Felicia Howell

The Dark and Hallow Places

2011-05-22T11:12:00.001-06:00

Grade B-

Synopsis-

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face before Annah left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the Horde as they swarmed the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.

Annah's world stopped that day, and she's been waiting for Elias to come home ever since. Somehow, without him, her life doesn't feel much different than the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Until she meets Catcher, and everything feels alive again.
But Catcher has his own secrets. Dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah has longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah: can she continue to live in a world covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

My Review;

This was a good book but for me it wasn't as good as the first two. The ending where they got off the island came way to easily, I don't think anyone can build what they built without practice and some things going wrong. It just doesn't seem like something that could happen so easily but honestly what do I know about what it is they built ( I won't ruin the surprise by saying what they build). I didn't love the relationship between Annah and her sister, it just seemed to easy and after their past it just didn't feel real. I do love Annah's relationship with Catcher, I don't know if it's because it really is a good romance or because the rest of the book is so depressing that you cling to anything good happening in the story. The part of the book that bugged me the most is when Catcher saved Annah from the cage and then he had to kill the guy to save her life and later she lectures him for it, but there was nothing else he could do. It just really bugged me, she had a point about not becoming bad like the recruiters but when somebody saves your life don't chew them out for it.
I'm not sure but it seems that the author left it open for another book, if she writes another one I would read it but the first 2 books in the series were better than this one. One thing that will make this book more enjoyable too is to make sure you remember the details of the first 2 books. I thought I remembered them until I started reading this one and it kept talking about things that happened in the first and second book and I couldn't really remember what had happened.

Wherever you Go

2011-05-04T16:24:00.000-06:00

Grade C-

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Holly Mullen has felt lost and lonely ever since her boyfriend, Rob, died in a tragic accident. The fact that she has to spend most of her free time caring for her little sister and Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather doesn’t help. But Holly has no idea that as she goes about her days, Rob’s ghost is watching over her. He isn’t happy when he sees his best friend, Jason, reach out to help Holly with her grandfather—but as a ghost, he can do nothing to stop it. Is his best friend really falling for his girlfriend?
As Holly wonders whether to open her heart to Jason, the past comes back to haunt her. Her grandfather claims to be communicating with the ghost of Rob. Could the messages he has for Holly be real? And if so, how can the loved ones Rob left behind help his tortured soul make it to the other side?
Told from the perspectives of Holly, Jason, and Rob,Wherever You Gois is a poignant story about making peace with the past, opening your heart to love, and finding the courage to move forward into the light.

My Review

The first 3/4 of the book was so dull. Reading about people being frustrated, confused and bored is frustrating, confusing and boring. I also hated the way it was written in the way that the point of view changed so often and without warning and you never knew from who's point of view you were reading when it changed because everything is written like "You wake up to a loud noise, or You find yourself in a room full of people.". I am all for trying to pull the reader into the story and making them feel involved but when it switched from a teenage girl to a teenage boy to a ghost of a teenage boy and the characters are always refered to as "you" it gets confusing and pull me as a reader out of the story. I got so sick of thinking -What the heck, who is the story being told by now? Tthen as soon as I figured out who it was it would switch again. Other people might like this style of writing but it wasn't for me at all. The last 90 or so pages things got pretty good, the story finally started moving and things started actually happening.
I think you are supposed to feel sad for the main character in the story because her mom is always gone and she has to take care of her sister who is about 9 years old and her grandpa with Alzheimer disease. I imagine that would be so hard, but honestly nothing in the story ever conveyed hard. Her sister was very well behaved and her grandpa although forgetful was docile and cooperative. The worst thing that happened was her sister cut her finger, there was no Dr visit or stitches or anything just a cut and that was as bad as it got. At the end of the story the main character (I cannot remember her name, I just finished this book that was over 300 pages long but I guess I just didn't care about the story enough to remember) was so frustrated and overwhelmed that she had to leave a note for her mom saying she just couldn't do it anymore and she needed help. I am 100% sure it would be too hard for any teenager to handle I just wish the story would have showed more of the struggles of her life because honestly most everything went very smoothly the whole story. I found the new boyfriend in the story to be too kind, perfect, thoughtful and involved. The kid was a rich boy from a broken home with a selfish mom, I just wasn't buying the perfect boyfriend thing. Rob the dead boyfriend was one of the the best characters in the story but even he wasn't great, at least I remembered his name right. Anyways I disliked the whole book except the last 90 pages when things got okay. The message of the book was nice, get help when you need it kind of a message. My very favorite part of the story, probably the part that kept me from quitting was Aldo (the grandpa with Alzheimer's). I love that he was clear thinking when he talked to Rob (the ghost boyfriend), I loved that he was still "there" and that he knew what was going on and that his granddaughter was taking care of him. I don't know anyone personally with Alzheimer's but I imagine that this part of the book would give them hope and some comfort that even though it seemed like their loved one was lost that they were still inside somewhere and that they know and appreciate what you are doing for them. I just thought it was so sweet to see things from Aldo's perspective. I found his character to be kind and deep and just overall a lovely man.

If you liked the book Hereafter you will probably like this book as well or vice versa.

Overall Grade C-

Bad-
-Book was too long
-Nothing really emotional, exciting or scary ever happens which made it dull.
-Too many of the characters were unrealistic or hard to relate to.
-Switched characters point of view too often and was always refered to as "you"

Good-
-Aldo's character
-The take on what Alzheimer's is like for the person suffering.
-The message at the end of the book about seeking help and taking care of yourself and your loved ones.

Surviving the Angel of Death

2011-05-04T16:22:00.000-06:00

Grade B+

Synopsis
Eva Mozes Kor was 10 years old when she arrived in Auschwitz. While her parents and two older sisters were taken to the gas chambers, she and her twin, Miriam, were herded into the care of the man known as the Angel of Death, Dr. Josef Mengele. Mengele's twins were granted the privileges of keeping their own clothes and hair, but they were also subjected to sadistic medical experiments and forced to fight daily for their own survival, as most of the twins died as a result of the experiements or from the disease and hunger pervasive in the camp. In a narrative told with emotion and restraint, readers will learn of a child's endurance and survival in the face of truly extraordinary evil. The book also includes an epilogue on Eva's recovery from this experience and her remarkable decision to publicly forgive the Nazis. Through her museum and her lectures, she has dedicated her life to giving testimony on the Holocaust, providing a message of hope for people who have suffered, and working toward goals of forgiveness, peace, and the elimination of hatred and prejudice in the world.

My Review
I love books about WW2, I think the people who survived are strong and amazing and I am grateful that there are those survivors who are willing to tell their story so that no one ever forgets what happened and hopefully nothing like it will ever happen again. The only down side of this book was it was a little too watered down and vague. I know it was written for a younger audience but it was just edited a little too much. I think that sometimes it is good for teenagers to know more details of how terrible and inhumane humans can be and what prejudice will do to people. Other than that I loved this book and I would recommend it to people who love WW2 books.

Growing up amish

2011-04-11T20:59:00.000-06:00

Grade B-

Synopsis
One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 AM, left a scribbled note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloomfield, Iowa. Now, in this heartwarming memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of Amish life—from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of passage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at age 26. Growing Up Amish is the true story of one man’s quest to discover who he is and where he belongs. Readers will laugh, cry, and be inspired by this charming yet poignant coming of age story set amidst the backdrop of one of the most enigmatic cultures in America today—the Old Order Amish.

My review;
It's hard to judge a book about someones life and opinions, especially when I have no idea what it is like to grow up Amish. I did enjoy reading this book, it was well written and never got boring. A few phrases were used WAY to many times, I remember thinking if he explains how the bishops in the church would pray in a rhythmic, soothing way one more time I was going to scream. I got the idea the first time I didn't need a description of what it sounded like every time a prayer was said when it sounds the same every time.
I am not discrediting how the author felt at all because who am I to judge how someone feels and thinks of their own family, community and religion. There were a few things about his opinion that I just did not understand though. I just did not understand at the end of the book what his problem was with his church or family or the way he was raised that made him so depressed and want to leave and hurt so many people so badly. He said that the community pulled together whenever anything bad happened to someone, like when his brother got paralyzed and the members of his church donated money to cover a bill that was somewhere along the lines of $80,000, And his father took the debt apon himself even though he didn't have to do that because his son was an adult. And his dad bought him a brand new buggie, exactly the one he wanted even though no one ever told him thank you (he claims in the book that he didn't really know he should say thank you, but come on thats just common sense when someone spends a lot of money on you, ever, for any reason you say thank you). And everyone always seems so nice and helpful but they never seemed to be able to do anything to make Ira happy. It felt like Ira always assumed the worst in everyone. At the beginning he even says that he is sure his birth was no big deal to his parents because Amish families all have a lot of children. But from my knowledge of the amish they consider children blessings and gifts from God, how could he think his birth was no big deal to his parents? And I am a mother and I don't care how many babies you have, there is no way to grow a child in your body, give birth and hold this new tiny life in your arms and think it's no big deal. Even "bad" people who have babies don't think no big deal, I'm not saying Ira didn't feel that his parents felt that way I just couldn't get from anything in the whole book what would make him think he wasn't so important to his whole family. They always loved him and helped him the best they could and forgave him no matter what he did to them.
I would have a hard time being amish because the work all day and the no technology after growing up with it would be so hard, but Ira didn't mind the hard work, he seemed to work just as hard or harder whenever he left the amish community. His biggest reasons for leaving seemed to be depression and wanting to drive a truck. Those just seem like crazy reasons to leave a family and a community and friends and everything for, especially because leaving did nothing to help the depression. His biggest problem was that his dad didn't talk enough, or at least not in the right way. Some men just don't say "I love you" they show it in their actions and I think Ira's father though not perfect gave and helped and sacrificed for all of his children. I guess I just wanted to understand why he really left and why he was so sure everyone that knew him thought and talked bad about him when they never did anything but welcome him back and love him and forgive him. Im not saying there was no gossip because there always is no matter where you live but I know as great as my neighbors are they would never do for me what Ira's did for him. I just felt sad the whole book, sad that Ira was so unhappy, all of the time. I just was rooting for him but he was just so frustrating sometimes. I loved the end of the book even though I am so sad how his relationship with his friend who helped him ended, I loved that Ira did find peace and I hope he now has a family of his own and that he doesn't feel alone any more. Overall 3 1/2 stars, I would have given more if I would have understood some of his reasonings a little more or if I would have learned a little bit more about the amish that I didn't know before. The cover is great and fits the story perfectly.

Hereafter

2011-04-06T20:31:00.000-06:00

Grade; D
Cover; Pretty

This wasn't the book for me, there just wasn't anything there that I enjoyed. The whole book is a series of wandering, bad dream, drowning, waking, Joshua repeat. Nothing exciting happens until the very end and then it's short lived. Every time Amelia finally starts getting any answers about anything she gets upset and vanishes or runs away. It was good enough to keep reading because I finished it but really to me this book was boring and depressing. What a terrible thing to have happen when you die, no memories no help no contact with anyone no smells or sensations no heavenly help only the occasional spat with a bad ghost and spending time with a teenage boy. The cover of the book was pretty though.

Mercy

2011-03-24T20:07:00.000-06:00

Mercy a fallen angel continuously wakes up in other women/girls bodies. Mercy doesn't know who she is or why these things are happening to her. Mercy wakes up in the body of Carmen a teenage singer who has traveled to a small town with her choir group, she is staying with a volunteer family. She decides to help Ryan her host families son find his missing twin sister who disappeared two years ago.

This wasn't a bad book but not one of my favorite books or one I would read again. Too much time was spent on things that just didn't matter, like page after page after page about choir practice. Then at the end when it should have been really exciting and tense it was mostly just rushed and confusing. I'm not really sure who is bad and who is good in this book at all which is frustrating because you don't know who to like or who to hate. Really I only liked the style of writing, and the idea of the story, the rest was just lacking for me. On the plus side even though I didn't love the story it wasn't hard to keep reading the writing was good and the story has potential, I might even read the second book because the story might actually go somewhere because the idea of the book is really fun.

Grade C

Average book, not to hard to keep reading but not one I am excited about.

The cover is pretty but vague

My favorite books

2011-03-24T19:49:00.006-06:00

The Lipstick Laws

2011-03-20T18:41:00.002-06:00

This was a fun short read, although the writing was a little young for me. Brittney is a very very mean popular girl. April becomes friends with Brittney and her gang of girl friends and ends up signing the ridiculous lipstick laws. The lipstick laws are a list of rules all of the girls must follow to remain in the group, including how they talk, dress, act and date. April breaks one of the lipstick laws and gets kicked out of the group and that gives her the idea to form the lipstick lawbreakers. April finds other girls who have been kicked out of Brittney's group and they begin to devise a way to take Brittney down once and for all.
In a lot of the reviews I read everyone talked about how much they liked the character April. I didn't I honestly think she was as shallow about looks and boys as Brittney was the only difference was she didn't have as much opportunity to be as mean to as many people because she didn't have as many friends. April does come around a little in the very end but seriously if I had a daughter who was so shallow and mean and judgmental as April I would be very disappointed. At least Brittney had a reason to be such a jerk considering her terrible past. April on the other hand had a good life and a great family her only problem was small boobs.
I really did enjoy the writing in this book it was easy to get into and I didn't ever loose interest while reading. I also love the slang the author uses it really gave the feel that the story was about teenage girls.
I would recommend this book to tween and younger teen girls or anyone who likes books set in a high school setting.

Grade B+

Book Cover Grade A+
I love the cover it definitely grabs your attention.

Diagnosis Death

2011-03-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

The first half of this book was really enjoyable, I liked the characters and the medical setting. The last half of the book went downhill for me. There were too many coincidences and the characters started talking and acting so so fake. It was like "Oh I'm a lawyer and you might be murdering helpless people and I don't know anything about you but I'm going to let you move in with my parents and be alone with patients and my pregnant wife." The ending also bothered me because everything resolved itself way too fast. The person behind everything all of the sudden just pops into Elana's head and she takes care of everything all by herself. Also no matter how bad someones life is I don't buy a dead husband, a phone stalker, 2 murderers, a peeping tom and a creepy somewhat boyfriend all in one year. Murderers happening and no legal action taken and so much help from people who don't even know you also were just a little too far fetched for me. I think I could have looked past all of that though if something really exciting would have happened in the process of catching at least one of the bad guys but 2 pages of suspense and action just aren't enough for me in mystery type books.
I would recommend this book to fans of other things that Richard L. Mabry has written. I didn't hate this book by any means I was just expecting more because it started out so strong.

Grade C

pages 288

I do like the cover and it does tie in with the story, only the cover is more dramatic than the story is.

The Goddess Test

2011-03-03T23:06:00.002-07:00

Grade A+
Page Count 297
Author Aimee Carter

Synopsis;
Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails...

My Review;
I LOVED this book, it is the best book I have read in a long long time and in my opinion deserves to become just as popular as Harry Potter or the Twilight series. The writing is impeccable and draws you into the story right on the very first page. The characters were well developed and varied and the main character was so good and so sweet without being someone readers can't relate to. I wasn't able to guess who the killer was until right before it happened and there are so many surprises along the way it makes it a story you never want to stop reading. I couldn't put this book down but I tried not to read too much a day because I didn't want the story to come to an end. I have been finished for 2 days now and have started another book but I am still pouting about being finished with this book. I don't buy a lot of books because between the library and Netgally I have plenty of books to keep me busy but this is a book I would buy in a heartbeat. The only thing I am worried about for the next book is it becoming another story about how a girl can't decide between two amazing guys who are both madly in love with her. It's been SO OVERDONE and I am really hoping that the next book doesn't follow that same pattern. But honestly I can't really think of anything in the first book I didn't like and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and anything else Aimee Carter writes. This is a book that is definitely going on my list of favorite books.

SPOILER QUESTION

There was one part of the story I was confused about and if anyone else reads this book and can let me know that would be great!

Kate's mom dies and and Kate is killed and they are in the boat together and then Henry comes and takes Kate and carries her away. When Kate asks about her mom Henry says she agreed to give her life so Kate could live and that was the only way Henry could take Kate out of the underworld but then we find out Kate's mom is a goddess who took on a human body to raise Kate and that the body she was using died but she didn't because she is immortal. How did Henry get Kate out of the underworld if it took a life for a life? Kate's moms soul didn't really die so there was really nothing to trade for Kate's life. I don't know if it makes sense what I am asking or not but really it doesn't matter that much because I loved the ending and the whole story was amazing!

Science Fair Season: Twelve Kids, a Robot Named Scorch . . . and What It Takes to Win

2011-02-24T11:06:00.001-07:00

Science Fair Season: Twelve Kids, a Robot Named Scorch . . . and What It Takes to Win

Grade A
Pages 288
Synopsis from Netgally website-

Odd. Incredible. Innovative. Not Just Another Baking Soda Volcano.
In the way that Word Freak exposed the hidden world of competitive Scrabble players, now Science Fair Season pulls back the curtain on the highly competitive and high-stakes world of high school science fairs.
Each year, the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair brings together over 1,500 of the most talented students from more than 50 countries, with over $4 million prizes and scholarships at stake. Their investigations and experiments are breathtaking and mind-boggling, from creating bionic prosthetics to conducting groundbreaking stem cell research, from training drug-sniffing cockroaches to taking on big corporations. Not just a competition, it has become a recruiting field, with representatives from elite universities and the world's top medical programs attending these fairs looking to spot young prodigies, and even to get a jump on what's being researched.
Judy Dutton follows twelve of these remarkable teenagers and tells gripping stories of their road to the big competition. Some will win, some will lose, but all of their lives are left changed forever. With not just fascinating stories of imaginative projects, but also of compelling and interesting kids, Science Fair Season is Spellbound for the Bunsen Burner Set.
JUDY DUTTON is a writer and editor living in Brooklyn, New York. Since graduating from Harvard with a degree in English and American Literature, she's contributed to Cosmopolitan, Maxim, Glamour, Redbook, Women's Health, msn.com, and other magazines and websites. She is also the author of Secrets from the Sex Lab, an eye-opening look at the most groundbreaking scientific discoveries in the realm of sexual behavior.

My Review;
I loved this book, I'm so glad a read it. It isn't one I would normally pick up, I was never a science lover myself but these stories were amazing. There was a kid who was into radioactivity, a girl with Leprosy, a pretty actress who falls in love with science and more amazing stories of real kids who are really smart. The projects that the kids came up with were amazing, I never knew so much went into preparing for and competing in a science fair. I love the emphasis on help from teachers and parents and neighbors that encouraged and taught some of the kids in the story. I wish I would have had someone encourage me to be more involved in science. I always got above average scores on my SAT's but my classes in school were so dull, copying facts from the white board and reading chapter after chapter about rocks. I think if we would have been more hands on I would have LOVED it. I have three boys and this book reminded me about a book I have of fun science experiments for kids. I pulled it out and we have had a lot of fun doing some of the projects in the books. I hope like some of the other mothers in this book I can be an encouragement to my children and give them a love and an excitement of learning and trying new things.

The Iron Queen

2011-01-27T23:03:00.005-07:00

Grade A+

The Iron Queen is Book 3 in the Iron Fey series

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I liked the first two books in the series but I LOVED this one. I love that Megan picked Ash and didn't do the whole -I cant decide between two hot guys- thing that happens in so many other YA fantasy books. I love the idea of Ash being Megan's night, it was so romantic! I love that Megan isn't perfect, she says stupid things and makes mistakes but she is doing her best it just makes her so easy to relate to. I loved the ending, it was happy and sad and amazing, best ending in any book I have ever read! I love Grim, he makes me want to hug him and slap him all at the same time. Ash was romantic and so much more open in this book. Puck comes to terms with Megan's choice even though he still loves her he is happy to still be her best friend. I am so excited to read the next book in the series!!! The only down side to this book is that it ended but I will anxiously await the next book The Iron Knight written from Ash's point of view!

Book 1 in the series The Iron King

Book 1.5 Winters Passage

Book 2 The Iron Daughter

One Hundred Candles

2011-01-19T22:24:00.001-07:00

One Hundred Candles

By Mara Purnhagen

235 pages on my Sony Reader

Grade A-

The author of One Hundred Candles was so kind and allowed me to upload this book onto my reader from Netgally and I am so grateful she did. I was not able to read the first book of the series because unfortunately my library doesn't carry it, but it is one I am going to have to get my hands on so I can read it because I really enjoyed this book. Even though I didn't read the first book (yet) I didn't really feel lost reading the second book, there were things that were talked about from the first book that I wish I could know more about but it didn't stop me from enjoying this book. Charlotte is finally settled into a home and a school and is the daughter of famous parents who travel around debunking hauntings. Trouble starts when Charlotte's mom begins believing in the supernatural while her father firmly holds onto the belief that strange happenings are the result of residual energy left behind. Charlotte tries to balance a new romance a few new friendships, school, her parents fighting and the supernatural happenings all around her.
There were so many original ideas in what could have turned into a typical girl sees ghost story. I love the idea of residual energy and the power of good thoughts. I love that most things in this book dealing with the supernatural turned out to be hoaxes because when there were real demons or ghost it made it all the more intense. I loved the mixture of mystery, romance, family, friends, school, death, faith, friendship, belief and disbelief in this story. There were so many different aspects that it kept the story from getting boring even when nothing was happening. I know I like a book when I am excited to pick it up and reluctant to put it down and that is how I felt with this book.
There were only two things I could think of that I didn't love about this book. 1- Something would be happening and then all of the sudden the chapter would be over and a new one would start and a few days had past. It only took a page or two to pick up again but I found myself being pushed out of the story a little at the end of each chapter. 2- I don't know if I just missed it or what but one minute Charlotte's parents were on the brink of divorce and then the next minute he dad believed everything and they were in love again. Like I said maybe there were signs I missed because I was so into the whole demon chasing Chloe thing that I might have just missed it. Other than that though this book was awesome, I can't wait to read book #3 and book #1 in this series. Thanks again to the author Mara Purnhagen for allowing me to read your book!

The Shop on Blossom Street

2011-01-08T15:23:00.001-07:00

Grade B+ Page count 416

I liked this book a lot, I don't think it is a book everyone would enjoy but it is exactly what I was in the mood for.

Lydia a 2 time cancer survivor opens a yarn shop and offers knitting lessons. Three very different women join the knitting class for a variety of reasons. Lydia is happy to be alive but desperately missing her father who was her main support through her cancer but died of a heart attack. Lydia has a very strained relationship with her only sister but in the end they all learn to love and understand one another and Lydia learns to truly love again.

Jaqueline a 50 something wealthy woman joins to learn to knit a baby blanket for her soon to be born granddaughter. Jaqueline struggles with the pregnancy of her daughter in law because she feels her only son married beneath him but she is determined to be a great grandmother anyways. As the story progresses Jaquline learns not to judge people just by how they look or how much money they have. Jaquline's love story with her husband is romantic and has a nice happy ending which I loved.

Carol put of starting a family to pursue her career, now her and her husband are desperately trying to get pregnant. Carol has had 2 IVF treatments both ending in early miscarriages, her insurance will only help pay for one more try. Carol joins the knitting class to knit a baby blanket for the child she so desperately wants. Carol is my favorite character in the book, she is sweet and honest and kind and I just loved everything about her.

Alix is in her early 20's, she has a very troubled past and has no contact with either of her parents. Alix has dreams of becoming a chef and leading a normal healthy life but her past tends to stand in her way. Alix is stuck living with a lazy room mate who is even more troubled than Alix and is stuck working in a movie rental place. Alix meets Jordan a preacher and a sweet relationship begins to start. Alix joins the knitting group as a way of serving community service hours she got for a drug bust even though the drugs weren't hers.

I loved all of these womens stories, I love how they all become good friends and that each of their stories has a happy ending. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I'm not really sure who to recommend this book to. I know I enjoy knitting but Im not very good at it and I don't do it often. I guess read this if you are in the mood for some good life lessons, some sweet innocent romance and a nice happy ending.

Books I want to read January 2011

2011-01-05T20:15:00.000-07:00

These are the books I want to read this month. I'm pretty positive I won't finish all of them but it's good to have a goal right.

Currently reading

The rest of the books I want to read this month

Voices of Dragons

2011-01-03T11:56:00.002-07:00

Voices of Dragons Carrie Vaughn

This was an enjoyable read and towards the end especially hard to put down.

Kay is out hiking one day when she falls into a fast moving stream and is saved by a young Dragon. Kay and Artegal (the dragon) become friends and Kay builds a harness and even learns to ride him. Everything goes downhill when the army provokes the Dragons and a war begins. When everyone finds out Kay is friends with a Dragon the army tries to use Kay to spy on the Dragons and to trap Artegal.

Sometimes I felt the story was a little flat like there could have been a deeper storyline, it almost seemed dumbed down a little too much.

The love story was fantastic, it was sweet and age appropriate. There were a few quotes in the book that I was not impressed with like " 17 is too old to be a virgin..." It kind of makes sense in the end why quotes like that were used but still the book would have been better without it.

The book doesn't really end, the ending kind of reminded me of The Giver, I don't know if that is just the end or if there will be another book, if there is another book it is one I would like to read.

I would like to read more by this author, maybe some of her books not directed towards young readers. I like my story lines a little more complicated than this story.

I would recommend this to young teens and anyone else looking for a sweet fairly quick read with a simple storyline.

page count- 309 Grade- B Why I Read it- Found it at the library

Top ten book of 2010

2011-01-01T12:12:00.000-07:00

2010 is over, I read 51 books which isn't as many as I wanted to read but with 3 boys under the age of four I guess 51 books isn't too bad. So here is my list of the best books I read in 2010.

#10 Iron Fey series

Book 1 Book 1.5 Book 2

Book 3 The Iron Queen comes out February 2011 and I can't wait to read it!

#9 The Hunger Games Series

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3

Book 3 maybe should be taken out of my top 10 list because I wasn't too impressed, but the first two books were so good that as a series it's still in my top 10.

Book 8 Fablehaven Book 5 Keys to the Demon Prison

I loved the whole series but this is the only one I read in 2010

Book 7 Fire, The seven Kingdoms #2

Book 6 Darkest Powers series

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3

I wasn't sure about these books at first but after making it through the whole series I was hooked.

Book 5 Warbreaker

This was by far the most original book I have read this year, I don't think there is another book like it. I have to admit there were parts that were over my head and I didn't understand everything but that didn't stop me from really loving this book.

Book 4 The Secret Of Ka

It was so nice to read a book about genies after all of the vampire and werewolf books I read this year.

Book 3 Forest of Hands and Teeth series

Book 1 Book 2

Book 3 The Dark and Hollow Places comes out March 2011 and it's one of the books I am most looking forward to reading this year.

Book 2 Shifters Series

Book 1 Book 2 Book 3

Book 4 Book 5 Book 6

My Favorite werewolf series I have read so far.

And my FAVORITE book of 2010

Graceling was amazing, original, fast paced and just one of my favorite books of all times!

I am excited for all of the books I plan to read in 2011, I have a lot of good books on my list of to read books!

Christmas Letters

2010-12-27T17:48:00.000-07:00

Christmas Letters

by Debbie Macomber

Why I read it; Wanted a Christmas story for the Christmas season.

272 pages

Synopsis;

Katherine's (K.O.) sister read a book called The Free Child written by a child psychologist and has decided to raise her children the way the book suggests. The book has turned her sisters twin girls into little monsters and as a result Katherine thinks the author of the book is a complete idiot. After meeting the author of the book they instantly fall in love with each other they decide not to talk about his job or his feelings on children at all. Like all love storys there is a happily ever after but don't expect it to be realistic at all.

My review;

This is kind of a spoiler review but not really, I mean we all know how all romance books end don't we, happily ever after.

This is a hard review for me because I really enjoyed reading this book but at the same time there were a lot of things that really bothered me about it too. I think the best way to review this book is to give a list of the things that bothered me and then sum it all up with why I liked it.

Things that bugged me

1- Katherine's nickname being K.O. it's just dumb I trained myself to call her Katherine every time it said K.O. because it bothered me so much.
2-So many times the people in the book acted like 2 year olds, it was SO DRAMATIC that it wasn't fun to read because adults would never act the way they do in this book. Examples; When Katherine first meets Wynn she starts off all nice to him and the goes crazy screaming at him in a public place. I know she dislikes his books but really who would do that to someone famous who you have never met in a public place? Plus she never even read his book which seemed crazy to me, you can't hate something you don't know anything about.
3- When Katherine introduces Lavonne to Max this nice sweet kitty all the sudden goes crazy like a rabid animal and attacks Max. Then there is so much blood all over everything but Max doesn't even need stitches. Then Max although normal up until this point starts acting like a crazy man who is going to sue Lavonne over the cat incident and fakes amnesia then a few chapters later he is a normal man again and with no explanation why marrying Lavonne.
4- The ending was so rushed, it was like the author looked up from writing and realized that her book was due to be finished so she wrapped it up in like 3 pages. All of the sudden after babysitting 2 naughty kids Wynn decides that he is wrong and is going to write a retract his last book and write a new book saying kids do need boundaries. It just doesn't make sense at all, didn't Wynn a child psychologist who works with children every day do any research or have any proof his theories worked before writing a book? Then one day he babysits twin girls who's mother read his book and raising them like it says, when he sees how naughty they are then all of the sudden he realizes he is wrong. You would think he would have realized that before publishing a best selling book right? So Katherine knocks on Wynn's door says she loves him, he says his book is wrong they decide to get married and have kids and Max and Lavonne are engaged all in a few pages.
5- And lastly, it bugs me that without even discussing important issues like how they will raise their own children they decide to get married and start a family and everything turns out happily ever after. It would never happen, people who disagree on important matters like how children should be raised in such a big way should never have children unless they want to eventually get divorced.

But really at the end of it all it is a cute little Christmas romance. The characters are funny and mostly likable even if they aren't realistic. The story is funny and made me want to keep reading. The language was good and I like a romance where there aren't sex scenes and groping, those kind of romance books just aren't my type of romance.

Read this book if you are in the mood for a mushy sweet romantic book that you won't try to take to seriously.
I would rate this book a B- or a C+, not the best book ever but I enjoyed it and would read more by this author.

A blue so dark

2010-12-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

Title; A Blue So Dark

Author; Holly Schindler

Page count; 266

Why I read it; Pretty cover, Good reviews on goodreads.com

Grade; A

Synopsis;

Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose has been hiding a secret. Her mother, a talented artist and art teacher, is slowly being consumed by schizophrenia, and Aura has been her sole caretaker ever since Aura's dad left them. Convinced that "creative" equals crazy, Aura shuns her own artistic talent. But as her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet draws Aura toward the depths of her imagination. Just as desperation threatens to swallow her whole, Aura discovers that art, love, and family are profoundly linked—and together may offer an escape from her fears.

Praise for A Blue So Dark:

"A truly real, emotional, and honest read."—Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay it Forward

"A Blue So Dark is a raw, compelling and eloquent portrayal of art and madness, and the freeing, healing gift of creativity. Schindler's voice is brilliant and true."—Carrie Jones, New York Times bestselling author ofNeed and Captivate

"Schindler's lyrical debut explores the nightmare of mental illness in a voice that is sharp and funny and all her own. This is as real as teen fiction gets. A must-read."—Crissa-Jean Chappell, author of Total Constant Order

My Review;

This books sucks you right in! It's so well written that sometimes you feel like you are the one with a mentally ill mother struggling to make the right decisions. The characters were all so realistic, you hated them and loved them just like real people. Sometimes I got so mad at Aura's best friend Janny, some of the things she said were just so mean but in the end you realize that she was dealing with her own crap and was just doing the best she could. I hated Aura's dad, he left because Grace's illness was too much for him to handle but for some reason he thinks a pre teen girl can do it all by herself. He even gives her a pile full of journals every year for her birthday for Aura to keep track of her mothers moods to try to catch any mental break downs before they happen, like that is any kind of job for a child let and the worst birthday present ever! The only bad thing about this book was it made me so sad! The ending though is just the way a book should end, nothing is perfect but things get better. I am going to look into other books written by Holly Schindler because she sure can write!

The cover is beautiful and the title is just perfect.

Industrial Magic

2010-12-15T19:59:00.001-07:00

Title; Industrial Magic

Author; Kelley Armstrong

Page count; 528

Why I read it; 4th book in Women of The Otherworld series

Grade A

Synopsis;

Meet the smart, sexy — supernatural — women of the otherworld. This is not your mother’s coven...

Kelley Armstrong returns with the eagerly awaited follow-up to Dime Store Magic. Paige Winterbourne, a headstrong young woman haunted by a dark legacy, is now put to the ultimate test as she fights to save innocents from the most insidious evil of all.. . .

In the aftermath of her mother’s murder, Paige broke with the elite, ultraconservative American Coven of Witches. Now her goal is to start a new Coven for a new generation. But while Paige pitches her vision to uptight thirty-something witches in business suits, a more urgent matter commands her attention.

Someone is murdering the teenage offspring of the underworld’s most influential Cabals — a circle of families that makes the mob look like amateurs. And none is more powerful than the Cortez Cabal, a faction Paige is intimately acquainted with. Lucas Cortez, the rebel son and unwilling heir, is none other than her boyfriend. But love isn’t blind, and Paige has her eyes wide open as she is drawn into a hunt for an unnatural-born killer. Pitted against shamans, demons, and goons, it’s a battle chilling enough to make a wild young woman grow up in a hurry. If she gets the chance.

My Review;

Another great book by Kelley Armstrong. I loved the whole book! I was so glad that Elena and Clay and Jeremy were in this book it was like hearing from old friends. Lucas is such a great character and although Paige won't ever be my favorite character in these books she did grow on me. Savannah's character is so funny and Kelley Armstrong really knows how 13 year old girls think and act. I like Lucas's dad a lot too and I like how Lucas learned that the best way to deal with his dad was to listen and not argue but not do everything his dad says either, I think thats how a lot lot of adults have to deal with their parents. There were only a few things in the book that bugged me like the ending was a little drawn out. They find Edward and lose him too many times the last 80 pages or so which kind of kills the suspense a little at the end when they actually do catch up to him. I would much rather a long drawn out ending than an abrupt rushed ending though so it's not a major complaint. The next thing that bugged me was every time they eat or drink anything it gives way to much detail about what they order. And lastly there is way too much mention about how much Paige likes lingerie, otherwise an fantastic book. This is really a fun series to read if you like fantasy, magical, funny, intense, original stories. I am confused by the cover of the book, I can't tell how it relates to anything in the story, minor detail though because despite the random cover it's a great read.

Dime store Magic

2010-12-07T13:56:00.001-07:00

Title; Dime Store Magic

Author; Kelley Armstrong

Page count; 448

Why I read it; Third book in a series

Grade; A

Synopsis;

Forget the cackling green hag in The Wizard of Oz, forget Samantha fromBewitched. Real witches are nothing, NOTHING like this. For years real witches have hidden their powers, afraid of being persecuted. They have integrated so well into the community, you could have a witch living right next door and never know about it. Take Paige, for instance, whom we first met in Kelley Armstrong's novel Stolen. Just an ordinary twenty-something who runs her own website design company, worries about her weight and wonders if she'll ever find a boyfriend. Okay, so she's leader of the American Coven and guardian of Savannah, the teenage daughter of a black witch. Really, life is ordinary. But then a telekinetic half-demon, Leah O'Donnell, shows up to fight for custody of Savannah. And although Paige is ready for her, she's not quite so prepared for the team of supernaturals that Leah brings with her, including a powerful sorcerer who claims to be Savannah's father.

When all hell breaks loose -- literally -- and Paige is accused of witchcraft, Satanism and murder, the Coven, fearing exposure, abandons her. Cut off from her friends, Paige is forced against her better judgment to accept the help of a young sorcerer lawyer. And she quickly comes to realize that keeping Savannah could mean losing everything else.

Breathtakingly thrilling, hip and funny, this new novel is another page-turning triumph from an author who is going from strength to strength.

"I had a feeding frenzy on myfront lawn, an unconscious paranormal investigator on my stairs, and, somewhere out there, an entire Cabal special projects team devoted to ruining my life." -- from Dime Store Magic

My Review;

I really loved this book! I read Bitten and Stolen months ago and then stopped with the story when I found out the third book was written from Paige's point of view because I really wasn't a big fan of her character in the first two books. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long because she really grew on me in this book. The story never got boring and it never became predictable which is one thing I love about Kelley Armstrong's books. The title of the book bugs me though because unless I understood it wrong dime store magic refers to silly magic that serves no real purpose. I don't know why you would right a book mostly about magic and then name said book magic that doesn't really do anything, but like I said maybe I just understood it wrong. I am so excited that Paige is mastering harder spells because really the only thing that bugs me about Paige right now is how not powerful she is, I like my supernaturals strong. I see the story developing though and am starting to see her true magical potential and I can't wait to see what she does with the new coven she is starting. I was glad Elana and Clay and Jeremy were mentioned, I miss reading about them and I am excited to continue the series to read more about all of the characters I have read about. There was also a lot less sex and a lot less bad language in this book which made it even more fun to read. I started the next book today and can't wait to see what happens next.

Women of the Otherworld Series

Book 1 Bitten
Book 2 Stolen

The Reckoning

2010-11-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

Title; The Reckoning

Author; Kelley Armstrong

Page count; 391

Why I read it; 3rd book in the series

Grade; B

Synopsis;

Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now, along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and to take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope.

My Review;

I liked this book most out of the three in this series, the only part that really bugged me was the non ending but hopefully these characters will be re introduced in another series. I am so happy this book never turned into a love triangle, as soon as Chloe realized she didn't have feelings for Simon she told him and it was over and they stayed friends I liked that a lot. I like Derek even more in this book, Chloe bugged me a little less and Tori actually proved herself useful and showed that she actually had feelings. A little too much of this book was of them sitting around waiting which happens a lot in this series, it could have had a little more action. There were some twists and turns that I never saw coming and it's hard to tell who is a good guy and who is a bad guy which keeps you on your toes as you read.

Other Books in this series

Book 1- The Summoning

Book 2- The Awakening

Book 3- The Summoning

Other Books I have read by Kelley Armstrong

1- Bitten (Women of the otherworld series book #1) Grade I gave it 4 out of 5 stars

2- Stolen (Women of the otherworld series book #2)Grade I gave it 5 out of 5 stars

Read my reviews of these books on goodreads.com

The Awakening

2010-11-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

Title; The Awakening

Author; Kelley Armstrong

Page count; 357

Why I read it; Second in a series

Grade C+

Synopsis;

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.

Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

My Review;

This book was better than the first book. It still bugs me that no questions were answered or mysteries were really solved, there were just more questions the be answered. Kelly Armstrong has a lot to resolve and a lot of questions to answer in her last book, it makes me worried that the third book will be rushed and still at the end of the book that all of the mysteries of the book won't be answered but I could be wrong. I like Derek more and more, Simon seems like a wussy little boy to me. Chloe the main character is just ok there are things I like about her but a lot of things that bug me too. Tori is just crazy and has no morals or compassion at all and the books would be better without her. I think that Derek and Chloe have a "thing" for each other even though Simon obviously likes Chloe and I don't think Cloe's aunt is dead. I hope it doesn't turn into a love triangle book where Chloe can't decide who she likes better between Derek and Simon I swear that will make me hate this whole series. I am going to read the next book because these books are interesting enough but overall I am underwhelmed.

Book series

Book 1 The Summoning

Book 2 The Awakening

Book 3 The Reckoning

The Summoning

2010-11-21T14:01:00.000-07:00

Title; The Summoning

Author; Kelley Armstrong

Page Count; 390

Why I read it; Got good reviews on goodreads.com

Grade; C

Synopsis;

After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…

My Review;

This book was just okay. I felt like it went back and forth from being boring and a little repetitive to too scary (I'm kind of a baby when it comes to anything scary). There was one part where Chloe sees a ghost man standing up on a ledge thing and he jumps off into some sort of big grinding machine and blood and body parts go flying everywhere and it keeps happening over and over again. I kept picturing that scene over and over in my head at night in bad, not exactly my favorite image to fall asleep to. There is still too many questions left unanswered in the first book, I know it's a series but Chloe is just as clueless and confused at the end of the book as she was in the beginning maybe even more so. It wasn't a bad book, I am even going to read the second book in hopes that it gets better because it seems to be a series that could have potential to be really good. I would recommend this book if you are looking for something to read but if you have a whole list of to read books don't rush to start this series.

Wake me for the resurrection

2010-11-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

Title; Wake me for the Resurrection

Author; Robert Kirby, Pat Bagley

Page count; 151

Why I read it; Found it on my bookshelf and had nothing else

to do while my husband was watching football.

Grade; A-

Synopsis;

In their second collaborative effort, Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Kirby and cartoonist Pat Bagley further explore the deeper meaning of life behind the Zion Curtain. Kirby's wry observations of Mormonite behavior and Bagley's revealing pen lay bare the ironies and perplexities of serving under the iron rod, proving once and for all that there is life after Sunday School-even if it's still evolving.

My review;

There is something funny about a Mormon poking fun at other Mormons and some of our silly traditions like green Jello. I wouldn't read this book if you are overly staunchy Mormon who is easily offended. But if you are a Mormon with a sense of humor or not a Mormon but are familiar with Mormons it is a hilarious book with some good reminders on being like Christ and not getting so stuck in what we believe. Here are some quotes from the book that made me laugh and will give you a feel for his writing style.

(On sitting through church)
"Pew squirming makes parents mad. 'Pay attention' is what they say to squirming kids, which makes about as much sense to a kid as "Breathe through your belly button." it can't be done.

"Overall packing guns into church is a bad idea. Mainly because history has proven that when it comes to human beings, religion is a dangerous weapon all by itself."

(on birth control)
"Although I come from a shamefully small Mormon family of five children, I'm not necessarily against big families. I once asked my dad, and orthodox Mormon, why he and mom didn't have more kids. He said because killing teenagers was a bigger sin than preventing their birth in the first place."

The one thing I didn't like about this book is that he kept referring to people that I have never heard of before. I assume they are famous people who were before my time which isn't hard considering I wasn't even born until 1987. I think if you know who these people are the book will be even more funny than I thought it was and I got a lot of good laughs out of this book.

Read this book if you are a Mormon, used to be a Mormon or know Mormons, it's funny funny funny.

The comics were as funny as the book, here are just three of the ones that I liked.

This chapter talked about how scientist have been trying to figure out if there is a gene that makes some people more prone to doing bad things or if God created everyone equal. He put a really funny twist on it.

With three car seats shoved in the back of my car this comic totally spoke to me.

In the chapter with this comic he was talking about how many people think Mormons are weird and Mormons thing a lot of other people are weird when the truth is we are all weird.

Fallen

2010-11-06T22:02:00.001-06:00

Title; Fallen

Author; Lauren Kate

Page count; 452 pages

Why I read it; Got a lot of good reviews, liked the cover

Grade; Did Not Finish

Synopsis;

There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

My review;

I gave this book almost 200 pages, I tried to finish it but I was bored out of my mind. In 200 pages Luce goes to some creepy school for some unknown reason involving a boyfriend she didn't even really like. She gets to the school and blows off what seemed to be a nice cute guy for some guy who hates her and flips her off randomly. Then there are these random shadows that show up, they never do anything but Luce always seems scared of them. Im sure a lot of the questions are answered later in the book but I just didn't care why the guy hated her or why shadows follow her around, or why half of what I read was a detailed description of how her school looked (an old church turned school for troubled teenagers) in great annoying detail. I really don't like to start books and not finish them and I tried really hard but I found myself dreading picking it up to read it and I love reading so I just had to stop. This book seems like it would be enjoyed by whiny teenage girls who hate their lives and want to be special and think it's cute to be treated poorly by men.

Alpha

2010-10-25T20:39:00.003-06:00

Title; Alpha

Author; Rachel Vincent

Page count; 472

Why I read it; 6th book in a series

Grade; A

Synopsis;

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE FAYTHE...

The unscrupulous new Council chair has charged Jace, Marc, and me with trespassing, kidnapping, murder, and treason. Yeah, we've been busy. But now it's time to take justice into our own hands. We must avenge my brother's death and carve out the rot at the heart of the Council.

It's not going to be easy, and loss seems unavoidable, but I have promised to protect my Pride, no matter what. With a target on my back and Marc at my side, I'm heading for a final showdown that can--that will--change everything forever. A showdown I'm not sure I'm ready for.
But life never waits until you're ready.

My Review;

I was so worried that there was too much still going on and too many loose ends at the beginning of the book for Rachel Vincent to give it a good ending but I didn't need to worry this book was great from beginning to end. There was a lot less sex in this book, the love triangle is resolved and amazingly has a happy ending for everyone, well as happy as things can end after a war. This book made me laugh and cry and cringe and mostly it made me want to keep reading. I keep thinking how I want to keep reading more to see what happens next when I realize I am all finished with the series and it makes me so sad, I want more! I have other books to read but right now none of them are as good as these books were. I think this is a series I will want to read again in a year or so, really it's one I would love to buy because I have been getting them from the library but this would be a great series to own. I love how things end for Jace and Marc and Faythe and Kacie and Manx and Owen and there are other characters endings just broke my hear but I won't give too much away. If you are Just staring this series don't give up on Faythe, I know she can be spoiled and annoying and stubborn but she really does grow up in the end while still remaining true to herself.

Books in the Shifters series

#1- Stray
#2- Rogue
#3- Pride
#4- Prey
#5- Shift
#6- Alpha

Shift

2010-10-23T19:51:00.002-06:00

Title; Shift

Author; Rachel Vincent

Page count; 441

Why I read it; Fifth book in the Shifters series

Grade; A-

Synopsis;

Being the first female werecat enforcer isn't easy. Scars accumulate, but I'm stronger in so many ways.

As for my personal life? It's complicated. Choices worth making always are. Ever since my brother's death and my father's impeachment, it's all I can do to prevent more blood from spilling. Now our Pride is under attack by a flight of vicious thunderbirds. And making peace with our new enemies may be the only way to get the best of our old foe.

With the body count rising and treachery everywhere, my instincts tell me to look before I leap. But sometimes a leap of faith is the only real option….

My Review;

I really love this series, it has been a while since I read the 4th one because I was waiting for my library to get the fifth one in. I will just start with the bad of the book, there were only a few bad points. 1- The love triangle is getting a little out of hand, before it was always Faythe and Marc and Jace was just a flirt but now he is "in love" with Faythe and for reasons I can't figure out Faythe can't decide who she wants even though Marc is way better for her than Jace. 2- The first half of the book was a little slower than the last half and a lot of parts were frustrating because everyone was so trapped by the Thunderbirds. It was ok because I think that is what the author was going for because that is how all the characters felt but it just left too much time for Faythe's immaturity to surface again although I have to say she has grown a lot since the first book. 3- Still to much language and sex but less than in the previous 4 books, this book was more about Faythe's emotional problems. Those are the only things I can think of that I didn't like. The rest of the book was full of surprises, new characters and further development of characters that I both loved and hated. Malone is getting more evil and manipulative and gaining more power by the day. Families are turning against one another and where courage and honesty existed now there is only cowardice and lies. Faythe's pride and their allies are under attack from all sides and if they can't prove Malone is a traitor to their kind soon they will be totally destroyed. I have already started the 6th book and am so excited to see how the series ends. There are so many loose endings that I am nervous with everything going on the author isn't going to be able to come up with a totally satisfying. I hope I'm wrong but either way I am really glad I read the Shifters series.

Stolen Children

2010-10-14T14:49:00.000-06:00

Title; Stolen Children

Author; Peg Kehret

Page Count; 165

Why I read it; Sounded like a good book

Grade; B-

Synopsis;

Amy learned a lot in her babysitting course, but not what to do if two thugs show up, intent on kidnapping. Armed with misinformation and a weapon, the men take Amy and little Kendra to a remote cabin in the woods. There they make videos of the girls and mail them to Kendra’s wealthy parents in an effort to get ransom money. After several of her escape attempts fail, Amy is forced to make one last, desperate move. Award winner Peg Kehret crafts a suspenseful thriller with a spunky heroine who uses her wits to save herself and the toddler.

My Review;

Another fun, quick read. Stolen children was an easy story to get into and was written really well and kept me guessing. The book cover was a bad choice, it makes it look a lot more scary than it was and there is nothing about being taken at night or an empty rocking chair. The three year old Kendra that was one of the girls stolen was a lot more well behaved than any three year old I have ever met, she acted more like a five year old. I did like the messages in the book about never giving up and not making excuses, a book with a moral is always good. This book only took a couple hours to read so it isn't long but the story line is well thought out and there are no big holes or rushed pieces in the story so really it was the perfect length. Read this if you are in to mood for a mildly intense short read.

Midnight Pearls

2010-10-13T13:41:00.000-06:00

Title; Midnight Pearls

Author; Debbie Viguie

page count; 197

Why I read it; some of my friends on goodreads.com gave it good reviews

Grade B

Synopsis;

In a quiet fishing village, one lone fisherman rescued a child from the sea seventeen years ago. He and his wife raised the girl, Pearl, as their own daughter, never allowing themselves to wonder long about where she came from -- or notice her silver hair, usually pale skin, and wide, dark blue eyes.

Pearl grows from a mysterious child into an unusual young woman, not always welcomed in the village. As all the other girls her age find husbands, she has only one friend to ease her loneliness. One very special, secret companion: Prince James.

But their friendship is shaken when trouble erupts in the kingdom -- a conspiracy against the royal family combines with an evil enchantment from beneath the sea. Now, just when Pearl and James need each other most, bewitching magic and hints about Pearl's past threaten to tear them apart...forever.

My Review;

I liked this book a lot, it was easy to get into the story and the writing was really nice. There were enough similarities for it to be a retelling of The Little Mermaid but enough differences that you really don't know what is going to happen in the story. What I though was going to be the climax when Pearl went to face the Sea Witch really turned out to be short and honestly a bit too easy. The story really is more about Pearl and her "finding herself" than any actual event that happens. The story is sweet and innocent and a quick enjoyable read with a happily ever after ending. The romance was sweet without being overdone the same can be said for any action or intense parts of the book, they are there but nothing too intense and never very long lasting. Read this if you are in the mood for a nice easy romantic but not overly mushy book.

The Enemy

2010-10-04T13:19:00.001-06:00

Title; The Enemy

Author; Charlie Higson

Page Count; 440

Why I read it; Liked the reviews I read about it on goodreads.com

Grade; A+

Synopsis;

They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you...When the sickness came, every parent, policeman, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive. Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. But can they make it there - alive?

My Review;

This book is insane! I was hooked the first page, I love when that happens and it doesn't take 50 pages to start understanding or enjoying the story. The Enemy was the most intense, scary original book I have read in a long time. I love the sense of reality in the book, the good guys don't always win or survive and sometimes bad things happen out of nowhere and everything changes. There are a lot of characters in this book but the author does a really good job making each character memorable, so for the most part it was really easy to remember who was who. For the most part the language wasn't too bad which is rare in zombie/horror books. I liked that the kids weren't either good or bad, most of them were a mixture of both just trying to survive in the new terrible world they live in full of flesh eating adults turned zombie due to some unknown illness.
One part of the story that bothered me though was the littlest kids in the story. Whenever they are attacked by the adults or any other threat they always scatter and run towards the threat. It didn't make sense to me, wouldn't the little kids freeze out of fear or else hide behind the bigger kids that had weapons, or at least stay together? They are warned over and over to stay together but they never do and a good portion of the time the bigger kids chasing after the little kids and not staying together is what gets people killed. Otherwise all of the kids in the story act as I would imagine kids acting if in the same situation.
This book could really use a sequel, it's not really a story line that can ever come to a conclusion but there are a lot of loose ends at the end of the book. I can't really mention any without giving away who lives and who dies and other fun crazy twists to the story.
Read this book if you are in the mood for an intense, scary, sad, fun story. Don't read this book if you have to sleep alone though it really does get scary and intense quite often. Really there isn't much time in the book when something isn't happening which makes this a great book that is hard to put down. This probably isn't my favorite book of all time but it is my favorite right now, not one I will forget any time soon.

In the synopsis it says anyone over 14 is dead but there are quite a few kids who are 16 in the book so I'm not sure what the real ages are of people getting the illness.

Other book covers-

Stolen

2010-09-30T16:58:00.001-06:00

Title; Stolen

Author; Vivian Vande Velde

Page count; 158

Why I read it; Liked the cover and was in the mood for a non love story.

Grade A-

Synopsis;

The same day that the villagers of Thornstowe finally hunt down a witch with a reputation for stealing children, a 12-year-old appears in the woods with no memory of her past. Is there a connection between Isabelle, the girl who doesn t know who she is, and the girl the witch stole six years earlier? One of the few things Isabelle remembers is a chant that keeps running through her head:

Old as dirt,

dirty as dirt.

Ugly as sin,

mean as sin.

Don t let the old witch catch you!

Could Isabelle have been stolen by the old witch of the woods, or has she lost her memory as the result of an accident? And what about the baby the witch stole right before the villagers attacked? Did either the witch or the baby survive the fire the villagers set?

My review;

I really enjoyed this book. It is pretty short and an easy read which is what I was in the mood for, probably why I enjoyed this book so much. I liked that the ending wasn't so predictable, I only guessed half of the ending. The cover of the book is intriguing and made me excited to read the book but in all honesty it doesn't really fit with the story at all. This book isn't scary and the forest is always talked about as a pretty place which doesn't really come across in the cover. This book was written for kids Jr. High age but I really enjoyed the original story and the characters were developed enough to like or dislike the people but no so long winded that you get bored or annoyed. Read this if you are in the mood for a quick easy read, a little mystery and overall a happy ending.

Your Best Birth

2010-09-22T10:25:00.000-06:00

Title; You Best Birth

Author; Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein

page count; 272 pages

Why I read it; I am having a baby in November

Grade; A

Synopsis;

The national C-section rate is at an all-time high of 31 percent. Are all these C-sections necessary, or are some of them done simply for the sake of convenience? Inductions seem to be the norm, but are they always needed? Today, expectant mothers are often left feeling powerless, as their instincts are replaced by drugs and routine medical procedures.

What you are about to discover is that you have a choice, and you have the power to plan the kind of birth that's right for you-whether it is at a birth center, a hospital, or at home. In YOUR BEST BIRTH, internationally known advocates of informed choice. Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein inspire women to take back the birth experience, with essential advice on:
· Positive and negative effects of epidurals, Pitocin, and other drugs and interventions
· Inducing vs. allowing your labor to progress naturally
· The truth behind our country's staggering C-section rate
· Assembling your birth team and creating your birth plan.

"Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake have taken a wonderful and constructive approach to ensuring an optimal birthing experience. Their language creates a 'climate of confidence' for pregnant women and their families, who must make key decisions about where, how and with whom to give birth in a health care system often unresponsive to our needs. This book is like a good friend giving wise counsel." --Judy Norsigian, co-editor ofOur Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth and Executive Director, Our Bodies Ourselves

My Review;

I really loved this book. It had new information that I haven't read over and over again. I loved all of the different birth stories and midwife tips. I liked that the book gave a lot of information on pregnancy, birth, breast feeding and drugs used during labor. This was a guilt free book, it made you feel more confidant with whatever method you have chosen to deliver your baby. It was nice to have a book that educates you about drugs used during labor, their benefits and the consequences long and short term. I would recommend this book to anyone who plans on giving birth to a baby.

Heroes Among Us

2010-09-19T17:38:00.000-06:00

Title; Heroes Among Us

Author; John Quinones

Page Count; 272

Why I read it; I like John Quinones show called What Would You Do

Grade; C-

Synopsis;

Heroes Among Us reminds us all of the courage and dignity it takes to stand up for oneself and those around us. By chronicling such bravery, John Quinones captures America's can-do spirit and shows that through the slightest good deed, each one of us harbors a hero within.

My Review;

I really liked the idea of this book and was super excited to read it because I love the show John Quinones has on TV called -what would you do-

Unfortunately most of the stories in this book I found hard to relate to and therefor not as exciting or inspiring as I hoped. A lot of the stories were about Hispanic families living in very poor areas who felt that every white person with money hated them and would "chase them out of the rich neighborhoods unless they were pushing a lawnmower" (that's not an exact quote but he said something just like that in the book.). I lived in what I would consider a middle class neighborhood next to white people, Hispanic people and African American people, so to me people are just people. Not that racism doesn't exist because I know it does it just doesn't seem like something I would emphasize in a book trying to highlight average people acting in heroic ways. Also a lot of the stories contained way too much detail about history that just went on and on and on before he finally got around to the story. There were some stories that were really fun to read and made me want to be better and do better but it was just a small portion of the book. I am glad I read it I needed a break from YA, but I wasn't sad to be finished so overall an ok book to read but not one I would put at the top of my to read list and not one I would buy.

Quotes I liked;

" A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary." -Dorothy Canfield Fisher

" You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.... You must do the thing you think you cannot do." -Eleanor Roosevelt

" You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." -Anonymous

" The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look and do nothing." -Albert Einstein

" Values are like fingerprints. Nobody's are the same, but you leave 'em all over everything you do." -Elvis Presley

"Adversity introduces a man to himself." -Anonymous

Mockingjay

2010-09-11T19:18:00.000-06:00

Title; Mockingjay

Author; Suzanne Collins

Page count; 390 pages

Why I read it; 3rd and final book of a series

Grade A-

Synopsis;

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

My review;

I finished most of this book today, yesterday I read maybe 2 chapters. As expected this book was exceptionally well written, Suzanne Collins has a way of making you feel and be a part of the story even if like me you never get overly attached to the main characters. First with the negatives of the story so I can end with the positives. I never really felt any attachment to Katniss, Peta or Gale. I think mostly it's because I am so sick of teenage girl who has no idea what she wants or who she is has 2 boys so in love with her for no real apparent reason to me. I just don't understand no matter how many different ways it has been written why two amazing, talented, handsome guys are so in love with a teenage girl who can't decide who she loves so she ends up treating them both like crap the whole book. It just wouldn't ever happen, any real man would soon get sick of being treated like dog poo and move on to a real woman who can truly love him. Even so the author is so talented that even though that part of the plot drove me insane I still enjoyed the book. I do like a lot of the other characters in the book, Prim being one of my very favorites.

Now for the positives because really I did love reading this book. This book to me contained the perfect balance of hope and despair, love and hate, beginnings and endings. So many reviews I read on this book commented on how depressing the book was and how little hope it contained but I disagree. I thought that there was always something Katniss and other were hoping for and working towards without the situations being so easy or quick that it became unrealistic. I love that under the most depressing, horrible long lasting circumstances there was always something to hope for, to want and to work for. It was written that no matter how bad things get there really is always a reason to keep going, that nothing on earth can last forever. What is more hopeful than understanding that even if things are as bad as they can get that they will get better, maybe never perfect but better and always worth living for?

Artemis Fowl The Atlantis Complex

2010-09-09T17:53:00.001-06:00

Title; Artemis Fowl The Atlantis Complex

Author; Eoin Colfer

Page count; 357

Why I read it; 7th book of a series

grade C+

Synopsis;

Artemis has committed his entire fortune to a project he believes will save the planet and its inhabitants, both human and fairy. Can it be true? Has goodness taken hold of the world’s greatest teenage criminal mastermind?

Captain Holly Short is unconvinced, and discovers that Artemis is suffering from Atlantis Complex, a psychosis common among guilt-ridden fairies -- not humans -- and most likely triggered by Artemis’s dabbling with fairy magic. Symptoms include obsessive-compulsive behavior, paranoia, multiple personality disorder and, in extreme cases, embarrassing professions of love to a certain feisty LEPrecon fairy.

Unfortunately, Atlantis Complex has struck at the worst possible time. A deadly foe from Holly’s past is intent on destroying the actual city of Atlantis. Can Artemis escape the confines of his mind -- and the grips of a giant squid -- in time to save the underwater metropolis and its fairy inhabitants?

New York Times best-selling author Eoin Colfer delivers a knockout, fast-paced, and hilarious adventure in Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex, the seventh book in the blockbuster series

My Review;

This book was written as well as all of the other books were but I didn't enjoy most of it as much as I enjoyed the other books for a few reasons. All of the things I liked about the other books were missing from the first half of this book. My favorite things about the Artemis Fowl books are 1- Artemis Fowl himself, I love his nasty sense of humor and his quick wit. In this book Artemis comes down with a fairy condition called The Atlantis Complex causing OCD and multiple personalities. I hated Artemis's alter personality called Orion, he was gooey and old fashioned romantic and just plain annoying. I think maybe he was supposed to come across this way but it didn't make it any more fun to read. 2- I love the adventure and the lack of romance in the Artemis Fowl books and it's starting to come out that Artemis has feelings for Holly. I'm not a big fan of that relationship, it just seems strange to me that they are a different species not to mention the age difference. 3- In the other books you get a good sense of "the bad guy" who ever it is at the time, but the author never spends too much time focusing on the story of the bad guy. In this book it seemed to me almost the first half of the book was dedicated to the bad guy. I hated the bad guy, he was evil and enjoyed the thought of torture and death but at the end of the book the author seemed to try to make him come across as a man so in love that he just made some bad choices. That would have been ok if every time the story went to him he didn't keep thinking how he was going to kill everybody even the people who were helping him and that he was going to enjoy it. 4- I love Mulch Diggums and there just wasn't enough of him until the end of the book.
So overall I would have enjoyed this book if there was more written about the main characters and less about the annoying bad guy. I did enjoy the last third of the book a lot when the main characters were involved and the action really picked up. I also liked that Juliet was more a part of the story, I have always enjoyed her character even though she has never been a main influence in any previous books. I still feel too that the story was written well enough to keep me reading the series and I am curious to see how Artemis will overcome his illness.

The Iron Daughter

2010-08-27T21:37:00.000-06:00

Title; The Iron Daughter

Author; Julie Kagawa

Page count; 361

Why I read it; Second in a series, Netgalley review book

Grade; A-

Synopsis;

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

My Review;

This book took me longer to read than I wanted and not because the story wasn't great, life and kids and surgeries just slowed down my reading. I really liked the second book in this series, it was interesting and the story kept moving and never got dull. There was a lot of detail without getting boring and I was able to get a clear picture in my head of the story and the characters. The whole teenage girl finds out she isn't all human in love with two guys who are so in love with her they would die to save her story line is a little over done for me but everything else about these books is creative keeping you guessing and hoping to the very last page. This is a series that I am excited to keep reading and I look forward to reading other things written by Julie Kagawa.

Complete Idiot's Guide To Natural Child Birth

2010-08-15T19:12:00.001-06:00

Title; Complete Idiot's Guide to Natural Child Birth

Author; Jennifer L. West, Deborah S. Romaine

Page Count; 336

Why I read it; I am pregnant and want to have a drug free birth

Grade B+

Synopsis;

Thoughtful planning so mom and her supporters are ready when the baby is...

A midwife helps expecting mothers decide how natural they want their labor to be, what birthing methods are available, and the type of professional they want present. It helps women weigh factors, prepare mentally, make important decisions, and plan ahead for successful delivery and beyond.

*Only book covering the spectrum of natural birthing methods, and has a medical authority's vetting

*Expert author is a certified professional midwife and certified hypno-birthing childbirth educator

*Covers all aspects of natural birthing, from planning before women become pregnant through breastfeeding

About the Author

Jenny West, LM, CPM, HBCE, is a registered, licensed midwife in New Mexico and a certified hypnobirthing childbirth educator. Jenny has attended over 850 births, and her practice specializes in water birth and hypnobirthing. She also teaches childbirth classes. Deborah S. Romaine is a health and senior encyclopedia writer as well as coÂ author of dozens of books.

My Review; This book made me feel a lot more confidant about my ability to give birth without the use of an epidural, other pain drugs or an IV. One of the things I like most about this book is that it was full of new information that I haven't heard or read about before but it never gets boring to read. The only thing about this book that I felt unsure about is the claim that childbirth without drugs doesn't have to be painful. The book says that it is intense and there will be a lot of pressure and squeezing but that pain doesn't have to be part of the experience. I can hope that is true but I have talked to people who have had natural child births and they do all talk about how great of an experience it was but no one has ever mentioned it being pain free. I would recommend this book to anyone having a baby. No matter what kind of birth you want to have it never hurts to be informed on all of the options and risks to every choice.

The Iron King

2010-07-06T12:24:00.007-06:00

Title; The Iron King

Author; Julie Kagawa

Page count; 363

Why I read it; Recommended by my sister in law Brenda

and was given a copy off of netgalley to read.

Grade A-

Synnopsis;

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.

My Review;

My sister in law Brenda recommended this book to me and the author was kind enough to

allow me to read it from Netgalley. The first half of this book was a little bit hard for me to

get into. I felt it was the typical teenage girl doesn't fit in at school because there is something

different about her. Girl finds out she is connected to magical world and escapes some dangers

with the help of a new cute magical guy friend. It was very well written I just felt like it was like

a lot of stories I have read before. At about the half way mark the story really started to come

alive for me. The story branched off in new original and exciting directions. I like the background

story between Puck and Ash and the conflict between like and hate and doing what you want to

do vs doing what you have vowed to do. The author is really able to convey the feelings and the

struggles that all of the characters have without slowing down the story. I am excited to read the

next one and find out how Ash truly feels and what happens to Puck. I am curious to figure out

Grimalkin, I can't decide if he cares about Meghan or if he is just waiting to use her sense she is

in his debt like almost everyone else has. I am curious to see if the friendship between Puck and

Ash can be healed or if it;s too late for that. And mostly I wonder what the winter queen really

wants with Meghan and if Ash will protect Meghan or be loyal to his queen. I guess thats what

makes a book great is that it keeps you wondering and makes you excited to read more.

Skid and the too tiny tunnel

2010-06-29T20:03:00.002-06:00

Title; Skid and the too tiny tunnel

Author; Jeffery Stoddard

Genre; Children's

Page Count; 34 pages on my e-reader

Why I read it; Netgalley review copy

Grade B

Synopsis; A story of courage based on Deuteronomy 31:6

My Review;

Very cute children's story, it reminded me a little of the Little Engine That Could story that my mom ised to read to me when I was little. The pictures were really cute too and I only got to view them in black and white because I read it on my e-reader which doesn't do color. My three year old son enjoyed listening to it, I read it to him while we were in the car a few days ago. The only downside of the book for me was it wasn't an overly original story. Skid is a tiny truck who works with a lot of really big strong trucks and it leaves skid feeling useless. One day there is a collapse and one of the big trucks is stuck and Skid is the only truck small enough to fit in the tunnel to bring him gas and help dig him out. After saving the big truck all of the other trucks like Skid and Skid learns that anyone can do great things no matter how big or small they are. So overall a great message especially for my children who having two short parents probably won't ever be big but not an overly original story line. I would recommend this book to anyone with smaller children maybe ages 2-10.

Motor City Fae

2010-06-26T23:26:00.004-06:00

Title; Motor City Fae

Genre; Fiction, Romance

Page Count; 224

Why I read it; Netgalley review copy

Grade; B

Publication Date; June 7th 2010

Synopsis;

Detroit artist Meagan Kelly has had a strong sixth sense all her life, but that doesn't mean the gorgeous stranger's crazy story—that she's a half-elf, half human heiress—is true. But Meagan can't deny the evidence of her own eyes—he's Fae. A tall, blond, handsome, pointy-eared elf—and a man she just can't get enough of.

Ric Thornhill's assignment just got a lot more complicated. The more time he spends with Meagan, the harder it is to see her as a political tool to prevent an all-out war between humans and Fae.Now Meagan's in a race to master her newly released powers in time to prevent the conflict, convince a jealous Queen not to strip Ric of his powers, and find out if she can build a life that straddles two worlds.

My review;

** spoiler alert ** Minor Spoilers in my review, it was hard to express some of my feelings about the book with taking certain examples from the story.

I really enjoyed so many things about this book. Firstly it was very easy to get involved in the story. The story line was very original as far as fantasy books involving Fae and other magical creatures go. The story never got boring or slow, it kept me turning pages until the very end. I loved that she gave detailed descriptions of the characters and of the fantasy world she created in her story without going overboard and killing you with the details. I loved that Meagan is strong and successful and can do things all by herself and doesn't rely anyone to take care of her and do everything for her even after she falls in love. Most everything about the book was great but there were a few things that could have been changed that would have made me, personally enjoy it more. One thing in the story that I didn't enjoy so much because it was so overdone was there were too many sex scenes. It seems that Meagan and Ric could never ever ever be alone together without ripping each others clothes off. I guess I just expected a little more of a fantasy, romance type book and less erotica to me 20 sex scenes isn't romance it's just sex. After a few times reading page after page of sex I found myself skimming which was frustrating because there were so many exciting things going on in the story that I would have liked to keep reading about. Also there really isn't much of a climax to the story. There is so much build up of the danger to Meagan and so many people assigned to protect her, but when it finally comes down to it three (ish) pages later she is fine and all the worry is over and and everyone goes to live happily ever after. Don't get me wrong I love a good happily ever after I just like when they really have to work at it, and there are some major nail biting parts before they get there. This is the first in the series though so the author may just be getting started with the intense action. I guess my biggest complaint about the book is all of the build up to so many problems and dangers and then feeling like the parts that should be the most intense and all of the things you have been waiting for are skimmed over. Like with Ric's relationship with the queen, he is so terrified for her to find out how he feels for Meagan and spends page after page worrying and trying to find a solution and then Meagan gets snotty and says something really obvious to the queen and the queen almost smiles, gives up and everything is over.

I feel like I have spent too much time on the negatives though, I really had a fun time reading this book and it is definitely a series I would continue to read. With a little more action and a little less build up in the next books it would totally fix 99% of my complaints about this book, the other 1% would be 2 or 3 less sex scenes.

The Secret Of Ka

2010-06-08T23:22:00.005-06:00

Title: The Secret of Ka

Author: Christopher Pike

Genre: YA Fantasy

Page Count: 416

Why I read it: Was given permission to read

by author on Natgally.com

Grade: A

Synopsis:

One minute Sara's bored on vacation in Istanbul. The next, she's unearthed a flying carpet that cleverly drags her to the mysterious Island of the Djinn—or genies. By her side is Amesh, a hot boy she's starting to love but doesn't yet trust. When Amesh learns the secret of invoking djinn, he loses control. He swears he'll call upon only one djinn and make one wish. The plan sounds safe enough. But neither Sara nor Amesh are any match for the formidable monster that that swells before them. It hypnotizes Amesh, compelling him to steal Sara’s flying carpet—the ancient Carpet of Ka—and leave her stranded.

Discovering the Carpet of Ka has sparked a new path for Sara, one that will lead her to battle creatures even deadlier than djinn. In this fight, Sara can save mankind, herself, or the boy she loves. Who will she be forced to sacrifice?

My Review:

I am so glad I read this book so soon! When I read the description of the book it sounded good enough to read but I really didn't expect it to be one I would really enjoy. I was so wrong, I wish the description of the book was as well written as the book was because I would have read it sooner. I really expected a juvenile book about genie's and flying carpets but it was not juvenile at all. It was such an original take on magic and fantasy. The story is fun and interesting with so many twists that it keeps you guessing the whole story. There were only a few things about the story that bugged me a little that is very common in many fantasy stories. Sara the 15 year old main character falls so in love with a Turkish boy in a matter of hours that she risks her life and basically the fate of humans and other species of magical beings for him. It just seems a little much for a 15 year old girl to feel in a matter of hours and days, but at least the romance never got out of hand or overly mushy. Everything else about the story was fantastic! It was such a page turner I didn't even realize when I was at the end, I turned the page and it was blank. I am pretty sure this is going to be the first of a series, I can't wait to read the next book even though it will be a while because this one isn't even for sale yet. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes YA fantasy. Don't judge the book by whats written on the back it's so much better than it sounds, I don't think this book will disappoint very many people at all!

Tyger Tyger

2010-06-05T14:35:00.003-06:00

Title: Tyger Tyger

Author: Kersten Hamilton

Genre: YA Fantasy

Page count: 322

Why I read it: review copy from Netgally and my

sister in law read it and liked it.

Grade A-

Publication Date: November 15th 2010

Synopsis;

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

My review;

I knew I would probably like this book because my sister-in-law read it and liked it a lot. The story was so easy to get into and was very original. The characters were original and likable. I liked that the romance in the book was there but not overdone. It seems all the books I have read lately involve a girl so in love with a guy that she can't do or think of anything else. Teagan on the other hand still keeps her interests and her involvement with her family and friends, it was refreshing. I liked that even though this is going to be a series she still ended the story she started while leaving it open enough to keep the interest and make you excited for the next book. The only down part to this book for me was It was hard for me to remember who a lot of the characters were when they were talking about the legends. There are so many names from Irish history and Irish folklore involved that I am so unfamiliar with that it was hard to keep some of the story strait. I found myself reading and trying to remember who people were but I think that as the story goes along I will become more familiar with the legends and characters that part will get easier. I am really excited to read the next book in the series. This is a book worth buying because it's a book you can read more than once!

Dirty Little Secrets

2010-06-02T10:34:00.003-06:00

Title: Dirty Little Secrets

Author: c.j. omololu

Genre: YA Fiction

Page count: 212

Why I read it: Was looking through books on

goodreads.com and this one sounded good.

Grade: A

Synopsis:

Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.

For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to -- nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal.

When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children -- they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue.

With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

My review: This book was written so well! It was realistic and written like a real teenager would talk and think. I felt so strongly for Lucy, I just wanted to jump into the book and help her and make everything all better. The only bad thing I would say about this book is that it ended :) I would love it if there were a second book, I would love to read about what happens to her next. This book made me excited and sad and mad and frustrated and hopeful it was just a really good book! I would love to read more books by this author someday.

Wake

2010-05-27T15:40:00.004-06:00

Title: Wake

Author: Lisa McMann

Genre: YA Fiction

Page count: 210

Why I read it: My sister in law loved it and

we have similar taste in books.

Grade A-

Synopsis:

Ever since she was eight years old, high school student Janie Hannagan has been uncontrollably drawn into other people's dreams, but it is not until she befriends an elderly nursing home patient and becomes involved with an enigmatic fellow-student that she discovers her true power.

My Review:

It took me about 50 pages to know that I was going to like this book. The writing style is different from most of the books I have been reading so I think it just took some adjusting. At the beginning I kept getting really distracted because she kept getting thrown into dream after dream from all different people. But then it all started to come together and it got really interesting. The story was unique and the characters were likable and well developed. I really do not like Janie's friend Carrie or her boyfriend. Carrie knows better than anyone how hard Janie is working to earn money for college and yet she is stupid and gets into trouble and then wants Janie to give her and her boyfriend a ton of money grrrr. But I guess that is what makes this book great, you feel for Janie and the book really makes you care. I am so excited to read the next book!

The Other Side Of The Island

2010-05-27T11:29:00.011-06:00

Title: The Other Side Of The Island

Author: Allegra Goodman

Genre: YA Fiction

Page Count: 272

Why I read it: I loved how the synopsis sounded

and it was recommended by a friend.

Grade: B-

Publication date: September 4th, 2008

Synopsis:

Honor and her parents have been reassigned to live on Island 365 in the Tranquil Sea. Life is peaceful there—the color of the sky is regulated by Earth Mother, a corporation that controls New Weather, and it almost never rains. Everyone fits into their rightful and predictable place. . . .Except Honor. She doesn’t fit in, but then she meets Helix, a boy with a big heart and a keen sense for the world around them. Slowly, Honor and Helix begin to uncover a terrible truth about life on the Island: Sooner or later, those who are unpredictable disappear . . . and they don’t ever come back

My Review:

The author had an amazing writing style that helped me jump right into the story. The main character Honor is smart and strong and easy to love. The supporting caricatures were also strong and Allegra Goodman made me care about all of them. One of the things that drew me to this book was it's likeness to The Giver by Lois Lawry, but in the end it was one of the main things that made me not like the book as much as I hoped. So many points in the story were only half explained, like the drug that turned people into orderlies. I felt like she would talk about things over and over without really explaining it so I felt like I only half knew what she was talking about some of the time. Even so I was never bored and I wanted to keep reading. Most of the book was a positive, the biggest negative to the book was the non ending. I like books with a beginning a middle and an end. The end is very important especially if the book is a stand alone and not in a series. I don't like that the book was just over almost like the author dropped off of the face of the planet before she could end an otherwise great story. She explained on the next page that her book had no ending on purpose and she did it to encourage discussion. That would be okay if it was a book written for a book class or something but otherwise I feel just end the story. I was so frustrated because I really grew to love Honor and now I will never know for sure what happens to her. I still am glad I read this book, it is one I will think about for a long time. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes YA Fiction, just expect a cliffhanger ending similar to The Giver.