"Cruel Summer" Review

"Cruel Summer" by Alyson Noel

Synopsis:

Having recently discarded her dorky image-- and the best friend that went with it-- Colby Cavendish is looking forward to a long hot season of parties, beach BBQs, and, hopefully, more hookups with Levi Bonham, the hottest guy in school. But her world comes crashing down when her parents send her away to spend the summer in Greece with her crazy aunt Tally.

Stranded on a boring island with no malls, no cell-phone reception, and an aunt who talks to her plants, Colby worries that her new friends have forgotten all about her. But when she meets Yannis, a cute Greek local, everything changes. She experiences something deeper and more intense than a summer fling, and it forces her to see herself, and the life she left behind, in a whole new way.

Review:

Rating- *** (stars)

I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the story overall but I didn't really like that the whole book had no chapters, just emails, letters and blog posts. Alyson Noel's writing style was really different in this book from the immortals series she is currently working on now. The story is the usual boy-meets-girl-and-falls-in-love type of story. She basically gets forcibly removed from her hometown to live on an isolated island with an aunt she barely knows, all because her parents are going through a messy divorce. The ending of the story is cute but not how I pictured it.

"Sisters in Sanity" Review

"Sisters in Sanity" by Gayle Forman

Synopsis:

For sixteen-year-old Brit Hemphill, it's hard to know who she can trust. Convinced she's out of control, her father has sentenced her to Red Rock: a center for supposedly rebellious teens, where the therapy consists of name-calling and the girls who get privileges are the the ones who rat out their peers.

But the Brit meets V, Bebe, Martha, and Cassie-- four girls who keep her from going over the edge. Together, they'll hold on to their sanity and their sisterhood despite the bleak Red Rock reality.

Review:

Rating- **** (stars)

This book was kinda different from what I normally read but I was surprised at how much I liked it when I finished. What really shocked me was at the end I read the Author's Note and I discovered that this book was inspired by a true event. I have been oblivious to the fact that there really are schools like Red Rock and that kids can be treated this way. The bond the girls have throughout the story is amazing that they can still find fun while in such a dismal place. This can be a depressing book at times when you stop and think about how they are being treated but I'm glad that there is a little bit of romance in there too to liven it up a little.

Kudos to Gayle Forman for writing such an inspiring book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

I'm Back!

Wow it's been so long since I posted but I'm going to try my hardest to catch up on all my reviews... trust me there's a lot of them :) So over the next couple days, in my free time, I'll be working overtime to update this boring blog into something worth reading (I hope).

Here's some of the books that I've read recently (in no order) :

• City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
• City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
• Sisters in Sanity by Gayle Forman
• Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel
• Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
• Witch & Wizard by James Patterson
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
• And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
• Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

There will probably be more to add to that list by the time I finish these reviews

"Dark Goddess" GIVEAWAY

Okay, so I'm really excited about this giveaway on Sarwat Chadda's blog. He is the author of Devil's Kiss and is giving away 5 signed copied of the sequel, Dark Goddess. Head over to his blog to enter the contest.

This book continues Billi's story three months after the ending of Devil's Kiss. Billi has thrown herself into the Knights Templar and is fighting off the ancient witch, Baba Yaga who has plans for the Templar's newest Oracle, Vasilisa. I guarantee if this book is anything like the first one, it will be absolutely amazing I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Dark Goddess.

"Angel Star" Review

"Angel Star" by Jennifer Murgia

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand--the mark of an angel.

But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.

Review:

Rating- **** (stars)

I really enjoyed this book. Just the fact that it was about guardian angels made it even more amazing. I always wondered if they really exist, now I really hope that they do. That would be so cool to meet him/her. "Angel Star" makes you feel like you are on a roller coaster with your emotions. It's happy then sad and happy again. The ending was neat because it leaves you with a sense that the war isn't over between Teagan and Hadrian. The next book Lemniscate will, no doubt, be amazing as well.

"Rules of Attraction" Review

"Rules of Attraction" by Simone Elkeles

Synopsis:

If you loved Alex Fuentes, wait until you meet his brother Carlos...

Carlos Fuentes idolized his older brother, Alex, when he was a member of the Latino Blood. So when Alex chose to get jumped out of the gang for a chance at a future with his gringa girlfriend, Brittany, Carlos felt shocked and betrayed. Even worse, Alex forced Carlos to come back from Mexico to join him on the straight and narrow path. Trouble is, Carlos just wants to keep living on the edge. And ties to his Mexican gang aren't easy to break, even hundreds of miles away in Colorado.

In Boulder, Carlos has to live with one of Alex's college professors-- and he feels completely out of place. He's even more thrown by his strong feelings for the professor's daughter, Kiara, who is nothing like the girls he's usually drawn to. But Carlos and Kiara soon discover that in matters of the heart, the rules of attraction overpower the social differences that conspire to keep them apart.

Review:

Rating- ***** (stars)

This was a really good book. I loved the first book Perfect Chemistry even though I know a lot of people that didn't. Even if you weren't a big fan of the first book, there might still be a chance you'll like this one. Kiara is, overall, a better and stronger character than Brittany was in Perfect Chemistry. I really hope that Simone Elkeles writes a third book for the youngest Fuentes brother, Luis. This best part about both books is that there's an epilogue showing them when they are adults, it completes the story better than just ending it when they were kids. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes a good love story.

"The Sky is Everywhere" Review

"The Sky is Everywhere" by Jandy Nelson

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life-- and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

Review:

Rating- **** (stars)

I have mixed feelings about this book. I like the fact that it's about a girl named Lennie who's trying to cope through the death of her sister, but I don't really like how she keeps going between these two boys. One of which (Toby) was her sister's boyfriend before she died. I mean, I don't have a sister, but I'm pretty sure that's not an acceptable thing to do. I pictured Joe as this gorgeous guy and I don't really think "Joe" is a good name for him at all. I think my favorite part of the book is the random memories she writes in random places and there is a picture of one in every chapter. It gives you a better insight to Lennie's feels. If you like sappy love story endings this book is for you.

"The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin" Review

"The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin" by Josh Berk

Synopsis:

It was a dark, gloomy class field trip. Because it was in a coal mine.

Somewhere the star quarterback swore as he tumbled to the bottom of a mine shaft. Probably. Will Halpin could only guess about the cursing. Because he's deaf, y'see? But here's the thing about murder: even if it's silent, it's still deadly.

Being hefty, deaf, and the new guy in school isn't an easy ticket to popularity. At Carbon High, Will is put in the corner in every class. True, it's to help him read lips. And true, most treat him like a houseplant. But Will doesn't intend to stay stuck in any corner. And houseplants are privy to a lot of dirt.

So when he teams up with the second least popular guy to figure out what happened in that mine, Will discovers that the suspects are many and not so usual. Was it the too-sexy-for-calculus math teacher? The crackpot bus driver? The sad prom queen? That scuzzy guy who talks to his fingers?

Will and his side-geek are hardly Hardy Boys. But U wouldn't bet against them.

Think Will can make it out of that corner?

Review:

Rating- ****(stars)

This was a pretty good book. The best part about it was that it was funny. The begin is kind of slow but it picks up around pg 100. The story was more personal to me because I live in PA, pretty close to where this story takes place and I have relative that used to live in the coal region. My great-grandfather was actually a coal miner. My favorite character is Devon Smiley because he seems like a really nice guy even though everyone picks on him. Overall, I liked this book. If you're looking for a good laugh read this book.

P.S. THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR LITTLE KIDS!!! Some of the jokes have sexual references to them so don't let your little brother or sister read it. Even though the cover looks elementary the story is not.

"Whisper" Review

"Whisper" by Phoebe Kitanidis

Synopsis:

I'd love a cup of coffee...I wish she didn't hide how pretty she is... I hope she didn't find out what Ben said about her... I wish I knew how many calories were in a bite of muffin...

Joy is used to Hearing Whispers. She's used to walking down the street and instantly knowing people's deepest, darkest desires. She uses this talent for good-- to make people happy and give them what they want. But for her older sister, Jessica, the family gift is a curse, and she uses it to make people's lives-- especially Joy's-- miserable. Still, when Joy Hears Jessica Whisper 'I want to kill my Hearing dead, and kill me too if that's what it takes', she knows she has to save her sister, even if it means deserting her friends, stealing a car, and running away with a boy she barely knows-- a boy who may have a dark secret of his own.

Review:

Rating- **** (stars)

Let me just say that this book was amazing. Even though I may say that about a lot of books, this one I really mean it. I think what I liked most about it was the fact that I can't recall ever reading a book about someone who can hear people's deepest desires. It's unique, unlike most books now that are about vampires and werewolves. The main character, Joy, was kind of shallow the way she treats her sister. On the flip-side, she tries to make others happy by doing simple things like giving an old lady a tissue when she Whispers that she doesn't have one.

P.S. I liked this type of paranormal book so if anyone could think of any books that are similar to this they'd recommend, let me know. Thanks :)

"City of Bones" Review

"City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare

Synopsis:

When Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder. Much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with odd markings. This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons-- and keeping the odd werewolves and vampires in line. It's also her first meeting with gorgeous, golden-haired Jace. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in an ordinary mundane like Clary? And how did she suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

(Spoiler Alert!)

Review:

Rating- ***** (stars)

This was an amazing book! I met Cassandra Clare last weekend with Cara before I read any of her books. I knew I was going to like it, but I didn't realize how much. I read this entire book in two days (most during class when I was supposed to be learning). It seemed like I couldn't stop thinking about what was going to happen next so I kept reading. This twists in this story were so unexpected. I absolutely LOVE Jace and Clary together, I was so excited when they kissed. That made the ending even more unexpected because the ended up being brother and sister. Honestly, that was one twist I could've lived without. I can't wait to read "City of Ashes" to find out what's going to happen next. I'm sure it's going to be just as good, if not better.

"Tithe" Review

"Tithe" by Holly Black

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms--a struggle that could very well mean her death.

Review:

Rating- *** (stars)

This was an okay book. I liked the idea of this book and the characters, but it just started out too slow for me. nothing really happens until about half way through the book. I think my favorite character in this book is Roiben because he's a bad- boy character that would still risk his life for Kaye because he loves her. To everyone else he's a dangerous and unpredictable killer, but when he's around Kaye he shows a completely different side of himself.

New Blog Title

Hey everyone! I just want to first say thanks to Cara over at From My Head Reviews. And also to all of you that are now following me because of her post. Let's just say that my blog is going to be under construction for the next couple of days. The blog title is actually being changed to "The Paradise Library" I didn't really like the other title. Thanks again so much for following me and I'm going to work really hard to make this a worthwhile blog to follow. (:

Book Signing

Okay, so tomorrow I'm going to Philadelphia with my friend Cara to a book signing. I'm really excited because this is my first one. The two authors that will be there are Holly Black (author of "The Spiderwick Chronicles," "White Cat," and the "A Modern Faerie Tale" series) and Cassandra Clare ( author of the "Mortal Instruments" series).

After I come back I will be posting pictures of the signing (:

"Silver Phoenix" Review

"Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia" by Cindy Pon

Synopsis:

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved-- despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family-- to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying-- a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard... she will need all the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help... and perhaps more.

Review:

Rating-***** (stars)

I just finished this book today and after I finished it I just sat there trying to figure out what happened. This ending leaves you wanting more adventure, which I'm sure the sequel will have plenty of. I first picked up this book because of the beautiful artwork on the cover. The cover art is exactly as I picture Ai Ling. Cindy Pon's use of imagery throughout the story is breathtaking. When she is describing the gardens of the Golden Palace I feel like I'm really there gazing upon the landscape and the majestic creatures with Ai Ling. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy novels, you won't be disappointed.

Coming Soon!

"Lies" by Michael Grant (bk 3 in Gone series)

Synopsis: It has been several months since all the adults disappeared. Gone. It happens in one night. A girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead. Sam and Caine defeated him long ago with the Darkness- or so they thought.

As Perdido beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. And all the while deadly rumors are raging like the fire itself, spread by the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ. Conditions are worse than ever and kids are desperate to get out. But are they desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?

The release date is set for May 4th, 2010.

"Gone" Review

"Gone" by Michael Grant

Synopsis:

In the blink of an eye. Everyone Disappears. Gone. Everyone except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet, and television. There is no way to get help.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents--unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers--that grow stronger by the day.

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent.

The first in a breathtaking sage about teens battling each other and their darkest selves, GONE is a page-turning thriller that will make you look at the world in a whole new way.

Review:

Rating- ***** (stars)

I really liked the way the chapters skipped around to different peoples perspectives.It gives a better feel of what's going on with different people. I absolutely loved the twists in this story. The book looked really good when I first saw it, but I was not prepared for how good it was. I would definitely recommend this book to any of my friends and I can't wait to read the second book, HUNGER.

P.S. This is my first review so it might not be great but upcoming reviews will be better I promise :) Sorry, about the huge book pic :/

New Eclipse Novella!

Okay so I might look like one of those crazy Twilight fans, but I'm not. ThoughI am really excited to read Stephanie Meyer's The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella. It will be released on June 5.

Here is the Borders description:

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

Hi, I'm new to blogging so if anyone has tips on how to set up this page hit me up I'd love to hear from you.