Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson Review





Hardcover
, 370 pages
Expected publication: September 29th 2011 by Putnam
My copy: ARC

Book Description:

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.


My Review:

*tsk tsk*

Not what I was hoping for. Based on the book description and the cover, I expected a little more originality. I sensed the very average teens in their very average fantasy problems. I wasn't happy with the direction the story was going either, I'd hoped for tragic, more intense concepts but in the end it just lackluster. No memorable moments.

The characters...well for some reason I was annoyed with the names: Jerome? Boo(Bhuvana)? Stephan? Callum?...come on. But Rory and Allister I liked. Personality wise? I liked that boy Allister best...! He could make a story worth wild! To me, he was a trademark all on his own:

"Panic on the streets of London,
Panic on the streets of Birmingham...


I wonder to myself,
Could life ever be same again?"

So again, in my opinion, the majority of the book is pretty basic...dissatisfying if you will.

2/5








Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor Review





Hardcover
, US, 432 pages
Expected publication: September 27th 2011 by Little, Brown & Company

Book Description:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Book Review:

Whoa-whoa-WHOA, slow down, this book is too fast and too great for me...well no, it was actually just crazy-good!

My goodness this story.


One. I was awed by the characters; I felt habituated by their way of living as if I too fought their said battles and conversed with their friends. It's our world in a new cross-pounding Earth. That's what it felt like for me. Not only that but I've also been defeated by Laini Taylor's writing...just brilliant...the story comes together astounding and in a great-pace. The pictures in my hand were wild!


As for the love story, I was scared it would be dull or just strange but instead, it faded in slowly, greatly and then it absolutely shined! Karou was so very interesting with the very entrancing Akiva which led to a very beautiful love story.


Don't do drugs. Stop, drop, and roll. And most importantly...get your hands on this book!

5/5






Sunday, August 28, 2011

First promo for THE HUNGER GAMES!







I'm actually really excited for this film. The actors have potential and I think the movie is going to Kick butt!
XD


Cover Reveal





This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
~*~To be released June 2012~*~

This cover is absolutely perfect!

Goodreads | My Review of Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up.

As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, everyone’s motivations to survive begin to change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life–and death–inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?




Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Hunger Games Promo at...






You might know, you might not...but most likely you've heard about The Hunger Games being slapped on the BIG screen. Yes the movie directed by
Gary Ross. It may not be out until March 23 2012 but check out the VMA's (Video Music Awards @ MTV) for a sneak peek promo this Sunday Aug. 28 @ 9/8C!





Above - Gale (Left) Peeta(right)
Below (katniss)










Waiting on Wednesday






"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine which welcomes books that we are anxiously waiting for.

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson



* Author of Amy and Roger's Epic Detour Morgan Matson, which was great if you haven't already read it, here's My Review. Full of Lovable characters and good dialogue. It's unique too. It's why I can't wait to read Second Chance Summer.

Book Description of Second Chance Summer coming out in the US at May 8th 2012:

Taylor's family might not be the closest-knit – everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled – but for the most part, they get along fine. Then they get news that changes everything: Her father has pancreatic cancer, and it's stage four – meaning that there is basically nothing to be done. Her parents decide that the family will spend his last months together at their old summerhouse in the Pocono Mountains.

Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven't actually gone anywhere. Her former summer best friend is suddenly around, as is her first boyfriend. . . and he's much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.

As the summer progresses, the Edwards become more of a family, and closer than they've ever been before. But all of them very aware that they're battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance – with family, with friends, and with love.


Goodreads | Amazon


Unraveling Isobel by
Eileen Cook


*Haven't read any of Cook's work but this book sounds very interesting and new.

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.

But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

Goodreads | Amazon



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles Review





Hardcover, 308 pages
Published: August 16th 2011 by Walker Books for Young Readers

Book Description:

Luis Fuentes has always been sheltered from the gang violence that nearly destroyed his brothers’ lives. But that didn’t stop him from taking risks—whether he’s scaling a mountain in the Rockies or dreaming of a future as an astronaut, Luis can’t stop looking for the next thrill.

Nikki Cruz lives her life by three rules—boys lie to get their way, don’t trust a boy who says “I love you,” and never date a boy from the south side of Fairfield. Her parents may be from Mexico, but as a doctor’s daughter, she has more in common with her north-side neighbors than the Latino Blood at her school. Then she meets Luis at Alex’s wedding, and suddenly, she’s tempted to break all her rules.

Getting Nikki to take a chance on a southsider is Luis’s biggest challenge, until he finds himself targeted by Chuy Soto, the new head of the Latino Blood. When Chuy reveals a disturbing secret about Luis’s family, the youngest Fuentes finds himself questioning everything he’s ever believed to be true. Will his feelings for Nikki be enough to stop Luis from entering a dark and violent world and permanently living on the edge?


Book Review:

Luis' story and third companion to the perfect chemistry series gets a thumbs up for humor; I was, at the very beginning especially, so into Luis because he was funny...but then again, so were his brothers(I'm laughing just thinking about them). I'd say Nikki was a good pick for this story, she stood by what she believed in, which was really cool...she was however a bit looney sometimes but then again if I were her I'd probably be worse.

As an individual story, this book was really good but compared to Alex's and Carlos' story...It was just okay. It had some expected and repetitive events. But believe me when I tell you, Luis' story is a must read, trust me! I kind of felt like a yo-yo as I was reading this...a little something this:

Page ?? "Pwahaha! Pwahahaha! More! More!"
Page ?? "*rolls eyes* okay *smacks forehead* ugh"
Page ?? "Go Nikki! Go Nikki!"
Page ?? "Go Luis! Go Lu...-oh wait no! no! nooooo Luuuiiiisss, you idiot!!! : ("
Page ?? "No. Way!"

That pretty much raps up this review. Overall, a very good story if you like how the books' description sounds! A must for Simone Elkeles fans!

"Spanish Word of the Day": Pendejo - a spanish slang word for idiot, stupid or dumass.

LOL!

Because I'm judging the book on the story, not as the third book in the perfect chemistry series, it receives:

4/5











Monday, August 22, 2011

Giveaways and Dark Chocolat Brownies





So I haven't been blogging as much as I use to but I have a perfectly good reason why: See my dog, Max, had a little pup with my other dog Sally and when the bugger was born he turned into psychotic zealous snake DOG! He was screeching-howls! Slithering into the beds and sofas leaving toxic pus all over my house! But don't worry, I managed to save my laptop and my books. Oh! I rescued my kid brother in time too. XD

~*~

Speaking of books...I'm going to be hosting some really cool giveaways including ARC's and amazon gift cards for my huge 300 follower giveaway.
Until then I'll have some mini giveaways. I may have a re-cover contest too because even thou I never win them...*frown*...I would love to see what you guys come up with.





P.S Old followers get extra(ahm ahm)entries(ahm).

Lastly. I would like to share with you guys some brownies I made today!


Go ahead, take one. No? Okey dokey, more for me!
30 seconds later...
*licks plate*

:D

By the way what books are you reading or can't wait to seek out this following week/month?

I'm currently reading Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles. Pretty good so far. Luis is so...yum.

If you haven't already seen the trailer, click on the video below :



A book I can't wait to read is Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephine Perkins, based on the book description Lola's story is just the kind of read I'm in the mood for. Also the cover looks stellar!
This is a companion book to Anna and the French Kiss which I thought was pretty good.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley Review





Hardcover, 257 pages
Expected publication: February 14th 2012
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Book Description:

Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.





Austrlian Cover:


My review:

Warning: This review may contain overused exclamation marks.

I never thought I'd say this but thank you Dymocks.com.au for your overpriced cost but very good service...*smile* because I may have bought this book from Australia to be shipped to the US for 15.45$ + 40.00$ shipping but shux! This book was worth it!

Cath Crowley is now one of my top favorite authors of all time; I was amazed by how she told this story through the minds of 18/19 year old characters...she nailed it! I loved every person in this story! They were true, entertaining, inspiring and unforgettable!

As for the story itself, well, do you ever have those moments when you read a book description these days and you say to yourself "this book is either going to be okay or great"? I had that moment and well, Graffiti Moon was phenomenal! I've been waiting a year and a
half to read this so I also had high expectations and you know what? I'm still going crazy about this story, it has it all; action, romance, adventure, suspense and comedy...I actually laughed out loud a couple of times.

Lastly but most importantly, the language of art is extraordinary and that was themed in the story perfectly.

Easily the best book I've read so far this year.

5/5








~*~


http://www.slatterymedia.com/australiaunited/about%20Files/dymocks_logo.gif
Link





Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson Review




Paperback, 320 pages
Published August 4th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Children's Books

Book Description:

Seventeen year old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. Or thereabouts.After a mugging on the streets of South London goes horribly wrong and exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex.

They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. Trying to uncover the truth of why her mother was killed, and the real remit of The Unit, Lila becomes a pawn in a dangerous game. Struggling to keep her secrets in a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them...

Book Review:

Hunting Lila. Although the start of the book is predictable and the characters are slightly typical, the story got pretty exciting towards the middle and end. Ironically, Lila wasn't really who I thought she'd be...I mean...poor Lila, in the beginning she was clueless with that power of telekinesis. I felt bad for her. That was until she ran to Southern California where Jack and Alex lived. She begins to try and get use to her situation and then collects information she thought she'd never know. I wont get into that on a count of spoilers.

The story is written pretty well for a debut author; Sarah Alderson writes in a good flow and that's key because Hunting Lila is filled with unexpected events, battle sequences and a few romantic scenes. I haven't read ya fiction like this in a long time and I'm glad I decided to read this when it first came out.

As for the characters: Jack, Lila's brother, was the protective, intelligent, sexy all in one kind of guy. Alex, Jack's friend and Lila's long time love interest, was intelligent too but not much different than any other male character who might or might not know if he's in love. I'm actually glad I wasn't head over heals for him, rather, he was really...likeable. I'd have to say my favorite character thou is Suki thou, her power rocked!

Definitely worth reading.


4/5







If you interested, it's not available in stores in the US(only UK) but you can buy it from Amazon...I bought my copy from The Book Depository. Free Shipping!


Link

Cool Giveaways hosted by...





International Giveaways: A chance to



~*~
~*~
~*~

*Win one of 6 books( Starcrossed, Dearly departed, The unbecoming of Mara Dyer, etc) @ Bibliopunkk. Ends Aug 31.(Open to Canadian residents too!)


If you guys like this post. Let me know because I might make this a weekly thing. Or not.

*smiles*

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers Video






Okay before you guys kill me...this video has nothing to do with the book but then again...it does.

Fall for Anything is a book I've read recently by Courtney Summers that is amazing. It's deep, memorizing and powerfully real.


My Review | Amazon | Goodreads




It's about a girl, Eddie, who struggles with the truth that her dad has committed suicide. She can't understand why and so with the help of someone who turns out knowing her father more than her, she sets out to make things "right".

This post is about this video I found on Youtube which fits the book so well.
(In my opinion)
After watching it the first thing I thought of was Eddie and her story. I thought I'd share it for the fans or readers who might be interested.



Video :

Matthew Dear - "Slowdance" by Charles Bergquist

No copyrights infringement intended. I do not own the video nor do I have anything to do with it's production. All rights go to whoever made the video.
~*~


Saturday, August 13, 2011

In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton Review



Hardcover, 288 pages
Expected publication: November 22nd 2011 by Clarion
Owned : ARC

Book Description:

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man's forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends.
Teagan knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich.
And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win
.



My Review:

It was hard for me to rate for a number of reason but manly because the first half of the book was excellent but the second half wasn't as good.

The book was good overall but I felt, at times, that it dragged and I was afraid the distractions were going to make me want to forget the story altogether.

However, I was surprised by how funny the story was compared to Tyger Tyger; I couldn't get enough of the characters. I respected them all so much, especially Finn. Such a unique guy. I find myself giving all the stars to him. His and Tea's relationship was both mature and silly at the same time and I loved that. Abby, Tea's best friend, was admiring and Aiden, Tea's little brother, was the coolest little man ever!

I will post a more detailed review close to release date.

3/5