"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.