Announcment: Do Not Despair!

Dear Followers,

You have likely noticed that there have been no new posts this week. I apologize for this. However, Harry and I have been increasingly busy this month and the blog has come as an afterthought.
We have also become increasingly more drained and frusterated by blogging. It is no one's fault. Just a simple effect of many things.
Therefore, the two of us have decided to take a break from blogging for a month. We will be back August 10 or so.
We haven't decided what we are really gonna do with this blog. I hope to keep interacting with you all because it's fun and I love commenting on other blogs too.
I hope to come back in better spirits soon!


Until Next Time,
Addy

Review: Plague Ship - Clive Cussler

Plague Ship - Clive Cussler
Pages: 528

For four novels, Clive Cussler has charted the exploits of the Oregon, a covert ship completely dilapidated on the outside but, on the inside, packed with sophisticated weaponry and intelligence-gathering equipment. Captained by the rakish, one-legged Juan Cabrillo and manned by a crew of former military and spy personnel, it is a private enterprise, available for any government agency that can afford it-and now Cussler sends the Oregon on its most extraordinary mission yet. The crew has just completed a top secret mission against Iran in the Persian Gulf, when they come across a cruise ship adrift in the sea. Hundreds of bodies litter its deck, and as Cabrillo tries to determine what happened, explosions rack the length of the ship. Barely able to escape with his own life and that of the liner's sole survivor, Cabrillo finds himself plunged into a mystery as intricate-and as perilous-as any he has ever known, and pitted against a cult with monstrously lethal plans for the human race ... plans he may already be too late to stop. -goodreads.com

When I started reading Plague Ship, I wondered how Clive Cussler could wrap an entire book around the cruise ship event. I mean, the ship exploded and sank, and only one person survived. Where's the fun in that, and how could you write a book around it? It was said and done! Yet I gave Plague Ship a chance, and I ended up liking it a lot.

The book actually started off kind of odd. It began in WWII Northern Scandinavia. A German plane was all of a sudden attacked by Allied forces, and I was lost. How did this relate to the ship and everything else...60 years in the future? As I kept reading, I forgot about the introductory chapter, but it was brought up near the end and surprisingly relevant, so I was satisfied.

The discovery of the cruise liner sets off a whole chain reaction that gets the whole plot moving. Granted she does sink, but not before the Oregon finds her and gets vital information and the sole survivor. The title and cover focus on the ship, when in reality the book is about what happened on her, and to her passengers. It ends up being an adventure stretching from the Philippines to the Mediterranean, and many places in between.

The plot sounds kind of old, big problem, special team assigned to fix it. However, the crew of the Oregon is far from any ordinary special ops team. There were plenty of characters for everyone to get to like. Juan Cabrillo, Max Hanley, and Linda Ross were technically the 'superiors', but everyone got along like one big family. From Mark Murphy, a stereotypical twenty something who just happens to be a genius, to George 'Gomez' Adams, a snarky helicopter pilot, all the way out to Kevin Nixon, who can disguise you to the point that you don't recognize yourself, each of the members of the Oregon's crew is unique and fun.

With such a large cast of characters, one is bound to get mini plots and have to keep up with things, but with each of the characters being so different, I found it easy to keep track of them once I got going.

Clive Cussler is an author I've just started getting into. I've read a couple of his books before, but this one sounded really interesting. Plus, the premise sounded just perfect for me. Before Plague Ship, I had never heard of the Oregon Files. The book was much better than I first thought, and I'm looking forward to more of the Oregon Files.


Rating: 8.5/10


Catch you soon,

Harry

REVIEW: Wild Magic - Tamora Pierce

Wild Magic - Tamora Pierce

Pages: 384

Young Daine's knack with horses gets her a job helping the royal horsemistress drive a herd of ponies to Tortall. Soon it becomes clear that Daine's talent, as much as she struggles to hide it, is downright magical. Horses and other animals not only obey, but listen to her words. Daine, though, will have to learn to trust humans before she can come to terms with her powers, her past, and herself. -goodreads.com

I've always been a pretty big fan of Mrs. Pierce. She has a lot of elements I've always liked, such as the whole medevil theme and fantasy elements. Female heroines are a plus. ;D

Daine is an outcast. Her family killed by bandits, she wanders the streets in search of work, with her family horse, Cloud.

When she stumbles upon a job involving ponies, she accepts and treks across the land into Tortall. While on the journey, her talents are displayed in the open. Possessing a gift with animals, they do anything and whatever she says, and protect her when she's in danger.

Daine meets good friends along the way and when push comes to shove, she is downright fierce. When everyone she knows is on the line, will she come through and save them all?

I really liked this book because it has a lot of elements I like, as explained. Tamora Pierce is a master story weaver and is very detailed. I always love the feeling of being right inside the book! Everything is vivid, and I swear I changed tempeture with the climate. ^^;;

Daine is going across the land with the new ponies, and they come across a bunch of hiccups on the way. Daine encounters Harpy-like monsters, as well as human-taratula demons. And they also meet up with her future teacher, Numair, who sounds smokin', by the way. :P

After that conundrum, my favorite part is when they arrive in the royal city. Everyone is pretty backwards in Tortall, lords and ladies are usually among their people, leading an honest life along the commoners.

There is a series before this, the Song of the Lioness Quartet, which involves the King's Champion, Alanna. I recommend that series as well, its just as good, if not better.

There are strong animal personalities as well. A nice addition to the book, which I really like.

It's third person and focuses the whole story on Daine.

I love Numair and Cloud. They are probs my fave characters.

Sorry for the shortish review! I'm pressed for time! D:

RATING: 9 of 10

until next time,

Addy

Review: The Lost Throne - Chris Kuzneski

The Lost Throne - Chris Kuzneski

pages: 495

Carved into the towering cliffs of central Greece, the Metéora
monasteries are all but inaccessible. Holy Trinity is the most isolated, its sacred brotherhood the guardians of a secret that has been protected for centuries. In the dead of night, the holy retreat is attacked by an elite group of warriors carrying ancient weapons. One by one, they hurl the silent monks from the cliff-top to the rocks below ― the holy men taking their secret to their graves…. Halfway across Europe, Richard Byrd fears for his life. He has uncovered the location of a magnificent treasure. But there are those who are dedicated to protecting it, and they will stop at nothing to prevent its discovery. Hoping to save himself, Byrd contacts two colleagues, Jonathon Payne and David Jones, and begs for their help. The duo rushes to his aid and quickly find themselves caught in an adventure that will change their lives forever. -chriskuzneski.com

I found this book at the library. Now I know that the library is like bookworm heaven, and I love going there as much as the next lovable nerd, but sometimes I find it a bit hard to find good books among the thousands of books and manuscripts and biographies and great works of literature and so on. However, The Lost Throne kind of jumped out at me. The cover art was great, which helps make a book noticeable, and it sounded interesting, so there it was. Now that I've finished literally critiquing the book, on to the real review...

The Lost Throne had me engrossed in the first few pages. To start off, someone in the early 20th century, whom we don't know until we are reminded of halfway through the book, dies. Simple as that. He sounds like a big deal, but we have no clue who he is. Now fast forward to approximately modern day. We have a bloody murder scene in a monastery in Greece. While Nick Dial, head of the Interpol police, heads the investigation, we are transported to Florida where we meet Jonathon Payne and DJ Jones. They're ex-military dogs now pretty much bumming around and doing some basic military work. Suddenly, Payne gets a call. Or more like seventeen calls. Now only a person in serious trouble would do that, right?

Now, being thrown halfway around the world again, we meet Allison Taylor and Richard Byrd. Allison is on her way to meet Richard, and just as she sees him, things fall apart. So she winds up alone in Russia, terrified and helpless. What does she do? She calls a random number that Richard gave her. And who picks up? Why Jon Payne.

As you can see, having between two and three different plots throughout the book makes things confusing, but it all ties together nicely...eventually. That was one of my biggest problems, that things seemed a bit too complex and would up not making sense at times. Also, the teaser in the book makes the monks sound like the main storyline, but one soon realizes that they are important, but not the main focus. Other than that, great book.

The characters are very varied, but some of them seem to follow a similar pattern. Nick, Payne, and DJ are all the same type of seen-it-before, laid back type. Characters like Allison and Jarkko are more fun. Allison is a California girl, but she's far from the stereotype. She was working with Richard as a colleague, not some ditsy blond who can't take care of herself. Jarkko, oh what is there to say about Jarkko...he's a character, that's for sure, pun intended. He's fun, odd, and a bit cliché, but he's a very interesting side character.

Once one boils down the plot and does some digging, The Lost Throne somehow twists into the previously mentioned treasure hunt. I'm not sure how it happened, but somewhere along the line, it did. However, I'm okay with treasure hunting books, so there you have it. I'll definitely have to do some looking into Chris Kuzneski's other bestsellers, but because of the plot complexity, I'll say it wasn't my favorite book. It was good, but not really a quick read. Overall though, seeing as I haven't read a book that I didn't mostly like (no I have not read Twilight and I refuse to for that reason) I would still recommend The Lost Throne. It's a good adventure/mystery/archaeology book, and I did enjoy it.



Rating: 7.5/10



Catch you soon,

Harry

REVIEW: Good Enough - Paula Yoo

Good Enough - Paula Yoo
Pages: 336

How to make your Korean parents happy:

1. Get a perfect score on the SATs

2. Get into HarvardYalePrinceton.

3. Don't talk to boys.*

Patti's parents expect nothing less than the best from their Korean-American daughter. Everything she does affects her chances of getting into an Ivy League school. So winning assistant concertmaster in her All-State violin competition and earning less than 2300 on her SATs is simply not good enough.
But Patti's discovering that there's more to life than the Ivy League. To start with, there's Cute Trumpet Guy. He's funny, he's talented, and he looks exactly like the lead singer of Patti's favorite band. Then, of course, there's her love of the violin. Not to mention cool rock concerts. And anyway, what if Patti doesn't want to go to HarvardYalePrinceton after all?
Paula Yoo scores big in her hilarious debut novel about an overachiever who longs to fit in and strives to stand out. The pressure is on!
*Boys will distract you from your studies.

- goodreads.com

I picked this book up because Patti's life had a lot of the same pressure mine does. I'm always feeling the need to be perfect and not screw up. Granted, Patti has no social life, and I do, but I digress. :P

Patti is Korean American. Her parents are both immigrants from South Korea and are practically geniuses. On top of that, Patti's mother is beautiful, something of which she can never be.

In order not to disgrace her parents and live up to expectations, Patti spends every minute after school studying. Except, when she plays the violin.

For Patti's parents, the violin is her "hook," or what gets her in HarvardYalePrinceton. But Patti truly loves playing, and she finds herself falling for a boy in her class. Knowing that she will give up the violin eventually, and that boys are STRICTLY off-limits, Patti does a little discovering and finds out what is truly important to her.

This book is a good read for anyone who has ever felt the need to live up to expectations, and brutal ones at that. Patti's parents think the Ivy League is everything for their only child. As much as Patti wants to go, she also wants to be true to herself, even though she tries to deny it.

When she meets Ben, or "Cute Trumpet Guy," and gets to know him, he persuades her to do what she really wants.

I've always been this way. I hate disappointing people, even if its the best I could have done. Trust me, I have recently cried over grades I have received because I was afraid of the reaction of my parents. I hate that, and you always feel powerless, and in my case, pride would get in the way.

Patti is an awesome character. She is a bit "flat," i would say, but she does have her own change to go through. Ben is the catalyst for her. The violin is what she loves, but she thinks a music career is way too risky.

Ben is my favorite character. He's Patti's love interest, and he speaks his mind to her. He's the one who convinces Patti to reach for what she wants.

Even though he's a bit of a lost cause, and that really sucked, I was genuinely disappointed for Patti.

I recommend this for people who feel as if they've always been under pressure and are stressed. I think this is a way of saying, "it could be worse, so do something about it."

RATING: 8 of 10

Until Next time,

Addy

Review: Storm Front - Jim Butcher

Storm Front - Jim Butcher

pages: 322

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever. There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get interesting. -goodreads.com

Oh gosh...where to start. The Harry Dresden files are some of my favorite books. The way my sister described them was Harry Potter for grownups. In these books, your wizard is more likely to go for a drink than take a ride on a broomstick. Storm Front is only the first of many books in the series.

The basic plot of Storm Front is that Harry has a friend in the Chicago P.D. who asks him to investigate a murder, he goes in, assuming it can't be that bad, can it? Yes. It can be. Two people had their hearts explode out of their chests. One of them was a bodyguard to the biggest mobster in Chicago, John Marcone, and the other was a call girl working for a well-known vampire in the area, Bianca. Before too long everything gets tied up and interwoven and Harry finds himself caught in the middle of a great adventure involving not only the characters above, but a smart-witted talking skull, a sneaky interviewer for a paranormal magazine, and a police officer who doesn't know what quite to make of things. Oh, and those last two are both women.

Storm Front has a little of everything. It has fantasy, I mean the guy's a wizard, it has romance, but not too heavily, it has action, it has mystery, and it even has humor. Only a good author could make you crack up not too many pages after describing a brutal murder.

The characters in The Dresden Files are fun and very varied. Some of the ones who seem like minor characters in the first book, like Susan and Bianca, actually become major characters later on in the series. Also not mentioned was the Knight of the holy Cross, Michael. Michael is one of my favorite characters, even though he isn't introduced in Storm Front I'm pretty sure. Bob the skull is hysterical, but at the same time, somehow helpful to Harry.

Overall I really enjoyed Storm Front because it got me going into a really good series. Kudos to my sister for introducing it to me. As mentioned earlier, Harry Dresden is like Harry Potter...just for grownups.

Rating: 9/10

Until next time,

Harry

AN AWARD?!

Hey guys! It's the first time that PBOF has won an award and I'm so excited!


This award was present to us by TWO bloggers!


Thanks to Supernatural Bookworm and MisAdventures of a Teenage Bookworm! You guys are the best!



Here are the rules of the trade:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

7 Things about Addy:

1. Soccer = My life. Don't diss it or my skill. It will be a problem and you will regret it.

2. Purple is the best color in the world.

3. I have a dog named Dakota

4. I watch Yugioh The Abridged Series, and used to watch the real Yugioh and Pokemon and all that jazz.

5. I LOVE ANIMALS AND ASIA.

6. I may want to be a vet. Or a language major. Not sure yet.

7. I like Anime.

7 Things About Harry

1. I'm the youngest of 4

2. I have a HUMONGOUS family

3. I have white hair

4. The computer is waaay too big a part of my life

5. I am a neat freak.

6. I correct people on the difference between your and you're

7. I enjoy soccer (even though I can't play it to save my life)

So now here's the 15 peeps we're passing this onto!

1. Fantasy4Eva

2. Today's Adventure

3. The Compulsive Reader

4. Cleverly Inked

5. Book Bloggers

6. Leilani Loves Books

7. fangswandsandfairydust.com

8. The Book Muncher

9. Teens Read and Write

10. Crazy-For-Books

11. Darlyn & Books

12. Missy Reads & Reviews

13. Jessica's Vision

14. Alisha's World

15. Welcome to Larissa's Bookish Life

Check out the above blogs and have a good day!

I'll put up my review tomorrow. Just for all of you. 8D

Until Next time,

Addy

REVIEW: For Keeps - Natasha Friend

For Keeps - Natasha Friend

Pages: 267

For sixteen years, Josie Gardner and her mom, Kate, have been a team. It’s been the Gardner Girls against the world, and that’s how Josie likes it. Until one day, in the pet food aisle of Shop-Co, they run into the parents of Paul Tucci, Kate’s high school boyfriend—the father Josie has never met. If Mr. and Mrs. Tucci are back in town, it’s only a matter of time until Paul shows up. Suddenly Josie’s mature, capable mother regresses to the heartbroken teenager she was when Paul moved away. Meanwhile, Josie’s on the verge of having her first real boyfriend, while her free-loving best friend, Liv, begins yet another no-strings-attached fling. When Josie learns some surprising truths about Paul Tucci, she finds herself questioning what she’s always believed about her parents—and about herself. In FOR KEEPS, Natasha Friend tells a fresh, funny, smart story about what happens when a girl gets the guy she always wanted and the dad she never knew she needed. - goodreads.com


For Keeps is what I would call a stereotypical book at first glace. Girl with no dad, finds dad, finds meaningful boy, has fight with mom, blah blah blah, everyone makes up the end.
Honestly, I was expecting a lot of that. I got a pretty big jolt when I really started reading it.

Josie is 16. She is her mom's only child and her dad is MIA. Her best friend is quirky and has 2 dads for parents. He employer is a clean freak, and he's always changing her hours. Add that to soccer practice and sexy Matt Rigsby, and you got a pretty average day.
When Josie's grandparents show up, it is undeniable that her father is lurking in wait. When her mother starts to date and leaves Josie more on her own, she gets more and more distanced from her mother.
Don't forget all the pressure and maybe even the scary thought of teen pregnancy and that about sums it up.

Sounds interesting, right?

The best part of this book is the unpredictability. When Josie first mentioned Liv's parents as Pops and Dodd, I didn't think much of it. Turns out they're both Liv's dads! I was floored and astonished. WHOA. WHAT A TWIST!
Josie is also completely afraid of any commitment to a boy. She wants to get to know Rigsby, but she always holds herself back. She doesn't want to get hurt, or worse yet, pregnant.

Her mother is Josie's best friend. They've gone through ups and downs and are always there for the other. When they say her grandparents in a store, Josie comforts her mom through the breakdown. But when her mother starts dating again, Josie gets possessive and almost furious to a point of silence.

Add in the impending doom of meeting her father, because it seems bound to happen, and I think I'm about ready to get off this emotional roller coaster. Honestly, its so down to earth and believable, that I could imagine myself doing these things on a daily basic.

It is written from first person point, narrated by Josie, and thus you get the feeling just as she gets it: Shocked, Angered, Confused.

My fave character is Liv. She's so quirky and fun. I wish I could be like her. (:

I loved this book. It's a great read for those of us with struggles and insanely twisty (yeah, take it as you will). I recommend it to you all out there!

RATING: 9 of 10

until next time,
Addy

Kiss and Tell (3)

This Is a new meme being featured Over at Fatasy4eva, where the whole idea is to gush about our latest books and discuss them.

Yay for K&T NUMBA THREE.
Look. That even rhymed.

-Ahem-

I'd like to welcome everybody to the blog, especially new followers! Hope I get to talk to you all soon! (:


It's been a while since I've done this meme(cuz I'm a slacker ;;) and I will begin this again, more dedicatedly!
This week I'm going to give you one book I'm really looking forward to reading! (:



Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
Pages: 328

Rating: 8 Kiss and Tells

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty-especially if they learn of her Sight-and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. His is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost-regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale. -goodreads.com



Well, I seem to be on a very faerie kick lately, what with Wings and all.

What I think:
I'm really hoping this book will be good. Like, amazingly, awesome good. I've heard a bunch of good things about it, from bloggers to my lit class.
I've heard much praise for Melissa Marr as well. From what I can tell from this synopsis, this sounds like a very spine-tingling, fast paced, interesting book.
I love faeries, as well as magic and fantasy, as is apparent by most of what I read.

I really have high hopes for this book. Indeedy.


Random Thought:
I used to have a friend named Aislinn, although her name was spelled Aslynn.
But I wonder if she sees faeries too...



Until next time,
Addy

Review: And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
Pages: 173

Considered the best mystery novel ever written by many readers, And Then There Were None is the story of 10 strangers, each lured to Indian Island by a mysterious host. Once his guests have arrived, the host accuses each person of murder. Unable to leave the island, the guests begin to share their darkest secrets--until they begin to die. - goodreads.com

And Then There Were None was the first Agatha Christie book I read. This is the book that got me hooked on her mysteries, and the review above does it some justice. I read the book in less than a day, so it's a quick read, but that's mainly because it's absolutely gripping. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down.

The book starts off a bit slowly, with character introduction for each of the ten main characters. Each one is very unique, from a suspicious judge to a nervous secretary. Keeping track of all ten of them is a bit difficult, but it gets much easier as one by one, they are all killed off.

The main question in the book is who is the murderer? The characters are on a secluded island, with no contact with the outside world. They know that it's one of them, but they don't know which one. As the bodies pile up, the only ones above suspicion are in fact, the dead. The thrilling part is really when the book gets down to the last three or four people, because each one of them is absolutely terrified of the others, and paranoid as well.

The end of the book was really unique to me, because it didn't have a big miracle solution. In fact, it was a bit creepy once you realized who the killer was. As I said before, it's a short read, my copy being only 173 pages, but it is a very good book.


Rating: 8/10


Until next time,

Harry

REVIEW: Artichoke's Heart - Suzanne Supplee

Artichoke's Heart - Suzanne Supplee
Pages: 244

Blubber meets Steel Magnolias in this funny and honest story about body image and family.
Rosemary Goode is smart and funny and loyal and the best eyebrow waxer in Spring Hill, Tennessee. But only one thing seems to matter to anyone, including Rosemary: her weight. And when your mom runs the most successful (and gossipy) beauty shop in town, it can be hard to keep a low profile. Rosemary resolves to lose the weight, but her journey turns out to be about everything but the scale. Her life-changing, waist-shrinking year is captured with brutal honesty and humor, topped with an extralarge helping of Southern charm. A truly uncommon novel about an increasingly common problem. -Goodreads.com

Well, before I begin, I picked this book up because I think it pertains to so many of us in the world. Not that we are indeed fat, but that if we are the slightest bit out of the norm, people discriminate against you and relentlessly badger your self-esteem into the dumps. I have problems with my own self-image, and this book was really enlightening to me. I loved it, even though some of it was cheesy, it was still a great read for me. (:

Rosemary Goode is everything her mother, Rose Warren, isn't. She is overweight, shy, and a push over. Rose Warren is thin, confident and successful. Rosemary has never like her Aunt Mary and mother for pushing her to lose weight. She just wishes that she could be accepted for who she is. Only her Grandma understands her and wants her to be happy. But when Rosemary experiances her first high school crush and a new high on the scale, she is determined to shed pounds. Going through endless dollars on a weight loss shake, and almost completely swearing off all food of substance. She begins to see improvements, and she drops almost 50 pounds in the end. Along the way, she makes friends with an outcast popular girl, who becomes her workout buddy, and stands up to her tormenters. And when Rosemary's mother encounters her own struggles, they both truly open up to each other.

This book was so sweet. (: I loved almost every minute of it.
This book is written in first person, told from Rosemary's POV, and in a sort of stream of consciousness style. At one point, I was utterly fed up with the constant mindless blabbering, but when you're insecure, that's kind of how we think. Towards the middle of the book, I stopped noticing it as much, because Rosie was losing weight and it seemed like a bunch of her mindless chatter ceased. I'll almost say I kind of missed it. haha (:

The relationships in this book really pleased me. The mother-daughter relationship going on with Rose and Rosie is so frusterating! It's almost like the roles are reversed; Rose never wants to tell Rosie anything, so instead, Rosie bottles up her own emotions and thoughts as well. As the novel wears on, they come to terms with both of their needs, even though Rosie was originally mad at her mother for scheduling her to a "therapist" and buying her a treadmill.
Rosie and Aunt Mary are two explosive personalities that clash often. Just think of two male deer going at it with their antlers all the time and you have these two.
Rosie and Kay-Kay. Oh, they're just the cliche sort of friends. Outcast friends former popular superstar. But I really enjoy Kay-Kay and I love her bubbliness, so I can overlook the cliche and be happy. (:
And then there's Kyle and Rosie. Rosie has had a crush on Kyle since she saw him in the school paper. She never thinks there's any chance she will ever land a spot in his life unless she loses weight. When Kyle finally does make his move, its Rosie's dream. He reveals to her, at the end of the book, when and why he started to love her, and, cheesy as it was, I wish my boyfriend(if I had one!) would say it to me. (:

My favorite character has got to be Kay-Kay or Mrs. Bertha. They're positive and enlightening and all around great.

A good book, maybe depressing at the beginning, but it really does improve! I loved it even more because of how much it rings true in society. I think it's a worthwhile read. Everyone should read some sort of book like this, as it really is a dose of reality in your fiction.

Rating: 8.5 of 10

Until next time,
Addy

REVIEW: Wings - Aprilynne Pike

Wings - Aprilynne Pike

Pages: 294

Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever. - goodreads.com

Dear Readers of this blog,

I am apologizing for my complete lack of updates and disappearance. I've started working this summer and I always feel like I have no time. This is not an excuse. But I will update on time from now on. I swear.

Whew. That's outta the way.

This book is featured over at Book Bloggers, run by Ace and Eliza, and this was their book of the month in May. (:

So Wings by Aprilynne Pike is a twist on faeries. Instead of pixies and the sprite-like creatures we're used to, faeries are portrayed as plants! If it's not obvious by the above description, Laurel grows a bud on her back and subsequently finds out her true identity. She battles against insecurities, love of two boys, trolls, and even herself.

I found this book to be pretty passable. I wasn't very pleased with the first 75 pages or so. I felt like the real point was being dragged out until it felt like a good page number to reveal anything good. When something finally did happen though, it was quite exciting. It was putting a spin on reality and magic.

I like the way Laurel's real life was balanced with her faerie life. She has all sorts of weird quirks, including her appetite. The girl barely ever eats! I'm not sure that sets the right example here. :P

Anyways, I LOVE both of the boys in this book. David is the boy Laurel makes fast friends with at school, and he's shy and awkward, but he is so so so sweet. And then there's Tamani. He's somewhat of a long lost friend to Laurel. She doesn't know him too well, but she feels like she does. Tamani is super protective of her and he would sacrifice anything for her well being.

I loved the whole romance part of this book because it was actually rather believable. I mean, how do you choose between an awesome school friend who is sweet and caring and a boy you've known forever and would do anything for you?

I personally rooted for David. :P

This book was good. I really did enjoy it. It started off slow, which irked me, but when action did happen, I gladly forgot about the beginning. I'm working on getting my hands on the next one, Spells.

RATING: 7.5 of 10

until next time(on time!),

Addy

Review: Flood - Stephen Baxter

Flood - Stephen Baxter
Pages: 488

Four hostages are rescued from a group of religious extremists in Barcelona. After five years of being held captive together, they make a vow to always watch out for one another. But they never expected this. The world they have returned to has been transformed by water and the water is rising. As it continues to flow from the earths mantle, entire countries disappear. High ground becomes a precious commodity. And finally, the dreadful truth is revealed: before fifty years have passed, there will be nowhere left to run... -monstersandcritics.com

This book completely fits the apocalyptic theme. It is literally about the end of the world. I saw it in the library one day and thought it sounded interesting, but it was far better than I expected.

The part mentioned above about the four characters being hostages for five years really makes it sound like the book will spend a lot of time with them in captivity, but it really doesn't. They're rescued at the end of chapter one, and their experiences together from the five years imprisoned together slowly come out as the book progresses. I liked how by chapter two one could already tell that something was wrong, and things got more interesting from there.

One of the things I found a bit hard to keep track of was the time jumps. I could read three or four chapters, and all of a sudden the book shifts to two or three years in the future. It was interesting seeing how the oceans gradually covered the planet, and there were transitions, but this book was different from what I'm used to. I did like that it took place over several years, though.

The characters in Flood were very interesting. They are all very distinct, and yet they almost blend together through various relationships. The development of the four hostages and their families is very well done. One really gets to know Lily, Piers, Gary, and Helen through the course of the book, save whomever dies (I won't spoil it for you...). I thought that Stephen Baxter was very blunt when he killed off a character. There was no pointless beating around the bush, he just came straight out and told you that someone was dead.

On a sort of closing note, the points where the flooding is up close and personal is very descriptive. I don't know about you guys, but I love being able to picture it exactly, the water rushing in and forcing it's way into peoples lives. The storms and tsunamis are very vivid, and I enjoyed that.

Overall, this book is about the world coming to an end, ecosystems and governments collapsing as the water rises. It is a very apocalyptic book, and those of you who don't like end-of-the-world scenarios might not enjoy. Stephen Baxter is a new author to me, but so far he's very promising...

Rating: 8.5/10


Until next time,

Harry

REVIEW: Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
Pages: 391

Every year in Panem, the dystopic nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the Capitol holds a televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the narrator, returns home to find herself more the center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as a character. Though initially bewildered by the attention paid to her, she comes almost to embrace her status as the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment. - Amazon. com

It didn't really take long for me to read this. I'm just now getting to the review. Finals week is really messing me up. ):

Anyways. This book is the 2nd in the Hunger Games Series. It delivered just as much of a punch as the first one. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have thwarted the system and both survived the horrid Hunger Games. In this book, Katniss matures as a character as she is forced to visit every district on the Victory Tour and face the families of the very people she killed. When she hears whisperings of a rebellion and a secret district, she is both astonished and empowered. She has become the very face of rebellion in Panem, and everyone is out to keep her alive and perserve her image for all of the people in the nation.

This book, honestly, I can say this is my absolute favorite book right now. It may almost be better than the Hunger Games! This book focuses more on Katniss and her relationships and importance to all the people of Panem. She learns what her act of rebellion has brought to herself, her family, her friends, Gale, Peeta, and so many others that live in District 12 and all the other Districts.

This book is, by design, slower paced than its predecessor. This is both a blessing and a curse. In the beginning, I was looking for all the action, turmoil and twists that the Games and being in the arena had brought. However, there is nothing even mentioned about the Arena until about half-way through this book. Instead, it is about Katniss's involvment in a rebellion, her reaction to this and her actions for her loved ones.

Originally, I was disappointed, but I was rewarded when the plot twisted. I was not expecting President Snow's announcement about the Quell Games, and I actually almost wanted to cry for Katniss and Peeta.

President Snow is someone to keep your eye on. He's sly and a tricky sort of fellow. I certainly can't ever tell what he's thinking.

Haymitch and Effie are also keeping in their respective roles, and I do come to admire Haymitch more. And Cinna. He's definitely one of my favorites. (:

Overall, I did quite enjoy this book. Maybe not as much as the first, because there was less rumble and tumble action, but it was a great sequel and really sped the entire fate of Panem, Katniss, and Peeta up. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

Rating: 9 of 10

until next time,

Addy

Review: The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins Pages: 374

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.-goodreads.com

Oh gosh...where to start. I read this book in 3 days. I started Monday, and finished yesterday. That's how good I thought it was. The Hunger Games is actually my summer reading book, but I couldn't put it down after the first few pages. I've got to give kudos to my school for choosing this one, it's very gripping.

The book starts out introducing Katniss and her family, giving us background into her life. She's the breadwinner for her mother and little sister, and they live in one of the poorest of the twelve 'districts' that divide the country of Panem. However, it doesn't last long. Before chapter one ends, there's a sever plot twist. Suddenly Katniss finds herself in a completely new place, surrounded by strange people and wealth she had never even dreamed of before. She meets 22 other tributes, two from each other district, and they prepare to kill each other. That's the point of the Hunger Games. The person who outlives everyone else becomes the champion, and they never need to work another day in their life.

Katniss and the other tribute from her district, a boy named Peeta, end up playing the 'starstruck lovers' role, something new to the Hunger Games, because the rules state that there can only be one champion. Both characters also have very different views on their 'romance', because one is more interested in survival, and the other in love. The only problem is that one of them has to die.

As mentioned above, the book took me three days. It's a quick read, but you won't be able to put it down. Peeta and Katniss definitely have something going on, but Katniss tries to hide it because she knows one of them will die, and that the entire thing is televised, and being watched by literally everyone. I loved how the two balanced their strengths and worked together in various parts of the book. They bounced off each other and worked well together.

The book itself is mainly action, most of the time spent in the Games themselves. There's a lot of killing, but it's not disgustingly graphic. It's just enough to get the point across. The wide variety of characters is nice too, from an annoying girl named Effie to a friendly fashion designer named Cinna, they all add something interesting to the book.

Something small to note, the book is written in first person, so it's narrated by Katniss. It's interesting, seeing things from her point of view, but I like it. It helps the reader to make connections to her and distinguish her friends from her enemies.

Overall, however, I loved the book, and can't wait to read the next one. Suzanne Collins is a new author to me, but I'm liking what I've read.

Rating: 9/10


Catch you later,
Harry

REVIEW: City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare

Pages: 453

Summary: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father.
To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

So, this book is the second in the Mortal Instruments series. Great book, this is. I was captured the instant I started.

There is a whole world that humans can't see. The Downworld. This consists of werewolves, vampires, faeries, warlocks and the like. And then there are Shadowhunters, children of Angels, who keep order among all. The Clave is the governing body and presides over and organizes the Shadowhunters. It is not without flaws and corruption. And Valentine is out to destroy it.


I really did like this book. I was so captivated. I was a little disappointed that Isabelle's role seemed to have gotten cut, but I really liked hearing about Max, Mayrse and Robert Lightwood. The Lightwoods are such a complex family. Mayrse is bipolar, it seems, but is a loving mother, and fierce and protective by nature. Max is cute, I love him. :)


The plot of this book coincides directly with the first book. I'm not saying this could not stand alone, but there is a lot of background referenced. Valentine's plan is to get the Truth Telling Sword, the Soul Sword, but when turned by Downworlder blood, can be used to control demons. To compound matter, the Inquisitor, the Clave's enforcer, suspects Jace of stealing it, especially when he, Isabelle, Alec, and Clary are found at the scene of the Silent City.

Valentine is so interesting as a character. He's self-righteous, proud and unyielding to the Clave, but he supposedly hates demons, yet has them do his bidding. He is also both loving and destructive and uncaring toward his children. It's downright baffling. You have no idea what he will really do up until he actually does it.

I would recommend this series to anyone who is really into fantasy, and the whole "other" world type. I love werewolves and vampires, if it isn't apparent already, and the added races to this book interest me a good deal.


Simon, Magnus and Alec are some of my favorite characters. I'm always feeling for them and trying to lend my heart to them. But I still have to say Jace is my absolute favorite. He takes after Valentine so much, and his love is just so forbidden. I feel bad for him, but then angry cuz he's such an ass. :P Clary and Jace's newfound abilities are coming into effect more than ever, especially now that Clary is fully immersed into Shadowhunter life and their world.

Good book. I loved it. :D



Rating: 9 of 10

Until next time,
Addy

Review: Cell - Stephen King

Cell - Stephen King

Pages: 449

In Cell King taps into readers fears of technological warfare and terrorism. Mobile phones deliver the apocalypse to millions of unsuspecting humans by wiping their brains of any humanity, leaving only aggressive and destructive impulses behind. Those without cell phones, like illustrator Clayton Riddell and his small band of "normies," must fight for survival, and their journey to find Clayton's estranged wife and young son rockets the book toward resolution. -goodreads.com

I read Cell about 9 months or so ago, but it stuck out in my mind so vividly I felt like reviewing it.

For starters, Stephen King is just generally creepy. He has written some of the scariest things I've ever read. I'm working up to read It, but from the rumors I hear, it's pretty messed up. Stephen King does a good job of getting a hold of the part of you that wants to put the book down out of fear or disgust, but at the same time can't put it down because then you won't know what happens next.

Cell starts out on a happy note, the main character just landed a job that will finally bring in some money. As the book puts it, "God was in his Heaven." Then, everything falls apart in a heartbeat. It starts out with a few messed up things, and soon the entire world blows up in a storm of insanity, and it's all because of cell phones. The phones send out a sort of a 'pulse' that seems to virtually liquify the brains of those exposed to it. Clayton Riddell doesn't have a cell phone, and that's what saves him from being infected. However, as things progress, and the zombie-like characters grow ever stranger, Clayton races to find his wife and son. He has no idea if they're even alive, or if they are, if they've become braindead zombies.

There's a nice wide range of characters in Cell. Clayton meets up with three or so companions, none of whom had cell phones. Together, they race to find Clayton's family, a strange meeting place, and the cause and effect of the Pulse. As the plot progresses, you learn more and more about each one of the characters, and the development is very nice.

Personally, this book freaks me out looking back. I didn't have a cell phone when I read it, but I do now. The reason Cell scares me is because it points out the major technology in society, and the consequences of it. If something bad happens, chances are you'll want to call your friends, parents, etc., to make sure they're alright or to find out news. What this book focuses on is what would happen if the cell phone itself was what caused the catastrophe. I for one know that I would instantly call someone, meaning if this book was reality, I would be a braindead zombie.

Overall however, I really liked the book, and could hardly put it down. A very good word for it is 'gripping.' I would highly recommend it, but if you have a cell phone it might give you a case of the shivers...

RATING: 8.5/10

Must love on-time reviews,

Harry.

Review: Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater
Pages : 390

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Say hellow to this awesome book. Shiver was a great read, I must say. If you noticed, I did this here book for Kiss and Tell. I gave a good initial rating, I think. Maybe a step higher would have been good.

But anyways. Onwards.

First of all, I love werewolves. In general, I perfer their mythical-ness to other fictional races/being/etc.

Sam Roth is a werewolf. He was bitten and every winter, he becomes a wolf and in the summer he is human. Grace Bisbane was once attack by the pack of wolves Sam belonged to. She never knew him as anything but "her wolf," with his yellow eyes, who had saved her from being eaten alive by the wolf pack. Every winter, Grace observes the pack and her wolf. Then one winter comes around and everything changes.

I love animals. This book almost made me feel like these wolves were an endangered species. This is somewhat accurate, however, I should sawa the humanity most of the wolves had is what is scarce.

This is a love story between Sam and Grace. It was very touching and endearing; the two felt as if they had known each other their whole lives, which, is somewhat true. My only qualm is that the romance just jump-started into action. But it is somewhat understandable when you realize what the plot becomes.

Sam is my favorite character of them all. He's so sweet, and he's always looking out for Grace. Even as a wolf, he is always aware of her. He is shy and cute, always wanting to please his other half. Grace comes in as my second. She's so self-sufficient. It's almost like she was the man in the realationship! haha! :P

The plot was...confusing. I was very unsure of what the real intention of the author was. I'm still not quite sure. The climax, or what I think it to be, was indeed exciting, and probably the high point of the book. However, I just feel...let down after that. As if the ending had no real meaning. It was a great build up, and then PLOP. Nothing.

The "meat" of the plot was interesting though. Grace has and unexpected friendship with the most popular girl at school, and her best friend Olivia, is an interesting case. I'll let you figure that one out. :P

Overall, I would recommend this. I'm a sucker for wolves and love stories. :P

RATING: 8.5 of 10

Until Next Time,

Addy

Review: Nick of Time - Ted Bell

Nick of Time - Ted Bell

Pages: 433

The setting is England, 1939, on the eve of war. Nick and his sister Kate live in a lighthouse on the smallest of the Channel Islands. Nick, Kate and their father are engaged in a desperate war of espionage with the German U-boat fleets that are circling the islands prior to invasion. The information they provide daily to Winston Churchill is vital as he tries to warn England of the imminent Nazi invasion. In a surprising twist, Nick discovers an old seachest sent to him by his ancestor, Captain Nicholas McIver of the Royal Navy. Nick returns to the year 1805 via a time machine and help save Captain McIver and, indeed, Admiral Nelson's entire fleet from the treachery of the French and the mutinous Captain Billy Blood. In the climactic sea battle with Captain Blood, Nick's love of the sea, and his feats of derring-do, indisputably prove his courage and heroism. His sister Kate, meanwhile, has enlisted the aid of two of England's most brilliant detectives, Lord Hawke, and Commander Hobbes, to thwart the Nazis. They prove themselves more than a match for England's underwater enemies, when they discover the existence of Germany's super-secret experimental submarine. -Goodreads.com

Goodness...I'm overdue for a review. My apologies to you loyal peoples out there. I know I've been busy, but being 3 days late is a baaaaad thing.

Anyways, on to the book.

Nick of Time was a birthday present about a year ago, and I absolutely loved it. Various critics have called it a great boy book, and I agree. It has sailing, war, conspiracy, mystery, and so on. It has a strange sense of fantasy with the time traveling, and keeps you guessing with a whole maze of twists and turns. Nick of Time has pirates, spies, time travel, military combat, the list goes on.

The characters in this book are very well developed, to say the least. One of my favorites was Hobbes. Hobbes is a very intelligent former Oxford instructor and fencing master, among other talents. He works with Lord Hawke, spying for the English troops. The Goodreads.com review mentions that this book takes place on the eve of World War II, and it really does. Reading the book, one can almost feel the tension that exists between Germany and England alone. However, for those of you who aren't big history buffs, Nick of Time isn't entirely history.

Nick, being only 12, has a great imagination, a caring side for his younger sister, a fun curiosity about everything around him, and is an expert about everything related to the sea around the island where he lives. He has a want for adventure, for change in his life. He just has no idea what he's getting into. The book is a good read, at 433 pages. I would really recommend it for teenage guys overall though. No offense to you girls, but I'm not sure you'd like it that much.


RATING: 9.5/10

(The next review will be on time...I promise!)

Until then,

Harry

Kiss and Tell (2)

This Is a new meme being featured Over at Fatasy4eva, where the whole idea is to gush about our latest books compare and discuss them.

The second Kiss and Tell. I'll let you know that I'm almost finished with Catching Fire, and I have the review on Shiver coming up, so get excited for that!

Onto the meme, haha.

City Of Ashes -Cassandra Clare

Pages: 453

Rating: 7 Kiss and Tells

Summary: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go -- especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil -- and also her father.
To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings -- and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.


What I think:
Oh where to start...
I think City of Ashes is gonna be a really great book, I really do. There was so much I loved about City of Bones and there is so much in the series I love. The normal main character, the hot boy, all the fantastic creatures, especially werewolves, and so much more.
I'm a huge fan of all things magical and fantasy, so this series has been a good one for me. I'm looking forward to this one a lot!

Random Thought:
Not to spoil, but I hated when I found out about Jace. Seriously crushed my dreams


Until Next Time,
Addy

Review: Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

Pages: 391

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her...until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment, but after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is far more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Ooooh, where to start. I have to say that I LOVED Hush, Hush. First off, I mean LOOK AT THE COVER. Isn't it smexy? I mean, c'mon! :P

First off, there was a sense of creepiness all over the book. After Nora meets Patch, weird stuff happens. She gets attacked, her counselor changes...all sorts of things.
This book reminds me of Twilight in a way, although Nora tries to prevent herself from falling for Patch, where as it never really seemed that way in Twilight.
But I digress.

Basically, someone is out to get Nora, and she needs to figure out why and when the next attempt with happen. Thrown in there is Patch, a transfer student into Nora's biology class, who keeps drawing Nora in with his eyes and sly smile. It was obvious to me that they would end up together, but then again, isn't that part of the point?
Nora is studious and obediant, while Patch is loose and daring. Complete opposites.

I really LOVED Patch. He was so mysterious and elusive. Just when you get a grasp of who he really is, you find out there's more to it than even that. I was shocked at his intentions for Nora! It was extremely unexpected. Their relationship, however, was pretty well played out. It was serious, but also not really there. There was denial and desire. Nora kept herself away because she knew the consequences of her actions. That is how a girl should act in a relationship, or a potential relationship. I really like that Fitzpatrick emphasized that.

Until Nora figured out more about Patch, it was just a daily life novel. But then it started to pick up. The plot was intriguing and fast paced. The indentities of key characters was shocking. I loved how it moved and the pace.
A good romance/thriller book. It makes me appreciate my security in life, although I'd love to have me some sexy Patch body. :P

RATING: 9 of 10

Until next time,

Addy

Review: Sleeping Murder - Agatha Christie

Gwenda Reed's new home, a charming Victorian villa, is giving the lovely new bride the strangest feeling of déjà vu-and an unnatural dread that's taking its toll. Perhaps her husband's aunt, Miss Marple, can calm the young woman's frayed nerves. But how can anyone solve a mystery such as this when the only clues are those in Gwenda's vivid imagination? As Aunt Jane digs a little deeper she's soon to discover just how truthful-and terrifying-the imagination can be. --my copy of the book ( A signet book, published by Penguin Putnam inc.)

Alrighty...where to start. I read Sleeping Murder about a month ago. Also, just as a warning, I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, so this is most likely the first of many reviews for her. I got into the entire genre of mystery through her, and I am just loving it.

Now the review above is only slightly revealing...and I'm not sure I like it. When I read it, the review made Gwenda sound like some frightened, helpless damsel in distress. In truth she's far from that. Gwenda is a smart, enthusiastic young woman who's eager to learn about her past and unravel the mystery 18 years in the making. Also, sometimes one must spoil a small portion of the plot to make the rest of the book seem even better. The review doesn't mention that there was a murder, which is the main focus of the book, not Gwenda's nerves. All in all, not the best of reviews, but this review is for the book, not the review printed on the book.

I liked the book because it was fun and it kept me guessing on who to suspect and what to make of the information provided. It's a short book, my copy only 217 pages, but just because a book is short doesn't mean it's bad. Miss Marple mysteries are always entertaining, because just like another Christie detective, Hercule Poirot, she has slightly unorthodox means of investigating. Miss Marple is the kind old lady stereotype, with a flair for solving mysteries. The cast of characters in the book is fairly small, but kind of nice. Both Miss Marple and Gwenda and Giles (her husband) are investigating the murder throughout the book, but both are aware they must be careful, because the people they're investigating are in fact suspects, and one of them did commit the murder.

Overall I would definitely recommend the book. It's a fairly quick read, it's enjoyable, and it's intriguing.

RATING: 8.5/10

Yours truly,

Harry

Kiss and Tell (1)

This Is a new meme being featured Over at Fatasy4eva, where the whole idea is to gush about our latest books compare and discuss them.

So this will be our first meme here at Paper Between Our Fingers! I've read the rules a good amount of times...I hope I get this right. XP
I've got two books here to tell about!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Rating: 7 Kiss and Tells

Total Pages: 390

Summary: For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

What I Think:
I've heard such good things about Shiver, and I've had it on hold on the Library forever, so I'm PSYCHED that I get to finally read it. My first reaction to it was instant glee, because it seemed like an absolutely perfect book for me. I love werewolves, or just wolves in general, and the romance element definitely drew me in. I'm somewhat worried it will be the reverse Twilight plot or something, but from the reviews I've read, that shouldn't be the case. :P
I would also have to say the cover really drew me in. The tree branches all around are very mysterious, and the single blood drop is chilling. I almost didn't notice that lil' wolf down there! I've never read anything by Ms. Stiefvater before, and I'm really looking forward to this!

My Thought:
Werewolves are hot. In my mind. Dontcha think? ;D

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Rating: 8 Kiss and Tells

Total Pages: 391

Summary: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

What I think:
Well to start with, I LOVED the Hunger Games. Really. Probably the best book I've read in a while. Katniss and Peeta are just so sweet together, and I was absolutely flabbergasted when she was kinda just playing with him. Darn you Katniss. Anyways.

I'm not sure what to think about this book, since the last one was full of combat and action and all, and I don't want this one to lack any of it. I'm also interested in how Gale will react to Katniss and how Peeta and Katniss will get along. I mean, she practically rejected him last time!

My Thought:

I felt so bad for Peeta at the end of the last book. I hope they work out. :D

So there you have it. I'll get to reading these!

Until Next Time,

Addy