Look Another Great Book!

"The Way We Fall" by Megan Crewe

2012-02-18T22:13:00.000-08:00

"It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in. And then you're dead." This is the blurb on the inside jacket and it was enough. I was hooked right away.

This book hits too close to home and not just because the author Megan Crewe is Canadian (Wahoo! Way to go!) but because in this day and culture this story could so easily be a nonfiction story.

"The Way We Fall" is the heart-wrenching story of sixteen-year-old Kaelyn's bravery and unbeatable spirit as she tries to survive in a world gone suddenly mad. I would have liked just a little more character development but having said that there is still lots of action and enough surprises to keep the reader reading late into the night.

My rating

"Looking For Alaska" by John Green

2012-02-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

I love John Green's writing. It is smart and real and though sometimes the dialogue seems a little old for it's intended teenage characters - I find I just don't care. I enjoy the writing that much. After having devoured his newest book "The Fault In Our Stars," I just had to read more - thus the reason behind picking up "Looking for Alaska." All I can say is ... another freaking wonderful book. It bounces between sweet and funny and always stays unpredictable - which I love.

My rating

"Starters" by Lissa Price

2012-01-29T12:49:00.000-08:00

WOW! I just finished "Starters" written by Lissa Price and all I can say is WOW! It is one of those rare sparkling gems that we search through mountains of so so books to find. We know right off that we have found that diamond in the rough because our heart rate speeds up as soon as we begin reading, our palms get sweaty and we can't flip the pages fast enough. When we're done we wish we weren't. We wish we could prolong that first time read-through. But, having closed the cover we instantly want to shout it from the mountain top: "This book is the real deal. It is such a unique concept and is simply wonderful from start to finish. WOW!"

Ok lets break it down.

First: Loved the cover. It not only catches your eye but it is relevant to the story. (love the different coloured eyes.)

Blurb on back of book: Hooked me like a fish. Read for yourself: "Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . ." Am I right? Makes you want to read the book.. right?

Beginning: Starts with a high octane tempo and never lets up. Nice easy flow world building without being too complicated, yet just enough information to understand the dire straits that the main characters find themselves in.

Characters: I have to admit that this is where I do think there could be some improvement. Not so much with Callie's character: she is a strong believable female lead fighting to look after her younger brother Tyler. We don't just read about her strengths, we also get to discover her vulnerabilities and flaws which keeps her real. But where character development was lacking for me was with the two main male leads. I would have liked to have known more about Michael's character. I believe that Price wanted to keep him a bit of a mystery but still I wanted to understand how Callie could feel comfortable leaving her younger brother with him and I didn't feel enough of a connection between Michael and Callie. The same can be said for Blake. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between them in order to believe her later choices. However, I do like the mystery and all around badassedness surrounding the Old Man. I have my guesses but I enjoy the fact that they are just that - guesses.

Storyline: Love it! Very unique. Great concept. Moves at high speed from start to finish and each chapter leaves the reader with a hook to keep us turning the pages. Perhaps there could have been a little more of a detailed build up. i.e. the fact that Callie is a great marksman with a rifle, seemed a little to convenient. Would have preferred to see how and why she became such a great marksman. Still not enough criticism here for me to worry about.

Ending: Just the perfect amount of closure and yet enough of a cliffhanger to make me want to buy the next book in the series and that's coming from someone who prefers stand-alone books.

Conclusion: It has to be said that this very unique, futuristic, dystopian tale can be compared to the likes of "The Hunger Games" and "The Maze Runner" series. And though it may not be at quite the same level of superb writing as Suzanne Collins - the potential is there. "Starters" will hook you and real you in and leave you wanting more.

5 MEGASTARS out of 5

My rating

The above review is for a digital ARC that I received from Netgalley for a book called "Starters" by Lissa Price.

2012-01-28T18:12:00.000-08:00

I have not read any of Lurlene McDaniel's other books so I had no idea what to expect with "Red Heart Tattoo." I was very pleasantly surprised at just how powerful and real her writing is. This book is hard-hitting and pulls no punches. It literally starts with a bang as a bomb goes off at 7:45a.m. at Edison High. "Nine people die instantly. Fifteen are critically injured. Twenty-two suffer less severe injuries. And one is blinded."

So begins this ripped from the headlines story of a school bombing. Though I have read other books on this horrifying topic, "Red Heart Tattoo" is the first to delve into what happens after. How do the main characters involved find meaning for their lives after having survived such a tragic event?

Lurlene McDaniel weaves magic into her characters. They are written so frighteningly real that they leap off the page. I also found it very intriguing that the story unfolds from many different points of view and though gut wrenching at times, I was unable to put it down.

McDaniel is obviously a master when it comes to writing about raw violence and the traumatic aftereffects and yet she somehow leaves you better off for having survived the telling of it.

My rating

"Under The Never Sky" by Veronica Rossi

2012-01-18T16:39:00.000-08:00

This unique paranormal/dystopian thriller is filled with action, romance and larger-than-life characters. Veronica Rossi paints a wonderfully devastating futuristic world where for the large part two very different societies survive independent of each other.

The 'Outsiders' are the more primitive society eking out a living by hunting for their scarce food supplies over the parched wasteland known as 'The Death Shop'.

Then there are the pod dwellers who survive in the protected, computerized dome of Reverie - literally a virtual reality world.

When Outsider Perry (Peregrine) meets pod dweller Aria their two worlds collide and an adventure begins to find Aria's missing mother and to find better lands for Perry's tribe.

"Under The Never Sky" is a huge story with many subplots (my only criticism - perhaps a little too many subplots at times.) It is filled with adventure and action. The characters are wonderfully flawed and real even though some possess rare paranormal powers which only end up making them that much more interesting.

There is an endearing romance that develops between the two main characters, but the best part is that it marinates slowly building into a passionate romance with magical possibilities.

My rating

"Somebody Everybody Listens To" by Suzanne Supplee

2012-01-18T12:10:00.000-08:00

I've come to love novels about music. Not musically talented myself I am probably living vicariously through these books but who cares for the span of the book at least I can feel what it's like to have a wonderful singing voice or be a violin Virtuosity etc.. "Somebody Everybody Listens To" is an inspiring never-give-up story with a very real look at how hard it can be to make it in the music business.

Retta Lee Jones can sing like a dream. All she wants to do is leave her small Tennessee hometown and head for the big lights of Nashville. She quickly learns that making it in Nashville will not be so easy. With the odds stacked against her and one setback after another will her ambition be enough?

I enjoyed Suzanne Supplee's easy-flow writing style and loved the interesting facts on different country stars that she began each chapter with. It was also fun to see how she incorporated a song title from each of those country stars to name each chapter.

It was nice to see a realistic portrayal of Retta's journey to achieving her dreams rather than the sugar-coated story lines so often written. I imagine that even with the setbacks that Retta faces that most singers would find it even harder to make it in Nashville. Still this is a quick delicious read with lots of fun facts for those country music lovers out there.

My rating

"Stealing Phoenix" by Joss Sterling

2012-01-18T11:24:00.000-08:00

"Stealing Phoenix" is the second book in the series and yet it is really more like a companion novel than a sequel.

There are seven Benedict brothers. The first book "Finding Sky" was about the youngest brother Zed. This book is about the second youngest brother Yves. Yves' story is narrated by seventeen-year-old Phoenix who belongs to a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. I love that Phee is a sassy con artist with attitude. When she is given an american student as her target, no one is more surprised than her to find out that he is so much more than just her mark. He is her destiny, her soulmate. Now she must save him.

Joss Stirling delivers again. There is non-stop action and Yves is a swoon-worthy hot, tough guy with an interesting intellectual nerdy side to him as well.

My only complaint is that Yves and Phoenix never really develop their relationship. They just have that instant ‘soulfinder’ bond. I would have liked to have seen them grow to really care for each other in a more gradual way once they realized the bond. Still I very much like the coupling of these two interesting characters.

My rating

"Variant" by Robison Wells

2012-01-18T10:37:00.000-08:00

"Variant" starts out a little slow but then picks up pace and flies along with enough action and plot twists to keep you wondering and wanting more.

Benson Fisher had racked up thirty-three foster families since entering the foster program at five years of age, so when he gets a scholarship to Maxfield Academy he thinks it's his ticket out of a dead-end life. He is wrong though and now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence and video cameras monitor his every move. Even more surprising - there are no adults. Benson quickly learns that breaking the rules could mean his death. The other students have split into groups in order to survive and Benson must decide which group to join. When Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that escape is his only real hope for survival.

Benson Fisher makes a good protagonist yet I found that some of the other characters were a little one-dimensional, especially the female characters which frankly fell so flat that it was hard to even remember their names. My only other complaint is with the ending - I found it quite confusing. Having said that, overall I still enjoyed this book and loved the midway twist that came as a big surprise.

My rating

"The Probability of Miracles" by Wendy Wunder

2012-01-18T09:33:00.000-08:00

Wendy Wunder's bold debut novel meshes the toughest of subject matters with the perfect amount of magical moments to create an unforgettable read.

We get the privilege of joining an extraordinary cast of characters as they journey to the small mysterious town of Promise, Maine where sunsets seem everlasting, dandelions are purple and flocks of pink flamingoes arrive with the snow. Promise seems the perfect place to look for a miracle for sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper who has spent the last seven years in and out of hospitals.

"The Probability Of Miracles" will have you both laughing and crying but mostly it will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

My rating

"Virtuosity" by Jessica Martinez

2012-01-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

You don't have to be a music lover to love "Virtuosity."

Seventeen-year-old Carmen was just weeks away from the biggest violin competition of her life when she meets Jeremy King. Jeremy is infuriating, arrogant and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen winning. Both child prodigies, they understand each other better than anyone else could, yet Carmen must not let Jeremy know her secret - she takes anti-anxiety drugs to help her perform.

"Virtuosity" sings with passion and romance and the competitive tension will keep you flying through the pages to see who will win. The intoxicating music will have you wishing you too could play the violin and make such beautiful sounds.

"Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall...."

My rating

"The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green

2012-01-18T00:03:00.000-08:00

Brilliantly written, this poignant story tackles life's harshest realities with unrelenting honesty and just enough humour to have us crying, laughing and crying some more.

Even though a new drug has bought seventeen-year-old Hazel a few extra years she has resigned herself to the fact that she is nearing the end stage with her terminal cancer. When she walks into her Cancer Kid Support Group and meets the gorgeous new guy Augustus Waters, Hazel's life is about to get a whole lot more exciting.

This is one of those monumental books that once devoured will leave you forever changed.

Favourite quote: "What a slut time is. She screws everybody."

My rating

2012-01-10T21:43:00.000-08:00

I keep panning for gold - day after day, reading book after book... looking for that golden nugget. When I picked up "Shatter Me" by Tahereh Mafi I have to admit I was intrigued by the blurb on the back which was different from anything I had read before with it's handwritten messages that were written and then scratched out with lines through them. So the blurb caught me even though I wasn't crazy about the cover (just not a fan of the white dress :o( and have to admit that after reading the book I am still puzzled about why this cover?) Ok so I begin reading and right away I am loving the unique writing style. I love a book that is different. And immediately I am caught like a fish on a hook. Shatter Me starts off with a bang and keeps on firing right to the last word. I could not put it down. A fascinating dystopian tale, "Shatter Me" is filled with heart pounding action and adventure and then spiced up with one kick-ass superhero heroine with a lethal touch and the final cherry on top is a mouth watering romance to beat all romances. In conclusion "Shatter Me" is simply golden and will top my All Time Favourites list right up there with "The Sky Is Everywhere" by Jandy Nelson and "The Hunger Games" by Susanne Collins. :o)

My rating

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

2012-01-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

Mike Mullin's writing in "Ashfall" pulls no punches. It is hard-hitting from beginning to end, yet riveting. It delivers action and thrashes along at a pulse pounding speed until it's final word. If you ever wondered what it would be like to survive an apocalypse then climb aboard this all to realistic, volcanic thrill ride and see for yourself how terrifying it can get in the aftermath of an all too possible super eruption. Though Mullin pulls no punches, he weaves tender magical and even at times humorous moments into the storyline at just the right tempo to create a truly gripping, heart wrenching disaster tale that you'll be unable to put down.

My rating

"Fracture" by Megan Miranda

2012-01-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

"A lot can happen in eleven minutes. Decker can run two miles easily in eleven minutes. I once wrote an English essay in ten. No lie. And God knows Carson Levine can talk a girl out of her clothes in half that time. Eleven minutes might as well be eternity underwater. It only takes three minutes without air for loss of consciousness. Permanent brain damage begins at four minutes. And then when the oxygen runs out full cardiac arrest occurs. Death is possible at five minutes. Probable at seven. Definite at ten. ... Decker pulled me out at eleven."

The above has got to be my favourite blurb on the back of a book ever. Of course I bought the book immediately!

So A+ for most interesting Blurb.

Then lets look at the cover... it is fabulous!

So A+ for such a captivating cover.

Ok now it gets a little tougher can the beginning catch my interest?

Holy Shitsicals.. can it ever!!!! Put your seatbelt on because the beginning will suck you in like a Hoover Vacuum.

Right then, so A+ for exciting intro.

Now even tougher .. can the plot live up to the hype that the blurb and the intro created?

...... Wait for it...... wait for it..... YES! YES IT CAN. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Another A+ for plot and twisty surprises that will keep the reader guessing.

And finally the toughest clincher of all.... The Ending. Can the ending deliver? Can it wrap everything up and leave the reader feeling totally fulfilled?

...................YES AGAIN. It can and it did! .......Great Ending...... Great Characters.....Great Writing....Great Book!

So straight A+'s across the board

Should you read it?

Of Course You Should! Yes! Most Definately! Hurry even - so I can say I told you so. :o)

My rating

"Amplified" by Tara Kelly

2011-12-19T20:57:00.000-08:00

If you like a book with all the right ingredients: a great cover, a fun, well-thought-out plot line, lots of quirky yet believable characters all mixed together with a hot sizzling romance and then sprinkled with lots and lots of fantastic music on top - then you will love this book.

Jasmine Kiss is unique. She loves music and all she wants to do is find a good band to play her electric guitar with. When her father gives her an ultimatum to either take her acceptance to Stanford or get out and live life on her own, she opts to follow her dreams. When Jasmine's car breaks down on her first day on her own, she quickly realizes that life might not be as easy as the posh existence she had with her cardiologist father. When she answers an ad for a popular group looking for a male guitar player she will not only have to prove herself but also overcome her overwhelming stage fright.

This was a fast-paced enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

My rating

"First Date" by Krista McGee

2011-12-17T18:25:00.000-08:00

Aimed at the younger YA, "First Date" by Krista McGee is unexpectedly delightful. It is so much fun that I devoured it in one sitting. Yes this book talks about God, but it does it in such an underhanded way that it is simply a pleasure to read it. This means you do not have to be a Christian to read this book. If you like a sweet romance mixed with wonderful characters that will grab hold of your heart, then you will love this quick read. The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy Davidson is not like your typical teenage girl but she is someone I would love to meet in real life. Unlike every girl her age Addy does not want to join a reality television show even if the winner gets to go to the prom with the President's son. She would rather live her quiet life in a small town and not draw to much attention to herself. But God has unexpected plans for Addy and as uncomfortable as the spot light makes her she might just be touching more people than she knows. This is a wonderful light read that is written in such a beautiful way.

My rating

"The Pledge" by Kimberly Derting

2011-12-13T09:48:00.000-08:00

"The Pledge" by Kimberly Derting

Ok I have to start by saying that I was totally attracted to this book because of the beautiful cover. Yes I know you cannot judge a book by it's cover but thankfully I enjoyed the book as much as I loved the cover. Dytopian reads have become my favourite genre and this was no exception. I love it when an author can build a whole new believable yet wildly imaginitive different world. The Pledge was just that - darkly original, an adventure to the last page.

Imagine a violent, repressed world where your social standing determines what language you will speak. Anyone of a lower rank cannot understand the language of someone ranked higher and so must bow their heads and lower their eyes out of respect. If you are caught not bowing your head it could mean your life. Now enter the main character seventeen-year-old Charlie (short for Charlaina) who strangely enough can understand every language of all classes. She and her family spend their lives trying to hide her secret.

When Charlie accompanies her best friend Brooklyn to a "drug-fueled underground club" she meets Max who speaks a language she has never heard before. Max takes an immediate interest in Charlie and she must figure out why and where his real loyalties lie. Charlie learns that their is a resistance building with plans to fight the deadly regime in power. All Charlie wants to do is keep her baby sister Angelina safe.

The plot is just different enough and intriguing enough to capture the reader from the first page. The main characters are strong and have exceptional depth. I have to say though that I think Charlie's good friend Aaron is one character that gets lost in the story. He definitely gets the raw end of the stick and in my opinion Charlie does not show enough emotion that particular situation. The opposite end of the spectrum - I loved Charlie's little sister Angelina's character.

All in all I highly recommend this dystopian thriller and give it 5 stars.

My rating

"Dancergirl" by Carol M. Tanzman

2011-12-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

"Dancergirl" by Carol M. Tanzman is a refreshing twist of dance slash thriller. The first-person narration adds to the suspense of this quick 'who dun nit'. Ali Ruffino is an accomplished dancer who dreams of attending Julliard one day. Ali's life is thrust into the limelight when she allows her school friend Charlie to film her dancing. When Charlie posts his film online it's rapid popularity earns Ali the nickname "Dancergirl." At first Ali enjoys her newfound fame but quickly she learns there is also a negative side to being so well known. When it looks like a stalker might be watching Ali's every move, the race is on to discover who it is before she gets hurt.

This intriguing and very realistic plot had so much potential unfortunately it fell a little short for me. I found Ali's character a little flat and uninteresting. The only character that I really enjoyed was her best friend Jacy's. I find this sometimes happens when a lot of different characters are introduced rather quickly in order to keep the reader guessing on who the bad guy is.

This was an entertaining read but because of the rather one dimensional characters, it just didn't draw me in as well as it could have.

My rating

"Legend" by Marie Lu

2011-12-11T16:05:00.000-08:00

"North America's two warring nations, the western Republic and the eastern Colonies, have reached a breaking point. In the midst of this broken continent and dark new world are two teenagers who will go down in history...."

"Legend" by Marie Lu is an apocolyptic thriller that races along at break-neck speed from the first page until the last. The back and forth narration between the two main characters unfolds this unique story in the most interesting way. Born to an elite family in Los Angeles' wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year-old prodigy June is not only the youngest but also ranked top in her military class. June is recruited by the Republic even before she graduates in order to help hunt down her brother's killer. Fifteen-year old Day, born into the slums of Los Angeles is a notorious criminal who tops the Republic's Most Wanted list. The Plague is spreading throughout the poor sectors and Day will risk everything in a race to find a cure for his family's survival.

Non-stop action, romance and suspense will have readers tearing through the pages of this riveting new thriller by Marie Lu.

My rating

"Dark Heart Forever" by Lee Monroe

2011-11-30T15:05:00.000-08:00

First I just want to say that I really like the cover of this book. Having said that the old adage "you can not judge a book by it's cover" is so true. This book is a good example. The plot had such potential unfortunately the characters fell flat. 16-yr-old Jane Jonas had troubling dreams starring green-eyed Luca. There simply was not enough enough of a plot and the character development for Jane or Luca was not enough. Jane was rather lifeless and even boring at times. Luca had potential but there was not much interaction between the two really, certainly not enough to believe that they could fall madly in love. Evan, the bad boy is actually the most interesting character. My mistake was not only in buying this book by it's cover but also in buying the second book as well. Oh well live and learn and lets hope the second book is much better.

My rating

"The Future of Us" by Jay Asher

2011-11-30T14:40:00.000-08:00

I read this book simply because Jay Asher's "Thirteen Reasons Why" is one of my favourite books. Like that book this one grabs the reader from the first page and keeps the reader captivated with it's quick pace, interesting characters and very unique plot line.

It's 1996 and Emma has just gotten her first computer. Her best friend Josh has given her an America Online CD-ROM. When they log on they discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future. The alternating narration from the two main characters, Josh and Emma spins an intriguing point of view to the unfolding story giving us a firsthand look at the wonderful character development throughout the story.

The best part of this book was seeing how the future changed because of something that Emma or Josh did in the present. I only wish that we could have seen even a little more of the consequences of their present day actions.

Overall, this was a lighthearted fun read. I definetely recommend this book.

My rating

"Finding Home" by Lauren Baker

2011-11-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

Wow! This book hits hard and yet is written so beautifully. This is one of those books that after finishing, will stay with you. Let me just start by saying that this book is for the more mature young adult as there is some explicit sexual content. Lauren Baker tackles some very tough subject matter - underage male prostitution and then as if this were not enough, throws in two lead characters that have an age difference that is still considered controversial in today's society. Having said this, Lauren Baker's writing is bang on. She writes realistic, three dimentional characters with so much depth that even their flaws are endearing. She weaves an arduous plot line into a wonderful and at times shocking story that will keep the reader fully invested until the last word.

My rating

"Betsy Wickwire's Dirty Secret" by Vicki Grant

2011-11-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

It is rare that a book makes me laugh out loud, but this book did just that. Even though this book covers some serious subject matters, it is written well and twists and turns with just enough quirky situations to keep the reader guessing and turning pages. The main characters too are quirky and interesting and banter back and forth with just the right amount of angst, wit and humour. "Betsy's life is going down the drain: dumped by her boyfriend, betrayed by her best friend, shamed by the world... " - we've heard similar plot lines before but this one is done very well. Betsy is your typical popular, beautiful girl who is loved by all, but Grant shows her true strength when Betsy is thrown into a whirlpool of hurt. Dolores Morris is the "mouthy, green-haired outsider" who befriends Betsy and helps pull her up from her downward spiral. Dolores is small in stature, yet a bigger-than-life character who Grant writes so realistically that it is truly refreshing. I love that Vicki Grant is Canadian - wahoo! She is a funny writer who knows the recipe to writing a good book: she writes a serious book blended with with just the right number of laugh-out-loud situations. I highly recommend this book.

My rating

"Crossed" by Allie Condie

2011-11-23T17:22:00.000-08:00

I found this to be a disappointing follow up to "Matched" (which I really liked.)

There just is not a lot that happens in this book. It is very slow. The main characters Cassia and Ky spend all of there time trying to find each other and then when they finally do find each other it is almost... ho hum. I found the chapters were too short and choppy this time around and though I enjoyed Ally Condie's writing style in Matched - this time I found it too vague and poetic leaving me often times confused and bored. The new characters that are introduced are flat and somewhat lacklustre to the point that we the reader can't get invested in them. Mostly I was just plain disappointed that Xander plays such a small role in this book, as I love his character. I wanted some answers. There were none. Apparently there is some enemy after them and we never see them or meet them, instead we just here bombing. Who is The Enemy? Who is The Rising? Cassia didn't even care about the Rising or the Resistance or whatever they are in the first book. All she wanted to do was find Ky, so she finally finds him and then she leaves him to find The Rising???? What? I literally had to shake my head at that point. Basically this book was a lot of walking around and reflecting on nothing. Yet having said all of this, the truth is I will probably read the third book in hopes that there are some interesting answers, some much needed action and maybe even find out if Xander is a good guy or a bad guy. Please Ally give us a good third book.

My rating

"The Scorpio Races" by Maggie Stiefvater

2011-10-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

I read books as if I were panning for gold, always hoping to find that rare golden nugget. Always wanting to uncover that one-of-a-kind gem that from it's first page reaches out and wraps around my heart, captures my breath and rips open my imagination - a book that can float me away on a magic carpet ride of words. "The Scorpio Races" is just such a book. Stiefvater's writing is captivating. The setting is dark and eerily enchanting. The plot mixes soul and heart pounding adventure in just the right combination to propel the reader through the pages. And the characters are so wonderfully unique and written with such profound depth that they practically leap off the page.

If you haven't figured it out yet.. I really loved this book. Enough so that I don't want to tell you any more details other than that I highly recommend that you read it. I will say though that it is downright frightening and even violently bloody at times and because of this it is definitely geared towards the older YA and up.

My rating

"Dark Inside" by Jeyn Roberts

2011-10-29T23:48:00.000-07:00

Lately I have enjoyed reading apocalyptic/dystopian type books. So when I saw "Dark Inside" by Jeyn Roberts at my local bookstore, I had to pick it up. I'm so glad I did. The first thing I noticed was the wonderful cover and then after reading the back cover and the inside flap I was hooked. I love that this book is written by a fellow Canadian because it is so good.

Right from the first page it grabs the reader and takes them on a dark, creepy journey into a bleak yet eerily possible future world where devastating earthquakes are only the beginning. "An ancient evil has been unleashed, and it's turning friends into murderous strangers." The story follows four different teens - Mason, Aries, Clementine and Michael as they all struggle to stay alive. And then interestingly enough there is a fifth mysterious character known only as 'Nothing' and unlike the other four main characters, this character's point of view is written in first person, which is very effective in stepping up the creep factor. The fact that 'Nothing' seems to know why things are happening and what is going to happen next only adds to the mystery.

Roberts is a wizard at weaving the secondary story lines into the fabric of the main plot. She paints a stark terrifying world filled with destruction and violence and she pulls no punches. With lots of action, adventure and even a hint of romance Roberts keeps the reader tearing through the pages at an alarming rate. When the end comes and the book is closed .. if you are like me, you will want more. You will need more.

My rating

"The Predicteds" by Christine Seifert

2011-10-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

When I read the book synopsis on the back cover of "The Predicteds" it sounded very interesting and I love to read a book that is unique. So let's break it down:
Cover: Love the cover!
Synopsis: Daphne's mom use to work for Utopia Laboratories where she designed a computer program called "PROFILE." Basically PROFILE can predict people's future behaviours. Daphne is surprised when her mom suddenly quits Utopia and moves them both to a small town where Daphne will attend Quiet High, which just happens to be the test sight for PROFILE.
Writing: Christine Seifert's writing style flows nicely and is textured with smart and funny dialogue that actually had me laughing out loud at times.
Characters: The main characters were very interesting and real but most of the secondary characters were a little too one dimensional and stereotypical.
Pace: I loved the first two chapters - they took off at a full out sprint and grabbed the reader right off. But then the book slows as it does a little too much explanation that was really unnecessary.

Overall impression: I liked the concept. I would have liked it even more if it had delved into the personality profiles of more of the students and the reactions to these predictions. Right on the back cover it asks: "Will the head cheerleader get pregnant? Is the student council president a secret drug addict?" Those questions never got asked or answered. I wish they had. Still overall I enjoyed this book and would read future books by Christine Seifert just for her clever and very witty writing.

My rating

"The Lifeguard" by Deborah Blumenthal

2011-10-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

"The Lifeguard" written by Deborah Blumenthal is so much more than just the eye-candy shown on it's beautiful cover. Blumenthal's unique textured writing style fades you in and out of each chapter slowly weaving a magically multi-layered story. It is so breathtakingly real at times that you will swear you hear the rhythm of the waves rolling in.

Sixteen-year-old Sirena Shane is shipped off to Rhode Island to spend the summer with her free-spirited aunt, while back in Texas her parents hash out the final details of their bitter separation. Sirena finds herself in a strange beach cottage where everything is not as it seems. So begins an unforgettable summer of overcoming sadness and finding strength in unexpected places.

Sirena learns that ghosts just might be real after all and volunteering, especially at a hospital is not as easy as it sounds. She also learns that an eighty-year-old artist can actually become a good friend and confidante. But nothing prepares her for the instant attraction she feels toward a certain beautiful green-eyed lifeguard named Pilot who not only saves her but at the same time makes her feel lost at sea. Oh yeah and to make things more interesting... he might just have some mystical powers.

The characters are rich and believable and have lots of depth. The setting is gorgeous and at times downright eery. The plot moves at a quick pace and will keep you turning the pages.

Having said that there is a reason that I did not give this book 5 stars. First, I wish that the secondary storyline which involves certain terrifying ghosts had been better resolved by the end of the book. Secondly, I felt the ending was a little too abrupt. I would have liked more of this wonderful romance that had finally begun between the two main characters. And lastly at times Sirena's attraction to Pilot bordered on crazy obsession and ended up sounding eerily similar to a certain crazy female character in the book that Pilot was bothered by. This was distracting for me and made me wonder why he didn't feel the same way about Sirena???

Still this is a beautifully written, atmospheric novel that I believe is well worth reading.

My rating

"Hate List" by Jennifer Brown

2011-10-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

This was a book that I've heard a lot of good things about and yet for some reason kept putting off reading. I'm not sure why... maybe the subject matter - school shooting.... thought it would be too depressing. Anyhoo... I finally picked it up and started reading it. My first thoughts - powerful! Great writing. Obviously a master at handling tough subject matter. I have to admit there were times I had to take a breather because it was just so intense. At the same time though, it was riveting. It was a whole new angle to look at something that effected so many people. Jennifer Brown wrote such depth into her characters they became life-like and lifted right off the page. And though I did not always like the main character Valerie, that was the beauty of it - I wasn't suppose to. I am very glad that I finally read this book and I highly recommend it to the older young adult reader and up.

My rating

"Saving June" by Hannah Harrington

2011-10-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a road trip? Bring along your loyal yet free spirited best friend, agree to allow a mysterious green-eyed boy who apparently knew your recently deceased older sister to drive and then kidnap said sister's ashes to accompany you on this soul-searching adventure. "Saving June" - debut novel by Hannah Harrington is just that - an emotional roller coaster ride that unfolds during a crazy spontaneous road trip to California all wrapped up in a wonderfully perfect soundtrack.

Sixteen-year-old Harper Scott is left to pick up the pieces after her older sister June commits suicide. This is not an easy task. Harper was the rebellious younger sister who lived in her older sister's shadow. June was the good sister. She was beautiful and got good marks and did everything right so when she commits suicide no one knows why including Harper.

Hannah Harrington is a master at capturing true grief and her writing style and characters are both real and raw and written with just the right amount of angst. Having said that I do think that some of the secondary story lines are unnecessary and only end up taking away from the main plot. For example Harper's best friend Laney ends up with an issue that seems to get solved way too easily and Jake's parental issues are monumental.

Speaking of which, mysterious green-eyed Jake definitely makes the story more interesting. He has just the right mix of bad boy and sensitivity and then add his educating love of music and he becomes totally enchanting. I'm still not sure though why he held back a certain important item from Harper and I'm not sure that it gets explained well enough in the book either. ???

Overall this is a wonderfully written debut novel by Hannah Harrington and if you like music or road trips or real life drama you will love this book.

My rating

"As I Wake" by Elizabeth Scott

2011-10-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

"As I Wake" had the potential to be such a great book. First the Cover - It is unforgettable, bold and does exactly what it should - it makes you want to read the book. Next, the Book Synopsis on the inner cover flap (what do they call this by the way?) - Sounds interesting. It definitely caught my attention and made me want to read the book. "Ava wakes up in a house she doesn't know, into a life she doesn't recognize. Recently released from the hospital, she is welcomed home by a devoted mother, loyal friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest... but everyone is a stranger. Ava can't remember any of them, and can't shake the strange feeling that she's not who they say she is." Sounds interesting right? I know.

Okay so let's keep going, The Beginning - Loved it! It had me hooked right from the start. It's exciting and mysterious and makes me want to keep reading. Let's talk about the Writing Style - It's kind of choppy and to the point with no fluff, yet kind of confusing at the same time. But I like it because it makes me relate to the frustration that Ava is feeling. It goes well with the plot line. Sadly though, it is right at about this point that everything starts to go south for me. I get to chapter three (yes that quickly and trust me they are short chapters) and already I'm starting to get confused and lost and find that I'm having to go back and reread parts to try to understand what's happening, but I keep reading hoping that things will make more sense as I read further. But they don't I just keep getting more and more confused, and the writing style that was clever in the beginning is now becoming annoying.

The characters too had the potential to be so interesting. Unfortunately there are too many versions of the secondary characters that we are left feeling disconnected and it's impossible to bond with the main characters because there is just so much confusion going on.

I finish the book because I hate to start a book and not finish it and I always hold out hope that things could change for the better. In this case I have to say that again the ending had potential there is a twist and I actually think it could have been a very good one. There was just too much going on. It's almost like this book is trying to be too many things - psychological thriller, romantic mystery, but then there is this whole paranormal, time travel, alter-universe type thing also trying to go on at the same time that is just too much. It just doesn't work. I give it three stars*** for the potential it had. :o(

My rating

"The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer" by Michelle Hodkin

2011-10-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is a psychological thrill ride that will keep you guessing from start to finish. Mix in a lot of dark, mind bending horror, intrigue and mystery, a little twisted paranormal flavouring, one wallop of a spicy yet irresistible romance and then blend it all together and wrap it in a beautiful cover and you have Michelle Hodkin's debut novel. Wow!

17-year-old Mara Dyer wakes up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. She also can't remember the accident that killed her friend, her best friend and her boyfriend and yet mysteriously left her unharmed.

Mara leaves the hospital diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome. Her family decides to pack up and move from Rhode Island to Miami in order to help Mara heal. Also her father is a lawyer and moving to Miami allows him to take on a high-profile criminal case. Once the family is moved into their new house Mara and her older brother Daniel are enrolled in an exclusive private school called Croyden Academy. It is here, at her new school, that Mara meets up with the very popular bad boy Noah. Mara just wants to make it through the day without seeing one of her dead friends. She definitely is not looking for a new boyfriend. But the harder she pushes Noah away, the harder he tries to get close to her.

The first person narrative is told from Mara's point of view and for once this works very well. Mara is having hallucinations because of her PTSD and finds it hard to know what is real and what is not. Having the story unfold from Mara's point of view also keeps the reader guessing as to what is real and what is not. Michelle Hodkin is a wizard with words keeping the reader puzzling pieces together right down to the last page. The plot twists and turns at a dizzying pace and constantly zigs right when you think it will zag. This book will have you reading late into the night and will keep you thinking long after you've closed the book.

My rating

"Parallel" by Claudia Lefeve

2011-10-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

First the cover: I read the ebook version that had the house on front and I'm not sure what that had to do with the story? Perhaps it was suppose to be the Dominion House for Girls, an institution for delinquent foster kids but if so it is not how I pictured it. The house on the cover looks more like a small farm house out in the middle of nowhere. Personally I'd like to see a more interesting cover to better suit this very interesting book.

"Parallel" by Claudia Lafeve joins a refreshing new trend of books written about an alternate/parallel universe. It is so nice to see something other than the bombardment of vampire/werewolf/witch/mermaid books that are hitting the market right now.

Etta Fleming is an orphan whose world is turned upside-down the day she meets Cooper Everett, the man who transports her to an alternate reality. "Plucked from the only world she's ever known, Etta now has to deal with an aunt she never knew, a boyfriend she doesn't know and a best friend who can't know." Etta is a believable main character but the secondary characters were a little one dimensional in my opinion. I would have liked to have known more about Cooper and some of the other secondary characters so that I could have been more invested in the story line.

Having said that "Parallel" is still very original and different. It is a sci-fi/mystery/alternate universe novel with a hint of romance. The world building is presented in a very believable way and the science behind the premise of an alternate universe is fairly easy to understand. There are lots of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. The surprise ending will definitely have you wanting to read the next book in the series.

My rating

"Mortal Obligation" by Nichole Chase

2011-10-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

First I have to say that I love the dark and mysterious, yet beautiful cover.

Okay so I downloaded this book off Amazon for only 99 cents and trust me you never know what you will get when you download one of these types of books. Let me just say that I was very pleasantly surprised. "Mortal Obligation" by Nichole Chase was something totally different - a fresh new paranormal idea which was pure fun to read.

The main character is popular, 17-year-old Ree McKenna, an artsy, strong independent girl who is still dealing with the death of her older brother Tristan. Ree has three main goals: finish high school, convince her crush Paden that she is more than his best-friend's little sister, and save money for college. When Ree finds out that she has been gifted by the gods with unusual powers she is shocked, but nothing prepares her for the news that she is to lead the battle to save the Earth from utter darkness.

Of course what is a good action-packed adventure story without a little romance? Paden is Ree's secret crush and he is her friend, protector and confidante. Enter Roland to complete the love triangle, who is a mysterious bad boy turned good. (Come on admit it.... who doesn't love a good love triangle?)

This storyline could so easily come off reading as totally ridiculous but Nichole Chase's writing style is so engaging that it grabs the reader quickly and instantly takes you on a fast-paced, mysterious, at times romantic, thrilling ride right up to it's twisty 'turny,' surprise ending.

So why did I give it 4 stars and not 5? I just found I was a bit frustrated with the final big fight scene. I don't want to give away anything but basically I just wanted to see Ree use her powers a little more. Also I found myself frustrated with Paden's character. I want to hit him over the head and say wake up already. Finally there is Roland - I love his character and I wanted him to play a bigger role. His disappearance at one part in the story seemed odd.

But overall I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it. "Mortal Obligation" is the first book in the Dark Betrayal trilogy and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

My rating

"Eve" by Anna Carey

2011-10-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

My favourite type of book is dystopian/post-apocalyptic. I love it when an author can build an imaginary world that is believable - then throw in some angst, lots of nail-biting adventure and top it off with a little heart-racing romance and I am hooked. "Eve" hooked me right from the first page.

The main character eighteen-year-old Eve finds herself in a very perilous place sixteen years after a deadly virus has wiped out most of Earth's population. Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her all-girls school. The night before her graduation she learns the shocking truth about her school's real purpose and the horrifying fate that awaits her. As she flees the only home she has ever known, she finds herself on a long treacherous journey where food and water is scarce and danger lies in wait around every corner. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, so when a rough, rebellious boy by the name of Caleb rescues her, she doesn't know how to react to him.

Anna Carey builds a dark and scary, uber-dangerous world where the need for women to repopulate the world is taken to new heights. The intensity will keep you turning the pages late into the night. Carey also writes wonderful believable characters with lots of depth. I especially loved to see how Eve's naive, innocent, yet driven character grows as she learns the truth about the world around her. Caleb too is a captivating character because you can see how he has had to become a hard, tough fighter to stay alive in such devastating circumstances and yet you see his softer side as he builds a relationship with Eve.

I found the unique story-line intriguing and found myself not wanting to put the book down. At times it is downright gruesome and extremely eery for example when Eve discovers what really happens at the school across the bridge. Yet just as suddenly it grabs your heart with a touching moment - like when Eve is helping to teach young Benny and Silas to read.

I can't wait to read "Once" the next book in this captivating trilogy.

My rating

"Fast Tracked" by Tracy Rozzlynn

2011-09-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

This book was a total surprise. I downloaded it off of Amazon for only 99 cents and so I was very happy that it captured my attention right from the first page. If you are a fan of dystopian novels like I am, then you will really like this book.

A quick note about the cover: I'm hoping this is just a working cover and not the final product because there is nothing attractive or attracting about this cover. I know that Lexi loves flowers and that they remind her of her family and Byron but I just think a more interesting cover would be better.

Seventeen year old Alexandria (Lexi) and her best friend/boyfriend Byron have just finished writing the assessment test - "a test that determines everything - their job, where they live, and even who they can marry." In a colour-coded social ranking system, both Lexi and Byron have grown up in Blue class, which sits at the bottom of the upper class. They both hoped to achieve a score that would keep them in that upper class. That way they could plan a life together. But Lexi's happiness at achieving a great score comes crashing down around her when she finds out Byron has been placed in the bottom ranking Orange working class. Lexi must find some way to use her new ranking of Gold to help Byron.

I was intrigued by the concept of mixing a dystopian futuristic storyline with the upper-class lives of the rich and famous fast-trackers. It's like a very scary glimpse at a futuristic Hollywood gone bad.

I really liked Lexi's determined attitude to help Byron. However, I found the relationship between Lexi and Byron was not enough. I wanted to care about Byron more instead I actually found that I liked Avery more and even though his character is questionable at times. Who doesn't love a bad boy turned good?

My only other complaint was that I found the book ended a little too abruptly. Though I have to say that I read the book nonstop late into the night and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy?

My rating

"Winter's Shadow" by M.J. Hearle

2011-09-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

Source: THANK YOU to the Traveling Book Tour: Winter's Shadow Edition at Paranormal Wastelands and Pan Macmillan AU. I too am glad you decided to do the travelling book tour up into Canada because otherwise I would not have been able to read this Australian book.

First off - LOVED the cover! Also loved the easy-flow writing style of M.J. Hearle. This also turned out to be my biggest surprise - the fact that a man wrote this book. I guess I was surprised because the cover is so beautiful and the story for the most part is promoted as a romance. Usually I find that a male writer can't believably capture a good romance and does better at writing action and adventure. So I was really hoping that M.J. Hearle would prove me wrong. He came close and though there were some wonderful moments, for the most part the romance between the two main characters - Blake and Winter was too short. Having said this, the kiss on the beach was breathtaking... quite literally. (LOL - you will understand when you read the book.) I just would have liked a little more of this in order to believe the outcome. I also found that I wanted to know more bout Antoine - Blake's half brother. It could have been very interesting if he entered the storyline at some point near the end of the book. Overall I very much enjoyed the creepy, dark and imaginative twists and turns that came about in the plot and I liked the flashbacks that helped spin the plot to it's high-tempo action-packed conclusion.

My rating

"Geek Girl" by Cindy C. Bennett

2011-09-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

How refreshing - a stand alone book that has no vampires, werewolves or sequels! I enjoyed Cindy Bennett's no-frills writing style. Her quirky yet believable main characters engage the reader and keep you turning the pages. Jen is a street-smart goth girl who makes a bet with her friends. "Think I can turn that boy bad?" Those simple words start Jen on a life changing journey. Her goal is to try to change geeky guy Trevor into a bad boy. At first I was hesitant to read this book because I thought it was going to end up being silly. I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of those rare gems - a book that is about so much more than just a high school romance. Cindy Bennett tackles some hard-hitting subject matter when revealing Jen's background. Yet, it is Jen's transition from freak girl to geek girl that is most fun to read about. I highly recommend this book!
My rating

"That Boy" by Jillian Dodd

2011-09-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

If you love a good romance - then you will love this contemporary novel by Jillian Dodd. Even though this book involves the ever-common love triangle, this book is anything but common. In many ways it is refreshingly different. I love the colourful little doodles that begin each new chapter. I love that often Jillian Dodd's writing style is very unique, lacking the typical paragraphs and often throwing in words or phrases in bold print. I love that she begins her story with the three principal characters being very young and then slowly works through their lives going from one important turn of events to the next. You feel like you grow with the characters and they are so well written that you become invested in them. Jayden is that beautiful, smart athletic type that we have all met at one time or another. The only difference is that she has a crazy streak that loves to come out often. Phillip is the tall, dark, handsome boy from across the street that has known Jayden since birth. Danny is the blonde, blue-eyed hot quarterback who moves in next door and who is even crazier than Jayden. Jillian Dodd intermingles each of their story lines always keeping it interesting.

The book synopsis says it best:
"One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy."

I loved that I went back and forth cheering for each of these guys to win Jayden's heart and finally I loved the ending. All in all there was a lot to love about this book. :o)

My rating

"The Eleventh Plague" by Jeff Hirsch

2011-09-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

The Eleventh Plague is a totally plausible dystopian/post-apocalyptic debut novel from Jeff Hirsch that according to Suzanne Collins, (author of the Hunger Games) "hits disturbingly close to home." A brutal war between North America and China leaves a devastated landscape. To make matters worse after the war finally ends two-thirds of the remaining population die from a vicious strain of Influenza known as the 'Eleventh Plague.' Jeff Hirsch builds a believable wasteland where the few remaining survivors have to fight to stay alive.

Fifteen year-old Stephen Quinn is one of those survivors. He has just buried his grandfather when he and his father come under attack by some brutal slave-traders. While fleeing Stephen's father has an accident which leaves him in a coma. For the first time in his life Stephen finds himself all alone having to make his own decisions. It is very refreshing to finally have a young, strong, male lead character. I also like that Jeff Hirsch made him real with flaws and insecurities.

Stephen finds his way to Settler's Landing, "a community that seems to good to be true." It is a small community of families that have tried to recapture what the world was like before the war. Kids go to school and still play baseball. Parents plant fields and help protect each other. There is even a town doctor who may be able to help Stephen's father.

I love that in all the hardship and devastation there was still hope - hope for a better world. It was wonderful to finally find a book where even though the world has been ransacked by war and sickness, kids could find a way to get together and play baseball.

Stephen meets up with defiant, mischievous Jenny in Settler's Landing. She refuses to accept things the way they are and longs to leave Settler's Landing. Here lies my only complaint with this book. I just could not relate to this young female lead. She was antagonistic and just a bit too independent. Maybe that is exactly what Hirsch was going for with this character. I'm not sure. I know that I don't have to like every character and usually I like it when I don't because it means the book is more realistic. It's just in this case when Jenny talks Stephen into playing a prank that ends up going horribly wrong, I found it too hard to believe that Stephen would let himself get talked into such a thing.

Oh well just my opinion and overall I really did like this book and especially the ending. :o)

My rating

"Glow" by Amy Kathleen Ryan

2011-09-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

Glow is a futuristic action-packed, violent thriller with a little romance sprinkled on top. "A violent battle separates two young lovers on a ship bound for New Earth. Will they find a way back to their vessel - and each other? And most important, will they survive and preserve the future of the human race?" This synopsis on the back of the book was enough to get me to get my wallet out and I'm sure glad I did. Once I started reading I could not put this book down. Amy Kathleen Ryan tackles some pretty mature subject matters throughout the story and because of that I recommend this book for the more mature YA reader. I like that her three main characters - Waverly, Kieran and Seth are not perfect. They have flaws and at times I found I didn't know who to cheer for. I enjoyed the twisty plot and unpredictable ending and even though I prefer stand-alone books to series, I find that I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

My rating

"The Sleepwalkers" by J. Gabriel Gates

2011-09-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

WARNING: You should sit with your back to the wall when you read this book as you never know what might be lurking in the dark behind you. Seriously this is one eery book.

Caleb Mason has just graduated from high school when he receives a "mysterious, disturbing" letter from his long-lost childhood playmate, Christine. Caleb talks his best friend Bean into accompanying him to visit his old hometown of Hudsonville, Florida to find Christine. What they find when they arrive there is even more mysterious and disturbing.

This book by J. Gabriel Gates is definitely more for the older YA reader. I liked that this book was not your typical YA book that is being mass produced right now by every writer (vampires, werewolves and every other paranormal creature possible.) This is a dark horror story aimed at getting your heart racing and your fingers speed turning the pages and as much as I believe that it does accomplish this - I also found I was disappointed at parts. I found the beginning read more like a script for a play than a story and though it was refreshing it also kept the reader at a distance. I found that the main characters with the exception of Bean lacked depth. I never felt that a real connection was ever made between Christine and Caleb. They did so many things that I found myself shaking my head and asking why??? Why don't they just leave? Why are they going there? Why are they doing that? Why? Why? Why? and by the end of the book I never found out why. Finally I really don't like when there are no parameters - ie. the bad guy in this book can do anything at anytime to anybody it seems so how then does anyone have a chance against him? Bottom line - I just don't usually like books that are so dark and eery and devil-related.

Because of all of the above I am giving this three stars. I still believe that those of you who like an action-packed thriller - you will probably like this book.

My rating

"A Little Wanting Song" by Cath Crowley

2011-09-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

After reading "Graffiti Moon" by Cath Crowley I had to read her other books so I've started with "A Little Wanting Song." I gave "Graffiti Moon" 5 Big Stars and if I could I would give even more to this book. It is that good.

Two girls, Charlie and Rose as opposite as day and night, alternate the narration from chapter to chapter. Charlie is a city girl who is still trying to deal with the death of her mother. Mostly she accomplishes this by hearing her dead mother's voice in her head. She and her father spend their summer holidays in the country. Charlie is a talented musician and singer but is too shy to play or sing in front of anyone but herself.

Rose has lived her entire life in the "drink and toilet stop capital of the world" a small Australian country town and all she wants more than anything else is to leave it and go to the big city. Rose is a girl that 'doesn't follow the rules.' She is outspoken and larger than life. She has grown up with two boys for best friends, Dave and Luke, who are both wonderfully in-depth characters that are worth reading the book for all on their own.

I love love love Cath Crowley's writing and her characters are so real it feels like they could walk right off the page. Actually there is so much about this book that I love... the witty banter between the characters, the music, Charlie's ghost mom and the wonderfully magic story behind it all. This book will top my "all time favourite books" list. I give it 5 MEGA STARS.

My rating

"Every Other Day" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2011-09-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

This book could so easily have come across silly, but Jennifer Lynn Barnes' writing skills and wild imagination moved this book in to a category all it's own - "kick ass."

What a different concept - Kali is a normal human high school teenager one day and then a take-no-prisoners super hero, demon-killer the next. Every 24 hours she changes. Sounds a little crazy right? But Jennifer Lynn Barnes has made it an action packed roller coaster of an adventure filled with surprising twists and turns that will keep you burning through the pages.

Ok so why didn't I give this book 5 stars? Here's why: though this book is filled with wonderful characters - Kali for sure and Skylar (my personal favourite) who is Kali's new friend who also might just be a little bit psychic and Bethany - the popular mean girl but with a spicy twist, all great characters! But then there is Elliott, Skylar's older brother who is described as Bethany's boyfriend (though we never see any evidence of this) - he could have been a great character but instead his character ends up being kind of pointless, only showing up to help move the plot along. Then there is also Zev, a very interesting character who shows up later in the story as just a voice in Kali's head. Through a strange series of events Kali ends up with Zev able to not just speak in her head but also take control of her body at extreme times. I was puzzled though when later in the book after another series of events, that Kali stopped hearing Zev in her head. I would have thought that if anything she would have been able to hear him even more clearly and I would have thought that she would have also gained the ability to control Zev's body. Hmmmm... maybe this will get explained in a future book.

Either way overall I highly recommend this book. It was a very enjoyable paranormal read filled with action, adventure and even a little romance (though I hope for more romance involving Zev and who know's maybe even Elliott in future books in the series.)

My rating

"There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones

2011-09-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

"There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones is a story with so many layers that as you peel each layer away you will find yourself falling more and more in love with this book. At first I thought I was reading a YA romance but as I kept reading this wonderfully, magical, engaging story unfolded which captured my heart and hugged my soul. I enjoyed Jones' easy flow writing style and found her real-to-life characters had remarkable depth and yet still came across very relatable..

18-year-old Finley Sinclair is still dealing with the death of her older brother Will when she decides to follow in his footsteps and journey to Ireland as an exchange student. Equipped with only Will's journal as her guide she desperately wants to hear God's voice again and capture some of the peace and wonder that her brother had found on his trip to Ireland.

She ends up being seated beside 19-year-old Irish heartthrob and mega-movie star Beckett Rush on the plane and rather than succumbing to his charm she makes it very evident that she is neither impressed nor interested. Beckett who of course is not use to being ignored finds that he is enticed by the challenge of trying to befriend Finley. Through a crazy set of coincidences and rather humorous events Beckett ends up being Finley's travel guide helping her to find and visit the places that her brother wrote about in his journal.

With a diverse group of characters this book comes to life painting a beautiful Ireland and weaving some very heavy secondary story lines throughout the already heavy-hitting main story line. I found Finley's struggle and quest to be able to hear God's voice not only cathartic for her but for me as well. I loved the music and the bible verses that were interspersed throughout the book as well.

This is a beautiful story about dealing with grief, finding love and forgiveness and ultimately knowing the peace and healing and hope that can come with knowing God. I give this book 5 Big Stars!

My rating

"Wanderlove" by Kirsten Hubbard

2011-08-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

Need a vacation? But don't have the time or the money to go right now? That's alright just pick up a copy of this book and curl up in a nice comfy chair and let the beautiful writing styling of Kirsten Hubbard take you on a mesmerizing journey into Central America. She will paint such vivid pictures for you with her words that you will feel like you are right there tagging along with 18-year-old Bria as she travels across a 'panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties.' Even though Hubbard's writing is all you will need, she also lends her own artistry to this book. Her beautifully detailed drawings will only serve to enhance your experience. This is Bria's first time travelling alone. Rowan is an experienced backpacker who takes Bria begrudgingly under his wing. She is a good girl trying to go bad. He is a bad boy trying to stay good. Both are trying to outrun their pasts. Take the journey with them and you too will be wanderfully in love with "Wanderlove."

My rating

"Graffiti Moon" BY Cath Crowley

2011-08-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

I know when I am reading a great book - when I get the warm fuzzies early on and then I find myself looking up the author to see if she has written any other books. (This is one of those books and because it is I have now purchased her other book - "A Little Wanting Song," which I notice also has great reviews.) Cath Crowley is a magician with words. She paints such beautiful pictures for the reader that it is like reading a movie. But best of all, her characters are so intriguing and real and have so much depth that they draw the reader in right from the first page and keep you turning the pages late into the night. Told from the alternating voices of lead characters Ed and Lucy, this lyrical coming of age story is filled with action and romance and at times had me laughing out loud. "Lucy is in love with Shadow, a mysterious graffiti artist. Ed thought he was in love with Lucy, until she broke his nose. Dylan loves Daisy, but throwing eggs at her probably wasn't the best way to show it. Jazz and Leo are slowly encircling each other." We get to join this strange but wonderful cast of characters as they embark on a twenty-four hour journey of self-discovery. This book has moved right to the top of my favourite books list. I give it 5 MEGA stars. *****

My rating

'The Iron Knight' by Julie Kagawa

2011-08-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

I'm one of the lucky ones that got to read this book early and all I can say is WOW! Julie Kagawa has done it again. She has magically woven a vivid, wildly imaginative adventure with lots of action and a wonderful cast of characters. She takes us on a crazy rollercoaster-like quest and gives us the best group of bad boys to lead us through. The wonderful banter between Puck and Ash and between Grimalkin and The Big Bad Wolf makes up for how little time we get to spend with Meghan on this journey. As I sped through the pages, I laughed often and once may even have felt a water-like substance dripping from my eyes. But it was the unexpected twists and turns that left me open-mouthed shocked at times wondering what just happened? This is the perfect way to end this series and if you haven't had the pleasure of reading the first three books yet, then you definitely should. You won't be disappointed. But for those who can't stand the thought of saying goodbye to this enchanting world you will be happy to hear that apparently a future book is planned for Meghan's younger brother Ethan. Wahoo!!!!

My rating

"Dark Parties" by Sara Grant

2011-08-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Dark Parties is a suspenseful dystopian story from debut author Sara Grant. The strong main character Neva is a sixteen-year-old girl who has lived in Homeland, inside a protective shield called a Protectosphere. She, her parents and the other inhabitants of Homeland are completely cut off from the rest of the world. She has grown up being told that life beyond the shield is an unliveable wasteland. However she and her best friend Sanna have discovered that the government has fed them nothing but lies so they start to keep a list with the names of 'The Missing.' The list consists of friends, family and acquaintances who have suddenly disappeared without a trace. My only comment would be that the title 'Dark Parties' didn't seem appropriate as the dark party was such a small part of the book. I have noticed that this book has also been released under a different title - "Neva" which I'm not sure is that much better?? Perhaps - 'The Missing' would have been more appropriate. Either way this book is filled with romance, politics and action and will keep you turning the pages.

My rating

"Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1)" by Moira Young

2011-08-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

The first thing you will notice about this book is the writing style of Moira Young. She writes the book from the point of view of the main female character Saba. The slangy dialect that she uses suits the story perfectly. You will be absorbed into the story from the first word and you won't want to put it down until the last. It's one of those great books that you will have to force yourself to slow down and enjoy. Remember you only get that magical "first" reading experience once.

The world that Moira Young creates is so rich and multi-dimensional that it will leap off the page right into your imagination in vivid colour. Her wonderful characters are multi-layered and real. I love that Saba is flawed, and not always a nice person. She loves and looks up to her twin brother Lugh, but hates her pesky little sister Emmi. The developing dynamics between the three siblings make the story that much more interesting.

As she journeys away from her home for the first time to rescue Lugh, Saba is kidnapped and forced to become a cage fighter. She meets good looking Jack, another cage fighter, and is instantly drawn to him. He is cocky and arrogant and keeps Saba off kilter with his sharp tongue. Their spicy relationship adds the perfect amount of romance.

This is an epic adventure story that will wrap around your heart and have you cheering for more.
5 MEGA STARS *****

My rating

"This World We Live In" by Susan Beth Pfeffer

2011-08-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Susan Beth Pfeffer writes another gut-wrenching companion the the two best-selling novels - "Life As We Knew It" and "The Dead and the Gone." It's been a year since the meteor collided with the moon and Miranda Evans still struggles to exist along with her mother and two brothers. The struggle intensifies when her remarried father shows up on her families' doorstep with his new wife, baby and three strangers in tow. This series is too realistic and leaves the reader with an eery sense that this story could so easily be a nonfiction account of a future event. It is the small little bursts of happiness and the enduring faith in this despair-filled story that will keep you turning the pages living the struggles right along with the well-written characters. The loose ending to this book makes me wonder ..... dare we hope for more?

My rating

'Outside' by Shalini Boland

2011-08-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

This book was such a wonderful surprise. I purchased this Kindle ebook edition off Amazon recently for only $2.99 and so was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a great read. From the first page I could not put it down. The book was tagged as a "post-apocalyptic romance thriller," but it is so much more than that. This truly believable future world is divided by Perimeters: high-security gated communities for the privileged, where life goes on as normal. The strong female lead Riley, is a seventeen year old girl who was lucky enough to be born on the right side of the fence. But when someone breaks through the Perimeter and murders her younger sister Skye, she talks her seventeen-year-old neighbour Luc into helping her go in search of the killer. I was intrigued with Shalini Boland's unique writing style as she weaved a mysterious secondary storyline throughout Riley's first person account of the main story. There were lots of twists and turns and nonstop action and this book will keep you guessing right up to the last page. Finally mixed in with all the mystery and action is a wonderful tender young romance. This book ranks right up there with my all time favourite books. I give 'Outside' five big stars.*****

My rating

Divergent by Veronica Roth

2011-08-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

Loved this book! Move over Hunger Games - Divergent has moved right up there next to you in my overall favourite books category. This dystopian thriller is so well-written that Veronica Roth literally paints this wonderfully tragic, futuristic world into the reader's mind so vividly that it is stunningly captivating from the first word until the last. Sixteen year old Tris is simply the best female heroine written since Katnis. Following her action-packed journey of self-discovery in a haunting new world that demands her conformity is so enjoyably delicious you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. Filled with "electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences and unexpected romance - this book is dystopian fiction at it's best.

My rating

Having A Hootenanny This Coming Weekend.

2011-08-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

Can't Wait!