Review: Need by Carrie Jones

" Zara White suspects there's a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She's also obsessed with phobias. And it's true, she hasn't exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane...but Zara's pretty sure her mom just can't deal with her right now.

She couldn't be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara's overactive imagination. In fact, he's still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There's something not right - not human - in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you'd have to fear."

 Published: December 28, 2008 by Bloomsbury USA Children Books

(From goodreads.com) 

Rating: 8/10  

      While I was reading Need by Carrie Jones I really enjoyed it. I read through very fast and I was hooked. Now that I have been finished with the book for a while I can't really think of anything that stood out to me or that was truly amazing about this book. I can't think of anything really that I didn't like about the book either. So, this book was just kind of like mix feelings for me. I think the reason I read through the book quickly is because the writing is very easy to read. I would like to say that it was paced but that is not exactly true, the beginning was kind of slow while the middle was rushed and the ending was kind of slow again. 

      I really liked the characters Nick, Issie and Devyn. Zara, the main character, I didn't like as much. I thought she was a little pathetic at some points and a weak person, but she claims to have this "whole I want to save the world" mentality. Also, I realized that we did not know much of anything about her, or what she looks like. Also, I hate when characters do things that are not very logical just for the sake of setting up the plot. For example... *SPOILER ALERT*

When Zara goes out running because " she's looking for the pixies" and then the pixie king gets her lost in the woods because he's saying her name and shes following it. Honestly, if pixies were real and you had one stalking you, I highly doubt someone would go looking for them. It was just not realistic, even for fantasy. 

*SPOILER ENDED*

    One thing that was cool for me though is that this took place in Maine, and I could connect with the novel on a higher level because I also live in Maine. Bedford is a made up town but it was still cool to connect. 

     So overall, looking back at the book I didn't really like it as much as I did when I was reading it. Even though this review seems mostly negative, it still got an 8/10 because I really did enjoy it when I was reading it.

Review: Marked by P.C and Kristen Cast

306 pages 

 

Published May 1, 2007 by St. Martin Griffin 

 

House of Night novel 

6/10

WARNING:I have very mixed feelings on this book so this review might be all over the place.

   First, I will say that this was a fun book to read. I enjoyed the plot of this book and I thought that it was paced very well. I was a little hesitant to read a book about vampires, or "vampyres," because I didn't think I could imagine them being different then how Stephanie Meyer's Twilight saga portrayed them. I will not be comparing the two novels though because the only thing they have in common is the vampire aspect. But, it was much different and I liked the difference.

    One thing that really annoyed me was that almost every five sentences there would be another sentence explaining something in parentheses. It was SO annoying. I feel like when a writer uses parentheses often it's lazy writing. Also, something I found ironic is in interviews with P.C and Kristen Cast they often mention how P.C wrote most of the book but Kristen helped her sound more like a teenager. I literally laughed out loud. The whole time I was reading Marked I was annoyed with the way the teenagers talked to each other and Zoey's thoughts annoyed me. They do not sound like teenagers, they sound like how people who aren't teenager imagine them, if that makes sense. It reminded me of how the teenagers talk in the Bring It On movies. That's not how teenagers talk, I would know because I'm sixteen. They basically made all teenagers sound dumb and extremely air headed.

   When I was reading the book I just told myself to look past those things and try to enjoy it, and once I did that I really did enjoy the books. I will be reading the next novel but maybe not the whole series. It honestly depends on if the writing gets more annoying. Overall, I think it was an okay book... but it only got a six because of the writing. Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

Waiting on Wednesday

"Chloe’s older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can’t be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby’s friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns home two years later, a precarious and deadly balance waits. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

Imaginary Girls is a masterfully distorted vision of family reminiscent of Shirley Jackson, laced with twists that beg for their secrets to be kept" 



Oh my gosh! This cover is gorgeous! Also, I love books with a ton of juicy secrets, so this is right up my alley. I'm excited for this one! It comes out on June 14, 2011.

Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

"Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with every one out to make sure you don't live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love." (from goodreads.com) 

Info:

• 374 pages
• Published October 1, 2008 by Scholastic 
• 9.5/10

Review:  


     The Hunger Games is amazing. I'm kicking my self for not picking this book up earlier. I think I'm the last person in the world to read this book. I don't know why I waited so long to pick this up, it's probably because I judge books by their covers. (I know it's bad, but I do!) The cover to The Hunger Games did not appeal to me at all, and I think the synopsis doesn't capture the book very well. But, I'm so glad I gave it a shot. 

     The Hunger Games is written so well. The writing is so vivid and descriptive. I think it's written with more descriptions and detail than any other book I've read. If it wasn't so well written I think it would be very confusing and hard to follow. Suzanne Collins gets a huge thumbs up from me! 
  
   I have to say there were a few pot holes in the plot, which is why I could not give it a 10/10. They were so minor compared to the world Susan Collins has developed. The plot is what makes this book so amazing. If you haven't read this book, go read it!
      

Happy Reading! 

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Hey guys! I will be participating in the 2011 debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.

Some books I might be reading for the challenge are...

• Warped by Maurissa Guibord (January)
• XVI by Julia Karr (January) 
• Across The Universe by Beth Revis (January) 
• The water Wars by Cameron Stracher (January) 
• Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison (February)
• Haven by Kristi Cook (February) 
• Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley (February)
• Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton (February) 
• Exposed Kimberly Marcus (February) 
• Falling Under by Gwen Hayes (March) 
• Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard (March) 
• The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker (March) 
• The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder (April)
• Bumped by Megan McCafferty (April) 
• The Pull Of Gravity by Gae Polisner (May) 
• Saving June by Hannah Harrington (May) 
• Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky (May)
• Popular by Alissa Grosso (May)
• Possession by Elana Johnson (June) 
• Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer (June) 
• Forgotten By Cat Patrick (June) 
• Bad Taste In Boys by Carrie Harris (July) 
• Populazzi by Elise Allen (August) 
• Broken Wings by Helen Landalf (September) 
• Flawless by Lara Chapmen (Date unknown)
• Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic (Fall, the exact date is unknown)

What books are you planning on reading?

Happy reading!

Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Here is my review for If I Stay by Gayle Forman.

Synopsis:
"Gorgeous boyfriend who was madly in love with you?
Quirky hip parents who totally got you?
A musical talent that could take you anywhere?
What if your biggest problem in life was choosing which path to take?
Follow your first love--music-- to New York City?
Or stay with your boyfriend, friends, and family?


What if one day, you went out for a drive...

And in an instant everything changed?

What if suddenly all the other choices were gone?

Except for one--the only one that truly mattered?

What would you do?

A sophisticated, layered, and heart achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands." (from Goodreads.com) 

Book Info:

• I give this book a 9/10 
• 272 Pages 
• Published 2009 by Penguin  

The Good: 
If I Stay is an amazing, one of a kind, moving book. This book is extremely sad and brought tears to my eyes, which is good! If a book can make me cry then the book gets some extra points. I loved the way Forman's writing just flowed and I had to keep flipping the pages to find out more. You want the best for Mia and while you read you will be asking yourself the question of if she should stay or go. This was a book I did not want to put down,which is refreshing because I haven't read a book like that in a while. The sequel Where She Went is coming out in 2011 and I will be getting my hands on that as soon as possible. This was a book that will leave you thinking long after you've finished the last page.

The Bad:
One thing about this book is I felt some of the characters were a little undeveloped, especially her boyfriend Adam. Adam was such a big part of Mia's life but I did not feel like I even knew anything about him, except that he was in a band. I'm hoping we will get to know Adam better in Where She Went. I also feel like some of the terminology was out dated and she didn't really capture teenagers in this era the way I had hoped for. 


Overall: 
Overall, the bad things about this novel are so minor compared to the good. Go read this book, you will be glad you did.



 

Review: Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Here is my review on Pretties by Scott Westerfeld.

Synopsis:

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive." (From goodreads.com) 

Book Info:

• I give this book a 8.5/10 
• This book is the second in the Uglies series  
• Published on November 1, 2005 by Simon Pulse
• 370 pages 

The Good:

I will start by saying that in some ways I liked this book better than Uglies but in other ways I liked this one better. Scott Westerfelds writing style is amazing; and I don't think he gets enough credit as an author.  I love the way he created the plot and how unpredictable it is. When reading this book I felt like I really got to know the characters. This book is very exciting and action packed and it kept me wanting more. 

The Bad: 

I do not like when books take a long time to get good, and that is the only bad thing I have to say about this book. This was also the only bad thing I had to say about the Uglies, but in the Pretties it takes a little longer.

Overall: 

Overall, this book is just as good as the first one. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.  I would recommend this series to anyone so far. Happy reading! 

 

Review: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

I read this book on Pulse it. For more information go here.

Synopsis:
"Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn't seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she's coming to terms with her father's death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself." (from goodreads.com)


Book Info: 

• 344 pages 
•  Simon & Schuster 
• Published May 4, 2010 
• Morgan Matson is a debut author 
• I give this book a 8/10

The Good: 

I will start off by saying this book was very original. I was never bored with this book and it made me want to keep reading. I love that they were going on an adventure with no clue what was going to happen. Amy and Roger were both very well developed characters. I loved them so much. This book is funny when it needs to be even though it has very sad topics in the book. Also, this book has fun things in it like maps, pictures, play lists, and much more. All of that extra stuff added makes a lot more interesting. 

The Bad: 

Honestly, there isn't many bad things I can say about this book. I wish the ended wasn't so rushed and you found out what happened  to Amy and Roger. I feel like the book wasn't really finished. 

Overall: 
This book is very good and I definitely recommend it.

Review: Uglies by Scott Westerfelds

Hey guys! So I have a review of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. I read this book for my book challenge.

Synopsis:

"Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license—for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world—and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever."  (From goodreads.com)






Book Info:

• 425 pages
• Published Feb 8, 2005 by Simon pulse
• Part of the Uglies series ( Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras) 
• I give this book a 8.5/10

The Good: 
This book is so interesting and nothing like I have ever read before. It will definitely grab your attention with all of the action and things that go on in the book. There is a love interest, which I really like in a book, but it doesn't take away from the idea of the book. This book takes place about 300 years in the future. We are referred to as The Rusties and we lived in The Ruins. The plot in this book is brilliant and the ending leaves you wanting more. 



The Bad: 
The beginning was just a little slow for me to get into and I felt like it took a little longer than I would have liked it to for it to pick up and get into the good stuff. But other than that this book is wonderful.



Nice To Know: 
This book has a lot of futuristic items in it and a lot of futuristic ideas that can take a little to get used to and learn about everything, Once you grasp everything it is a lot of fun to have all of them in the book and imagine them. 


Overall: 
This book is fantastic, and I really recommend it to anyone. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. Thanks for reading!

Review: One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt

Hey guys! This review is for One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt.I read this through the Pulse It program, if you want to know more about Pulse It click here! 

Synopsis:

Eliza is in a full-blown panic. Her notebook has been stolen—the one that lists everything she wants but is afraid to go after. And the absolute wor ...more"Eliza is in a full-blown panic. Her notebook has been stolen—the one that lists everything she wants but is afraid to go after. And the absolute worst person in the world has it: her ex-boyfriend, Cooper.

Like it’s not enough Cooper was lying to Eliza for their entire relationship, now he and his friends are blackmailing her. They’re giving her just one night to complete the most humiliating tasks on her list or they’ll post her secrets online—including the ones that aren’t just about her.

Eliza’s sure of only one thing: she isn’t going down without a fight. Cooper may have what’s left of her dignity, but she’s not the only one with something to hide …"   (From Goodreads.com)

 Book Info:

• 256 Pages
•  Simon Pulse
• Released July 6, 2010 
• I give this book a 7/10

The Good: 
This book is a very easy read. It has a very original plot and very strong characters. I felt like I personally knew each character. It was a cute book and will make you think about all of the things you are afraid of but really shouldn't be. 


The Bad:  
This book was just good, it wasn't amazing or anything. There wasn't really anything really exciting or sad that happened. The ending was also very predictable. 


Nice To Know: 
This book may seem a little dragged out because it takes place all in one night and it doesn't seem realistic for all of the things that happen to fit in one night. 




Overall:
This book was pretty good and if you have a chance to read it then take that chance but you don't need to rush out a get it because it will change your life forever.





I hope you enjoyed! XOXO

2011 Books!

So I'm really pumped about all of the books coming out in 2011. Leave a comment and tell me what your waiting for!  So here is the ones I'm waiting for...

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes (March 2011)

Where She Went by Gayle Forman (April 19,2011) *not the final cover*

The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder (April 4th, 2011)

Like Mandarin by Kristen Hubbard (March 8th, 2011)

Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz (April 19, 2011)

XVI by Julia Karr (January 6, 2011)

Warped by Maurissa Guibord (January 11, 2011)

Cloaked by Alex Flinn (February 8th, 2011)

All You Get Is Me by Yvonne Prinz (January 1, 2011)

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull (March 22, 2011)

Famous by Todd Strasser ( January 25, 2011)

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher (January 1, 2011)

Delirium By Lauren Oliver (2/1/11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

So here is my review of Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver and to say the least I am extremely excited about this. Enjoy! 

Book Description:

"Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High- from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. 

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death- and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing."

Book Info:

• 470 pages 
• Published in March, 2010 by HarperCollins 
• Before I Fall is Lauren Oliver's first novel 
• I give this book a 10/10 (not joking) 

The Good: 

This book is amazing, fantastic, perfect, and everything in between. Since Sam lives the same day over seven times, I thought it would be kind of boring. I was very wrong, each day is very different and keeps you on your toes. I loved that each day Sam found out more and more information about her death and it was amazing watching (or reading in this case) her transform with each day. Lauren Oliver's writing style is one of a kind and you feel like you personally know the characters. I have never read anything like this book and I think it is extremely original. I will definitely be reading anything by Lauren Oliver. If you haven't read this book yet, you NEED too!  

The Bad: 

I honestly can't say one bad thing about this book. 

Nice to Know: 

There are seven chapters in this book (one for each day) so the chapters are very long, but they are split up into bold headings. 

Overall: 

This is one of the best books I have read in a while, I recommend it to anyone. 

Thanks for reading! XOXO

Update on What I'm Reading

Alright guys so as of right now I am reading Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver for my book challenge. Also I would like to tell you that I joined pulse it and for that I am reading One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt. You should be seeing reviews on both of those books soon. Also, now that I'm doing pulse it I will be reading books that aren't on my challenge list. Those books will not count as the 26 books I want to read and my challenge will always come first. Thanks for reading, XOXO

Review: Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Hey guys! This is going to be a review on Before I Die by Jenny Downham. Enjoy!

Started on July 26, 2010 and finished on July 31, 2010

Book Description:

Tessa is a 16 year old girl living with cancer. She has been sick for a long time and does not attend school. She lives with her father and little brother Cal, and sometimes see's her mother. When Tessa is told she doesn't have much time left to live she decides to live her last days the best she can. Tessa makes a list of things to do before she dies, including, trying drugs, saying yes to everything for one day, and falling in love. As Tessa completes things on her list she keeps adding more, and soon she realizes she wont be able to finish everything on her list.

Book Info:

• 336 pages 
• Published in September, 2007
• Before I Die is Jenny Downham's first book 
• I give this book a 4/10 

 The Good:

The idea of this book is good, a teen with cancer who has a "bucket list" as some might call it. You also really fall in love with some of the characters, like her little brother Cal. The ending of this book will really make you think about your life and how much we take for granted everyday. 

The Bad:

I found this book to have a really good first twenty pages or so, but then the middle was very slow for me and didn't start getting good again until around the last fifty pages. Also, I felt Tessa was a very weak character and honestly I hate weak characters. I also found this book to jump around a lot and it was kind of confusing. You would be in one place in a chapter and then it would just skip to somewhere else, I did not like that at all. 

Nice to Know: 

This book takes place in the UK, so, if you are an US reading some of the words might get you a little confused at first but you do get used to it. For UK readers, there should be no problem! :] EX: Holiday in the UK is the same as Vacation in the US.

Overall: 

This book is just alright in my opinion. If you have the chance to read then I would, but I wouldn't rush out to Borders to buy yourself a copy.

Hope this was helpful!

Review: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer

Alright guys, here is my first book review. This is a book review for The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer. I hope you enjoy!

Started on July 25, 2010 and  finished on July 26, 2010

The Inside Cover Says...


"Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes, and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she has relentless thirst for blood... life before she became a vampire.


All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself, and above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out.

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as her. As they come to realize to realize that the newborns are pawn in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you know the truth? "






Book Info...

• 178 pages
• Part of the Twilight Saga
• Eclipse Novella
• Released on June 5, 2010
• 0 Chapters 
• One dollar for each book sold goes toward the American Red Cross
• I give this book a 8/10

My Thoughts...


If you love the Twilight saga then you will probably love this book. I finished the Twilight saga last summer, but if you haven't started and are planning too you should read this book after Eclipse and before Breaking Dawn. I really liked this book because it was a side of vampires that you don't see in the other books in the saga. You get to see how newborn vampires act and hunt. It is also interesting on how little the newborns actually know, for example, they do not know that the sun will not kill them. I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice, easy, quick read. I liked this book so much that I think its a must read, of course the whole Twilight saga is a must read in my opinion. Stephanie Meyer  has an amazing writing style. This is a book you won't want to put down. One negative thing I have to say is that the book is not split into chapters, that's not really a huge thing though. Some people might not mind that. I just didn't like that because I don't like to stop reading in the middle of a chapter, I prefer stopping when I finish a chapter. Overall, this book is great. Thanks for reading! XOXO