Review-A Monster Calls

I picked this book up because I needed to read a critically acclaimed book for my English class and the notes we had to turn in are due in less then a week. Thus this book was one of my choices, and it sounded really good and I had heard nothing but good things about it. First, yes, the protag is a little young, he's a thirteen year old boy, but I still think it's more of a teen book then a middle grade novel. Yes, there are pictures, but I think that the pictures are darker then the ones you would find in a middle grade book, and the premise is darker as well. There were so many things in this book that I loved, and I think the pictures only added to it. The messages in this book, and some of the great quotes that are in it as well, really make you think about life, and about who you are. I haven't read anything else by Patrick Ness, and I haven't read any of Siobhan's four books, but I'll have to check out books from both authors because this book was very good. It was beautiful in a way that most teen novels aren't (that most novels aren't) and has that whole John Green feel to things. I think it has a deeper meaning then just what appears on the surface, and it's pretty cool the way that Patrick structured the story, almost like a story inside a story, or at least some of the book was a story within a story. It was a quick read, the writing style different then just about anything out there at this point in time, and it's nice to see a change in the genre, especially when the book holds some significance to the world around you, and teaches you a lessen, even if you aren't a thirteen year old boy. That and the whole story is really beautiful. I suggest you pick this book up one way or another and skim through it to see if it's something you would be interested in. If you don't want to buy it go to your local library and request it there.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-Starters

I won an ARC of this book in the Apocalypsies monthly chat (every 12th on Twitter!) and was really excited to read it, because Lissa is coming to my city on the 17th to do a signing/brunch with Marissa Meyer (who's book I loved).  This is one of those books that looks like it's a middle-grade novel because of the cover, but it's really not.  I was very pleased with the whole book, because even though the idea could be majorly creepy, and there was one or two parts that made me scratch my head but I was still really interested.  The whole plot is really a great idea, because I could see it happening today if we had the technology.  Callie was also such a great hero because she was strong, resourceful, and unlike a lot of today's heroes put her younger brother over herself every time.  The plot reminded me less of a dystopian novel and more of a sci-fi one, and now that I think about it it would make a sweet movie.  In my opinion there's really nothing else like it out there on the market at this time, and although some parts of it might make you a little uneasy, because, I mean, what is happening in the book is by no means right but is a lot like some of the things that are happening in our world right now.  Part murder mystery, part sci-fi thriller, and party dystopian I would recommend you at least take a look at the book when it comes out if you liked Across the Universe or Wither.  It's like a mix of the two, and there's even kissing. The ending was really great too, and if you have the chance download the short e-prequel.  I'm looking forward to the sequel that comes out THIS YEAR (how cool is that?) and I applaud Lissa for her great idea.  She is definitely a new author to watch because with some luck she's gonna be one of the next big things.

Out March 13, 2012

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-Slide

Say what you will about weird covers but I like this one, and when I learned it had killing in it I was all for reading it! (Yes I am well aware that makes me sound like a crazy person, but I'll do a post on that later.)  If you know me at all you will know how much I love books by Kimberly Derting and how I just gush over her Body Finder books, so when I read the back of this one and it reminded me a lot of Violet I was like "uh, heck yes.".  I really enjoyed this book because it had pretty much everything I like in it, kissing, mystery, and of course a dead body or two.  The idea was fully new to me and I was very pleased with how Jill wrote it.  When the character "slid" she had to figure out who's body she was in.  After that it was all about secrets, because what would happen if you tried to tell someone you were inside of their body and saw what they did?  You would be branded as a crazy person, and to make sure that didn't happen Vee had to hide it all.  I read this book really quick, it was short, less then 300 pages, but it was still good.  There was a lot of action in the last few chapters, some good kisses, a nice mystery story that I kind of figured out right before the main character (yes, it's hard to throw me off the trail!), and with some dead bodies there was also some insight into what we do and how it effects others.  I'm a lot like Vee (well, except for the fact that I can't slide into people's bodies at random times) in that I'm not in the popular crowd, and I really liked that Jill had her main character that way.  I was also very pleased with some of the other flaws her characters had, because, let's face it, a perfect character is kind of a game-ender.  I also have information from the author (and goodreads) that there is going to be a sequel titles Impostor (for the time being) and I can't wait to see what happens next.  Hopefully there will be more kissing and dead people, because we all know how much I love those things!

Out March 27, 2012

5/5 dust spirits

Review-The Hunger Games

With the movie coming out next month I decided that I would read the book, because I knew my friends would be taking me to the movie anyways.  There have been a few movies that I've seen without reading the books, a few movies I watched not knowing that they were books in the first place, and some movies I watched after reading the books.  This one will fall into the latter and I'm glad.  I had tried to read this book once before but I only got about 100 pages in before I gave up because of the large amount of homework I was getting.  The funny thing is I bought this book when it first came out, I was intrigued by the premise but never ended up getting to it.  Now I'm glad I decided to give it another chance, because even though I knew pretty much everything that happened (yeah, my friends are bad with spoilers) it was still a good read.  After the first third of the book the action really started picking up and I was able to enjoy it much more.  I'm sure that makes me sound like a terrible person, but when the book is pitched as teens killing each other I expected some killing a little sooner then it happened.  When it finally started I was pleasantly surprised by the way that Collins crafted her world.  It's not hard to see how this book became a New York Times bestseller and is still a highly bought book/series.  It was packed with adventure, blood, and even some kissing.  Actually more kissing then I thought there would be, but that's okay, you all know how much I love kissing.  There is no doubt I'll be reading the second and third novel, although I can't promise they will be read any time soon.  If you haven't read this book I'm going to end up sounding like pretty much everyone else on the planet, but at least give it a shot.  When you finally get to the real games it should pick up, and if you don't like it at least you gave it a shot.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-This is Not a Test

I've never read any of Courtney's other books but when I heard this book was about zombies I just had to read it.  I FINALLY got granted a review copy on net-galley and I sped through it.  If you don't know this already I have a crazy thing about zombies. I love zombie books, and even though Courtney regularly writes hard-hitting realistic teen fiction I had to give it a shot.  In the end I was presently surprised.  This is Not a Test was refreshing and new, and I think on some deeper level it's not about zombies, it's about the evils of the world and how even though we might not see them all the time they are there.  Maybe I'm reading way to much into it, maybe it was all about zombies but the main character just wanted to escape from it all, or maybe the zombies were just the perfect way to go out.  This book is about love and loss, about life and death, and about the things that give us hope, that show us how to life and what it means in the darkest of times.  Yes, my favorite part was the zombies, but in reality there were a very small part of the book.  It was facinating the whay Courtney spun the story around a girl who didn't want to live in a world where dying was as easy as falling asleep.  There were great scenes in this book and some great quotes that really hit me hard, and no, not because I want to kill myself, but because sometimes it does come across my mind as to what exactly life is about.  The characters were so real and living (until they weren't) and I think the best part is that people do die in this book.  No, I don't enjoy people dying, but in a book like this, were life is not something that everyone has and the dead are no longer dead there are people that have to die.  Getting away with all the chracters in tact would be wrong, and Courtney has done nothing but right in this novel.  If you like zombies and I assume if you like Courtney Summers you will like this novel.  When it comes out I suggest you pick it up for keeps, or at least to borrow and read.

Released June 19, 2012

5/5 dust spirits

Review-Hallowed

I read Unearthly last year when it came out (was it last year...I read it right after it came out) and I loved it.  I pined for Hallowed from my Harper contact and he came through, but I didn't get a chance to read it until a short time before it came out.  Bad me!  I have now decided that the whole point of the second book in a trilogy is reserved for sad things, because, what's a series without some sad things that make you cry?  Obviously nothing.  Hallowed didn't make me cry (although it was close!) but it was still one of those books that is hard to read.  So many things happen in this book it's hard not to feel a little overwhelmed emotionally, but somehow Hand still makes it graceful.  Of course, this book is about Angel-Bloods, so it has to be graceful, right?  Right.  There was kissing, there was flying (yes, literally, we're talking about Angels here people) and there was quite a lot of info thrown at you (or Clara I guess) and it will leave your mind reeling.  I've always counted myself as one of those people that expertly figures out plot twists before they jump out and sucker punch you, and although I didn't see ALL of them this time I did get a fair number of them before I was rendered out of breath.  Yes this book still blew me away, and it still leaves me speechless when I think about how in the world Mrs. Hand managed to sneak all of these things by me in the first book.  I was a little disappointed with the way the love story went and if you are Team Tucker like me it might break your heart just a little to read the end of this book, but you have to, cause I'm sure it's very important for when the third one comes along.  It seems like I will also end up pining for the last book in the series (please tell me there will be ARCs) because I need to know how this story ends up finishing.  Bravo Hand on your lovely words and even lovelier story that you have managed to weave, and I look forward to the last book.  If you enjoyed Unearthly you should definitely pick up Hallowed to continue on with the lovely adventure, and maybe even get your heart broken a little bit.  Although I do expect it to be put back together by the end of book three. Got that Cynthia, it WILL be put back together! Okay? Okay.

4.5/5 dust spirits

In Which I Talk About Books For The Holiday

You guys seemed to like the posts I did where I listed books and such, and I thought that since it was almost time for people to be buying holiday presents (you know you're already thinking about it) why not make a list of books that you might want to give to people!? And if you don't celebrate holidays then you can just pick them up as a thank you gift, or keep them for yourself. Maybe you'll find something you want on the list too. 

For the die-hard Vampire lover in your family;
*Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
*Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
*Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer
*Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast
*Glass House by Rachel Cain

Werewolf addicts;
*Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
*Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
*The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
*Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
*13 To Life by Shannon Delany

Crazy Witches;
*Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
*Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
*Possessions by Nancy Holder
*The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
*Always A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

For the Angel (fallen or otherwise) lovers;
*Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
*Fallen by Lauren Kate
*Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
*A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford
*Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

The Contemporary lovers;
*Anna and the French Kiss/Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
*Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
*Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
*Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
*The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Good Boy books;
*Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
*Thirteen Days To Midnight by Patrick Craman
*Zombies Vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier
*The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
*The Pull Of Gravity by Gae Polisner

Creep-Out reads;
*The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
*The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
*Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender
*The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
*Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Dystopian nuts;
*Delirium by Lauren Oliver
*Matched by Ally Condie
*Across the Universe by Beth Revis
*Wither by Lauren DeStefano
*Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Action and Adventure;
*Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
*The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
*The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
*Possess by Elana Johnson
*Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Others to check out;
*Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
*Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist/Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
*A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
*Hourglass by Myra McEntire
*Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
*Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
*Forgotten by Cat Patrick
*The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
*Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
*Die For Me by Amy Plum

Review-Beautiful Chaos

It took me almost three weeks to read this book, which is pathetic, but I have good reasons.  I was busy watching TV and doing homework.  Okay, those are terrible reasons, but those are the reasons, not because the book was bad.  No, the book was good. I was pleased with where it went, even though I saw exactly where it was going from about half way through.  There were some things I didn't see coming, but the overall big ending was no shock to me.  I did end up crying even though I knew what was coming, which makes me say "bravo Kami and Margie, you truly are masters of your trade".  The ending did leave a huge cliffhanger though, so I can't wait to read the last book in the series.  Even through all of the awful things that happen during the book the tone is light overall, and all the characters we love (and the ones we love to hate) are back.  We dive deeper into the reason for Sarafine's madness, find some new powers we didn't know existed, and find more of those lovely songs I just can't get enough of.  I admit I was a little confused to begin with because it had been so long ago that I read the second book, but slowly it all began to come back to me, and what didn't come back to me was woven into the story just right so it wasn't repetitive and helped refresh my memory in just the right places.  Beautifully written with just the right pulls at the heart there were some parts that just hit me in all the best spots.  If you read and enjoyed the first two books I recommend you pick up this one, but don't read the end in a public place.  Also, be prepared for a cliff hanger, because that's what you're gonna get.  And no, don't read the end first, I know there are those of you who do it, but don't, cause it will ruin everything.  I'm watching you!

5/5 dust spirits

Review-Crossed

I was very excited when a friend of mine sent me an ARC of this book because I just loved the first one.  It was supposed to be the new Hunger Games, and although I've never finished those books I don't think it's anything like them.  I liked Crossed more then Matched but then I also liked Matched more then Crossed. Does that make sense? No, probably not, but I think that when you read it you will understand.  I loved the fact that we got to see half of the book from Ky's point of view.  I know there are some people who hate alternating points of view, but I think that Ky's point of view is such a huge part of this book it wouldn't have worked if it was all from Cassia's point of view.  We learn lots of new secrets, some bigger than others.  Thankfully the ending isn't a HUGE cliffhanger, I mean, yeah, there is some suspense as to what's going to happen next, but it's not one that will leave you tossing and turning in bed trying to figure out what's going to happen.  There was adventure, kissing, and some suspense and Ally wrapped it all up perfectly.  There were just a few things that bugged me, namely the fact that it took over 100 pages for Cassia and Ky to finally find each other.  Yeah, I know, that was a little spoilery, but I mean, really, how many of you seriously thought they wouldn't find each other again?  All of the secrets we learn the answers to in this book are definitely leading up to something bigger that better be explained in the last book.  Again Condie writes a beautiful novel that I think everyone who enjoys a good dystopia should read, and if you read and liked the first one this one won't disappoint.  I also have to comment on the covers, the first one was Green, this one is blue.  I love both covers and Ally has said that they are rather symbolic of the story, and I definitely get that.  I have a sneaking suspicion that the last one will be red, because of the tablet colors. Green to calm down (and calming down helps you figure everything out, which is what Cassia did in the first book), blue to survive (what Ky and Cassia both had to do in the second one), and red to forget (or maybe to prove how different Cassia really is).  But then again I would like it if it were purple.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-Silence

This took me such a long time to read, but not because it was bad, because I had so much to do school wise.  It was such a great book and even though this was supposed to be the last book in the series I'm really glad to hear that it's not the end of the story for Patch and Nora.  I will admit that the beginning was a little irritating because Patch was not in it, and since the book came out almost a year after the last one I was a little lost because I read the second one immediately after it came out (duh) I seemed to have forgotten a few things over that time.  Once things started up though I was highly pleased with where the story went and even happier to see that while the mood was still dark Becca retained Patch's sense of humor, and Vee was there the whole time as well.  There were twists and turns I definitely didn't expect, but that made it all the better, and just as in the last two books it picks up and becomes much more urgent in the last third, which I had no problem with.  Again Becca was able to leave me in awe of her talent and with a story line that left me with questions that will hopefully be answered in the last book, but didn't leave me screaming to the sky "WHY, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!" like Crescendo and some other books I shall not name *cough*City of Fallen Angels*cough*.  This time I decided to write down all the major events that happened so when the fourth book rolls around I won't be lost.  I can't wait to see what happens next and I hope that the last book will wrap everything up with the answers I need and maybe just an air of mystery, because we all know Patch is not complete without some sort of mystery to make him who he is.  Great third book in all, I was not disappointed with the book in the end.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Review-Name of the Star

When I first read the premise of this book I was really excited, and when my blogger friend Sarah said she had a review copy and that I could borrow it I was thrilled.  I'm all for books about serial killers because, honestly, I love the idea of a good one.  No that doesn't mean I like when they're at large, but I love watching shows about them.  For some reason I'm facinated with them, books that have to do with crime in general.  I'm also rather fond of the idea of Jack the Ripper so when I heard this book was ABOUT Jack the Ripper I was all for it.  Now that I've finished reading it I'm not really sure how I feel about it.  It wasn't a bad book by any means, it just wasn't amazing.  Maybe it was because I was SO excited about the whole idea of this book that when it finally came down to reading it I found that something was lacking.  The idea was really fresh, it wasn't something that had been re-done hundreds of times in the teen section and although there was some romance it didn't overpower the story, because the story wasn't really ABOUT romance.  I really liked the main character Rory.  She was independant, didn't end up falling in love with a guy and falling all over herself to impress him, and she really did hold her own.  If you're a fan of books with some romance, some thrill, a few near death experiences, and some history then I definetly suggest you check out this book.  I'll be reading the next book in the series just to see what happens (and because there are very few times when I don't continue a series) and will definetly check out her Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes series because I've heard they're really good.

Out now!!!

4/5 dust spirits

Review-Beyond the Grave

I'm really bummed that this series isn't more readily available to the public, but sometimes that's what happens, the good series are harder to find, and maybe it's because of that it makes them harder to find...or maybe I'm just crazy.  This series has really been fun to read because it starts off with a great first book that really breaks the norm in a paranormal YA book.  The most amazing thing, THE GIRL DOESN'T FALL IN LOVE WITH THE SPIRIT!!!  Now, I'm all for a great paranormal romance with sexy ghosts, but it might be overdone, so when the ghosts aren't hot, it's interesting.  Mara is such a great writer and I'm really sad to see that this whole series is over.  Charlotte was such a great character and I could really connect with her.  No, my mom isn't in a coma due to a crazy dark spirit and no, my boyfriend isn't seemingly being possessed by said spirit either (and I know you're all going, WHAT BOYFRIEND, YOU HAVE NONE!), but she's such a down to earth character.  This book really seems to wrap everything up and even though it's a paranormal book I think it has a really great message to everyone out there, and that is that you CAN face your problems and win.  I do have to say it's darker than the first two books, especially at the end, but with all the "dark stuff" that's supposedly in YA it's not that bad at all, just some minor bone breaks and a few concussions.  I do think that Mara has the potential to continue this series and I think it could be really great, but I don't think she will.  I will definitely be on the lookout for her next book series (or maybe another book in the Past Midnight series *hint hint hint*) because although she's less known that doesn't mean her books are inferior to other big names in any way.

Released August 23, 2011

5/5 dust spirits

Thanks Mara for the copy to review!!!

Review-The Dead-Tossed Waves

I was really pleased with this companion novel to Carrie's The Forest of Hands and Teeth because we saw some old characters, met some new ones, and we really got to see past the Forest and some of the reasons for the Return.  I think that when we leave a book we all want to know what happens next but sometimes a sequel isn't always the best way to do that.  A companion novel can be great as long as it's set up right, and this one was set up very well.  Returning to the same world was really great because you leared about the world before, and now you're building on what you already know.  Gabry was a really great character because I think she's what most people in zombie, excuse me Mudo/Unconsecrated books (and movies) aren't; afraid.  In all of the movies and books you have a head-strong hero/heroin who seems to not be afraid of anything, but I think that honestly in that situation most of us would be scared sh*tless, and I think that sometimes writers/authors forget that fact because they feel that it's unapealing in a character.  Carrie is such a great writer and I think that she really hit her calling when she started writing YA zombie suspense novels.  The thing is, she's not afraid to kill characters, which I think is something a lot of YA writers are afraid to do because they feel it will be too dark.  Honestly I did like this book more than the first in the series, maybe it was the characters, maybe it was the setting, maybe it was the romance that seemed to blossom, and maybe it was because I could see myself as Gabry but she was so much stronger than I think I would be in her situation, which is why I really admire her.  It was a riveting sequel and I can't wait to see if we see more of Gabry in the last companion novel, The Dark and Hollow Places.

5.5 dust spirits

(Technically it's more like 4.75/5 dust spirits, but since it would be weird to cut a dust spirit into 3/4 and then everything would ger REALLY complicated we'll just round up to 5)