August Books: Reviewed 14 books
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Start Date: August 27th
End Date: August 29th
STARS: 5!!!
GENRE: YA Fantasy, YA Dystopian, YA Adventure
REVIEW: Divergent is the story of Beatrice Prior, an Abnegation (the selfless) born member. She is 16 and it at the age of choosing which Faction she will go to for her adult life. Will she choose Abnegation, Amity (the peaceful), Candor (The honest), Dauntless (The brave), Erudite (the intelligent)? With a war of words going on between Abnegation and Erudite, could she choose Erudite without looking traitorous? With her choice, she dives deeper into the war between Abnegation and Erudite, leading her into fatal territory. Will she live to see her parents again? Or will her identity destroy her?
This book is hard to describe without giving away the whole thing! That's why the summary was tough to write. I LOVED this book!!! I was glued to it, spending late nights reading it!!! It never had a dull part in it for me, and I love the setting of the dystopian theme of having Factions in the world. Tris was such a deep character and I loved all the training scenes! The Fear simulator was my favorite. I cried for Tris, I laughed for Tris, I loved the whole book! I recommend it to all who have an interest in Dystopian themes. Otherwise, it's a little hard to grasp.
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End Date: August 29th
STARS: 5!!!
GENRE: YA Fantasy, YA Dystopian, YA Adventure
REVIEW: Divergent is the story of Beatrice Prior, an Abnegation (the selfless) born member. She is 16 and it at the age of choosing which Faction she will go to for her adult life. Will she choose Abnegation, Amity (the peaceful), Candor (The honest), Dauntless (The brave), Erudite (the intelligent)? With a war of words going on between Abnegation and Erudite, could she choose Erudite without looking traitorous? With her choice, she dives deeper into the war between Abnegation and Erudite, leading her into fatal territory. Will she live to see her parents again? Or will her identity destroy her?
This book is hard to describe without giving away the whole thing! That's why the summary was tough to write. I LOVED this book!!! I was glued to it, spending late nights reading it!!! It never had a dull part in it for me, and I love the setting of the dystopian theme of having Factions in the world. Tris was such a deep character and I loved all the training scenes! The Fear simulator was my favorite. I cried for Tris, I laughed for Tris, I loved the whole book! I recommend it to all who have an interest in Dystopian themes. Otherwise, it's a little hard to grasp.
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Bitter End by Jennifer Brown
Start Date: August 25rd
End Date: August 27th
STARS: 2 1/2
GENRE: YA Realistic Fiction, Relationships, Violence
REVIEW: Bitter End by Jennifer Brown is the story of Alex, a Senior in High School who's boyfriend-less but has her 2 best friends, Bethany and Zach, until Cole transfers to her school for some unknown reason. Alex falls in love and is even more ecstatic when she learns she'll bee tutoring him in English! Cole and Alex start going out and Alex thinks hes perfect - A boy who's the star of basketball, can sing and play guitar, and understands not having a mother around! But things start getting too serious. Alex starts going out with bruises everywhere, retracts from her 2 best friends, and shows no interest in anything without Cole. Everyone is suspicious of Alex, slowly gaining new bruises everywhere. Is Cole not the greatest guy Alex wants him to be? And is Cole's past going to hurt Alex?
Honestly, I'm glad i finished the book so I could chuck it at the wall and never see it again! It was soooooo slow!!!! It takes until after page 200-ish to pick up! I was a fan of Jennifer Brown's debut novel Hate List, but now, I'm not so sure. There was just no pace to the book and it was just dull as can be until it picked up. Then I was hooked! I loved the violent scenes and cried at the end of the book! Those last 150 pages were the only thing giving this book 2 1/2 stars. Kinda hard to recommend this book to anyone because of the topic of abuse and how slow it was. It's not badly written, just slow.
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End Date: August 27th
STARS: 2 1/2
GENRE: YA Realistic Fiction, Relationships, Violence
REVIEW: Bitter End by Jennifer Brown is the story of Alex, a Senior in High School who's boyfriend-less but has her 2 best friends, Bethany and Zach, until Cole transfers to her school for some unknown reason. Alex falls in love and is even more ecstatic when she learns she'll bee tutoring him in English! Cole and Alex start going out and Alex thinks hes perfect - A boy who's the star of basketball, can sing and play guitar, and understands not having a mother around! But things start getting too serious. Alex starts going out with bruises everywhere, retracts from her 2 best friends, and shows no interest in anything without Cole. Everyone is suspicious of Alex, slowly gaining new bruises everywhere. Is Cole not the greatest guy Alex wants him to be? And is Cole's past going to hurt Alex?
Honestly, I'm glad i finished the book so I could chuck it at the wall and never see it again! It was soooooo slow!!!! It takes until after page 200-ish to pick up! I was a fan of Jennifer Brown's debut novel Hate List, but now, I'm not so sure. There was just no pace to the book and it was just dull as can be until it picked up. Then I was hooked! I loved the violent scenes and cried at the end of the book! Those last 150 pages were the only thing giving this book 2 1/2 stars. Kinda hard to recommend this book to anyone because of the topic of abuse and how slow it was. It's not badly written, just slow.
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Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Start Date: August 23rd
End Date: August 25th
STARS: 3 1/2
GENRE: Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Adult Fiction
REVIEW: Hounded by Kevin Hearne is the story of Atticus O'Sullivan, An Irish Druid who is 21. Oh, not 21 years! 21 centuries! He just still happens to look 21 years. He lives peacefully in Arizona, selling occult things in his bookshop and brewing teas, all the while, possessing a sword that a Irish God wants back. After hounding Atticus for many centuries, The God has come to claim what's his. But with his werewolf attorneys and a hot goddess of death on his side, will the sword stay with Atticus? Or will Death claim his overdue soul?
After reading the dedication, I wasn't sure of this book, whether it would be serious of funny. Turns out you can do both. The book had a slow beginning, picks up again, slows up a bit, then barrels through to the end. I found this to be an enjoyable book once you get midway through. I didn't get confused much, but in a few spots. It was also hard to grasp because it has to do with Celtic and Irish folklore, which I have little knowledge of. All in all, I enjoyed the characters' depth, especially Oberion! Best for people who like Folklore and Irich culture, or are looking for a sarcastic and funny book similar to that of Christopher Pike's series Thirst.
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End Date: August 25th
STARS: 3 1/2
GENRE: Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Adult Fiction
REVIEW: Hounded by Kevin Hearne is the story of Atticus O'Sullivan, An Irish Druid who is 21. Oh, not 21 years! 21 centuries! He just still happens to look 21 years. He lives peacefully in Arizona, selling occult things in his bookshop and brewing teas, all the while, possessing a sword that a Irish God wants back. After hounding Atticus for many centuries, The God has come to claim what's his. But with his werewolf attorneys and a hot goddess of death on his side, will the sword stay with Atticus? Or will Death claim his overdue soul?
After reading the dedication, I wasn't sure of this book, whether it would be serious of funny. Turns out you can do both. The book had a slow beginning, picks up again, slows up a bit, then barrels through to the end. I found this to be an enjoyable book once you get midway through. I didn't get confused much, but in a few spots. It was also hard to grasp because it has to do with Celtic and Irish folklore, which I have little knowledge of. All in all, I enjoyed the characters' depth, especially Oberion! Best for people who like Folklore and Irich culture, or are looking for a sarcastic and funny book similar to that of Christopher Pike's series Thirst.
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The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Start Date: August 22nd
End Date: August 23rd
STARS: 3
GENRE: YA Realistic Fiction, YA Romance, Relationships
REVIEW: The Duff by Kody Keplinger is about Senior Bianca Piper, a cynical teenager who could be defined as curvy and petite. She doesn't understand how she's friends with her friends Jessica and Casey- 2 girls who look like they just stepped off the catwalk. On one of her usual nights with her friends at The Nest, The playboy of Hamilton High starts hitting on Bianca at the bar- just so he can go out with her friends. He is unrelenting and annoying Bianca, until she kisses him. After her father's relapse into alcohol and her mother divorcing her dad, her rage came out in a passionate kiss on the wrong guy. Now Bianca is hooked on Wesley as her life spirals down. Is the Duff leaving her clique of friends for Playboy Wesley? Will she stay hooked on Wesley forever?
This book actually annoyed me. I like the concept and I think a lot of girls feel like the Duff (Designated ugly Fat Friend), but the writer was definitely an amateur. I hated how her writing belittled migraines (She got migraines often, the protagonist. Migraines knock you out of life, OK? You don't go to a loud party with a migraine or function in life!), How this was kind of an unrealistic scenario (I applaud the alcoholism and divorce for realism but the ugly girl stuck with 2 guys? I don't really see that in my school.), and why Casey got so pissed off all of a sudden. I'm gonna enjoy seeing how they pull off the movie in 2013.
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End Date: August 23rd
STARS: 3
GENRE: YA Realistic Fiction, YA Romance, Relationships
REVIEW: The Duff by Kody Keplinger is about Senior Bianca Piper, a cynical teenager who could be defined as curvy and petite. She doesn't understand how she's friends with her friends Jessica and Casey- 2 girls who look like they just stepped off the catwalk. On one of her usual nights with her friends at The Nest, The playboy of Hamilton High starts hitting on Bianca at the bar- just so he can go out with her friends. He is unrelenting and annoying Bianca, until she kisses him. After her father's relapse into alcohol and her mother divorcing her dad, her rage came out in a passionate kiss on the wrong guy. Now Bianca is hooked on Wesley as her life spirals down. Is the Duff leaving her clique of friends for Playboy Wesley? Will she stay hooked on Wesley forever?
This book actually annoyed me. I like the concept and I think a lot of girls feel like the Duff (Designated ugly Fat Friend), but the writer was definitely an amateur. I hated how her writing belittled migraines (She got migraines often, the protagonist. Migraines knock you out of life, OK? You don't go to a loud party with a migraine or function in life!), How this was kind of an unrealistic scenario (I applaud the alcoholism and divorce for realism but the ugly girl stuck with 2 guys? I don't really see that in my school.), and why Casey got so pissed off all of a sudden. I'm gonna enjoy seeing how they pull off the movie in 2013.
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Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave
Start Date: August 22nd
End Date:August 22nd
STARS: 4
GENRE: YA Verse, YA Realistic Fiction, YA Poetry
REVIEW: Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave is the story of the Janitor's son, Andy, in High School for his first year. Andy is picked on a lot for being "Mr. Clean's" son. He's an outcast, a no one. Until another No One joins the crowd. Blake goes to the same school and was the popular kid in Middle School. Now, he's out and everyone avoids him- especially with the rumor that he's got a gun. Andy wants to find out if it's true so he looks, after swiping his dad's keys, in Blake's locker to find... nothing. His dad grounds him until death and he apologizes to Blake and gets close to him. Until he shows Andy the gun. Now Blake is becoming more distant, and he's marked out the 5th of March on his calendar. Are people right about Blake? Can Andy be the someone to stop disaster?
I didn't know the book was a Verse Book (Like the famous, honorable Ellen Hopkins's books), which just glued me to it. I finished it in such little time. The book was a little confusing for me, but its an eye-opener to school shootings. How big the problem is and how no one understands why it happens. I never understood Andy's character much but enough to sympathize. And Blake's past is a little vague too, leaving me confused. But, despite the writing, it was a good read. I have a weak spot for Verse Books so I loved it! It also made me go look up past school shooting and see how big a problem it is.
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End Date:August 22nd
STARS: 4
GENRE: YA Verse, YA Realistic Fiction, YA Poetry
REVIEW: Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave is the story of the Janitor's son, Andy, in High School for his first year. Andy is picked on a lot for being "Mr. Clean's" son. He's an outcast, a no one. Until another No One joins the crowd. Blake goes to the same school and was the popular kid in Middle School. Now, he's out and everyone avoids him- especially with the rumor that he's got a gun. Andy wants to find out if it's true so he looks, after swiping his dad's keys, in Blake's locker to find... nothing. His dad grounds him until death and he apologizes to Blake and gets close to him. Until he shows Andy the gun. Now Blake is becoming more distant, and he's marked out the 5th of March on his calendar. Are people right about Blake? Can Andy be the someone to stop disaster?
I didn't know the book was a Verse Book (Like the famous, honorable Ellen Hopkins's books), which just glued me to it. I finished it in such little time. The book was a little confusing for me, but its an eye-opener to school shootings. How big the problem is and how no one understands why it happens. I never understood Andy's character much but enough to sympathize. And Blake's past is a little vague too, leaving me confused. But, despite the writing, it was a good read. I have a weak spot for Verse Books so I loved it! It also made me go look up past school shooting and see how big a problem it is.
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Entwined by Heather Dixon
Start Date: August 19
End Date: August 22nd
STARS: 5!!!
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, YA Romance
REVIEW: Entwined by Heather Dixon is the story of Azalea, the eldest of her 11-going-on-12 sisters and next in line to inherit the throne. The story opens to Azalea, hosting the famous palace Yuletide Ball. Her first ball, since she just turned of age. Oh how she loved to dance! But after the night is ruined by her sisters hiding in the potted plants and discovered missing from their rooms, she learns her mother has died and her illness had claimed her. The palace goes into the Year of Mourning. No sunlight, no color, and worst off, no dancing. Until Azalea discovers a Magic passage where she and her sisters can dance! The Pavillion, hosted by Keeper, is all the girls ever wanted! But there is a catch. The Keeper likes to Keep things. Soon her sisters and Azalea are in over their heads and the past threatens to re-emerge! Will Azalea loved to tell the tale, or will the Keeper keep her and her sisters?
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!! A RARE 5 STAR BOOK! I loved how all the sisters were named alphabetically and by flowers! Azalea, Bramble, Clover, Delphinium, Evening Primrose, Flora, Goldenrod, Hollyhock, Ivy, Jasmine, Kale, and little Lily! And I didn't have to look that up! The writing style was enchanting, the plot magnificent, and the characters so deep! I hope EVERYONE picks up this book. I would read this late into the night! The length is perfect for such an enriching tale, the detail pristine. I can't stop raving about this book! I'm not one for historical fiction but this is just so great!
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End Date: August 22nd
STARS: 5!!!
GENRE: YA Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, YA Romance
REVIEW: Entwined by Heather Dixon is the story of Azalea, the eldest of her 11-going-on-12 sisters and next in line to inherit the throne. The story opens to Azalea, hosting the famous palace Yuletide Ball. Her first ball, since she just turned of age. Oh how she loved to dance! But after the night is ruined by her sisters hiding in the potted plants and discovered missing from their rooms, she learns her mother has died and her illness had claimed her. The palace goes into the Year of Mourning. No sunlight, no color, and worst off, no dancing. Until Azalea discovers a Magic passage where she and her sisters can dance! The Pavillion, hosted by Keeper, is all the girls ever wanted! But there is a catch. The Keeper likes to Keep things. Soon her sisters and Azalea are in over their heads and the past threatens to re-emerge! Will Azalea loved to tell the tale, or will the Keeper keep her and her sisters?
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!! A RARE 5 STAR BOOK! I loved how all the sisters were named alphabetically and by flowers! Azalea, Bramble, Clover, Delphinium, Evening Primrose, Flora, Goldenrod, Hollyhock, Ivy, Jasmine, Kale, and little Lily! And I didn't have to look that up! The writing style was enchanting, the plot magnificent, and the characters so deep! I hope EVERYONE picks up this book. I would read this late into the night! The length is perfect for such an enriching tale, the detail pristine. I can't stop raving about this book! I'm not one for historical fiction but this is just so great!
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Numbers by Rachel Ward
Start Date: August 18th
End Date: August 19th
STARS: 4 1/2
GENRE: YA Suspense, YA Paranormal, YA Romance
REVIEW: Numbers by Rachel Ward is about Jem, A girl in current-time London who can see when people will die. She doesn't see how, she just knows the date. They came to her as a child and she didn't know what they were. She saw her mother's number though. 10101998 which translated to the day her mother died of an overdose. Death date: 10/10/1998. 8 years later, in the England foster care system and a delinquent, She becomes close with a friend in her "slow class" who's number is just weeks away. After getting suspended from school, she and Spider, her friend, head for a day at the London Eye, until Jem notices all the dates of everyone- today. Now Spider and Jem are on the run, suspected of a crime, and trying to avoid Spider's date!
This book...well it was amazing but I just don't know how to describe it. Its an amazing storyline with a good author for it. Not the best author, but still pretty good. There were some slow parts and parts where I just skimmed, but it's really good. I found Ward's writing slow in some places but amazing otherwise. If you find yourself wanting to quit before page 150, keep going. It gets much better. I also found the romantic scenes vague enough for the YA scene, but still romantic! I can't wait to get The Cha0s, and Infinity!
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End Date: August 19th
STARS: 4 1/2
GENRE: YA Suspense, YA Paranormal, YA Romance
REVIEW: Numbers by Rachel Ward is about Jem, A girl in current-time London who can see when people will die. She doesn't see how, she just knows the date. They came to her as a child and she didn't know what they were. She saw her mother's number though. 10101998 which translated to the day her mother died of an overdose. Death date: 10/10/1998. 8 years later, in the England foster care system and a delinquent, She becomes close with a friend in her "slow class" who's number is just weeks away. After getting suspended from school, she and Spider, her friend, head for a day at the London Eye, until Jem notices all the dates of everyone- today. Now Spider and Jem are on the run, suspected of a crime, and trying to avoid Spider's date!
This book...well it was amazing but I just don't know how to describe it. Its an amazing storyline with a good author for it. Not the best author, but still pretty good. There were some slow parts and parts where I just skimmed, but it's really good. I found Ward's writing slow in some places but amazing otherwise. If you find yourself wanting to quit before page 150, keep going. It gets much better. I also found the romantic scenes vague enough for the YA scene, but still romantic! I can't wait to get The Cha0s, and Infinity!
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Don't Kill The Birthday Girl by Sandra Beasly
Start Date: August 16th
End Date: August 18th
STARS: 4
GENRE: Memoir, Adult Non-Fiction, Food
REVIEW: Don't Kill The Birthday Girl by Sandra Beasly is her memoir about being one of many Americans with severe allergies. Shes allergic to dairy, egg, soy, beef, shrimp, pine nuts, cucumbers, cantaloupe, honeydew, mango, macadamias, pistachios, cashews, swordfish, and mustard. Add on mold, dust, grass and tree pollen, cigarette smoke, dogs, rabbits, horses, and wool, and it's understandable that she was labeled "Allergy Girl". This Memoir tells of her experience of having to avoid all her allergens as a child, adult, and in the future. How her family had to cope with trying to find things that were "Sandra-friendly". However, her book isn't a whiny book about how she had terrible allergies and poor-me. The book is what I would think any allergy-plagued person would enjoy, what with much info on treatments in the 1990's, current treatments, and new coming treatments. This book is like insight for anyone without allergies that knows someone who does. It's like the guidebook for understanding allergies.
While I don't have allergies to anything, I still enjoyed this book. I got to understand how Beasly or any allergy sufferer had to cope in life. I also understand more about tests done for allergy sufferers and the history of Allergies in humans. I now understand what the body does when an allergy attack happens. This was a very insightful book, but a little dull in some parts, but its not a terrible deterrent. And it's a memoir you can skim and still know what's going on!
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End Date: August 18th
STARS: 4
GENRE: Memoir, Adult Non-Fiction, Food
REVIEW: Don't Kill The Birthday Girl by Sandra Beasly is her memoir about being one of many Americans with severe allergies. Shes allergic to dairy, egg, soy, beef, shrimp, pine nuts, cucumbers, cantaloupe, honeydew, mango, macadamias, pistachios, cashews, swordfish, and mustard. Add on mold, dust, grass and tree pollen, cigarette smoke, dogs, rabbits, horses, and wool, and it's understandable that she was labeled "Allergy Girl". This Memoir tells of her experience of having to avoid all her allergens as a child, adult, and in the future. How her family had to cope with trying to find things that were "Sandra-friendly". However, her book isn't a whiny book about how she had terrible allergies and poor-me. The book is what I would think any allergy-plagued person would enjoy, what with much info on treatments in the 1990's, current treatments, and new coming treatments. This book is like insight for anyone without allergies that knows someone who does. It's like the guidebook for understanding allergies.
While I don't have allergies to anything, I still enjoyed this book. I got to understand how Beasly or any allergy sufferer had to cope in life. I also understand more about tests done for allergy sufferers and the history of Allergies in humans. I now understand what the body does when an allergy attack happens. This was a very insightful book, but a little dull in some parts, but its not a terrible deterrent. And it's a memoir you can skim and still know what's going on!
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The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
Start Date: August 14th
End Date: August 16th
STARS: 4
GENRE: YA Travel, Romance, YA Realistic Fiction
REVIEW: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson is the continuation of the book 13 Little Blue Envelopes. We find Ginny in wintertime back in New Jersey about to apply for colleges when a mysterious email comes in with a photocopy of something very familiar. It's the 13th letter! A man named Oliver purchased her bag after it had been stolen and found her envelopes. Now Ginny must come back to London to finish her task, but Oliver won't hand over the letter without a price - half of the auction price of the final piece of art her Aunt Peg wants her to make. And is her Aunt Peg right about how you can't come back to the same place twice? This is Ginny's chance to find out why Keith hasn't been in touch with her as much anymore. Will Ginny like what she finds? Will Oliver stick around once Keith decides to tag along with the duo as they retrace Ginny's steps throughout Europe again to finish Aunt Peg's mission?
I found this book to be a very exciting conclusion to the series! I didn't like Keith's arrogance towards Oliver and how much it happened in the book. However, there was a touching part in the book that made me cry. I wish there was a third one just to find out what happened!
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End Date: August 16th
STARS: 4
GENRE: YA Travel, Romance, YA Realistic Fiction
REVIEW: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson is the continuation of the book 13 Little Blue Envelopes. We find Ginny in wintertime back in New Jersey about to apply for colleges when a mysterious email comes in with a photocopy of something very familiar. It's the 13th letter! A man named Oliver purchased her bag after it had been stolen and found her envelopes. Now Ginny must come back to London to finish her task, but Oliver won't hand over the letter without a price - half of the auction price of the final piece of art her Aunt Peg wants her to make. And is her Aunt Peg right about how you can't come back to the same place twice? This is Ginny's chance to find out why Keith hasn't been in touch with her as much anymore. Will Ginny like what she finds? Will Oliver stick around once Keith decides to tag along with the duo as they retrace Ginny's steps throughout Europe again to finish Aunt Peg's mission?
I found this book to be a very exciting conclusion to the series! I didn't like Keith's arrogance towards Oliver and how much it happened in the book. However, there was a touching part in the book that made me cry. I wish there was a third one just to find out what happened!
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Unnatural by Michael Griffo
Start Date: August 9th
End Date: August 14th
STARS: 2 1/2
GENRE: YA Paranormal, Vampires, LBGTQ > Gay, Romance
REVIEW: Unnatural is about Michael, a gay, Midwestern teenager with a difficult life. He's bullied at school for being gay, his father abandoned him and his mother at age 3, and his mom is spiraling downwards. After his mother dies, his father comes back and takes Michael to London, where he thinks he'll live with his father, once again. But, after touching down in London, he is shipped off to Archangel Academy, a boarding school for boys next door to St. Anne's, the female half of the Academy. Michael is happy at Archangel though. His studies are going great, he likes his roommate, Ciaran, and he hasn't been bullied. Until one dark night, where Michael sees the man of his dreams, Ronan. But Ronan has a dark secret -He's a hybrid species of vampire! Will Michael take him as Ronan is? Will Ronan's ex, Nakano, have revenge?
I personally found this to be a dull book. It has the best plot line ever! But the writer, Griffo, does no justice to it. I found I had to do quite a bit of skimming. There's too much detail about the detail. You could easily drop the book to 2/3 it original bulk if you edit it properly. Took me a long time to finish! However, I applaud Griffo for putting a new twist onto the vampire scene!
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End Date: August 14th
STARS: 2 1/2
GENRE: YA Paranormal, Vampires, LBGTQ > Gay, Romance
REVIEW: Unnatural is about Michael, a gay, Midwestern teenager with a difficult life. He's bullied at school for being gay, his father abandoned him and his mother at age 3, and his mom is spiraling downwards. After his mother dies, his father comes back and takes Michael to London, where he thinks he'll live with his father, once again. But, after touching down in London, he is shipped off to Archangel Academy, a boarding school for boys next door to St. Anne's, the female half of the Academy. Michael is happy at Archangel though. His studies are going great, he likes his roommate, Ciaran, and he hasn't been bullied. Until one dark night, where Michael sees the man of his dreams, Ronan. But Ronan has a dark secret -He's a hybrid species of vampire! Will Michael take him as Ronan is? Will Ronan's ex, Nakano, have revenge?
I personally found this to be a dull book. It has the best plot line ever! But the writer, Griffo, does no justice to it. I found I had to do quite a bit of skimming. There's too much detail about the detail. You could easily drop the book to 2/3 it original bulk if you edit it properly. Took me a long time to finish! However, I applaud Griffo for putting a new twist onto the vampire scene!
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Vesper by Jeff Sampson
Start Date: August 8th
End Date: August 8th
STARS: 4
GENRE: YA Paranormal, YA Fantasy, YA Sci-Fi
REVIEW: Vesper by Jeff Sampson is about Emily Webb and her "changes". One of her classmates, who she didn't know well, has just been killed and left her Junior class in mourning and scared of the killer on the loose. Emily Cooke was the victim. All Emily Webb's Relationship with Emily Cooke was trying to keep their names straight. Emily Webb is just a geeky girl who want to just fade into the background while her friend, Megan, dominates the school, or tries to. But Emily comes to realize something is wrong. Always at 8 PM, She has debilitating pain and then... Nothing... She feels different. She wants to party, Chase boys, and not care! Nighttime Emily scares Daytime Emily. But one evening with Nighttime Emily, She changes into something else. Will she find out what she really is? Is there anyone else like her? Was Emily C.'s death a targeted death?
I found Vesper to be an amazing book! There were slow parts but it turned out to be an amazing book! The author's writing does seem a little amateur in some parts, but it doesn't affect the book greatly. I can't wait for the next book!
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End Date: August 8th
STARS: 4
GENRE: YA Paranormal, YA Fantasy, YA Sci-Fi
REVIEW: Vesper by Jeff Sampson is about Emily Webb and her "changes". One of her classmates, who she didn't know well, has just been killed and left her Junior class in mourning and scared of the killer on the loose. Emily Cooke was the victim. All Emily Webb's Relationship with Emily Cooke was trying to keep their names straight. Emily Webb is just a geeky girl who want to just fade into the background while her friend, Megan, dominates the school, or tries to. But Emily comes to realize something is wrong. Always at 8 PM, She has debilitating pain and then... Nothing... She feels different. She wants to party, Chase boys, and not care! Nighttime Emily scares Daytime Emily. But one evening with Nighttime Emily, She changes into something else. Will she find out what she really is? Is there anyone else like her? Was Emily C.'s death a targeted death?
I found Vesper to be an amazing book! There were slow parts but it turned out to be an amazing book! The author's writing does seem a little amateur in some parts, but it doesn't affect the book greatly. I can't wait for the next book!
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Overbite by Meg Cabot
Start Date: August 5th
End Date: August 7th
STARS: 3 1/2
GENRE: YA Paranormal, YA Romance, Fantasy
REVIEW: Overbite by Meg Cabot is the continuation of the series Insatiable where we find Meena working for the Palentine, The Vatican Church's secret army and her vampire lover's enemy. Meena hasn't heard from Lucien Antonescu, the Prince of Darkness and son of Dracula, in a while and doesn't think anything of it, until she's attacked by her ex-boyfriend. Now a vampire. And Lucien returns again in the poorest health, fighting his father's curse, descended to him after his death. What will happen to Lucien? What does it mean for Alaric to see his old - and not fond of- friend Father Henrique? Is her work and everyone she knows someone to trust?
This was an ok book. It had slow parts, as did Insatiable. I was glad Meena wasn't googly-eyed for Lucien this time and more resistant but i hated how she just melted in his arms, and so much! It was also a confusing book and just left me guessing and missing the book. Recommended to Cabot fans and some thriller fans.
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End Date: August 7th
STARS: 3 1/2
GENRE: YA Paranormal, YA Romance, Fantasy
REVIEW: Overbite by Meg Cabot is the continuation of the series Insatiable where we find Meena working for the Palentine, The Vatican Church's secret army and her vampire lover's enemy. Meena hasn't heard from Lucien Antonescu, the Prince of Darkness and son of Dracula, in a while and doesn't think anything of it, until she's attacked by her ex-boyfriend. Now a vampire. And Lucien returns again in the poorest health, fighting his father's curse, descended to him after his death. What will happen to Lucien? What does it mean for Alaric to see his old - and not fond of- friend Father Henrique? Is her work and everyone she knows someone to trust?
This was an ok book. It had slow parts, as did Insatiable. I was glad Meena wasn't googly-eyed for Lucien this time and more resistant but i hated how she just melted in his arms, and so much! It was also a confusing book and just left me guessing and missing the book. Recommended to Cabot fans and some thriller fans.
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The End Of Everything by Megan Abbot
Start Date: August 2nd
End Date: August 4th
STARS: 2 1/2
GENRE: YA Mystery, Historical Fiction
REVIEW: The End Of Everything is a mystery set in the 1980′s about a child abduction. Lizzie is best friends with Evie. In their life, there’s Lizzie, Evie, and Lizzie-and-Evie because of how close they are. But one day, Evie doesn’t return home and a popular man is to blame. Lizzie has to learn to cope without her body twin, and not get too close to Evie’s family. Will Evie come home? Will she want too?
I honestly thought this was a slow book. The Author was misleading, I think, and I had to backtrack a lot. I also didn’t see how having this set in the 1980′s affected it. Only that the police had less technology. The writing to me was disjointed and gapped, similar to Hold Still by Nina LaCour. This book can also be inappropriate to sensitive readers as it deals with Child Abduction and molestation. I honestly wouldn’t recommend it to many people as it’s a complicated and mature book
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End Date: August 4th
STARS: 2 1/2
GENRE: YA Mystery, Historical Fiction
REVIEW: The End Of Everything is a mystery set in the 1980′s about a child abduction. Lizzie is best friends with Evie. In their life, there’s Lizzie, Evie, and Lizzie-and-Evie because of how close they are. But one day, Evie doesn’t return home and a popular man is to blame. Lizzie has to learn to cope without her body twin, and not get too close to Evie’s family. Will Evie come home? Will she want too?
I honestly thought this was a slow book. The Author was misleading, I think, and I had to backtrack a lot. I also didn’t see how having this set in the 1980′s affected it. Only that the police had less technology. The writing to me was disjointed and gapped, similar to Hold Still by Nina LaCour. This book can also be inappropriate to sensitive readers as it deals with Child Abduction and molestation. I honestly wouldn’t recommend it to many people as it’s a complicated and mature book
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What Happened To Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Start Date: July 31st
End Date: August 2nd
STARS: 4
GENRE: YA Realistic, YA Romance
REVIEW:What Happened To Goodbye is the story of Mclean Sweet, named after her father’s favorite basketball coach, and her umpteenth move to Lakeview city. Ever since her parents divorce and her siding to live with her restaurant entrepreneur daddy, she’s so used to a new identity in every town. A new name, a new ume.com page, a fresh start, and the knowledge that she can cut and run at just about any time. But she doesn’t get the chance to find her new persona. She soon goes by Mclean, which hasn’t happened in 2 years. As time passes, she gets invested in the town and the restaurant her father has taken under his wing, the Luna Blu, but her mother want to see her again and Mclean has no wish to see her after marrying the star coach on her dad’s favorite basketball team. Will she find a way to live in peace with her mother, or have everything ripped out from underneath her to live with her mom, including her crush, Dave?
I thought this was a very good book, as Sarah Dessen has yet to fail me. The characters are very loveable, you cant help but feel sad at Mclean’s relationship with her mother. I don't think this is Dessen's Best work ever, but it runs up there! I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Realistic fiction with a hint of romance and heartbreak!
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End Date: August 2nd
STARS: 4
GENRE: YA Realistic, YA Romance
REVIEW:What Happened To Goodbye is the story of Mclean Sweet, named after her father’s favorite basketball coach, and her umpteenth move to Lakeview city. Ever since her parents divorce and her siding to live with her restaurant entrepreneur daddy, she’s so used to a new identity in every town. A new name, a new ume.com page, a fresh start, and the knowledge that she can cut and run at just about any time. But she doesn’t get the chance to find her new persona. She soon goes by Mclean, which hasn’t happened in 2 years. As time passes, she gets invested in the town and the restaurant her father has taken under his wing, the Luna Blu, but her mother want to see her again and Mclean has no wish to see her after marrying the star coach on her dad’s favorite basketball team. Will she find a way to live in peace with her mother, or have everything ripped out from underneath her to live with her mom, including her crush, Dave?
I thought this was a very good book, as Sarah Dessen has yet to fail me. The characters are very loveable, you cant help but feel sad at Mclean’s relationship with her mother. I don't think this is Dessen's Best work ever, but it runs up there! I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Realistic fiction with a hint of romance and heartbreak!
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