Translate

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan


       I just finished reading this book about an hour ago, and it was AMAZING! It has an awesome storyline and all the characters were very well rounded. It was almost like listening to real people talk at times.
       Throughout the book I would fall in love with the different characters and the writing style. Sarah did an amazing job at creating her own.
       And then, of course, I loved the fact that the story was set in England. Which in case you didn't know, is my favorite country.
       In this book the main character, Kami Glass, can speak to a boy through her mind. But then the Lynburns move back into town. They own most of the place and live in a giant manor overlooking everyone.
       Kami wants to become a reporter and find out what's up with the mysterious Lynburns. So she tries to interview one of the teenage boys.
       That's when she realizes that this boy is the same one who has been in her head all her life.
       I recommend you go pick this book up right now, especially since the second book, Untold, just came out this past week.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Recommended for: 13+

Stacking the Shelves



       Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviewswhere we showcase all the books we got that week.
       This week I am happy to announce that I took a trip to Barnes & Nobles and came back with a medium-sized haul.
       The books I got were:

1. The Selection by Keira Cass


2. Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan





3. Paper Towns by John Green



Saturday, September 28, 2013

The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham



       My younger brother brought this book home one night and I decided it had a fairly good storyline.
       So I took it from him.
       I read the book that night and returned it to him before he even noticed it was gone.
       This middle-grade book was chock full of adventure and evil, murderous trees.... And dead boys.
       When twelve-year-old Teddy moves with his mother to a town in the middle of Nowhere, Washington, he is bombarded with strange hallucinations and a very irrational fear of the old sycamore tree next door.
       Now Teddy has to figure out whether or not he's insane and find the new friends he keeps making.... And losing.
       I think any middle-schooler looking for a quick and easy read will find The Dead Boys very enjoyable.

Rating: 3.5 stars
Recommended for: 10+


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday



Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm featuring House of Hades by Rick Riordan, which comes out twelve days from now.

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy's instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea's forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don't succeed, Gaea's armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.


Tuesday, September 24, 2013

This weeks to-read list... A day late.

This weeks to-read list... A day late.

1. The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham
Summary (from inside cover)

       There's a dark side to Teddy's new town...

       When Teddy Mathews moves to Richland, his main concern is making new friends. But something is not right about this quiet desert town: All the boys he meets seem to vanish before his eyes, while the imposing shadows of the giant tree outside his house appear to be hiding more than darkness.

       With the branches of the massive sycamore scratching at his window, Teddy's life becomes a waking nightmare that no one else believes. Can Teddy escape the tree's terrifying grasp and solve the mystery of the missing boys before he becomes the next boy to disappear?*


2. **


*The Dead Boys is the only book I have down for this week because it is the only one I know I will finish and not get distracted.

**Looking for Alaska has been removed from this list at this point in time because I am extremely mad at my friend for telling me what happens. :)

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Existence by Abbi Glines

Existence by Abbi Glines

       After much begging from one of my friends to read this book, I finally did. And now, I wish she had told me about it sooner!
       I immediately fell in love with the main character, Pagan Moore. The author did an amazing job at creating a well-rounded character.
       And then, of course, there's the mysterious soul who keeps following her and can talk, which has never happened before with any of the other souls she's seen throughout her life. I had a crush on him within the first fifty pages.
       But, so did Pagan.
       Pagan knows she shouldn't fall for him because he is, well, dead. So she finds solace in her boyfriend, Leif.
       But when she walks into school one day and sees that her soul is the famous Dank Walker, lead singer in the band Cold Soul, all heck breaks loose.
       I loved this book and the fact that it's written in the same way as Jennifer Armentrout, another author I love. As soon as I read the first book, I had to read the second, Predestined.
       And then the third, Ceaseless.
       I didn't want this series to end, and I cried when it did. (Come to think about it, I cried A LOT in this series.)
       No matter how many tears I shed, there was always two laughs to go with each.
       I recommend you pick up this book right away. Go. Shoo. Stop reading this!

Rating: 4.5
Recommended for: 14+ for language



Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Monday, September 16, 2013

This week's to-read list

This week's to-read list

Ha ha. Very funny. I know I didn't finish my list. Again. I'm beginning to think I shouldn't make a list, especially since I have a one track mind that thinks, 'gotta finish this book. Okay. Done. Next on the list is.... Oooohhh, shiny cover! First page, hmmm interesting. Lovable MC, hot love interest. I think I'm gonna like living between these pages. No, stop reading. Finish other book. Can't now. Too immersed.'
And that is what happens in my head, if there is any possible way to understand any of that.
Anyways, this week's list consists of:

1. Existence by Abbi Glines
Summary (from Goodreads)

What happens when you're stalked by Death? You fall in love with him, of course.

Pagan Moore doesn't cheat Death, but instead, falls in love with him.

Seventeen year old Pagan Moore has seen souls her entire life. Once she realized the strangers she often saw walking through walls were not visible to anyone else, she started ignoring them. If she didn't let them know she could see them, then they left her alone. Until she stepped out of her car the first day of school and saw an incredibly sexy guy lounging on a picnic table, watching her with an amused smirk on his face. Problem is, she knows he's dead.

Not only does he not go away when she ignores him, but he does something none of the others have ever done. He speaks. Pagan is fascinated by the soul. What she doesn't realize is that her appointed time to die is drawing near and the wickedly beautiful soul she is falling in love with is not a soul at all.

He is Death and he's about to break all the rules.

2. Looking For Alaska by John Green (it's back!)
Summary (from back cover)

Alaska Young. Gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, screwed up - and utterly fascinating. Miles Halter could not be more in love with her. But when tragedy strikes, Miles discovers the value and the pain of living and loving unconditionally.


And two is the winning number. Again. I would add more, as I have over 200 to-reads on Goodreads, but I can't plan ahead.

Sometimes I really think I have ADHD.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This book was really cute and I was sad to see it end. The main character August (Auggie) Pullman was adorable but also strong in the way he was able to deal with everything in his life when I knew I wouldn't be able too.
Auggie is an ordinary kid who just happens to have an extraordinary face to match his extraordinary personality.
He has two different mutated cells that were moving around in him before he was born, and when they met, they created a mutation on his face. His face is crazily deformed now, and he scares people sometimes because, well, his face is kind of scary.
If you're willing to look past his exterior, you would see his just like everyone else.
Ms. Palacio did an amazing job at creating a character that appeals to us because he is different and is proud of it, like everyone should be. She helps to teach us courage, love, kindness, and overall understanding for everyone and everything.
And, yes, I did read this book about a week ago, but I read another one right after and (surprise, surprise) I got caught up in that world.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Recommended for: ages 10+

Monday, September 9, 2013

This Week's To-Read List

This Week's To-Read List

Yeah, yeah. I know. I didn't finish all the books on last week's list, but I have a very good reason! First, I wanted to finish the rest of the Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, which was AMAZING, by the way.
Also, once I was done with that, I read The Iron King. Horrible idea.
As soon as I began reading it, I couldn't stop. I have been reading the rest of the series nonstop.
Anyways, this week's list consists of two books from other genres besides my usual Sci-Fi, Fantasy Fiction.

I have:

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Summary (From Inside Cover)

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearance?


2. Looking For Alaska by John Green
Summary (From Back Cover)

Alaska Young. Gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, screwed up - and utterly fascinating. Miles Halter could not be more in love with her. But when tragedy strikes, Miles discovers the value and the pain of living and loving unconditionally.


Only two for now, because I can't plan far enough ahead for what I'm going to do next.



Sent from my iPad

Thursday, September 5, 2013

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Summary (From Goodreads)

       Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

       Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

       When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

       But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.


       This book turned out much better than I thought it would be. I had originally gotten the book just so I could have a quick read before I had a chance to get anything else, but I ended up not wanting to put it down.
       Julie Kagawa did a very good job at putting a modern twist on the classic faery stories and leaves you gasping for more the entire time. At least, that's what happened to me.
       I really recommend adding this book to your to-read list, along with every other book Ms. Kagawa has written, because I can tell you for sure that the others are on mine.

Recommended for: Ages 13+
Rating: 4 stars
Check it out on Goodreads!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10602243/?claim=pus9jaurtrh">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Monday, September 2, 2013

This week's to-read list:

This week's to-read list:
1. Days of blood and Starlight (Sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor)
Summary (from Goodreads)

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil held a wishbone between them.

And its snap split the world in two.

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living – one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers' arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon's secret temple and dreamed of a world that was a like a jewel-box without a jewel – a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with their happiness.

This was not that world.


2. The Iron King (from the Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa)
Summary (From Goodreads)

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.


3. The Maze Runner (from The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner)
Summary (From Goodreads)

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they've closed tight. And every thirty days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Summary (From Goodreads)

'Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.'

Don't knock it before you try it just because aliens are mentioned. Aliens can be awesome. Or in this case, hot.
I was skeptical at first when I began to read it. To tell you the truth, I never would have started this book if my friend hasn't been gushing about it. Even then, it wasn't high on my to-read list until that same friend stuck it in my hands.
Since I began the series on Friday, I have finished the first three books and I'm three-fourths of the way done with the fourth.
The main character, Katy, has a blog, which is actually where I got the inspiration to start this one. (Although, I had been planning on starting this for a couple of months now. Obsidian just gave me the final prod.)
Jennifer Armentrout is an amazing author who does not get the amount of credit she deserves. Ms. Armentrout has created her own little world where aliens and humans interact somewhat freely, and can even be friends.
I can't wait to find out how this series ends, and I bet pretty soon you won't be able to, either!

Recommended for: ages 14+
Rating: 4.5 starsCheck it out on Goodreads!