cracks a deal with Jasper, the hottest guy in school, but next thing you know, she's dateless on prom night, the night she's been looking forward to for her entire life. She makes regrets, wishes and who knows, maybe things will come true.

      This plot was full of twists. Coming from a chick-lit cutesy book, you'd never expect some of the things that happened and the behaviour coming from the characters. It did have its dull moments, especially towards the end, but I really liked the book all throughout. It was fast-paced, and got to the point quickly. The idea was just there. 

       The romance was just adorable.

       

         I had so many ships like you can't even imagine. I shipped everyone with everyone, if that isn't weird enough. x) But my #1 ship was Zeke and Cassidy. I LOVED THEM SO MUCH TOGETHER LIKE YOU CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE. <3 b="">So beautiful together. 

         Cassidy was just an awesome character. I felt so bad... Because she never really got what she wanted. But she was still cheerful and happy and ugh. 

         

           That's how I would've acted. But this girl kept it all in, and still stayed strong the whole time. Now that's a hero, and when do you hear something like that in a chick-lit read? Never, let me tell you.

            Overall, this book was great. At points, you feel like you're falling with it, but the major plot twists just cause you to keep on grabbing on. You just need to.

The Casquette Girls, by Alys Arden

The Casquette Girls (The Casquette Girls #1), by Alys Arden

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Paranormal, Vampires

Rating: 3/5 stars

Publication: October 31, 2013, by fortheARTofit

Format: ebook

Goodreads Summary: After the Storm of the Century rips apart New Orleans, Adele Le Moyne and her father are among the first to return to the city following the mandatory evacuation. Adele wants nothing more than for life to return to normal, but with the silent city resembling a mold-infested war zone, a parish-wide curfew, and mysterious new faces lurking in the abandoned French Quarter, normal will have to be redefined. 

Events too unnatural – even for New Orleans – lead Adele to an attic that has been sealed for three hundred years, and the chaos she unleashes threatens not only her life but everyone she knows. Mother Nature couldn’t drain the joie de vivre from the Big Easy, but someone or something is draining life from its residents.

Caught suddenly in a hurricane of eighteenth-century myths and monsters, Adele must quickly untangle a web of magic that links the climbing murder rate back to her own ancestors. But who can you trust in a city where everyone has a secret, and where keeping them can be a matter of life and death – unless, that is, you’re immortal.

Review:

 This is how I wish this book came to be:

  

  In some ways, it was an above average book. The situation all began because of a HUGE hurricane that is not even classified as a regular storm. Adele is led into a world of vampires, witches, fairies and craziness, and she never even expected something like that to occur two months before-- before the storm changed everyone's lives. It's usually like that, though. The MC is usually living an ordinary life until something huge and unexpected occurs and they're brought into the world of paranormal beings, and then hell happens. Ta da. ._.

   In the beginning, especially if I haven't read the summary yet, I would've never expected this to be a paranormal book. It seemed very contemporary with a twist. Adding the paranormal aspect to the hurricane-tragedy thing didn't seem to work for me. It just didn't really go. 

   But overall, this book was okay. It was a mix of okay and meh, and that's a 3 star rating for me. I recommend it, but not to everyone, and I'll list some of the other reasons throughout this review.

    Adele is sent to Paris to live with her mother who is never there after a disastrous hurricane unexpectedly hits New Orleans, the home she's always known. She stays there for two months, and when it begins to turn all clear (with so much damage left) she heads back home with her father, an artist. And, everything isn't so normal. There is so much damage left behind, but thankfully her home is okay. Well, she is led to an attic that has been sealed with magic for over three hundred years, and this is just the beginning of a world of craze and magic.

    After reading a book, we usually never wonder what could've happened... But we do certainly think about what we wish could've happened. I felt like during this book, the audience never got what we wanted. The plot twists just led to more disaster and more craziness going on, and it never died down. And at times, some of the events happening weren't even anything special. It was boring 50% of the time. I wanted something so petrifying that we would get knocked out of our seats. Unfortunately, we never got that although this sort of book deserved that.

     One of the great positives was that the characters were just fine. :) I loved Adele as a protagonist. She was perfectly suited for this sort of book and had so much potential in the beginning of the book and showed her stuff by the end and made us proud for reading from the POV of such a great and heartwarming wild character. We didn't need a MC who worried and went crazy in her mind-- instead, we need an Adele; a cheerful, wild, willing, selfless kick-ass girl, in every book.

      I loved Isaac! <3 adele="" and="" b="" couple="" got="" had="" he="" i="" more="" perfect="" re="" romance="" scenes="" that="" the="" they="" though.="" wish="" with="">instant-connection

from the moment they met.

       Oh, and Desiree was just a total BAE. This chick has power and style and she's just perf. 

        

         Another positive is the world development. I loved the magical world and the world of Adelaine. (Or whatever her name is.)

          Recommended, but only to those who enjoy every paranormal book they pick up or for someone looking for a nice look of a book.

Garden of Shadows, by V.C. Andrews

Garden of Shadows (Dollanganger #5), by V.C. Andrews

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Classics, Mystery/Murder/Thriller, Romance

Rating: 4/5 stars

Publication: November 16, 2010, by Simon Pulse

Format: ebook




Goodreads Summary: Before terror flowered in the attic there was a young girl. An innocent, hopeful girl...

When young Olivia arrives at Foxworth Hall, she thinks her marriage to handsome Malcolm will bring the joy she has longed for. But in the gloomy mansion filled with festering desires and forbidden passions, a stain of jealous obsession begins to spread--an evil that will threaten her children, two charming boys and one very special, beautiful girl. For within the halls of this cursed house a shocking secret lives. A secret that will taint the Foxworth family for generations to come...

Review:

  Note: If you hated Olivia, Corrine's mother and Cathy's grandmother as much as I did in the first and previous novels of the series, then maybe this prequel will give you a little more insight on her aspect and will help you change your mind on this poor woman who went through so much hatred and unfairness in her life. 

   I was ready to hate this book; I never liked Olivia and you think I want to read her POV when she was a "bratty young lady?" No thanks. But having this be the last of V.C. Andrews's highly acclaimed and raved Dollanganger series, I just had to end it off with this prequel. But I never expected to like this, especially after watching the 'Flowers in the Attic' new film. *shivers*

   But all in all, everyone has a reason for everything; that also includes their actions and behaviour. Olivia did have a reason for everything, even if Corrine surprisingly wasn't even her daughter by blood. 

    This is about the main "beginning" of Olivia's life. She gets married to Malcolm, who she fears isn't even in love and her and just is using her for fortune and good "Foxworth pure blood." She has three children-- two boys and a young girl. There's a curse and there's a secret behind everything, even behind the home that everyone's known forever. 

     This book taught me so much about the Foxworth family, even more than what I knew before from the previous books. Olivia has her reasons. And I kind of support her for everything she did and felt. Olivia didn't really do anything in the books, except some kind of cruel things to Corrine's kids. It was all of CORRINE'S FAULT FOR EVERYTHING. That stupid brat was spoiled and everything happened because of her "too perfect brain and pettiness." It's just so CRAZY.

      So by the end of the book, I felt a lot of sympathy for Olivia. She was a great MC and it changed the way I felt for her before. V.C. Andrews made a great decision to show the thoughts and past life of Olivia and the past truth of the Foxworths.

       This book was very moving. It was fast-paced and not really boring, despite the confusion of who was who in the beginning to late middle. I forgot a lot of the characters and as usual, V.C. Andrews didn't seem the type to create some light for us and make us understand what was going on. But other than that, this book was great and the perfect ending and beginning to everything, in a way.

         Let's give a round of applause to V.C. Andrews (RIP) for creating an amazing series. What an enjoyable ride.

The Silver Sickle, by Ellie Ann

The Silver Sickle, by Ellie Ann

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Aliens, DNF, Science-Fiction

Rating: 1/5 stars

Publication: July 2013, by Stonehouse Ink

Format: ebook








Goodreads Summary: The end of humanity will come through the Silver Sickle . . .

Farissa lives every moment with reckless abandon, for it may be her last. Any day now, the alien goddesses will harvest her and take her to the mysterious Silver Sickle, never to return. She’s accepted that. What she can’t accept is this new idea of freedom Zel has planted in her head. She’d give almost anything to be with Zel, but how can she run from her destiny if it means putting the whole kingdom in danger?

Everyone in the desert kingdom believes the goddesses are immortal, but Zel has invented a way to kill them. Now all he has to do is convince Farissa to run away with him and plant a seed of hope in her heart that she’s not destined to die. Little does he know that one seed of hope could change the course of the future.

Review:

 DNF @ 30% 

 *Review copy provided by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for a honest review.* 

This whole book got me doing the:

  I just don't know what to think of this book. I was expecting so much greatness and a stunning plot, but I found that I just wasn't interested.  I chose to read this book because I did believe that it was going to be interesting, but instead, I got something completely different and odd. 

   I was the black sheep with this book. The Goodreads average rating is a holy moly 4.50, which is very high, if you compare this to other books, but I give it a 1, or 0.5. I really didn't like this book, despite the many positive raving reviews that the author has gotten for her book. 

   The topic/concept of aliens usually intrigues me quite hard, actually. Different books such as The Host or 172 Hours on the Moon were just amazing, and ended up as some of my favourite books, surprising me with my love of the concept. But this book just wasn't for me. And from there, I realized that the concept of aliens is a hit-and-run sort of thing. 

     I have to say that this book wasn't written well. The few different POV's were just confusing and I felt like it was definitely needed. Although I only got to 30% of the book, there should've been some plot development, at least. It was very standard and boring, and I just got too bored with it and absolutely didn't like the outcome. The book was very bland and mainstream; when it was supposed to be for fans of Kiera Cass and Veronica Roth, two of my favourite authors whose books can never compete to this. It's a whole other level. 

     The Selection and Divergent:

   

    

     It's been a few days since I finished this book, but I've already forgotten the names of all of the characters and what the book was actually about. So 'scuse my memory. :)

     Oh, yes. Farissa, the MC was just utterly annoying. I didn't like her at all and she was lost the whole time. (At least for how much I read of the book.) She's just one of those pointless characters. :/ 

      But I must believe that the world of this book was great, although I haven't really gotten into the world development, but from what I understand, it's really... steampunk, just as other people described the book in their reviews. Okay, but I haven't seen it with my own eyes to classify it as good world development.

     Overall, I don't recommend this book. It's an over-rated science-fiction read. I think I'm the only person who gave it a lower than three stars rating.

Primordial Dust Book Nerd Blast

Synopsis 

A princess, trained to behave. An assassin, betrothed to her. A thief, whose eyes she dreams of at night. A kingdom at war, torn apart by the suppression of magic and truth, as well as family secrets that threaten to destroy decades of peace.

Questions of loyalty, of morality, and of free will culminate in a fantasy novel about forging one’s own path and choosing one’s own destiny.

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Primordial-Dust-Sarah-Daltry/dp/1500294349/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=jamesval-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=3QAQUDGR4ASWDQ6V&creativeASIN=1500294349

B&N: http://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=OSM9yXwjjU4&offerid=239662.9781498998468&type=2&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.barnesandnoble.com%2FPrimordial-Dust%2FSarah-Daltry%2Fe%2F9781498998468

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/441741

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/primordial-dust/id882966210?mt=11

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Daltry writes about the regular people who populate our lives. She’s written works in various genres – romance, erotica, fantasy, horror. Genre isn’t as important as telling a story about people and how their lives unfold. Sarah tends to focus on YA/NA characters but she’s been known to shake it up. Most of her stories are about relationships – romantic, familial, friendly – because love and empathy are the foundation of life. It doesn’t matter if the story is set in contemporary NY, historical Britain, or a fantasy world in the future – human beings are most interesting in the ways they interact with others. This is the principle behind all of Sarah’s stories.

Sarah has spent most of her life in school, from her BA and MA in English and writing to teaching both at the high school and college level. She also loves studying art history and really anything because learning is fun.

When Sarah isn’t writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking Facebook for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window.

TWITTER: @SarahDaltry

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahDaltry

WEBSITE: http://sarahdaltry.com/

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7012679.Sarah_Daltry

Giveaway: 

Giveaway is open Internationally | Must be 13+ to Enter

3 Winners will receive an E-Copy of Primordial Dust by Sarah Daltry.

1 Winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and Swag pack by Sarah Daltry.

1 Winner will receive a Swag Pack by Sarah Daltry.

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-Michelle

Book Blitz: Bloomsbury Spark's Six Month Sparkiversary!

  Hey everyone!

 Today is Bloomsbury Spark’s Six Month Sparkiversary Giveaway Blitz with Xpresso Book Tours! It's the sixth month anniversary of this publisher, and in honour, the publisher decided to giveaway some things.. I know the word "giveaway" just sparks your "need" and "want" senses up, so let's get straight to it!

  *This is a blitz-wide giveaway that is open to the US and Canada. The winner will receive: a Kindle Paperwhite loaded with all of these titles:*

       Bloomsbury Spark is a one-of-a-kind, global, digital imprint from Bloomsbury Publishing dedicated to publishing a wide array of exciting fiction eBooks to teen, YA, and new adult readers.

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       Here is an excerpt from The Art of Falling, since that is the book I'm looking forward in reading the most from this imprint:

      Excerpt from THE ART OF FALLING by Jenny Kaczorowski

Ben sat down on the ramp up to a guard tower. The light over the door traced the perfectly balanced proportions of his profile and shone in his close-cropped hair. He had the kind of strong, chiseled face that made her wish she were a sculptor instead of a painter.

“Sorry my sister is such a pain in the ass,” he said.

“Hey, that’s my best friend you’re talking about.” She settled beside him.

“Yes and I’ve been stuck in the same class as you two since kindergarten.”

“Another nine months and you’ll be free from us.”

He gave her a half laugh. “Don’t remind me.”

Bria shifted, leaning against the handrail. “Have you made a decision yet?”

“Not officially. I don’t sign until February, but I gave Oregon a verbal no last week.”

“Seriously? Abby said you had a full ride.”

He shrugged. “It didn’t feel right.”

“But Oregon is one of the best schools for football, right? Kind of seems like a big deal.”

Ben looked around the beach, still deserted save for a lone seagull, before his eyes settled on her. “I want there to be more to me than football, more than being that guy.”

She stilled, aware of her heart beating in her chest and the air filling her lungs. “Yeah. Yeah, I get that.”

“I don’t know.” He stretched out his long legs, gazing at the ocean. “I guess that’s why I’m out running after spending the entire day in practice. When I run, there’s no expectations, no demands. Just me and the sand and the sky and the surf.”

“I’m not exactly built for running,” she said, eyeing her figure, much too tall and all soft around the edges.

“You’re fine, Bria. Girls like Alyson Kane are the ones who aren’t built for running.”

Bria snorted. She’d give anything to squeeze into Alyson’s tiny cheerleading uniform. Her body just wouldn’t agree.

“So what about you?” Ben said. “Abby told me you visited some fancy art school in New York?”

“Oh. Yeah.” She looked down at her hands, picking at a fleck of paint clinging to her cuticle. “Pratt. I just have to get my application and portfolio in by November first for early decision, but admissions said I’m basically in if I want it.”

“Good for you. Wow. New York.”

“I know.”

He tapped his foot against hers. “Why don’t we do this anymore? Just hang out and talk.”

“Come on, Ben. It’s bad enough that you and Abby ended up in the same grade. You don’t need to feel bad for finding your own friends.”

“Abby says I’m not cool enough to hang out with you guys.”

Bria burst out laughing. Ben – star quarterback, perpetual crush, best smile in school – not cool enough? “The Queen of Cool herself is probably passed out drunk by now.”

“Hey. That’s my sister you’re talking about.”

“Sorry about that.” She bumped her arm against his, lingering a little longer than necessary. When she pulled away, something in his gaze made her hands fidget and her tongue trip over her words. “I mean, I love her, but you know...”

“Yeah. I know.” His laughter faded away, leaving something sweet and tender and totally unfunny in his eyes. He brushed his thumb along her cheekbone, the kind of simple, casual touch that made her insides turn to mush. “I’ve really missed you, Bria.”

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ouuu.... This just sounds amazing, huh?

Visit Xpresso Book Tours for more book tour stops and information on these reads.

Michelle

Blog Tour: The Silver Sickle

   

   Title: The Silver Sickle
   Pages: 289
   Publication: July 2013, by Stonehouse Ink
   Goodreads Average Rating: 4.50
   Genres: Science-Fiction, Young Adult


    Goodreads Summary: The end of humanity will come through the Silver Sickle . . .

Farissa lives every moment with reckless abandon, for it may be her last. Any day now, the alien goddesses will harvest her and take her to the mysterious Silver Sickle, never to return. She’s accepted that. What she can’t accept is this new idea of freedom Zel has planted in her head. She’d give almost anything to be with Zel, but how can she run from her destiny if it means putting the whole kingdom in danger?

Everyone in the desert kingdom believes the goddesses are immortal, but Zel has invented a way to kill them. Now all he has to do is convince Farissa to run away with him and plant a seed of hope in her heart that she’s not destined to die. Little does he know that one seed of hope could change the course of the future.

      Excerpt: 

     “Could a lot go wrong?” she asked. His brow creased at all that could go wrong.

     “Forget I asked,” Farissa said. “What if all goes right?”

     “You’d be free from the Amar’s tracker and we’d run from here. I’m not as worried about the                 performance of my shockwheel as I am about how you’ve ignored it for so long.”

      Farissa slowly shook her head.

      “It can be done. I know it,” Zel said. His eyes had a light behind them. “You can be free of the Amar.”

       She had to tell him now, although she knew how it would hurt him. “Just because it can be done,          doesn’t mean it should. I won’t go with you.” Zel blinked twice, fast. He took a small step back.            She continued. “This shop is everything to you. Your future is here, fixing cogsmen. And we                should not abandon Uncle Farzan like everyone else in his life has. Besides, since no one’s ever            escaped a tracker, you’re clinging to this idea of us running away together when it would cost too         much to take the risk.”

      He looked at her tracker. The look on his face was a mixture of grief and hope. “It costs too much         to stay here.”

     Sadness settled like a blanket over her shoulders. If she did what she wanted, she’d jump in his arms      and let him carry her away. If she did what she wanted, she’d be matched with him forever and let the other consecrated people fend for themselves. But life wasn’t just about doing what she wanted, and she couldn’t forget the dire consequences if she started to live like that.

Farissa looked away. They watched the sand fly from one dune to another. “You’re fighting the wind, Zel.”

      Giveaway:

        This is a tour-wide giveaway. It features a $25 Amazon gift card!

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        Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18158394-the-silver-sickle?ac=1

        Purchase:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Sickle-Ellie-Ann-ebook/dp/B00DR0SARU

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-silver-sickle-ellie-ann/1115916541?ean=9781624820786

        About the Author:

Ellie Ann is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of science fiction, comics, and thrillers.

I was born in the jungles of Thailand, was raised in a small farming village in Iowa, lived in the middle of a Texan desert, and now abide in the Ozarks.

I like writing fairy tales, tall tales, thrillers, science fiction, and am seriously interested in transmedia storytelling.

I’m a creative editor for Stonehouse Ink. I’m a producer of interactive books at Noble Beast.

Come say hi! I don’t bite. Unless I’ve been turned into a zombie.

-Michelle

If There Be Thorns/Seeds of Yesterday, by V.C. Andrews

If There Be Thorns/Seeds of Yesterday, (Dollanganger #3,4) by V.C. Andrews

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery/Murder/Thriller, Romance

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Publication: June 22, 2010, by Simon Pulse

Format: Paperback Edition





Goodreads Summary: Two books in one: If There Be Thorns and Seeds of Yesterday, from V.C. Andrews's classic series that begins with Flowers in the Attic.

Review:


 These two books kept slapping me the whole way through. (gif from the new movie, by the way.)

  

  I felt like V.C. Andrews was trying to create the luxury and amazingness that she did with the first two books in the Dollanganger series, but these two didn't really cut it. I was trying to remind myself of the feelings and love I had for the first two fantastic books, but I didn't feel a craze and adoration for these books. I feel like it has been dragged on for too long.

  V.C. Andrews is an amazing author. Although she confuses us like hell (which all of us can understand once we read one of her books), her writing is like munching into your most favourite food. She can make things rough, sad and everything else in between with just the snap of her fingers. It's just the perfect effect she creates. So don't think I hated this book or anything, although I can't deny that it's my favourite novel, either.

   After the craziness in the first two books and after we were left off with a pretty big cliffhanger in the end of the sequel, we jump straight into the future of Cathy and Chris's lives, where they are all grown up and are pure adults, and they are married. Yes, Andrews has absolutely gone CRAZY with this, but it's okay, I support it. This is written in the perspectives of their children, Jory and Bart. Well of course, Andrews mixes everything around and messes our minds up with many POVs. More drama, more messed up romance, but the same family is behind it all. 

     So I guess you could say that these two books weren't really needed at all, but since the rave for this series, V.C. Andrews came up with more ideas and cliffhangers and decided to write two more large books that deal with this family. But behind it all, these weren't really needed. It's all extra. The first two books are perfect for a duelogy. Just letting you know, there's one final book after this that takes place in the past in Olivia's POV. (And probably 5 more people's too.)

      Andrews is an author who doesn't care about time and length. She just skips, skips and skips through everyone's lives, and leaves out the miniature details and just gives us the big plot twists and reveals a lot of shocking secrets that the characters are hiding. If There Be Thorns was when Jory was 14 and Bart was 10, and Seeds of Yesterday occurred when they were in their twenties and thirties and Cathy and Chris were in their fifties. So there must've been a decade where nothing big happened. Between the two books, the characters, including Cindy, all grew up and came to be someone. Ta da... But of course,

       'Cause you all know, Mrs. Andrews adores to make us upset and cranky. But hey, she's a master at it. WARNING: You will get frustrated with this book, but it somewhat ends up all okay in the end. This is kind of the end of the series, anyway.

       These two books didn't bore me at all. It was all fast-paced and moving. You're addicted because there's plot twists every page. The major problem was the confusion. 

        I just wish that Andrews just gave us a little more background information. I didn't know who was who, who's dad was who, what was the secret behind something, et cetera et cetera. It was just unbelievably confusing, and the most confused I was with a book for a long time. Okay, I'm not saying I want everything to be crystal clear, but I just wish we could've been told some things, instead of having to guess and find out that we were wrong the whole time.

          Reading is part of understanding, and that affects a lot of the rating in a book and has to do with the plot as well. And I deducted a 1.5 out of 5 because of that, and of course a little because of the characters and imperfection as well. 

           This book wasn't perfect and neither were the characters. Bart just got on my nerves for stupidity and the way he believed that the whole world revolved around him and would do anything to have his mommy on his side 24/7. Jory was an absolute pleasure in the first book, but of course after the incident in Seeds of Yesterday, he was a wreck. Chris was "meh," and Cathy and Cindy were okay. It was a love-hate relationship with basically everyone.

             "Sin is what women use to make a man weak. You've got to face up to certain facts. Inside of every man there is a weak, spineless streak, and woman know how to find it by taking off their clothes and using earthly pleasures to sap a man's strength by desire."

               Oh, and did I mention that this WHOLE SERIES is utterly strange and completely weird? That was just the beginning of some weird quotes and statements that a grown man tells to a little boy (Bart) who actually ends up crazy in the end. 

               All in all, this is a spectacular, moving series that every master of YA should pick up to read. It's truly a classic and these two books are just adding to the greatness. Recommended but beware of the confusion.

Graffiti Moon, by Cath Crowley

Graffiti Moon, by Cath Crowley

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery

Rating: 1/5 stars

Publication: Feburary 14, 2012, by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Format: Hardcover Edition





Goodreads Summary: Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.

Review:

DNF @ 108 pages

  I usually hate DNF-ing books. It just makes me feel so bad for not writing a full-length review that features all of the details of the book and I feel really bad for being so mean and cruel to the author. But in some cases, like this one, I just had to. It was impossible not to. And I'm really surprised... Because there's been so much rave and craze for this Australian-based book. But I guess I was just one of the odd ones out.

  This book takes place in a matter of 24 hours, and I guess you could say it's all Lucy's story. Lucy just finished her senior year and is out of high school. She is out on the hunt to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose art is "found all over the city." And it's beautiful art. Lucy thinks that Shadow's someone she can fall for, just by looking at his art. (Whaat.) But instead of going out to find him on the night that she's free (at least for now) she's stuck at a party with her acquaintance Ed, who she has had some trouble with in the past. But, Ed knows where to find Shadow, and Lucy is not about to lose her opportunity to meet the guy of her dreams, right? So she goes for it.

   "At the start there were moments, blinking moments, when we were lying together and it was warm and I could smell flowers on her skin and turps on my hands and I heard her voice with my nerve endings. Like how one day she'd finish year twelve and leave me behind. Like how stupid I was compared to her. I forgot because she was hanging over me, and the world was liquid and spinning and for once I was liquid and spinning with it."

   For my first thought, this book was utterly strange. The concept was weird, the plot was alien, I just didn't see the coolness and "swag" of it. It was very strange to read about the characters being obsessed with love. Like too obsessed. I understand that this is a contemporary-romance novel and all, but it's too crazy, and not mainstream at all, but in a bad way. Lucy was too obsessed with finding Shadow; a guy she never even met. It's too good to be true and weird. Just, naw.

 

     From the beginning, even after reading a chapter, I didn't like this. When reading a book, I always imagine that the book is starting at a 5/5 rating for me, and then it decreases and increases whatsoever depending on the book. This was a 1 already after the first chapter, which rarely happens because I find that I am always too nice when reading books. But this just disappointed me from the start. 

      I just don't like the concept. It's senseless and nothing special was happening. It was all about luck, and I don't believe that love is luck. It's true, and Lucy thinks that she can get any guy who might just not like her (or who might even have a girlfriend) with the snap of her fingers. It's just not realistic at all, and I don't believe that you can even call this 'realistic fiction' in terms of genres. Not at all.

       Being bored with books is my #1 pet peeve when reading a book. It makes me so frustrated and I feel like I just can't deal with it. And that's another thing that just happened with this book. It's so SAD.

        And then the characters also sucked and were totally un-relatable and I hated them and GRR don't listen to me if you liked this book because you will then get upset at me and we will cause a war here.

 
          Lucy was just stupid, I didn't care for Ed at all and who else was there? Because I really can't seem to remember because I just don't care. Meh. What else can I say.

           The only good thing (teensy good thing but it didn't keep me reading) was the writing. The book was very well-written and the writing was nicely flowed and it suited the book. But that's just about it. I would've given this a 0.5 rating if the writing also sucked. But remember, it didn't keep me reading. I stopped at 100 pages, that means it really must've sucked, right?

             I'm truly sorry to all of the people who believe that this book is amazing and perfect. I'm so sorry. But I really didn't like this and I didn't see anything special about it. There, my anger is let out.

Deep Blue, by Jennifer Donnelly

Deep Blue (Waterfire Saga #1), by Jennifer Donnelly

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mermaids, Fantasy, Mythology, Romance

Rating: 4/5 stars

Publication: May 6, 2014, by Disney Press

Format: Hardcover Edition






Goodreads Summary: The first in a series of four epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.

Review:

   It just sucks because I usually can never even pick up a mermaid book. And if I do, I hate them. But I'm always such a good person and I always give books a chance. Having read Jennifer's Revolution and liked it, I decided to give this one a chance. Colour me surprised, this ended up being the best mermaid-based book I've ever read.

    This was absolutely spectacular and I really liked it! Despite the negative comments and reviews about this being more juvenile based (which really didn't matter to me because there was romance and a beautiful plot and setting) I loved it so much. I now understand the beauty of mermaids and the hashtag #mermaidsarereal.

      Serafina is the daughter of Isabella, who is the queen of Miromara. She is very nervous for her betrothal, but what really should be on her mind is winning Prince Mahdi's heart, who will become her husband. When an assassin poisons Sera's mother, Sera goes off to search for five other mermaids who are scattered all around the six seas to find sisterhood and love.

       "Your voice comes from here." She touched the place over Serafina's heart. "It's a beautiful voice. I know. I've heard it. All you have to do it let it out. Show me your heart, Serafina. That's where the truest magic comes from."

        This idea is amazing. Assassins and mermaids all squashed up together? YASSS. I give this a thumbs up right away. This is the type of book that you just want to scream and rave about because it's just that good. It's the sort of book that you're going to have to put a lot of time aside to because it's just so good and you'll feel like you'll want to finish it from the start. 

          The plot was very good from the start, and it started off very fast. At around page 80, the main event occurred and we got to the middle. This wasn't your ordinary novel that took 200 pages to get to the main point. Jennifer Donnelly is very good at captivating readers and not being able to let them go until the beautiful end where you just need more.

           One of my biggest problems was info-dumping. Especially in the beginning, so much of the book was info and history and more info about mers and everyone. It got a little extreme for me and I couldn't really take it. There were times when I had to re-read a paragraph to understand the history. Some of it wasn't needed at all, and that bores the reader too because they just can't be able to stand it.

           The characters were great. I loved Serafina so much. She was the perfect, kick-ass, kind heroine that every book deserves. She's likeable and you want to stay by her side the whole time through. 

            The merls just formed the perfect sisterhood all together. They shared an un-denying beautiful bond that is just unexplainable. From the start when they bet, they all loved each other and showed their stuff. :)

             Some side characters were not needed and I felt like there were too many people to memorize. Too bad I realized that there was a guide at the back of the book in the end. .__.

             

               In conclusion, this book was amazingly enjoying. It was so addicting and the plot and idea was fresh and new. I recommend it to everyone looking for something different and for people lurking for a great mermaid read. Go and get it. 

The Boy on the Bridge, by Natalie Standiford

The Boy on the Bridge, by Natalie Standiford

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Publication: July 30, 2013, by Scholastic Press

Format: Hardcover Edition (borrowed)






Goodreads Summary: A new breathtaking novel from Natalie Standiford about love and trust during the Cold War.

Laura Reid goes to Leningrad for a semester abroad as Cold War paranoia is peaking in 1982. She meets a young Russian artist named Alexei and soon, with Alexei as her guide, Laura immerses herself in the real Russia--a crazy world of wild parties, black-market books and music, and smuggled letters to dissidents. She must keep the relationship secret; associating with Americans is dangerous for Alexei, and if caught, Laura could be sent home and Alexei put under surveillance or worse. At the same time, she's been warned that Soviets often latch onto Americans in hopes of marrying them and thus escaping to the United States. But she knows Alexei loves her. Right?

As June approaches--when Laura must return to the United States--Alexei asks Laura to marry him. She's only nineteen and doesn't think she's ready to settle down. But what if Alexei is the love of her life? How can she leave him behind? If she has a chance to change his life, to rescue him from misery, shouldn't she take it?

Review:

  After reading Natalie's Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters, I was absolutely ready for more from this upcoming unstoppable author. Natalie actually did have the opportunity to spend a year or so in Russia for college, just like Laura here did, and it seriously is an amazing experience, at least from what I can imagine and what we read about in this book. The only thing that questioned me was-- there wasn't really any huge signs of the Cold War occurring. Yes, there were some uncertainties going on, especially between men and women, but I didn't see any significant war going on.

   Laura is in Russia for college for six months, January-June. She expects a quiet year in the country where she will learn the language and the culture more. Little does she know that she will fall in love with a young artist and he will introduce her into a new world of difference and unusual events. Alexei does love her, he's even said it, and Laura loves him back and the thought of going back home to America just haunts her, because all she needs is to be with Alexei forever. 

    The plot sounds very simple. And it is in a way. It's a very light quick read, but inside, there's so much going on and so much importance and love and friendship between the protagonists. Everything is very complex and is full of plot twists and all throughout I was never bored once. Standiford just created some sort of wonderful magic.

     The biggest idea in this book was love, and in fact true love. Laura and Alexei's love was unbelievable and so beautiful that it's just too awesome for words. You will be addicted to them from the start.

      The only flaw and con was LAURA. 

       This chick made the worst decisions at the worst time and was so stupid to even talk about. She was immature and weird and overly attached to Alexei. He's all she thought and thought and did I mention thought about? I don't think I wanted to be him...

        "He removed his hands from her shoulders with effort, as if resisting a great magnetic force. He turned and walked away to the metro. She stood on the edge of the bridge for a long time, watching him."

         Wow, what a sight to look at. Imagine her sitting there for hours, imagining that he's still walking away. x)

          Alexei was just amazing beyond words. He was so hot and perfect and the most amazing guy. I loved him to death despite his deep dirty secrets.

           Overall, this book was beautiful. I loved it so much and it was one of the best contemporaries I've read this year! <3 p="">

Only Everything, by Kieran Scott

Only Everything (True Love #1), by Kieran Scott

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mythology, Romance, Contemporary, Fantasy

Rating: 5/5 stars

Publication: May 6, 2014, by Simon & Schuster Books

Format: Hardcover Edition (borrowed)





Goodreads Summary: Like Zeus, the king, who thinks the proper reaction to finding me kissing a mortal is to threaten my boyfriend Orion's life, banish me to Earth, and force me to inspire true love between three couples without my powers. I know! Elders! I'm Eros, a.k.a. Cupid. The Goddess of Love. Until this morning, anyway.

Now I'm stuck on Earth with no clue how to function as a human, and I can't even conjure up my magical bow and arrows to help me do my job. I've already met this amazing guy—Charlie, a new kid in school like me—but matching him up isn't as easy as I thought. Turns out opposites don't attract, nearly identicals don't attract, and giving a guy what he seems to want is just one big disaster. My sweet new friend Katrina might work, but she's got more complications than Medusa's hair, and a live-in boyfriend with a serious mean streak. Probably not the best idea to go there.

If I don't make a match, I may never see Orion again. I have so much to lose, and only everything to gain.

Review:

 "You will then prove your worth to me by forming true love between three couples with no godly tricks up your sleeve," Zeus continued. "Only then will you be allowed to return to Mount Olympus."

  This is the best mythology book I've ever read. And I'm very surprised, because I usually hate mythology. Anything to do with gods and goddesses usually bores the heck out of me, and I usually hate all of the history and actual myths and everything. I picked up this novel thinking that it's a usual contemporary read with heart-stopping romance and cute guys with a nice plot. I didn't even read the summary. I just picked it up because the cover and having it be written by Kieran Scott. (AKA Kate Brian, author of the Private series.) So I think I'm ready for Rick Riordan. :)

 

     True, aka Eros aka Cupid aka Daughter of the Goddess of Love, is banished to Earth having to match three mortal couples together with no use of her powers after Zeus (the king) finds Eros kissing a mortal, also known as Orion. Eros is sent to Earth and doesn't have a clue how to act and what to do as a mortal. When she meets Charlie, (who is also new) she knows that he'll be the perfect guy to match someone up with. From the beginning, Charlie falls in love with Katrina, a girl who already has a strange and cruel boyfriend. All True wants to do is match the three couples so she can see and be with Orion again.

      Romance and a mythology twist? Count me in. Let me just say that this book was spectacular, and I would read it over and over again. This is going to be an amazing trilogy, I just know it. Kieran Scott has mastered something that no author has ever done before, and it's to mix so many genres together to great a light teen read. Fantasy, contemporary, mythology, romance? That's just great to conquer.

      From the beginning, I was hooked in. A lot of the characters from the immortal world, Mount Olympus have been heard of and known for many centuries, and that's great that we were introduced  to some new ones as well. But we already have heard of Zeus and Eros's mother and some of Eros's sisters. Kieran Scott never bored me and the plot twists just came on coming straight at me and I wasn't able to even go sleep because this book was too good. I would put this book before my beauty sleep. Now that's some crazy stuff. :p

       The romance was so strong. SO BEAUTIFUL. I loved the idea of putting couples together without the use of powers. Everything was natural and the idea of friendship was absolutely there. The fact that True was giving up so much to be with Orion again was just amazing. But then BOOM that ending though. :( Hopefully everything'll go back to normal again and True will just do it. But I absolutely ship Katrina and Charlie so hard. They're the perfect nerdy cute couple and one of the best I've read about in a while.

        All of the characters were memorable. True was a strong heroine who tried so hard and gave up so much to make everyone happy. She just didn't put couples together so she can get back to Mount Olympus faster, she did it because she wanted to see her friends happy. In those few weeks/days that she's been on Earth, she already made so many new friends and established strong friendships and went through so much and did new things. Perfect heroine.

         Charlie was an absolute hero. He was the boy next the door, the boy you wanted to hug all the time and the boy who you felt so bad for because he just didn't fit in with the rest of the family. He wasn't understood by anyone except Katrina, and that's why they're the perfect couple. I loved him to death. :)

          I'd absolutely read this book over and over again and it was my universe and beyond. I recommend this to everyone, young and old. It's truly a life-changing read. :)

          "I'd rather spend whatever short time I have here with you than hang among the stars watching life go on without me. Watching you go on without me."

City of a Thousand Dolls, by Miriam Forster

City of a Thousand Dolls (Bhinian Empire #1), by Miriam Forster

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery/Thriller/Murder, Romance

Rating: 3/5 stars

Publication: February 5, 2013, by HarperTeen

Format: Hardcover Edition (borrowed)



Goodreads Summary: An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.

Review:

  I usually never pick up high fantasy books that deal with the subject matter of assassins. But something about City of a Thousand Dolls just captivated me. Although this dealt with a lot of ideas I normally would never read about, the mystery intrigued me. 

  Imagine-- you live in a futuristic world where girls are spilt into different homes depending on their talents and adorations. This is what Nisha has grown up during almost of her whole life. She was abandoned at the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child-- and she never quite fit in with all of the luxuries and people. As life goes on, Nisha rapidly makes her way to be Matron's assistant, but everyone believes that she's not like everyone else. She has a destiny, and in order to live it, she has to figure out, quickly, because many of the girls she's known since she was young begin to die. 

   So yes, this book is very different than others and in my eyes, that is a very good thing. Miriam Forster takes the idea of assassins to a whole new level and this pleased me very much. Assassins are usually combined with a medieval concept, but this author placed the idea in a dystopian/science-fiction world where everyone was safe and sound in the beginning. 

    If you read this book in between the lines, you'll find that there is more weirdness and trouble than what it seems. Seeing this occurring is truly magic, and Miriam Forster has done it, at least in that aspect of the novel. I am not saying that this is an amazing novel-- because it absolutely wasn't, but it was very pleasing at times and thoroughly enjoyable. It was one of those reads that you want to spend time reading, but you won't read it over and over again.

     The story started off very fast, but eventually slowed down and bored me. I was afraid that I wouldn't been able to encounter each character and know who is who, but the author did a fantastic job at reminding us who is who. I knew from the beginning that this was going to be one of those books with tons of characters, mostly secondary characters, who are going to be somewhat involved with the main problem.

      There were some moments where I was wondering if I should put the book down or not, but I was curious to see the outcome, so I kept going. The ending was very shocking and surprising, but that probably was the only plot twist that got me saying "wow." There was probably 100 pages that could've been taken out of the book, and it really wouldn't make a difference in the book-- yes, it did get me bored quite a lot.

       I didn't like Nisha. She was too stuck-up and thought that she was so special but suffering at the same time. For a book that deals with assassins and such, the author needs to incorporate a MC who's tough and is selfless. We just got a brat who's annoying and puts her and her safety first, before her country and city. 

         I didn't have a problem with the secondary characters because (a) The story was about their safety and (b) Nisha basically stole the show.

         In conclusion, this book was okay, just okay. I would recommend it to lovers of fantasy, especially because it's a fantasy read with a twist, but also because of the strong incorporation of the idea that everyone has a back story and a reason for everything.

A Year of Mistaken Discoveries, by Eileen Cook

A Year of Mistaken Discoveries, by Eileen Cook

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Chick-lit

Rating: 5/5 stars

Publication: February 25, 2014, by Simon Pulse

Format: Hardcover Edition (borrowed)





Amazon Summary: Friendship is a bond stronger than secrets in this novel from the author of The Almost Truth and Unraveling Isobel.

As first graders, Avery and Nora bonded over a special trait they shared—they were both adopted.

Years later, Avery is smart, popular, and on the cheerleading squad, while Nora spends her time on the fringes of school society, wearing black, reading esoteric poetry, and listening to obscure music. They never interact...until the night Nora approaches Avery at a party, saying it’s urgent. She tells Avery that she thought she found her birth mom—but it turned out to be a cruel lie. Avery feels for Nora, but returns to her friends at the party.

Then Avery learns that Nora overdosed on pills. Left to cope with Nora’s loss and questioning her own actions, Avery decides to honor her friend by launching a search for her own birth mother. Aided by Brody, a friend of Nora’s who is also looking for a way to respect Nora’s legacy, Avery embarks on an emotional quest. But what she’s really seeking might go far deeper than just genetics…

Review:

"I'm adopted too." Nora reached over and stole one of my grapes. "Well then, your birth mom could have been a mermaid too. You never know. Those things can happen."

  Eileen Cook pleases me every time, all the time. I'd never think that her newest book would be her best, but it absolutely was, despite the negative reviews that have been flying around. I'm against that, and I believe that this book was amazing. It's one of the best coming-of-age chick-lits I've read in a long time.

   This was Avery trying to impress Brody:

    Smooth moves, darling. LOL but it was so hilarious and funny because Avery never really had a boyfriend and Brody still loved her no matter what, right? Seeing that type of romance was adorable and I just loved how strong their relationship was. Eileen Cook is the master of romance.

     Avery is adopted, and so is her ex-best friend, Nora. When Nora suddenly commits suicide, Avery feels broken inside and doesn't know what to do. Avery feels that in order to honour her, she will have to find her birth mom and make Nora proud. When Avery meets Brody, her life suddenly turns in the right direction and falls in love with him, who was also Nora's friend. They're both on the run to find Avery's mom and fall in love.

      This book was so intriguing. I was in love with it from the beginning and I couldn't wait to see where it would come to. It was so fast-paced and the idea was fresh and new and gave me a break from mainstream chick-lit books!

       The characters were amazing. I loved Avery and her thoughts and her story. She was a different protagonist that had a different story from everyone else. She had so much sense in her, and knew what she was in for the whole time. I related to her so much and she was fantastic.

        

        I love Brody... SO MUCH. I know I say that every time I love a fictional guy character, but it's the truth. HE'S MY DREAM GUY, OKAY? No other words needed. I love him too much.

        The ending of this book was great. It was left open which left off perfectly for this type of book! 

        "Time is a weird thing. If you're stuck in a dentist chair for a root canal, a half hour can seem like an entire day. Summer vacation can seem to last forever, until it's the last day and then you realize it flew by. Kissing Brody was like that; time went off the tracks. Lost its meaning. It was if I had always been there, next to him, and it also passed in a blink."

        In conclusion, time went by really fast when reading this book because it was just too good. Hand me anything by Eileen Cook, even her shopping list, and I would read it!